Forgetful

Do you ever forget? Sure, we all do. The older we get the more we forget. God knows we are inclined to forget and that is why He spoke about the subject. 

There seems to be a mentality that we must dismantle the past in order to advance into the future. In 2020 we saw numerous statues removed from public space because of past wrongs and mistakes. Buildings and military bases were renamed for similar reasons. Instead of acknowledging where we have failed and learning from the past, the culture is inclined to eradicate the past. 

It seems like some of this has infiltrated the Church. I’m not talking about adapting methods which need to recognize our culture. But we should acknowledge that there is a lot that has blighted the historical church. The Church tried to dominate the culture that resulted in the Crusades doing great harm. For centuries the Church has been guilty of spiritual abuse in various forms. The Church has become materialistic and has promoted financial gain and success over reaching the lost. The Church has become selfish, complacent and apathetic. Building little empires with celebrity pastors has brought down many ministries that started with good intentions. 

Is it necessary to dismantle the existing Church in order to reenergize us to repent of the wrong and right the ship? Should we ignore the past or learn from it?

God knew the Israelites would forget the mistakes of the ten spies so forty years later when they crossed the Jordan he told them to erect 12 stones from river as a memorial. He instituted the Passover so they would never forget when the Angel of Death passed through Egypt. Jesus instructed His followers that as often as we eat the bread and drink the cup we remember His death until He comes back for us. 

Are we to live in the past? Absolutely not. But even Paul who said he forgets the past and presses on to the upward call did not lose sight of what he was before the Damascus Road. 

Are there any altars we need to erect or Damascus Roads that we need to revisit? How can we, the Church,  be most effective in 2024? Let’s not forget our roots. Jesus said He would build His Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it  

God, forgive us, the Church, for getting sidetracked over the centuries and help us to be renewed to what You called us to do so we can effectively serve you in our culture until You come back for us.