Is the church the best hope for the world? Part 1

Well yes and no! It is Christ and His transforming power that is the hope of the world, but He has left the church as His chosen vessel to be salt and light and leaven in the World, and as the visible representation of His body, his persona (Matthew 5:13,14; 13:33). I would not have done that, but then I am not God. You probably knew that! When the World sees the church they are supposed to see Christ. And yes we do need to distinguish between the visible church, and the invisible church which is made up of all who truly believe. But still there are many ways that the true Church has lost its saltiness, and hidden its light under a basket. Still if He is to be believed, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden ((Matthew 5:13,14).

Now “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” (Matthew 13:33). So it starts small, it starts with you and me living for the Lord with integrity, and love and grace. This is what it means to be salt. I am told that salt is a biological necessity for the body to exist. And in order for there to be life in the earth of the type of which Jesus speaks (John 10:10b), there has to be the salt of the church. In fact it seems to me that hell is best pictured as the world with all things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and anything praiseworthy removed (Philippians 4:8).

And we are the light of the world. Not only must we live lives of integrity, but we must “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). I need His help here. Part of my being salt is that when I give a defence, I need to do it with meekness and fear and I have not always “spoken the truth in love” in this way. We need to live and speak in such a way that the World will come and ask “What is it that you have that I don’t?” The words of the song comes to mind “Ruler of the nations the world has yet to see, the full release of your promise,
the church in victory.” We need His help, we really do! In other words if the church is the hope of the World, then Heaven help us - literally please Lord!

Father, You Word tells us that the righteous are barely saved, that is we who through faith are righteous even we are only just barely saved (1 Peter 4:18; Ephesians 2:8,9). It is only by Your incredible mercy that any are saved at all. Lord we so need the coming revival that has been prophesied over and over. We need it Lord, so that Your Church will be the salt, light and leaven You intend us to be. Only in this way Lord will Your Church bring hope to this lost and wicked and hurting World. And so I pray this morning “Even so come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20), and I pray this in Your Holy and precious and lovely Name Amen