God builds the Church? (Part 2)
We know that this earthly world has not changed much from the days of the early church. Just turn on any news channel, read about it on your tablet or phone or spend time on the social media sites that fill the internet. We live in a world that is “crooked and perverted” and the evil one must enjoy the chaos that spreads like the pandemic. Like Paul proclaimed to the church of the Ephesians, we ask what does it mean to be the church? How is the church of believers different? We must realize that we are being transformed as our faith in Christ grows. God shows us a new path as we journey amidst the chaos. We have a new identity and with the help of the Holy Spirit we are called to be different and to make a difference. We are called to work together “ for it is God who is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that we may prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of the crooked and perverse generation, among whom we are to appear as lights in the world.” Philippians 2: 13-15
We are also a church that should encourage each other. We surely have plenty of opportunities to encourage and help in this world. This world is full of fear and anxiety that penetrate many areas of our daily life. If we allow fear to create doubts during these troubled times, we will not have the calm and strength that God provides to support us when we do receive some bad news. Plus, we will not be helpful to others. Paul called on the Thessalonians believers to use what God gave to them when he wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Thessalonians 5:11. When you receive a text, a call, or see a friend that has received bad news that would be a time to be supportive and bring that calming spirit that God brings to us.
Finally, what is our security as the body of believers that is the Church? As Alistair iBegg says so succinctly, “ the security of the church rests in the victory of Christ on the cross.” (A. Begg, I will Build My Church, 4/2/2017). The evil one will always be fighting to disrupt the body of Christ. But as we refer back to the earlier scripture from Matthew, we remember that Jesus affirmed “all the powers of hell will not conquer it (the Church).” Matthew 16:18. Just as God raised Jesus from this death on the cross, so one day we will have a place in heaven with Him. The Church is being built with the lost souls that find grace and mercy for the forgiveness of our sins. We are to “come to Him as a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and precious in the sight of God.” We are to be as “living stones that build a spiritual church” 1 Peter 2:4-5.
How does God build the Church? He will use us as we work together to build it with encouragement. We will be the lights in this dark, chaotic world and have the security of knowing the salvation God provides each of us as we face each day in this broken world. Please God, give us,your Church, the perseverance and endurance to make a difference. Amen