Imagine for a moment, if you will, a congregation of the Lord’s people where the people are truly united — not only in worshipping in spirit and truth, but in spiritual work, goals and priorities (John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Philippians 3:13-14; Colossians 3:1-2). Imagine a congregation where the people enjoy Christian fellowship so much that they long for it throughout the week and create opportunities to be together more on their own (Romans 12:10). Imagine a congregation where the youth group not only presents a united front for Christ and against sin but also is involved together with their parents in teaching their friends (Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14-15). Imagine a congregation where the minute someone becomes disorderly in any way all Christians immediately take action in order to try to restore that lost soul (2 Thessalonians 3:6; Galatians 6:1). Imagine a congregation where children come with lessons prepared, ready to participate and soak in a Bible lesson (2 Timothy 2:15). Imagine a congregation full of people trying to prepare themselves for greater service in the kingdom at every opportunity (2 Peter 3:18). Imagine a congregation so knowledgeable of the Bible that individual Christians can teach the truth and correct misunderstandings their friends have on the spot (Hebrews 5:12-14). Imagine a congregation free from strife, bickering and complaints, exhibiting Christian love and Christian attitudes toward one another and toward all men (Philippians 2:14; John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:39). Imagine a congregation that is teaching the lost on a daily basis and growing by leaps and bounds (Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 3:6). Imagine a congregation where the Gospel is defended (Philippians 1:17), the word is preached (2 Timothy 4:2) and God’s Word is loved (Psalm 119:97). Imagine a congregation of people so concerned with spiritual growth that every lesson is taken as a personal challenge to improve, and where that improvement is translated into life (James 1:22).
It is a beautiful thought, is it not? Can you imagine a congregation of people actually excited about Christianity, coexisting in an atmosphere of tranquility? I hope you can see it. I hope you can imagine it. I hope that you can dream it. But why do we have to imagine? Why do we have to dream? This is the congregation that we can be, that we should be! This is what God would love very much for us to be. So, what is keeping it from happening? We are! We are holding it back because we either do not care or do not really believe that it is possible. We have learned to live with our own shortcomings and therefore do not see any urgency or priority in changing. In short, we have learned to see things as they are, and to accept them, instead of envisioning how things ought to be, and then striving for those worthy goals. We must see both the reality of how things are and the ideal of how things could be. Only then will we put ourselves into the proper perspective and turn that vision into reality. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
