DAILY DEVOTION, June 20, 2022

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

I believe in the church. It has been an integral part of my life since infancy. The first reason I believe in the church is a pragmatic reason which has nothing to do with the truthfulness of the church’s message.  Of course, I believe that message to be true, but setting aside the truth question for a moment, look at what the church has accomplished.  It was the Christian church and Christian people who began public education in this country.  Our own Christian church sponsors Bible Colleges and seminaries all over the country. Christians believe all truth comes ultimately from God, and have been leaders in the educational field.

Hospitals, orphanages, homes for old folks — have you ever seen such an institution founded by an atheist?  Christians believe life is God-given, and that we should care for one another, and again it is the church that has taken the lead in founding institutions devoted to the care of other human beings. 

And what would happen in the world today if the influence of Christian missionaries were magically withdrawn from history?  Would the world today be a better place, or a worse place if Christianity had not spread to every nation?  The world is certainly no utopia, and there is much need for progress, but think where we would be if Jesus had not established a church, and the church had not spread its influence around the world.  I believe in the church.

Father, I thank You for the church of Jesus Christ. I thank You that I came to know Jesus through the church. I thank You for the good work done all around the world by the church.