Not a Building

Following is something I was lead to write in 2020. After it are my thoughts now.

Good morning all-

I just saw a post where someone said something in the lines of and just like that, the government shut down the churches. I thought it would be harder than this.

But my friends and family- the government shut down buildings. Brick, wood, mortar, stone. man made structures. It may be called church- but loved ones- WE, God’s people, are the church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) When we gave our lives to Him, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, WE became His church.

Now, think on this; Matthew 28:16-20. These verses are called, the Great Commission: 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Verse 19 begins with “Therefore go” think about it, in all honesty, how many of us obeyed? How many spoke openly? How many shared Christ? How many actually live like Christ commanded?

Or, how many go to the building on Sunday morning and maybe evening, how many go to prayer meetings and say they have done their part?

We do not have to stand on street corners shouting like those in the past- but we can. We don’t need to get into in depth discussions on theology- but we can. What I personally feel is of greatest importance, especially in this trying time, is simply- BE LIKE CHRIST.

Don’t be greedy hoarding everything you can get your hands on, but if you do have extra- share with those who do not. If you are able to help someone- help. Help get food to those who cannot get it themselves. Take care of those with limited resources or mobility. Talk gently not in anger. Remain calm, listen and obey instructions.

So many of us were simply going to the structure called church and not being the church- so those doors were closed for a time. Now- my beloved sisters and brothers, we are being told- go out and be the church we were so long ago instructed to be.

Here we are, three years later. Many of us have returned to services held inside those buildings we were stopped from attending due to fears and concerns over getting sick. Some did not return for a variety of reasons. Still harboring fear over crowds and getting sick, content to watch services online, or maybe even have walked away from church fully. Either way, even with the revival/renewal events happening around the world, there are still obvious signs of the lack of gathering with fellow Believers.

While some of this has been going on since time began, it has only grown worse. Maybe due to increased populations or populations that are more concentrated. Maybe due to dark emotions that no longer simmer beneath the surface but have come to a boiling point and spilled over. Maybe, loved ones, it is because we are forgetting or even ignoring that we are all the same in God’s heart. We are all His creation, no matter our skin tone or where we live. When we come to Him, accepting Jesus, we are adopted into His family equal with Jesus. Some find that impossible to accept. Some are determined to go their own way. Some see God as imaginary and the Bible a book of fables. Some do not know, having never heard the Gospel.

Church buildings were closed and we were sent out. Just as Jesus sent His disciples out before and after His resurrection;  https://patternsoftruth.org/when-were-the-twelve-disciples-sent-out/ We were given a gift. A gift of being able to share and plant seeds. We were not confined to a building, were not held within the walls but in the world. We were being shown, the church is not a building. I fear beloved, that many did not understand. Even with ears that hear and eyes that see, many did not; https://www.openbible.info/topics/those_with_ears_to_hear_let_them_hear

We are, no matter our setting, our position, the journey we travel, to plant seeds for the betterment of mankind and the glory of the Kingdom. Do not grow frustrated loved ones, understand that Jesus in telling the parable of the sower; https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-sower.html This has not changed. What is important, is  how we go about sowing those seeds. What is important, is how we act as we go about our life. For beloved, our life, our words, our actions, the way we talk to and treat others no matter who we are, those too are seeds. Those too, can help or prevent the growth of the Gospel. We are to be like Jesus, the One who walked among all people, treating all people the same no matter who they were. Beloved, remember, being Christian, does not make you better than anyone. Being an adopted Child of God is not a golden ticket to treat others poorly and still be okay. Do not forget, that our faith is not confined within the walls of a building, it begins, our ministry- yes beloved, we are all missionaries of Christ as long as we walk this earth- our ministry is outside that building. Our ministry my brothers and sisters, is the world and the world is watching and listening to us. They see and latch onto what is the opposite of Christ like in our actions. No, we cannot be perfect in this life, but many of us, all of us, can be better. Jesus the Christ came to pay the cost of sin and redeem us into the family of God. As human we still fail, we fall, we sin and will sin in some form up until our time here is finished. But, as Children of God, a just God, He does not see our sins for Christ paid that price. We are justified through Him. That justification, does not give us any right or position to act poorly, create strife or act entitled over others. It should in fact cause us to do the direct opposite and show all we meet no matter the circumstances, compassion and love. Just as Jesus loves us.

Advertisement