You Must Belong In A Local Church
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed
to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1)
Sometimes, you ask some Christians which
church they attend and they say, “I don’t
belong to any church. I fellowship wherever I want to;
wherever the Spirit leads me.” That’s sad. It’s a show
of spiritual immaturity and instability to have such a
mind-set. Any Christian who says he or she doesn’t
believe in being a member of a local church, is in error,
and under the spell of Satan.
We’re clearly admonished in the Scriptures not
to forsake the gathering of the saints; our church
meetings: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). These are the last
days, and our opening verse says men shall give heed
to “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
Some people think “seducing spirits” are spirits
that seduce men and women in lustful desire, but
“seducing spirits,” according to the Scriptures, are
spirits that try to lure people out of the Gospel; they
lure people away from the truth of the Word. These
spirits are working in many people today who go
about deceiving others, telling them they don’t have
to be members of a local church to serve God. Some
have even written books inspired by Satan to convince
Christians not to belong in any church, or to lure them
from the church into another gospel.
Therefore, beware of them; be wise. Even in
regions where there’s hostility against the message of
the Gospel, Christians still find time and opportunity to
meet. The Church is the ground and pillar of truth; it’s
the place where you’re taught the truth—God’s Word
that puts you over in life.
Personal Bible study and prayer are very healthy
and must be embraced by all Christians, but it must
not take the place of corporate worship—the assembly
of ourselves together. You have to be in the house of
God so you can hear the Word, grow spiritually, and
participate effectively in the work and ministry of the
Church.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the opportunity to fellowship with
you and with other believers, and the grace to be vitally involved
and committed in spiritual activities organized in the local
assembly. I’m blessed to partake of that corporate unction that
transforms my life, and makes me more effective in the work
of the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further study
Acts 9:31; Acts 2:41-47; hebrews 10:25
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1
Proverbs 20-21
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 thessalonians 1:1-12
Jeremiah 25