1 John 3:2 – Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (NIV)

Last Sunday at worship, the sermon dealt with the changing times and the closing of so many churches. It made me feel so sad, for I see the changes all around me. What can I do? What does Jesus intend for our future as a Christian body — His body? How does Christ's body change to meet the future needs of people who are caught in this changing culture?

Through the ages, everything has changed — even from my childhood to the present day — but "we shall see Him as He is" someday. Meanwhile, as a group of believing Christians, where will we meet to worship when there is no church building nearby? In the early church, where did John's people meet? Believing families of every age have met by the riverside or in someone's home, for instance. There being no church buildings available does not indicate an end to the church as the body of Christ. As John wrote in today's verse, "we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known."

As Christ's disciples today, we need to pray that God will intervene, for He will not let His Son's body vanish. Only God knows the way ahead out of the cultural confusion of today. Let us not forget that Christ's body is not a lot of buildings, however beautifully they stand. Christ's body in every generation is made up of people who continue to gather together to worship Him in faith and love. May the Lord show all of us how to answer the needs of people of all ages and meet the demands of the present culture so opposed towards Christianity. May we in prayer with faith bring our communities and families back to know the Lord Jesus and His love. He is coming again one day, maybe soon. "But we know that when [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, come quickly into our lives today, for many are adrift, torn apart by a culture that so easily opposes everything that we stand for. May we grow to be like You, Lord Jesus. In Your love and understanding, please help each of us to share Your story with our families and friends. May they know that our beliefs are true, that You, Jesus, are real, and that You can never be taken from us. As we share our faith with people of all ages, please, Lord, give us the courage to tell our own families how God has sent His love and shared His forgiveness with all of us through Your life and death. This is what is most important to all of us: our faith in You. It is what keeps us all together, Lord, no matter where we meet. We look forward to that glorious day when You come again. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author: