Morning Brew: Friday, Nov 6

Are you spending more time judging those inside or outside the church? This brew is probably going to hurt, for the simple fact that our priorities are mixed up. We’re great at judging those outside the church (think “liberals,” “the gay agenda,” “activist judges,” etc.). We’ve perfected the art of condemning non-Christians for acting like non-Christians. It’s simpler, it’s clinical, it’s much less awkward than looking to our own house.

But when the Apostle Paul dealt with a case of incest in the church, he speaks an incredible truth to all Christians:

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Chew on that for little bit. Let it brew within you. Paul’s focus was not on judging those outside the church for acting like people outside the church. His focus was on holding believers accountable to the lifestyle established by Christ.

How would this transform our churches, our communities, our nations, if we lived this out? What if preachers quit using their sermons as bully pulpits to condemn a lost world for acting exactly how they’re supposed to — lost, and used that energy to clear out the sin within the church?

What if we attacked the sinfulness of lust, greed and obesity in our churches with the same vigor that we attack the “liberal gay agenda?” What if we quit holding outsiders accountable to a standard of living they never agreed to and started holding our own (who have agreed) to it?

Come on now, how would that change how our churches interacted with our society? I think we both now it could change everything. Let the Holy Spirit work on you with this today.

Who (outside the church) do you need to stop judging? Who (inside the church) do you need to start holding accountable?

Prayer: Father, I trust in your ability to judge those outside the church. May I direct my passion to holding my church family accountable to the lifestyle established by Christ. Amen.