God calls us the ‘bride’ of Christ for good reason - Jesus loves us and wants to be with us. As His bride, we should want to be with Jesus. God uses marital terms for our bond because it is about love, not obligation.
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12
As our culture drifts further from the Lord, many have been swept up in it and have left Jesus. This rising tide of evil has chilled the love people once had for Jesus, causing them to become runaway brides. If we want to stay close to Jesus and reverse the trending ways of this world, we may want a little help - the question is…
Do we need her?
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
We won’t see church attendance on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but it is certainly on God’s list. God seems to think His kids need to gather regularly, not just to be in His presence but also with each other. And who are we to argue with God? People may not believe that they need ‘the church’ because they think it is out of touch and antiquated. God still wants us to go - we need it.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
To gather “in” (unto) the name of Jesus invites God’s presence - we don’t even have to ask or wait, He’s already there. And what happens when God shows up (church) doesn’t happen at just any old place. For us, our church is a designed and defined house for God’s presence.
And does she need us?
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
We should all go to a church we like, are fed by God’s word and can make some good friends. But there is another reason to go to a church - what we bring to the Lord and His people. We are to help, comfort and serve one another. There is no other place on earth like the church, where God chooses His glory to dwell.
“…On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18
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