LESSONS ON THE CHOICE OF PLACE OF FELLOWSHIP

LESSONS ON THE CHOICE OF PLACE OF FELLOWSHIP

There are so many churches today. There are so many doctrinal variations too. Only the Holy Spirit, via discernment, can guide a Christian correctly on the choice of fellowship. But below are some general principles to bear in mind.

1. The Assembly's Disposition towards the Problem of Sin
The major problem God has with humans is sin, both among unbelievers and believers. That is why the subject matter of scripture is predominantly how to live holy. In fact, the objective of the coming of Jesus is clear in God's instruction to Joseph in Matt. 1:21: "Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

This is why the central job of a pastor is to teach holiness as directed expressly in Ezekiel 44:23  
“ The priests are to teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is not, and between what is ritually clean and what is not."

2. The Assembly's Disposition towards Kingdom Issues 

The second most important issue is the expansion of the kingdom of God on earth via Christian service.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus said:
"... be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things."

Note that the kingdom of God is beyond denominational concerns and growth. It's about the interest of God on earth, and how to make more people know the Lord so that God's universal purpose will be accomplished as the people are effectively discipled to be like Jesus.

You have to weigh what is being preached in the church. If teachings on how to live holy and how to promote evangelism dominate sermons and exhortations, the place is safe. But if most of the messages focus on how to materially prosper and succeed in life, something is very wrong with the ministry's motive. We can't major on the minors, which Christ calls "other things." A scripture-aligned balance must be achieved so that we maintain the focus of the Bible. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. He's more concerned about the fulfillment of our purpose than our pleasure.

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