EXAMINE

Yesterday I was getting ready for school. I stopped to look in the mirror. One of those close kind of looks where I stopped and really examined what I saw.
Most people do this kind of thing. Doctors examine their patients to draw conclusions. Economists watch the Dow and all sorts of other numbers to make decisions regarding their money. Farmers examine their crops and dairy men and women examine their cattle. Teachers examine to see if their students are on pace or not. Pretty much every line of work takes a step back to examine the current realities and reflect on the state or condition of whatever it is that they care about.

So, I have to ask an important question....why are some so opposed to examining the state of the church? I have actually heard some say that we should STOP discussing the state of the church or how people "do" or "are" church.

Since I have a high view of scripture (but honestly don’t read it as much as I would like), I want to take one to step back and read what happens in it to see that God is forever examining the state of his people; which is the church to begin with. In the Old Testament, God sends numerous prophets because God's people were NOT where they were supposed to be. In Isaiah 1 this is what it says:

"Quit your worship charades. I cant' stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings - meetings, meetings, meetings - I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud of often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless." Isaiah 1:13-17 The Message

Of course, people do not like to hear the voice of the prophet. Most prophets were stoned to death because God's people did not want to hear what the examination revealed; their religion had trumped what God really cares and about what he chose His people for from the very beginning; to be a light to all the nations of the world.

Jesus, himself, comes on the stage and gives an examination of the state of God's people. He was a prophet, like Isaiah, but more than just a mere human prophet. He was a prophet in that he proclaimed on behalf of God. However, he was God incarnate so His words/actions came directly to the people. For 3 years, Jesus did a show and tell for his followers. He showed them, through actions, what was important and who was important and then he told them and explained to them why he did what he did and on whose behalf. A large group of God's people began to follow Jesus. However, there were those that did NOT want to hear and see what the examination of them revealed. White washed tombs. No life. No care for those perishing. Care for maintenance of their religion they created. A self serving posture. Jesus examined it, revealed it, and it sent him to the cross because of it. They didn't want to hear the results.

There is also the Apostle John who examined God's people, or the church. I find that there is something very interesting in Revelations. Many use this book as some kind of road map to the end of the world. (For a compelling tension on this view, watch the movie The Knowing with Nicolas Cage!!!) However, John was writing to 7 churches. And he was giving these 7 churches an examination. This is what he says in Revelation 3:20-21:

"Look at me. I stand at the door and knock. I f you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head of the table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. that's my gift to the conquerors! Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

This book/verse is not addressing those that don't know God; the unbeliever asking Jesus to come into their hearts after hearing a knock from the Lord at their door. This is addressing the church that Jesus finds himself OUTSIDE OF wanting to come back in!

It seems that the Apostle Paul also examined the state of the church as each epistle was a letter written to specific "churches" addressing very specific areas, issues, and people.

Again, so I have to ask, why are we so fearful of examining and reflecting on the state of any church? Examination is an act of love. It's not one of disdain. It's speaking the truth in a spirit of love to make whatever we are examining better, healthier, more productive, and what it was intended to become.

I would rather be on the side of the examination than the side of those refusing to be examined. When I hear the Psalmist write that he wants to be searched and known by God; examined to see if there is any wayward, offensive way within him, I see a desire of intimacy on his part with God. He doesn't run from examination, he pleads for it.

I guess the way we can tell which side we're on; whether we welcome examination or refuse it would be for us to notice what happens when people examine "our" church and what happens internally. Do we get defensive? Do we argue? Do we shift the examining gaze from us and point the gaze to some other place? Do we negate the exam?

The institutional church is under a huge spot light these days. From people within it and from people that don't attend. Will we listen to them and what their "examination" of the state of the church? Or will plug up our ears and refuse to listen proclaiming things are just fine and we're all good? What about the Lord? Will we ask him to search us, as His church...His bride that he will forever be examining and purifying? To know us? To reveal to us where we have erred?

It's time for the church, as God's people, to don the blue smock, with the open back and go in for an examination once again. We need to open the doors so the Spirit can blow through the churches once again. We need to listen to the voice of the prophet instead of picking up a rock to throw at him or her. We need to so that the Kingdom of heaven can move forward.