A Living Savior

A Living Savior

“You are . . . the Son of the living God.” . . . “On this rock I will build my church.”

Matthew 16:16, 18

IN WORD What is the church? To someone who worships God in spirit and in truth, the church becomes more than an institution. Before that, it can be any number of things: a service organization, a social club, an educational institution, an obligation, a hobby, or even a passion. But as worshipers of Jesus, we know there is something more supernatural about it. It is His body.

Do you see it that way? Many don’t. Many see it as one way among many other ways to serve humanity. Others see it as a fellowship of like-minded friends, akin to a fraternity or a country club. Still others see it as a place of learning, responsible for teaching religion to those who can’t get it in public places. But it is more. It is not just a service organization, though it absolutely must serve others. It is not just a social outlet, though it absolutely must have fellowship. And it is not just a school, though it absolutely must educate. No, above all of these functions is the church’s essence: It is a living organism, the actual physical body of Christ in this world. Jesus lives in us—not just individually, but corporately. Especially corporately.

That only makes sense. Any one of us is insufficient to embody His fullness. So is the church, but a body of millions does it better than a body of one. In our spiritual fellowship, Jesus dwells. Not just the teaching of Jesus, but Jesus. Not just the philosophy of Jesus, but Jesus. Not just His goodwill or His good works, but Jesus. Yes, there will be teaching, a Christian worldview, goodwill, and good works. But that’s because He really lives there, not because we live simply as a memorial to our Founder.

IN DEED Do you realize the significance of the body of Christ? Do you realize also your significance as a part of it? We do not live simply in remembrance of a Savior. A Savior actively lives in us. We don’t just ask what Jesus would do, we ask what He is doing—right now, in us. Together.

There is only one organism of the new creation, and we are members of that organism, which is Christ.

—LIONEL THORNTON