We've seen clearly that the local church is a vital component to a walk with God. Most people neglect such a component because of petty things like offense, or temporal disagreements. How sad that a carnal issue with men will birth disobedience towards God!
So which church is the right one? With literally thousands upon thousands of Christian denominations, which ones are right? How can we know for sure? Just thinking about it gives me a headache! First of all, let it be asked: "Is this even an important question?" I say YES, very important. In the book of Nehemiah, we see the dramatic effect the corrupt leadership had on the people, and their plans of progress (See Nehemiah 13). The spiritual leader, Eliashib, was allied to Tobiah, a notorious enemy of Israel. Eliashib, the priest of God, casually chose to house sin where the offerings of corn, new wine and oil were to be! It was so bad that the people didn't even know they were riddled with impurity. They were completely ignorant to the Word of God (13:1)! Sound familiar? The point is, there are indeed ministries and ministers that are carnal, and that operate from fleshy motives! Unfortunately, not everybody found in a church building is going on with God. This is a sad truth! In Jesus' day, He literally wept over the multitudes because they "fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matt 9:36). The state of the multitudes was, in part, the fault of ungodly leadership. Jesus asks us to pray for genuine and sincere leadership in the body of Christ (Matt 9:37-38). Why? Because they have such a strong impact on the people! Therefore, we should take heed who were are spiritually joined to.
Luckily, there are standards in Scripture for the local church; there are God-ordained criteria. All we have to do is listen and obey. Simple as that.
Of course, there is no "perfect church", but hopefully all are at least striving to do things God's way; seeking His counsel, and coveting His guidance. In seeing these Biblical standards, you may be surprised how many of our religious traditions and denominations do not at all align...
1. First of all, it must be a place of love, honor and reverence for the Word of God. No church can succeed in God's eyes if His Word is not exalted. God Himself has exalted it even above His own name! "...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (Ps 138:2). If God places such great emphasis and exaltation on His Word, we dare not venture into any place that belittles its glorious significance. His Word possesses the power we need to be changed into His glorious image! How could we survive without it? Why would we even want to try? "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (Jn 17:17).
2. It must be a place of God's manifest presence! This may seem controversial to you, but it is definitely the Biblical pattern: "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exod 40:34-35). In fact, such a manifest presence of God was the accreditation of Jesus' ministry. When He was baptized, the Spirit rested upon Him as a dove, and a voice was heard saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17). By this demonstration, this voice, and the overshadowing of the Spirit, the mission and ministry of the Lord Jesus was publicly and solemnly accredited. This is God's seal of approval! He will never accredit and overshadow someone or some ministry that He is not pleased with. And if God is not pleased, you'd better stay far from it!
3. It must be a place of true worship. When Jesus met with the Samaritan women at the well in John 4, He distinguished between worship and "true" worship. He says, "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (Jn 4:22-24). What may seem like an offense to an ignorant woman, was actually God's aching heart calling out for her intimate, true and unadulterated communion! Such worship is being sought by the Father; worship as a lifestyle, through the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God. A God-ordained church will always be one where sincere adoration and unadulterated devotion leaks out, even into the streets.
4. It must be a place of liberty, rather than mere religious bondage. All throughout Scripture we see time and time again the "religious crowd" being rebuked for their external high-minded haughtiness, yet inward lack and shortcoming. When David was free to dance before the Ark of God, Michal was cursed for proudly despising him in her heart (2 Sam 6). What was an awful display of controversy to one, was a genuine act of adoration to another. How scary! Such awful and Spirit-quenching traits do not suit the house of God! Rather, we should be free to grow in our giftings, and minister to Jesus without fear of judgment by pseudo-religious zealots! Paul tells us to "Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings" (1 Thess 5:19-20), and to "forbid not to speak with tongues" (1 Cor 14:39). In fact, the spirit of prophecy is the very testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:10)! Why should we resist such a blessing? Are there abuses? Yes. But again, our obedience should always take precedent over the apparent abuses we see and hear. Will we stop preaching out of the Bible because some have misused it? Absolutely not. Spiritual gifts and ministries should be no different. To say such things have expired, or are better suited for private time, is nothing more than an administrative cop-out! You can indeed simultaneously possess order and the use of spiritual giftings, I've seen it (1 Cor 14:40). It is precious, and it is clearly the Biblical pattern.
5. It should be a place where relationships are fostered. Upon salvation, we enter into a relationship with God, and also with our new brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 1:3; Acts 2:42). We should enter into a father-son discipling relationship too: "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Cor 4:15). A right relationship with those over you in the Lord is the proper Biblical standard (Gal 4:19; Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 3:6, 10; etc). Paul said to "know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" (1 Thess 5:12). Concerning his spiritual sons, Paul wanted to know their "state" (Phil 2:19). A church that neglects this principle is out of line, and is doing the people a great disservice. Today, it seems some pastors are more like celebrities than father-figures: they're untouchable, and unavailable to minister personally. What a shame! I thank God for my pastor everyday; He is precious and humble, and genuinely cares about my well-being, both spiritual and natural. A true father always will.
6. Overall, God's house is to be one that promotes change. In this sort of place, we are built up and transformed: "Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house" (2 Sam 7:10-11). This is God's will, our sanctification (1 Thess 4:3). He wants to build us into a house, a living "habitation of God" through the Spirit (Eph 2:19-22).
We simply cannot properly progress where He is hindered and His Word is ignored. Therefore, let's take heed to His divine standards, and allow HIM to plant us in the place of HIS choosing.
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