THE CHURCH CAN BE LIKENED TO A FOREST

 

What is a forest? According to Webster’s dictionary, a forest is a land covered with trees. Forests have different kinds of trees, of different sizes and of different ages. Collectively, though, they make a forest. I don’t think you’ll ever see a forest that has only one kind of tree, where all trees are of the exact same height, same trunk circumference, with the same number of branches and leaves.  

Like a forest, the Church is made up of people of different ages, genders, sizes, and nationalities, not to mention social, political, and economic differences. Shouldn’t these differences divide us? They should, but they don’t. We are able to live in a community by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, who binds us together, making it possible. He has made us His family and instructed and empowered us through His Holy Spirit to love and take care of each other. 

In addition, each member has some abilities to contribute and responsibilities to fulfill to benefit the Body of Christ. Are you a Christian? Do you know what your role (talent, gift, abilities) is in the Church, and if so, what is it? Are you being productive in the Body? Your gift or talent is for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, so the Church will run smoothly and efficiently. In the end, you’ll receive a reward for being faithful, and if not, you’ll be punished (see Matthew 24:45-51). 

Your role in the Church is different from that of the other members, but your talent, no matter how minuscule, is as important as that of the other members. Just be faithful with whatever it is; God is not asking us to do more than He has gifted us to do. We need to encourage one another to be faithful in using our gifts, and we need to ensure that we are not envying one another. But how do we do that? 

How can we encourage anybody if we are not in ongoing fellowship with them? Meeting regularly as we are commanded (see Hebrews 10:24-25) will help us recognize each other’s gift (s). When we do, we need to share that with them prayerfully. Affirmation is important, because sometimes people don’t realize that some ability they have is a gift. We need to affirm such people and point them in the right direction. For example, if you notice that someone’s gift will be useful in a particular setting or ministry in the Church, you need to prayerfully encourage and point them in that direction. And then you need to be praying for and with them, that they would use that gift effectively. A counselor did that with me many years ago, and I’m still in that ministry!

 Just as a forest is visible to all who go there or drive by it, the Church needs to be visible to the world. The world needs to notice there is unity in the Church, despite our diversity. They also need to know the power behind our unity and diversity. Jesus saved us individually and placed us in one family—the family of God. He is teaching us through His Word to put our differences aside, live in fellowship, to love each other deeply (see 1 Peter 4:8), cut each other some slack in regard to our weaknesses (see Ephesians 4:2), correct each other as necessary, help each other to share the gospel, and live in anticipation of His return to claim the Church as His bride. Understand that our unity is fueled by the love of God. The Word of God that brought us together is able to keep us together. 

A forest can be admired for its greenery, but during the season when it is not so green, its lack of beauty makes it less attractive. Some of the trees might even be chopped down for wood. The Church has both admirable and not-so-admirable seasons. Most often though, people outside the Church only notice, focus, and comment on the non-so-admirable times. Sometimes, even one such negative season (immorality, dishonesty, gossip, infighting, and the like), can cause people to criticize not only the Church but God Himself. In order to be attractive to the outsiders, we need to live by the Bible; we can’t pick and choose when to obey it. God’s name is at stake; His name is being blasphemed among unbelievers because of us. This is disheartening!   

Church, we need to do better; let’s stop playing with sin, and seek after righteousness. We need to help one another in love and with humility. Let’s start with repentance, determining to live godly lives, and holding each other accountable. May God help us!