The Church

A humanist will claim to have values, but not a commitment to a church, or to the scriptures. When we have God’s love, these are two things that we have a commitment to. John said, “We know we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14). God makes us part of His family. Jesus said,” My mother and My brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21).

This means we are committed to fellowship (Heb 10:25). The church is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15). It is where we heard the message of our salvation. Some parents, or grandparents, leave the church when they are offended. How can we love our children, when we devalue before them what is most important? How can we have love when we leave because of offence? Love does not do that.

Jesus said, “He who does not gather with Me, scatters.” (Matt 12:30). The body increases in love, as every one supplies their part (Eph 4:16). “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” (Eph 5:25). Paul said, “Let no man trouble me, I bear in my body the marks (wounds of serving) the Lord Jesus.” (Gal 6:17). He showed his love for the Head of the church in heaven, by serving His body on earth. If we do not serve the body, we do not love the Head.

Hezekiah was a godly king of Judah, but his lack of care for the future of others revealed his lack of love. Recklessly, he showed Babylonian leaders the defences of Jerusalem. Isaiah rebuked Hezekiah, saying after Hezekiah died, Babylon would invade Jerusalem. Unbelievably Hezekiah’s response was, “The word of the Lord is good and thankfully it will not happen in my time.” (2 Kings 20:18-19).

After this warning Manasseh was born to Hezekiah. In Hezekiah’s last 15 years he raised the worst king in Israel or Judah’s history (2 Kings 21:11-12). Because of Manasseh’s wickedness the warning of the prophets came to pass: the Babylonian exile, when two thirds of the population of Jerusalem died. Hezekiah could not care less, though in the end Manasseh was saved. Many today live like this.