But no, I'm not satanic. I'm a Bible-believing person who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in 1991. I was a devout Catholic before that.
I'm writing briefly today in response to an online sermon whereby the pastor referred to those not attending a church or hearing a sermon as being arrogant and lacking submission to authority. The pastor seemed to negate the fact that there are valid reasons for not attending church. So, I uttered to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "Lord, what do you think about that?" My personal experience is just one story reflecting similar circumstances of fellow believers leaving church. I stopped tithing and attending church in 2009, and my explanations for doing so have been detailed in the book, Among the emergent churches in the Philippines and the reasons I left them.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)
I became part of an evangelical church for about 11 years. I went church hopping for another couple of years. Then I became an attendee and member of a non-denominational, purpose-driven megachurch for nearly four years. I resigned from church membership of that last one--THANK GOD! I looked around for another home church, until I finally became content in reading God's Word every day. I don't count chapters anymore when I read the Holy Bible. I just read and sometimes tell God quietly if I don't understand parts of His Word. I'm not afraid realizing I don't fully understand His Word soon enough. I'm at peace in knowing that the Holy Spirit is in my heart, enabling me as well as my fellow believers to understand the Word of God.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.If you're a pastor and you're teaching people to attend a church so that they'd come to know Jesus and grow spiritually in the faith, be careful . . . and think again. You might be claiming something for yourself or your church that ONLY the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to begin, continue, and accomplish.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-14)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14;6)
Related web posts:
Why believers should not attend church
Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct
