July 3 | Application (‘Don’t Give Up on the Church’)

By David Faust 

How do you view the church? 

Unbelievers mock it or view it as a relic—an outdated holdover from a time when religious superstitions ruled the day. Skeptics consider the church a gathering place for the weak-minded and a detriment to social progress—or worse, a way for money-hungry charlatans to fill their pockets by defrauding the faithful. 

Consumer Christians treat the church like a retail store. They “shop” for a church based on convenience more than conviction, critiquing products and services as if they were choosing a favorite restaurant. 

Celebrity-focused believers view the church as an entertainment venue. Groupies go for the show, following their favorite speakers and musicians.  

Social activists consider the church a tool for shaping public policy. They want to spark social change by leveraging political power.  

Ultratraditionalists resist change and confuse “how we’ve always done it” with what the Lord wants done. For them, familiar comforts matter more than missional effectiveness. They value the church’s past more than its future.  

GOD’S FAMILY 

The New Testament describes the church in glowing terms like the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, the household of God, the chosen people, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, with unvarnished honesty that same New Testament reveals the early church’s flaws.  

At times, first-century believers misbehaved like unruly children. Their leaders wrestled with controversial issues (Acts 15:1-35) and clashed over differences of opinion (15:36-41). Immature members of the Corinthian church divided over personalities (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:1-4), engaged in shocking sexual immorality (5:1-13), argued over spiritual gifts (12:1–14:40), and struggled with key doctrines like the resurrection of Christ (15:12).  

Today, even those of us who love the church must acknowledge our own wounds and disappointments at the hands of God’s people. After serving in the church for decades, I have my own list of scars and frustrations. But since Jesus willingly gave up his life to build his church, we must never give up the goal of giving God “glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:21).  

The apostle Paul had scars of his own, but he never quit on the church. He didn’t view himself as a celebrity, an entertainer, a political heavyweight, a corporate CEO, or a traditionalist maintaining the status quo. He saw himself as a servant of God, a shepherd of God’s people, and a steward of the gospel.  

Paul was a spiritual dad. He compared himself to a nursing mother and a loving father who encourage, comfort, and exhort their children (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11-12). Yes, the church has a role to play in changing society, influencing public policy, and safeguarding important traditions. And yes, manipulators try to use the church for selfish ends. The church has many flaws, but it is God’s family—and ours. Alan Ahlgrim, founder of the Covenant Connections ministry, calls the church our “fraternity for eternity.” 

A LABOR OF LOVE 

Caring parents love their children through the neediness of infancy and the awkwardness of adolescence, nursing them when they’re sick and soothing them when they’re scared in the middle of the night. Parenthood is a labor of love. Moms and dads love their kids when they’re at their worst and need correction, and smile with pride when they’re at their best. 

The apostle Paul endured “toil and hardship” and “worked night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9), but like a caring parent, he never gave up on the church. 

Neither should we.  

Personal Challenge: Write an encouraging note to a church leader you respect.