Love Through The Church
Love Through The Church
Dedicated to Spirit-filled church members
Is there anything more important for the church and even the world, than love? This is a loaded question; but the most-savory answer, is, "No." Love is premised on living, regenerative faith in the gospel and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . But true, supernatural love is the ultimate goal of faith.
Almost everybody in any religious organization is going to talk about "love." This is to be expected; and it is actually quite natural. Human beings are created in the image of God; and God's very nature is that of love (1 Jn. 4:16). Therefore, we should anticipate hearing a lot of verbiage relative to love.
But, what I would like to suggest, is that authentic love is a whole lot less experienced, than it is chatted about. And, if this is indeed true, then this situation calls for an immediate remedy.
Miraculous "agape" love comes down from heaven, to the fallen earth, through the gospel of grace, as it is preached in and through the redeemed and regenerated church. Therefore, for real love to be conveyed to sinners, Jesus Himself (with all His gospel's atoning blessings and mercies) must be presented to them via the Person and power of the Holy Spirit.
The way the Holy Spirit does this, is through sending regenerated pastors/ministers/undershepherds (of Jesus) into the church's pulpits. One helpful NT text on this subject is Eph. 4:11-12a, where Paul wrote this: "And [Christ] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds [pastors/ministers] and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry . . . " (ESV)
Therefore, we may accurately state that since the ascension and session of the resurrected and victorious Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, the first entry point of love on our fallen earth is the church's pulpits, as they are occupied by supernaturally-redeemed and -called men, filled with the Holy Spirit, and vested with the privilege and responsibility of preaching the gospel of God's free mercy and grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.
When this faithful preaching is met with regenerative faith in the hearers, then miraculous love begins to spread in the church; and, beyond her, into the world itself.
All true (saving) faith leads to this love; and all born-from-above love renders willing, happy, and filial compliance--which will naturally result in the sharing of the love of Christ with others: first in the church, and then in the world.
Why are these seemingly-simple (and perhaps obvious) considerations important? Because sinners--even very religious [and even Christian] ones--tend to lose sight of this divine and unchangeable strategy. Sometimes it is thought that (even agape) love can be known or expressed independently of Jesus, His gospel, and/or His church. But this is absolutely impossible. The Lord of heaven and earth never allows for any other ways or means.
Somebody might say, "Yes; but who cares about the church, or preaching today? You sound like you are living in the 17th Century." My response to this would go along these lines: "It really does not matter what I or anybody else thinks about God's program; and the way He insists on accomplishing His ends in the world. All that matters is that we accord with it."
Proof of the veracity of what is stated above may be gleaned from any objective perusal of history: church history, in particular. Whenever and wherever the true gospel of grace is preached, especially [but not exclusively] by regenerated ministers called to this task, and installed in Christ's church's pulpits--the elect of God are brought into the Kingdom of Heaven.
. . . Another person might say, "Yes; but I was reached for Christ via a fellow student at the university in which both of us were ensconced. What does that experience have to do with the church and the faithful pulpit?"
This is probably a valid query; and I myself am an example of this very (and miraculous) dynamic. The answer would proceed along this line of reasoning: "The gospel you heard, and responded to (by grace) was one that came from heaven; and it was conveyed through the means (listed above, viz. the church's faithful pulpit ministry). The Christian who shared it with you was 'passing along' the good news, as an obedient witness of Christ, and as one who him- or herself is a member of the church of Jesus."
The world desperately needs the love of God, even though it does not acknowledge this. The way we "reach" the world with the amazing and life-transforming love of the Redeemer, is to be faithful to preach it, hear it, and spread it, as regenerate members of the church of Christ.
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #6
12 February 2025
Comments
Post a Comment