By: Robert Johnson
In today’s world, a relevant religious question might be, “Is the Lord’s church passionate about being the church?” Furthermore, “Is the church patterned after Scripture, enthusiastic and excited to be saved and to be part of the body of Christ?” Still, additional questions might be posed. “Are Christians devoted to live lives that lead to eternal life?” “Will those who comprise the church stay faithful despite the pressure with which sin tempts them, or will they become merely a reflection of the world around us?” At His return, Christ will ‘hand over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power’ (1 Corinthians 15:24). Oh, how much being part of His kingdom will mean to us then!
Each member of the Lord’s church is responsible for his or her life and will be judged accordingly (Romans 14:12). The New Testament gives us examples of both members and congregations that were faithful to the Lord and those that were not. In His letters to the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 2–3), Smyrna and Philadelphia were commended for their devotion, while Sardis and Laodicea were rebuked for their lack of commitment and service. Yet, even in a church such as Sardis, described by the Lord as dead (Revelation 3:1), there were those who had not soiled their garments by sin (Revelation 3:4). Each member, each congregation, is responsible for its life before Christ, whether in submission to His will, lukewarm or dead.
The question to ask is, “Are we as the church apathetic, or are we aflame with enthusiasm that life in Christ and the hope of eternal life instills in us?” We are free moral agents and have the choice whether to be faithful or not. God has done everything necessary to provide for life in Him by sending His Son to die for us, establishing His church and revealing His will to us in His Word. What choices do we make as individual Christians and as His body, the church? Hopefully, we will have the attitude of Paul; “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NKJV).
Scriptures abound on not reflecting the world or living by the world’s system of sin, which is so dominant in people’s lives. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lust” (Romans 6:12). “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). Many more passages of Scripture emphasize this, too.
We all must give serious thought to the life God has called us to live as part of His church. It is no more difficult for those of us in the 21st century to overcome sin than it was for those in the 1st century. We must examine ourselves to see where we stand (2 Corinthians 13:5). Let us always seek, in love, to be faithful to God and His will, to have the same desire for the church that our Lord has and to be zealous for the good works (Titus 2:14). May we offer, by our words and our deeds, an example to those who so desperately need the hope of eternal life. Let’s be aflame in Christ, not apathetic due to sin! Let it be said of us that we’re “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).
[Editor’s Note: Isn’t it sad and a poor commentary on mankind that these days it’s acceptable to practice religiously or to be fanatic about anything except religion (Christianity)? ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
