Blog
“More Love for the Church”
MORE LOVE FOR THE CHURCH
Ed Casteel
We live in a world where the church of Christ is not held by most in high regard. Often there are those who speak ill of her, and even by some who claim to be a part of her. Too many are they who are out to change her to fit their own agenda as well as the wants of today's society. The result of all this change is complete destruction of the beautiful bride of Christ. What we really need in the world today is more sincere love for the church. Let's consider some solid reasons why this is true.
1. We should love the church because it was a part of God's original plan, even before the foundation of the world. The apostle Paul wrote, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:10,11). Men have come along and have decided to start their own churches because they desire not to be a part of that which God had already established. That which man has begun is not the church of the New Testament, nor does it have any connection to it.
The church that was in the mind of God before the foundation of the world is not, nor can it be, just an after thought or a substitute measure because man would not accept what God has sent. Truly, it was a sad day when the Jews would not accept Jesus as the Savior. But, the prophets had already declared, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). To this promise the Psalmist added, “the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner” (Psalm 118:22). Peter shows the proper application of these passages. “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believed he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed” (1 Peter 2:6-8). How could Christ be the prophesied corner stone of the church if the church was just an emergency substitute measure to serve till man would accept what God originally planned?
Without a doubt, through careful study of the scriptures we learn that the church was in the mind of God even before the foundation of the world. This is why Jesus could describe Christ as the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8).
2. We should love the church because of the price that was paid for her existence. In a moving scene in Miletus, Paul talks with the elders who had joined him from Ephesus. He reminded them of the work he had done while there and also of their continual work and responsibility. To these elders he said, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Notice the last part of this injunction, “which he hath purchased with his own blood.” That was the price that was paid so the church might be established. I personally do not know of anything for which a higher price has ever been paid, do you?
This price was paid because of the great love God had for the souls of men. It was Jesus himself who said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). To this Paul added, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). This demonstration of love was given that the lost of all society could be saved, and that salvation is made possible only in Christ (Acts 4:12), only in the church (Acts 2:47).
3. We should love the church because of the sacrifices that have been made to bring the church to man today. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day we should pause to think of the great sacrifices that have been made by those who have gone before us and have fought for the freedoms and liberties we now enjoy in the greatest nation of the world. Such tribute is only right and proper. But, have we ever stopped to consider the sacrifices that have been made to bring the church to us today? The Lord sent Ananias to teach the good news of salvation to Saul of Tarsus. Ananias is very reluctant to go for he has, “heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). But, the Lord said, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:15,16). If anyone has suffered for the sake of Christ and for the growth of the church it was Saul the persecutor who changed his life and became Paul the preacher of righteousness.
Let us not think he was the last to be called upon to suffer for the cause of Christ. All who are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ are to “suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17). Again Paul reminds us that all who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Down through the ages, especially through the period of the Restoration, many have laid down their lives that the church for which God planned before the foundation of the world, and Jesus purchased with his own blood, could be continued and brought to us. Not even “the gates of hell shall prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
The church, like our great nation, has been preserved for man today through blood, sweat and tears. How dare we speak disparaging words against her. How dare we try to change or alter her where she no longer resembles that which God had in mind before the foundation of the world.
Oh, with a gladsome heart let us sing: “I Love thy kingdom Lord, the house of thine abode. The church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood. I love thy church, O God! Her walls before Thee stand, Dear as the apple of Thine eye, And graven on thy hand. For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be giv'n, Till toils and cares shall end. Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.”
