Is the “church” a club for the chosen? Is that the way people think of the church? If you ask people sitting in the pew if they belong to a “Sunday morning club” they would answer, “absolutely not.” If you ask people who have visited or want to visit what their perception is they would probably answer, “absolutely.” Would people who are just beginning to “hear” the word of God in their heart and soul be welcome, cared for, loved, nurtured and accepted? Are the people who have sat in the pews for years growing in faith and understanding, growing in caring and nurturing of those around them, and growing in proclaiming Jesus in the world?

Might the “church” have turned into a passion of the flesh that wages war against the soul? Ouch! If we fight to keep the same seat we’ve always sat in, then yes. If we fight to keep those things that are not specified for “worship” in Scripture in our worship services, then yes. If we fight to keep “The club of the chosen” mentality, Satan uses that to wage war on the soul. If we think it is only the Pastor’s job to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, Satan uses that to wage war on our soul and to keep our mouths silent.

Peter calls us to wake up! You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ¹¹Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:9-11

John states the reason for proclaiming the Christ: That which we have seen and heard [the Christ] we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 We are called to faith in the living Lord who stirs our hearts and souls with his life in us. We are called to NEWK-IT!, whatever IT! is that wages war on our soul. The church doesn’t need to be NEWK-ed – the church is the body of Christ. Some of our attitudes and actions need to be NEWK-ed, that is exploded out of our heart, soul and mind.

Church has always been part of my life. I love gathering with friends and family to hear the word of God and to be nourished with Christ’s life. I am very sensitive, however, to people who are hearing the word of God but don’t feel they can “break into the club.” I have heard congregational members, say, “so it took a funeral to get you back,” when they meant to say, “wow, I’m sorry your heart is hurting is there anything I can do for you.” Christ Jesus spoke harshly to the religious club, the chosen. “The chosen” religious community hung him on a cross because of their zeal for their religion.

Jesus proclaims, “You did not choose me, I chose you.” (John 15) Jesus has chosen us in him to proclaim him by word and action wherever we are. Speaking the word of God means saying: “Jesus’ life is my life,” “Jesus has restored my soul and given me hope,” “Jesus lives in me and I cannot help but speak the living word.” As people watch the war in our soul subside, they will see and hear life bursting forth in authenticity, they will see a deep sensitivity to the war raging in their souls and they will hear deep compassion and love. Jesus is working through us because he has chosen those around us too and they will want Jesus’ life, not the club of the chosen.

May God grant us courage to name the war and rise up in Christ’s victory. May God grant us boldness to proclaim his excellence. May his peace guard our hearts and minds. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

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