I fell in love while I was in seminary. Twice.
It was while I was matriculating in preparation for ministry that I met Raye Jeanne, fell in love and we married.
And during those same years of study, I fell in love with another woman — the bride of Christ — the church.
I hadn’t planned on that second event happening (actually, I wasn’t planning on the first one either — though I am eternally grateful for both). When I entered seminary I had an appreciation for the church and I understood the importance of the church, but I desired for my service and ministry of the church to be in the context of teaching — maybe teaching in a Bible college or seminary. I loved school — the books and papers, the interaction with other students and professors, and the relative safety of the environment — a failed exam was just that, a failed exam, not a ruined life.
But somewhere in the first two years of school — I can’t tell you where, when, or why — my heart and passion was transformed into a love for the church. And from that point forward, I moved towards ministry in the pastorate and developed a deep and abiding love for the church.
And now, after about 40 years of participation in the church and almost two decades of pastoring in the church, my love has not abated.
But why the church? What is so significant about the church and why do I love the church? I love the church because —
- Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for her (Eph. 5:25).
- it is the bride of Christ and He will be her eternal groom — forever caring for her as a faithful husband (Eph. 5:26-27; Rev. 19:7-9). Can you imagine?!
- it is the organism (not organization — the church is a living entity) God created to accomplish His redemptive purpose on earth (Mt. 16:18). It is in and through the church that the whole process of salvation takes place — justification, sanctification, and glorification.
- it is God who is building this people into one God-glorifying body of believers (Eph. 2:20-22). I love the church and love God for what He is doing in His people, because while He uses each of us for His purpose, He is not dependent on us to accomplish His purpose.
- I need the gifting of others to stimulate (encourage) my walk with Christ. I cannot walk with Christ alone. I need the wisdom and gifting of others to help me (Heb. 10:24).
- the church is not perfect, but it is progressively growing, changing and maturing to the end that one day it will be fully complete, the bride of Christ and the eternal dwelling of God (Eph. 2:22).
- it is in the church that we share life and fellowship — the tears and joys of life are shared (Rom. 12:15) and the truth of God is administered so that God’s people are made to look more like Christ (Eph. 4:11-13) .
- the church is the tool of God to uphold the truth of God (1 Tim. 3:15).
- in the church I learn how to joyfully give preference to others by joyfully subordinating my desires and elevating the desires of others so they are honored (Rom. 12:10). In other words, the church is where I really learn to love.
Those are some of the reasons why I love the church. Why do you love the church?
Words of Grace 