Day 346.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28 ESV)
The last part of this verse struck me, “care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” The church can be at times vexing as we see it full of sinners. Sometimes it is enough to want to pull your hair out, curse those people, and run away. But then we read a verse like this and are put to shame. To disdain the church is to disdain the bride of Christ which Jesus obtained with his own blood. How can we say we love Jesus if we disdain his bride? What kind of fellowship does that make? Could it be that we are called to care for her because she is so vexing? Could it be that this is God’s means of sanctifying you as you learn to be a forgiver and selfless giver?
Lord, you see the beauty of the church by seeing the finished product toward which you are working. Would you help me to see her this way too? Thank you Jesus! Amen.
