Let's Go Back to the Bible

“For the Sake of the Church”

The apostle Paul loved the Lord so very much!  Although he was an unbeliever at one time—even “a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent man” (1 Tim. 1:13)—once he learned the truth about the Lord (His identify, His authority and His abiding love), Paul could do nothing else but serve the Lord fervently with all of his might.

Paul knew from the very beginning of his conversion to Christ that he “must suffer” “many things” for the Lord’s sake (Acts 9:16).  (Can you imagine if you knew that from the moment of your conversion?  How would that impact your decision to obey the Lord?)  But, knowing that he would suffer as a Christian and for teaching Christ—and then actually suffering those things—did not dissuade him or move him one iota from serving the Lord.  In fact, as a Roman prisoner, he said that he suffered “for the sake of His body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24).

Think about that expression: “I now rejoice in my sufferings…for the sake of His body, which is the church.” Imagine for a moment that you were able to go back in time and ask the apostle, “Paul, why are you suffering all of these things?”  What answer would you expect?  “I am suffering on behalf of Jesus.  I am suffering because I love my Lord.  I am suffering because Jesus willingly suffered for me.”  While all of these statements would be true for Paul, in this particular passage he states that he is enduring persecution and even imprisonment “for the sake of the church.”  What an example!

Consider for a moment: What would you be willing to do “for the sake of the church”?

Would you be willing to suffer maltreatment and insults “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to suffer physical or financial hardships “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to speak up and take a stand “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to make changes to your schedule “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to give sacrificially on a weekly basis “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to give up a favorite hobby “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to step out of your comfort zone “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to break a long-entrenched habit “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing to forego your perceived rights “for the sake of the church”?  Would you be willing give up anything “for the sake of the church”?

The examples that we have in Jesus and Paul are of men who gave up everything for the church.  Is there any reason that I should not be willing to do the same?