Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The True Church

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20 NIV)

One of my former students is the pastor of a church whose motto is they’re a church for people who hate church.  It’s a clever pitch because there are so many who are negative toward the institutional church. With the ascendance of social media in recent years, stories abound about abuse of all sorts and thrown in for good measure are the typical charges of hypocrisy, arrogance, and intolerance. 

But what people often describe as “the church,” is a variety of institutions run by human beings for a variety of reasons, as opposed to the Church, which is headed by Jesus Christ and whose members are committed to serving and glorifying Him.  The latter is not contained in one particular building or in one denomination.  Rather it is made up of all who humble themselves before the Lord, confess and repent of their sins, are baptized in His name, and are filled with the Holy Spirit.  The former, like the synagogue in the time of Jesus, are run by human beings whose commitment is often greater toward the institution and its evolving traditions than to the Lord.  Thus, it is important to recognize the difference.

If we listen to the voices of our culture, even we believers will be persuaded to think negatively toward the Church because the distinction is never made.  Of course, the Church is not yet perfect, as any serious reading of the letters of Paul and Peter will easily attest as will any honest observance of any true believer.  As Paul states, we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Yet, the Church is not headed by a charismatic pastor who needs a private jet to get around, or one who takes advantage of children, or one who hates anyone who disagrees with him.  Rather, it is led by the One through whom all things were created, who is the image of God—Jesus Christ.  And its members, while not yet perfect, live out lives surrendered to His will, in obedience to Him, and humbly seek His grace and mercy when they fail.  They are the body of Christ and their lives reflect His ministry on earth.  While a minority of churches has few true believers among them, the vast majority has some and many are filled with them.  

But one thing is true and must be understood: Your church or a church you may have attended and left with very negative feelings is not the Church.  The Church is headed by Jesus and its members are sold out to Him. 

So today if you are struggling with negative feelings toward a particular church, don’t confuse it with the Church.  For the Church is not defined by a building with a sign out front saying such and such church, or by those inside its walls.  Rather the Church is and always has been defined by its distinction of being led by Jesus and being filled by those who love Him and humbly submit to His Lordship. 

© Jim Musser 2016

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