On Church Ground

Here is the funniest phrase I have ever heard. “If I weren’t on church ground, I would…” I have heard so-called churchgoers say the church ground kept them from cussing and fighting, as if the premises had something to do with their behavior. In other words, they felt justified in acting crazy because they were not near the building. It is amazing how people respect an edifice, but will not respect the One the edifice represents.

           

What does it mean to be on church ground? Does it mean standing in the parking lot? The vestibule? The family life center? The administrative offices? The fellowship hall? 

Some churchgoers believe this. However, we must understand Christians are the church. When we are away from the building, we are still in church. 

           

Have you ever heard someone shout, “Thank you Jesus” and “I’m looking for a blessing,” and in the next breath use 4-letter words? At that moment, I assume they forgot they were on church ground. These actions reveal attitude. Imagine how they act away from the church building. 

           

As they ride closer to the church, the worship face surfaces. Church folk switch appearances faster than chameleons. The same way these lizards alter their skin color is the same way church folk shift to the facade. In church, they are saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled and fire baptized. But wait until the service is over and wait until the venues change.

           

For example, did you know restaurant servers do not like working on Sunday afternoon? Why? They know how church people act. I am embarrassed to say we often look for reasons not to tip the server. We want God to fill our cup until it overflows, but we make the server leave our tables empty handed.

           

On church ground we are spiritual, but in the restaurant we are stingy. Church folk fight the server to get a free meal, and then have the audacity to leave a tract on the table with no tip. Our conduct away from the house is the reason no one visits the house. If God has blessed us, why do we find it hard to bless others?

           

In Deuteronomy, God instructed Moses about payment (cf. Deut. 2). He told him and the children of Israel not to meddle with the children of Esau, because He was not going to give Esau’s possession to them (cf. Deut. 2:5). The word meddle means to stir up strife and contention.

           

This is exactly what church folk do when they pick a fight with the server. Instead of paying for the meal—as God said in verse 6—church players scam the meal. God said, “Ye shall buy meat of them,” not steal it! Do you see how we act? We will raise hell with the restaurant, but still consider ourselves God’s beloved children. 

           

So, what about church ground causes the actors flip? Maybe they fail to realize God is omnipresent. The Almighty is everywhere at the same time.

           

While expressing His displeasure of false prophets, God said, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD,” (cf. Jer. 23:24). 

Since the LORD is always present, church ground should not be the only place we live holy. A lukewarm church makes for an angry Lord (cf. Rev. 3:16).

Be encouraged

Go Hard

Bro. Sid