Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ok, so I know that we all have some negative things to say about the church, but I'm asking us to think seriously about what we are saying. When the Apostle Paul speaks about the church, he is never confused about who is speaking about. In the text above, Paul says that the church is based on Christ and the Apostles and is built as a dwelling place for God - the temple. The church is where the Holy Spirit of God resides even in our imperfect state.
We do see many examples of Paul correcting and rebuking the church and we all know that Corinth were not doing very well. Even then, Paul called them brothers and appealed to them for repentance and obedience in Christ. Paul later talked to them about forgiveness and restoration of the repentant sinner. Why would Paul take such pains in dealing with such a troubled church? Because Paul believed that all those who have come to faith in Christ are part of those who God indwells.
Along with many others, I have the privilege of counseling people who are struggling in varying aspects of life. Why do I bother doing that? Because I know that my brothers and sisters in Christ have the indwelling presence of God in their lives. I know that my every hope is that a Christian have all they need in Christ to obey his word and find his eternal comfort and peace. The church is not just a group of people who meet together. We are the family of God and temple of God in whom our God dwells. That gives us reason to hope for all of us.
I understand that sometimes we see churches doing outrageous things and making heretical statements. I know that there are churches that deny the truth of God's word and pervert his moral character. I know that there are churches that refuse to believe essential doctrines and churches who have all but lost the message of the gospel. It's very possible that they are not God's true churches at all. I'm not speaking about those who use the name of a church only. I'm speaking about the regenerate in Christ all over the world.
Wherever there is a brother or sister in Christ, there is a brick in the temple built on Christ and the Apostles. Wherever Christ is, there is hope. So, let's be careful about the way we refer to Christ's church. We are his temple. We are his family. He loves us. He died for us. He is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The church is the household of God.
If you want to have the right view of the church, don't view it without acknowledging its Savior.