Christ in the Midst

How is church functioning? Church is not a building, even the tabernacle in the Old which was the shadow of the real one. Church is people in whom Christ Jesus indwells by means of the Spirit. There is universally one body of church whose head is Christ. In the body there are many members under one head. As many as members of body obeys and follows the command of the head. 

That's how our human body operates and functions. All the members of body whether external or internal work harmoniously and beautifully together. The church of Jesus is a living organism which is fully functioning by the Lord Jesus Christ. The weakness of church is caused by the failed recognition of the presence of the Lord Himself in our midst. God never intended for us to run the church according to our measures at all by mustering all the resources if possible. There is nothing further from the truth. 

God designed His church before the creation of the world as the habitation of the living God. That's the reason Christ Jesus died for the purchase of full payment and for making us who believe the members of God's family. We are not our own any more for we were bought at the price of Christ. From the beginning we don't have the right to run our lives on our own. We are God's belongings so we live according to His will. 

How do we know His will? God promised to send us the Counselor in due time. Since the Day of Pentecost the promised Spirit has come into the hearts of the saints. He teaches and reveals us what the will of God is. He indwells within us and gently whispers quietly when we depend on Him and submit ourselves to the Lord. He is the Inner Teacher now and forever. 

So, we are not left alone in some random place on earth to run life this and that way. He is with us right now in our midst. That's the assurance of faith for all the saints on earth. Jesus promised His disciples to be with them even to the end of the age.

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5, 6 NKJV)

Jesus is the Master of all churches from the beginning to the end. Paying careful attention to His presence in meetings and bible study and worship is the way to run our lives blamelessly. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NIV)

We are under the Captain's order as the servants.