The Body of Christ is in disarray. From the schism of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to the Reformation and the plurality of doctrinal teachings today, it is epidemic. In the recent moves toward ecumenism and compromise, many have knowingly and unknowingly compromised the integrity of the Gospel. It is the Gospel and only the Gospel which binds us as believers. Those who do not have the Gospel have nothing! If your local church is among the bodies who have sold out the Gospel there is only one thing to do: Leave!
If your church body is not true to the Gospel, it has no part in the Body of Christ. If the leadership of your church does not believe in the authority of Scripture, the incarnation of Jesus Christ, miracles or the resurrection, salvation apart from any merit or works (sola fide), etc. -it is a place void of the blessings of God, and no more than a social institution. Run far, and run fast! Don’t even turn to look back! Find a body that glorifies God; over the institution, building, leadership, or membership!
If however your church body has remained true to the Gospel there is something you must do: Commit to serve the Body of Christ! For too long the members of the body have neglected their duty. The Body of Christ should not be lame, blind, deaf, or mute! It is the responsibility of every member to be a functioning body part. If you are an eye -give sight to the body! If you are an ear -hear! Too many people are waiting on their marching orders, when they are right in front of them -”Go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This is a call to action!
What does this mean to believers? This is a call to holiness, evangelism, discipleship, and community to which there are several implications.
Holiness
Strive to lead a blameless life. This is not a life free from sin, but a life of humility, always considering others to be better than yourself. This is the life that is constantly being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit, seeking the righteous way of God through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. Allow Christ to reign in your life, and know that any righteousness you have is not from you, but from the life of Christ in you.
Give generously as God leads -expecting Him to lead. All you have is the Lord’s. Give your time, money, and your attention. This doesn’t mean show up for every program. It means find a place and invest!
Young people: Seek to honor your parents, whether or not they are believers, insofar as by doing so you do not dishonor God! Seek wisdom and knowledge from your elders. Believe it or not, they once walked where you are and have gained wisdom through it! Discern what you are taught not by opinions or the ideas of peers, but by the Word of God.
Adults: Keep your marriage as your highest priority after your relationship with the Lord! It is the most beautiful picture of the Gospel. Seek out young men/women (of the same gender as you) and invest your lives in them. Develop a mentoring relationship. There are young people dying for the input and approval of someone older and wiser! Remember to always teach with humility and with the Word of God as your ultimate authority.
Evangelism
The call to evangelism begins in the home. Teach your children with every intention of bringing them to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. Worship as a family and don’t depend on the church to do the work for you! Unfortunately, the church has inadvertently sent this message in the last few decades by compartmentalizing the family into different worship services, Sunday schools, and programs. Make it a point to display your faith to your children regularly.
Develop a multi-generational vision for your family! Envision not only your children knowing the Lord, but your grandchildren and great-grandchildren! If you are a father, be the patriarch of your family. Serve and love your wife following the example of Christ’s love for the Church. This is the first and foremost way that the gospel is portrayed to children!
The family context for evangelism can then be transferred outside the family to young people whose parents do not know the Lord. Bring alongside your family young men and women who do not have a spiritual mentor at home.
Remember one thing in evangelism: it is not ultimately the messenger, the presentation, or the message that imparts salvation. That is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit at work in lives. God will save those whom He wills, but it is His will to use you and your family!
Discipleship
Pray with and for younger believers. Make yourself available and be intentional.
Men: Disciple your wife. You are to be her Prophet, Priest, Provider, and Protector. Unfortunately, secular society teaches men only an incomplete model of Provider and Protector, but this is not enough! You want to be the head of your family? Act like it!
Wives: Submit to your husbands leadership. Pray for him and encourage him, but do NOT order him to lead. By ordering him to lead you put him in a situation where he has two wrong options: submit to you and lead (which is not leadership), or continue to choose not to lead!
Fathers and Mothers: Disciple your children. Teach them to love the Lord by example, but don’t expect your example in and of itself to be sufficient. Talk to them and tell them why you do what you do. Be humble! Your children know your flaws (and how to exploit them) better than anyone. Self-righteousness will destroy your relationship and hinder evangelism and discipleship. Apologize when you are wrong. Your kids are keeping count and taking mental notes.
Community
Be an encourager -in the church and in your home. Gossip and harsh words destroy churches! This doesn’t mean glossing over or ignoring sin. It means confronting it properly to the person first. Then if you find them unrepentant bring witnesses. If this is to no avail, bring the issue before the church. To do otherwise is gossip and sin!
Always keep in mind that the church is full of imperfect people just like you. Don’t expect perfection. If you question the way your pastor does things don’t assume that you know best. I have made this mistake before and received a sound and deserved rebuke! Your pastor has been called by God to a difficult task. Encourage and pray for him.
I know as I write these words, I am challenging myself with them. I give this advice not because I know it all, but because I’ve seen both sides and been discouraged by what I’ve seen. It is my hope and prayer that the Bride of Christ will be prepared and cleansed for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb that is to come. I am only a single laborer in the vineyard, but I pray these words have encouraged and challenged you to stand with me. Perhaps it will cause you to rethink your perspectives on the church and fall in love with Christ and His Bride all over again!
