Getting the point

W e have been down with sickness this week at our home. Ailing so – that our doctor called to check on our conditions, days after sending us home with treatment. And I have to say that it’s been quite a long time since I have been laid this low – even to the point of not stirring from home, or even from bed at that. Such events help put things into perspective sometimes; yet – although to be quite honest, I was so out of it that I couldn’t reect on it properly at the time. Even to the point that I mulled over even doing this column this week. Yet, when it came to my attention that two people we knew – who were in worse shape than us – were being helped along by some of their fellow church members, I took note.

These _ne folks were doing the work of sitting with that couple, getting rides for them, visiting them in medical facilities, doing laundry, cleaning their house, getting supplies and food, coordinating with doctors and health workers, contacting relatives, and then on top of everything else – heard that they were inquiring into anything else they could do for them…all in an attempt to get them through their sickness.

They were acting as guardian angels to one of their ock.

I think those in that particular church get what’s it’s all about.

Then, in Friday’s Evening Times I read of contributor’s remarks regarding what the purpose of the church should be.

So, I took it line-by-line. Several paragraphs in read where one person objected to those who didn’t ‘love thy neighbor.’

Yet, I am reminded in Matthew 7:11 that even evil people know how to give good gifts unto their children. So, that’s not the reason for the church to be-it is a side-effect of something more basic.

Moving on. Another says church should be a “safe space.”

Honestly, I think I know my Bible pretty well, and I don’t recollect anywhere in there that it says something about the church’s primary mission being to provide “safe spaces” for believers.

In fact, without having to pull an all-nighter reecting on this, I simply waited for the proper scripture to oat to the top of my thoughts.

And it did in short order when I reected on the twelve apostles…all who died violent deaths-minus John the Revelator, who died while in exile on the Isle of Patmos. Didn’t _nd anything in the scripture however about them being promised ‘safe spaces’ in their day.

To continue. One comments that years ago church music was better, speeches better, energized feelings, atmosphere was better. While that may or may not be, perhaps those who are interested in entertainment value in church might perhaps prefer to go to a Taylor Swift concert, or maybe Beyonce next time they are performing in the area.

For entertainment isn’t the purpose of a church.

Then, another suggested having ‘virtual services’ on an on-line church.

But, didn’t Jesus himself say, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them?

Pretty hard to be ‘gathered together’ on the internet.

Next. This popped up as well. One thinks that telling folks they are going to hell if they don’t act right is somehow put-of_sh.

Did anyone ever tell this person that Christ in the New Testament spoke of hell as a place where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?” And if it didn’t seem to bother him to say so…then…..

So, what is the mission of the church you might ask?

And what is the question one should ask as a member of that body?

Well, here it is: “Does my church follow Jesus?”

That’s it. Pretty basic stuff. Need proof? Okay, it’s in Revelation 2:4, and is speaking of the Church of Ephesus: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at _rst.”

In other words, this church had left off following Jesus. Instead, they were instructed to return to their _rst love – that is, Jesus.

That’s it! That’s the mark your church and every other church should be following.

Just ask yourselves this question: “Is my church following Jesus?”

And like those members I discussed at the top of this article, your efforts will bear fruit, like theirs did. For they are a shining example of what a church should be.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge those people who were assisting the sick that I spoke of earlier.

I congratulate you and salute you! For, you get the point.

Robert L. Hall is a resident of Marion and has a Bachelor’s Degree in music from the University of Memphis and a Master’s Degree from Florida State University. He is the pianist for Avondale Baptist Church.

Robert L. Hall

The Wordaholic