"The Church"

When you hear the term "church" what do you think about? What comes to your mind? Just ponder that for a moment. Many think of denominations or even 'nondenominational' which in reality has become a denomination. It seems every time we turn around, there is some 'new church' springing up and people flock to them. Why? Because people tire of religion as it is known and want something different, something new.

But what about God? What does the term "church" mean to God? Have you ever heard anyone ask that question? Many know what the church is as defined in God's word. It is the people, the body of Christ, the saved and redeemed. Yet why do so many wander off looking for something new, something different that will challenge them? We hear often people "leaving the church" because of someone hurt their feelings or they hear of a deacon or elder embezzling money. We hear of preachers having affairs with someone in the congregation or the church is supporting a work that someone doesn't approve of. When people leave, sometimes they get our approval! We "understand" them! Why would they stay when such bad things are going on or have occurred? They are spoken of as good people and they must move on to some other church (presumably until they discover something bad has happened there). Our sadness, gladness, anger or pleasure are all reasons to stay to help. The real truth behind such moving on without trying to help is sinister!

Which New Testament congregation would you like to have been part of? The Corinthians who were arguing over the best preacher, having law suits with one another, fighting and quarrels and misteachings? Or maybe perhaps the congregation at Thyatira where some lady was leading the bond-servants of Christ away from Him and others were following her lead? How about Sardis where they were alive by name only but not in heart? Maybe perhaps the Laodicean's that were lukewarm at best? What about the Galatian churches that were being pulled in directions with those teaching the Law of Moses along side of the gospel of Christ?

We don't need to leave the church to find the life of Christ! We need brethren dedicated to the cause of Christ trying to help rather than offended and find another place they can comfortably sit and offer up what little is in the heart. We need lovers of Christ, dedicated to His cause, His church trying to help people see the glory of God. Was it not Jesus who told each congregation in Revelation about those who were holding faithful to His name to hold on and help? Was it not the apostle John that who wrote and encouraged Gaius and Demetrius to imitate good because of fellow by the name of Diotrephes was kicking people out? They weren't instructed to leave!

Doesn't it just gut you when you hear people say, "I just love this church" and then sulk off when someone disappoints them?