A Word From Mad

For those who are losing sleep over the future of the church, or even worse, losing friends because of some of the controversies of separation, it might be good to remember a verse from Matthew.  In the 18th verse of the 16th chapter, we hear Jesus saying to Simon Peter, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."  Sounds like it has a future despite our efforts to undermine and create something compatible with what we want it to be.  If the gates of Hades, or as some translations would have it, the gates of Hell, cannot stand against it, why should we worry and lose friends over its future?    

There are a few things that are easy to overlook with this verse.  One, Jesus speaks of the church as something He is going to build.  He is not going to be dependent on folks like us to build a building, create a denomination, or figure out what it should do.  He is the Great Architect who laid the foundation and Who continues to design it according to His specs.    And, secondly, the church which Jesus builds is not a church on the defensive, but one on the offense.  No bastion of evil will be able to stand against it for it has prevailing power.    

So, as  Alfred E. Neuman would say, "What, me worry?"  It surely seems that these days are full of chaos and confusion and concern over the future of the church, but the Word of God gives us every assurance that this spiritual community birthed midst the fire and wind of the Holy Spirit is not going anywhere.  Folks like me and you may think we can shape it and determine its future, but no matter what we think we are doing, in the end this spiritual community centered on Jesus and the power of the resurrection will be left standing to accomplish whatever it is that God has planned for its future.