Jul. 13, 2025

Is there such a thing as a perfect church?  There is. However, it will only become a reality when Christ comes again to receive His pure and holy Bride, the church.  Paul writes in Ephesians that "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."  (Ephesians 5:25-27). Though there will be no perfect church until then, Jesus never gave us any less goal to strive for than perfection.  "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) As we work toward perfection in the local church we find that Paul says such a church will be one where the "peace of Christ rules in your hearts," a church that teaches the word of Christ and worships with thankful hearts, and a church that serves the Lord with gladness. In reality the "perfect church" is the on you belong to, the local church.  Perfect because it is the place where you can use your gifts to serve the Lord, worship Him gladly with thanksgiving.