And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me… (Luke 9:23 KJV)

Ok I’m on FaceBook within a community of Christian believers. Or so I thought. I keep running into some concepts that really boggle the mind and test the patience. Recently I found myself in two conversations in two days touching on the same issue from differing perspectives.

One person got upset because I said it didn’t matter which pew you sat in but your relationship to God. Of course if you read the above scripture I don’t see a call to follow a church. The other person said if the Bible contained all of God’s truth then there wouldn’t be 50,000 different denominations. Both positions miss the point completely.

God is not dependent on what man does with His truth—it’s still the truth!

The pew of God

Sometimes we forget that it is all about relationship and NOT religion. We forget that at church we are listening to the interpretation of what a man (or woman) understands of God’s Word. But it falls to US personally to get the understanding of what God really said. A Pastor or church simply are geared to teach the things in the Bible as written. No need to interpret, just clarify or even point out the right direction to find understanding.

They do not stand AS God!

Some churches get it right, some are very wrong in their approach, and BOTH can be of the same denomination, sect or creed. It always is about church leadership and it’s adherence, understanding and ability to convey the truths of God. But they DO belong to God. Denomination simply means “of common meaning” or “common foundation”. That common meaning (or foundation) should be the Word of God and what HE means.

Period.

A Complete Truth

The complete truths of God are contained within His Word. He gives their meaning and application within the giving of the truth itself. Because man chooses differing methods of understanding that truth (and many contrary to what God was saying) has little to do with what is contained in the pages of the Bible. Man is not the arbiter or barometer of truth—God is. And He shall remain the measuring stick of that truth.

Man needs to humble himself. He is NOT God and can’t even get the mundane things of life consistently right. But God is ALWAYS perfect. How many times does man fail at something, having to go back and correct his own mistakes? No not a trick question here, but hopefully it gets you thinking a little bit. Estolling your church and/or preacher, and following them, is trusting in the arm of flesh.

That arm will fail.

So what is the true church?

It is called the body of Christ, and does NOT (and I will repeat it does NOT) matter where you sit on Sabbath. The body of Christ is within the differing denominations. Not because they are all right in their approach or have all of the truth, but because God’s Kids are there within it. It only matters your relationship with God. And THAT will eventually dictate where you will sit because your spirit will be nudged by God what is of Him and what is false.

Again that puts HIM in charge—not you!

BTW, for all the naysayers, a denomination is not a church. Churches are within denominations, but denomination means a dogma or manmade doctrine that a body of believers (hopefully) believe in and adhere to in the method of worship.

Food for thought.

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace. May the light of God’s glory fire the brilliance of your soul.

Jonathan

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2 Comments

1. 

   Jim Zboran

   February 8, 2010 • 9:30 pm

   
   
   

   Good word Jonathan. Most people miss that “a denomination is not a church. Churches are within denominations.”

   Denominations are very much “para-church” organizations. That is, they come alongside the actual believers and are meant to offer a supporting role, not a foundational role. I see denominations as “scaffolding” in building a congregation. Scaffolding can provide the means to reach higher and build further if it is kept in its proper place. But when one starts reshaping the architectural design in order to accomodate the position of the scaffolding, there is a major problem!

   I appreciate your words on this topic!

   Reply
   • 

     J. D. Payne

     February 9, 2010 • 1:10 pm

     
     
     

     Anything good is of course God. Thanks.

     Reply

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