The Bible calls on Christians to walk in the light. (Ephesians 5:8-10) Light exposes things. To walk in the light is to allow the hidden things in your heart to be exposed. It is to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Yet when Christians gather on Sunday mornings, you don’t see them walking in the light and having open, honest, heart-to-heart “fellowship with one another.” (1 John 15-7) You don’t see them confessing their sins to one another and spending time praying for each other. You don’t notice them assembling themselves together to “spur one another on to love and good works” and to “encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Instead of letting God’s Spirit be their inner guide (Romans 8:14) you see Christians hiding behind religious pride, routine, ritual, tradition, programs, and even Bible teachings. Rather than confessing, testifying, (Revelation 12:11) and openly sharing what God prompts them to, (1 Corinthians 14:26) they hide what’s really going on inside of their heart.

When the Holy Spirit is quenched, Christians harden and shut down their heart. That stops God’s inner rivers of love from freely flowing. That’s why the Bible says to walk in the light.

A house church can be just as shut down and tradition-bound as a brick-and-mortar church. The difference between ekklesia and church isn’t the location. It is the leader. A church focuses on the leadership of a one-man pastor. An ekklesia focuses on being led by the Holy Spirit. Google: Beyond Church Ekklesia.

When people gather to all listen to God the Holy Spirit, and then each person present says and does what He puts on their heart, God’s glorious ekklesia is experienced in action. Churches are all around, but ekklesia is rarely found. Make church ekklesia again.

People who follow the risen Jesus are never supposed to walk in darkness. (John 8:12) If you want to know Jesus better, begin to gather with other Christians, not to passively watch a program or sit through a “service” but to walk in the light together. If you want to experience light like that, come visit the Christian encouragement group that meets on Saturday mornings at 8:30 at Chile Burrito, 330 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37207.