The Core

I was doing a Bible Study about the Armor of God a while back and it talked about the “Belt of Truth”, which is our core. Just like our physical bodies, our core supports and holds us upright, especially during battle (physically and spiritually). It got me to thinking about how the core of any church is actually each members personal walk and godliness. As American Christians we have so many churches to choose from that at times we may jump around to various churches, sampling each one, to see what they can offer us. Most of the time we are focused more on the things that please are physical, outward senses, forgetting we are there to grow spiritually and serve by offering ourselves to God, The Church, and most importantly, those outside of The Church. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the wonderful coffee, refreshments, music and ambience of our church, as long as we are not missing or neglecting the primary reason we are there…to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice and to grow more and more like Christ each day. Not if, but when you find flaws in your church, remember it’s not the "church” that is flawed, it is the individual members who are imperfect just as each of us are imperfect and unholy. Each of our own personal walk with God is what makes up the strength, core and heart of The Church. The core strength and harmony of a church starts with ourselves. What are we doing to improve our congregation and build up the body of Christ? Are we encouragers and leaders or are we simply critics? I know I have been a critic way too often and needed this reminder to be a part of building up "The Church" (The Body of Believers) versus critiquing it. 

1 Corinthians 12:13-14, 27 "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many...Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."