Perfect Christian, Perfect Church

"Perhaps our imperfections make us perfect for each other."
George Knightly, from Emma by Jane Austen

I watched the 1996 movie, Emma, the other evening, and was taken by this quote toward the end of the film, as Emma and George are discussing their flaws as possible obstructions to them having a happy marriage. As I pondered on that thought as it pertains to romantic relationships, I also started to think about how it might be applied in a larger context, such as to the Church.

It is no coincidence that my pastor preached a message this morning about the importance of the regular assembling of believers. I took that as confirmation that I should share my thoughts on the topic of perfection as it pertains to Christians and the Church.

Whenever someone tells me they are looking for a church, I always tell them, “Don’t look for a perfect church. If you find one and join it, it won’t be perfect any more.” It seems that there are some people who refuse to go to church because of all the imperfect people there. Irony much?

The bumper sticker that proclaims, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” is true. But it’s no excuse for trying, either.

As Pastor Rodger mentioned this morning, iron sharpens iron; it is by regularly brushing up against other imperfect Christians that we slowly wear away those imperfections to become the people that God desires.

In Colossians 3, Paul challenges us to strive for perfection in our lives, individually and collectively. After all, the Church is simply the reflection of the people in it. What if the church took this passage seriously and literally? What if each of us as individuals took this passage seriously and literally? Could this be the blueprint for “The Perfect Church?”

In 17 verses, the Apostle Paul lays out a comprehensive instruction manual on proper Christian conduct.

Let’s look closely at these instructions to see what is required of us:

Loyalties And Priorities (vv1-4)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What occupies our hearts and minds?

Are we weighed down by the cares and concerns of daily life? Or do we regularly refocus on heavenly purposes?

Are we concerned with achieving satisfaction and success here on earth? Or is it our greatest goal to carry out the Great Commission so we can take as many people with us as possible when we leave this world?

The Greek word ZETEO is translated here as “set your heart”. It means to seek or strive for, and is the same word used in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus said,

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 

What are we seeking or striving for in life? Where are our loyalties and priorities? 

Cleaning Out The Gutter (vv 5-10)

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

At some point, we all have to acknowledge that sin is sin. Sin is an integral part of our earthly nature, and does not go away without a fight. Paul tells us that we must put our sin nature to death. If we simply wound it, it will recover.

One should not think that this is an exhaustive list of sins. It is simply a sampler of some of the uglier ones. These sins seem to fall into two categories: what we think (and consequently act upon), and what we say. The mind and the mouth are sometimes our worst enemies. This is why Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

And James 3:6-8 says, 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

Paul gives us the motivation for cleaning up our act. He tells us that we have put on the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Who likes to put clean clothes on a dirty body? Likewise, it does not make sense that we should try to clothe ourselves with Christ while we continue to wallow in the gutter of sin.
 

One For All and All For One (v11) 

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 

Paul makes it quite clear that there should be no natural or artificial distinctions between believers. We should embrace each other without regard to race, nationality, economic status, profession, education, talent, appearance, ability, or any other factor. All of these distinctions will pass away when we enter into eternity, and only our immortal soul will remain, which is what God sees in each one of us. We need to learn how to look at each other the way Christ looked at us the day He hung on the cross.
 

All Dressed Up (vv12-14)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Paul’s antidote to the nasty habits in the previous verses is found in 12-14. He suggests that we put on these positive, uplifting virtues as we put on our clothing. 

What if we were to take this instruction to heart? As you dress yourself each morning, equate each article of clothing with a virtue:

• Underwear: humility (covers our unmentionables)

• Socks: gentleness (provides cushioning and warmth)

• Shirt: compassion (covers our heart)

• Pants: kindness (consideration for others)

• Shoes: patience (learn how to walk in another person’s shoes)

• Coat: love (covers everything else)

We are instructed to forgive each other and bear with one another. We must always remember this simple fact: if God was as quick to give up on us when we fall short as we are with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we would all be toast by now.

The only sin you can hold against another believer is the one that God has not forgiven you through Jesus. And since He has forgiven your every sin, your only response to the one who offends you is to do the same. 

When All Is Said And Done (vv15-17)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
 

How many of you enjoy living a life of drama and turmoil? We are called to live lives of peace. Strife and conflict in our lives are usually the result of us not yielding to God’s way of dealing with situations. The saying is true that it takes two to argue. Don’t let another person drag you into chaos.

We are instructed to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This word “richly” is the Greek word PLOUSIOS, which means abundantly. The more Word we pour into ourselves, the more Word will come back out as we converse with each other. 

The Word is given for us to teach and admonish one another, not to condemn and criticize. The word “admonish” means to warn by instruction. We must always be on the lookout for each other, to guard against those things which will come against our fellow believers. 

Paul goes on to say that this Word which indwells us should infuse our praises as well. This is why we sing so many songs based directly on Scripture. What greater honor can we give the Author of the Bible than to sing back to Him the very words He inspired?

Paul sums up all of these instructions with verse 17, a sentence that is probably one of the most challenging in the Bible:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

To do or say anything in the name of Jesus means that we are acting as His power of attorney or personal representative. 

Honestly now, do you really think that Jesus would have done or said some of the things that you perpetrated on the human race this past week? I know that I regularly misrepresent Him as I go about doing my own thing. 

The motivation for doing everything in the name of Jesus is the gratitude that we are supposed to have because of all the things He has done for us. God knows that if we regularly refocus ourselves on Him and the love and grace that we have received from Him, then our outward responses and behaviors will greatly improve.

My personal goal is to strive for these ideals in my life, and I challenge you to do the same.

We need not worry that we might become perfect Christians or a perfect church in doing so, because we will never fully achieve these benchmarks of perfection.

However, in working toward them, we will become a perfecting church filled with Christians who are being perfected into the likeness of Christ.

Have a blessed week!
 

Pastor David