They Love Jesus But Not The Church

A new Pew Research study revealed some interesting information about our society’s view of church. According to the study 70% of people view themselves as religious but do not go to church. An article in Christianity Today states, “Americans appear to be falling out of love with church – though not necessarily with Jesus. A Pew Center survey released today indicates that while three in 10 people who don't go to church say it's because they aren't believers, a much larger proportion say it's because they practice their faith in other ways. However, in spite of the fact that they rarely if ever attend church, this group is still quite religious. Seven out of 10 identify with a religious group and most say religion is either 'very' or 'somewhat' important to them.” This is quite startling to think that 70% of the population believe in God but don’t believe that it is a big deal to be in His house. 
This is a good illustration of our society’s great misunderstanding of what church is and the importance of her.  A lot of people in America think church is the place to be religiously entertained. Not so, the church is anything but. And it’s this misperception of church that creates this dichotomy of loving Jesus but not the church. A dichotomy that Christ does not approve of.
People need to be reminded of the truth about church. Church is not a place, but it is them! It is the people that have Christ in their heart. Church is not a building but the body of Christ. And He is the head/the leader of the body. Church is not a bunch of people but Christ’s bride, whom He loves very much. Christ died for the church! Church is not a place to be entertained but a place to worship and serve. Every Christian has a spiritual gift that they must use and exercise in the church. 
How can you claim to love Jesus and not love the things that He loves? How can you say you follow Jesus but not be active in the organization where He is the leader and head? How can you care about Christ but not care about His bride? How can you say you have the Holy Spirit but not apply His gifts? If you have a problem with church you have a problem with Jesus! Church attendance or participation is not needed for salvation. But if you claim to be a Christian but are not an active member of a local church, I would question your faith. For, as the Bible teaches, faith without works is dead. I’ll leave you with a great illustration about this from Charles Spurgeon.

I know there are some who say, “Well, I’ve given myself to the Lord, but I don’t intend to give myself to any church.”  I say, “Now why not?”  And they answer, “Because I can be just as good a Christian without it.”  I say, “Are you quite clear about that?  You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s commands as by being obedient?  There’s a brick.  What is the brick made for?  It’s made to build a house.  It is of no use for the brick to tell you that it’s just as good a brick while it’s kicking about on the ground by itself, as it would be as part of a house.  Actually, it’s a good-for-nothing brick.  So, you rolling stone Christians, I don’t believe that you’re answering the purpose for which Christ saved you.  You’re living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live and you are much to blame for the injury you do.”
 ~  Charles .H. Spurgeon