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A few weeks ago, I arrived in Hawaii. I’ve been to Hawaii several times over the last few years, but this time has been extremely different from my previous visits. During this trip, I’ve had the opportunity to visit multiple churches as well as University of the Nations, also called YWAM.
YWAM stands for Youth With A Mission. YWAM is an incredible place where people from all over the world gather to learn how to become disciples and are afterwards sent out to countries all over the world. There are currently around seven-hundred students here with one common goal: To learn more about being a disciple in order to spread the gospel to the four corners of the earth.
While in school, each student is learning more about God as well as how to live amongst each other. All the staff volunteers to make sure that all of the campus needs are met. Several families have quit their jobs and moved to YWAM out of an act of obedience to God.
Of course, I am only an outsider and thus examining from my own perspective, but it seems as though thousands of people have come together to live as one with the plan of glorifying God and teaching more people about Him. The interesting thing about Christianity, however, is that no one would call this organization a church.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see the emphasis that God put into the design and construction of the tabernacles under the old covenant, but for some reason, we think that the standard for His Church has diminished.
"12 Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes, execute My precepts, and keep all My commandments to walk in them, then I will fulfill to you My promises which I made to David your father. 13 And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not forsake My people Israel. 14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. 15 He built the walls of the house (the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies) within with boards of cedar, from the floor of the house to the rafters of the ceiling. He covered the inside with wood, and the floor of the house with boards of cypress." - 1 Kings 6:12 AMPC
It's not even possible for a building to be stable without using immovable objects to establish the foundation. When we think of any infrastructure, we know that without a solid foundation, the building is guaranteed to end up in a pile of rubble. Through the death of Jesus the first stone was laid for us to build upon.
"20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." - Ephesians 2:20-22 AMPC
Jesus came down to earth and laid down His life. And as a representation of our belief and submission to Him, we are required to do the same. With each person laying down their life, we are building up the church (Body of Christ) brick-by-brick.
"20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me." - Galatians 2:20 AMPC
Even today, without a building having the proper infrastructure, it will never pass the inspection by government officials to be considered safe to the public. So if a worldly government won’t allow a building that has been built on an improper foundation to be established, why would God, the Creator of the universe, co-sign a church being built off of lukewarm people not willing to lay down their lives?
Even naturally, we know that unless a brick is laid properly, the foundation will be shaky. Similar to a house consisting of multiple bricks lying down properly, the church (Body of Christ) must consist of multiple people completely laying their lives down at the feet of Jesus to become a part of His body.
"32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. 33 And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all. 34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales 35 And laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need." - Acts 4:32- 35 AMPC
Would the same God who put so much emphasis onto the foundation of His house of worship under the Old Covenant, put less emphasis on the new representation of the Body of Christ based on the New Covenant after the death of His only Son?
"6 If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace." - Hebrews 6:6 AMPC
The truth is, Jesus laid down His life and His disciples did the same. So a form of godliness can make you a member of your local church, but without laying down your entire life, you’ll never become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
"12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1 AMPC
We've seen the punishment for disrespecting a true church co-signed by God. So we must ask ourselves — Do we truly want to serve the living God? Or do we want something to fill our empty schedules on a Sunday morning?
"1 But a certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, 2 And with his wife’s knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land? 4 As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God. 5 Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it." - Acts 5:1-5 AMPC
Question of the Day: Would your church pass the inspection if Jesus Christ was the inspector?