I have a relationship with God, yet I don't go to church. By name, I guess I would call myself a Christian, but with the way Christianity is today, sometimes I don't like to. The reason I don't go to church is because I find that truth isn't always being taught and the Spirit of God isn't always there. I know that Paul says that we should not forsake fellowship, but when the people in the church aren't on one accord and when truth isn't being taught, am I obligated to sit there?
For the 3rd time, today, I heard a televangelist distort the truth of the Word of God. It truly grieved my soul. It grieves my heart anytime I hear someone do that. I just feel like they're openly despising the Word.
Now, since I've been out of church, my walk with God has been 2 million times better! I've enjoyed it tremendously. I'm not saying it can't be with the church. Fellowship SHOULD admonish, but I just don't see it now. Truly, I would like to fellowship, but how can I without truth?
2007-08-19 14:31:37 · 7 answers · asked by insidious_22 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When I say truth, no, it's not what I perceive. It's directly from the Word of God. For example, today, I heard someone on TV talk about building God a house and how people should have a vision and give. Who's going to build God a house? He based it off Isaiah 66. The problem is he didn't continue the passage of Scripture he came from, when really God was saying "who's going to build me a house when heaven is My throne and earth, my footstool? I've made all these things. I'm looking for a contrite spirit" and so on. He wasn't saying for the people to build them a house. The speaker today was saying that God wanted the church today to have a vision and build a house for God. I also keep hearing people talk about prosperity as if to lay up treasures on earth. Did not Jesus command against that?
That's what I'm talking about. Sorry I wasn't clear. I'm talking from the Word of God.
2007-08-19 14:53:31 · update #1
I think it is great that you are questioning inconsistencies between what you believe the truth you feel in your heart and the truth you hear preached. I believe that most of us know deep down in our hearts the direction of the truth and God's spirit and it is often at odds with organized religion, which sometimes takes positions that seem to favor interest contrary to those preached by Jesus. I find the increasing presence of the gospel of prosperity and the view that the acquisition of wealth and material things is an examples of God's blessing an appalling twisting of God's words. I think you seem to be doing fine without church but if you are seeking fellowship I'd encourage you to try many different churches, perhaps going to services as a guest of people who seem to share you spiritual views.
2007-08-19 14:52:29 · answer #1 · answered by kvcar2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes I think this is necessary in our personal walk with God. I did this for several years and would just go out and sit in a meadow, contemplate, pray, whatever I wanted to do to become closer to God. It is great. So true you don't sometimes feel like you are hearing the truth, even in church. To me, there is nothing wrong with 'church hopping' and searching your soul and asking God to help you find the one right for you. Make it an adventure and good luck.
2007-08-19 14:48:34 · answer #2 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it not the truth because it's not the truth or is it not the truth because you perceive or interpret it in another way? I can understand that a person can have a relationship with God and not attend Church, although Church attendance is one of the best ways to grow in your relationship. You didn't site any particular areas of the distortion of which you speak and to better state your case I invite you to please do that through another post so we all can look at what you call distortions.
2007-08-19 14:44:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have to shop around until you find a church that teaches the Word of God. I attend the Reformed Episcopal Church because its teachings are based on God Word.
2007-08-19 14:40:37 · answer #4 · answered by 9_ladydi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try praying and asking God to help you find truth. Look into the websites I've provided below. If you search with an willingness in heart to find truth, you will find it.
2007-08-19 14:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by LooneyLu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you pray for God to lead you to a church where He is at work like at my church http://www.alcf.net
In the mean time you can still listen to solid Biblical teaching via the Internet @ http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Enduring_Truth/archives.asp
2007-08-19 15:10:28 · answer #6 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In technicality, anyone that says "God said_____" is distorting the 'word' because we dont know what God actually said.
Sometimes their message is still good, but sometimes its not. I like to go, but that's just me.
2007-08-19 14:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋