My Thoughts: Stop Dating the Church

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:22-32

For sometime now I have struggled with my commitment to the church, hence the reason I purchased this book. Through this book Harris challenges Christian community to stop dating the church and to become committed. Throughout the book Harris speaks about having a passion for the church and explains that when we, as believers, don't have a passion and commitment to the church we being cheated out of God's best for ourselves, the church and the world. Harris speaks of why we need the local Church and shows what passion in action looks like. This was something that was like a slap in the face, making me say, "that's me. I've lost the passion." His illustration of what passion in action looks like was when someone is passionate about an organization or club, they do a number of things: they join, make it a priority, find ways to serve, give, connect with people and they share their passion with others. This is what passion for the church should be. Harris also gives a wonderful explanation of the church of heaven's perspective from Ephesians 5:22- 33. He then gives a helpful and practical list of ten things that matter in a church. All ten things point to a church that is Christ centered. In the same chapter he talks about when it's time to find a new church home. Harris also gives advice on how to make the most out of Sunday by preparing our hearts and minds all week for worship on Sunday. No matter what you may think your commitment level is currently, this is an eye-opening and challenging book