What Happens When the Church Isn’t Being the Light?
In the last two years, there has been a dynamic shift in our culture and communities today. We have seen a drastic rise and fall in ways we did not realize were coming. There were changes to the way we navigated in the grocery store, workplaces, and church gatherings. As I look back over the last two years; I see how much the world has been walking in true fear, even Christians. I have even fallen into different little fears like giving birth to my children in a global pandemic.
To give you a little back story, I started ministry in the church in my early 20s. The Lord called me into the ministry after officially passing my driver’s license test that I had to take for the fourth time. After the lady had me park the car and tell me how the test went, I heard clearly at that moment, “You passed the test. Go and preach the gospel.” I sat down with my leaders, and they confirmed the call. God brought several amazing leaders alongside me as I grew, which is extremely important to have in the world of ministry.
Years before that moment, my life transformed completely. I was 17 years old when I was at a youth conference and the presence of the Lord invaded my entire life. I was so tired of pressing into friendship circles and crowds that were not the best for me. But, with anything you love, you hold on as long as you can until the Lord gives you the courage to let it go.
God called me young into the ministry and now that I am in my late 20s; I can tell you all the joys and the most disheartening things. Truthfully, in the last 3-4 years I have shed so many tears seeing how much work there is to do in the American church. So, what happens when the church isn’t being the light as Jesus commanded? The year I got licensed to preach in my church was the same year I met my husband. We have been on this journey for years now and one thing I can confidently say; we have been firm in walking with the Lord.
In today’s culture, I understand that there are so many questions about faith. Some questions are due to the church simply not standing on being the salt and light as individuals and members. God calls Christians to be set apart, to not submit to things of the world but it hasn’t always been presented well. Let us look at John 12:35. It reads, “So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.”
When new believers come into the faith, they have entered a commitment to walking in the Light of the Lord. If that is the case, one might ask, why are there so many pastors, leaders, and churchgoers living a life contrary to the word of God? As there is no valid reason to accept unfruitful behaviors as Christians; it is important to understand that because of sin, there is a constant war of living the way God intended His children to live. When Christians walk in a life of unconfessed sin and deep dark secrets that no one else knows, God’s light is not able to shine through the emptiness and darkness in our lives.
For the church to be the light, we must decide if we will fully submit to the things of God. It takes the effort of every person to walk into God’s light as a Christian. I have had to sit and hear some heartbreaking stories of my peers that have been let down, confused, or wounded by the church. When I was younger, I didn’t always know how to process those things. It was the moment I realized that there was a bigger problem at hand in churches. If we are to be a body of believers, we must be willing to hear the correction of the Lord to prevent spiritual abuse, manipulation, and straight-out darkness operating in the walls of the church today.
There is a quote that often floats around the Internet in different ways stating (paraphrasing it), “The church did not hurt you. People hurt you.” While I understand the context of the quote; I want to challenge it. If the church is meant to be made up of believers, people in the body of Christ, we must all stand accountable to those that have been hurt by the church. We must be willing to have hard conversations and evaluate if we have ever been in a space where we damaged other people due to our brokenness. I would rephrase the message by saying, “The church hurt you, God can heal you.” He can also restore the church. Because people make up the church and we are to bear with one another, even in others' pain. We can admit the fallen areas and believe God is faithful enough to purify His bride (the church).
1 Corinthians 12:27 reads, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” God calls the body of Christ to work together, build together, and grow together. When a member is walking around hurting even if it is by the church, we can stand on God’s truth and heed His loving correction where there have been errors. Have we always got it right? No, but we can allow the Holy Spirit to show us where we can do better and change what has been.
How does the body overcome darkness and walk in the light together?
1. Confession + Accountability
a. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we are the Christians we say we want to be, we have to be willing to confess our shortcomings so that we can walk into the righteousness of the Lord. It is not just the pastor’s job to expose darkness operating in the body of Christ. We must take a constant evaluation of where we have allowed darkness to enter our homes because of the things we allow to rule in our homes. God wants to continually sanctify His church, so we have to stay equipped in honoring Him in our everyday lives.
b. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:13-14
2. Truth + Encouragement
a. Are we walking in the truth of the gospel? How do we know? It is one thing to read the word of God, it is another to live it out by understanding God’s word in its proper context. Still today, I am unlearning so many things that were taught by culture but not specifically written in God’s amazing word. We remain encouraged through God’s word by growing in it daily so that we can walk into the fullness of God and all the benefits we receive as His children. We also have the opportunity to encourage and challenge one another to live fruitful lives.
3. Wisdom + Prayer.
a. Prayer is one of the things that will help us to stay tuned into the Holy Spirit. The spirit of God is the helper that gives us sound wisdom to transform us, convict us, lead, and guide us. James 1:5 reads, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
If we are going to walk in true light in our home, church, and community, we must stay prepped with wisdom that can prevent us from walking backward into dark times.
Whether you are a believer or non-believer, I want you to know that God is faithful and forgiving. He cares about this fallen world. He cares about the wrong things happening in His church. He also cares about the right and fruitful things that He wants for His church. He cares about the injustices, family brokenness, and the things that have bruised our hearts.
How do we walk in the light of the Lord and stand against the evil of this world that weighs heavy on our souls? There are two scriptures we can read here:
1. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
2. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” Ephesians 5:7-14
The church, the body of Christ, and the members of the sanctuary walk in the light together when we allow God to shine His light in our lives and expose anything that isn’t in alignment with His word. When the church isn’t being the light, it grieves the heart of God. Thankfully, His love is big enough to cover every heart issue that we face.
Join the #ICanBeTheLight blog series as I share writing pieces behind my new children’s book titled I Can Be The Light. Learn more at www.icanbethelight.shop.
