by Rich DuBose
In the final judgement people's destinies will not be determined by church policy. In fact, it won't even be determined by who has a right understanding of doctrine. When Jesus separates the sheep from the goats it will be all about how they've treated others (See Matthew 25:31-46).
This thought concurs with the message of Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the ESSENCE of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
Let's be careful not to take a rigid stand on church policy. Policies are general guidelines that are designed to make an organization more focused and efficient. They are useful when the people administering them are intelligent, compassionate and flexible. But if any of these qualities is missing, policies can become instruments of abuse.
Many make the false assumption that whenever a church organization enacts a policy, it must be biblical, because it was made by religious people. Unfortunately, this is not enough. Remember, it was religious people who orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion.
Ecclesiastically generated policies and opinions are often held as superior to judgements rendered by individuals because they enjoy the benefit of many minds coming together to evaluate and assess important matters. There is an element of truth to this. Solomon says, “There is safety in a multitude of counselors” (Proverbs 11:14). But sometimes committee generated decisions lack sacrificial love and empathy. Church policies that are strictly applied in the absence of gracious dialogue and empathetic exchange can become destructive tools in the hands of half-hearted religionists. They can end up doing more harm than good.
The goal of spiritual life and communal faith is not to construct churches filled with rigid congregations who’ve memorized airtight doctrinal arguments and members who perfectly adhere to church policies. Rather, it is to reflect heaven's light, win hearts, and make friends with everyone, including those who may be perceived as “outsiders” or even “enemies.”
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’”
First and foremost, we are called to be reconcilers, ambassadors of God’s mercy and grace to those who are at odds with God and his Kingdom. There is already enough inspired guidance and “policy” in Scripture that would revolutionize the church and the world if it were skillfully applied and followed. Imagine if the following statement were fulfilled in every church that claims to be affiliated with God’s vision and mission:
“If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tender-hearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one” (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 9 p. 189).
The problem with the church is not that it doesn’t have enough church policies to keep it pure and focused on its mission. It is that it doesn’t have enough kindness and love for the “world” that Jesus died to save. Too many churches embrace political agendas of divisive politicians who champion hate and “unlove” for those who are poor, weak, foreign, and of another religious or political stripe.
The only policy the church should be known for is its determination to love everyone, including those the world hates. Show me an unpersecuted church, and I’ll show you a church who has made it their policy to follow the dictates of the world, and who plays to the whims of the kingdom of darkness.
In Revelation 18:2-3, we find reference to a world-wide federation of churches who have fallen away from their God appointed mission. They are referred to as, Babylon, and they are a frightful thing to behold.
“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal. For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality."
This collection of despicable birds and animals is used to describe religious people and church leaders who are turning away from God's Kingdom principles that define his character (love, joy, compassion, justice and mercy), and embracing a quasi-religious amalgamation of church and state power—which uses coercion, force, legislative law and self appointed authority to enforce their dogma. That is a mouthful, but it is the end-game of darkness to use coercion to force its way against the power of God's love and goodness.
If you are a church leader or pastor, be careful not to get sucked into using your authority and position to create church policies that mimic those of the prince of darkness. Just because you are a pastor or church leader doesn't mean you cannot be conscripted to “fight” on the wrong side and end up at odds with truth and justice.
Paul was talking with Timothy (a religious leader) when he said, “In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NLT).
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California. Photo by Cottonbro Studios, with Pexels.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT), copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.