Essential

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “essential” as something that is “absolutely necessary; extremely important” (www.lexico.com/en/definition/essential).  There is a word in the New Testament that carries the same idea.  It is the Greek word “dei” and it speaks of “...what must happen, i.e. what is absolutely necessary” (HELPS Word-studies).  It is used 104 times in its various forms.  Let me remind you of several things the Bible says are essential for the church as it interacts with the world around it:

• We must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
• We must help the weak (Acts 20:35).
• We must respond to all gracefully (Colossians 4.6).
• We must conduct ourselves properly in the church (1 Timothy 3:15).
• We must engage in good deeds (Titus 3:14).
• We must pay close attention to teaching so that we do not drift (Hebrews 2:1).
• We must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).

According to Jesus and other inspired writers, these are essential activities for the church, the people of God.  These are things we “must” do.  But some today would have us believe there are no “essential” functions of the church -- that in effect, society can do without us for a time, just as it can do without barber shops, nail salons, gyms, and theaters.  I respectfully disagree.

A case could be made that the church is preeminently essential in our modern culture.  In a time when fear, anger, and disillusionment are running wild, the church is needed now as much as ever.  The time may come when the church is driven underground once again.  But while we still have the freedom to do so, let’s stand firm as salt and light and endeavor not to be driven to the fringes as an irrelevant bystander.  Perhaps now is our time to shine instead of retreat.

God loves you!

Mike