There is a scene in the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid where a dropped piece of cheese becomes the source of what all the children called the "cheese touch." Basically if you touched the cheese you would be eternally infected with the dreaded cheese touch.
Cheese in the fridge is a treasure. Melted cheese on bread is a treat. Cheese on the asphalt of the playground is a tragedy. The simple location of the cheesy delight determines its classification. It is either desirable or deplorable.
My observation of Christians over the past 40+ years bares a strikingly similarity to the poor cheese. The Christian in the pew is precious and protected. He is holding down his or her spot. Perhaps singing a bit or at least a person that can be counted in the congregation. The Christian can also be a teacher. Someone with a weekly duty to instruct others about whatever is in the book he was assigned. More could be listed but the place they are most treasured is “in the building.” In the building makes everything good. However should you try and classify yourself a Christian and be outside the good graces of “the building” you could be headed to a life of dread and doom. Just like in the “cheese touch” scenario one will be pointed out for their mistake. They will never quite measure up to the ideal person that is in the pew. They are discolored and damaged and if you touch them or talk to them you will be equally as disgusting.
I wish this were not the case. It would be nice if the church (small c) operated like the hospital Jesus intended.
Even more interesting is when the Christian is out in the wild. Out of “position.” When he is mingling with other sinners. How well they blend in. In the work place it is very rare to observe the salt and light outside the safety of the worship center. More often we see the lamp stand hiding under the proverbial bushel. There is however power in numbers. Perhaps if there are a few parishioners standing around they will clutter together and increase their illumination but only in the corner they are standing in. It is again very rare for the huddle to band together in force and rescue one that is hurt or broken. I’ve seen them discuss the outcast disregard the wounded, and despise the former member of the pew.
This topic positional christianity occurred to me at a meeting in the spring of 2022. I am writing this with some authority because I have been on both sides of this topic. I have been inside the huddle and on the outside of it. During the meeting I observed “church folk” piled up in a wad while hurting, needy people were wandering all around them. I watched careful. I knew if these same people were “inside the building” on any given Sunday the huddle would be surrounding them. They would be inquiring their name their contact information and finding out a bit more about them. The plea for their soul would go out and tears would be shed on their behalf. Hard to believe we were not much more than a mile from the church building, but the attitudes and concerns of the churched were infinitely different.
What is your position? How will you serve? Jesus said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus sets a very high standard. I’m not throwing off on Him or His Church. There are a few great pastors, there are many faithful saints and I care for them deeply. These people serve the poor and powerless 24/7 My concern however is for you and me. If we are positional Christians we should hang our head in shame. LOVE PEOPLE! CARE FOR PEOPLE!
I’m so thankful that when I was a disgusting “piece of cheese” that Jesus reached down and rescued me. The disgusting embarrassing human I am and the King of Everything touched me and made me whole. Think on that….
