If Jesus were to come back today, looking for His church, He would not go in search of a building. The church is not a building and has never been confined to a physical structure. Our Lord would look for His people—those who had been saved and added to His church. In addition to those characteristics already discussed, here are two identifiers of His church.
The church that Jesus would be looking for would be the one that is set apart from the world. While there is plenty of evidence of various groups trying to make a “church” look more like the world in order that it might be more appealing to those in the world, that approach stands in direct violation to the definition and purpose of the church. The English word “church” is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “the called out.” By definition, the church cannot be “of the world” (John 17:15) or look like the world, else it could not be “the called out.” To the Lord’s church, who are in actuality “sojourners and pilgrims” in this world, Peter wrote, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Pet. 2:9-11, emp. added). The church for which Jesus would look is the one that is holy (1 Pet. 1:16), pure (Titus 2:14), and not conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2). Is that the one you are looking for?
The church that Jesus would be looking for would be the one that glorifies Him. There is no place in the Lord’s church for men who want to receive high honor or attract personal glory. Jesus’ church does not exist for the exaltation or glorification of man (cf. Psa. 115:1). Paul proclaimed, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21, emp. added). If Jesus came today, He would be looking for that church. Is that the one you are looking for?
In reality, Jesus is among us today, and He is looking for His church. Do you think He sings praises in the midst of just any “ekklesia” (Heb. 2:12)? One day, Jesus will return a second time and take His church (and only His church, 1 Cor. 15:24) home. Are you in His church?
Let us use His standard for finding His church!