by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
People who use the phrase, “go to church” often have a misunderstanding about what the
church really is. The church is not a physical place or a building. The church is a group of people,
saved people.
Jesus did not come to this earth and suffer the mockery of a cruel death on Mt. Calvary just
to become a great historical model. He came to establish a kingdom, a church, which would
continue as long as the world stands. He said that he would build His church on the fact that He is
the son of God, (Matthew 16:13-20). He purchased that church with his life’s blood, (Acts 20:28).
The church is extremely important to Jesus Christ – so important that it is described in the
Bible as his bride, (see Ephesians 5:25-32). How do you think Christ feels when people claim they
love Him, but they reject or neglect His church?
In the book Ephesians, the church is described as the “fullness” or the fulfillment of Christ’s
work. He is the head of the church. It is not merely a social club or a civic organization. It is not
something to be attended or participated in only on holidays, or whenever I feel like it. The church
of Christ is a crucial part of the Christian’s life. It is Christ’s body, and each member is an important
part of that body.
The more we know about the church of Christ, the more we understand and appreciate the
wisdom of God. As Paul put it, “…now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly
places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the
eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access
in confidence through our faith in him,” (Ephesians 3:10-12). That’s why Paul would later say,
“unto him be the glory in the church,” (Ephesians 3:21).
Many people are heavily involved in numerous organizations, but there is no organization
on earth more important than the church. Benevolent organizations may do much good, but there
is no organization better suited to help the truly needy than the Lord’s, church. Political
organizations may propagate their positions, but it is the church which is truly the “pillar and
ground of the truth,” (1 Timothy 3:15).
If you consider yourself a Christian, you need to be meaningfully engaged with other
Christians in the Lord’s work. Together, burning embers can build a great fire, but if left alone they
eventually die out. Other Christians need your presence and encouragement, and you need theirs.
To put that in Bible terms, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is,
but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh,” (Hebrews
10:25).
Attending the assemblies of the Lord’s church is not a grudging duty, but a wonderful
privilege. It is so much more than some thing I “have” to do. It is an opportunity to worship God
with others “of like precious faith,” and to be regularly and consistently encouraged by your
brothers and sisters in Christ.
And there is yet another blessing to being faithfully involved in the church. Though
imperfect on the human side, here you will find the greatest people on earth. They are the blood
bought, saved and redeemed children of God. They are forgiven of their sins as they continue to
walk in the light, (1 John 1:7). Doesn’t that sound like the kind of people with whom you want to
be spending your time? Being actively busy in the kingdom of the Lord – His church – is where
we should all be when the Lord comes again!
