Church or Christian

 

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.