The Church Versus the World

Just whose idea was the church?

And what does that word mean?

The church is part of God's own plan,

For gathering His redeemed.

The church is Christ's elect ones,¹ 

Called from the world for God,

To give more than lip-service,

More than a casual nod.

A nod may mean agreement,

But the Lord wants more than this.

He wants our full commitment

To show that we are His.

The church is Jesus' body,

Of which He is the head,

And if you're of His body

You'll follow what He's said.

If you forsake assembling²   

(See Hebrews Six and Ten)

It's like despising Christ's blood,

Crucifying Him again.³                 

If you do not love your brothers,⁴        

(Shown when you stay apart)

Read First John, chapters two through four,

Then you might change your heart.

Yes, the church is called Christ's body,⁵ 

The elect, and Jesus' bride;

And Acts 20:28 says

It was for the church He died.⁶

So how can you despise her⁷

For whom Christ bore His cross?

Why do you not support her

And count the world but loss?

Holding friendship with the world⁸

Makes an enemy of God,

And Matthew 7:13 warns:

"Don't take the way that's broad."

But many take that easy way,

Considering it the best,

Not knowing that they're giving up

The promised eternal rest.

Do you despise the church of God

By setting her aside,

Not caring to identify

With her, the Lord's own bride?

Should you not seek to edify⁹   

The body, now so weak,

To do your part to build her up,¹⁰    

Forgoing your critique? 

Yes, many, many criticize

And look with great contempt

Upon the church, unrecognized,

For whom we should lament,

Because false brothers have brought in

The fashions of this world,¹¹                    

And spoiled the image of Christ's bride;

Truth to the ground they've hurled.¹²          

Remember how the Israelites

Came out of bondage grim.

They soon forgot who was their King,

Not bowing unto Him.

You must not follow in their way¹³             

To satisfy your lusts,¹⁴           

But walk together with the Lord

Who's worthy of our trust.

You now may see a mangled church,

Not one of His design,

But when He comes in glory,

Then His bride will surely shine,¹⁵             

For all the tares will be removed¹⁶

Who thought they were okay,

But chose to do their own thing,

Not following His way.¹⁷ 

So come and join this little flock¹⁸        

Of those who love the Lord.

Hold fast to what He's told us,¹⁹        

And look to the reward.

The church may not be strong now,

But soon the day will come

When all the church's faithful²⁰

Will hear their "Welcome home!"

 (An After-Thought)

1.   Matthew 24:31, 2 Tim 2:10-13, Acts 2:41-47 

2.   Heb. 10:25-30,

3.   Heb.6:4-6

4.   1 John 3:14, 1 John 4:7-8,11-12

5.   Col 1:18 & 24

6.   Ephesians 5:25

7.   Ephesians 5:23-27

8.   James 4:4

9.   Rom. 14:19, 1 Thes. 5:11-13,

10.  Jude 1:17-21 

11.  Romans 12:2

12.  2 Tim. 4:3-4, Titus 1:9-11, Titus 2:1-8

13. 1 Cor. 10:5-11

14.  Rom.6:12-13, Rom.13:13-14,

15.  Rev 21:9-11

16.  Rev 21:9-11Matthew 13:36-43

17.  Matthew 7:21-27

18.  Rev. 3:7-13

19. 1 Cor 15:2, 1 Thes 5:21, 2 Tim 1:13,

20.  Rev. 2:10, Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13

Carolyn Irene Pinon