So I have been thinking a lot about the body of Christ lately... thanks to Brooke and the Ephesians. And it seems to me that the Church (as a whole) looks much different than it should. We, as Christians, have missed the point somewhere in here. So often we bicker and quarrel amongst ourselves over the silliest of things. For some reason we think that "church" (speaking of a church service) is for us. Like the "church" owes us something. When in actuality we are the church and we are for God! "church" as we think of it is really just a time we can gather together as believers and worship God together. Everything should be about glorifying Him. I have heard (and also said) things like "I'm just not getting fed". Or the "worship just doesn't speak to me". (which I still think are valid things to discuss, but at another time) Or... "someone in the church did something to hurt me that just isn't Christlike, therefore the church is not a good church and I need to leave". Why are we so selfish? Why are we so quick to divide? Why are we so quick to judge each other's hearts and motives? We forget that we are ALL sinful... but God is the one who is perfect. He is the one who helps us forgive. Without Him we can do nothing. We can't even worship Him. I have sat in church on a Sunday morning with bitterness in my heart (that was not at all an act of worship) Being able to forgive, that is an act of worship. And by forgive I mean when the person who has sinned against me doesn't deserve to be forgiven. Forgive even when the offender are still in the wrong. For it is while we were
yet sinners that Christ died for us. He forgave us when we didn't deserve it. He is our example of how we should act. So why do we hold on to grudges as we do? Especially against other believers! I think a good place to look at the body of Christ is in Acts.
Acts 2:42-47. "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV)
These people didn't just go to church on Sunday, sing some songs, listen to a message that made them feel good and then go home and live their lives a little bit better. When they found Christ, something completely changed in their lives. He was what consumed their thoughts. He was the topic of conversation. Giving to others in need became more important than storing up treasures on Earth. I long for this in my life. The desire for Him above all else! I am blessed to have an amazing church. By church I mean other believers who desire to serve Christ with their entire lives. My family and I have been blessed beyond what I can even explain by the body of Christ... And the times I am most content and filled with joy is when I am doing the things written of the church in the book of Acts, but more often than not I am living my own life hoping that God will bless my selfish plans. I need to quit doing that. Problem solved.
