“In every century only a few so earnestly pursue the Lord Jesus Christ. But there are always a few, and they are the ones who keep lit the pathway for those who will come after them.” (Frank Laubach in Practicing His Presence)

The term “remnant,” found almost exclusively in the Old Testament, has always intrigued me. It describes people who, against the tide of unreliable believers, know better than to turn a deaf ear to God. In the face of opposition and suffering remain faithful to their convictions. They refuse to compromise along with the crowd of pretenders and lukewarm Christians. They don’t chafe at being in the minority. Like the “underdog” sports team, they use others’ disrespect as a motivator. They stay the course.

It seems no matter how decadent the world gets or faithless God’s people become, there are always a band of survivors who press on. Jesus labeled them the “little flock” to whom the Father is pleased to give his “kingdom” (Luke 12:22). This flock might be small and bedraggled, but they presses on.

Isaiah encouraged King Hezekiah with these words: “Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above…a band of survivors.” (2 Kings 19:30-31). In contrast to the thin layer of topsoil with which many Christians seem content, the remnant is rooted in deep soil. The deeper down they go improves this “band of survivors” chance of bearing fruit!

“The LORD our God,” says Ezra, “has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary.” (Ezra 9:8) Grace makes sure there will always be a critical mass of stubborn disciples with relentless hearts who are rewarded with a “secure hold within his holy place” (RSV).

It’s only God who can accurately identify the true remnant among the crowds who claim to be his followers. We’re ill-advised to commend ourselves as charter members and assume we can always identify who is and who isn’t in the club.

At one point in time Elijah thought he was “the only one left” in Israel that followed Yahweh. But the Spirit told him that he had “reserved 7,000” who refused to bow to Baal. Sometimes the remnant gets so used to being in the club of the few that they can’t seem to recognize others who are as faithful to the Lord as they are, if not more.

I know of a church that displays a banner in large letters facing the freeway for all to see claiming themselves to be “True Jesus Church.” On their website it says: “The True Jesus Church preaches the one faith and practices the one baptism as the church in the Bible. By being baptized in the True Jesus Church, we are brought into the one body of Christ.” They go on to espouse some interesting ideas about salvation, baptism, and Christ’s return. But most disturbing is that they seem to believe that they’re “the remnant,” the sole possessors of God’s saving grace. Always a dangerous position to take.

This group is one of hundreds, if not thousands of others that assume salvation has come only to them. They’re likely headed for a shock if (and hopefully when) they arrive in heaven with all those “other” Christ followers already settled in. So, yes, there’s a danger in claiming our own remnantcy!  Can’t you just hear everyone in heaven saying to God: We’re the remnant and everyone else are renegades! We’re the committed and they’re the compromisers! Since “pride comes before a fall,” it’s probably best to avoid such a spirit of exclusivity.

Nevertheless, it is wise to be discerning, which is not the same as judging. Paul told his disciple Titus to silence people who teach falsely in order to make money. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. And are unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:10-16) Strong words! (If you’re up for some more strong language, read the epistles of Galatians, 2 Peter, and Jude.)

With that in mind, I want to say that I’ve been agonizing lately about some portion of the American Church. I became a Christian 53-years ago this year. My boast is in Jesus, in his sacrifice, his grace that chases me down, tackles me, forgives me, and recycles me for his purposes. I lament my own paltry revelation of him and my lack of progress in these five decades.

Nevertheless, I’m disheartened about some of the thinnest expressions of Christianity I’ve ever seen. I’m not talking about people who no longer attend church due to some disappointment they experienced in the pews or those who believe differently than me about a few social issues or politics. It’s not brothers and sisters who identify with a different political party than me.

My current angst has more to do with those who seem to have little to no idea how to actually love and follow Jesus. What gets to me are the QAnon conspiracy nuts, the so-called “prophets” who urge Christians to join militias, the white supremacists that decry the browning of America, or those who belittle and threaten anyone who disagrees with them. Some of such imply, if not outright claim to be “the remnant,” God’s favorites in our day!

I imagine God prefers to identify his own remnant. Those who claim the title may or may not be among them. Could he be raising up his own “little flock” to whom he is pleased to give his “kingdom”? Might he be beginning the process of separating the “sheep from the goats” based on their treatment of the most vulnerable (Matthew 25:31-46)? Do you think he might be speaking to the American Church like he appealed to the churches of Asia Minor, in hopes we will “hear what the Spirit is saying” (Revelation 2:1-3:22) and overcome our self-indulgent religion?

Though I can’t in good conscience claim to be part of such a remnant myself, nor do I assume to always know who qualifies to be designated as such. Only God knows for sure. (1 Corinthians 4:3) But let’s “Examine [our]selves to see whether [we] are in the faith; test [ourselves]. Do [we] not realize that Christ Jesus is in [us]—unless, of course, [we] fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Read the Sermon on the Mount again and again for its personal and social implications. (Oops there I go shamelessly promoting my book!)

Give to him the rest of yourself that you haven’t yet given (or that you gave and then took back again). Make the everyday choice to search him out, listen to his voice over the din of buffoonish media personalities and self-appointed social media doyens on every topic under the sun. And do what he says.