Over the past year, the small group I belong to has studied Philip Yancey’s book, “What’s so Amazing About Grace?” In one of the lessons he talks about showing grace to those struggling with complicated sins and he uses homosexuality as an example. He asks the question in the study, “How do you show grace in that situation?” One way I answered the question was by saying, “We need to figure out not just what we’re against but what we’re for.”
What are you for? What are we as a church for? It’s so easy to get into a mindset of what we’re against. It’s easy to make such a list. We/You may be against: abortion, homosexuality, worship that is entertainment, women in church leadership, abuses of Sunday/Sabbath observance, gender-neutral translations of the Bible, the “gray” hymnal, evolution, divorce, catechism programs that seem to get away from the catechism, using a screen in worship, etc.. There’s a place for standing in opposition to things. In Acts 20 Paul tells us to oppose falsehood. But often that’s as far as we go. Whenever you stand for something, you’re always standing against something. But the opposite isn’t always true. It’s often possible just to be “contrary” without staking out what you’re for.
Why is it so important to be for something? There may be a couple of reasons. First, that’s what it means to be a Christian. Christians are not people who are first and foremost against sin. We are people who are first and foremost for Christ. We are about hope. We have a positive message to share. Don’t ever forget that the word gospel means “good news.” We are people who are for the hope and salvation that Jesus brings. Second, simply being against something won’t help us do effective ministry. Few people are attracted to others or organizations that are simply against things. But they are drawn to people and churches that actually believe in something. They want to stand for something. They want to be part of a group of people who are willing to die for their cause and live for what they believe.
Are we the kind of church that lives for something? Is the impression of our community that we are a fellowship that is for something or against things? Let’s stand for something. Maybe you’re opposed to women in church leadership, but are you fully for promoting women in ministry wherever that’s legitimate? Perhaps you’re against homosexuality, but are you for ministries that are trying to help the struggling? Or maybe you’re in opposition to divorce. Are you for marriage enrichment, classes, and seminars that promote marriage and help enfold and heal those whose marriages are broken? Such ministries and perspectives would bless our ministry and move us forward.
The best example I know of a group of people that are for something is our sidewalk counselors. Yes, they are opposed to abortion, but, just as important, they are for life. Their message isn’t simply, “Don’t go through with your abortion,” but “can we take you to the Pregnancy Resource Center? Keep your baby. There are people who will help you and pray for you. So, you’ve had an abortion, let us help you deal with the guilt and shame by coming to a post-abortive weekend.” Do you see how when you’re for something you actually begin to live out the gospel? Only being against things never fulfills the command to love.
So, what are we for at 1st Byron? I think in the past we have too often been simply against things. My aim is to start asking the question a lot more, what are we in favor of? I want to stand for something. I want to be able to positively articulate what we’re trying to promote. Would you join me? It will hugely impact our ministry.
Standing for Christ, the gospel, love, compassion, grace, good news…..
Pastor Tom