Ephesians 1:22
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.”
Jesus is the head of the church. Awesome, it's great to be part of an organization run by such an amazing individual. We've learned from the last entry that all things are run by Him and He is all powerful and all wise. However, His role in the church is different because only those within choose to be there and to follow His rules. All are welcome, but not all want to abide by His rules.
What are His rules, to love God, to love others and to follow the Spirit's guidance. That is so cool. Who wouldn't want those. We will run into people and circumstances in which it's tough to love. We pray for them and for the Lord to help. He frees us from whatever the difficulty was. These may have been those who have hurt us and we are in bondage to those feelings. As we ask for help He frees us.
Part of Jesus' way is that He breaks those chains that enslave us. We aren't aware of what most of those are. The previous comments described ones that all of us deal with, difficult people. Hollywood movies have us punching them. That is not God's way. "A Bruised read He will not break", (Isaiah).
How does Jesus invite people to join Him? "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with Me", (Revelation 3:20). He is at the door of our heart asking entry. If we ignore Him our hearing becomes calloused and our spiritual hearing becomes impaired. It usually takes a tragedy to get our attention.
God loves us and wants us to be in a relationship with Him, but He also wants to spare us from Hell. He will continue to knock and He will use life's circumstances to get our attention. He will respect our choices. He will still seek to influence them, but He won't force us.
The church meets many needs. One need is social. We all need friends, the church is a place where those of like values can connect. It provides a place where children can also have friends of like values. It's a place where we can help others. We learn to serve where we are gifted.
The church is a force that moves our culture. Hollywood will make movies for them, politicians will make laws for them, schools will respect some of their wishes.
The church cleanses our culture. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way." The rapture is the removal of the church. Once this happens, the antichrist will appear. This is the start of the tribulation period. The church age is over.
Lord, we thank You for the church and the great work that it does. Thank You for it and how You work through it.