The question then becomes, am I part of God’s Church? Do I follow the Will of God or does my denomination practice the correct teaching or interpretation of Scripture? The answer here is yes and no. There are many Christians who are part of God’s church that do not belong to a local congregation or a national/international denomination. There are also many who profess to be Christians, but do not understand their faith or truly believe what is necessary for a Christian belief system and ethic. I have met many Catholics with a genuine faith, but many who know little about what is church tradition versus what is grounded in biblical theology (much less read the bible or know what it actually states). The same is true with many who belong to a denomination. Many believe that faith is contingent on a confession and the practice of a ritual based attendance service. It is not surprising since we are brought up to believe that a local building and way or worship is the source of a divine relationship with God, rather than leaning on the teachings of Christ and learning what is actually meant.
Christ’s church is the unity of Spirit led believers. This happens within church walls and independent of church walls, denominational practices, and belief systems. When we start discussing advanced fundamentals, one should realize that certain assumptions have to be examined in order to test the spirits and evaluate what you really believe. Most people tend to assert one position, without examining the other views, understanding the posits of bias and getting to the roots of faith and sustainability. It is much easier to assert truth based off of what someone else dictates and use them as a source, it is much harder to go to God/Christ and figure it out on you own. But given the depth of relationship that can be attained, I would encourage all believers to go the road less travelled if they truly want a relationship with God.
If one practices denominationalism, Catholicism, or any other practice, I would encourage them to understand what comes from biblical sources and what comes from church body authority. It is not a sin to follow a practice that enhances your walk with God; it is a sin to encumber another believer from attaining his walk with God. This can also be said about pagan religions, but if many who follow esoteric belief systems could honestly assert that what they believe could truly be universal (which they cannot because enlightenment is not universal, nor is commanding the power of the spirits of the air and fallen angels), maybe such a practice would work. However, the more I learn about these systems, the more I can see the inherent downfall. The same is true with a legalistic church. When too many rules are in place, the moral hazard of inconsistency becomes more prevalent. By that, I mean people who adhere to a form of hypocrisy by not practicing what they preach. I am also guilty of this practice, having the church form of Josh being distinctly different than who I really was, as I was trying to appease the appearance of righteousness without actually attaining it. It eventually resulted in a form of confusion and frustration as my ego and true self became contradictory. No true believer should ever feel compelled to be a different person to adhere to a church ideal; they should self reflect and pursue righteousness to the best of their given ability to be able to worship in love and joy, rather than of obligation or ritual (God doesn’t like ritualism or babble, he likes earnesty of heart and intention).
To sum it up, God’s church is those who indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Those who seek the Will of God, practice honesty and humility, and become extensions of the fruit of the Spirit. This can come in all denominational forms of worship and living. It is not a building, it is not a denomination, it is not based on doctrines or laws, and it is not based on rituals or liturgy. It is based on earnestly and intention and a relationship with the Creator of all things.
