Faith, Humility, and Love in an Imperfect Church

Throughout church history there has often been deep division, even over matters considered central to the faith. That reality should sober us. At the same time, we should resist the temptation to paint everything with a dark brush. Many leaders within the Christian tradition were thoughtful, sincere, and courageous people who labored faithfully to bring the gospel to a lost world. They were used by God in significant ways, even though they were not infallible.

Still, history also confronts us with painful failures. The Inquisitions stand as a tragic stain on the Christian establishment. Catholics killed Protestants whom they labeled heretics. Catholics and Protestants alike persecuted Anabaptists for the same reason. If we are honest, there are still groups today who would gladly return to such violence if they believed they could do so without consequence. Religious pride has a way of convincing people that anyone who does not look like them, think like them, or worship like them must be rejected by God. That spirit has done great harm.

What is the point of recalling these things? It is simply this. None of us, regardless of our tradition or affiliation, possesses a complete and flawless understanding of our majestic God. We are finite creatures. God is infinite. Our minds cannot fully grasp Him. That reality should humble us. Studying Scripture and growing in the grace and knowledge of God is a beautiful and necessary pursuit. The Bible is deep, rich, and endlessly glorious. Yet even a lifetime of faithful study will never exhaust its depths.

Because of this, every one of us brings preconceived ideas to the table. We all have paradigms shaped by tradition, experience, creeds, confessions, and personal convictions. Some of these are biblical. Some are not. Some may even drift into superstition. Our calling is to continually submit our thinking to Scripture, relying on the Spirit of God to illuminate our minds. When our assumptions need to be corrected, humility must replace pride, and faithfulness must take precedence over tradition.

Jesus Himself helps us see what truly matters. In the Gospels, He highlights the faith of two people in a striking way. Neither was a scholar of the Law. Neither held a position of religious authority. Both were outsiders. One was a Roman centurion. The other was a Syrophoenician woman. Both were Gentiles, standing outside the covenant system of Israel. Yet Jesus marveled at their faith, saying He had not found such great faith even in Israel. These accounts do not diminish the importance of knowing Scripture. Rather, they remind us not to miss the heart of the matter. Faith in God and love for one another are essential.

In light of all this, we do not need to become constant heresy hunters, always looking for a fight. We are called to speak the truth, but to do so in love. The visible church, in its human weakness, often appears messy and imperfect. Yet Christ’s bride is made pure and spotless by His finished work, not by our efforts. God’s foundation stands firm, and the Lord knows those who belong to Him. False teachings and false professions will not overthrow His purposes. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Our calling, then, is to be patient and kind. We are to love one another, even our enemies, and to bear witness to the truth with grace. The results belong to God. He alone judges the human heart. He alone gives the growth. He alone builds His church.

Scripture reminds us, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). And again, “If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Soli Deo Gloria.

---

Greg Flannery is a Bible Teacher at Redeemer Church of Piketon, Ohio.

(This article was originally published in an earlier form by the author on Facebook under the title, “Church History Mayhem.”)