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Or The church Of Christ's Choice? Chuck Northrop |
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Probably most of us have seen signs which say, "Join the Church of Your Choice." At first
glance, this seems to have some appeal. However, with a little closer examination, its appeal
is not quite so vibrant. Why?
First, because the church does not belong to me but unto Christ. No matter who I might be, the church simply does not belong to me nor any other person. Jesus purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Though men may shed their blood for the church, men cannot purchase the church with their blood because men are full of sin (Romans 3:23). Since Jesus purchased the church, then the church belongs to him. Therefore, men ought to be searching for the church of Christ's choice. Second, because man did not build the church, but Jesus built the church as He promised (Matthew 16:18). Of course we are using the term church as the Bible uses it — not with reference to a building but with reference to a group of people. Jesus established His church in the city of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after His death. Various men have built churches in various other places and at various other times, but those churches obviously would not be the church that Jesus built. Since Jesus built His church, men ought to seek to be members of the church of Christ's choice. Third, because the church of my choice may not be the church of Christ's choice. As a human, there are those things which appeal to me that may not be appealing to Jesus. Because of human weaknesses, I sometimes find myself thinking in only physical and material terms. Because of human weaknesses, I sometimes find myself striving to please self. And because of human weaknesses, I sometimes find myself too lazy to do those things I know I ought to be doing. The church of your choice has you as its foundation. However, the church of Christ's choice has Christ as its foundation. Rather than striving to please self in the church of your choice, men ought to strive to please Christ in the church of Christ's choice. Now that we understand we should desire the church of Christ's choice, how can we find such a church? The church of Christ's choice is revealed within the pages of the holy scriptures, the Bible. She was called by the name of Christ, not some by some man or some doctrine. She has only one head — Christ. Her worship is directed towards the Father in spirit and in truth. And God adds those who hear His word (Romans 10:17), believe the gospel (Mark 16:15,16), repent of their sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ (Romans 10:9,10), and are baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Does this appeal to You? Then join us on the Lord's day as we make every effort to be the church of Christ's choice. |