A church
pursing God will be ruthless in its self-analysis it seeks to verify its
obedience to scripture. In the past few
months, the articles in The Word have
established that a scripture-based church will pursue authentic worship and
seek out every opportunity to reveal the mysteries of the Gospel to the
lost. Moreover, it will promote and
enable spiritual growth through intentionally discipleship of each Christian in
its care. The final duty in this series,
that which is the final mark of a scripture-based church, is the way that the
church meets the needs of others.
The Gospel of
John asserts that a follower of Christ will be known by how he or she minsters
to another. Jesus asserted “By this all
men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John
13:35). A church therefore is not just a
assembly of like-minded people but rather it a gathering of Christ-followers who
sole desire is to follow the example of Christ in love (1 John 3:16-17). Ministry consequently can take the form of
benevolence for those in need (Matthew 25:34-40) or by allowing another’s and
their needs to take president over ones needs and desire (Romans 12:10-13). A scriptural-based church will minister
inside the four walls of the church and out.
It will seek to love like Christ in all circumstance. It will give of itself in all ways. It will give from wealth and from its
poverty. It will give of its time, whether
it has little or much. It will ministry
sacrificially… “…for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).
Church, let us scrutinize our actions and hearts. Let us verify that we meet the biblical
requirements to be called a ‘church.’
Let us individually and corporately be relentless in our devotion to Jesus
so that others see Christ in us!