It is impossible to serve Jesus Christ apart from the local church. God shed his blood to purchase the church. To separate Christ from the church is to separate a foundation from its building. In the preaching of the prophets, apostles and in the words of Christ himself it is God’s ultimate and holy purpose to build his church. In his resurrection the Father ultimate exaltation was to make him head of the church and declares that the church is his very body. The church waits for his return and is busy pursuing holiness and his mission in anticipation. The Lord himself awaits the presentation of his church, his holy and spotless bride to himself. These truths are not experienced in the context of our individual activities and ambitions. These truths cannot be redefined and used in the telling of our own story. These truths were disclosed to, read by and live in the context of local churches. That is where these truths are to be found and felt. We stand shoulder to shoulder with others who we may or may not like; with flawed fellows in clouds of offence and controversy. This is where we encounter conviction, anger, relief, defensiveness, laughter, pride, apathy, boredom, tears and joy. But these feelings are different to those the world knows by the same names because they are part a life of impenetrable purpose and hope that extends beyond the adverts and make believe of this world. Our emotions are different because our victories are real and our losses are worth it. This is what binds us together. We look past our tantrums and look up in wait for our Lord from Heaven whom God the Father raised from the dead, even Jesus who has saved us from the wrath to come. We wait together, we serve together, we stand together. We are the Church. One cannot choose a service to Christ apart the local church because it isn’t there. There is no such thing. Brian Clark
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 09:35:49 +0000
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