What is a church?
This might seems to be a simple question,
many might know the answer,
most will think it is not something new.
Majority of you would have agree with me if I say ” church is not a place we go to, but who we are”
You might agree with it just because this is the standard answer that you’ve heard of and know of.
However, knowing and agreeing is not the same as comprehending and understanding the statement as simple as that.
If we really do grasp the meaning and comprehend it, then will we still say/ask something like “Why today didn’t come/see you to/at church?”
When questions/statement like this slip out of out mouth, it just shows how much we understand about what a church is. Some might even argue that it is just the word they use but that’s not what they mean. Then again if that’s not what they mean then what could it be? It just shows they really don’t understand what the word means, hence using it in a wrong manner where they do not mean it.
Church is NOT a specific PLACE we go, not a specific TIME we meet, not a specific PROGRAM we follow, not a specific RITUAL we do, not a specific HUMAN LEADER to lead us and most of all not a specific SYSTEM to experience, know and worship God. If church is not what is mention above, then what is it?
Church IS the BODY of Christ, with Christ as the head and WE are the body, being leading by CHRIST, not man. Church is ANY WHERE we are ALL THE TIME . It is a RELATIONSHIP we build with one another with God as our FATHER. It is a WALK with God DAILY that enable us to experience, know and worship God.
Some might blindly agree with that statement above just because it sounds logical, but not fully comprehending it.
If you understand what I’ve mention above then help me out with this.
- If someone is not regular in whatever meeting, will you question their walk with God?
- If someone had been lost for quite some time, will you say a prayer like “Father please show these brother/sister of mine the important of coming to church?”
- If a person is coming consistently and doing part of the ministry, will you say to yourself ”Wow, his walk in God is surely strong! Not missing a single meeting, and putting God first”
- If someone is working on Sunday and not being able to attend service, will you say to yourself “This fella is not trusting God enough, He is placing work before God and his priority is work and not God.”
- etc etc….
If your answer is YES to any of the statement above, then you really don’t grasp what a church is! Why? Just re-read what a true church (that you think you agree with) is again
- Church IS the BODY of Christ, with Christ as the head and WE are the body, being leading by Him, not man. Church is ANY WHERE we are ALL THE TIME . It is a RELATIONSHIP we build with one another with God as our FATHER. It is a WALK with God DAILY that enable us to experience, know and worship God.
After re-reading it, and your answer is still YES for EITHER one of the question posted above, then I is only two possible conclusion I can draw.
- You still don’t fully understand what a TRUE Church is, just blindly agreeing with what I say the first time you read.
- You don’t agree with what I say about what a TRUE Church is
If it is not the former, then it would definitely be the latter, no doubt about that.
Well I was once the former, deceiving myself thought I knew what a true church is. However it is not until recently I’ve comprehend and understand the true meaning of a church instead of just knowing it as knowledge just because it sounds logical.
Now that the truth has been revealed to me, I find liberty in living a Christian life, I see things differently no longer being judgmental, I am able to love others for who they are and not what they do, accepting them as who God sees them, able to trust and depend on God daily, He has been more real in my life. I am able to live a life trusting God with who He is!
The truth that sets me free has however laid a burden in my heart. I see people deceiving themselves just like how I used to deceive myself, in the bondage of religion and not being able to live a life of true FREEDOM in Christ!
And this is the main reason why I am writing this, to help people who have been deceiving themselves to come to a REALIZATION of self deceiving and the important of having a genuine relationship with God. I am not here to set you free or tell you what you must do/don’t to gain this freedom because it is the very PERSONAL walk with God that will set you free, NOT any specific method, rule or standard for it will only ROB you the chance from hearing, walking and experiencing Him personally.
Remain in HIS LOVE!
OPEN ARMS
Michael W. Smith
IF WE ARE THE BODY
Casting Crown
