Before reading on, I would like to say my intention of this post is to establish my statement that sums up the recent bible study on loving the Church.
Is is then possible to grow out of places?
I would say yes. We can't be in school forever with the same group of classmates. We can't really stay committed to a particular hobby and its people for long. Sadly to say, some have also 'grown' out of Church.
It's interesting to note, however, that the Church remains a very dear place to many. It is the place where love is real, where there is real caring for each other. The church is the place where many found the greatest Love, recieved on the greatest Gift, and thereby committed their faith on the greatest Being.
To this place lasting friendship and lifelong partners are found.
To this place acceptance is almost instantly gained across age, race and wealth.
To this place do people willingly share and give of their 'five loaves and two fishes'.
To this place the ups and downs of life is always being accounted, often accompanied by others, there to share in blessings and there to encourage in sorrow.
Even upon death, to this place, as many have affectionately known, to which even He called her His bride, is there to provide the comfort, peace and remembrance.
I was thinking of how, where exactly do we placed Church in our life. Is Church another lifestyle place? A place where we would attend just like we would attend school, learning good and useful knowledge, ideas so that it makes us 'better' as a person?
For a moment in my life I was almost missing out on the whole purpose of Church. The place where Spurgeon described as 'the dearest place on earth'.
In order to get a better grasp of the place of Church as so distinctive from other places and gatherings. This distinction can only come from the many faithful and set-apart Christians whose life brings out the 'frangrance' of life. It is to these Christians that have so fully live out their lives for others that I do understand on a clearer note why Watchman Nee said, 'Christ, my life'.
Thus, if Christ is indeed our life, getting involved, committed to Church seems only natural. Just like how it's natural for us to consume food when it's mealtime. The difficult part is how to shift this delight and desire from a lifestyle to 'our life'.
The thing that compels me on is the examples of the many Faithfuls and the unity of His Word. It all goes down to choice and self-will in the battle between life 'in Christ' and life 'with Christ'.
Joshua Harris told us to start loving the Church because Christ loved the Church. This leads to each of us asking ourselves: 'Do we love God?'
Do we love God enough to be willing and able to give of our time and money?
Do we love God enough that we accept differences and can even show Love upon others?
Do we love God enough that we gather together to minister and do outreach?
Do we love God enough to get fully committed and Love His Church?
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In case there is musunderstanding on my previous post. I do not advocate putting aside the fundamental Truths for the sake of reaching people. My heart was touched by how extensive and continual is the work of evangelising. God is glorified when we do His work. Notice it's every believer, myself all the more not excused.
God did not ask us to guard the Truth to the extend of condemnation, He told us to first Love, even speaking the truth in love.
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