Building Blocks

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

– Matthew 16:18

Church means different things to different people.

Maybe it’s one of those modest clapboard places of worship that dot rural America. On the other hand it might be a massive medieval basilica in picturesque Europe. And still others might think about the small home churches found in China and Cuba.

We may envision church as a cathedral, a coffee house or something in between, but the Bible defines it quite differently. Rather than being a structure filled with pews and crowned with

a soaring steeple, the church is a collection of people: all those who count Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. No matter who you are and where you live — if you’re a Christ-follower — you’re part of his church called the Body of Christ.

What a remarkable concept! We speak different languages, represent different races and reflect different cultures. But we’re all united by Jesus’ death on the cross as payment in full for all the wrongs we’ve done (and continue to do) in our lives. As different as we are, we’re a single family that has accepted Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness and anticipation of eternal life.

As with all families — even the best and most stable — differences, disagreements and disappointments are bound to arise among the siblings. And the fact is that the church isn’t perfect. But why should it be? After all, its members are imperfect people who do very imperfect things.

This leads us to another key Biblical truth about the church: It’s not about us. Instead, it’s all about Jesus. Everything we do as Christ-followers should be done to glorify God through Christ, who the Bible tells us is the head of the church. So whether it’s a local gathering of believers or the collective millions of Christ-followers on Earth, this Body of Christ answers to an audience of One.

Jesus paid for his church with something much more valuable than money or gold. He bought our spiritual freedom and eternal future at the price of his own precious blood. That means we’re ultimately one body joined through a common faith. So with all this in mind, let’s strive as Christ-followers to make his church a body that’s healthy, productive and worthy of his sacrifice.