The case for being a genuine and active church member

None of us alone makes up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14), and none of us individually possesses the whole mind of Christ. It is what each member supplies that keeps the entire body and all its members healthy and well (Ephesians 4:16), so that when we are not actively engaged in the church, faithfully contributing our part and being humble enough to receive from others, we become like branches pruned off a tree. It does not take long before it withers and dies, unless it is grafted back in time. None of us alone has or know the entire counsel and purposes of God. Collectively, we have the mind of Christ, just as it is written “…but we (not I) have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)”.  Thus, there is a degree of darkness we walk in when we dissociate ourselves from the church of God. Local church is not always easy. Even so, we need all of the irritations and frustrations of local church life to mature in Christ; those who run from these challenges have their growth and potential usefulness stunted at best (Rick Joyner).

Most importantly, we need to be faithfully committed to the church because God commands it: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25). Here the Bible warns against being among the band who choose to stay away from the gathering or assembly of believers. It’s in our own best interest to stay away from what God warns us to avoid. In the words of Jesus Christ, the prove of our love for Him is found in our obedience to Him (John 14:15). Even so, if we love God, then we will obey Him and meet just as He has commanded us otherwise we deceive ourselves. As believers in Christ, whether we belong to a church or not, specifically participating in church meetings or gatherings is a big determinant of how well we shall survive these last days, especially the days of tribulation leading up to the Lord’s return (cf. Hebrews 10:25).

God refers to His Church as the “ekklesia”, and He requires His “ekklesia” to have “koinonia”. As the “ekklesia”, translated from the Greek to English as “church”, we are called, among other things, to be a company of those who believe in Jesus, gather together for worship, and manage their own affairs orderly according to God’s set standards. This describes an intentional and orderly communal living, which debunks the notion of going solo although one claims to be a part of the church. The very name, church, commands that we gather together in common unity. We are not called to come together aimlessly but to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). The Greek word translated encourage, parakaleo, also means strengthen, exhort, beseech, instruct, teach, admonish, and comfort. This type of encouragement is necessary lest we become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13) and also useful for our training to conform us to the image of Christ – our ultimate calling (Ephesians 4:7-13; Romans 8:29).

We are also called to have “koinonia”, a Greek word depicting a fellowship, communion and bonding so strong that separating the individual members adversely affects the whole. This is a call from God for genuine love and unity among members of His church. By this unity and love we grow up to be like Christ and also communicate the reality and love of the Father and Jesus to the world (see John 17:20-23).

Being part of God’s church in practice, not just in name, is what we have been called to. It is part of our Christian identity.

Dr. K. Omari
January 26, 2019.

A Very Important Message

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour:

“I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”.

If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.