The Church as a Safe Space – Is It Biblical?
Many believe God made the Church as a Safe Space, a sanctuary for people to have freedom to worship without worry. Is that what the Bible teaches?
I would agree that God made the Church to unite people in fellowship, for a multitude of reasons, but a look into the old-testament church would quickly show that most of the apostles and disciples in the early church, such as Stephen, Peter, Paul, James, and of course, Jesus, were slaughtered because of their worship of God freely, a church constantly under persecution.
The apostles rejoiced when persecuted for their faith (Acts 5:41-42), Peter said to rejoice in suffering while being like Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19), Paul wrote of suffering as to continue as Christ suffered (Col 1:24, 3:10; 2 Cor 1:5), as through suffering we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:17, 29) and enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Acts 14:22). Christ Himself said Christians would have tribulation and suffering here on earth (John 16:33), while Paul mentioned it is a criterion that,
Why Did God Build the Church?
It would seem that God built the Church to unite His people in worship (1 Peter 2:9-10), to build a holy temple to Himself (Eph 2:19-22; 1 Pet 2:4-5), to make disciples and spread the Spirit throughout the world (Matt 28:19-20), to empower and encourage each person (Heb 10:25; 1 Thes 5:11), to show the universe of God’s wisdom (Eph 3:10), to serve the needy (James 1:27) through the Apostles Doctrine (Acts 2:42-47), and as a representation of Christ on earth, He who did not revile but submitted Himself to God and did not fight but gave Himself over to being persecuted (1 Pet 2:23).
God’s Ways Are Higher, We Can Rise With Him
If we continue to run from persecution, Christians may be missing the whole point of our existence. Maybe it is time to start speaking boldly the Word of God, repentance of sins and of Christ’s universal authority, a love above knowledge, a truth beyond comprehension. This could, of course, include the sanctuary state of criminals seeking newness in Christ. A newness which would teach them to submit themselves over to their due penalty of their work on earth, a penalty that God can sway a change in sentencing, a penalty which shows faith in justice, as God is just.
The Church as a Safe Space occurs through redemption from sin. This faith in receiving the penalty from justice, on earth, allows one’s character to be formed and can bring about a truly Godly witness to others who have committed crimes, while understanding the value of God’s mercy, producing gratefulness and thanksgiving. Imagine criminals repenting and coming into police stations submitting themselves to the police, to the judges, to the communities they have wronged. Imagine what this would do to those hurt by them, imagine what kind of sentencing they may receive? After all, the justice system seeks to restore the criminal to society, and this conversion onto tender repentance is just that already occurring!
I believe seeking peace through bringing people into repentance of sins, and then a submission to the penalty of their acts on earth, will show faith, bring about justice, and ultimately, salvation to many.
Hiding Online, Running From the Divine
A reflection I had recently brought about a strong realization about my habits in the 21st century. Our discipleship in Christ,
I believe this Godly way of thinking is the lifeblood of the Church, and although avoiding suffering may seem to be what God wants for our lives, a disciple must admit suffering makes us great, for as Paul so eloquently stated,
Amen!
Did You Catch What Paul Said?
It is by boasting in his own weakness that Christ’s power was allowed to rest on Paul. This way of thinking is so counter-cultural, so against our worldview. The lens we see through is about domination, power, not being weak but controlling others so we will not be taken advantage of or hurt. But Paul says for Christ’s sake he delights in persecution and hardships, weakness and difficulties. And how could Paul do this, or why would a man find himself in this position?
Paul makes it clear, when we are weak, then we are strong. Paul knows that his wisdom is nothing (Phil 3:8) compared to the knowledge of Christ’s power within him and that in his weakness God is strong and moving within him. It’s not that God isn’t always powerful in Paul, it’s that he, when weak, allows Christ to work through him, giving up control and submitting to God’s work within him.
We too can be strong, through our weaknesses, and although the Church is a sanctuary to all people who seek repentance in Christ, we must not see the Church as a safe place but as an armory preparing people for the most important battle in the universe, a battle for the hearts and souls of all who live, a battle to reveal God’s wisdom to the universe and His love to His children.
A War That Rages
You are in a war, born behind enemy lines (read John Eldredge’s work “Waking The Dead” to learn more) and the target is your heart. The battle is waged each day by your thoughts, decisions, and most importantly, your actions. As a member of the Church, you ARE NOT in a safe space, you are in the greatest battle, of the greatest war, you could ever fight in.
The sanctuary is your heart, the temple is your body, and the Church is Christ’s power. Our buildings exist to bring about repentance, our altars for kneeling, and our messages for building each person up together. Your body and mind may not be “safe” but your spirit, your soul, are safe when you are obedient to Christ. And that is all that matters, in Heaven’s Eyes.
Learn more about misleading ideas of the church, such as Vicarious Substituion. Understand further how Christians, and the world, are in an eternal battle for
