The True Purpose of the Church: A Call to Discipleship and Reconciliation

The True Purpose of the Church: A Call to Discipleship and Reconciliation

Have you ever wondered why we go to church? Is it just a weekly ritual, a place to find comfort, or perhaps a way to secure blessings? While these may be part of our church experience, they miss the true essence of why the church exists and what our role as believers should be.

The church is not merely a building or an organization - it's a boot camp. A training ground where God prepares us for our true mission: to be ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ. This profound truth challenges us to rethink our approach to faith and our understanding of discipleship.

At the heart of this mission are three simple yet powerful principles:

1. Love God
2. Love people
3. Make disciples of Jesus Christ

These aren't just nice ideas - they form the core of what it means to be a follower of Christ. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:36-40)

But how does this translate into our daily lives and our purpose as the church? The Apostle Paul provides clarity in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20:

"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."

This passage reveals our true identity and purpose. We are not just churchgoers or even just believers - we are ambassadors of Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. This means that every one of us, regardless of our title or position in the church, has been called to represent God's kingdom and to share the message of reconciliation with the world.

But here's where many of us fall short. We often treat our commitment to God as optional, something to be pursued when it's convenient. We make excuses, prioritizing work, property, or family over our calling. Yet, these very excuses are seen by heaven as just that - excuses.

Consider the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14. A man prepared a feast and invited many guests, but they all began to make excuses. One had bought a field, another had purchased oxen, and a third had just gotten married. These reasons, which seemed legitimate to them, were viewed as mere excuses by the host.

This parable speaks directly to our modern context. How often do we let work, possessions, or even family commitments become excuses for not fulfilling our role as disciples and ministers of reconciliation? We must remember that when we chose to follow Christ, we made a commitment - one that requires sacrifice and prioritizing God above all else.

The truth is, God is more willing to save sinners than sinners are willing to be saved. There is still room in His house, and He is waiting for us to step up and fulfill our role in bringing others to Him. As Jesus said in John 10:16, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

So, what can we do to align ourselves with God's purpose for the church and for our lives? Here are four practical steps:

1. Prayerfully identify someone who needs to hear the gospel. This could be anyone - a coworker, a neighbor, or even someone from a different cultural background.

2. Spend time in prayer for these people daily. This type of spiritual warfare requires persistence and dedication.

3. Establish meaningful relationships with them. Get to know them, spend time with them, and let them see Christ through your life.

4. Look for opportunities to invite them to events or conversations where they can learn more about Jesus.

Remember, our goal isn't to "win souls" through our own efforts, but to faithfully share the truth about God and let the Holy Spirit do the work of transformation.

As we embrace our identity as ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ, we must be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have. As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

This requires us to be diligent in our own spiritual growth, actively engaging with the teaching and training provided through the church. We can't share what we don't know or haven't experienced ourselves.

In conclusion, let's challenge ourselves to see the church and our role within it in a new light. We are not passive recipients of blessings, but active participants in God's plan of reconciliation. Our commitment to Christ should influence every aspect of our lives - our time, our resources, and our relationships.

The world is waiting, and there's still room in God's house. Will you answer the call to be a true disciple, a minister of reconciliation, and an ambassador for Christ? The choice is yours, but remember - in God's eyes, there are no excuses. Let's embrace our true purpose and watch as God works through us to bring His love and reconciliation to a world in desperate need.