The Gift of the Church

The Gift of the Church

Ephesians 5:25-30
²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: ³⁰ for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

It’s interesting to me that here in the middle of Paul teaching husbands about loving their wives, that he interjects a tidbit about the love Jesus has for the church. He tells us that 1) Christ loves the church, 2) Christ died for the church, 3) that He sanctifies and cleanses the church with the Word, and 4) that He desires the church to be holy, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. And he concludes by saying, “for we are members.” This was the plan from the foundation of the world, for there to be a church whom Jesus loves. And the grand purpose is that the church is for “whosever will, let him come” [Revelation 22:17]. So, the church is made up of individuals who come from different walks of life, different cultures, different nationalities, different economic statuses, yet we share the same story, for we were all lost, enslaved to sin, and strangers to God. Nothing of human design can rival that of the God’s church. Think, to gather such a diverse mix of people who share no common, natural bond and to see them work in unity, harmony, and mutual love is clearly a divine accomplishment. The church is not just some civic or social club, with a list of membership requirements and a schedule of dues and fees. We are not here to simply provide someone with a warm and fuzzy feeling on the inside. We are here because of a covenant relationship entered through the New Testament birth of water and Spirit. As Christians we are called to walk this Christian life together. So much so that the Bible instructs us to,

Romans 12:15
¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

And a simple search of the New Testament will reveal that we are to pray together [James 5:16], labor together [1 Corinthians 3:9], come together [Acts 14:27], we have been raised up together [Ephesians 2:6], and are joined together [1 Corinthians 1:10].

Not only all this but we are to also do as Paul instructed the Galatians.

Galatians 6:2
² Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Worshiping, serving, loving, and praying together are ways in which we bear one another’s burdens. There is nothing better than coming into a church service wounded and weary, beaten and battered, drawing the strength needed to overcome from the collective worship, the Word, and fellowship. Except maybe coming to church and being privileged to provide that same strength to someone in their time of difficulty. This is the will of God for the church.

Live In Unity

Now, I said earlier, the church is made up of all kinds of people. And the fact of the matter is, church people are still people. Redeemed as we may be, nobody is exempt from the truth that we are human. And this means that sometimes you are going to be offended. Jesus even said this.

Luke 17:1
¹⁷ Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: […]

It’s not because the church is evil, or those in the church are evil, it just means we are imperfect, but we should be striving for perfection. And this means that the perfect plan of God is made up of imperfect people who at times may hurt one another. Thankfully, God knew this and provided a remedy for offense within the church.

Matthew 18:15-17
¹⁵ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷ And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

While this is pretty straightforward, let’s not get lost in the weeds. The emphasis of Jesus’ instruction is on the restoration of the wounded relationship. The goal should be to restore, not rebuke.

Paul advises the church in Rome,

Romans 12:9-13
⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; ¹¹ not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

And to those in Colossae,

Colossians 3:12-15
¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

James instructed the church in Jerusalem,

James 4:11
¹¹ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Peter wasn’t silent on the subject,

1 Peter 4:8-10
⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. ⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging. ¹⁰ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

And the Apostle John took the idea to the next level when he wrote the words found in his epistle.

1 John 3:16
¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[Theological Note: I find it uncanny how this passage relates so closely with the one everyone loves, John 3:16. Coincidence? I think not, I believe it’s divine providence]

When offences come, and they will come, the love and the desire to remain in relationship with God and with the church should drive us to restore what is broken. The relationship we have with God and with the church should be more important than your pride, more powerful than the hurt, and should be more relevant than the fact that we feel innocent in the matter. So, when offences come, keep in mind this important fact. Christ died. But more to the fact, Christ died for both parties, and His desire is that we live in unity because we are the church.