"The ecclesia--what is the truth about it? It is the ecclesia of Christ; it is the family of God; it is the assembly of the saints; it is the congregation of those who are called, blood-sprinkled, and chosen; it is the church of the firstborn; it is the place of fellowship; it is the body of Christ; it is the Temple of God. That is the truth about the ecclesia. How do we walk in the light of that truth? Do we love the ecclesia? Are we concerned to keep it pure and true? Is it the centre of our life? Do we give it top priority? Is our contact with the regular, faithful and supportive? Are we sad when it is criticised, knocked and despised? Think of the truth about the family. It is a family in the truest sense of the word. They are not just called your brethren and sisters -- they are your brethren and sisters. Since the flesh is subservient to the spirit, the spiritual affinity of the family of God is at least as important as your natural family. That is the truth about the family of God. How do we walk in the light of the truth? Are we interested? Do we care? Is there a loving anxiety for the welfare of God's other children? Would we consider being as generous to them as we are to our own children? What limitation do we put upon our pastoral work? Walking in the Truth means living in such a way as to make these things a reality every day."
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"What can we do for the ecclesia?
-Attend meetings, listen attentively, participate with joy in singing, prepare carefully for any participation
-Willingly take part in providing refreshments and in maintaining the meeting place
-Thoughtfully communicate with others by conversation, phone and letter edifying others by our faith, joy and peace
-Show hospitality, care for the sick, share our possessions, talents, homes and resources with those who are in need
-Instruct our children and those of others
-Spread the word of truth to friends and in ecclesial efforts
-Use special abilities in writing, art or clear thinking for exposition and communication of the word of God
-In a kindly manner, benefit others by our experience and wisdom"

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." -Romans 15:5-7

"How many of us are frustrated at the lack of joy or faithfulness or growth in the Lord within our own local [ecclesial] bodies? The answer to this problem is staring us in the face: our own [ecclesias] and communities are our 'mission field!' Let me tell you from experience that it is much harder to faithfully and consistently demonstrate hospitality and love and to serve the members of our own local [ecclesia] than it is to escape overseas for a couple of weeks and see 'instant' results. The work of building the Body of Christ is not easy or glamorous, but it must be done. It is best done with patience over the long haul. If we want to see genuine community and faithfulness within our own [ecclesial] body, we need to be a vital part of that body--just as we need to be faithful members of our own families. Galatians 6:9-10 says, 'And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are in the household of faith.' The work of building [God's] kingdom can be wearying, but we shall reap if we obey Him and faithfully serve in the sphere to which He has called us."

"Help the old and sick as much as you possibly can: especially those whom you think deserve it least, for they are likely to be the ones everyone neglects. Christ's command to do it is not because of their merit, but because it is the will of our Lord and a test of our love and obedience to him. Helping those who are in need of help is far more important to Christ than catering to our own comforts and desires, though somehow the latter seems quite important to us at the moment."

"The home is a nursery for divine service in the ecclesia. 'Let them learn first to show piety at home' is the instruction of the great apostle (I Timothy 5:4). So the exercise of true discipleship in the home will seek for good manners, loving patience, admonition without provocation and strength without acrimony. Home is a place of safety and security, of joy and fellowship."

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good work: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." {Hebrews 10:19-25}

"We are so accustomed to calling one another brother and sister, we easily forget this is really figurative language. The natural family is a figure for the association to which we have been called in Christ. And in this association, we, though many, are spoken of as all belonging to the same family. The Lord emphasizes the point that there are not several divine families, there is only one. Christ died that 'he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad' (John 11:52). And, again, the apostle prays, 'unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named' (Eph. 3:14-15). The Father, the Son, the angels and the saints are all spoken of as being included in the one family name. The point again is clear: many separate individuals united into one."

"Do not judge. Rather, try to understand, and make an effort to help. Most people need your patience more than your criticism. Leave the judging to God, unless absolutely necessary in faithfulness to the Truth. He has guaranteed He will take care of all the judging that is necessary, at the proper time. If someone annoys or offends us, the trouble is most likely in our own pride and vanity or small-mindedness or touchiness. Thin skin is a miserable disease. If we were less self-centered, we would feel sympathy and compassion, rather than offense. The command not to judge is a broad scriptural principle. It is not, however, to be wrongly used to undermine the specific (and equally important) command to keep Faith and Fellowship sound. When we face a required decision, then we must judge and act--very carefully and prayerfully: very gently if it means censure of others: very sorrowfully if it means separation--but always firmly and faithfully. There is a time when it is a sin, and a dereliction of duty, not to 'judge righteous judgment.' But let us cure ourselves of judging and criticizing as a habit and a hobby. This is purely the flesh."

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us... Love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving he Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality... Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. ... If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." {Romans 12:3-6, 9-13, 15-16, 18, 21}

"It is clear that the ecclesial system is not designed to maximize administrative efficiency. This is not its objective. It is further clear that some of the most difficult aspects of ecclesial life are the best for our spiritual development. This is not accidental. One of the reasons for ecclesias is to enhance the growth of spiritual attributes which are required for those who will rule the world in righteousness with our Lord Jesus Christ."

"Do not take your ecclesia for granted. Labor constantly for its health and welfare. The Truth itself is eternal and indestructible. But in these days of the flesh and of weakness, the Ecclesia is a fragile thing, needing constant tending and care. Ecclesias flourish, and ecclesias languish. Ecclesias live and ecclesias die. Ecclesias grow and ecclesias shrivel. The difference may be you. The health of the ecclesia depend on the spirit of the ecclesia: the oneness, the unity, the closeness, the mutual affection and care of the members one for another. A body is not healthy unless ALL parts are alive and active and working. The ecclesia is a body with many members: all are necessary: all have full time work to do to make the ecclesia a true, living, spiritual, divine entity--united to God, well-pleasing to God, steadily moving harmony and spirituality and mutually upbuilding joy your constant prayer and care. Help, strengthen, encourage, support, serve. Subdue your flesh, and all your fleshly reactions. Subdue your natural antagonisms and criticisms and petty, small-minded frictions. All these things are destructive of ecclesial well-being. Forget yourself... and work wholly for the common good. Herein alone will you find peace and joy and fulfillment."

"...the teaching about well-doing at this level is that, given the right safeguards and the true motive, it is definitely a part of true discipleship to engage in works of mercy towards those in need. Not grudgingly but cheerfully; not in theory but actually; not for self-esteem but for love's sake."

"Who is it that receives the kingdom of heaven, inherits the earth, is comforted, filled, obtains mercy, sees God and is called the children of God? It is the one who is already merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, meek, a despiser of sin and a lover of righteousness. Now, in this time of probation, the believer must develop into a likeness of the character of his head, even the Lord Jesus."

"We shall not be judged, at the judgment seat of Christ, for how much we know, or how much we have done. But we shall be judged for how much effort and interest and desires we have put into knowing, and how faithfully and wholeheartedly we have tried to do. The widow's mite is equal to the rich man's abundance. The mite's value lay in the fact that it was her all. So it must be with us. Anything less than our all is mockery and a dishonoring of God, Who freely and lovingly promises us all. But how few really respond with ALL their heart! They are His jewels among the common clay: today unknown, tomorrow, resplendent forever."

"These are the things which please God--doing things secretly for men, giving, praying, self-denying. The need for secrecy ought not to stop us doing good works or being kind but to show us how to do these things in the right way."

"There is to be more than growth in knowledge and in numbers within ecclesial life. Our characters must increase and develop and our personality traits often must be modified. The ecclesia with all its component parts, is supplied that we, individually and collectively, might come 'unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ'. Love and persistence, forgiveness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, wisdom, judgment, holiness, justice, integrity are all to improve for we are to 'grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ'. This is a vital area of growth, for the saints of all ages are to be joint rulers of the world with Christ."

"Surely there is nothing sadder or more tragic than individuals claiming to be brethren and sisters of Christ who 'do not know what to do with their time': who 'have nothing to do.' There is enough to do to fill one hundred lifetimes, if people would open their eyes, and get their little minds off themselves. No one does enough for others, in service and kindness and remembrance. No one studies enough. No one writes enough letters. No one teaches the Truth enough.

True brethren and sisters of Christ will be perpetually thankful for every precious moment of time that God gives them, and will eagerly fill every moment with joyful usefulness in His glorious service. The more we devote our lives to constructively and actively doing the work of God, the less likely we are to sin. This is not a guarantee, for the flesh is very deceptive, but it is a great help. The more we keep God in mind, the more He will strengthen us against weakness and folly. We are much more likely to sink into sin when our guard is down, and our minds are on present things. Knowing this, we are responsible for our failures if we put ourselves in the channel of failure."

*If God so wills, April's posts will be about serving our Brethren in Christ & the ecclesia