Church or God?

Funny title isn’t it? Church or God? My question to you is where is your confidence, in the church or in God?

This is what I have to pond on this morning after reading 1 Corinthians 1-4.

I remember before world was shut down due to COVID19, the Lord telling me He wasn’t impressed with OUR concept of church.

A few days later churches were closed.

Many didn’t know how they were going to cope without going to church. It was like the world had stop spinning for them.

What is God’s concept of church and can we really understand it?

I would say yes, we can understand it and if we look into the scriptures we will find out what the church should look like.

Today there are so many denominations. So many it is hard to keep up.

I have been to a few of them, and I don’t hold one higher than the other, but every one of them believes their way is the right way.

There are so many different beliefs in the body of Christ that has caused division among the body of Christ.

I’ve heard many say, they go to this church or that church and they are so proud of their church and leaders.

I’m not saying it is not ok to be proud of your leaders but what I am saying is your boast should be in the Lord Jesus.

Our boast should be in Him and Him alone. What He has done for us. About the finished work of the cross.

Our leaders and church buildings are tools that are used by God. Our leaders are not to be looked up to as gods, but as servants like you and me.

In the first few chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the people.

He said many are saying they are followers of Paul, and some are followers of Apollo or Peter.

While meditating on this I thought to myself…this is the problem we have today.

We are dividing ourselves by our denominations and by our leaders.

Maybe that’s why there are corruptions in some churches, why corruption is hidden in the name of the church.

We become followers of the church or our leaders instead of followers of Christ.

This is our concept of church, not God’s.

We are all called to use our gifts for the body of Christ.

Whatever gift God has given you, use it for His glory.

So let no one boast in men (about their wisdom, or of having this or that one as a leader) For all things are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21

For when one of you says, I am (a disciple) of Paul,” and another, I am (a disciple) of Apollos,” are you not (proving yourselves unchanged, just) ordinary people? What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed (in Christ), even as the Lord appointed his task. I planted, Apollos watered, but God (all the while) was causing the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:4-7

It’s time for us to think about what our concept is regarding the church.

Who are we following? Who are we boasting in?

Let us boast be in the Lord. And let us come together in unity. As one body with many parts seeking Jesus.

The author and finisher of our faith.

I pray this has blessed you because it has really blessed me this morning.

Until next time, take care and God bless