Who is the “Church” really for?

If the “Church” is living breathing people who have been caught up in God’s amazing grace and forgiveness. If the “Church is not an institution but a living organism- if the “Church” is God’s people not a building then who is the “Church” for? Some might say it is for God- and that is a correct conclusion. But wait- the “Church” is the bride of Christ- it was established by Christ- Christ is the head of the “Church”, isn’t it already His? Some might say the “Church” is for worshipping God. Also true but isn’t worship a natural outflow of what is in us- the Holy Spirit/God the father/Jesus Christ? Who is the “church” for? Some might say it’s for discipleship, training, encouraging, others in the Body of Christ (the Church). Sure, that is our calling- we are commanded to do all those things. But is that all we are supposed to do? Are we about having a holy huddle on Sunday morning and that’s it? And besides, that is what we are supposed to do as Christians but is that who the “Church” is for? I would like to suggest that the “Church” is not primarily for us but for the world. It is God’s presentation of who He is through imperfect people. If the “Church” is people dedicated to glorifying God and helping each other that is simply who we are in the transformation from sinner to sinner saved by grace. It is the natural change that takes place by the presence of God in our lives. The depth of that presence is dependent upon how much we allow God to be truly Lord (or ruler) of our life. So if that is the case the question is “Who are we (the Church) for? If it is simply for worship of God (which I might add is the CHIEF AIM OF MAN) then we can do that is Heaven. God could just take us to Heaven as soon as we have received salvation. The same could be said of the ministry we have to one another—that could all be done in Heaven. I believe that the reason God leaves us here on this earth (flawed as we are) is to influence people to God. We are to be light in a dark world. We are to be salt to flavor this world. We are to be a reflection of the glory of God to a world that needs hope, forgiveness, acceptance and love which God offers to all who will receive it.