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[dmd777faithful]

Nick
What do you consider the true church?

[dmd777faithful]

I see the role of our leaders to be similar to that of our natural parents. Teaching, nurturing, correcting etc. Just as there is protection for the child(in a healthy family) under the care of their parents it is the same in a church. I don't call my pastors father I'm speaking of Godly order and there is safety in that. Lone sheep are very vulnerable to the wolves. We do not however follow blindly we are each responsible to weigh what is said by the Word. We must have our own intimate relationship with God. Then trust Him to lead us. Never ever make another your god.

Perhaps not everyone is called to a church. It is not for me to say. God is God!! He will use whom He chooses for His plans and purposes. If God calls you out He will equip you. It is the slander that I find disturbing. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, we all fall short. Let's start holding one another up. I for one do not want to harm with my words and attitudes those whom God has placed and anointed for leadership. Think about Saul and David.

[dmd777faithful]

Theriguy you made very good points. Remember though that Christ is always our covering in or out of the church.

I believe that God has a proper order for both our protection, growth and to equip us to walk where He has called us to walk. I believe that He has called those to “feed His sheep”. They have the role of spiritual parents and are responsible for us teaching us praying for us etc. We all need to be accountable for our actions and to be submitted to proper authority.

Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be longlived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee.
I believe this applies to our spiritual parents as well.

Standing outside pointing our fingers in condemnation is not operating in the principles of God's kingdom. 'Satan is the accuser of the brethren.' Rev12:10 tells us that. Christ paid for our sins all of them we repent and receive His atonement for our sins.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I for one am so grateful for His love and mercy. Bless you and remember always to measure everything through the word of God and not just head knowledge but ask for revelation.

[dmd777faithful]

Hi Nick,
Are you saying that we are to come out from the church? Complacency and deception occur in and out of the church. Do you belong to a church?

[dmd777faithful]

Well said Theriguy

[dmd777faithful]

I agree with what you say. That was Paul's calling and there are many others with that calling but did he not visit churches and help them to build on the truth. Didn't he give instructions as to proper protocol in the church? That would say to me that others who did not have the same call belonged to a church. We receive and give to one another and ideally are equipped to go out and reach the lost. Have I misunderstood this?

I am not saying that the answer is the same for each believer. I am not being legalistic because the true authority is God and what He speaks to us. I am concerned that those who speak out against belonging to a church will cause some to stumble. Especially the young in the Lord and those who have been wounded. It makes them vulnerable to error. The church is imperfect because we are imperfect. Is it not better to join together in Christ and make the changes than to stand outside condemning and judging it? That was not directed at you but all of us who are so busy pointing our fingers instead of looking into our own hearts. I have been just as guilty of this as anyone else.

I agree fellowshiping with likeminded people is good and perhaps there is no complete right or wrong answer. We are each responsible for what God speaks to us. This whole issue has caused me great concern because of what has gone on in my church. My heart is for those who have been led out not in peace or love but in rebellion and bitterness. I thank-you for your response I really wanted to hear from people outside of my situation.

[dmd777faithful]

No there is no good reason to disobey!! I am learning the importance of obedience and submission to God and what He speaks to us. Excellent story!!

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