A SAFE HOUSE

            In speaking of the church of the living God, Peter writes, “as living stones (you) are being built up as A SPIRITUAL HOUSE…” (1Pet.2:5).  A new friend who has worshipped with us several times over the last few months has described our congregation as a safe place.  Oh how I hope he is right!  Surely the family of God ought to be a SAFE HOUSE.  A welcoming place where all are invited and embraced, sinful though we be; A sanctuary where peace and patience co-exists with an ever-present challenge to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior (cf. Heb.12:12 & 14 and 2Pet.3:18); A refuge of “rest” for the weary and burdened (Mt.11:28). 

            The church is not a museum of the saints, but rather a hospital for sinners.  We are saints (those set apart for God), but we must never allow our saintliness (sanctification) to create in us a high-mindedness that presumes that “we’ve got it altogether”.  All of us are on a sacred journey that is often strewn with troubles brought on by our own selfishness and weaknesses.  Yet, our Lord calls us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal.6:2).  Even when one is caught up in sin, those who are spiritual must seek to restore those who are wayward and such restoration must be pursued with the utmost humility - - with each one of us looking inward, lest we too be tempted (Gal.6:1).  So if and when someone should ask us about the church - - before we begin to specify our doctrinal beliefs, let us first assure them that we are a FAMILY, a SPIRITUAL SAFE HOUSE, a WELCOMING PLACE, a SANCTUARY and a REFUGE.

In doing so, this will surely serve to warm their heart and equally important, it will remind us of our call to be a church of Christ.