My 'Things that Trouble Me' file

I have a file in my brain/soul/spirit where I put things that trouble my brain/soul/spirit.
I mull over them for awhile and then the things I read or experiences I have become a sort of answer for that troubling thought.

For some time now, I have heard the phrase, "The church is for the unbeliever."
Meaning, that the church is in existence in order to bring salvation to the world.

And for some reason, this troubles me.
So, I am going to try to work it out here.
This might never go to print.

First of all,
the church is God's.
He has created it to be an expression
of His life in order that the manifold-(varied,
many-colored) wisdom of God might be made known
to the principalities and powers in heavenly places.

The church is comprised of believers.

The epistles in the New Testament
are written to the believers,
not to unbelievers.
The epistles teach us about
our position in Christ
and the practices of
those who are in those positions.

God is interested in making His church
His spotless bride. When we look like Him
He will receive much glory.

I think of the family.
Who is the family in existence for?
The family.
And the family consists of the members of the family.
Father, Mother, brothers, sisters, etc.

We don't say to the family,
"We are in existence to adopt other children
who have no family or to take in foster children."

The family is the family
and is in existence for that family
to benefit that family.

And likewise,
the church is the church
and is in existence for the church
to benefit that church
and to help it be conformed to the image of His Son.


Having said this,
I must say that the church does not exist ONLY
for itself, nor does the family exist ONLY
for itself.
It would become inward and selfish were that the case.

But the children in a family who know they ARE
the family become strong and secure in the boundaries
of that institution,
and out of that strength,
begin to invite others to become part of their family.
They may be united with their parents desire to adopt
or foster needy children.
They may invite their friends home from school,
knowing that their parents will welcome them
with open arms and a listening ear
and a hearty meal.

A healthy family will benefit many others
who are in their realm of influence.

And the believers in a church
who have been discipled
and know their gifts and are using them to
build the body,
and know that they are accepted and a vital part
of that group of believers,
and know that they are loved by the 'parents'
of that church family,
will be bringing others in to become part of that family,
certain that they will be welcomed with open arms,
and a listening ear,
and a hearty meal.

A healthy church will benefit many others
in its realm of influence.

It is out of the certainty that one belongs
in the family and in the church
and in Christ's heart
that one can then help fulfill
Christ's own vision statement.

What did He come to do?
He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

And then He brings the lost into the sheepfold.
He brings them into a vital, growing, body of believers.
They become part of His bride,
secure in their developing beauty and loveliness
and their ability to please the Groom.

We don't bring them into the church as an unbeliever,
lead them into a belief in Christ,
and turn around and say that the church is no longer
for them since they are now a believer.

No, we treat them like the family we are,
and help them grow into the likeness of our Father.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There.
I feel better.
And my 'troubled' file is just a bit thinner.
Thanks for listening.