By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."(John 13:35 – ESV)
The world cannot get along, but we in the church are called to get along, even in difficulty, and especially in difficulty. We cannot just run away or practice avoidance or do those things those in the world do. We have to show ourselves as truly changed by Christ because now we can get along and cooperate when situations and people make it difficult. That is one main way we show the power of Christ. Being a Christian means being involved with His Body, and it is expressed locally as church assemblies. We must show that we are different, not just as individuals but also as local units. Where other people cannot get along, we must show that Christ has given us the power where we can. This is how we show the world we are true disciples of Jesus Christ, by loving one another even when some of us are unlovable at times.
You cannot avoid this Word from Christ, to avoid it is to avoid Him and His power in your life, and to deny His Lordship, and to prove that you are not a true disciple. You cannot be some part time lover of Jesus; you know that don’t you? Well, you cannot be some part time lover of His people, and that is what you are trying to do if you won’t commit to a local church. You just want to play nice when you see someone out, or keep a few friends who you talk about God with. That isn’t what Jesus was talking about. He doesn’t think part time lovers are true disciples.
If you aren’t involved in a local community of believers then you cannot be having the love for one another that Jesus was talking about. You would just be having friends with a common interest, but no covenant bond that requires sacrifice, sweat, and sanctification, as you had to deal with the ups and downs of relationships. If you are not doing that you are doing no better than the world, those who just take up and leave whenever it gets uncomfortable.
You must be willing and intentional in your devotion to Christ by becoming involved with an imperfect church made up of imperfect people like yourself. You must be learning to live the redeemed life in community, showing the love of Christ, the love that loves despite what has happened to us, the love that loves the unlovable, the love we must show the world we have for one another or we deny Christ.
If the world cannot see us getting along in situations that they wouldn’t be able to, then why would they want to join a local church, even if they wanted Jesus? Oh I see; you agree with them, you don’t want to be at a local church either. I guess you just don’t really want to be a disciple either. If you are not learning to love people more you are not learning to love God more. That is what Jesus would say to you.
5 comments:
Because of what God wrought through Martin Luther you now have a choice as to which church to attend...but you must choose one to attend, and give it your honest attention and affection...Happy Reformation Day!
And may I add..a local Body whose leadership preaches / teaches / admonishes / disciplines....and loves!
Thanks for the post! I've been reading quite a lot on the part the local church plays in a believer's life, and it's astounding to me (most things are actually), how highly debated this is...it seems so obvious in Scripture, doesn't it??
Anyways, thanks again :D
You are quite welcome, and it is rather obvious isn't it, yet still contested by those wanting to look at some excuse rather than at what the Word says, implies, and is obviously directed to, growth within community...any excuse, reason, legitimate or not, this does not change the truth, and it comes down to willingness...sure there are no good churches within 100 miles, are you willing to drive 50?, etc., etc., etc....
Don't try and justify yourself or your situation to me, get out there and find a good church, make one better, or start one...
There are over 40 other articles in this series, "Why You Have To Go To Church", read them all and tell me why you don't, and even if yuo still could, I would then turn you over to Frank Turk...
"...I would then turn you over to Frank Turk..." Such a drastic measure! Chills ran down my spine, Bro.
Yes, you're so right about the importance of attending church. You once said (maybe even more than once) something about the impossibility of fulfilling the "one another" verses if we are not gathered together with the assembly.
Last night, I printed out the "one another" commands in the Pauline and General epistles, and counted something like 50! You know those online quizzes like "which Crayola color are you?" Wouldn't it be neat to have a self-examination based on the "one another" principles?
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