Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. – Ephesians 5:25-27
There is a popular saying among many who profess to be Christians today. “I love Jesus, but I can’t stand the church.” While that sentiment may resonate with those who have experienced hurt or disappointment within their faith communities, it’s important to unpack what this statement really means and what Scripture tells us about Jesus and His church.
At its core, the idea that one can love Christ but reject His church is a misconception. The Bible makes it clear that the church, the ekklesia, is the bride of Christ, inseparably united with Him. Can we really claim to love Jesus while dismissing His beloved bride – the ekklesia?
Note: “Ekklesia” is the Greek word for church.
What Ekklesia Really Means
One of the biggest misunderstandings today is equating the modern concept of “church” with the biblical ekklesia. In many cases, the word “church” brings to mind an organization, a building, an event—a Sunday morning service that we attend out of habit or obligation. However, this isn’t what the New Testament means by ekklesia.
The ekklesia refers to the people of God, the community of believers who come together not in a building, but in spirit and purpose. It is Christ’s body, His family, His kingdom community, His dwelling place. Jesus didn’t die for an institution or a building. He died for His people, a collective group that comprises the ekklesia. Christ is united to His church so rejecting the church in its true sense is rejecting Christ.
Knowing Christ Draws Us to His Church
When we truly know Jesus, we can’t help but be drawn to His ekklesia. Our relationship with Him naturally stirs within us a longing to be part of a community that reflects His love and serves one another. While the modern form of church often falls short of this ideal, the desire for genuine Christian community is something that Christ instills in us.
It’s not always easy to find a local church that embodies this, but God will lead those who seek His body to the right people. Sometimes, that might not look like a traditional church setting, but if we search with open hearts and listen to the Holy Spirit we will find others who share our passion for Christ.
Misunderstanding the Gathering
A verse often used to guilt people into attending church services is Hebrews 10:25, which warns against “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Here is the full text starting with verse 24:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
When you read the context, it’s clear that this passage isn’t about a structured one hour service in a church building. Instead, it refers to gatherings where believers come together to encourage and exhort one another in their faith.
True Christian community is about mutual participation. It is about building each other up, sharing life, and actively contributing to one another’s spiritual growth.
Loving Christ Means Embracing His People
It’s vital to recognize that loving Jesus means loving His church, His people. Just as a husband and wife are one, so too are Christ and His bride. You cannot separate them. This doesn’t mean we have to love everything about every church, nor does it mean we can’t recognize and lament the imperfections within our faith communities. But it does mean we should love and serve the people who make up the body of Christ, however flawed they may be.
Rather than focusing on finding the “perfect church,” that meets all our needs, we should instead focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus where we are. Whether it’s through helping the poor, ministering to the broken, or being present and building up other believers, we embody the ekklesia when we live out our faith in real and practical ways.
In the end, we must remember that to love Jesus is to love His church—the ekklesia. They are inseparably joined like a bride and bridegroom, a head and body, a family and its members. Instead of rejecting the church because of its flaws, let’s be part of the solution by manifesting Christ and extending love and grace to His people. After all, the ekklesia is not a place we go; it is who we are.
Written by Sam McKeen
