A MYSTERY, OR NOT?
In this little series we’ll see that what constitutes the Church that Jesus intended is NOT a mystery, and why it’s not. And we’ll see that it IS a mystery, and why it is. Both are true and that’s part of the mystery.
To start with, scripture is very clear about it. We can know. We’ll consider later why it IS a mystery.
THE TRUE CHURCH
Paul writes: “- – Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Eph. 5:25b-27 nasb
THAT is the Church that Jesus purchased with His own blood. THAT is what He had in mind in Mt. 16:18. THAT is the Church He is coming back for.
PURPOSE DRIVEN
God the Father intends that the Church exhibit the Life He offers through His Son, Jesus the Christ. He restored us to relationship with Himself so we could have the Abundant Life that we were created for. And He gave us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live it out and to take this Good News to our neighbor and to the ends of the earth.
By creation design we need a spirit-god as our source of identity, purpose and meaning in life. God and Satan are the only two options, and there is an ongoing contest between them for our allegiance.
We glorify God when we chose Him over Satan, our default god because of Adam’s sin. We are then to display the life He offers, as a witness to others so they want Him too.
To sanctify (v26) means “to make holy, consecrate, dedicate, separate.” We are to be set apart unto Him, for His purposes.
It’s all about Him. It’s not about us. THAT is Christianity 101 and it’s not a mystery.
Read Eph. 5:25b-27 again, consider the church today, and weep.
The next posts will get more specific.
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
Oct. 29, 2021
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.