Your Church

Notwithstanding theological implications and nuances, what does the church do for the Reformer’s practical life? Does she have a right to claim her services and loyal support?

Let us try to answer these questions by examining the influence of the church in our past. Long before we were born, the church gave to our parents standards and ideals that were able to make our home a haven of peaceful happiness.

The church enriched our childhood by painting on the canvas of life, pictures so lovely and beautiful as to preserve their imprint into adulthood without fading. Sometimes we forget the lessons taught, but then, when otherwise we might give in to the insistent syllogisms and philosophies of those who knew no church when they were children, we see again those pictures and we remember how good it is to be God’s child.

During the storm and stress of adolescence, when we attempted to show that we were grown men and women by thinking contrary thoughts, the church kept our footsteps from going too far astray.

Marriage vows were made sacred within the walls of the church, and it was the church that taught us that love is a spiritual thing, always to be kept that way.

When sorrows assailed us like hungry waves lapping the side of a sinking ship, the fellowship of the church brought comfort and relief.

When perchance our steps slipped and we knew the defeat of sin, the church wooingly called us back. She believed in us, and helped us to reach up to God?s ideal for us.

My village pastor, Mocasamy, always said that churches are “well” when they practice these activities:

W – Worship
E – Evangelize
L – Love
L – Learn

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” John 1:7.

Like the early church, we should be very active in these last days.

Worship? We must meet together for fellowship, communion, prayer, and praise. (Acts 2:42-47). God is to be the focus of all we do in His church.

“They continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship.” Acts 2:42.

We can notice some of our church people are not coming regularly to the church. Some of them will come to divine worship only, and some people do not like to participate in the Sabbath School program. This is not a complete worship of the Sabbath day.

Evangelize? As we share the word, the Lord will add new believers to the church. We all should take part in spreading God’s word by developing friendships, by giving someone an article about the gospel, or by sharing some Scripture verses, and pamphlets with a stranger. The church should give an equal opportunity to everybody to participate in every religious activity, which can train more workers for field evangelism.

The church should encourage and discover everyone’s spiritual gifts by using the talents God has given to them. If the church is going to follow these methods, it is not necessary to advertise for workers.

Learn? Without learning anything, we cannot be a worker in any field. So, learning is a very important part in our life. Every day we are the students of this world. For learning there is no age and end. Never think that you have learned enough and that you may now relax your efforts. The cultivated mind is the measure of a man. Your education should continue during your lifetime. Every day you should be learning and putting to practical use the knowledge gained.

“To lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col. 1:10.

We cannot say that I am fully perfect and I know everything and I have achieved everything through my education. We must continue learning the church doctrines, Scriptures, songs, canvassing, preaching, teaching, praying, prophecies, taught by experienced people and leaders of the church.

The Bible is filled with instruction for good living, and we should take every opportunity to learn from others, and apply it to our daily living, and teach others.

Love? We may have health, beauty, education, and worldly things, but if we do not have love, really we are only a sounding, clanging bell.

Love never sees poor, sick, language, caste, race, colour, creed or knowledge. It never fails. We must respect other?s opinions and boundaries. We must love everybody without differences, expectations, and any conditions. We cannot love only those who love us. If we are continually seeing the differences among us, the kingdom of God will be taken away from us and given to people who will produce its fruits.

So, we are to share with whoever has need, and enjoy the fellowship of other believers regularly.

A church whose members worship, evangelize, learn and love will be a “well” church, appreciated by “all the people.”

The church means all this and more. She calls us to her heart, and she has a right to do this. Let us help her to do for others what she has done for us.
AMEN.

Xavier Chelliah, Canada