I heard
someone ask the question, Does the church really matter?" It
really got me thinking because in record numbers people leave the church every
day. The Bible has something to say on this matter. I found one of those
"minor prophet" verses that we probably never read or skipped over. It's
God's Word to the church for all time, so we better listen to it. Amos
5:21-24 really talks about what matters to God:
I hate
all your show and pretense-the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn
assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won't
even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of
praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a
mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
Whenever
you see the word "justice" in the Bible it is usually in
regards to caring for people's needs. Living a "righteous life"
means doing it God's way.
Imagine that?
God
wants us to take care of others and live a Christ-honoring life - a radical concept
by most standards of "church". By the way, church, He means do this
every single day - not just on Sunday (or when the Pastor is looking).
Let's
always be the church that matters to God. Amen?
