Without doubt, it should shame a Christian to spatter mud on the beautiful bride of Christ. Yet, it goes on all of the time, and it is time that Christians stop and think before we dare besmirch the church and He who died for her. As a bridegroom will not tolerate anyone speaking in a negative way about his bride, Jesus will not take lightly those who, in earnestness or in frivolity, smear His bride.

Throwing mud on the church is not the only way Christians hurt themselves and the cause they claim to love. Another thing Christians do, again often without thinking, is try to bring people to the church rather than Christ! Without throwing mud on the body of Christ in any way, there are some things that we need to know and be honest enough with people to let them know. This is following Jesus who always let people know what was required of them and how hard it would be (Matthew 8:20; Mark 13:13; Luke 12:51–53).

First, people need to know that the church has some difficult and unpleasant people in her midst. We would think not, but such is the case. Some are struggling in their Christian walks and have misunderstood their obligations and duties as they walk with the Lord. Some are struggling to do what the Lord wants them to do, and in their struggles they hurt and offend others. It will happen.

Secondly, the church changes. This happens because people move in and out. This happens because teaching has not gone on to strengthen the brethren, and some leave because of false doctrine. This happens because strong teaching is going on, and some don’t like that. Sometimes Satan likes nothing better than to destroy the fellowship of a church, and when fights sometimes happen it changes the church from healing the wounded to being the wounded. To be effective the members of the church need to keep things in perspective and keep their faith in the LORD.

It is interesting that Jesus Himself taught that HE, not His bride, IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. So we need to make sure that we have our faith in Jesus Christ—not in the church! We must remember that He is the way—the only way—to the Father! The church can save no one—only Jesus can save! Is this to say that church membership is not important? ABSOLUTELY NOT! He adds us to His church when we have been obedient to His will, and He expects us to fulfill our duties to one another just as we fulfill our duties to Him.

Jesus is the embodiment of truth, and He has declared the truth to us that He wants us to obey! Nothing else will suffice. If you want to know how to live truth—look at Jesus, not the church. Why? The church is made up of individuals following the Lord who will make mistakes and inadvertently or advertently fail in their living up to the truth. The Lord will never fail. Again, does this minimize the church or make her unimportant? No, for the Lord has made the church the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). When we live according to truth, when we advance truth and teach truth, we are fulfilling our duty to make the church the pillar and ground of the truth!

Finally, Jesus is the life. As God, only He can give life—only He can save a sinner, redeem that one from sin and give him or her new life and a new chance. The church cannot do this! We can show others the new lives we have as we follow Him who has set the example and who forgives us daily for the shortcomings that we will have in our lives.

So, while not throwing mud on the church in any way (because she does have problems because she is made up of people), let us not magnify the church as we should magnify her Lord. Remain focused on Jesus, and let us keep the church where she deserves to be—loved by Him and growing daily to be more like Him as we walk with our Lord.