If you were allowed to choose any family you could belong to, which would you choose? What criteria would you use to choose a family?
I’m guessing that many people will choose someone rich and famous as their “new” dad or mom. Bill Gates and Warren Buffets of the world will suddenly have many more children listed in their wills… And some noble people will choose a family that is below their class to belong to in order to help it. But my guess is that vast majority of the people will choose to stay in their own current family. As imperfect, messy, flawed their family is, they cannot love another family like they love theirs.
If you were allowed to choose any church you could belong to, which would you choose? What criteria would you use to choose a church?
“No, no, Pastor, they are not the same! Family is an organism and church is an organization. You cannot compare the two!” Can’t we? The Bible makes it very clear that the church has many members like a body has many members (such as hands, feet, eye, ear). Then why do so many Christians choose a church like they choose a store at the mall and not a family to belong to?
Yes, churches are imperfect, messy, flawed, etc. But does that mean we should leave one and look for another? Do you do that to your own family? (Unfortunately, some DO do that. For a personal happiness, families are sacrificed. Yet, most often, BOTH the personal happiness and family are lost…)
This sounds harsh… I love you. My heart aches for you. But more importantly, God your Father aches for you. If you do not belong to a local body of Christ, you do not belong to Christ just like if you do not belong to a family, you cannot call the father of that family your father. (1 John 3:10)
I understand that your current circumstances might prevent you from belonging to a church family at this time (shut ins, disabled, etc). God understands it. But is it a priority? Are your current circumstances really the reason? (Please remember our brothers/sisters in China who risk their lives to meet with one another every week…)
Is it a biblical church? (Preaches the word of God, practices sacraments, godly leadership, exhorts Christ as the end and not means…) Then, belong to one and stay with her.
PH
0 Comments