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"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:26-27, ESV)
The Church is called the "Bride of Christ." He loves her.
Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Jesus, "gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Jesus died for His Bride.
Can we really say we love Christ and not also love His Bride?
Abidible is not meant to take the place of the church in your life. There is a temptation to believe that our relationship with God is only meant to be between us and God. That checking the box of daily study is enough. That watching a sermon online is sufficient. Or, ironically, that simply sitting in a pew is enough. These things are good. They're a start. But honestly, friend, being isolated from other believers is a tactic of the enemy.
We've tried doing life on our own apart from the body, and it sucked. I mean, really sucked. There is nothing like the Bride of Christ, when the Bride of Christ functions as she was intended to function. Living life together in gospel-centered community, knowing and being known, serving, and worshipping corporately...it's all critical in the process of our sanctification and maturity.
"God created the church as His redemptive agent in the world. He has a purpose for the church. God places every member in a church to accomplish His redemptive purposes through that congregation." (Henry Blackaby)
We understand what it is to experience church hurt and conflict. We have experienced it ourselves. We know that no church, no pastor, no body of believers is perfect.
If you have been in (or are still in) an abusive church situation, seek biblical counsel and consider alternative options. God hates, HATES, when shepherds take advantage of the flock.
We are so so sorry if you have experienced pain at the hands of church leadership or fellow church members.
But don't assign fault to God, or generally to His Bride. Start finding your way back, or start going for the very first time in your life.
"Do you know who God used to heal me of my church hurt? The church." -Jackie Hill Perry
If you need help knowing how to find a church near you, talk to friends you trust or do a basic google search in your area and see what turns up. Visit a few different places on Sunday, and see where the Lord might lead you.
Want a biblical foundation to help you in your search and content to remind you why God even calls you to be a part of His body? Get both in our "How to Study the Bible" course! Click the link to learn more.
Lastly, if this is a particularly painful topic for you and you'd like us to pray over your situation, contact us. We'd be so honored to do so.
Jason and Kate
P.S. If you know someone who has left the church, text them today and tell them you love and miss them. A kind gesture like that can go a long way.
Marking all throughout my Bible provides me with constant examples and reminders of how absolutely miraculous the Word of God is. It is just one continuous, incredibly cohesive story.