I wasn't planning on writing today, but I ran across a verse from one of Paul’s letters that just hit me in the face.
“…while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Paul is writing to a church that some believe had slogans for the way they should live their lives. He said they had the head knowledge of what to do, but they didn’t have the love associated with being a child of God. He goes on to say in verse 3, “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
My limited observation of the local church today would lead me to believe that we have gotten love and knowledge mixed up. Churches today are filled with wonderful teachers and classes that know the difference between a Sadducee and a Pharisee, but when was the last time that class left the building and showed God’s love in their neighborhood? Ouch, that hurts me too.
Why are we closing the doors on more churches than we are opening on new churches? Why is the Southern Baptist Convention not growing, but reached a plateau for the last two years? Why are churches weak today? I believe one of the reasons is we have abandoned hair on fire love for people for knowledge of the Bible.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe the answer for our world today is the truth and proclamation of God’s word. I of all people love to understand and teach God’s word, but have we escaped into the church with an excuse to learn more and abandoned the people God has called us to love?
One of the great things from our student led echo groups formed during Falls Creek is that they have actually gotten out meeting people’s needs. They have shown love. A couple of groups have spent time at a senior adult care center.
Let’s reverse this trend of knowledge over love. Let’s be a people that the world would say, “They really know how to love people and take care of those in their neighborhood.” Let’s let love strengthen the church!
