The Spiritual Church
In my last blog I spoke about the ‘church’. In our day most people see the church as a building, organization, or a special club to join. Today I would like to share some truth about the ‘Church’s’ real identity. As born-again believers in Jesus the Christ we have been adopted into the family of God. We have His indwelling Holy Spirit as the seal and earnest of our faith in Jesus. This Spiritual family of Yahweh is eternal and sad to say some of our family members in this life will not be with us due to a lack of belief in Jesus. Therefore, when the Body of Christ meets together, whether for Bible Study, prayer, worship, or service, it is sort of a Spiritual family reunion. We enjoy each other’s company and are encouraged by being together. The assembling of the Church is the assembling of the Family. Let us be encouraged to assemble often.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10: 23-25 (NLT)
As mentioned, this is a Spiritual family and thus the assembly will be one which is Spiritual in nature. This is because of the unifying presence of the Holy Spirit. Evidence of this Spiritual assembly is the love for each member of the family which permeates the gathering. The Church is known by its unwavering love for each other.
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” - Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT)
This Spiritual love is magnified as the characteristics of the Holy Spirit dominate the assembly. It is His Spirit which is evident in our gatherings, not our lustful flesh. It is by and in His Spirit that we gather together.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” - Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)
As the Church assembles in the Holy Spirit, we take on His character and discard our lustful flesh. To be led by the Holy Spirit there is less and less of our lustful flesh evident in our lives and assemblies. We become known by His Spirit and our love for one another not only in our assemblies, but also daily in the world.
“But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” - Galatians 5:18-25 (NLT)
Let us assemble together, be encouraged, and live daily for Jesus the Christ.
For Jesus’ Kingdom
Hugh Folds
Interim Pastor
Romans 14:17
