I haven’t flown in airplanes much in my life. I mean, in comparison to some other people I know. I still get a bit nervous when I’m approaching the airport, afraid I’m going to be late for the flight or that I forgot to do something. So I try to get to the airport super-early so I can take care of anything that needs to be done so I don’t miss my flight. Of course, I have never had a problem with any of that, and I usually get stuck at the airport for an extra 2 or 3 hours. I did that today. And I’m killing the time writing this article.
The part I really dislike and really dread about flying is the scrutiny. The examination of everything metal or hidden or liquid or fluffy... just freaks me out. What if my shampoo or deodorant is too big? What if they find something in my shoes? What if my feet smell and the guy behind me is grossed out? The last time I flew I had accidentally left a 4 oz. jar of jelly in my backpack. It was a gift for my mom. Sorry mom.
Do you ever feel that way when you come to church? Like you’re being scrutinized? What if you did one too many wrong things this week? What if they found out about the contraband hidden way down deep in your baggage? What if they stop you and ask you probing questions? Do you spend your time at church trying to make yourself appear as harmless as possible so that no one will think you are a terrorist? Or a drinker?
Believe it or not, this sort of attitude is slavery. It is slavery to the rules and the way things appear. It is slavery to public opinion and your own sense of insecurity. And believe it or not, fewer people are evaluating your spirituality than you think.
It is true that Scripture calls us to encourage each other to good works. It is true that we are to speak the truth to each other in love. It is true that when someone sins against us we are to go to that person and work it out. Privately. It is not true that we are to scrutinize each other and point out sin. It is not true that we are to evaluate other people according to what they are or are not doing. It is not true that we are to focus on the negative things other people are doing.
Consider Ephesians chapter 4. Take a minute or two and read it.
Go ahead and read it again, but this time look for a few things:
What is Paul’s deep desire for the Ephesians as a church? (v. 1)
What is the means for accomplishing Paul’s desire? (v. 2)
What is a primary purpose for following Paul’s encouragement? (v. 3)
How can we accomplish this sense of unity at our churches? (vv. 7-16)
Who is responsible for your worthy walk? (vv. 17-24)
Who is affected by your lifestyle of worthy living? (vv. 25-32)
Paul’s instructions for worthy living go on through the rest of Ephesians, and it’s all based in God’s love for us and what He has already accomplished. We have, as believers, everything we need to pursue this worthy life, but it’s our job to pursue it.
One last note: everything in Ephesians 4 is about our personal responsibility to holiness, but it is always in the context of the church as a whole. So we pursue unity at church by attending to our own personal holiness, taking care of our own issues, and as a result, we draw closer to each other as we all draw closer to God. And as we discover how God has wired us to serve each other, church becomes less about an attitude of airport security, and it becomes more about how I can encourage other people in their own personal pursuit of Christ and His holiness.
