The book of Revelation begins by showing us a vision of Jesus as he is right now (1:12-20). He is standing in the midst of his churches (the seven lamp stands). Then he has John write a separate letter to the “angel” (Greek – messenger) of each church. In these, Jesus lets his churches know exactly what he sees in them – both the good and the bad.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would say if he wrote a letter specifically to the Vancouver church? I have wondered. I actually think about it a lot, because the person whose opinion of the church matters the most to me is Jesus. I want and I seek input from spiritually mature and experienced leaders about where they see the church because I believe that God speaks through men and women who have spiritual wisdom. But the bottom line is this: I wish that Jesus would just send us a letter.

Question: If someone leaves the church is she/he also leaving God?

The short answer is: Yes!  The Bible teaches us that we absolutely need each other, that we can’t make it spiritually in this world without significant and consistent involvement in the lives of other Christians and they in ours!, and that our relationship with God and our relationships with one another are not mutually exclusive.

     But more than that, given all that Jesus and his apostles taught about loving each other, surely one cannot be considered a faithful Christian who chooses to forsake, give up, avoid and/or minimize the fellowship of other Christians.  After all, “he who does not love his brothers, does not love God” is a truth that is taught so clearly in so many ways throughout the New Testament that it cannot be denied.  Surely the contradiction and hypocrisy are evident when someone says, “I do love the Christians” but then barely spends any time with other Christians.  Actions speak louder than words.  Love is not a “feeling you’re feeling when you’re feeling a feeling like you’ve never felt before.”  Love is the act of personally seeking to meet the needs of others.  As I’ve always said, “Don’t say you love me, if you don’t want to spend time with me.”