Having already referred to Colossians 1:15-20 in my blog “The supremacy of Christ”, I was blessed again when this text came up at college this week. It speaks of the creation of all things through Jesus and for Jesus, and that everything on earth and in heaven will be reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. As we studied this scripture it was amazing to see that in the centre of this summary of all history the church is mentioned as the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head

We live in a time when the church is not held in very high esteem in our nation. The news usually talks about a declining, irrelevant church that is more interested in discussing its doctrine and position on church leadership and other topical debates, rather than on making a difference in today’s society.

Unfortunately, some church members themselves also do not have a very high view of church and so do not understand the glory and beauty of the body of Christ and the purpose of its existence. It can be easy to criticise the church, for there are many weaknesses, but I believe that we need to rediscover the biblical truth about God’s glorious church.

When Jesus prays for all believers he says that he has “given them the glory” that he received from the Father so that their unity will let the world know about his love[1]. We know that we are being changed into the likeness of Christ with ever increasing glory[2], and that the church will be presented to Christ as a radiant church, without stain, or wrinkle or any other blemish[3]. This is God’s glorious plan for his church. In fact, as God has placed all things under the feet of Jesus and appointed him to be head over everything it is for the church so that we, the body of Christ, will be full of Jesus[4]!

We know that Jesus is committed to the church as he gave himself up for her[5] and has promised to build it himself[6]. When we are saved we are joined to a great family of believers who are called to partner in this great commission of reaching the nations with the gospel message, and see the church grow and God’s Kingdom extended. We do this in the power of the Holy Spirit and through the demonstration of the love of God for each other and to our communities.

I love this quote from Bill Hybels book “Courageous Leadership”:

“There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalised of this world. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness.”[7]

This may be a description of church that seems far away from the reality that we know. But surely it is God’s intention that the church is the hope for our world, the expression of God’s love and grace to a generation that is far from him. If we believe that this is so, we must also believe that part of the restoration that we read about in Colossians 1:20, is the reconciliation of the church to himself, until at the end of time we will see the bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

The world needs churches that are more like the church described in the Bible. The church as God intended. The Kingdom of God established here on earth. A little bit of heaven here and now. John Hosier in his book “Christ’s Radiant Church” says:

“Surely there can be nothing more important at the present time than seeing the church shape up more and more to her description in scriptures. The world needs local churches with the qualities and the evident presence of God that will astonish towns and cities. We need to battle, as God gives us grace, for the restoration of the church.”[8]

The church is alive and growing! It is part of God’s plan for all time. It is being restored to be the church that it was intended to be, and it is the answer for this generation. Though not yet perfected, the church is being prepared for the glorious day when Christ returns, and we have the wonderful and exciting privilege of being chosen to be part of it!

Do you hear them coming, brother,

Thronging up the steeps of light,

Clad in glorious shining garments,

Blood washed, garments pure and white?

 

Do you hear the stirring anthems,

Filling all the earth and sky,

’Tis a grand, victorious army,

Lift its banner up on high!

 

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb;

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Ralph E. Hudson 1892