So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present. – 1 Corinthians 5:4

Today's Scripture Reading (March 29, 2024): 1 Corinthians 5

I read an Angus Reid Study a while back reporting that less than 20% said they attended Church regularly. The study defined regularly as at least once a month. The explanation for this lack of Church attendance was not that people have forgotten about God; they just don't feel compelled to worship in an established Church anymore. Even fewer believe that they should have an active role in the Church.

At the time, I listened to a pastor, Henry Schorr, try to explain the phenomenon. Schorr explained that we have stopped teaching about the importance of Biblical Community and Church Membership. Jesus never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone. He meant us to be part of a connected body that would serve to encourage us and keep us strong. That body is called the Church. However, the Church has failed to do what it was designed to do, so it has been rejected. What that doesn't mean is that we no longer need Biblical Community. We need each other, and our churches should fulfill that need.

Before Jesus departed, he set up his Church under his authority and at his feet. The reason was that Jesus knew we can not be all He needs us to be alone. We need encouragement and accountability that can only be found in the company of Christian believers. Jesus became the head of the Church, calling the Church his body to an authentic biblical community.

Jesus uses the Church to strengthen his followers and to reach a dying world. The Church has made a difference in the world because people have submitted themselves to the authority of the Church, have gathered together to keep each other's faith alive and on fire, and have challenged each other in their walk with Jesus to go beyond the actions they could have accomplished on their own.

The scary fact revealed to us between the lines of the Angus Reid poll is that when Christians are not spending time in Christian Community, we are more likely to be influenced by our culture than we are to be influencers of our culture.

Paul makes this point clear: when we come together, the power of God is with us in a way that he cannot be when we are alone. And for that reason, we need to be in biblical community with each other.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6