The other day I had traveled to Jackson, TN with two of my elders to visit a dear brother who is sick. On the way to the hospital we drove by a church building that on the marquee outside identified itself as “The Perfect Church for Those Who Aren’t.” That sounds awfully good from the outset because in many ways that should be descriptive of a church. However, the more I thought about that phrase the more I realized that its benefit or peril all depended on what they meant by what they said.
If that description meant that they were a church who was welcoming and loving toward those lost in sin but on the same hand boldly condemned sin and sought to help people overcome the vices that exist in their lives then such an identification is to be commended. Paul wrote concerning the body of Christ that we are to “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-15). Christians are to be those who love the lost but in love help the lost to become saved. In that sense, churches are supposed to be “the perfect church for those who aren’t.”
However, if that description was referring to the accepting and permissive nature of that church, as being those who will welcome any and all without them feeling any guilt for the sins of which they actually are guilty then such an identification is to be condemned. Many churches around the world, rather than being those who condemn sin are actually by their actions (or lack thereof) encouraging sin. In this context the church at Corinth might actually fit the same description in that they had those publicly guilty of sin present but were unwilling to address it (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul strongly rebuked them for such permissive behavior because it was unbecoming of the church. And in that sense, churches are not supposed to be “the perfect church for those who aren’t.”
At the end of the day I have no idea what this particular church meant by that description. I do not write these words to jump to the improper conclusion but rather to recognize that while such ambiguity might not necessarily exist with them that it does exist and we must be ever protective to guard ourselves from being guilty of its alternative permissive meaning. Ultimately we must remember that to bless sin we will be condemned, but to condemn sin we will be blessed!