Sometimes I try to imagine something bizarre at a wedding. For example, suppose the groomsmen and the groom have entered the auditorium and are waiting for the bride to appear. The bridesmaids proceed down the aisle and the music changes. In the rear of the room, the bride appears. The groom's heart leaps. This had been a long courtship and the groom had made great sacrifice to love and honor his bride. He was devoted to her and showed it by the measure of his giving for her. Now the day of their wedding came.
As she comes down ther aisle, the people stand, flash-bulbs burst, eyes turn to her as she walks on the arm of her father. About half way through this processional, the best man leans forward and whispers in the grooms ear, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear -- "Man, I don't know what you see in her -- she's ugly."
There is an awkward silence and a few whispers between folks. A few people who overheard are visibly angry at this insult to the bride and the groom -- and they should be. This is the height of arrogance.
It sounds bizarre, but it happens every day. It happens everytime a Christian calls the bride of Jesus ugly. It happens when we despise the local church. It happens when people who say they love Jesus act as though they are above being closely associated with the bride he purchased with his blood.
Some folks like to talk about the church universal. They love the church and serve the church -- but they have no patience with the church local and visible. The church they know is full of problems. They have been hurt in a church. They will have nothing to do with it. That is like loving marriage but never having the courage to enter into one because you cannot find anyone who is your perfect mate.
The only church we have in our day is the visible local church. And almost all the NT referencces to the church are about visible assemblies of believers with commitments to each other in relationship and pastors who watch for their souls. And the only NT churches are ones with problems too. And they work out their problems in the Gospel. And sometimes they don't. Yet, this is the church Jesus loved and died for.
I heard recently that there is a new generation of Christian who thinks local church life is optional -- they will find their own path to godliness. A few are heralding these folks as pioneers. I think our Lord is grieved. Those who look on the local church and despise it are whispering in the ear of the glorious Groom -- "She sure is ugly, I am not sure why you died for her."
Love the analogy. That is very much the way I have seen things recently. The traditional church has its problems, many of which the emergent church endeavors to both shun and correct. But I think even they have it wrong, forsaking the traditional church because my Bible clearly states that the local church is an important part of the Christian fellowship. I think it is possible to take the best of both worlds and bring the Body of Christ closer to what Jesus envisioned for the ministry of His children.
Thanks for the insight!
Posted by: Jim | January 03, 2006 at 01:21 PM
Newcomer to your blog here... that is a really helpful way of thinking about us so easily criticising the church, as Mr Warnock has said - a great post! I look forward to reading some more of your blog in 2006!
Posted by: Ant Adams | December 31, 2005 at 09:21 AM
Very inciteful! I have never thought of the "Groom" in this way. Thank you for you dedication to see His church love Him!
Posted by: Chad Brewer | December 30, 2005 at 12:46 AM