Externals and Christ

People who are not well-instructed always pay more attention to the externals. The empty, vapid entertainment focus of many churches is blatant and cannot be taken seriously. The separation of form and content is impossible, despite the efforts of many. The seriousness of the Gospel cannot be maintained with the frivolity and temporariness of the world. But the best outward structure alone cannot maintain Jesus. It can be objectively better in the sense of order, but all forms can be abused and made to be more than the living Christ. Only preaching and teaching the Word of Christ maintains Christ—not traditions or ceremonies. Simply chasing the world or being totally unlike the world is not going far enough. We must have Christ above this world who entered this world to suffer for sinners. —ed.