I've often wondered how many in attendance "at" church are actually "in" church. In other words, how many worshipers are there sincerely seeking to connect with the Lord? Or, are they there because it's what's expected of them; perhaps even coerced into coming?
In an ideal world, we piously attend church because of our love and respect for God. But...in reality, not all share these sentiments. Should those of us who faithfully attend with heartfelt affection and gratitude be tempted to rebuke, reprimand, or admonish those churchgoers who are simply filling empty seats? The truth is, there is no simple answer.
To begin with, we cannot be "made" religious. In fact, history discloses many examples of the tragic outcomes of forced religion. There's an old saying, "You can lead a horse to water (but you can't make him/it drink)." Use of an irresistible, moral force is not only contraditory, but an impossibility.
Thus, it stands to reason that gathering together in church doesn't guarantee that everyone is united in the same spirit (1 Corinthians 11:17). You might have two people sitting together, listening to the same sermon, etc., and still be as far apart from each other as the earth is from Mars.
What's the critical, missing piece that causes this separation? They are missing "spiritual unity." It cannot exist without a supreme affection for Christ. Furthermore, without Him there can be no uniting of souls (1 Corinthians 11:18-19).
As an example, I direct you to 1 Corinthians 11. The apostle Paul noticed discord within the church in Corinth. Though they would gather as a church, there was disagreement and dissension among them. In this case, it had to do with the sharing of the Lord's supper. This garnered a rebuke from Paul (1 Corinthians 11:17)!
It seems that the rich, who disliked the poor, abused what should have been a covenant of mutal love and affection. So, we have two members of the same church, but one has totally different views of what is proper than the other (1 Corinthians 11:20-21).
Clearly, the church in Corinth was missing spiritual unity. It's members were together, yet not. There were definite schisms within the church community, much like what we might see today. We are not all that different from the Corinthians. Times may change, but people don't.
Separation within the church is a serious matter. It can lead to many negative consequences, such as: impeding the prosperity of the church; demoralization of its community. disapproval or disappointment among its members, and even cause us to dishonor Christ.
Things like hypocrisy, self-righteous pride, promising appearances or outward profession have always been with the church. We are saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. Humankind has always had their differences. But as bleak and dreary as this may all sound, there is hope.
As it so happens, God provided us with supportive guidance to spiritual unity. We must not only follow God's word, but act accordingly, as well (Matthew 7:13-14). And although it presently continues to be elusive, we shouldn't give up on unity.
Let us press on "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
Let us press on "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:21; Amos 3:3; Ephesians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 12:14
Prayer: Dear God, may You always look upon us with mercy, for we are divided in so many ways, I ask for Your Spirit to make us united in love. Amen
God bless you!
Gretchen
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