Links in a Strong Chain (Article from January 2012)

Links in a Strong Chain

There’s an old saying that just being in a garage doesn’t make you are a car. I’ve heard that related to exercise—just because you step into a gym doesn’t mean that you are physically fit. And of course, this could also apply to Christians—just because you go to church, doesn’t mean that you are a disciple of Jesus.

We’ve been talking about restoring this church—getting back to basics, repentance, and the gospel. But many of us don’t make the connection between “the church” (or “SCFBC”) and “me”. Amos prophesied against the people of Judah in the Old Testament. They thought that they were secure and safe because they enjoyed the status of being God’s people—even though they as individuals worshipped idols, oppressed the poor, and turned a blind eye to the social injustices around them. They smugly believed that because they enjoyed peace and prosperity as a nation, they had Yahweh’s blessing and seal of approval.


It is so easy for us to slip into that mentality ourselves. We may agree that the focus of our church needs to be renewed, but unless individuals change in conjunction with a restoration at SCFBC, then restoring the church is a waste of time.


What kind of link are you?
My choir teacher used to nag us to learn our parts, to practice, and to come to rehearsal ready to sing. He would say, “A chain is only as strong as the weakest link”—meaning that we would never be an excellent choir unless every individual carried their weight. Who cares that everyone else sounded fabulous, if Jenny was in the alto section hitting clinkers?


God said to those comfortable, complacent residents of Judah:

6 With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves?
7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:6-8 (NASB)

A member of SCFBC might try reading it this way:

6 With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with great worship services and other programs, with our Bethlehem Experience?
7 Does the LORD take delight in sending mission teams to Mexico?
Shall I tithe more of my hard-earned money for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, (insert your name here), what is good;
"See that justice is done,
let mercy (compassion and love expressed in tangible ways) be your first concern,
and humbly obey your God."

As we start off a new year, let’s each, individually, resolve to become the followers God calls us to be. Only then can our church be the church God want it to be.