Looking for....what?

For those of you who have been reading my about my reflections on what church should, and should not, be, you probably will remember that two days ago I wrote about some of the reasons why Christianity these days is so severely criticized. 


No, I'm not talking about the atheist ramblings and ranting of Mr. Dawkins, but the more subdued complaints: church isn't what it should be.


I've visited many, and been part of a few, so I suffer under no illusion that churches always consist of people exhibiting a much higher moral standard than what is considered average in society. It's a sad thing to have to concede that even born-agains at times evince little proof of just that, being born again. Outsiders somehow expect more from the 'morally enlightened' than from Mr. and Mrs. Jones. And they should, because if Jesus is the truth, and if Jesus truly can change people's lives for the better, then a consistently high moral standard should easily be seen in our business dealings, our relationships and our marriages e.g.


But is that all I'm looking for? The pursuit of high moral standards? No, not at all. What I'm truly looking for, and praying for, is a kind of fellowship among believers that mirrors not only the character of Jesus, but also his personality, his actions.


The real guy - the accessible God


Jesus was far from the Oxford professor type, aloof and far removed from the gutters and the ghettos. He infuriated the better-than-thous by regularly mingling with the downtrodden, the fifth columnists, the traitors, the outcasts, in short: those who knew they were in deep trouble, and who didn't try to put up a facade hiding their shortcomings and flaws. They observed his impeccable lifestyle, and listened attentively to his sermons on lofty moral ideals, and yet he didn't seem to scare them off. Still people, prositute and pickpocket, almost queued up in order to invite Jesus home for a meal.


They loved him. They adored him. They weren't feigning spirituality or a virtuous exterior, as they knew it was a hopeless effort: Jesus semed to see through people's pretentions and smooth talk. He cut straight to the bone, and exposed hypocrisy. So the people inviting Jesus knew their needs, and sensed no impulse to want to show off. They acknowledged their guilt, their sins, but here, in the company of the Holy One, still they experienced no condemnation.


But is it realistic to aspire to try and live a life, let alone a communal life - a shared life among believers, that qualifies for the description 'christlike'? When we've failed so utterly and miserably in the past, can we still hope for a time, or a church, where believers really live up to the seemingly impossible ideals we preach?


Need som extra energy, God!


Not on our own. Not because we attempt to achieve it in our own power. Christians, those that really follow Jesus, know that only grace and the continued forgivenesss from God, can keep us within God's approval. at all times. We need to change for people to see the change God can bring about in a person's life. And it had better be appreciated as genuine and enduring. If not, not many willl want to hear about the gospel story that we hold has the power to transform societies across the globe. If we stay the same, our world will also.


This world is tired of words, mere promises dished out a dime a dozen. Dear God, help us rise above our past, and embrace the changes needed for you to be able to look down upon our fellowhips and still be able to see the reflection of your own Son. 


A curch like that, meaning people - not buildings, may just live to see the growth all saints always hope for.