What is Right with the Church?
The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head (Eph. 1:21-23). The body of Christ is made up of all baptized believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. Sometimes people disparage the church and say awful things about it; however, our thoughts and words would reflect respect, honor and appreciation for the church. The church is right and we must communicate the blessings and benefits of it; therefore, what is right with the Church?
1. The Foundation is right. Everything must have a proper foundation, whether it is a marriage, building or church. Jesus built His church upon the foundation of faith (Matt. 16:13-19). The church has the right foundation because Jesus is that foundation (I Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20-21). The foundation of Jesus is solid as rock (Matt. 7:24-27).
2. The Faith is right. Doctrine is simply that which we teach. Some teach truth, some teach falsehood. Those who teach falsehood pervert the Word of God. Those who teach truth affirm the Word of God. It is the truth that we should “earnestly content” (Jude 3). The church has the right doctrine because Jesus is that doctrine (Acts 8:35)!
3. The Fellowship is right. Fellowship is the life blood of the church (Phil 1:3-6; Acts 2:42). The early church spent time together on the basis of their new family relationship in Christ. Over and over came the instructions; suffer together (I Cor. 12:26), rejoice together (Rom. 12:15), carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), restore each other (Gal. 6:1), pray for each other (Rom. 15:30), encourage each other (Rom. 1:12), forgive each other (Eph. 4:32), confess to each other (Jam. 5:16), be truthful with each other (Eph. 4:25), spur each other on to good deeds (Heb. 10:24), and give to each other (Phil. 4:14-15).
4. The Focus is right. The soul is infinite in value (Matt. 16:24); therefore, the Church’s fixation is souls (Mark 16:15). In fact, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the mass of lost souls (Matt. 9:35-36; 14:14; 15:32). Such compassion motivated Him to do two things. First, to ask His disciples to pray that God might “send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). Then, to do something about it Himself (that is, to select and send out His apostles (Matt. 10:1,5-7). Do we ever find ourselves filled with compassion for the lost and doing something about it? If we can only have this same compassion for lost souls, we will not rest till we are striving to bring them to Jesus! Cf. Rom. 10:1.
5. The Future is right. When Jesus returns, he’s coming for His Church (I Cor. 15:24). Paul said, “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:16-17). Each day we should live for the one that died for us (2 Cor. 5:14-15). Therefore, Heaven will surely be worth it all!
—Mark N. Posey
