Thursday, April 16, 2015

EmmDev 2015-04-16 [Apostle's Creed] Church (2) Holy part 1



Church (2) Holy part 1

... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians5:25-26
When we talk about the Church, "holy" is not a word we feel very comfortable using because many people have experienced judgementalism and holier-than-thou attitudes from church people. On the other hand we have been appalled at the failure of church people and church pastors who have been crooked, abusive, hypocritical and broken. So how can we talk about the Church as holy? Well, to properly answer that question we need to use two theological words: "Justified" and "Sanctification." The first word is an event and the second describes a process - we'll focus on the event today and the process tomorrow.
To be justified is to be brought to a place where justice has been satisfied. Paul explains that this is what Jesus did for us: He loved us and gave himself as a sin offering to make us holy. This means that regardless of our practical and daily failures there is an event that balances the scales. In spite of our brokenness and sin, there is a game-changing moment that took place. The justice that our sin deserved was handled on the cross.
When God looks at us from a justice point of view He sees us in the light of the Good Friday event. He sees us "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
This means that the church is not a showcase for saints, but a hospital for sinners who get to stand behind a wonderful Saviour.
The great hymn "It is well with my soul" by Horatio Spafford puts it well:
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Thank You Lord Jesus for making us holy - We know it came at great cost. Amen.
--
Theo Groeneveld
Emmanuel Presby Church
theo@emmanuel.org.za Cell: 082-5510752