THE CHURCH AS A SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE

The foundation of the church has been laid by Christ and the structure completed. The only remaining thing is the interior decoration which is the final stage and this stage will make the church ready for dedication to God. This dedication speaks of the rapture of the church- 2 Cor. 11:1-2; Eph. 5:25-27.; Col. 1:28-29. The word ''decoration'' speaks of a pattern that makes something look more attractive. It is an art of making a building look more beautiful or attractive and comfortable. When applied to the church, as a spiritual structure, it speaks of the process her pure and holy by the washing of water with the word of truth. This cleansing process is meant to remove any form of spot or wrinkle from her so that she can be attractive to the bridegroom (Christ). The church is a spiritual temple built with those that are redeemed and washed in the blood of the lamb.

The work of the interior decoration of the church is presently very low, because the workers are not abiding to the rules of the chief architect (Jesus Christ). The workers are not making use of the materials prescribed by the chief architect, they are rather using their own materials. They overuse some materials and underuse some and others are not even used at all. Those being overused are those in the pursuit of material prosperity, miracles and healings, those being underused represents salvation, sanctification and righteousness. The effective use of these materials is the only criteria that will make the decoration of the church acceptable by the chief architect.

The reality of inefficient and inappropriate use of these materials is evident in the life and characters of ministers of God and church leaders and this has brought the judgment of God pronounced in the churches of today and its leadership- Jn. 3:1; 1 Pet. 4:17-18. These judgment are seen as crisis and they are meant to bring corrections to these errors- 2 Chron.7;14.

Te sins of the present leaders are pride (That feed our ego and lust), and this can be corrected through humility as God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble- I Jn. 2:15-17; Prayerlessness (an act of dedicating and consecrating ourselves to God) which can only be corrected through soul searching and constant searching of God's word- Rm. 12:1-2; Failure to seek God's face by which transformation comes- 2 Cor. 3:13-18; Unwillingness to turn from our wicked ways (lawlessness)-1 Cor. 9:21; 1 Thess. 5:23; Rom. 12:1-2.

It is only when these sins are repented of that heaven will respond with mercy and healing.