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The Lord holds His Church as something extraordinarily precious. Throughout Scripture, it is clear how deeply He treasures His Church.

Matthew 16:18 — “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” 

Jesus didn’t say, “I will build the church.” He said, “My church.” He takes it personally.

God loves His Church. He is interested in His Church. He has a purpose and a design for what His Church should look like. Jesus gave His life for the Church, and He is coming back for His Church.

The Church is very important to Him, and because it is, we should be careful about how we think about it, how we talk about it, and how we participate in it.

I believe the Church should be a place where people are passionate for God. Where people find a relationship with God instead of simply practicing a religion. Where living for God is no longer a duty, but a delight.

What would it be like if everyone came to church expecting God to show up?

What if your relationship with God was like that? What if your Bible study and prayer time were a delight instead of a duty? What if you expected to hear from God and expected Him to intervene in your life? What could your life look like? 

Jesus spoke about a generation that was no longer passionate for God.

Matthew 15:8–9 — “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” NKJV

God never intended the Church to be a place where people simply follow rules, regulations, or men's traditions. He never intended it to be sad, lifeless, or meaningless, where we are just going through the motions and can't wait until it’s over.

We don’t live that way with other things we enjoy. Think about sporting events, concerts, or things you are passionate about. You don’t usually drudge your way through those experiences, watching the clock and thinking about when you can leave.

Yet sometimes, people approach their relationship with God that way.

We should never lose our excitement about God. We should never become so familiar with church that we lose our wonder at who He is and what He is doing.

Romans 12:11 — “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” NKJV

The NIV says it this way:

Romans 12:11 — “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Christianity is supposed to be the most exciting thing in your life. It is about a relationship with God. It is about knowing Him, hearing from Him, walking with Him, and serving Him.

We need to be on fire for God. Stirred up. Burning hot. Full of passion for the things of God.

My prayer is that God will do a work in your heart and give you revelation of your part in His Church.

And when we understand how much He loves His Church, we should want to love it, serve it, and be fully invested in what He is doing through it.

Prayer: Father God, I pray that You would give me revelation of my place in Your church. Enlighten the eyes of my heart. Lord, stir up a burning passion within me for spiritual things, that I may remain hot on fire and fervent in spirit for You. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.