Can you love Jesus and hate the church?

It’s easy to hate the church. Just as it’s easy to hate any people that aren’t perfect. But should we? This is quite sad, and it leads to depression and loneliness rather than the “relief” that our self-righteousness deceives us into coveting. That sounds quite harsh! But we really just need to own up to the fact that we’re all broken and we’ve all let others down, whether we’re in the church or not.

Is it easy to love Jesus? Some people claim that they don’t mind Him, it’s just His followers they want to avoid. But, as God of the Universe and Judge of our souls, He demands worship and obedience. Not because He’s narcissistic or mean, but because He is actually altogether lovely and worthy of our devotion. Take a look at Jesus’ life on earth, and the impact that He’s made in people’s lives (i.e. the “church”).

Personally, I know that getting to know Jesus over time has led me to fall in love with Him, but I am also confronted with that uncomfortable truth that I am far from like Him. And yet He is merciful, gracious, compassionate with my weakness, and He is already transforming me. He’s also doing the same in my brothers and sisters - can I grow to love them in the way He’s loved me?

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? (2 Cor. 2:15-16)

Jesus warned us that the world is likely to hate us. Since we are meant to look and smell like Him, it’s quite obvious that people will look for flaws if they’re wanting to discredit Jesus.

Here’s some good news: Jesus wants to be the head of this currently, sometimes, dysfunctional body, and He’s not ashamed of us! He delights in us and wants us to be His own!

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15)

Jesus commands us to love one another! All through the New Testament, while the apostles keep telling us that we’re all one family and one body in Christ, they didn’t take it for granted that we’d so easily function like this. Even with all the missional needs in the world, we’re first asked to look after each other (Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 3:16-17, James 2:15-16).

We actually have to live out Jesus’ commandment to forgive each other, too! Jesus explained that judging each other won’t get us very far (Matt. 7), and Paul tells us to bear each other’s weaknesses (Rom. 12:1-2). That means a kind of love that puts up with differences, annoyances, and chooses to see the best in each other (1 Cor. 13). This really is possible! We can confess our weaknesses to each other, support each other, pray and prophesy good over each other.

We already have an enemy prowling around to devour us, so let’s use our energy to strengthen and protect each other! I know that in the darkest times in my life, having my brothers and sisters in Christ encourage me and pray for me has dispelled the hopelessness and loneliness, and has enabled me not to give up. We need each other’s love.