PRAY OVER THIS
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12
PONDER THIS
In Scripture, there are many ways that the Church is described. For example, the Church is described as the bride of Christ. He is the Bridegroom, and we are the bride. The Church is described as His building, not a physical building, but a spiritual building with Christ as the foundation and us as living stones. The Church is described as a flock of sheep. We’re the sheep of His pasture, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads His flock. Finally, the Church is the body of Christ. He is the head, and we’re the members. Whether it be a bride, a flock, or a building, all these illustrations of the Church speak of community. None speaks of individualism. It speaks of togetherness. We’re in this together. The Bible teaches we are members, one of another.
Now if people say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t believe in the Church,” there is a lot they don’t understand. Jesus and the Church are not identical, but Jesus and the Church are inseparable like a bride and a groom; a head and a body; a foundation and a building; or a shepherd and a flock. All of these go together. So don’t say yes to Jesus and no to the Church. When you say that, you are missing a major part of the heart of God. Love for Jesus and love for what Jesus loves are inseparable.
When have you struggled to love the Church? Why can this be difficult?
How have you been blessed by the Church?
PRACTICE THIS
Find a way to practically love and serve others in your church.
LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers
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