We are continuing our study how we as Christians must begin to go deeper in our relationship with the Lord and build a stronger foundation in the following 4 areas of our lives:
1 – Deeper relationship with God
2 – Deeper understanding of God’s Word
3 – Deeper in God’s love
4 – Deeper planting in a church of His choice
This month, we will discuss going deeper in being planted in a local church. What do we mean by being planted in a church?
As human beings, God created us to be relational with each other and as we all know, this is not always easy. Getting along with other people can be very easy for some but difficult for others. But the fact is, God has called us to relate to one another as we were designed by Him to do so. One of our main callings as believers is to belong to a strong church community, whether local or regional. However, we must keep in mind that the church is not just a denomination or a physical building; it is the people of God themselves. Many do not understand this, but we (God’s people) are the church. We are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9);we are the “living stones” being built up into a “spiritual house” to offer spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5); we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who has come to dwell within each of us that have been born-again (1 Corinthians 3:16). The New Testament Greek word for church is “ekklesia”, which means “called out ones”. As God’s people, we are called to fellowship with one another, which was perfectly modeled in the early church (read Acts 2:42-47).It is here in this setting as a body of believers that we encourage, strengthen and fellowship with one another, growing together as we hear (and obey) the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and where many of those who are hurting and discouraged can come to be emotionally healed. Scripture puts it this way:
Ephesians 4:15-16 – NLT – Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Speaking the truth with the pure love of God behind it keeps us growing as a people to become more like Christ. But it also says that as “each part” does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, causing that church to become healthy, experiencing continued growth and becoming “full of love”. As a believer, we are a “member” of Christ’s church body (Ephesians 5:29-30; Romans 12:4-5) and as a member, we must find our “part” and where we “fit” into the body as stated in Ephesians 5:16. That’s why Scripture admonishes us to not neglect meeting together:
Hebrews 10:25: – NLT – “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Yet, why is it that so many see no value in belonging to a church community when this is such a vital part of our spiritual growth? There are many reasons why many have forsaken or avoid church attendance, but over the years, I have found these main reasons why some neglect church attendance, which are the following:
1- Church hurts and offenses
2- Lone Wolf syndrome
Next issue, we will get more in depth into these hindrances which cause some to avoid church altogether and will look into biblical answers to possibly help those who may have been “burned” by a bad church encounter get reacclimated back into the body of Christ.
God Bless!
