If had to pick only one letter from the Apostle Paul to the churches to read, it would be Ephesians. It is one of the most beautiful books in the Bible. Its theme is the Glorious Church. 

Several months ago, in my “alone time” with the Lord, I realized something about myself. I realized how much I love the body of Christ! I wept as I thought about how passionate I am to teach and grow-up the church. I have always known the church was more than a cluster of buildings in any given city, that by design held services to honor God. I’ve always seen the church without walls and spread across all continents lifting one voice in praise to the Father who adopted us and calls us family, the Son who paid the price and willingly shares His inheritance with us, and the Holy Spirit who teaches, comforts, and guides us into all truth.

I really believe that as Revelation says, in heaven there will be a grand and mighty gathering of saints from every nation, tribe, tongue and people. We will be united and will speak with one voice. The glorious church doesn’t belong to one denomination or one congregation but to all who believe in, rely on and cling to the Lord. I love the body of Christ! Have I been hurt by some of its members? Yes. Have I been rejected by some of its members? Yes. Have there been times when I wanted to give up on this “glorious church”? Yes. But I can never walk away from a bride that God and the Holy Spirit is preparing for the Son. What God loves, I love. 

The mystery of the church is revealed in Ephesians as in no other epistle. 

The three-fold purpose of God for the church as stated in Ephesians is listed below.

1. To form and express the fullness of Christ on the earth through the church

2. To unite in one people both Jew and Gentile, bond and free, male and female into a dwelling place for God himself…..a living tabernacle.

3. To equip, mature and empower his “called out ones” to be warriors and purveyors of Christ victory over evil and death. 

The Greek word for church in the New Testament is “Ekklesia.” It is found 114 times in the text of the new covenant. The composition of  “Ekklesia” is “ek” a preposition meaning “out of” and a verb “kaleo” meaning “to call.” Hence, the church is composed of the “ones called out of.” Peter gave insight into this definition when he told his disciples in 1 Peter 2:9 NLT they were chosen out of the world. “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

Throughout church history there have been Christians who have grasped this concept and have tried to set the church apart (make it holy) by the clothes they wore or the lack of worldly adornments and possessions.  But clearly from the world of God,  the thing that will set us apart as a church is our representation of the unfailing love of God. 

John 13:34-35 AMP, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” These were some of the last words of Jesus after he washed the disciple’s feet and before he was betrayed. He defined the characteristic that would make the church holy, set apart….Love.

I challenge you as a member of the church of Jesus Christ to be an example of this defining garment of love that will let the world know you are a “called out one”! In unity and love the church has great authority and power. Let’s use it for good!