The Church And Its Influence

As we step into July, our hearts and minds turn to one of the most beautiful and transformative concepts in Christianity: the Church. Not the building with stained glass windows and wooden pews that might first come to mind, but something far more alive, dynamic, and powerful—the family of God.

What Is the Church?

Here's something that might surprise you: when Jesus spoke about the Church, He wasn't talking about architecture or institutions. The word "Church" comes from the Greek word Ekklesia, which means "the called-out ones" or "the chosen ones." Picture this—you're living in a world, but you've been called out of that world's system to represent something entirely different. That's what the Church is: God's chosen people who represent Christ on earth.

If you're a born-again Christian, congratulations—you're part of this incredible family! You're someone who has received the revelation of who Christ truly is, just as Peter did when Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16). You've been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13), and you're now living under Christ's government rather than the world's broken systems.

Think about it this way: the Church literally takes the form of Christ on earth. When people look at us—individually and collectively—they should see Jesus. We're His hands, His feet, His voice, His heart beating for a lost world. What an incredible responsibility and privilege!

God's Government in Action

Here's where it gets really exciting: the Church isn't just a nice social club or a place to feel good on Sundays. We're actually God's government on earth, operating through the Holy Spirit. But before you start imagining political campaigns, understand that God's Kingdom works differently than earthly kingdoms.

God's Kingdom starts from within. Before we can effectively represent Christ to others, God works on us internally. He deals with our hearts, our motives, our character. It's like spiritual renovation—God remodels us from the inside out so that when we do minister to others, we're operating from a place of authenticity and power rather than religious performance.

The beautiful thing about God's Kingdom is that it comes with supernatural ability. Through the Holy Spirit, we can conquer things that we could never overcome through willpower or human effort alone. That addiction that seemed impossible to break? That generational pattern that's plagued your family? Those deep wounds that counseling couldn't fully heal? God's Kingdom brings the power to overcome what our flesh never could.

We're All Co-Workers with God

Paul beautifully describes this partnership in 1 Corinthians 3:6-10, where he talks about how we're co-workers with God. Imagine that—the Creator of the universe wants to work with you, not just through you. Each member of the Church has a God-ordained part to play. You're not an accident or an afterthought; you're a carefully designed piece of God's eternal puzzle.

But here's the key: this partnership begins with discipleship. Just as Jesus spent three years discipling the apostles and transforming them from fishermen into "fishers of men," we need to be taught and trained for the work of ministry. Discipleship isn't optional—it's essential.

Think about any profession or skill you've developed. You didn't just wake up one day and become an expert. You were taught, trained, and mentored. The same is true in the spiritual realm. Ephesians 4 tells us that God gave gifts to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip the saints for the work of ministry. This means every believer should be growing, learning, and becoming more effective in their calling.

The Power of True Accountability

Now, let's talk about something that makes many people uncomfortable: accountability. In our individualistic culture, we often bristle at the idea of being accountable to anyone. But biblical accountability isn't about control or manipulation—it's about love and growth.

True accountability starts with the fear of the Lord. This isn't cowering terror, but a deep reverence and respect for God's holiness and authority. When we truly understand who God is, accountability becomes natural because we want to honor Him with our lives.

Real accountability isn't about what you say in public or how you perform in church. It comes from the heart, because true honor comes from the heart. You can say all the right words and still be living a double life. But when your heart is truly surrendered to God, your life naturally aligns with His will.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 that we will all stand before God and give an account for the lives we've lived. This isn't meant to scare us, but to motivate us to live with eternal perspective. Every choice matters. Every day counts. Every moment is an opportunity to honor God and build His Kingdom.

Walking in Spiritual Maturity

Romans 8:13-14 gives us a powerful picture of spiritual maturity. Being controlled by the flesh—our selfish desires, fears, and worldly thinking—is actually a sign of immaturity. Mature believers, whom Paul calls "sons," are led by God's Spirit.

This is where many Christians get stuck. We accept Jesus as Savior, but we continue living as if we're still slaves to our old nature. We let our emotions dictate our decisions, our circumstances determine our joy, and our fears control our actions. But God has called us to something higher.

When we shift our focus from worldly things that captivate us and start living in the Spirit, we discover life and freedom. The Spirit doesn't just give us rules to follow—He gives us power to live differently. He transforms our desires, renews our minds, and gives us strength to overcome temptation.

The Anointing: God's Special Touch

The Old Testament gives us a beautiful picture of anointing in Exodus 30:22-30. The holy anointing oil wasn't just perfume—it was a symbol of God's special touch and empowerment for service. When priests were anointed, they were set apart for sacred work. When kings were anointed, they received divine authority to lead.

As members of the Church, we carry this same anointing. We're not just regular people trying to be good—we're anointed representatives of the Most High God. This anointing comes with both privilege and responsibility. We have access to God's presence and power, but we also have a calling to use that anointing for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Living as the Church

So what does this mean for us practically? First, it means we need to see ourselves accurately. You're not just a person who goes to church—you ARE the Church. You're part of God's family, His government, His representation on earth.

Second, it means we need to take discipleship seriously. Make yourself available for teaching and training. Find mentors who can help you grow. Study God's Word not just for information, but for transformation.

Third, it means we need to learn to be led by the Spirit rather than controlled by our flesh. This takes practice and intentionality. Start each day by surrendering to God's leadership. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and actions.

Finally, it means we need to embrace our calling as co-workers with God. You have a unique role to play in God's Kingdom that no one else can fill. Don't minimize your importance or wait for someone else to do what God has called you to do.

The Beauty of God's Family

As we focus on the Church this month, let's remember that we're not just part of an organization—we're part of a family. We're brothers and sisters united by the blood of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and called to represent our Father's heart to a broken world.

The Church isn't perfect because it's made up of imperfect people. But it's beautiful because it's God's chosen method for advancing His Kingdom on earth. When we truly understand what it means to be the Church, everything changes. We stop playing church and start being the Church. We stop waiting for someone else to make a difference and start making a difference ourselves.

This July, let's commit to being the Church God has called us to be—authentic, accountable, Spirit-led, and anointed for His service. The world is watching, and they need to see Jesus in us. Let's give them a glimpse of what God's family really looks like when we walk in the fullness of who He's created us to be.

The Church isn't a building we visit—it's a family we belong to. And what a beautiful family it is.