About The Church
There are ways that Satan can subtly use you to oppose the ways of the Lord's Church. But is it impossible that the Church of Jesus Chrsit will die? Is the skeptic right who says that with the passing of this generation the Church as any strong influence in the world will be dead and gone?
Listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18, "...I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Gates are a defense -- we are to be on the offense, assaulting the gates of Hell. Here is a declaration from Jesus Christ that as unlikely as it seems, His Church is winning, not losing the battle against unseen demonic powers.
The Apostle Paul confirms that when he writes, "...Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her ... that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
We see how badly the Church has missed the mark and we must admit it seems highly unlikely our Lord can make good on these statements. We look at ourselves as Christians and see that we ourselves have a long way to go to be conformed to the image of Christ. Can He do it?
The world around us looks at the Church with disdain and disgust. They are betting their life that Jesus is a dreamer and that we'll never make it, but I am persuaded that our Lord Jesus will accomplish all that He said in regard to His Church. I am convinced His predictions, His ministry of compassion, His miracles, His victory over death, His matchless Character all shout out loud that He tells the truth. Even skeptics don't consider Him a liar. Deluded maybe, or naive about the facts of life (as we now know them in disenlightened scientific age) perhaps, -- but not a deliberate liar. His life and ministry and fulfillment of His claims do not leave us this option. So I have no doubt He's going to make it, and so are we. Don't you agree?
So how is it with you? Are you cooperating with Christ in building His Church? Are you following His plan? He paid a high price to redeem you! Are you giving Him alll He bought and paid for at such cost to Himself? And what about your Church? Is it dead or alive? Ask yourself this question, "If every member in my Church were just like me, what kind of Church would my Church be?"
Taken from Dr. Herrod's book Born again ... Now what? chapter 6.
This book is used by many churches for new Christian training.
It can be oredered through this web site.
