The Perfect Christian, The Perfect Church

One of my college professors had been a pastor.  Down the street from his congregation, a pastor of another church decided it would become the perfect church.  Their Administrative Board voted to kick out any members who had any criminal records, and who were known to drink alcohol.  During the following months, members were kicked out for smoking, receiving speeding tickets, being divorced, being known to swear, forgetting to bring the Bible to worship, and sleeping during worship.
 
About a year later, my professor was walking down the street and met the pastor.  He asked, “How perfect is your perfect church now?”  The pastor replied, “Well, our present membership is my wife and me, and honestly, I’m beginning to have some doubts about her.”
 
First, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.  So, a church will never become perfect by kicking out sinners.  Being sinners, we cannot become perfect on our own.  Only Jesus Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit can take us and transform us from where we are to what we can become. 
 
The pastor of the “Perfect Church” wanted to purify the church by kicking imperfect people out.  The Holy Spirit purifies us with the fire of God’s love.  Fire purifies, energizes, provides light, provides warmth, and galvanizes.  It’s the fire of the Holy Spirit that moves us to perfection.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Instead of judging another today or wishing that person was not around, how might you allow Christ’s Holy Spirit to perfect your love for that person?
• Instead of judging another at church, how might you allow Christ’s Holy Spirit to perfect your love towards that person?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• When someone in your family makes a mistake, how does your love overcome that mistake?
• When you make a mistake with your family, how do you express your love to overcome your mistake?                

PRAYER
Most loving gracious Lord, we know we are not perfect and that only you are perfect.  So, only with your Holy Spirit can we overcome sin and mistakes.  Instead of judging others, help us focus on letting God help us change into your glory.  In your gracious name, I pray.  Amen.