Are We Okay?

How do you answer the question: Are we okay? This is a crucial inquiry since we have been given the greatest and most important mission assignment of all time—The Great Commission. Essentially, asking “Are we okay?” is a way of determining whether we are on track with our mission.
Jesus addressed seven churches in Asia Minor with admonitions to evaluate and correct problems. In Revelation 2:5, He said to the church at Ephesus, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Are we okay? Pessimists will always respond with “no,” while optimists will say “yes.” Realists, on the other hand, might respond with both “yes” and “no.” Interestingly, according to the Bible, everyone believes they are a realist. As Proverbs 21:2 states, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
This verse highlights the importance of being able to evaluate ourselves accurately. As I often say, good decisions are only as good as the information upon which they are based. This should lead us to seek God’s evaluation because there is no better source of information than God.
Answering the question “Are we okay?” is essential for identifying what needs to be fixed. Recognizing problems is a necessary step toward resolving them. Our goal should be to fix and improve, not to tear down or dwell on complaints and discontent.
Fix it, Don’t Break It

I have observed that criticizing a group as a whole often leaves everyone feeling guilty and demoralized rather than uplifted. Those trying to do their best feel falsely accused, and the accuser loses credibility, both for their ability to evaluate and for their fairness. To be dismissive of those working hard is an injustice to them and demoralizes a very important laboring force that should be receiving encouragement.
This is why the Bible instructs us to address matters directly with individuals first, rather than to the general public. If you believe something is wrong, approach the responsible parties before involving others. This is the Biblical and appropriate way to resolve issues and to fix problems. Those who are good at fixing problems understand this and practice it.
The alternative is to bring down the entire group with complaints aimed at everyone. Proverbs 14:1 states, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” This message applies to both men and women. To “pluck down” means to tear down or undermine, which can happen through incessant accusations and blame. Instead of building up a congregation, some individuals choose the unwise approach that tears it down—in the name of making things better, of course. While rebuke and discipline have their place, our public ministry—especially during services—should focus on winning souls to Christ for salvation and discipleship, not driving them away with self-critique, complaints, and scoldings.
No church is perfect, just as no individual is perfect. Instead, we are in a process of growth and maturation. The desire and effort to improve are signs of a healthy church, and honest evaluations are essential and should be welcomed to facilitate that improvement.
However, there is an appropriate time and place for evaluations. It is not wise or called for to air grievances in public. It is counterproductive to Christ’s mission to combine an invitation to come to Christ and our church with a message of: “where problems abound, imperfections are picked on, and scoldings are guaranteed. Come and be a part of the problems and discover more that you haven’t thought of yet.” Many members, and especially non-members, have no context of what issues are addressed, they have no clue of the sincere motivations to make things better, and do not recognize the tremendous blessings and commitment that exist in the church when public rebuke is the persistent theme.
People come to church to be better. It is prudent to conclude that people who have decided to come to church made the decision to be better servants for Christ or at least do what they perceive is right. The question at church to answer is how can we help each other be better.
It is also important to recognize that it is unwise to provide critics and detractors with ammunition to use against you. We already suffer from the attacks of an enemy who lurks like a roaring lion, seeking to divide, devour, and conquer. Assisting the enemy by sharing internal issues publicly is not prudent. Whereas a healthy church will critique itself to improve, the enemy will critique to destroy. To stay on mission, we should present our best publicly and work to improve ourselves to our best internally.
No doubt some may be thinking that public rebuke and exhortation should be eliminated. This is not the case, and this is where wisdom and the Holy Spirit are required to make a distinction between unjustly condemning everyone and rebuking appropriately from the Word of God.

The State Of The Church In Acts
As I mentioned, good decisions and evaluations are only as good as the information we have to work with. A good starting point to evaluate whether we are okay is to look to the first church. It serves as a role model for us to follow, experienced amazing growth, and had God’s hand of empowerment upon them. They were not perfect, and they had problems, so they are a good match for us, and we can learn from them how to resolve issues.
Acts 6:7 shows us the fruit of their efforts, saying, “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” This indicates that whatever they were doing, they were doing well.
Acts 17:6 states, “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” This demonstrates that they were doing something right. If they were not doing right, God would not have manifested His approval of them and His power through them, and they would not have grown in numbers as disciples and churches.
So, what were they doing right? What was the secret to their success, and what can we observe in them that we can use to evaluate ourselves?
There are three parties involved in the early church’s success: God, the disciples, and the lost. God empowered, the disciples obeyed, and the lost accepted God’s message. All three parties must do their part.
God’s Role Is Central

As for God, He is unfailing and always faithful. God’s role in His church has been to empower church members, add church members, and guide the church with wisdom and comfort. Consider the Scriptures that explain God’s role in His church.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus makes a powerful declaration: “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This statement reveals that the church is His church. He built it after He made this statement, as indicated by Him saying He will build it. And because it is His church, membership in His church is determined by Him. He determines the criteria for church membership.
The church is often thought of and treated as a human institution, but without Christ, there would be no church. Without Christ, we would just be another gathering of people, like any other organization. But being an institution built and owned by Christ means He alone can authorize it, dictate membership requirements, and authoritatively define its mission. And to do this, He empowers it with His authority, wisdom, and protection.

God Empowered: The Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 shows us the promise of Christ to empower His church. This refers to the empowerment of the members of His church: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The word power in this verse is dunamis, which emphasizes miraculous power or strength. This miraculous power comes from the Holy Spirit and is required to fulfill our mission, which is opposed by dark, evil spiritual forces. The mission of the church requires surviving and overcoming spiritual forces that seek to destroy Christ’s church. We, as people, cannot survive, much less to overcome such diabolical forces. The existence of every true New Testament church in the world is a miracle made possible by the empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:10 explains the need for the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” These two verses show that we, as members of His church, must depend on His power and His armor.
People easily confuse this power as something they possess, but it is not their power. To be strong in the power of His might means to be emboldened with confidence in the power of God, which is very important when facing off with our spiritual foes. This power of God is His protection made available because of our relationship with Him. It can be removed as easily as it is given. It is not power we possess; it is the power of God in us.
Paul acknowledged in Colossians 1:29, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” And in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” With the right perspective, we are humbled by God’s power rather than proudly strutting around as though we are all-powerful. The is the perspective a healthy church needs to have.
Verse 12 continues, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” As members of a true New Testament church, we are targets for destruction. Satan does not want us to exist. Revelation 12:6–7 reveals this evil intent, saying of the antichrist beast empowered by Satan in the last days: “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Not only our mission but our existence is under attack by Satan.
For this reason, 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”