AP

The Church is still the answer.

All too often we hear of platformed evangelicals who have succumb to the “schemes of the devil” and the disordered “desires of the flesh” living as if they were unaware that the “passions of the flesh… wage war against your soul” (Eph. 6:11, 2John 2:16, 1Pet. 2:11).  Inevitably, blogs are written, situations dissected, and reflections offered.

However, it may be a good time to reflect on the broader issue of sanctification, and the call of a plodding virtuous community life for every single disciple of Christ. The truth is, we all struggle with idolatry.  In Colossians 3:5-6 we’re exhorted to ‘Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.’ 

Paul warns us about the pull and power of disordered desires that not only want, but actively pursue sexual pleasure, power, possessions and/or consumption. He describes these as “earthly” and ‘idolatrous’ things that we want more than God, even if they are good things, like work, family or sex. Calvin described these desires as ‘inordinate desires’, where we want good things too much, and those desires become disordered desires recalibrate our loves so we willingly or neglectfully disobey God. 

We often see these disordered desires prevalent in young Christian girls who date non-Christian boys, and young Christian boys who ask and pressure girls for inappropriate or even explicit photos on Snap Chat. These disordered desires are evident in widespread immorality, ubiquitous pornography, as well as the endless stupidity and triviality that is consumed in alarming daily doses of death scrolling and streaming media. They are evident in the married men who break almost every single commandment in an illicit affair, seemingly oblivious to the truck load of pain they will inevitably dump on their family, friends and church community. Then there are the ‘acceptable’ sins of greed and pride that redirect the good of work from provision and service to careerism and materialism. Not all such sins will get publicly dissected and discussed, but they are prevalent in almost every congregation in Australia, weakening and undermining gospel communities and their witness.

Augustine in his famous book ‘City of God’ pictured the spiritual battle between the two spiritual forces, the city of man (flesh) and the city of God (spirit). He explained that the city of man is disordered and parasitic in that it diverts construction material meant for the city of God to the city of man.

In other words, instead of seeking the Kingdom of God, instead of building that Kingdom through gospel fidelity in the covenant community, we through disordered desires or ‘loves’ in fact pursue our own dreams and desires, weakening God’s kingdom as we unwittingly contribute to the building of that other kingdom. Having said that, it’s not like the gospel has no answer.

Now, while there is no quick fix for immorality. No singular or simplistic response that will eradicate the influence of the plethora of cultural idols that shape our imaginations and calibrate our desires, forming in us a distorted vision of the good life.  There is an answer. It’s not new. It’s not quick. It’s not glamorous or perhaps exciting, but God’s answer is the gracious gospel call to a virtuous life in a covenant community.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 that “…being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves…” Perhaps it seems too simple, too obvious, but the starting point of a virtuous life is the local church, a local covenant community, that you are embedded in, committed to and willingly and joyfully serve, worship and witness together. Through the ordinary means of grace, we all work hard at the ‘one another’ verses of Scripture that spiritually form us in deep covenantal communities where the gospel is not only taught but observed (Matt. 29:19-20). Virtues are added to our faith (2 Peter 1:5) and keep us effective and fruitful in our work, relationships, service and witness (2 Peter 1:8).

The only compelling answer to a crisis of credibility is the modelling and pursuit of a virtuous gospel covenant community of love. Love expressed in the courage to defend the weak, elderly and despised – whether that is a refugee, an unborn child or the myriads of unseen among us. A community of love that manifests itself in honesty and integrity as it owns its own failures – in the past as well as the present – even when that entails great cost to the institutional church. Gospel communities that love without limits, manifested in patience with each other, where love has strength under control and is evidenced in our gentleness, and where love for the needy is experienced in kindness, and love for others before ourselves is evident in a quiet humility. Flourishing gospel communities of committed disciples of Jesus is always our best answer to critics and a crisis of credibility.  

However, it’s not enough for the individual Christian to hear this gospel call and grasp the vision. It is incumbent upon the leadership of our congregations to hear this call, grasp its vision and as elders and deacons, teach, model and disciple in such a way as to form deep local covenant communities committed to love for God and neighbour as an expression of our faith.  

We need elders who are known not just for their faithful walk and witness but for their hospitality and gentleness as they model gospel living for others to observe. It is in our conception of – and commitment to – such deep covenant communities that offer the Church her best opportunity to be equipped, encouraged and enabled as flourishing disciples of the Christ and a credible alternative to the kingdom of darkness. This has always been the answer. It will always be the answer. It just awaits your answer.

– Darren Middleton