Goin’ Church Shopping’?
Last week I wrote about my salvation experience and how long I was haunted by fear and doubt. If you missed it, you’ll find it here: Haunted
Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
As a baby Christian, I longed for a church where I could rejoice in this new love I’d found. As I look back, I see the critical steps God used to guide me and I hope these will help you if you’re looking for a church home.
1. Know what you believe. I believed God loved me and, because Jesus died on the cross, I was forgiven and accepted by Him. I craved to know Him more deeply. I had a small King James Bible with Jesus’ words in red. Surely, I thought, Jesus’ precious words were the best way to the Truth.
I skipped from red words to red words, painstakingly making a list of what I believed He taught.
I remember Mom occasionally saying, “Paul said…” At that point, I didn’t know for sure who Paul was and I wasn’t interested in what he said! Cocky, huh?
For me, truth was found in Jesus’ words and in His only.
As we look for a church home, we should search God’s Word and allow Him to speak to us. That was especially important for me because I had no foundation. Even if we happen to belong to a certain denomination, we need to reaffirm what we believe. Above all, base what you believe on God’s Word. He alone is the source of Truth.
2. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Where to start? I had no idea so I went with my friends’ families. Every Sunday I asked God to show me if that was where I belonged. Of course, I hoped my best friend’s church would be the perfect one, but it didn’t turn out that way.
Sometimes I was confused and uncomfortable with the ritual. Other times I heard teachings that didn’t match my list. This was simplistic and even dangerous; I could’ve ended up anywhere – even with someone as horrible as James Jones or David Koresh. But, as I look back, I see how God guided me and protected me every step.
Some of us don’t identify with a particular denomination. We can trust God for discernment to find teaching that’s consistent with our beliefs. Others might be part of a certain one, but be wary because the name on the church sign doesn’t always mean the doctrine’s true. Listen to God; depend on Him and His Word to guide you.
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