Greg, I thank you for asking about my thoughts concerning your problems with your Church. One of the Bible verses that comes to mind is Mark 8:15
"15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."
Many Pharisees came to Christ after Pentacost. However, they did not cease to live by the law. They thought it was their duty to teach all those that came to Christ how to live by the rules. I assume they wanted to teach all of the poor, ignorant Gentiles to be as spiritual as they were. They didn't have a clue that Christ's death and resurrection had brought an end to religion and a beginning of a new method of worshiping. That of grace. Either a person is accepted by God based on his attempts to keep God's law and the man-made rules of a church group, or he is accepted on God's free love and grace. There can be no fence sitting or middle ground.
Do you remember how Paul confronted Peter in Gal. 2:21?
"21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
If a person seeks acceptance with God based in any way upon the way he has ordered his life, he is stating that Christ's death was unneccessary.
It sounds like the leaders of your church, by there actions, are not feeding you with the spiritual food that you need to lead a victorious life in Christ.
It is no secret that I teach against denominations because they are man made, and not ordered or built by Christ. I do believe, as the Bible teaches, the spiritual Church of God, where Christ is the head and all believers are members of His body.
If you cannot be fed by this church, then as a last resort I would address my problems to the pastor and see how accepting he is of your concerns. If he is not, then I would think it is time to move on to a body of believers that will feed you spiritually.
Here is an example of what I consider the Lord's Church:
He purchased it with His blood.
He is the head.
He nourishes and cherishes it.
He dwells in it.
He adds only saved to it.
He places the members in it.
He designates the qualifications of its leaders.
He instructs its members to be of one mind and speak the same things.
He instructs its members to have no divisions among them.
He instructs its members to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
He instructs its members to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
He throughly furnishes it unto all good works by the scriptures.
He has gone to prepare a place for it.
He is coming again to catch only His Church away.
I hope this will guide you in joining the Church of God's choice instead of the Church of your choice.
Hope this helps.
In His name I ask that you find direction.
James |
