The church today appears to be different from the church in the days of the apostles. We have lost our direction, honour and dignity as Jesus intended for us. Jesus identified Peter as the rock upon which he will build his church and that the powers of death shall not prevail against it, Matthew 16:18. Jesus knew the quality or character of Peter which the church needed. These qualities included vision, faith, discipline, love and resilience as Peter was. We need to revisit what Jesus meant the church to be.
What is the church?
The church is the body of Christ or his congregation. It is God’s chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, to declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, 1 Peter 2:9. The church is called and saved by grace, John 1:16. Sin must therefore not have dominion over us, since we are not under law but under grace, Romans 6:14. The church is also saved by grace through faith, not our own doing but the gift of God, not because of our works, lest any man should boast, Ephesians 2:8-9.
It is that which the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Gamaliel said in Acts 5:38-39, so in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God. In confirmation Acts 19:20 says, so the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.
The church is the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom. It is an inseparable bond of unity. Many references in the bible point to this fact of proverbial relationship. They include John 3:29 and 2 Corinthians 11:2. By this relationship, the church is cautioned to be ready for the bridegroom, Revelation 19:7; 21:2. A good bride obeys the bridegroom so must the church obey Christ Jesus. In 1 Peter 3:1 wives are to be submissive to their husbands. Nothing can separate us from this love of Christ, Romans 8:35-39.
The church is those who do the will of the father who is in heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 12:48-49, who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Jesus continued, for whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother. These are repeated in Mark 3:33-34 and Luke 8:21. Those who hear the word of God and do it are the body of Christ, hence the church. Jesus Christ recognizes such as his body and not necessarily a physical place of congregation for prayers, hymns and songs.
How ready is the church?
Jesus said no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God, Luke 9:62. To Jesus his relationship with the church is irrevocable and sealed with his blood. It is a blood covenant by grace and true love initiated by Jesus Christ as the bridegroom.
Jesus does not support divorce. He said in Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18 that but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on grounds of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Jesus emphasized in Matthew 19:8 that divorce was not permissible from the beginning. Jesus will not divorce his church.
The church has not completed its work as Christ instructed that the gospel must be preached to all nations, Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:10; Luke 24:47. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, Matthew 9:37; Luke 10:2. The church cannot be disobedient to Christ Jesus. Are we contributing to the church’s readiness for Christ’s return to take his bride and elect away or not?
What role are you playing in God’s command? We read from 2 Peter 1:10-11 that we must be more zealous to confirm our call and election, for if we do so we will never fall and there will be richly provided for us an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Let us not renege on our charge to build and edify the church.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, make me effective in your church that I may serve you with delight always. In your precious name I pray, Amen!!
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