Anyone who has known me for any length of time will be able to tell you about my fascination with vinyl. People like me hunt for quality, authentic, originals and they are willing to put up with a few scuffs and scratches if it means having something real. In the same way, when it comes to Christian witness, we want something authentic, something real, and consistent even if it comes with a few scuffs.
I am encouraged by discussions about the church’s witness to the culture and its individual and corporate holiness. This is the kind of comprehensive holiness that the Bible has always called us to. And as Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.” In like fashion, one of the greatest needs of our culture is the holiness of the church. Such holiness is essential to Christian witness in a dark world (Phil. 2:14-16).
Yet the path to holiness and authentic Christian witness must avoid the twin errors of legalism and antinomianism. The way forward requires that we confess our sins, repent, and pursue holiness.
The Display of Legalism
When it comes to priorities in Christian witness, the pendulum has swung over the past few decades. Years ago the church’s priority seemed to be in displaying the moral purity of its members. This isn’t wrong; there needs to be a clear distinction between the church and the world, and the world needs to see lives which are consistent with the gospel we proclaim. The standard it high (see 1 Peter 1:16).
But this good desire got off the rails when the church became preoccupied with externals and failed to pursue a religion of the heart. Christian witness became focused on presenting a pristine façade devoid of any gospel hope for those who fell short of the bar.
The Display of Antinomianism
Then the late 90s and early 2000s brought about what some perceived to be liberation from the shackles of legalism. Priority was placed upon authenticity, and all of a sudden many became concerned to let the world see their flaws.
This too has its strengths. The world must see that we are sinners who find forgiveness and hope in the gospel. But what ended up happening is that people began to promote a messy sort of spirituality where sin became glorious and many wore it like a badge of honour. Antinomianism was on the rise and, as a result, the witness of the church suffered because God’s people had become indistinguishable from the world.
Neither Dishonest Nor Indifferent, but Broken
So, what should we prioritize in Christian witness today? Are we merely left bouncing between these two options forever? Is authenticity in Christian witness even possible?
Those who favour the sanitized religion of yesteryear have a tendency to try to cover up sin by ignoring it or silencing its victims. Currently there’s been a lot of heated discussion on the failure of some to report cases of sexual abuse. The motivation to present a pure image to the world may overshadow the motivation to do what is right, to confront sin, and advocate for justice. However, those who have thrown off the shackles of legalism and who have embraced the messy spirituality of the past two decades have a tendency toward downplaying God’s holiness, making light of sin, and neglecting God’s moral authority.
Each of these motivations are biblical and good, but they should be held together in tension. When we absolutize one and downplay the other, Christian witness will suffer and the gospel will be distorted.
The Scriptures are actually quite balanced and call us to both purity and authenticity in our witness at the same time. The road ahead, however, lies through the valley of confession, brokenness, and repentance. The watching world is going to see our shortcomings, our want of holiness, and hypocrisy. We don’t have to expend all of our effort in maintaining the façade; the game is up; our cover’s been blown a long time ago. That being said, while keeping our sin in the closet will prove impossible, we don’t need to dignify it by parading it down centre street. Listen to the balance of John:
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1Jn. 1:5–10).
Authentic Christian witness is neither indifferent, nor dishonest with sin. Instead it’s sincere and broken. God’s holiness is upheld, our sinfulness and need of mercy is clear.
The promise of the gospel enables full and open confession and gives us the hope of free and abundant forgiveness. It is not whether Christians have sin, but what they do with their sin when it is staring back at them that makes our witness real.
When I search for vinyls, I don’t expect each record to be pristine. I expect a few scuffs (but don’t glorify the scoffs). Likewise, the church on earth will not be perfect until Christ returns. We are on the lookout for holiness to be sure, but a broken sort of holiness, a repentant holiness. This is how we witness to the grace of the gospel.
