I have seen the blank stares of the half-believers. Those who became Christians but never really accepted that the world was that bad. It was not that Jesus and the church didn’t make sense to them. It was, instead, a growing realisation on their part that they were being pulled in both directions; they had to choose which way to go—or not!
More than a few would suggest that leaving people to themselves is the best policy that a church could adopt. One, in their minds, devoid of busybodies telling others what to do and what not to do with their lives.
This sounds fine until you study your Bible. Therein you will find brothers and sisters in the Lord being called to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” And therein you will also find our Lord telling all of us—strong and weak alike—to “love each other as I have loved you.”
Christians are designed to help each other to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is impossible to achieve while leaving each other to sit on the sidelines.
Which begs the question: How does a congregation create an environment where one can easily maintain a half-in-half-out position?
At this, some may further suggest that I am overstating the issue by asking such a question. After all, do not all congregations have their spectrum of believers—some highly dedicated, and others just happy to sit?
Yes, of course, it is natural for congregations to have brethren at different stages of growth. However, it is not natural to leave anyone to stagnate and fall away.
Love demands resolve! Resolve to challenge each other to greater faith and service for the Lord—not left to be picked off by Satan.
Jesus pulls us closer while pulling each of us closer to each other. Therein we bring each other along.
John Staiger
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