In a central passage within the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul prays and praises God. His exclamation of praise includes an important observation about the church of God:
Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3.20-21 NET.
We give honor and glory to Jesus when we make ourselves present and active within his church. It is impossible to glorify him outside the church. This is the plan and the reality for those who are in Christ, from the beginning of the church and so it will be until the end, “forever and ever.”
The church, and only the church, is what Jesus established to promote his gospel in the world, both among his disciples for mutual edification and growth, and to the lost who need to receive Jesus as the Word of God and the sacrifice for sin.
Here are four points about the importance of the church, in which God is glorified:
- To the church, the saved are added, Acts 2.47.
- In the church, the Spirit of God dwells, 1 Corinthians 3.16.
- In the church, there is purification and sanctification, Ephesians 5.25-27.
- With the church, we pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, 2 Timothy 2.22.
Let us value the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, always participating in it and giving glory to God through it.
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