Someone has said, “If you want good government, be a good citizen.” With this in mind, I would like to suggest a similar thought concerning the church. If we want a better church, the place to begin is with ourselves. Jesus died for the church, to make it the best that is possible. From Deity’s perspective, the church is perfect. Yet, in many places, the church is not what it ought to be. Too many times we allow our sinful ways to get in the way, and prevent the church from being what it can and should be. When such is done, we must be aware we are going to have to give answer for that on the Judgment Day! We cannot do that which is destructive to the precious Body of Christ without God taking note, and seeking vengeance! In this brief article, let’s give some thought to some things that will serve to make the church the best that it possibly can be.

IF WE WANT THE CHURCH TO BE BETTER, WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE IMPORTANT – We need to recognize the fact that we are important, no matter what we can do. Consider the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian brethren.

But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of
thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem
to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of
the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these
we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts
have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have
no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having
given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That
there should be no schism in the body; but that the members
should have the same care one for another. And whether one
member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member
be honoured, all the members rejoice with it (1 Corinthians
12:20-26).

The Lord is depending on us to do our part, as seen by Paul’s words to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:15, 16). Each of us has a part in the work of the church, just as each body part has a function relative to the whole of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:14-24). The Lord is depending on us to help the church grow and function as He desires for it to do so.

IF WE WANT THE CHURCH TO BE BETTER, WE MUST DO SOMETHING FOR IT –
We must be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, and ready to help one another (Ephesians 4:31, 32; Galatians 6:1, 2). As Christians, we need to learn to not only ask what can I do to help, but when can I do it? We can help the church by building it up instead of criticizing what it is trying to do, so long as what it is doing is true to the Word (1 Corinthians 10:10). I don’t know why it is this way, but it seems as if no matter what is attempted, some have to complain. It seems that the attitude often is, if brethren aren’t complaining, they aren’t happy. And what a miserable life this leads to. One of the best ways we can help the church is to daily guard our lives against doing or saying anything that would bring shame or reproach on it.

IF WE WANT THE CHURCH TO BE BETTER, WE MUST INVITE OTHERS TO SHARE ITS BLESSINGS – The Christian life is the best and most rewarding life that one can
live. We must not only believe this to be true, we must also live as if we believe it. The Christian is blessed materially and spiritually (2 Corinthians 9:6; Ephesians 1:3). There are no limits to the blessings of God, as He pours them out on the faithful child of God, except for the self-imposed
limits that we set (Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:7, 8). When we bring a friend to Bible classes and worship we are helping that friend understand that God has provided many blessings for those in Christ. A church that grows is a church that is concerned and really loves the lost (Mark 10:21; Acts 2:47).

A better church begins with us, and the time to begin is now.

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