In Namibia we find a number
of false views concerning the nature
of the church, and the place of
the church in the life of the believer.
1. “I do not question the
beliefs and practises of my church. Into this church I was born and in
this church I will die.
I am comfortable here. I do not
question my leaders. I accept their teachings
uncritically.” This view
is very common. It is often
associated with those who are ‘pew warmers’ and traditionalists who
have adopted the mentality - “ but-we-have-always-done-it- this- way!” They tend to be passive, non-interactive, non-thinking types who only grow upset when their comfortable
routines are upset!
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| Omajova mushrooms grow during the rainy season |
2. "I have been hurt in the church.
Therefore, I will never again entrust myself to any
church. I believe in God, but I do not believe in the (local) church. Therefore I will do my own thing." This view also constitutes a fairly big group. There are undoubtedly many casualties
of spiritual abuse in our country, since in Namibia we have a large group of unruly, undisciplined churches
which tend to grow like our
large Omajova mushrooms out of a termite hill – literally overnight! These
churches are focussed on big personalities rather than on the rule of Christ and His Word
in the church. Man
centered churches ultimately always hurt people. This is a serious problem and it
may take years for people to regain their confidence in the local church. The
point is that they must regain their confidence in the local church by
joining a church where Christ is loved
and where Christ is preached.
3. "The local church is an optional extra for me: First comes my family, then my leisure, then my
work and if there is time left … the local church! " This group
has many adherents in Namibia, and they quickly infect other church members with this sort of warped logic. The truth is
that Christ and His church (if it is a
Christ centered church) cannot be divided,
any more than a head may be severed from
a body. The man who despises the church despises Christ. This is what people
are doing. They are dividing what God has joined together. Granted, it takes effort to
learn what the Scripture teaches
about the union of Christ and
His body – but learn we must! We shall perish without the church on earth.
I am aware of the fact that there are those who
would insert many ‘but’s’
into
what I am saying here, and you may of course have good grounds to disagree. I want you however consider the fact that the church is not your idea or plan.
It is God’s idea!
So, if you disagree, the best place to start is not with your own opinions, nor
with your denominational comfort zones.
You need to ask: “What is God’s opinion of the church?”[1].
The
church, in God’s opinion, is glorious! Consider then God’s view of the church. He has, after all, the last Word!
1. The
glory of the church is seen in her election by God (Eph. 1: 3 - 6). Whatever
the Lord God has set His deliberate love upon from "before the
foundation of the world" must be surely of supreme importance to Him.
2. The
glory of the church is seen in the great cost with which she was bought. (Eph
1:7; 5:25; 1 Pet 1:18, 19). We often assess
the value of an object by what it costs. God bought the church by the blood of
His own Son. (1 Jn 4:9)
3. The
glory of the church is seen in the adoption of her members as children of God
(Eph 1:5; Rom 8:15-17 ). Through "adoption",
we are assured of our full standing as legitimate
children. God's people are called a " a royal priesthood , a holy
nation, a people for His own possession ". (1 Peter 2:9). God's people are children of the heavenly
King!
4. The
glory of the church is seen in her splendid and marvellous inheritance (Eph
1:14, 18; Rom 8:17, 18). As adopted children the members of the church are heirs to a
multitude of blessings. We have eternal life and the hope of living in the
eternal presence of God. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee for this.
5. The
glory of the church is seen in the wonderful purpose and central place she has
in the plan of God. Through the church God intends to
display to the world the glory of His
love and grace (Eph. 1: 6, 14; 2:7; 3:10, 11, 12). The church is at the
heart of God’s plan (Eph. 1: 9, 10). Out of the ruins of fallen
humanity, God is building a people for Himself . (Eph. 2:15)
6. The
glory of the church is seen in the glory of her head, the Lord Jesus Christ
(Eph. 1:22, 23; Col 1:15 - 19). Jesus is supreme
above all. He is altogether glorious, and the church (as His body) therefore
shares in this glory (Eph. 4:15, 16 5:29, 30). The glory of the church
cannot be understood apart from the glory of her head.
7. The
glory of the church may be seen in the fact that she enjoys the personal and
powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13,14)
8. The
glory of the church may be seen in her true holiness (Eph. 1:4; 2:21; 5:26, 27).
The church is 'separated' from the world for God's glory. It is through holy
lives that the saints of God reflect His image (Eph 4:24).
9. The
glory of the church may be seen in her nearness and access to God. (Eph 2:13,18;
3:12). No-one, except the church has unrestricted
access to God. The church lives in present fellowship with God.
10.The glory of the church may be seen
in her spiritual knowledge of all the mysteries of the gospel. (Eph. 1:9; 3:2 -
5). Only the people of God, by faith in Jesus
Christ have a true understanding of the things of God. They have the mind of
Christ (1 Cor 2:6) and the anointing of God. (1 Jn. 2:20,27)
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