I just can’t shake the deep truth that Church is God’s idea. The family of God. The body of Believers. The Bride of Christ.
Man-made institutions can be forsaken, but may we beware rethinking something that He designed. True, church has looked different through the centuries and I would agree there’s no one right way for it to look today. But gathering together, encouraging one another, teaching the Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and pursing the Great Commission together has been a steadfast and strong foundation for the Church no matter the century or the location.
If we truly view ourselves as members of another Kingdom and followers of the true King, then gathering with our fellow “rebels” is imperative to our longevity in the cause and faithfulness to the mission.
Enemy-occupied territory—that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going. He does it by playing to our conceit and laziness and intellectual snobbery.
C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity”
My heart is truly burdened. If you’ve stuck with church lately, stay strong, my friend. If you’ve been gone or struggling, please come back. The enemy is cunning and he will use all sorts of tactics to keep you from church. And lest you think that church is always comfortable and easy for me—it’s not. But we go, anyway. We are committed no matter what.
Don’t let the fallenness and failings of some churches keep you from The Church. God is still working through His people; He has not given up on His Church. There are good stories, good communities, good fellowship, good worship, good teaching, and good work still being done, all over the world, yet today.
God is faithful. He will keep His Bride (The Church) strong to the very end, so let’s stick with her. We know His Church will prevail.
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready . . . These are the true words of God.
Revelation 19:6-7,9
Resources:
* “Good Church Stories” book compiled by Phylicia Masonheimer
* “Why Shouldn’t I Give Up on the Church?” article by Haley Mullins
* “8 Statistics on How Going to Church Can Save Your Life” instagram post by Ericka Andersen
