while today

When we look at the church of Jesus merely through human eyes, it is easy for us to misunderstand its true nature. When looking at things from a human perspective, we see imperfect people like you and me who, at times, struggle with sin, spiritual weakness, doubts, fears, anxieties, and lack of faith. In all of this it is easy for us to miss what the church of our Lord really is. The fact is, God has made His people— His church—to be something glorious.

How does God see His church? Listen to these words: “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23, NASB) The church is the body of Jesus. Jesus is its head. The church is the fullness of Christ and is being filled by Christ. Not only that, but those who are members of the church are God’s family and God’s temple. God Himself dwells in the members of the church, both individually and collectively. As Paul writes, “…But you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22, NASB). The church of God is glorious! It is glorious, not because of the nature of the members themselves, but because God has united His church to Himself and to Jesus Christ in a profound and special way.

How do you view the church? We are precious to God. He gave the life of His son to purchase us. He dwells in us. He is at work in us. Given these stunning realities, I encourage you to make sure that the church is precious to you, too. Make every effort to make the church precious to your family. I encourage you to give of your time and energy to encourage and build up the members of the church here at Grandville. I encourage you to be an active part of what the Lord is doing among us. May each of us begin to more clearly see the church, not as man sees it, but as God sees it!

— Scott Colvin