The Children of GOD Go to Church – Conclusion

One who claims to be a Christian but consistently and deliberately disregard the authority of GOD’s WORD that the Family of GOD not neglect meeting together so as to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25), must pause and examine the sincerity of that claim.

There are no “Lone Ranger” Christians

A Christian is one who has accepted JESUS CHRIST for salvation – this means we heard the gospel, confessed our sins, and placed our faith and trust in JESUS CHRIST. At the moment we do this we are born into GOD’s Kingdom as His children.  

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1

While JESUS CHRIST is referred to as the only begotten SON of GOD, believers are referred to as children born into GOD’s family. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

In addition to becoming the Family of GOD through salvation, we also become members of the body of CHRIST – All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27.

To adequately function as both the Family of GOD and the body of CHRIST, we must grow and mature in our faith. We do this best when we are in relationship with other children of GOD, by becoming part of a local church.

Church life as the Body of CHRIST – the Church Universal

The body of CHRIST can only function properly if all of its “parts” are working together (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).

Our church attendance then must include “work” – active involvement in a ministry, one where we are using the spiritual gifts for which GOD has especially designed each of us (Ephesians 4:11–13.) Using our spiritual gifts is how the Family of GOD contributes to the health of the body of CHRIST and become more like CHRIST. It is also how we, individually, grow and mature spiritually:

• Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14
• 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. Ephesians 4:15
• 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. Ephesians 4:16

It is clear then that regular church attendance and active ministry involvement are key to fully experiencing the Christian life, to enjoying the abundant life that the Father designed for His children. Without the assistance and encouragement of other believers the Christian life will be a pale imitation of what GOD designed it to be – like chalk is to cheese. No comparison!

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 

Gifts to the body of CHRIST – 1 Corinthians 12

As the Body of CHRIST, we are the physical representation of Christ in this world. Since His ascension back to the Father, CHRIST's work in the world continues through those He has redeemed. The role of the Church is to demonstrate the love of GOD to the world in concrete ways.  

To this end, the Holy Spirit has imparted to us a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions (It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12:11.)

These spiritual gifts as seen in Scripture allow us to function as: apostles, prophets, teachers, those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages (or tongues.)

Most of us have a very good idea of what we are innately good at – and whatever that skill is it will translate into one of these functions. If we are uncertain of where we function best, we ask the LORD to lead us in how to best participate in our local congregation and bless others with our gift. He will reveal His specific purpose for us. We also seek the counsel of other believers and ask them to pray with and for us.

We can only feel completely fulfilled and grow spiritually when we function in our specific gift, and that gift, through us, will be the most useful to the Body of CHRIST.

“So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:31

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5

Weekly church attendance will not get us into heaven, neither will non-attendance keep us out of heaven. 

However, unless we are physically incapable because of disability, illness, geography – working or living in an isolated area where no church exists, etc., if we profess salvation, that we love GOD and His SON, we ought to be practical in our profession by being an active part of the Body and GOD’s Family. We find a church home and attend regularly.

If we are staying away from the church because of recent or past hurt feelings, we are doing ourselves and the Family a disservice. We are missing out on giving and receiving valuable spiritual nourishment – taking advantage of teaching/learning the WORD and its application to our lives, for instance.

Our brothers and sisters in the Family are saved but none of us are perfect. We make mistakes, we hurt people and people hurt us. The church is the place where we Christians take our emotional and spiritual maladies so we can be healed or be an instrument of healing. 

We are not of this world, and the world’s way of handling issues do not apply to, or work for us but leave us feeling dissatisfied and frustrated, and do not bring us any peace.

The children of GOD forgive one another!

We pray for each other so that we all can be whole.

We come together regularly to support, encourage and care for each other, like our Father has taught us to do!

“God has put the body together. . . .If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-26.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our LORD and our GOD, in YOUR great wisdom YOU choose to bring people together, not because of who we are but because YOU are Sovereign. YOUR authority, Father, is absolute. None can question what you are doing or why. YOU choose whomever YOU wish to save and place in YOUR Family with YOUR SON as our HEAD, the firstborn among the many. Fill us, Father, with wisdom and power and a desire to truly understand, as YOUR people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love YOU have for us to bestow such a favor on us. May we always strive also to better comprehend CHRIST’s love and His sacrifice on our behalf. Father it is so much more than our minds have the ability to take in fully, but may or love for YOU motivate us to keep trying and drive us towards fully accepting our role in the Family and the Body. Thank YOU for reminding us that we are the redeemed, that we represent CHRIST’s love to the lost and dying world, that we must never cease to care for and support each other, no matter the cost. Now all glory to GOD, who is able, through HIS mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to HIM in the church and in CHRIST JESUS through all generations forever and ever.

We ask all things in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Children of GOD Go To Church – Part 1

The first and chief need of our Christian life is fellowship with God; the second is fellowship with each other, and the church is the place where we the children of GOD are able to satisfy these needs together. At church we can fully enjoy and experiences being the family of GOD and the body of CHRIST.

What is the church?

The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, the English translation is “an assembly” –describing people, not a building. In the Bible, the word “church” describes the body of CHRIST. All people everywhere who have placed their faith in JESUS CHRIST for salvation make up the universal church body, of which CHRIST is the Head.

The local church as we know it today is a gathering of members of the universal church. We, the universal church, meet in a specific location (the church building) to worship GOD, pray and fellowship together.

Why does the church go to church?

We read about the first church in the Bible Book of Acts (2:42-47.) These believers had no designated church building but met in each other’s homes where they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42.) These new Christian believers met wherever they could at that time to pray, and for teaching and fellowship – what we now consider “going to church.” 

It is GOD’s will that His children assemble together regularly, both to fellowship and to do the work of the Kingdom.

The local church is the place where the children of GOD can actually live out being the family of GOD and the body of CHRIST simultaneously.

“…motivate one another to acts of love and good works…not neglect our meeting together,…encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Church life as the Family of GOD 

Scripture teaches us life-affirming ways to relate to each other as children of GOD. We can only learn about and practice these spiritual skills by regularly spending time together – it is how we can nurture and strengthen the spiritual bond and be effective members of GOD’s Family:

Worshiping our Father together with songs of praise –

• “…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” Ephesians 5:19. Like any parent would, GOD takes great delight in seeing and hearing His children demonstrate how much we love and appreciate Him. GOD is probably the only Parent who does not object to all His children talking to Him at the same time – it is His joy to have us worship and praise Him together and enjoy doing so with each other, as much as we are enjoying Him. 

Loving one another as our Father loves us –

• “..if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:12; Love each other with genuine affection… Romans 12:10. Healthy families love each another, regardless. The children of GOD ought to be the healthiest of families – genuinely loving even the most difficult members of our spiritual Family. No one who is in CHRIST stops being a part of GOD’s Family. He loves us all and we must choose to love as He does, doing all that we can, with His help, to encourage all in the Family to thrive and be an asset to our community and the Kingdom.

Sharing burdens and being a support in others’ suffering –

• “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality…Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:13 & 15. When one of GOD’s children is in trouble, all of GOD’s other children must rally around in support and provide any and all aid necessary for restoration - money, accommodation, advice, correction, sympathy etc. All that we need is in the Family – our Father is well able to and does provide.

Providing encouragement to sustain holy living and faithfulness to the Father –

• “You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 3:13. We are saved by CHRIST’s atoning blood but we are yet and always will be vulnerable to temptation to sin. As the Family of GOD, we are accountable one to the other – we remain alert to others’ spiritual weariness and other signals of a spiritual malaise. We come alongside with prayer and encouragement and reminders of the Father’s love and faithfulness. We do not lessen our efforts until the danger has passed. We cannot be shy about calling out or warning against back-sliding behavior. We are our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers.  

Serving and honoring one another –

• “…serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13. “…and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10. Families do for each other sacrificially, putting another relations needs above our own. In the Family of GOD, we give to our own hurt – time talent and resources. We tell our earthly children “don’t be selfish, “share” and “be nice” – our heavenly Father wants His children to do have the same care and concern for each other.

Instructing and receiving instructions from GOD’s WORD –

• “…teach each other.” Romans 15:14. We come together to study and learn GOD’s WORD which the Bible tells us is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Tim. 3:16). By knowing His WORD, we know the Father and what He expects of us – GOD Himself speaking to His Family. Individual Bible study is essential, but in Family study all have an opportunity to share different perspectives and insights – this sharing helps to ensure that everyone’s knowledge and understanding is based on Truth, and is especially vital for newer members of the Family.

Showing kindness and compassion to one another –

• “…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. If we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we are not liking a family member very much. Human beings, even Christians, get on each other’s nerves. But as Christians, we keep back bitterness and find a way to come together, for the sake of the relationship and peace. We seek to understand each other’s’ weaknesses, acknowledging that we too are flawed. We forgive, reconcile and continue to love. If our earthly fathers and mothers, who are themselves broken, know and expect this – how much more does the Holy GOD desire this for us.

Receiving and giving the blessing of corporate prayer –

• “… pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.  Yes, we can pray at home, but something miraculous happens “where two or more are gathered together” in JESUS’ NAME, JESUS says, “I am there among them" (Mat. 18:30).  When the Family of believers come together to pray for the needs and concerns of each other, our community and the church universal, the SON joins the prayer group so the entire Family of GOD is unified with one purpose – intercession, aid and thanksgiving. And because we are agree as one JESUS says what we ask for “will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Mat. 18:29). That is deserving of a Hallelujah!

Believers in CHRIST are the Family of GOD – a family by nature is an inter-dependent entity. To be a part of a local church means to be inter-dependent with other people in the church.

The Family of GOD is one of only two things that will last for all eternity, the other being the WORD of GOD, which affirms clearly our Interdependence with each other is necessity for all the reasons given above, and more.

As Believers we must trust GOD’s promise that JESUS CHRIST will return for His Church. When He does, one thousand or however many years from now that will be, we, the Family of GOD, are the people who will occupy the New Jerusalem, for all eternity.Until then the Father wants us to get used to being together as His Family.

And as we learn how to live out being GOD’s Family together in the church setting, we learn how to be the Body of Christ.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, our LORD and our GOD whose love never ends. We thank you that in YOUR great wisdom YOU knew YOUR people in advance, and chose them to become like YOUR SON, who is the firstborn among us, HIS brothers and sisters. Thank YOU for making us who were the lost and damned YOUR Family. Thank YOU for teaching us that we are interdependent on  each other – that we must come together for love and support and above all Family worship and praise to our Father. Open our hearts to understand that if we truly belong to GOD’s Family we will be passionate about meeting together regularly. Forgive us for any neglect of our coming together and continue to draw us with YOUR love.  Remind us that obedience is far better than any sacrifice we bring to YOU and we will reward us according to YOUR WORD – YOU have given us right standing and YOUR glory. To YOU, we give all praise, all honor and all glory, may we do only what is pleasing in YOUR sight. We ask all things in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile