STAY AND BE COMMITTED IN CHURCH
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).
Some people have stopped going to church because they were offended by what others said or did to them. That shouldn’t be. Never let anything keep you from going to church or withdraw from fellowship. Stay and be committed in church, serving the Lord.
Sadly, some carry the same attitude they grew up with at home into the church. Maybe their parents reprimanded them or did something they didn’t like, so they left home and chose never to return. They developed a resistance to correction or unforgiveness, and they brought that same disposition into the church. No; in Christ, we receive corrections and instructions in humility and love, and we learn to forgive when offended.
Salvation signifies that Jesus is the Lord of your life. You can’t just do what you choose anymore; you’re no longer in charge of your life. The Lord Jesus said, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). In His church, He has set structures in place.
The Bible says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13). There’s an order in the Church, and as Christians, we adhere to that order because He is our Lord.
Spiritual growth involves learning to receive and follow instructions, spiritual guidance, and accept discipline. These are evidence that your mind is being renewed and your life has been transformed. So in church you grow and become more effective in your Christian walk through the corrections, instructions and guidance you receive from the Word.
Don’t say, “I was offended by what the Pastor said, so I’m going to stop attending the church.” Remember that the Lord Himself is in charge of His Church and you follow Him (John 10:4). And part of submitting to His lordship is submitting to the structures He has established in His Church.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Lord of my life. I submit to Your guidance and the order You have established in the Church. I refuse to let offence hinder my walk with You or my fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Thank You for teaching me to listen, grow, and follow You faithfully. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 13:17, Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Timothy 3:16
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 3:22-36 & 2 Samuel 23-24
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 8:22-33 & Numbers 10
