In Ephesians chapter 5,
the church is compared to the relationship between the husband and wife and the
husbands are told to “love your wives,
just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with
the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she
should be holy and without blemish.” (Verses 25-27) It is Jesus plan to
have a glorious church without spot or wrinkle. What are some of the things
that we do that might detract from the church’s glory?
Indifference—Revelations
3:16 "So then, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Have
we become complacent in our worship and our work in the Lord’s kingdom? Is it
just something we feel we have to do on Sunday? Have we lost that zeal to
please God in all we do? Have we become indifferent of how the church is viewed
by others?
Worldliness—1 John 2:15-17
Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the
world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is
not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of
it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Do we think more of the pleasures we think are in
this world than living the Christian life? Can our acquaintances see in us a
difference in how we live our lives?
Division—1 Corinthians
12:25 that there should be no schism in
the body, but that the members
should have the same care for one another. Are we unhappy when we do not
get our way about something and try to cause division? Are we looking out for
the common good of the congregation rather than the way we want things to go?
Do we pick sides and go with what one person wants all the time?
Irreverence in worship—1
Corinthians 11:20-22 Therefore when you
come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper
ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink
in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What
shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
We need to realize the purpose for which we assemble. The primary reason is to
worship God. We do this by showing respect and honor to Him by our actions and
our attitude.
Irregularity—Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as is the manner
of some, but exhorting one another, and so much
the more as you see the Day approaching.
What does it show about our commitment to Christ in the faithfulness we show in
our attendance to all the services of the church? If we had the same level of
attendance at our jobs or school, would we be praised or criticized?
Are we contributing to the
church so that it will be a “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle” or by
our lack of contributing will it not be acceptable to God? Think about it!
Harold
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