the privilege of being the church

"To me the saddest and most grievous thing of all at the present time is the failure of Christian people to realize what the New Testament tells us about ourselves, and what it means to be members of the body of Christ. In a world that attaches such significance to honors and glories and position, is it not amazing that we can regard our membership of the church as we do? Many seem to regard it as almost a kind of dignity that they confer upon the church, instead of realizing that it is the highest and the most glorious privilege that anyone can ever have or know. Others regard their membership of the church as a task and as a duty, and are rather pleased with themselves if they perform any function. Now that betrays a complete failure to understand what it really means to be members of this body, which is the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself."

~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work (Baker Books, 1973) p. 196.

Here is the original sermon (in MP3) upon which this commentary is based: "The Bride's Privileges."

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