Why challenge, on what basis?
Truth
Distinguished from “facts”, truth is universal.
Do we know, have and speak of the truth?
What about the “good” of life and humanity? Perhaps best summed up in preservation of life in all its scope, and the strive for ethical principles. These should derive from truth.
The church challenges itself?
Discipleship
Governance
Witness etc.
How are we being faithful to God?
Our relationship to each other centres on, and grows from, a deep and intimate walk with God, and that is an individual commitment and experience.
The church is not people of the same interest huddling together for safe protection. Rather, we want to grow in our faith, to encourage each other, admonish our wrong ideas and actions, and blossom in growth in love, joy, peace, self-control, gentleness etc. of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The church challenges the world?
We can’t pose challenges to the world until we are challenged in ourselves the church challenges itself.
Challenges require a clear conviction of what is of God, and against God.
Challenges also require support and gentle correction, embedded understanding and lighting the way of truth, and crying along and offering the gift of the grace of Jesus.
The church “set apart”?
From early meanings of setting apart (e.g. Deuteronomy 15:19) to the idea of God’s witnesses (Romans 1:1), the church is “set apart” in many different ways across the world, from ecclesiastical offices to systematic persecution. Be encouraged that the smallest act of compassion, faith and forgiveness is evident of God’s place in our lives, that he recognises as holy sacrificie. (Matthew 25:34-37, Ezekiel 33:11)
That other nations will know the God we worship is the only living God, full of grace, love and mercy, and eager for us to be near to him. (1 Kings 8:54-61, John 3:16) Matthew (25:31-46) and Romans (2:12-16) warn us about losing our focus away from God, when we join the world rather than remain “set apart”. (Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-15)
Reflection
From “The Church is wherever God’s people are praising“
The Church is wherever God’s people are seeking
to reach out and touch folk wherever they are —
conveying the Gospel, its joy and its comfort,
to challenge, refresh, and excite and inspire.
