In the New Testament, we find Jesus Christ describing the church as – “For where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV) If Jesus is concerned about the smallest group of people gathering in his honor, just think about how much he cares about reaching out to all people. Too often people today say the church needs an overhaul or that it is lacking a heartbeat. How serious are the leaders of our local churches when it comes to reaching out to all people, regardless of their backgrounds? Conversely, are we personally taking time for others or do we find it easier to just let our church leaders do all of the outreach work? What impact, if any, does our personal life have on others? Do our individual interactions with others really have any implications on how they may view the local church as well as God?
In the Old Testament, we find the Prophet Haggai telling the Jewish people to reconsider their ways, after they laid the foundation of the temple and then sat around for 16 years doing nothing. The Lord Almighty speaking through the Prophet Haggai said, “… These people say, The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.” (Haggai 1:2 NIV) The Lord Almighty continued with the words, “You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it…Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored….” (Haggai 1:6-8 NIV)
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the only foundation of the one true holy church with the following words, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:11 NIV) Likewise, the church is comprised of every single person who believes and follows Jesus Christ, each of whom has his or her own special purpose in the church. The Apostle Paul uses rhetorical questioning to explain the following analogy of comparing the growth of the church to process of growing a plant. “For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (I Corinthians 3:4-7 NIV) The Apostle Paul further elaborated how each one of us should be careful how we build upon the foundation of the church. (I Corinthians 3:10)
The ensuing question remains, what are our motives for building this church of believers – our own motives or God’s will? How a local church interprets Hebrews 13:17 can be considered one of the main factors in determining if it will ultimately end up flourishing, failing or plateauing. Does the church decide to apply the Word of God in a legalist, permissive or authoritative teaching style? The author of Hebrews gives the instructions, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account” (Hebrews 13:17a NIV) A more accurate interpretation of this passage, based off the original Greek language, would be – Have confidence in them that have the rule over you, and be willing to listen, for they watch over your souls and must give account. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explains how everyone must submit to governing authorities with the disclaimer…we are to do what is right in the eyes of God, since each of us must ultimately give an account of our own actions to God. (Romans 13:1-4; 14:12)
Each and every person who calls him or herself a believer and follower of Jesus Christ has an important role in the local church, no matter how great or miniscule his or her contribution(s). Therefore, each of us need to consider our own personal actions and how they impact others, be it in the church environment, our home, our workplace or any other place we may interact with others. As fellow builders of God’s church, we should try to follow the example of Jesus Christ and honor him by avoiding any behaviors that may stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in another person’s life as well as our own. In addition, our lives should emulate the passionate heart of Jesus Christ by finding ways to make a positive difference in others and ultimately bring glory to God. As for a closing thought, if we were intentionally making friends with unbelievers like Jesus Christ did, would that change our approach for coming together as a church?
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