Playing church or living as a Christian
History reveals so many people, whose Christianity is little
more than going to church! In the Old Testament, gathering for festivals was
normal. When the Lord Jesus came, the relationship with God as Father became
much more important. He said that prayer
done in secret was better. Worship was to change from time and place to worship
in spirit and in truth – anywhere anytime. (John 4) Discipleship, He taught,
was not about attending services or meetings, rather the 24/7 commitment to the
LORD Jesus Himself – Himself, His teaching, His directives. (take up the cross
and follow Him- Mark 8)
Paul understood the need for Christians to support each other.
Yet he did not see meetings or church services as an end in themselves. He
along with John and Peter, saw love for others as the outworking of
understanding the teaching of the Lord Jesus. Love that was practical in giving
and care. Love that was forgiving. Love that went beyond ourselves to seek and
to save the lost.
Some stress the corporate idea of church. Revelation 1—3 presents the Lord Jesus as the head over the
churches, and that churches are people whose hearts must be tuned to HIMSELF in
first love (priority love).
How good it is to be counted into the Church of the firstborn,
whose names are written in heaven! It is
a very big family, a big flock for whom Christ died. In love to Him, let us
love one another and spread His name as He said – to all the world.
