“You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.
You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.”
Today’s Text: Amos 6:1-7 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
When it comes to church, I have come to the realization that it is not just MY church that matters. The health and welfare of every evangelical church matters. Of course, being an evangelical church doesn’t mean that the church is filled with Republicans. That misunderstanding has been perpetrated by the evil one. I thank God that we are a community that welcomes both Republicans and Democrats, as well as progressives and libertarians. Because being an evangelical community has nothing to do with politics at all.
Obviously, church and politics is not what this prophecy of Amos is about. I just think it’s important for us evangelicals to reclaim the word “evangelical” and help people to understand what it means whenever the opportunity arises. And basically, the label of “evangelical” means that we believe the Bible is the infallible word of God. We also believe that the entire Bible is a testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Him crucified, resurrected, and returning for the salvation of the world.
Anyway, the health of every evangelical church really matters, because the health of every evangelical church matters to God. And so, even if my own church is healthy and thriving, I have to ask myself, “What about other evangelical churches—in Torrance and the South Bay, in California and the US, in South Korea and in the world?” And wherever churches are hurting or struggling or in trouble, I have to ask myself also, “Do I grieve for those churches?”
And when this prophecy of Amos is presented to me, I have to admit, woefully, that maybe I don’t care about the state of other evangelical churches as much as I should.
The follow-up question is obvious too. Knowing I should care (because God wants me to care), how do I make myself care, and what then should I do?
And asking myself those difficult questions, I have to admit that I enjoy my leisure as much as anyone. I enjoy my perfect pillow and soft, warm bed. I enjoy eating choice foods. I enjoy an early morning 9-holes of golf when the air is nice and cool. I enjoy my Netflix and the occasional movies at the theater. What’s not to like and enjoy?
But do I grieve for other churches that are struggling? Because where evangelical churches are struggling, that means that people are probably losing hope in Jesus Christ.
I honestly believe that Jesus does not demand that I give up all my leisure activities. But I do think that Jesus demands that we make the will of God and His mission the priority of our lives.
And I don’t claim to be in perfect obedience to Christ. Far from it. Maybe I should be bolder in making grand sacrifices for the sake of God’s kingdom so that I might inspire others to do the same.
But I can never figure out how much is enough. And so, I just do what I can and continually ask God for mercy.
I just do what I can to help other evangelical churches. And that is why I have felt compelled to support and participate in MEND Fellowship (formerly KBEMF). That is why I have felt compelled to support and participate in the Long Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association. That is why I have felt compelled to go on missions to do our small part to help churches around the world in whatever way that they ask us. I have been compelled by the relationships that God has built in my life by His sovereign hand.
Of course, our church is not perfect, either. And we have our challenges. But it would be foolish not to see how God has blessed our church so much—by His sovereign grace. We have so much, and we are a healthy, stable evangelical church—by His sovereign grace.
Surely we should enjoy the abundance that God has granted to us. But should we not also grieve for other evangelical church that may not be as blessed as we have been?
Father, You are sovereign over all things—over the universe, this world, and especially Your church. Yet, You have called us to participate with Your Spirit in building up Your churches. Forgive us for losing sight of that. Forgive us for thinking only of ourselves. Forgive me for being complacent in my leisure. Change my heart Lord and grow my capacity as Your servant. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
