Don't Go To Church; Be The Church!

As I’ve reflected on the folks I spoke of in yesterday’s blog, I think I see where they went wrong. They ascribe to be Christian for its insurance value. They are willing to be a part of the Church, to support it financially, because of the perceived benefits…fire insurance! They are happy that Jesus died on the cross because they think that means they won’t be brought into judgment. They are willing live reasonably good lives (until someone clashes with them) because that is the premium they must pay for the guarantee that God will bless them and take them to heaven when they die. They practice a social religion…there is no relationship with Christ there…they have not been changed. They are in it for what Christ can do for them. They are more influenced by Hollywood, the evening news, or the instructions on a lottery ticket than they are by the Holy Spirit. These folks make a mockery of our Lord most every time they open their mouths, which is quite often. Sadly, there are most likely some of these folks in every church and some churches are filled to capacity with them! However, there are also those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ…totally. They realize that to glorify Jesus is the business of the Church. It’s not to build a bigger building, to get more members, or to impress people…it is to glorify Jesus. When they glorify Jesus the Spirit stirs within them. That stirring causes them to want to study the Word...more, to want to know God’s will...more, to seek a holy boldness in sharing their faith, and to want to glorify Jesus all the more. These people do not merely go to church, they are in relationship with their Lord...they are the Church! These are truly the body of Christ…and yes, you will know them by their fruit (Galatians 5:22-26).