My View of Church Before and After
What is your understanding of the church? This question was not new to me anymore for I was asked before of this by one of our church leaders. Before I was enrolled in this RS 35 class about the church and sacraments, I understand church as a building where people gather together for fellowship and listening to God’s word. However as I grew up, our church pastor preached to us that church in the bible refers to the people of God called together for a fellowship and sharing of Divine goodness and love of Christ.
That is why when our professor discussed about this, it was not new to me already. After hearing of Mr. Duhaylunsod’s discussion my understanding about the church was confirmed the purpose of its existence in the community. Not only that, I also learn that the church is a community of men and women who are united in Christ and guided by the holy spirit, press onwards the kingdom of the father and are bearers of a message of salvation to all men.
Having this kind of perception now of the church, the significance it had influenced me as a Christian is about relationship. Relationship that is vertically and horizontally healthy. I say vertical relationship as a referral to my relationship-communion with the Lord as his people. Being a church called by the Lord for a purpose, I was encouraged to really walk with Him daily through prayer, meditation of His Word and sharing it to others. If I have a right and healthy relationship in the Lord, horizontal relationship will also be healthy which refers to my fellowmen. When I say of Horizontal relationship it implies socialization.
As a Christian, I learned to be open for my faith and to be open and willing also to listen from other sect and even other religions. With this things also I am starting to see things in a differently. Amidst of different sect and religions in our class, we still have this calm spirit and a kind heart willing to learn from each other’s faith. Dwelling on our common grounds and nourishing, and teaching from each other’s faith helps me to grow more in the Lord and understand the people around me without prejudice.
As I reflect more, I realized that the Lord is more concern of your being, your relationship with Him that plain doing. No one can please God without faith. And the faith that God had called us together as a church will result to good deeds. Therefore, I can say that salvation can’t be earned; it was a gift from God that will be evident in our fellowship of each other. We are precious in His sight and the simple though of “Jesus loves me,” makes me smile every day.
I am praying in the Lord, and hoping that the RS35-AGA class will be a healthy venue to learn from each other’s faith without compromising the other.
So Smile Sir, for Jesus loves you. :D
