— I have been a member of the Church for over seventy years. Here is why I love the Body of Christ.

1. She Feeds My Soul. A politician sees me as a vote. The store sees me as a customer. But who cares for my spirit? The Church does. Among Christians we are not a thing—noticed for what benefit we contribute.
2. She Reminds Me Who I Am. Once I was an enemy of God. Now He is my friend. I go to worship to be reminded of who I was and who I have become. The Church keeps me grounded.
3. She Tells Me Where To Find Forgiveness. Two men were talking. One of them said, “I love my family. I love my neighbor. That is my religion.” The other man asked, “What does your religion do when you fail to love?” The Church shows me how I can be forgiven.
4. She Holds Me Responsible. The world is filled with selfish people. What they get is what they keep. The Church is different. She says, “We are what we owe.” She leads me to share.
5. She Is The People Of God. It is often said, “I believe in God but not in the Church!” But the Church belongs to God. How can we love the one and hate the other? His Church is His people.
6. She Teaches Truth. Folks want their religion to be neutral. Yet the Church stands for what is right. Is His truth negotiable? Are the commands of heaven to be added to or taken from? The Church teaches the will of God—no more and no less.
7. She Knows The Lord. The Church is a group of people who believe “Jesus is Lord.” Therefore, she obeys His word. She does what He says. The Bride of Christ is the place to be if one wants to know the Savior.
8. She Labors For Eternity. We invest our time and give our money to the Church. Why? The Church is permanent. I will die. She will live. My contributions to the Body of Believers will make a lasting difference.

I marvel at those who are not part of the church because of a bad experience. Do they stop eating because they have had a bad meal? Of course not! Why, then, stop loving the Church?

BY ED MATHEWS