Pastor John,
I saw a sign today, a large billboard advertising a local church and claiming that this church was the birthplace of a local County, and also of a local University. I then considered the significance of us, the body of Christ, knowing that we are not the church, and that the church is not the body of Christ.
What that billboard is really saying is, “Praise the church”, “You need the church”, “You need to be a part of the church, and to revere and submit to those who hold a place of authority within it”. Men rule over God’s children in that place, with no authority from God to do so. My, what a resemblance to Satan’s fatal mistake, in his desire to, “be like the Most High”.
I cannot recall ever hearing a healthy member of the body of Christ calling lost souls to the body. There is no earthly door for which a man can enter into Christ’s body. Jesus is that door, and all that the body of Christ can and should do, is point to Him.
Thank you, Jesus, that we are free from that heresy! Thank you that we know you are not there! That is huge.
It made me consider what it means to, “be made merchandise of”. Merchandise is the inventory with which a business entices someone to do business.
What merchandise just our little group would make for the church if God condemned us to such a fate.
Our liberty and peace, knowledge, music, freedom and power, paraded in front of lost souls – only to draw them into lifeless darkness that offers none of these things.
It takes my breath, considering it.
We are so kept by God! These thoughts make me love people very much. I am so thankful for that today.
Jerry