(Image: Clay Banks)
Anytime the world experiences the unfortunate consequences of sin or the effects of its fallen state, one of the first questions posed is, “Where is the Church?”
As a Christian, it’s tempting to be flattered by this inquiry, as one could surmise it means the world actually cares for our input. But, considering the world is also quick to tell the Church to “shut up” whenever we do speak, I perceive “Where is the Church?” is meant to be more of a scoff than an invitation.
Take, for instance, the national discourse concerning teen pregnancy or HIV rates amongst the homosexual population, which were the topics du jour in the late 90s and early 2000s. If I recall correctly, many accused the Church of failing to address these issues. As such, there were claims that people had fallen into their respective predicaments because “the Church is silent” or “the Church is missing”. Never mind that we preach a sexual ethic that reserves sex for marriage, defines marriage between one man and one woman, and encourages and expects fidelity amongst the husband and the wife in these marriages. Let’s just forget that what we preach is meant to guard against these social ills in the first place - if only people would heed it. Instead, the world would rather we pass out condoms in the vestibule, host HIV testing drives in the church parking lot, twist Scripture to affirm fornication and homosexuality, and preach the importance of “safe sex” during our youth group Bible studies. Now, I know of some “churches” that actually do engage in these sorts of activities. But, frankly, not a single one of them is what God would have the Church to do. Though, arguably, an HIV testing drive might be akin to feeding the 5000, as it relates to reaching the lost and meeting a legitimate, practical need amongst the peoples. But that event wouldn’t serve the Kingdom of God unless we used it as an opportunity for the Good News. If we’d help a community know their health status, yet not speak about the shed blood of Christ, and how it cleanses and heals us of the disease of sin and death, how then are we being the Church?
Fast forward to today, when the national and global discourse concerns not only racism, but “systemic racism”, “police brutality”, and so forth. With the ongoing protests, marches and civil unrest since the death of George Floyd, “Where is the Church?” has rang out yet again! But this query is not only coming from those in the world. Professing Christians are also posing this question, and they are indignant in their demand for a response.
To be fair, wherever the Church is falling short, it is necessary for us to hold one another accountable to ensure we remain on task with what God would have us do. But that’s just it: Oftentimes, “Where is the Church?” comes not because the Church is altogether missing or silent in the things of God, but because the Church isn’t in the places the world would have us go or speaking the words the world would have us speak. And, frankly, I’m afraid there is a growing trend among some in the Church to hold the Body of Christ to these lesser, earthly standards. Sadly, in an increasing number of cases, these standards are actually panning out to be unbiblical and atheistic. (Critical Race Theory, Marxism, and Black Liberation Theology have entered the chat.)
“Where is the Church?” is not only a scoff towards the Church at-large, it's an indictment against any Believer who falls short of the world’s definition of righteousness. Of course, we expect this coming from the world. But when our own professing Brothers and Sisters in Christ challenge us in this way, it’s hurtful, audacious, graceless and stumbling. But if they truly want to know where they can find the Church in the midst of earthly affairs, I hope the foregoing is a sufficient response. I also offer this piece as an encouragement to those in the Body who choose to set our eyes on things above, not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).
(Image: Clay Banks)
“WHERE IS THE CHURCH?” - WE ARE ABOUT OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)
In the Gospels we learn of the account of little boy Jesus going “missing” in Jerusalem. While His family was traveling back to Nazareth from the Feast of the Passover, Jesus decided to linger behind. Jesus was only 12 years-old at the time, so it’s only natural His earthly parents anxiously sought after Him when they couldn’t find their child amongst the crowd of travelers. After three days of searching, they found Him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking and answering questions about the Word of God. He was safe. He was in His Father’s House. But Mary was quick to “check” Him for His little stunt, or so she tried.
“Why have you done this to us,” she asked, describing the stress His lingering behind had caused her and Joseph.
Yet Jesus, again, only 12 at the time, responded to Mary quite matter of factly.
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”
Scripture says they didn’t understand what He meant. But we, having the full counsel of God’s Word at our disposal, know full well what He meant.
Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world with a specific purpose and mission - a purpose and mission Mary and Joseph were actually informed of even before He was born (Luke 1:28-34; Matthew 1:20-21). They knew full well who Jesus was. Yet, in a moment of leaning to their human emotions and wisdom, they seem to have forgotten who their Son was after all. They seem to have forgotten that the One born into the world to save the lost could never actually be lost Himself. They seem to have forgotten all about the prophecies concerning how He, as a Man, would die on the cross for the sins of the world. Clearly, God would not have allowed anything to happen to Jesus before His mission in the earth was accomplished. Did they not recall how the Lord preserved Jesus’s life by warning them of Herod’s plot only a decade or so earlier?
But despite knowing better, their human reasoning prevailed such that they discounted the spiritual realities about, and the mission of, Jesus. They’d forgotten that He’d come into the world to accomplish “His Father’s business”, which is the work of salvation (John 3:16-17 6:29, 6:38; Matthew 26:39).
Similar to the way Mary and Joseph quickly forgot the business of Jesus, it seems some among us have also forgotten the business of the Church. In the earth, the Church is the Body of Christ, meaning we represent and continue in the work of Christ while we are in the world until He returns for us (John 14:12). As the adage goes, “We are in the world, not of the world,” or as Scripture admonishes us, “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (discern) what is that good and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Living in this world, it is extremely tempting and easy to get caught up in the cause du jour, especially when emotions are high and we begin and end our reasoning with earthly/human wisdom. But if we be mature in faith, Paul says we will NOT be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). If we be mature, we, just like Jesus, will instead prioritize our Father’s business. That entails the Great Commission of preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations and speaking only what our Father spoke, which is to proclaim His truth in the earth (Matthew 28:16-20; John 12:49).
But couldn’t our Father’s business also entail marching against racial injustice? After all, Proverbs 31:8 commands us to pursue justice and speak up for those who cannot. As such, some have said standing in solidarity with the Black community and “being a voice for the voiceless” is EXACTLY where the Church should be.
But who said the Black community is “voiceless”?
Who said Blacks are incapable of speaking up for themselves?
Does not our Constitution protect each and every U.S. citizen’s freedom of SPEECH, which cannot be abridged? Does not our Constitution protect each and every U.S. citizen’s right to peacefully protest and express our grievances to the government?
And what of the countless local, national and global organizations already speaking on behalf of the Black community at-large? (The National Urban League, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Action Network (NAN), the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, 100 Black Men of America, the Divine Nine/Black Greek Letter Organizations, the Black Panther Party, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and “Black Lives Matter!” have entered the chat.)
Black individuals not only have a voice and the protected freedom to use it, the Black community has a chorus of voices not only speaking, but shouting, on its behalf as well. And, last I checked, elected officials, celebrities, Uber, Hulu, NASCAR, Google and a host of other influential individuals and companies are listening. So what does the Church have left to say that hasn’t already been said or should be said, besides the message of the Gospel?
If we want to be a voice for the voiceless, consider that our role as the Church is to declare the truth of God, which the world works overtime to suppress (Romans 1:18). It is indeed our Father’s business to ensure His Good News is preached to everyone, so one would think Believers who feel compelled to attend a Black Lives Matter protest would deem it a GREAT opportunity to walk out the Great Commission.
(Image: Clay Banks)
“WHERE IS THE CHURCH?” - WE ARE PRAYING
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18
In addition to the Great Commission, the Church has a job of praying at all times, about everything and for everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Philippians 4:6-7). Though, as the days grow darker, the world has increasingly dismissed prayer as either insufficient or altogether useless. Granted, I can actually understand this critique from the unrepentant, as God doesn’t listen to the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). But such criticisms are most offensive and demoralizing when they come from those who profess to be our own Sisters and Brothers in the faith.
But I am encouraged that God’s Word is clear: He not only hears the prayers of the righteous (John 9:31), but says that we can be confident that our prayers will be answered when they are according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). He also tells us that the effectual and fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16)! So what if the world and even some among us deem prayer inadequate. “Effectual” actually means “adequate”! So what if the world says praying is pointless. “Fervent” actually means “intentional focus”. So the issue may not be that we are “only praying” but that many of us may not be praying enough, and this could be remedied if more Believers spent less time disparaging the act of prayer and actually joined us in it.
“But faith without works is dead,” some have said in response to this request (James 2:17).
Yet, sadly, by “works”, such are usually charging the Church to take to the streets to protest, to change their profile pictures on social media to a black square for a day, or to repent - to the Black community (not God) - for sins they never even committed. They don’t simply want the Church to “act” they want to SEE us act, and those actions had better be according to their agenda! So, in their eyes, if you’ve done one or any combination of aforementioned, you’re the “REAL Christian”. If you haven’t, you’re lazy and apathetic, you don’t love your neighbor, and your faith is weak. And if you decided to be slow to speak rather than rush to post anything on the matter, your silence or delay wasn’t a sign of wisdom (Proverbs 17:28; James 1:6), but a sign that you’re a racist! Indeed, these “works” are of another spirit, and such “works” will perish on the last day (2 Peter 3:10).
But here’s what James really means by “faith without works is dead”: Our faith, being according to the truth of God (not relative moralism or our own self-righteousness), is worked out when we do that which demonstrates our trust in what God (not man) has said and asked of us in His Word (James 2:20-24). When James says “works” he’s referring to those acts that would please the Lord and bring HIM glory. Our works are not performed for their own sake, and they especially aren’t done that WE be acknowledged among men (Matthew 6:1-2).
Believers sincerely consider their presence at these protests a good “work”, meanwhile they’re most likely standing in “solidarity” with workers of Satan. They may sincerely intend to show compassion toward and desire to support the plight of the Black community, but they’re also standing in solidarity with the queer and trans communities, the feminist/pro-abortion movement, Black Hebrew Israelites, the Nation of Islam, and even those who wish to remove God-ordained authority from communities that, statistically, have been shown to need it the most. To be sure, police reform is one thing if the goal is to reasonably ensure accountability as these men and women carry out their jobs. But suggestions to disarm and/or altogether remove police from Black communities as a means to “protect” Blacks or because Blacks “fear” the police is by far the most delusional and unbiblical proposal to come out of these protests (Romans 13:1-3, 1 Peter 2:13-14). The claim is it will help mitigate “systemic racism”, but common sense says it would only build a system that protects and benefits the actual criminals in these communities. Yet, sadly, advocating for such measures is a “work” some Believers actually think aligns with their faith.
“ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” ”
Granted, some Believers have limited their form of protest to simply joining other Churches or Believers at prayer rallies or prayer marches. Yet, such actions still can’t be held up as a greater work than simply praying at home, behind closed doors, which is actually what Jesus admonishes us to do, lest we be like the hypocrites who pray publicly to be seen.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:5-6).
U.S. Representative and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis poses for a photo at Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington DC (Image: Clay Banks)
“WHERE IS THE CHURCH?” - WE ARE BEING SALT + LIGHT
“...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Perhaps many look to the Civil Rights Movement as the standard for what impacting culture should look like. Granted, looking through the lens of history, it seems like it was an exciting (albeit also dangerous) time, and those involved seemed so bold and brave and ACTIVE! Thus, today, many may march and protest hoping to “get that old thang back”. They, too, may want to be bold and brave and ACTIVE like the Dr. Kings, the Rosa Parkses, the Angela Davises and their “allies”. They may also hope to be revered in future years as doing their part and being on the right side of history. I would not be surprised if many who now march and protest with or among “Black Lives Matter” do so as a way to feel or to be seen as similarly impactful.
But, for the Christian, Scripture says it actually doesn’t take all of that. The Church (and individual Believers) makes our mark on society and culture by simply being who we are in Christ in the midst of a dark, fallen and perishing world: Salt and Light. We rebel and make our impact on the world by being “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Peter continues…
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-17, my emphasis).
We are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, my emphasis).
While marching and protesting aren’t, in themselves, “bad”, “Black Lives Matter” marches and protests aren’t inherently “good”, either. Indeed, in Christ we have liberty for “all things are lawful” (1 Corinthians 10:23). But “not all things are beneficial”, and we abuse our liberty in Christ when it is used for opportunities of the flesh or cause others to stumble (1 Corinthians 10:23; Galatians 5:13-14; Romans 14:13).
The second marching/protesting became known for stealing (looting), killing, and destroying more than being peaceful, it may have been wise for Believers to come out from among them.
The second even peaceful protests posed safety risks or risks for arrest, it may have been prudent for Believers to come out from among them.
The second protests went from calls for justice to “defund the police” or “abolish the police”, it may have been wise for Believers to come out from among them.
The second protests went from promoting legitimate concerns from the Black community to furthering the LGBTQIALLOFITISSIN and feminist agendas, it may have been wise for Believers to come out from among them.
The second the call was made to stand in “solidarity” with the Black community, it may have been wise for Believers to come out from among them.
BTW: What does that “solidarity” even require, anyway?
1) Our allegiance is to Christ alone (John 10:5). 2) Our identity is in Him, not our identities according to the flesh (Galatians 2:8). 3) We, the Church, are already unified in the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). 4) Standing for the truth is ingrained in who we are as Believers. To uphold the truth, we do not show partiality, nor do we join the crowd to pervert justice (Deuteronomy 1:17; Exodus 23:2; Acts 10:24; James 1, 2:9). We also only speak what our Father says (John 12:49). Racism is to be condemned because it is a sin, not simply because it is affecting a particular group (lest we only point out racism against Blacks and other “people of color” but turn a blind eye to racism against Whites). And all claims of injustice must be supported by facts and evidence (lest we judge a matter unrighteously).
Again, the Church’s job is to be salt and light, which means we are a preservative for what is good according to God’s standards for “good”, and we are beacons for the truth of God in the earth.
Some Believers dare ask, “Where is the Church”, as if they forget that Christians live and work in the world just like everyone else. We don’t go to Church one day a week, then power down until the next weekly gathering (online or in-person). We have family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, clients, and students we engage in our jobs, at our schools, in our communities, at the grocery store, at the gas station, etc, and each encounter is an opportunity for our witness for Christ both in word and deed. As it relates to “standing with” the Black community, consider that some of us live and work in these communities or hold jobs and volunteer for causes serving largely Black populations. Some of us are “in the trenches” doing the work everyday as educators, healthcare workers, social workers, attorneys, local officials, board members, program managers, realtors, bankers and much, much more, including police officers! If there is any opportunity for our faith to produce works - and I mean God-glorifying works that are effective and actually meet a tangible need, it’s when we engage those we encounter in our daily lives. You may not be aware of these efforts, but that’s by design (Matthew 6:1). God knows, and that’s all that matters.
Standing in “solidarity with the Black community” via the symbolic act of marching or changing your profile picture does nothing to tangibly deal with the immediate needs and legitimate concerns they hope to address.
“But these symbolic acts help bring awareness to their concerns,” some have said. Indeed they do, which is why nefarious causes have lumped their wicked agendas right in with them and have even overshadowed them. This then leads you to instead “help bring awareness” to matters that actually undermine the truth of Christ and the will of God. (“Defund the police!” “Trans rights now!” have entered the chat.)
Voila! You have unwittingly become an agent of Satan.
Discernment is key, especially in this last hour (1 John 4). Test every spirit and know there is a reason God warns us to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
“For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16a)
(Image: Clay Banks)
I Said all of this to say…
The world is rapidly becoming all Christ told us it would become, and it can be tempting to get worked up and align ourselves with whatever emotionally- or politically-charged issue that comes down the pike along the way. But Christ told us in advance that these things must occur so that we maintain our peace and continue in the work He would have us do.
The Church is the ONLY entity in this entire world that has the truth that people need to make it out of this thing “alive” (via life in Christ). It actually undermines our mission and is terribly unloving of us when we deprive the world of God’s Good News, especially when it’s because we want to appease the world’s request to show up and speak, but only on their terms. Some would twist the truth and claim doing this is a way to love our neighbor, but we can’t love them if we don’t make giving them the Gospel our priority.
If nothing else, current events are showing us just how truly depraved and fallen mankind is. Racism is simply the sin du jour the world hopes to tackle towards the utopian society it will never realize. The goal is “racial reconciliation” through human effort. But racism, or any other “ism” for that matter, will never go away so long as there are human beings who don’t know and obey Christ. We can’t march or legislate racism away, and, frankly, we also can’t pray it away. Again, our prayers must be according to God’s will (1 John 5:14). Praying for racism to cease is futile when Jesus already told us a sign of the end of the age will include race wars. “For nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:7). According to Strong’s Concordance, “nation” in Greek is “ethnos”, which means “ethnicity” or “race”.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the Church stands idly by and does nothing in the meantime. It means the things we do must be according to our Father’s business, not the world’s agenda. The harvest is white, but the workers are few, so that means we need MORE workers for our cause, not more Believers prioritizing earthly affairs (Matthew 9:37; John 4:35) We represent a Heavenly Kingdom, and we are fighting a spiritual battle. We’re in this world, but we’re merely sojourners. We’re just passing through that we accomplish the mission set for us by our King, and we must work to guard against anything that would take us off course.
Black lives matter because God created all mankind, regardless of their skin color, in His image. But Black lives will not matter in the grand scheme of things if they never repent and they perish right along with the world and its works (Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:10).
So, “Where is the Church?” Exactly where we should be. If you’re looking for us, it’s probably because you’re lost.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).