The church is not a building!

Sometimes the Lord teaches me a new thing in morning devotions, and sometimes He reminds me of what I already know. Both bless me, and both give instruction for the way He wants me to think, talk and live. This devotional guide of Tozer’s is particularly helpful because his insights are fresh and thought-provoking.

Today, he reminds me of the quality and reality of the Body of Christ and our ability to commune with one another. He says Christians are scattered over the earth, separated yet, “in every true member of the Church is the homing instinct and the longing of the sheep for the fold and the Shepherd.” He adds, “Give a few real Christians half a chance and they will get together and organize and plan regular meetings for prayer and worship.”

I download prayer calendars from various mission organizations. Many of the requests are from countries where Christianity is forbidden, and believers are persecuted. Their churches have been burned, the people are scattered, and they are unable to hear the Scriptures expounded, break bread together, or share the Gospel with others. Yet for most of them, they keep trying to fellowship together and do these things.

We do this because it is built in, a part of the heart of Jesus Christ who lives in us. Paul explains that God does not live in buildings, even though many will call a church building ‘the house of God.’

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:24–25)

The Bible says that each believer is a temple of the Living God. We belong to Him and He lives in us!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

Because of this, no matter how many or the locations, when Christians are together they are like a cell in the human body, part of it. That is, any local church is a part of the greater church and in these groups or cells, God lives and does His work on earth.

Tozer says that the presence of the Holy Spirit is better than the physical presence of the Lord Jesus would be had he not ascended to heaven. We have an internal presence of God, making God equally accessible to all His people. We do not serve Him, but He serves us that we might minister to each other and to the world.

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Jesus, I sensed Your presence in a strong way while watching and listening to the tributes given to You in the White House because of Billy Graham’s life and message. Every person who spoke said what today’s devotional affirms — Christians serve the world by exalting Christ and sharing the Gospel and the love of God to others. It is not about us nor about the church, but about Jesus Christ. Some reject You and some reject the church for You said we would be treated like You were treated, but we still are strongly compelled to do Your will no matter how it is received because the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us that desire.