The World or the Congregation?

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: Rev. 22:11

You may rightly accuse me of misapplying the scripture above as to timing, but it does speak of who will do the cleaning up when the time comes. Clue: it won't be us.

I have spoken of a preacher who, though outwardly successful, quit his ministry to "fight pornography". He was so earnest a reformer that he deserted his first calling. But it is wise to remember that the great reformer, Martin Luther, did not reform the Roman church. He left it.

As many admonitions as there are to Christians to "shape up", they are all directed to us personally or to church congregations. Jesus condemned the Pharisees, not the Roman Empire. So what is our mandate? Is it to reform or inform?

I have had my hands full working on myself, with limited success. So where am I told to judge the world and to fight its sins and vices?

I think of my pornography-fighting ex-preacher. What if he were to have supper with those in his congregation, or meet with them in his office or home? I hear there are plenty of griefs, sorrows, and sins to minister to, to keep the pastor of even a very small congrgation occupied.

Will Jesus judge our works concerning the world, or rather our neglect or care of his own people?