In recent times, there are many doctrines that are springing up in the church. Most churches will tell you their dos and don’ts. They would introduce you to their way of life; their church culture. They will brainwash you into believing that if you don’t adhere to their doctrines, you are disloyal to the church.
Certainly, there are cultures everywhere. Even in the workplace, there are work ethics that you must go by. There are even specific attires to wear on specific days, for people like bankers.
Where my problem is, is when churches put fear in their members so much so that when you don’t adhere to a particular culture, you are seen as the bad nut. This is my concern.
Before one becomes a member of a church, we must understand that the person is first a member of society. This means that they have their personal beliefs, values, cultures, norms, goals, dreams and aspirations. None of these were influenced by fear.
They were either inherited by their environment or learnt. Thus, I want to become a doctor and give back to society because my mum showed me the value of helping others. Or maybe my teacher taught me.
Anything born out of fear is not of God. You cannot coerce me into believing that your doctrine is right. I have freewill. God gives me the freewill. I can choose what I want to believe.
I believe in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I believe He died on the cross for my sins. Personally, I join a church because they preach the message of Christ. Not because they give the best sermons, or prophecies, or motivational speeches. No. That is not my motive for becoming a member. My life is centred on my faith in Christ so I believe I should join a church that aligns with my faith.
A church that follows Christ. Like Paul said, follow me as long as I follow Christ. The vision of a church is secondary to the gospel of Christ. The aim is not to promote the church, but to promote the gospel. After all, if Christ had not died, there would be no church, whose name will you be calling at the altar?
Church, hear me. Let the vision of Christ be paramount to that of the vision of the church. I know you want to take territories and occupy mega churches with 100, 000 seating capacities. Very well. It is good to visualise. It is good to dream of expansion. But that dream should be done in the context of winning souls for God. Not for you the pastor to have fame or influence. Not for you to enrich yourself. Trust me, it is all part of the package. When you put God’s needs above your own, He will give you the desired exposure.
Church, stop coercing members to adhere to your doctrines. When you preach the gospel of Christ and it conforms to what your members know in the Scripture, they would be transformed and will draw others to your church to experience the same transformation. They would evangelise without you telling them to. After all, if I experience God in a unique way in the labour ward, I can tell expecting moms that God will come through for them. If you preach the message and it sinks down well, I can tell others to equally come and experience your life transforming messages.
Don’t pull the cart before the horse. Do your part and your members would do same. Follow Christ and Christ Himself will draw people to His church. Let me stress this, His church.
Now to the members, don’t accept or absorb just any doctrine from your church. Test its efficacy with the Word of God. Whenever any doctrine pops up, the question to ask is, what is my Bible saying? Did my Bible tie me to certain cultures, beliefs and doctrines, or does it give me the free will to make choices? Even accepting Jesus as Lord and Personal Saviour is a matter of free will. Why then, must I be coerced to accept church doctrines? Let us all be mindful of what we are made to believe. The end time is near. Open your ears and your eyes. For there will be many false doctrines. I cannot stress this any further. A word to the wise they say, is enough.
(N.B: THIS WRITEUP WAS INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR DISAGREE, ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT. DON’T COME AND ARGUE WITH ME. I WAS INSPIRED TO SAY WHAT I SAID. I CAN’T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I DID NOT WRITE. AND IF YOU BY ANY MEANS AGREE, THANK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR ME.)
