Question-Comment: My question deals with today's church. I read a wrap in your first Feb. wrap (it was the communiqué with pastor don j). It seemed to hit the nail as far as I could tell. but I was wondering if you have anymore thoughts on today's church. I have in the past been a missionary for an inter-denom missionary group (whatever that means) and was for a short time a youth pastor at a "non-denom" church. I haven't been to church in 3.5years. after being so engrossed I noticed my spirit was very heavy and against what I saw going on around me. I do have regular bible studies and am still in very much love with the lord. Now, I'm trying to understand the decision I made 3.5 years ago to not attend church. I'm hoping to find biblical evidence that today's church is walking (and leading) people away from the true church (the bride of Christ).

At this time my biggest argument against the church is denominations (which I agree with on your buttons pages) but I know there is more.  I was able to overcome the denominational argument for a long time (and still could if I wanted to), but I know there are things going on within the church that are possibly even greater insults to God. Any help you could offer would be great thanks.

Kris

B'ANN WROTE:

The following Scriptures tell the story without any of us having to add anything.  However, we must be careful not to give the appearance of trying to usher in the "one-world church" before its appointed time.   We have gotten away from the simplicity of the work of Christ and added many of our own "do's and don'ts" in order to establish our own righteousness.  Nothing new in this!!!  Mankind has always looked for a way to by-pass the Son of God and gain salvation another way.  Note that I said "salvation."  We have to be "born again" to enter into the salvation that God offers. What is the "simplicity" of Christ?  It is in John 3: 16 (For God so loved the world...) and the summation is in Mark 16:15-16( ...Go ye...).

1 Corinthians 3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Our responsibility is to present Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to those around us; and the primary way we do this is by using the Scriptures.  The devil has to tremble when the Scripture is quoted. We can get "rended" if we spout off our opinions.  If the Scripture is presented, and is accepted; then the Works of the Spirit will be a natural part of those who hear.  I am talking about a constant, everyday walk that is not pretentious, domineering, judgmental, critical, haughty...but one that has authority.  What authority??? True humility is the "authority of Christ."  If we speak the words of Christ; then we do not manifest our own personality.  We can speak in a firm, quiet word and walk away in perfect peace because the message did not come from our personal prejudices but from the Word.

Now, we cannot quote an appropriate Scripture if we never study the Bible.  This is our first, long-term work for Christ.  We have to feed upon the "sincere milk of the Word" before we can go out and be a "mover and a shaker."  Too many churches put a guilt trip upon new Christians if they do not hit the streets as a dynamo of witnessing for Christ.  However, at this time in their Christian responsibility, they only have the conversion experience and John 3: 16 to share.  This is great.  But if we are babes-in-Christ, we need to have time to grow.  (What baby in the physical can explain the birth experience???)  Such man-made burdens account for many people leaving the churches after only a few years of attendance.  What with having to learn the regimen (rules and regulations) of the local body which can include listening to the dogma of the ministers/deacons/laity (which all seem to differ somewhat), tithing, witnessing, maintaining a witness at home and work, wearing certain clothes, eating certain foods, taking communion weekly, volunteering, smiling, smiling, smiling,  and always being positive--an exhausting lifestyle emerges.  "Learn of me" is one of the first things Christ told His followers. We must have time to think, meditate and find out who we are in Christ Jesus. We have to be allowed to crawl, stumble and fall while trying to learn to walk, get up again, and finally find a balance that lets us walk upright.   The Bible does not ordain a "cookie-cutter" Christianity!  We all have our individual responsibility and walk.  A sure sign of a "cult" is when a church body demands that everyone "look alike."  The Bible does not teach us to "look like something."  Rather, it teaches us that we are to "be something"--i.e., a child of God bringing forth the fruit of an un-grieved  Holy Spirit. 

True, we are commanded not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially as we see the end-time approaching; but this should not be interpreted to say that we have to attach ourselves to some local church and become molded to fit its image of what a "Christian" should be.  Do not let the devil put a guilt trip upon you simply because your spirit does not get a witness to the things going on in some churches.  I recommend that you give yourself to Bible study, Bible study, and more Bible study.  What will emerge from this study of the Word is that you will find the "Prince of Peace" abiding within you and He will give you the desire, and make a way for you to take this peace to  homes, neighborhoods, cities, and even a world that is in spiritual darkness and great turmoil. 

Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Also, I have observed a phenomenon in our area--that is, group Bible studies taking place in people's homes.  Perhaps this is taking place because people cannot find a church wherein they feel the peace of Christ.  And perhaps this should not be considered to be unusual since many of the churches in existence today where the fruit of home Bible study groups of another day.  It is just unfortunate that strong-willed, self-serving individuals have taken over these churches for their own agendas. 

All of this is not to say that God does not use local churches, even those affiliated with denominations, for if enough of the sincere Word of God is preached, God will honor his Word and His Word will not return to Him void.  It is to say, however, that you should feel at peace in the church you attend. 

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