Together - Daily DevotionalSample

The Centrality and Importance of the Church

Reading: Eph.1;22-23, 3:7-11

Key Verses: “The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church ... His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known” v. 1:22, 3:10

Ephesians contains much of Paul’s revelation of the vital nature of the church – the assembly of the called out ones. People sometimes think the church is largely irrelevant in today’s world of nuclear threat, terrorism and economic uncertainty. There are daily reports of earthquakes, explosions and economic collapse. But the only real certainty is that one day we will die and the most real threat of all is to face a loving but just God (Luke 12:4-8). Those who have received Christ will enter Paradise and those who have neglected to respond in faith will not. 

“The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence” and God’s intent was that it would be through the church that the way of salvation for all would be made known to the world. This is why the church is central to the world because it carries the most important message of all – we “implore people on Christ’s behalf – be reconciled to God.”

As Christ’s hands and feet the church may help the poor, house the refugees, embrace the lonely and feed the hungry but as Christ’s spokesperson our chief purpose is to proclaim His salvation (1 Pet.2:9).

Prayer: Jesus may your church take its proper place in the world pointing people to You and Your loving sacrifice