Jesus promised to “build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The church is owned by Jesus Christ (Romans 16:16) and is spoken of as “churches of Christ.” However, let’s take a look in this article from the other side of the coin. What was the relationship of the church back to Jesus?
The church in the New Testament upheld the Lord in a mighty way and a frail way. The members were human beings seeking to be more spiritual in their outlook on life while they lived in various cities of their time like Jerusalem, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica and Rome. The directives of 1 Corinthians 15 are to be steadfast and unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord. The imperatives continue in the next chapter: watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (act) ye like men and be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). This is the teaching to those of the first century church. Did they follow the orders given? We must note that some did and some did not. Now, down the stream of time to our day, are we following these admonitions? Some are and some are not. So, what should we all do? Certainly, teachers and preachers of God’s Word must continue the faithful presentation of the message (2 Timothy 4:1-4). Fellow brethren should listen and heed the message because Jesus would have it to be this way.
Without love the early church was taught that their labors amounted to no value (1 Corinthians 13). They were taught that love bears, believes, hopes and endures. In the first few verses, we read of some who might give their bodies to be burned or give all their goods to feed the poor. However, from what motive? Was the motive a ‘just cause’? Was it ‘the thing to do’? Was it ‘what my parents did’? Paul writes, ‘if it’s not of love, the sacrifices profit us none.’ Now, down the stream of time to our day, are we serving with the motive of love in mind? Some do and some do not. Yet, what should be the motive of all of us?
The church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) had investigated doctrines and claims of men. They appear to have successfully held on to sound doctrine. Yet, in the midst of this letter from the Lord to them, He admonished them that He might have to come and remove ‘their candlestick’ from out of its place (the recognition light of the faithful church according to the two closing verses of Revelation 1). What was so wrong with a doctrinally sound church? They had left their first love! They were told to repent and do the first works. I really don’t know the specific love they didn’t have any longer, but they knew, and they were to repent to please the Lord. Those who desired their relationship with the Lord to remain unbroken did repent. Down the stream of time to our day, the same New Testament admonitions should be followed if we desire our relationship with the Lord to remain unbroken.
The relationship with the Lord is preached and served by the faithful brethren of the first century and our twenty-first century. We must hold to sound doctrine with the attitude and motive of love. Further, we must repent if we aren’t serving this way.
