Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
I am currently in the process of looking for other churches as well, but the one that I'm in (not the LC) is currently one I am liking. They have the core Christian doctrines, they are very open to discussion, there is no pressure to stay in the church and they definitely have genuine care and love for others that was missing in the LC. They have Bible study, and youth group, as well as social events, which was lacking at the LC and it looks encouraging. They even encouraged me to not stay just for the sake the church but to be open to exploring other churches to see what they are like, which is quite surprising actually! I can see that church as being my second family and I can see the expression of God's love in many of them! However, I am definitely taking their advice to be open and look around other churches.
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The key, I think, is to realize that it's really a simple narrative. It's deep and profound, yes, and will take a lifetime to unravel, but at its core the narrative is simple. It's something like this: God, our Father, loves us. But God has a dilemma because He's also holy, and righteous, and we are somewhat less than that. We are sinners. Think of a rich man, who has many possessions, but his son is a criminal, drug addict, who's on a drug-fueled rampage. The father can't do much to express that love, can he? Even though he loves the son, first the son has to "clean up his act", because the father is righteous. The father can't just pretend the criminal activity doesn't exist. Then the father would also be unrighteous, and he can't do that. The father can never violate his righteousness!
So God our Father sent His Son, to give Himself for our sins. And the Son said what, to us? "Love one another. Love God with your whole heart and soul and strength. And do unto each other as you'd have done to you." Simple. As you do to others, it will be done to you. (Matt 7:12). It doesn't get much simpler than that, does it? Therefore the gospel was very popular, and attractive; if someone sinned, they didn't have to go up to Jerusalem and kill a bird or a calf. And one doesn't have to get circumcised, or keep dietary restrictions, or attend to Sabbaths and feasts and new moons. Just love one another. "Forgive others their trespasses, and God will forgive your trespasses." (Matt 6:14,15) Simple.
Now, when you meet other Christians, just keep that simple story in front of yourself. Tell it to yourself repeatedly, and tell it to everyone around you (Obviously I don't mean what I wrote above; I mean tell yourself the gospel narrative in simple words that you can really understand, and grasp in your daily walk).
If you present a simple yet profound story to others of God's saving love in Jesus Christ, you'll find something interesting. The "complicated" people will say, "No, that's not enough. You have to meet on the proper ground. You have to do this and that. Everyone else is wrong but us. Etc etc". Or they will say, "Yes! That's it! Hooray for God's salvation! Amen, hallelujah!" In other words, you'll either find that they try to lay burdens on you, or you'll find that they celebrate along with you, and rejoice. By this you'll get a good idea of who God wants you to hang out with. May God bless your journey. Be careful and stay safe.