“At least five times...the Faith has to all appearance gone to the dogs. In each of these five cases it was the dog that died."* Not only do I like those words of G.K. Chesterton, I believe they remain pertinent today.

There’s been a lot of recent speculation about the church’s relevancy — or lack thereof — in the world. Some predict that if the body of Christ doesn’t start accommodating the culture and adapting new “normals,” her demise is imminent. Don’t buy it.

The early church fathers who were imprisoned, stoned, and crucified upside down didn’t buy it. Those brave Christians who stood firm in the face of gladiators and were lit as human torches at Nero’s palace didn’t buy it. People in this century, who are being electrocuted, beaten, and tortured in ways unimaginable because they dare to call themselves part of the Body of Christ, aren’t buying it either.

Jesus declared He would build His church on a rock, and He did! Nothing in the last two thousand years has succeeded in moving it. Not even the gates of Hell. As long as the Body of Christ exists, we who are a part of it are called to be salt and light. Preservers. Illuminators.

Do you know what a privilege it is to be part of the eternal, indomitable, invincible Body of Christ? I hope so.

Thank you Jesus for the incomparable honor we have in being a part of your Body. May we stand firm no matter how strong the cultural winds blow against us. For your glory…Amen.

Go Deeper — Find a good book, like Fox’s Book of Martyrs, or search for Christian martyrs’ stories on the Internet. Let their lives inspire you as you read about our rich heritage in Christ.



Tags: The Body Matthew 16