Ray Ortlund wrote a very clear,
concise blog below concerning the importance of the local church. The church is
much maligned in our day, but the truth is, there are more and more healthy pictures of what the New Testament Church should look like. I whole-heartedly
believe it will be much easier for my boys (now 12 & 13) to find healthy churches
for their families one day, than it is for many today. The reason for this? There is a
renewed emphasis on the gospel, and a passion for doctrine and accountability in so many of our young men who are graduating seminary. Praise God!!
Take a few moments to enjoy this blog from Ray Ortlund:
My church or the Kingdom?
“My passion isn’t to build up my church. My passion is for
God’s Kingdom.”
Ever heard someone say that? I have. It sounds
noble, but it’s unbiblical and wrong. It can even be destructive.
Suppose I said, “My passion isn’t to build up my marriage.
My passion is for Marriage. I want the institution of Marriage to be
revered again. I’ll work for that. I’ll pray for that. I’ll
sacrifice for that. But don’t expect me to hunker down in the humble
daily realities of building a great marriage with my wife Jani. I’m
aiming at something grander.”
If I said that, would you think, “Wow, Ray is so
committed”? Or would you wonder if I had lost my mind?
If you care about the Kingdom, good. Now be the kind of
person who can be counted on in your own church. Join your church, pray
for your church, tithe to your church, throw yourself into the life of your
church with wholehearted passion.
We build great
churches the same way we build great marriages — real commitment that makes a
positive difference in practical ways. And thus we build the Kingdom.
