Remember taking those tests in school where you got a list of words and were asked to pick out the one that didn’t belong? How about this list: Politics. Sports. Hollywood. Media. Maturity.
Can you find the word that doesn’t fit in? If I had to pick, I’d pick the word “maturity.” I don’t think I have ever seen a time when people displayed such an astounding lack of maturity. Politics resembles a circus. Sports are often dominated by prima donnas who can’t spell “teamwork,” let alone participate in it. Hollywood? Most celebrities float from one relationship to another. The media? Both the professional and social media have descended into a pit of arrogance and vitriol.
Is it really that bad out there? I’d say yes.
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus.” [Col 1:28 NKJV]
There is one more word we could possibly add to that list, but I’m hoping not. That word is, Church. Church is to be the place where we preach, warn and teach in all wisdom so that every person might learn what it means to be mature in Christ. Church, also, is a place where that maturity can be tested so we might know how far we have come and how much farther we still must go.
I pray that all churches preach the true Word of God, for only then will we be able to omit church from that list!
