Why I Love The Church!

In spite of all the flaws, the decline, and the struggles and frustrations I face in working with the church, I love the church. Here are some of the reasons.

1) The church is just plain messy. The church is messy because the church is people. All people are broken by sin. This is why I love the church. The church doesn’t ask for perfection. The church doesn’t claim we must get it together before we are accepted. The church, instead, acknowledges there is only one who is perfect…Jesus. He is the head of the church, and the church clings in repentance and faith to him.

2) The church is God’s instrument to repel darkness in the world. The church is the light of the world. Followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The church is not some weird club with secret handshakes. The church has a clear mission. Those who become Christians are called out of the world, and they join a cause greater than themselves.

3) My Savior, Jesus, died to establish the church. I love Jesus. I am not perfect. Far from it. But every piece of who I am belongs to him. And my Savior, the one who gave his life for me, also gave his life for the church. Again, not the church as an institution, but the church as His elect. We are a group of Spirit-filled people.

4) The church has often led the way in meeting the needs of the world. From the earliest days of the church, people have been the recipient of God’s grace and justice. The church, unlike any other collection of people, has released the oppressed, brought healing, and restored hope, to millions. This is because the church is led by the Spirit. And where the Spirit is present, justice is a priority and there is true peace.

So, in the roughly 2000 years of the church’s existence, game changing ideas like hospitals, public education, and orphanages have been birthed by the church.

There are many more reasons to love the church. God’s people will endure for all eternity. Jesus is coming again. He will make all things new. Are you ready for his return?

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!