An increasing number of people think of the Christian faith primarily in terms of themselves as individuals. Faith is not only a personal but also a private matter. For these believers, church has become an optional extra, a matter of convenience and personal choice.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul says a firm "no" to this idea. The church of Christ far from being an optional extra; it is the display of God's wisdom to the universe! The church is God's handiwork, made up of people from every conceivable background, living under the gracious rule of Jesus himself. To be a part of the church is to be hand-selected by God through Christ to make visible the mystery of God's electing love.

In short, Christianity is far more corporate and public than we might first expect. We are redeemed as individuals, but we are placed in a family. And living out the Christian life requires we live together with others who love the same Lord. It requires we actively participate in the church, for the church is God's only plan to raise us to full maturity in Jesus Christ.

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