03/17/22

IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB

Here is where people make a major mistake.
The Church is not a club.
Though it is a voluntary body, it is not is not a "do as you please, self fulfillment group."
It is not based on personal preferences or man-made rules and regulations.
It is not a democracy or a majority rule government.

It is the body of Christ, of which we are members, together with other believers.
We are accountable to God if we violate His standards and directives.
We are also answerable to each other and we are answerable to God's chosen leadership.

Come as you are, but expect total transformation and relational realignment.
God chooses the leadership and you are expected to be of one mind with the body, submitted to the leadership, and putting others before yourself.
You must deny yourself, humble yourself, and love others as you love yourself.

I know this sounds strict, but when you narrow yourself down to loving God with your whole heart, it is not a burden or grievous.

The reason people have a problem with Biblical churchmanship is because they don't love God or trust God.

Some people try to live up to God's standard, but soon tire of the self denial because it demands too much from their unsurrendered hearts.

However, those who die to self, die to this world and die to sin, find joy in walking in the steps of Jesus, walking in the light of God’s word, walking in the Spirit, fighting against temptation, agonizingly contending against the devil and diligently fighting the good fight of faith.

Paul said,
Philippians 3:8-14
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.