In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you
Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament
What would you do if you had no church to go to? Where would you turn to hear of the Lord? Obviously, we have the scriptures to guide us to Him, but honestly, how many of you read your bible every day? I ask these questions because after my previous post a good friend of mine asked me where people would turn once there were no more churches. I've been thinking of his question for a bit, and I realize that he has a valid point. Our mainstream churches have been seeing a massive exodus of members in recent years. How much longer can the religious system be sustained? With rising costs of building maintenance and staff salaries, it's only a matter of time before many brick and mortar churches become extinct. Of course, there is the internet option, but again, how many people will find the time to devote themselves to such things? How will someone come to know the Father? For myself personally, I didn't come to know a relationship with the Father until after I had stepped away from the theologies of the church for the final time. It was not until I was removed from the traditions and teachings of the church that the Father revealed Himself to me. I realize, of course, that this is how things worked out for the man Saul as well. After years embedded in the Jewish religion, Saul was introduced to the very One that he had been persecuting, Christ Jesus. Paul himself recounts that it was indeed in the Lords own timing that he came to know Him {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}. So, how does this fit into the reality of those children of the Lord coming to know Him when there are no churches to guide them? Well, there are a few options here. One is that they will hear of the Father through those who know Him already. In my own circle of gyn rat friends, I have introduced more than a few people to the truth of the Father in us. We also must recall that the Lords hand is not so short nor limited that He cannot reach those who are in need to know Him. My own experience is testimony to this. The absence of a church does not mean we are absent from God.
To better understand this truth, one needs to understand the truth of the Father in our own lives. Jesus has proclaimed that we do not live separate from God, as those within the church are so fond of pointing out, but that our life is lived IN Him {Johns Account 14:20}. This is the truth of our life lived within the love of God. A life of love and not of sin. For it is Christ Jesus Who has given Himself for sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}. It is my belief that the church has relied on the lie of separation theology because of their own need to keep that sin narrative alive and well. If people believe that they are sinful, they are then more likely to look for a church to seek Gods forgiveness for such things. But in the eyes of the church that forgiveness never materializes because sin is the constant in the lives of all men {Paul to the Romans 3:23}. No matter how hard try, I'm still a sinner, right? WRONG! For the teachings of the church often contradict what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. That through His love for us, He gave Himself for our sakes {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. Now, if Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, believe it! Do not believe the lie spoken by those in the church that despite giving Himself for our sakes, that sin somehow survived to live another day. This is simply not true. As I said, once we know the truth of our life within the love of God, we will have no need for the brick and mortar church and its religious traditions. When the Father reveals Himself in us, we can live a life in His love and not in the condemnation of the church.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be. We are aware that, if He should be manifested, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him according as he is
First Epistle of John 3: 2, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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