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What is the Church? How should it function? What is its purpose?
Questions such as these have been studied out and discussed for centuries. Regarding the first question – what is the Church? – the simplest answer is that all who have professed trust and faith in Christ make up the Church. It cannot be summarized by any one denomination, nor can it be understood as a building where people worship. The Church is the people of God. All of them. From all nations, backgrounds, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
And what is the purpose of the Church? Questions such as this are much more comprehensive and cannot be made into a short list of bullet points. Nevertheless, at least one of the purposes of the Church is mentioned in Ephesians 3:10. The NIV of this passage reads, His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…
Read that again slowly. Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known.
READING & PRAYERS:
As part of the Church, in what ways are you making known the manifold wisdom of God?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I think that it’s the job of pastors or priests to make known Your wisdom. But as one of Your children I recognize that I am part of the Church, and as such You are making Your wisdom known through me as well. Today, I simply ask that You will continue to work within me and through me in significant ways. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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