by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2014
Posted 11/5/14
"Let her alone; why trouble ye her?" (Mark 14:6)
"She hath done what she could." (Mark 14:8)
The church of Jesus Christ has little strength. We are a feeble folk, and it is only by faith that any strength at all is realized. When we say that it is only by grace that we stand, what we mean is that the only way we can stand before God, as ones whose lives are acceptable, is because of his grace that covers. Who are we kidding? Our execution of the Christian life pales in comparison to the standard. We are not even close. Because of the frailty of our humanity we cannot be what we should be, in a truly consistent way. God cannot depend upon us, but we must grow in our dependence upon him. Our life at best, is a dotted line. There have been individuals within the church, down through the centuries, that have found a good measure of appointed grace for an uncommon calling. Most of the church however, is seen in the place of human weakness and hiding desperately in the cleft of the sufficiency of Christ. This is just the way it is. When we look at the church we see many frail people falling short. Some can do much, but they also falter much. Even the faithful fall terribly short given enough time. Say what you want to about what we could be and should be, but you will still find that Christians are only human and very very weak. Weakness is the only thing that we are truly consistent in. Yes, it's true that people are often weak because of their decisions, but that's the real trick isn't it - making the right decisions? Being a sinner means that we willfully make wrong choices. We would do good, but evil is present with us - we who drink iniquity like water.
In local churches around the world, and in every era, we see a majority of common people who are not mighty in word or deed. They lead simple lives, and work hard out of vital necessity, and they have very little strength. Indeed, there are many things that they cannot do, but they come to Jesus! They honor him with what little they have. This is a choice that they freely make on their own, and it is beautiful in God's sight. For this they shall receive praise from God. Do not be quick to find fault with any who come with their perfume of respect and reverential fear for the Lord. They could be somewhere doing something else, but instead they come to honor Jesus in the assembly on the Lord's Day. They do the best they can to hear and believe, despite their dusty frame. They take the cup of salvation and drink from it. They have decided to step across the line in the sand and stand with Jesus. They are willing to be numbered with the people of God in spite of their own fallen nature, a godless world, and the adversary who seeks to devour them.
All of these "little ones" are covered by the all sufficient blood of Christ. It is not for the church to make herself perfect. The church is under no obligation to become perfect. The church of Jesus Christ is perfect because she has been made perfect by the offering of the body of Jesus that was offered once for all (Hebrews 10:10+14). Jesus has made his church perfect and he will ultimately perfect her at his appearing and present her to Himself without spot or wrinkle. (Ephesians 5:27)
The Lord is a pastor to every kind of believer, and to all believers - whether weak or strong. Gentleness will keep them in the way and the goodness of God will lead them in sanctification. The church has done what she could. Let the little that she has wrought for Jesus suffice for now until the Lord rains righteousness upon her. (Hosea 10:12) 
Back to Snapshots
Doctrinal Statement
A Safe Light in a Dark World. |
