THE BIBLE NEVER TELLS US... The Bible never tells us that your active membership in the local church is not the thing that really matters but your membership in the “heavenly Jerusalem”, your being a part of the vast multitude that will one day be standing before the throne of God. The Bible never tells you that it is OK to drift through life like a rolling stone, spending a bit of time here or attending a function over there, reading a blog on the INTERNET (emphasis mine) or listening to a sermon from it, but not being engaged, not being a part of the local body of believers, not being a living member of your local church. You see, when the Apostles’ Creed says “I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints” we need to see these two things as one! The holy catholic church is the communion of saints, and to be a part of the “church of all times and places” is to be a part of the church in this place, in your place! A love for God and a love for His Church goes hand in hand. The Bible teaches us, in fact, that it is impossible to have a love for God and not, at the same time, to have a love for the community of God, for His Church, even for this church of which you are a member. John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” So love for God and love for the brotherhood goes hand in hand. As we draw near to God in Jesus Christ, we not only live in love with Him but we also live in love with one another. Because when we become one in Christ, we also, at the same time, become one with the body of Christ.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 07:27:56 +0000
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