My Smokin' Hot Wife

I have a very attractive wife. I often get the look that says, “How did you get her?” when I introduce Lauren as my wife.

However, I didn’t develop feelings for her when she became beautiful. Lauren and I have known each other since we were in Kid’s Choir together, and I began pursuing her during our awkward Junior High years. As we grew in our friendship, I realized that she was exactly the type of person I wanted to marry. Lauren has a very sweet, soft temperament, she stands firm on her convictions, and she cares deeply for those closest to her. While I think Lauren is the most attractive girl I have ever seen, her beauty is not what primarily attracts me to her, but neither is it the wonderful attributes I just mentioned.

What if it was her beauty that primarily attracted me to her? If ultimately I am attracted to Lauren mainly for her physical beauty, our marriage will collapse when we age. If my attraction is mainly for the things she does, our marriage will collapse when she doesn’t hold up “her end.” Even if my attraction to her is based on her relationship with Jesus then our relationship will collapse when she goes through a storm and needs to lean on me. Whatever attracts me to her is ultimately the thing in our relationship that I worship and forces me to become an idolater. Furthermore, I would argue that if my attraction is primarily based on any one of those things then truly it is not Lauren that I love but things of her. The only hope for our marriage is that my attraction to Lauren is based on my love for Christ. God has brought Lauren into my life not for my happiness but for my holiness. God is using my relationship with Lauren to draw me to Himself.

God has brought Lauren into my life not for my happiness but for my holiness.

What is it that draws us to Jesus? If the main thing that attracts us to Jesus is the physical beauty of the church, when the building is “old news,” our relationship with Jesus will collapse. If it is the things that Jesus does for us, then when Jesus doesn’t hold up “his end,” our relationship with him will collapse. If the relationships we have with Christians are the primary attraction we have to Jesus, our relationship with Jesus will collapse when those friendships struggle. I would argue if our attraction is based on any one of those things then truly it is not Jesus that we worship, but the things of Jesus. The only hope for us is to worship Jesus and not the church. Likewise, the only hope for us to have an attractive church is to have a church based on the love of Christ primarily.

The thing that draws people to church will ultimately be the thing they worship.

If it be the physical beauty, that will be their god. If it be the gifts from Christ, that will be their god. If it be the relationships, that will be their god. However, if we as church members are transformed by the Gospel that will draw others to our fellowship. We must have the prize be to worship Christ, proclaim the Gospel, and ourselves be transformed by the mercies of God.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Chili Church

I frequently drive from Purcell to Oklahoma City. Along this drive are many billboards. One caught my eye this morning that was a giant red chili pepper. I wondered if the restaurant Chili's had put in a new billboard. As a drew closer the billboard read: "Spicy Church!"

This is the message that is intended to draw people to this congregation? I am all for creative advertisement and marketing, but is this truly what the church has become?

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. There are a few things I see churches holding up that are dangerous:

1. Experience - The billboard I saw fit this category. Attend our church because we are "Spicy" and it will be a different experience. It puts a new and different experience as the goal and not Christ. Many charismatic and new age churches have this as their M.O. It is unbiblical and dangerous. Be wary of any church that claims that they have a Christian doctrine or practice that others do not. There is nothing new under the sun.

2. Morals - Old school fundamental churches have a tendency to fall into this category. This type of church is driven by making people moralistic. This is extremely dangerous because at the center of the church is not proclaiming Christ as dying to save us from our sin but proclaiming Christ is pleased with good people and not with bad people. People live as morally as they can stand, but their hearts are far from God. Their is guilt when they sin, and pride when they uphold their morals.

3. Rewards - Health & Wealth/Prosperity Theology fits in these churches. The church is generally a very "Feel Good" place. People come looking to hear an inspiring, hope-filled message that God wants their circumstances to change. The problem here is that God changing my situation is truly what is being worshipped rather than God. Most people in the Bible that God calls to himself have their life ruined at cost for following Him (Paul, 12 Disciples, Prophets, etc.)

The reason it is dangerous is because the people belonging to these churches naturally worship the thing that drew them into church in the first place. If anything other than the cross of Jesus Christ drew them to church, the result is worship of an idol.

The reason it is dangerous is because the people belonging to these churches naturally worship the thing that drew them into church in the first place.

A Christian church should not hold up the idea of a church that is "Spicy" but the cross to draw people unto themselves. When you hold up anything other than the cross, that ideal is worshipped. Leading

a life that is centered on Christ will give you a unique experience but only if the pursuit is Christ. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit a person will have new desires to live a moral life, but that desire will come from beginning a new life and will break shame and pride because you recognize you have sin to be shameful of and that Christ died defeating sin leading to humility. Truly there is reward in a relationship with God, but is found in knowing Him. What about in your heart? Do you worship Christ and proclaim to others his work on the cross as the centerpiece of your life? What's the picture on the billboard of your life? May for all of us, it be the cross! May we hold up the cross this Easter season in our lives and in our churches.

For His glory and our joy,

Michael McAfee