The Church is You!

We do not go to church as we commonly say. We may go to a building or to a school, but we do not go to church. You and I make the church. Consequently, the church is the sum total of all its members. Whatever the church is that is a reflection of who we are. Interesting!


The Apostle Paul says that whenever we – the church - come together for worship, someone should bring a hymn, someone a word, someone a praise, someone a tongue and yet another an interpretation of the tongue. The fact is, if no one brings anything, then there cannot be worship and coming together is futile.


It is sad that we often see the church in terms of what “they” are not doing or are doing. What about us? If the church – we – are failing in a ministry area, it means that we are not working to build that ministry. It means that someone in church is not using his or her God-given gifts to serve. If the church is unfriendly, it means that we are unfriendly. Do you get the picture? We are the church. The church is whatever we make it, or want it to be.


Here is another startling reminder: as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, we are still walking in imperfection. Yes, we mess up. Yes, we do not always get it right. Therefore, wherever we worship as a group of believers - the church - it will be imperfect.


But thanks be to God that through Jesus Christ we have victory. There is hope! The Bible declares that as we focus on Him, we are being changed from glory to glory (becoming better Christians, if you will). If the church is willing to become more like Christ, we certainly can. Then, what glorious times we will have together – as the church!


And, even then, we as the church will sometimes step on each other’s toes and will always see room for growth.


Finally, what really is the role of the church? Yes, as Hebrews 10:24 tells us, we must consider each other to "provoke unto love and good works." Hebrews also reminds us not to forsake to assemble together as believers. However, Jesus’ main commission to the church before returning to the Father was, “Go ye into all the world…” So is the church mainly for us as believers? I do not think so. Again Jesus on one occasion said that He came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous. There is strong evidence that the church’s main focus should be the lost – sinners - not us. Have we lost sight of this our calling?


If our focus has shifted to what we can get out of church, we have lost sight of Jesus’ commission to go. Now think about that.


- Thanks for spending time with us! Peter @ www.LetsServeYou.com