Love the Church You're With: Importance of Being Part of a Local Church

Love the Church You're With

As a Christian, it is often hard to love the church. In fact, every Christian who has been one for a while knows the feeling. The church is not perfect, and it is made up of imperfect people. The New Testament exists because churches, to varying degrees, have always been a mess. It is a glorious mess of saints still polluted by remaining sin, affected by defective genes, brains, and bodies, and influenced by life-shaping pasts.

Up close, it can be hard to see the beauty in the mess that is the earthly church. It often looks like a lot of sin and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears invested into futility. It can often seem like something we would rather escape than join. But this is the way it is supposed to be because the mess is what draws out the one thing that advances the church's mission more than anything else. This is why we must not, for selfish reasons, leave the church.

Embracing the Church We Didn't Choose

Jesus's very first disciples didn't choose to become part of the church, they were chosen. And yet, they loved the church because it was the body of Christ. The church is not just an organization or a social club for Christians to meet and talk. It is a family united by the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

The church is not a building, but it is the community of believers who gather to worship God, study the scriptures, and serve one another. The church is the bride of Christ, and He loves her despite her flaws and imperfections. We are called to love the church for the same reason Jesus loves her, and that is because she is His.

The Importance of Being Part of the Church

It is important to be part of a local church because it is in this community that we find support, encouragement, and accountability. It is where we learn and grow in our faith, where we serve others, and where we worship God together. The church is not just a place to go on Sundays, but it is a place to be actively involved in the lives of other believers.

The Bible tells us that we are not to neglect meeting together, but to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). We are also instructed to bear one another's burdens, to forgive one another, and to love one another (Galatians 6:2, Colossians 3:13-14). Being part of a local church is essential to our spiritual growth and maturity as Christians.

The Church and Its Mission

The church has a mission, and that is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). This mission is not just for pastors or missionaries but for every believer. We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ and to share the gospel with those around us.

Being part of a local church is crucial in fulfilling this mission. We are not meant to do it alone but together as a community of believers. The church is the body of Christ, and each member has a unique role in fulfilling its mission.

The Church as a Family

As mentioned earlier, the church is a family united by the love of God. Just like any family, it is not perfect, and there will be disagreements, misunderstandings, and conflicts. However, just like any family, we are called to love one another, forgive one another, and work together towards a common goal.

Being part of a local church means being part of a family that supports one another during the good times and the bad times. It means being there for one another, praying for one another, and bearing each other's burdens.

The Church as a Body

The church is also referred to as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Each member of the body has a unique role to play, and each role is important in fulfilling the mission of the church. Just like a physical body, if one part is not functioning correctly, the whole body suffers.

Being part of a local church means finding our place in the body and using our gifts and talents to serve others. It means recognizing that we are not just individuals but part of something bigger, and our contribution is essential.

Conclusion

The church is not perfect, but it is still the body of Christ and the bride of Christ. We are called to love the church because Jesus loves her. Being part of a local church is essential for our spiritual growth, and it is where we find support, encouragement, and accountability. The church has a mission, and we are all called to be part of fulfilling it.

As we embrace the mess that is the earthly church, let us remember that we are part of a family and a body. Let us love one another, forgive one another, and work together towards fulfilling the mission of the church. Let us be grateful for the privilege of being part of the church and use our gifts and talents to serve others.