There is a thin line between love and hate and the churches of this age are going to make me cross it.  I have often been frustrated with the Church and at times have been concerned about her relevance to the people of this postmodern society.  The Church has a divinely appointed mission, but at times we lay so stagnant and dormant.  It seems to be that we don’t know who we are, where we came from, or where we are going.  All we seem to know is that we are here and we are try to survive off that. 

Love seems to be missing in many of today’s churches and love is the cornerstone of the church.  God is love and Jesus said that our love for each other and for Him is what testifies to the fact that we are His disciples (John 13:35).  I feel sorry for new converts who join a local church that doesn’t know what it means to love one another.

Because there is no love, there is no unity, and where there is no unity, there is no Church.  That was the secret of Pentecost (Acts 2).  Jesus promised; they believed it, and waited patiently as a unified body to receive the promise.  The simple truth is that where there is no love, there is no unity, and where there is no unity there is no church.  The church I’m referring to is the body of believers, not a building.  We have too many buildings but not enough believers.  Many people congregate in a building called a church (a building made to look like it belongs to God), but these people have no power.  They have no notion of who they are nor any knowledge of whom they claim to serve.  Because of this, they have no vision.  Many have no love, no unity, and no power.

Many of our churches need to be reconstructed.  The physical house needs to be torn down brick by brick and the spiritual house needs to be reexamined.  Then it will be time for building to take place as God breathes new life and resurrects the consciousness of his people.

Although, the paralysis of this sleeping giant can exasperate me, I still have confidence in her potential and calling. With my faith I recognize that this condition of the Church is not unexpected. 

The Apostle Paul prophesied that there would come a day when many would have a form of godliness but no power.  He said that many would turn away from sound doctrine and give heed unto the doctrines of devils and seducing spirits.  He also said that men would begin to heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears.  Paul’s contemporary, Peter, said that there were in his time and would be in the times to come men going about in their deception, deceiving others and themselves, and beguiling unstable souls.  He said that they promising liberty would themselves be servants of corruption as they prey on the natural desires of others.  These men are wells without water, but Jesus is a well of water.  He is living water, and He said that from the belly of His followers would flow rivers of living water.  Jesus also spoke of a time when men would come in His name, but would deceive.  He said that many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  He also said that not every one that says unto Him “Lord, Lord” would enter into the Kingdom but only those that do the will of the Father.  It is past time for us to be about our Father’s business, working so that His “will be done in earth as it is in heaven”.

To all of my frustrated brothers and sisters, let us not lose heart.  Instead, make a personal commitment to fulfilling our Lord’s great commission. You are the church.  Now is a great time to grow in our knowledge of the Lord and to leave elementary principles and go on to maturity unto perfection.  “And this will we do, if God permit”(Hebrews 6:3). 

[Referenced Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:14, 17, 19; Jude 1:12; John 4:10; John 7:38; Matthew 24:11-12; Matthew 7:21; Luke 2:49; Matthew 6:10; Hebrew 6:1-2]

Contact Greg at GMcgee@b-now.com