Church is essential

The church is the canvas on which God paints his pictures. The church is our thermometer where we can find out how hot or how cold we are. Now there are many believers who have all kinds of issues about their own church or about churches in general. They may have valid reasons for being upset. But please understand that God doesn’t paint his pictures elsewhere. The question is not how God is changing you or not. The question is more specific – how is God using the church to change you? Or to be even more specific – how  is God using people in the church to change you? You may not like it one bit. You would rather that God changes you in the privacy of your home. But whether we like it or not – God uses the church to change you. You can grumble. You can murmur. You can even change church. But you cannot quit church. You cannot keep away from church. The sooner you accept this, the better for you. God has no other means to work on you other than his own people. That is why we say to new believers (and to old of course) – you need to pray, read the word, grow in fellowship and serve in the world. None are optional.