I walked into my office this morning, the low bar of the Waffle House, and began listening to the conversations of customers and waitresses. I had brought some boxes of food to a cook who works there who’s family is struggling. When he turned and saw me sitting there, he walked over and he said “Thank you for all your help pastor.” A man at the low bar where I was sitting said, ”So you are a pastor? I did not know that. :) I guess because he now knew I was a pastor, he changed his conversation. He said to me and those sitting there, I have been saved, I attend church regularly and I believe I am a good Christian.” Then as I listened to his conversations with others all he shared was how he was a victim, his brokenness, and areas that need healing in his life.
It is one thing to be saved. To believe in Jesus. It is another thing to be healed. Is it possible to be saved and miserable? Is it possible to be saved and not be a healthy, whole, life-giving person? Is it possible for the cross to have done something for the person but not in them? Is it possible to be a good Christian and go to church services and sing the right songs and jump through the right hoops and never let Jesus heal your soul? The man at the bar said he was “saved.” What does he mean when he says "saved"? What constitutes "belief in Jesus?" What does it mean to be "healed" and how is this separate and/or not included in salvation or belief in Jesus?
Is it possible to be saved and not be a healthy, whole, life-giving person? My reply is absolutely. There are times in my life, I would dare to say moments daily, that I am not a "whole, life-giving person." When my thoughts, emotions, or actions stray from being led by the Holy Spirit to being led by Gary. The same could be said about healing. Being completely healed is part of the process of becoming complete sanctified. Was my eternal destiny completely secured in Jesus when I fell in love with Him, absolutely. Was I completely healed at my moment of salvation, no. Did healing begin in me; yes. Healing of the relationship between the Father and I. Healing of sin in my body and its control of my life like a cancer immediately began going into remission. Healing in some way to the actual DNA of my body in that I have participated in the death and resurrection of Christ and I am not the same person physically that I was, that I am a new creation in Christ!
Is it possible for the cross to have done something for the person but not in them?
Is it possible for the cross to have done something for a person, but not completely sanctify them, completely heal them, completely restore them, I would answer definitely yes, As I am living proof. But is it it possible for the cross to have done something for a person but not in them, in my Biblical and Wesleyan understanding of salvation, I answer, no.
Is it possible to be a good Christian and go to church services and sing the right songs and jump through the right hoops and never let Jesus heal your soul? This question immediately brings two lines of questions to my mind, and both reflect on The Church. First, What does it mean to be a "good Christian"? How does the church define what is a "good Christian"? What is your church's definition of what is a "good Christian" in its mission, teaching and practice. What would you honestly say if you polled your congregation, what its understanding of being a "good Christian" is? Secondly, If it is possible for someone to go to church services, sing the "right" songs, and jump through the right hoops and never encounter Jesus in a way that healing flows out of it, what does this say about the ministry of the church? It programs? its discipleship? Maybe the "hoops" the church offers and avails them to jump through are not the right hoops. Are they shallow hoops that lack depth, lack a real accountability and questioning of "how is it with your soul?"
I hate this because, again my is passion kicking in as I write compelling me to write way to much then I need to. See, I went to church consistently for the first 18 years of my life. The church baptized me, taught me the creeds, taught me the liturgies, confirmed me, taught me the seasons and rhythms of the church, taught me when to stand up, sit down, and kneel. I was awarded for my ability to jump through these hoops. I knew the scriptures but I did not know Jesus. The church never discipled me, never invested the time walking me through my garbage, creating places where I had to confront Jesus, had to confront what need healed, so I never fell in love with Jesus. When I was 18 I chunked the church in the trash. It wasn't until 7 years later, around the age of 25 because of some "God" events, that I began returning to church again. And I once again began doing the "good Christian things" of going to church services, singing the right songs, jumping through hoops again. I was a "good Christian." An unhealed, white washed tomb. It wasn't until I was 34 that I encountered someone who made me realize that it is not about the service, the songs, the hoops, or my comfort but confronted me about becoming open and honest before God, confronted me like Jesus would.
Jesus, is constantly trying to find out who really wants his teachings and healing. And so he keeps pushing and prodding and questioning and putting it out there until some leave and the diehards stay. The churches I attended in my past did not do this, and I do not see most churches doing that today.
My wife Nancy and I used to go down to tent city, under the bridge in Huntsville, on Saturday mornings and just hang out with the homeless for an hour or so with a pot of coffee and drink our morning coffee with them. In the time spent with them I found out that they are ministered daily by churches. A church from Madison feeds them on Thursdays. One from Athens on Friday nights. A Baptist church comes right when we are leaving at 9:00am on Saturdays and feeds them breakfast. A church from Decatur feeds them on Sundays. Other churches come the other days of the week. It is a perfect arrangement, where those who want to be fed, and those want to feed come together. And yes, the church is called to feed the poor. But they bring by the food, spend a few minutes talking and leave. Those from the churches in their vans drive away feeling good that they fed them. Those in the tents feel good because they were fed. But there is no real healing taking place, no transformation, no new life. The vans pull away leaving behind people who need healing that are dying; spiritually, emotionally and physically. A few homeless people died while we were going, all the others were dying a slow death. And these homeless people are people who are ministered by the church not just on Sundays, but 5 0r 6 days a week! They all are coming in, "singing the right songs", jumping through the right hoops of ministering and feeding the poor, but no discipleship is taking place, no time spent in their garbage where confrontation with Christ will lead to healing or life. And watching people die sucks.
I think almost all churches are good at the "feeding" of their congregation. Few however get personal and keep pushing and prodding and questioning and putting it out there until some leave and the disciples stay. Some may leave, but the alternative is the perpetual "feeding" of unhealed, dying people. And watching people die sucks.
What Most of the messages we receive are about how to make life easier. Very few people in our world are offering anything worth dying for. Most of my time spent in church has been listening to messages about making my life easier. Yet it wasn't until I was made to see that only in my dying, that healing and restoration could occur, that my life became easier, in Jesus name.
My family, I pray my reflection this morning encourages you to reflect on these questions yourself: What does it mean to be saved? What does it mean to be a “good Christian?” Are you saved but not healed? Are people who attend your church all coming in, "singing the right songs", jumping through the right hoops of ministering and feeding the poor, but no discipleship is taking place, no time spent in their garbage where confrontation with Christ will lead to healing or life? Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
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My wife Nancy and I are in a new season of our ministry of pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this season in my life and that of my family. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You Thank You!