There's an old question that pops up from time to time: "Can I be a Christian and not go to church?"
Now, I assume there are good intentions behind the asking. So, here's my typical response. It's totally possible for someone to do Christ-like things and even be Christ-like on their own. But it is impossible to live the life that Jesus proclaimed and that the Bible portrays without the church.
Can I go sailing without a sail? Well, you can float around, taking in the view. But you won't move forward how you’re supposed to without the wind in your sails. To be sure, the Spirit is the wind in the church's sail. And without the church, we're barely even in the water.
That's not anything I haven't said or preached before. But I saw it again in today's reading. Notice the examples that Peter uses in this quick verse about growing into salvation. He says to get rid of malice, guile, insincerity, envy, and slander. What I notice about those is that they all involve our life with others. Go through the list and you'll see that each one is a relational poison. You can’t practice putting those things away in isolation. You need people, real people, to forgive, to be honest with, and to struggle alongside.
A waiter once spilled something on someone at our table. He repeatedly apologized for the mess. But the person smiled and jokingly said, “That’s okay. This morning, I prayed to God for patience, and God brought me you.”
Then Peter says to be like a newborn who longs for milk. The infant doesn't have to look for its nourishment. It's provided by others around her. The baby doesn't grow without the love and care of someone else around.
And neither do we.
Faith is no solo project. It’s the group project God designed for us to flourish in this life. If you want to grow in God’s salvation, you don’t just need belief, you need people. Forget asking if you can do this alone. Ask if you’re willing to miss what God only gives through others.
Stay blessed...john
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