It almost sounds as if I have lived many life times, but I have only lived one that I know of on this planet earth. I’ll begin by saying that none of the churches I have attended were exempt from notice of incorrect use of bibical doctrine, and they each had several things in common.
One thing in particular they all seemed to have in common is that they all had their own agendas which had little or nothing to do with God’s word. Two, they each had their own way of distorting the bible truths to match their creative abilities and dreams and wishes for life dedicated to meet their cause while ignoring scripture they just had little depth and knowledge of how to apply properly. And lastly, but not least, some of them were just after everyone’s money, while others are still holding on to the Old Testament teachings, and have no understanding of the New Testament writings.
Church has become a place where people control each other, and decide what others must do for salvation, or it becomes a place where people can do whatever they want and still be considered in a saved position with God. They go from one extreme to another, but never ending up on God’s side. Church leaders are to blame for all this, because they are the ones who make up their man made rules and then demand that people follow them or else threaten them into believing they will lose their salvation if they are unwilling or unable to comply to the wishes of the church leaders.
Chruch leaders today are not much different from the Pharisees who were prideful, conceited, hypocrites, who pretended to be angels of light but were wolves in sheeps clothing who lie to people because they love money. Any well meaning Christian worshiper will find they must leave church and believe in what Jesus said about church, that God’s temple is not a man made building, but a place in the hearts of men who have the indwelling of God’s spirit, and who know the truth. Where two or three are gathered, there Jesus will be with them.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.
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Hey brother you are absolutely right. The ‘Bigger is Better’ mantra of most churches is a wrong concept. Jesus said, ‘do not fear LITTLE FLOCK, for it is the in the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!’ It is only to the little flock that the kingdom is given. When I say little flock, I do not necessarily say ‘house church’. Because sometimes we are too fast to move from organized religion (institional church) to unorganized religion (’house church’). Being organized or not is not the point of content but religion is. The Pharisees were highly religious and religion always persecutes jesus first and seeks His death. I and a few of us are a bunch of Christians who have decided to be a covenant community. Breaking away from all the trapping, traditions and customs of man and religion. You can see a little about us at http://www.lifegathering.co.nr.
Actually the bible writings are alot more detailed and in dept then most people think, and surface knowledge is not enough to save. Scripture has been separated into many fragments which connect together like a puzzle which is revealed through life experiences lead and revealed by the Holy Spirit. One scripture can have several meanings included in it and unless one has an overall knowledge of God’s word, scriptrue can easily become twisted.
Jesus disciples were convinced that Jesus’ teaching was a hard teaching, and they wondered how anyone could be saved. Jesus offered them the assurance that with God nothing is impossible. Scripture also points out how difficult it is for a righteous man to be saved, all which points to the fact that understanding what God says is not a simple task, but a profound and rewarding task which requires a constant digging for widom’s treasures. Just when the Pharisees thought they knew it all, Jesus came to them with a much higher teaching from God. The New Testiment is filled with Jesus’ higher teaching which many have not understood, and many of the practices in church today were merely symbols which have been fulfilled by the coming of Christ.
For example, taking communion is no longer a required practice, because the symbols flesh and blood were fulfilled through Christ. Any commemoration of Jesus is fulfilled by the way the righteous continue to welcome each other in sharing equally and meeting the needs of those among them. Jesus destroyed the barrier wall of hostility with his death, so that the righteous would seek how to live at peace with each other, but this has not been the case in man’s choice of worship. While they may say they have peace, they are not so peaceful when proven wrong. The Pharisees were a prideful people who believed they had all the truth they needed, and when corrected by Jesus, they quickly became offended and rejected the truth.
Most churches and religious groups believe they have the truth, but do they really? One sure way to know is if what they teach and believe agrees with God’s word for today, and not yesterday. I hope this makes sense. By the way, I am not a man, but a woman who will turn 55 years old this Friday.
“God’s temple is not a man made building, but a place in the hearts of men who have the indwelling of God’s spirit”
It helped me in my relationships with others when I realized God isn’t a belief system and that scripture isn’t a landing strip but a launching pad.
Good thought Godspupil
Rick