Many people think that being a Christian means going to church. Their favorite quote to "yank out" is:
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching
My husband often says, "Church begins with me from the time I get up until the time I go to bed!"
So what's the difference?
If we are Christians, which literally means little Christ, we are to be walking in HIS power from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed. We should be walking in the fruit of the SPIRIT-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Notice it isn't fruits of the SPIRIT, but FRUIT of the SPIRIT, that will be for another day) We should be loving others as we love ourselves, etc.
Church isn't a building that we go to once, twice, three, four times a week (or more). It is US! We are the church. We do not have to go to church to be the church! Mind you, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with going to church, but I think often times people fill these buildings up and it is a social club more than a teaching session!
If we go to church thinking that this is the only place we can hear from GOD, or get delivered and set free, experience a miracle, etc., we are sadly mistaken! If we are going to church to abolish our sins, and make us "feel" better, we are sadly mistaken too!
There are a lot of people that are in church and don't know the first thing about being a Christian. They don't understand they are the church. These people are serving a religion, not the KING OF KINGS and the LORD of LORDS! They go to church to feel better, and usually end up angry and turning away from the church and GOD.
So how do we prevent this? We start walking in the SPIRIT and we become real to these people. They soon will see the difference in going to church vs being the church. They will see we are real people that make mistakes, but we ask for forgiveness, we walk in the SPIRIT, and practice the fruit of the SPIRIT day in and day out. When storms pass our way, we turn to GOD and we allow peace to surround us...and that's when they see the TRUTH! We stop to pray when we say, "Yes, I'll pray for you, let's pray now!"
As the old song goes..."They will know we are Christians by our love"! and that my friends is what it means to be the church and not just going to church!
Blessings until next time!
3 comments:
AMEN!! As much as I love the Body of Christ that the Lord has placed us in and as much as I join together with that Body of Christ on a weekly, bi-weekly, sometimes daily basis, you are so right.
The "building" does not make a church. The individuals make up The Body of Christ. Being connected to the "other parts" of that body is what makes it complete and makes it so healthy. It is what gives me some of my vitality, although the only source is only being connection to HIM through HIS blood and through the Holy Spirit who dwells within.
I'm sure you and I could really "have church" Bobbi no matter where we were.
AMEN SISTER!!! Many have never encountered the Spirit-filled part of being the church.
Our pastor has been doing a series called "Things People Hate About Christians" & today's sermon was on hypocrisy & how we as Christians have to be real/transparent in order to influence people for Christ. Pretending all is well does such a disservice to Jesus & to the church. We need to let hurting people know that we are real, we hurt, we make mistakes, we have to start over, ask forgiveness, etc.... This was awesome, Bobbi. :)
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