Reviewing scriptural traditions laid down by our Lord and His apostles might prod the mind to compare and contrast these truths with the church as we know it. Armed with Bible instruction, temptation can swell within, puffing us up until we sit in judgment, pronouncing sentence on others.
Listening intently, we hear our Lord lead in an entirely different manner, simply calling, “Repent and return.” Strong scriptural example urges us to take action. During King Josiah’s reign, the Book of the Law resurfaced in a temple cleaning, revealing long abandoned instructions given by God through His prophets. Upon reading the book, Josiah tore his clothes in repentance and led God’s people in a revival of scriptural practices (2 Kings 22 and 23).
Today, God calls each of us as individuals to repent and return. Our personal responsibility is to obey Jesus and offer ourselves as a living stone in the church He is building. Coming together in His presence is not complicated; no expenses, no legalities, no worship team, no specific sermon, only Jesus, Himself. When brethren assemble as the Bible teaches, our gathering is transformed into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit, where the Lord Jesus has preeminence.
Even so, our best intentions and actions can miss the mark. Thankfully, we can rely on our Lord to call us back as He did the saints of the church in Ephesus. The Bible witnesses to their faithfulness (Revelation 2:2,3). Yet their lives and consequently, the life of the church, began to miss the mark. Jesus, ever the Good Shepherd, called them back:
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place–unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4,5). The first love of the saint and church is Jesus, Himself, personally in the midst, and the deeds we did at first are the good works His love inspires.
Noah built an ark, a ship of safety, according to God’s plan. He outfitted the vessel with provision and God called within its cavernous hold the lives He intended to save. To the world the ark stood as an object of derision and scorn. Yet Noah preached from its platform the saving message of God, “repent and return.” With ark and preparations complete, God shut the door and raised the ship to safety, buoyed on waters of judgment and destruction.
The church Jesus builds as we meet with Him may be small in number and absent traditional trappings. The Builder adorns His house with His own personal presence and ever present love. As God adds to our number those who are being saved, the brethren rejoice and joy in the love of God, witnessing God’s grace in Christ reconciling the world to Himself! Modern church traditions, their importance and urgency, simply fade away in the presence of Jesus, His church and His purposes.
Dear saint, follow your heart’s hunger for God. Jesus promised “where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in their midst.” God will build His Church with Jesus Himself present as our actual Leader, the Holy Spirit as His administrator and disciples, each and every one, as priests to God, ministers to one another, and witnesses to the world. There the flame of the perfect love of God blazes unquenchable, lighting the path for the world to know Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God. God willing, I want to be a part of His Church. I’m sure you do, too. Let’s do it together.
In Christ,
Rob Weber