Monday, August 2, 2010
2 Timothy 2:19 The Lord knows those who are His.
BELIEVERS GATHER ...
What do I think of when I hear the word "church?" Do I picture a building with a big steeple and cross? Do I think of rows of pews inside facing an altar underneath another cross? Maybe I think about a number of peoples' faces that I associate with going to church. That word "church" has an important meaning. The Bible defines it as those who are "called out." The physical location where believers gather makes no difference. Martin Luther explained it well when He wrote in the Catechism about God the Holy Spirit's work who "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith."
The Apostle Paul was careful to remind Timothy, the young pastor, that it was the Holy Spirit who calls people to faith in Christ: "The Lord knows those who are His." It is God the Holy Spirit who moves believers to gather together in order to hear and sing the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. It doesn't take much examination to see the sinful darkness of this world and that believers gather together to be filled with the light of Christ.
I often forget that. I forget that church is much more than just a building with a cross on it or a bunch of pews with hymnals. Church is a gathering of believers. Believers may not be able to see into each other's hearts, but the believers I gather to worship with are the ones who speak and confess the same thing about Christ's Word. It is the Holy Spirit who continues to work this faith and unity through that Word of Christ. And it is the same Christ who paid the price of my forgiveness and who made me His. Therefore, there is always reason to celebrate! There is great reason for believers in Jesus to gather!
-- Adapted from the Vacation Bible School series "A Day in the Courts of the LORD"
