Marsh Bible Commentary

There are many organizations in the world today, each with their own set of rules, regulations, and customs. Those who meet and keep the criteria set forward by the organization can be members. The Christian Church in its early days did not have much structure. It was built up of small groups meeting in various houses almost every day of the week. The two things that held the Church together and caused it to grow were the Good News of Jesus Christ and the loving fellowship of the believers.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35 NIV). The thing that is supposed to distinguish the Christian Church from every other organization is our love for one another. You will not find this in any corporate mission statement.

As the Church grew, however, it became more necessary to establish rules and codes of conduct so that everyone would understand what God expected their behavior to be as believers. Most of these rules were modeled after what Jesus said and did. The rules were not bad in and of themselves. However, how people viewed these rules began to change. These codes of conduct were to be examples of how a Christian should behave in response to having God’s power dwell within them. The behavior was to be an outgrowth of the salvation experience the believer had with God and with his fellow Christian. The foundation was to be love for God and love for people.

How the view changed was subtle, yet very serious. People found that it was possible to follow the “rules” without following God. The same thing had happened to the Jewish culture from which Christianity sprang. For instance, God said “Thou shall not murder.” For most people, this is easy to keep. However, they do not have to keep this command out of reverence for God, and so for the pagan, it is of little eternal value if they keep this command but deny God. The Parisees of Jesus’ day had built a whole religious legal system that could be followed by people who did not know the God they were claiming to serve. An example from the Christian church is Sunday morning services. It is customary in most parts of Christendom for Christians to gather once a week for an hour in a building to hear a lecture. People who have followed this tradition (perhaps from an early age) might consider themselves Christians. However, people can “go to church” and never once make a commitment to God. Even worse, it is possible to go to church and not have to speak with anyone. We call this “fellowship,” but it really is not.

The result is that today the church (specifically the Western church) has little power. There seems to be a trend towards larger and larger churches. However, as the church bodies grow it becomes more and more difficult to really meet with people on an individual level. There also seems to be less and less solid biblical teaching as pastors attempt to avoid offending members of their congregations with calls to repentance, faith, and purity.

In so doing we bypass the true purpose of the Church: to love God and love people. The congregations may “worship” their rules, regulations, programs, and church buildings, but they do not worship the Living God who Saved them through His only Son, Jesus. A church may have services, Sunday school, and other “programs,” but most do not encourage the true fellowship that can only occur in small group settings. Furthermore, congregations tend to rely on their pastors to do all the “spiritual” work, while they forget that Jesus called us to be a “kingdom of priests.” This means that each member of the congregation is really a servant of God and should be actively engaged in spiritual work. Part of this work is the mutual love and edification of one another. It also involves getting into each others lives, to hold each other accountable, and to aid them in times of need.

How will the world know we are Christians if we do not love one another? Why would anyone want to join an “organization” like a church if they are not taught about God and truly experience His love directly and through fellowship? Love is foundational because it identifies us for who we are and Who God is. Rules, structures, and organizations are no substitute for the love that can only exist among believers.

I am not recommending that we abolish organized religion. This is a call for us all to rethink how we relate to one another and how we relate to the world. I have seen large churches develop small group systems within their organizations. Congregation members need to be encouraged to be available to one another throughout the week, not just on Sundays or other scheduled times. Friendships among the members must be encouraged. Not just handshake friendships, but deep, personal, transparent, accountability relationships. People need to feel loved, and that can only happen in a one-on-one basis.

Our churches today are filled with lonely people. People who’s lives are riddled with sin because no one cares enough to correct them. People who have become lazy or have lost hope because no one encourages them. People who are frightened and timid because no one trains them. This must change if we are to be effective witnesses for Christ. We must establish loving relationships with one another if we expect to be used by God to change the lives of those around us.

Not many of us have the courage to take the first step. However, if your heart is stirred by God in this matter, then please, please take the first step. It may involve asking just one person to keep you accountable. You may be bold enough to go before your congregation and ask for a list of people who want to be in small groups. Love should not be difficult for us since the God of Love dwells within us. Sometimes it takes encouragement, so be encouraged. Show your fellow Christian that you love him or her today in the name of Jesus.