What church do you go to?
This is the question most asked when you meet another professing Christian. What church do you go to? This is similar to the secular question, What do you do for a living? Both questions come out of our lower natures desire to know its place and hopefully dominate. Each of us intrinsically has the desire to dominate. This manifests itself in many ways. For some its the desire to be to boss at the job, for others its to be the leader of the sports team or the best in the choir, for others their low estate can be used to control. All desire to be on the top or control stems from our lower carnal nature. Our flesh craves power and domination, always to be first and never to be last. Jesus on the other hand taught that those who would be great in His kingdom must become the servant to all.
There is a great battle within us. Our lower nature desires earthly even demonic things and our divine nature desires heavenly, godly and holy things. The things from above are pure and undefiled whereas all things stemming from the world and our lower nature are corrupt.
The question "What church do you go to," is designed to categorize. Once you have categorized a person you feel a freedom to relate to them based on your research information. Here you deem them acceptable or unacceptable, by reason of shared or opposing doctrines, which equates higher or lower than you. This should not be so!
Jesus Christ said you are all to be brothers. One was not to be higher than another, we are all to be brethren to our Lord who is the first born among many brethren.
Everything in the world teaches us to be in charge, to be leaders, as if to be in control is a good thing. Christ on the other hand teaches us to give up all notions of grandeur and to die to our selfish natures that His divine nature might live in us and through us.
When we ask another person what church they go to we are really asking them for their shield or coat or arms as was portrayed in old English culture. We are looking for labels so we can put them in a box mentally.
The real question that should be asked is "Are you a part of the Body of Christ?" There is only one church, Jesus started it nearly two thousand years ago, and He is the one who gathers his people into it. Those who are in the church are gathered into His life by Him, no longer to be selfish or self-centered, but Christ-centered, giving up their lives for His.
The Church of the living God is made up of all those who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and have placed their faith in Him. Those who are alive in Him, who know Him and walk in the light with Him.
Just because someone professes to be a Christian does not make him one in heart. There is an outward, and an inward truth and reality. Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, only those who do His will.
There are many who profess to be Christians but do not own the life of Christ and walk in it. Many people have taken up the title Christian and still remain in their sinful life-styles, this is hypocrisy! Christ wants to deliver us from our sinful and hypocritical life-styles.
If you know Him gather with others in His Name! He will be in your midst. This is the place of power and deliverance.
Christ in you is the hope of glory. Physical churches are not your hope or deliverer. A pastor is not your Saviour or ultimate Teacher. According to scripture you do not need another teacher than the one you received (if in fact you have received Him, Christ Himself,) and He, through His Holy Spirit, is able to bring you into all Truth.
Do not follow after the traditions of men, for they nullify the Word of God in your life. Instead put your faith in Jesus Christ, He is the Word that was made flesh, He is able to deliver you from all of your selfishness, and establish His Life in you.
If you are halfhearted you will no doubt fellowship with others of like mind. As you place sincere trust in God He will gather you with other true believers. God gathers lively stones into the temple not made with human hands. This is the house that is not built in vain. Unless the Lord builds the house it is built in vain. All of mans strivings, all of his church planting, all of his gathering men unto himself will come to nothing.
Only those who build with the Spirit of God will be rewarded positively for their work. The Spirit of God is holy and undefiled bringing all to the good Teacher Jesus Christ.
If you are a part of the Body of Christ I encourage you to stop asking others what "church" they go to. Instead gather in the Spirit of Christ and in His Name. This is the gathering you are not to forsake. The family of God. Here there is love, truth and faith.
DM
