Dying on The Vine

Many over the years, have misunderstood what "church" is. Unfortunately, through abuse of the term, the idea of the "church" as God planned it has become many things, from a philosophy, culture, civil government, and even a business. None of these are what God intended. God intended his church to be three things - 

1. The body of His Son (1 Cor.12:27; Col.1:13-18)  
2. His administrator and ambassador of His message to the world (Eph.3:1-11) 
3. A fellowship of believers, encouraging one another toward the prize in Christ (Eph.3:1-11; 1 Cor.1:9; Ph'p.1:5; 1 Jn.1:3)

This "fellowship" is a partnership, a union and joining to which we are connected by Christ. It is the one place where of all places we should see God's will being done. The fellowship of God's church is provided to encourage us to fulfill our calling to serve others in practical ways. This is what Paul told the Corinthians, "Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it  (1Cor 12:27 )." He informed the Ephesians, "from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Eph.4:16)."  

Your service, participation, being part of this fellowship is essential to the Body of Christ. Each of us has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters - even the smallest part.  There are many things that are seen within the church, and just as many if not more that are hidden behind the scenes, but all are valuable and ALL important. 

What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick and the rest of your body suffers, aches, hurts, or in some way misses what the other part supplied.  What happens if for instance your heart decided to start living for itself: -- “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”  What would happen? Your body would die.

Today churches are dying because of Christians who are either unwilling to serve, or are just plain stubborn and don't want to. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and watch while the Body of CHRIST suffers. So, here are a couple of thoughts for us all to consider.

1. It is God who calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. He created YOU for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for you to do (see Ephesians 2:10). If you're not listening to this call, it is to Him you shall have to answer, not to anyone else. Are you sure you want to do that?

2.) Whenever you serve others, you are serving God (Mt.25:40). If you are not....well you supply the answer.  (Hint - read vs.44,45)  Are you sure you want to be on that side of the fence?

3.) Withholding your fellowship and participation hurts only yourself. Heb.10:25 is often quoted in places like this, to remind us that every one's presence is a special and important thing ..to everyone, including God. Yes, the body does suffer because we withhold our fellowship and participation. But, God's Church will survive.  However, to abandon my fellowship, ignore participating, or neglect that...is to neglect God.  Is that something that you want to do?

Jim