Loving the Church Like Jesus

Many believers today scroll past headlines about church scandals, criticize their pastors from afar, or drift from body life altogether, cataloging the Church's failures while avoiding her fellowship. But Christ doesn't. He loves His Church with unwavering devotion, even in her imperfection. If we claim to follow Jesus, how can we not love what He loves?

The Church is not just an institution or a building. It is the body of Christ, a living, breathing organism made up of individuals who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). While the Church is a divine institution founded by Christ, it is also a visible community of still-being-sanctified believers. Loving her means embracing both her divine origin and her human need. The Apostle Paul urges husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, sacrificially and wholeheartedly. Christ gave Himself up for the Church to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25–27). As believers, we are called to love the Church in the same way.

How We Love the Church

The first way we can show our love for the Church is by praying for her and participating in her sanctification through the Word, under Christ. We can pray for her leaders, her members, and her mission. We can ask God to guide and direct her, protect her from the attacks of the enemy, and empower her to fulfill her purpose. When we pray for the Church, we are participating in God's plan for her and showing our love and care for her. We are acknowledging that the Church is not merely a human institution but a divine one, sustained by God Himself. We pray not only for her protection, but for her purification, so she may be presented blameless before Christ on the day of the Wedding Feast.

While Christ ultimately washes His Church in the Word, we participate in this process by applying and sharing Scripture in love. This means studying the deep riches of Scripture as often as possible, reading Scripture aloud in family worship, encouraging others with the Word in conversation, and participating in Bible study together. This is not less than meeting together on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening, but daily. We must be daily in the Word within our households and with fellow believers as we invite each other over in hospitality.

But prayer alone isn't love in full. Christ not only prayed for the Church, He served her. Jesus set the perfect example of service when He washed His disciples' feet (John 13:1–17). We can follow His lead by using our gifts and talents to serve others in the Church, maybe not by washing others' feet, but serving in ways that may cost us something so others leave more built up than when they arrived. Whether it's teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, or serving on the hospitality team, there are many ways we can contribute to the body of Christ. To serve the Church is to love what Christ loves. To withhold service is to withhold love from His body.

Yet healthy service thrives in healthy structure, and structure requires godly authority. Another vital way we can show our love for the Church is by submitting to her authority. This can be a difficult concept in a culture that values individualism and independence, but it is crucial to the health and unity of the Church. Hebrews 13:17 instructs us, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." When we submit to the leadership of the Church, we are showing our love and respect for her and for the people she serves.

Submission to godly leadership is not blind obedience but joyful trust in those accountable to Christ. While abuse must be confronted, the answer to misuse is not rebellion but reform under Christ's rule. The Church is not a democracy governed by popular vote but a theocracy ruled by Christ through His Word and under-shepherds. This includes humbly receiving church discipline when necessary, trusting it as a means of grace. Just as Christ disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), the Church must grow through honest reflection and Spirit-led reform.

Beyond submission to leadership comes active participation in the Church's mission. We love the Church by being faithful members of her. This means gathering regularly in person, participating in discipleship relationships, giving generously, and proclaiming the gospel intentionally. A true church is marked by the faithful preaching of God's Word, the proper administration of the sacraments, and the loving exercise of church discipline. While the universal Church consists of all believers throughout history, our love for her is made tangible through commitment to a local body. When we are faithful members of the Church, we are demonstrating our commitment to her and to her mission. We affirm that the Church is not a social club but the very embassy of Christ's kingdom on earth.

Loving Her Through Imperfection

Loving the Church does not mean ignoring her flaws or shortcomings. Though the Church is already holy in Christ by position, she is still being sanctified in practice. But when we love the Church as Jesus does, we are committed to her growth and transformation, both as individuals and as a community. We are willing to work through her problems and challenges, forgive her when she falls short, and encourage her when she is doing well.

One of the ways we can work through the Church's problems is by engaging in healthy dialogue and discussion. Our Lord doesn't gossip about His bride. He intercedes for her (Romans 8:34). So should we. Instead of criticizing or gossiping about the Church, we can bring our concerns and questions to the appropriate leaders or members. We can seek to understand the reasons behind certain decisions or actions and offer our insights and perspectives in a respectful and constructive manner. When we engage in healthy dialogue, we are showing our love for the Church by helping her mature through repentance and refinement.

Christ loved the Church in His death, loves her now through intercession, and will one day present her in radiant splendor (Ephesians 5:27, Revelation 21:2). The Church is not just Christ's bride in metaphor. She is His actual redeemed people, bought with blood, destined for glory. If Jesus does not give up on His Church, neither should we. To love Christ fully is to love His Church faithfully, and to serve her joyfully is to serve Him directly. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

As Cyprian of Carthage wisely said, "He cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his mother." May we all strive to love the Church as Jesus loves her, with sacrificial love, steadfast patience, and a commitment to her glory.

Is there a way you've distanced yourself from the local church? Begin this week. Reengage, repent, or renew your commitment in one tangible way.

Recommended Books on This Topic

Life in the Body of Christ by Curtis Thomas – A practical guide to serving and belonging in the local church.

Them by Ben Sasse – A cultural analysis of America's loneliness and the need for community.

The Gospel Comes With a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield – A compelling vision for radically ordinary hospitality.

Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck – A theological and cultural case for belonging to and building up the local church.