The goal of Jesus' commands is first of all to "know" them. But He says, "Why do you say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not DO what I command?" Jesus' command is that His disciples make other disciples by "teaching them to observe (do) all that I have commanded you." The question now becomes, "How do we teach others to do what Jesus commands?" The obvious question even before that is, "How do I come to observe all He commands?"
Gathering together in twos, threes or more with the precise purpose of learning Jesus' commands and encouraging one another in fulfilling Jesus' commands and evaluating one another to see if we are observing Jesus' commands is what is required. In these small, focused groups, we listen to the Apostles' teaching (in the Gospels and the Epistles of the New Testament and how they interpret the Old Testament), we share one another's life's struggles and victories and we pray with one another realizing we are totally dependent upon God's Spirit to personally receive Jesus' love and grace, rejoice in it and live it out in obedience.
This "gathering" is being the church. No, it's not "going" to church, it's "being" the church. If you gather for this explicit purpose to examine yourself and examine others, personally hearing how they are living out these specific commands of Jesus and pray for one another when you "go" to church, then you are "being" the church when you "go" to church. But if you merely go to a building to sing songs, listen to a sermon or attend a class to learn some Bible teaching and then go home, you are not "being" the church, you are merely meeting with people, and that's not being the church. Even if you attend a small group, go through a study learning new stuff and discussing what it means, you're still not "being" the church. The "church" of Jesus Christ is the gathering of His disciples. Disciples of Jesus ensure that other disciples observe His commands. If you are not involved in this specific activity, you are not "being" the church of Jesus Christ. It is for this purpose that this simple blog was created, to be an aid in returning to "being" the church. It is my prayer that you are encouraged to be the church and gather with one or more people with that same goal of teaching and encouraging one another in the commands of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
You don't even need this blog, it's just a starting place to point you to Jesus' Word. Remember to be careful to discern who Jesus is talking to when you read His Word or the word of His Apostles. Jesus only calls us to obey what He commanded His Disciples. Don't mistake what He commands the crowds or the religious leaders as His teaching to His disciples. Don't mistake things like the Beatitudes as Jesus' commands either. They are statements, not commands. Also, begin with His teaching in the Gospels to His disciples and then work out from there to the Apostle's teaching. That is the way it was given and that is the way it will make most sense. So be careful and use common sense and prayerfully seek His face as you listen to His Word. Grace and peace to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment