One of the questions we ask to new members is, “Will you seek the peace and the purity of the church?” That question is loaded with meaning. Christians are to be unified around the gospel of Jesus Christ, seeking His Kingdom first, and treating one another with the love Jesus has shown us. That means we’re going to have to sacrifice some of our preferences, likes, and proclivities while showing love and displaying patience with others. In a sense, there is a long suffering aspect of our love with one another; as God always displays with us. Think of this in two dimensions; the first is peace with one another, a relational unity, the other is peace with God, through being unified around important Biblical doctrines, or theological unity.

We are in an age now in which the former, relational peace, is often on our hearts when we walk into our church. After all, who wants to be a part of a community where everyone is upset with one another, especially when we see so much of that in our broader culture! There is indeed something very special about having a space where we can rest in the peace of our relationships with those around us. The latter, theological unity, helps us define the purity of the church clause. In a sense, the purity of the church also gives us peace with God and one another. How? First, the purity of the church means that we have the right view of God, based from His Word. We have peace with God through the work of His Son, Jesus. Here is an example, if we say that Jesus was in some way not God or that He was not the perfect Man, then we do not have the righteousness we need to approach God. We are then left trying to perform for God, and when we do not perform for God correctly, then we live in shame and guilt. However, if we believe that the death of Jesus on the cross was not necessary for the forgiveness of our sin, then we diminish God’s holiness and are left with a very inadequate view of our sin. People who hold this view often see Jesus as a nice teacher, but not as their savior. They inevitably do not see the need for Jesus and do not see the church as their community to love. Jesus said, “love one another as I have loved you.” He was clearly talking to those who made up His Church.

The purity of the church reminds us that despite our differences, we all agree about something, like the beauty of Jesus who saves sinners. We hold each other accountable to these true doctrines and encourage one another through grace toward Godliness. The danger we face is to forsake one for the other, something that will inevitably destroy both. Are we prepared to be bold in both? What do we hold on to as core commitments? You’ll see pictures around the church with our core commitments: The Word of God, Worship, Prayer, Grace, Community, Intergenerational Discipleship, these values we double down on. Let us hold one another to these values as we seek the peace and purity of our church. Christ is our head, we are His body. My prayer is that we will be faithful to Him, for we know that He is always faithful to us.

Rev. Ben Melli