Church hunting in 2023 has been quite the eye-opening endeavor.

Let me start by saying there is no such thing as a perfect church, because churches are made up of imperfect people! Additionally, we all have our preferences: different people prefer different music, preaching styles, location, church size, etc. The problem, we discovered while scouring the interwebs, is that sadly, a majority of congregations apparently prefer not to operate under the authority of Scripture.

Whether there is an outright acceptance of sin within the body, a deviation from Biblical leadership, or just a lukewarm, watered-down presentation of what it truly means to belong to Christ, faithful churches, apparently, are few and far between.

It reminds me of the old adage, “Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink.”

Thankfully, God is faithful and we’ve found a great church just five minutes down the road from us. Full disclosure: there are two areas in which this church leans further on the side of caution than we think necessary, but as there are, again, no perfect churches, we think the bold, grace-filled teaching, loving pastoral care, moving worship, and amazing kids’ ministry far outweigh any minor hesitation on our part.

We are grateful God has placed us in a church that stands firmly on his word.

I am, however, saddened and discouraged that this faithfulness is the exception and not the rule.

Listen, I totally get why many churches have softened their stance on Biblical values.

It’s because they fear people more than they fear God.

I understand that fear may seem a distasteful word, but sometimes fear is actually wise (anyone here touch hot stoves on a regular basis because you don’t want to be fearful?)

Fear of God (seeing him as wholly holy and awesome and powerful: worthy of total devotion, submission, and praise) puts us in our rightful place, as worshipers and followers of Christ. We live in accordance with God’s commands, imperfectly, with a heartfelt desire to please him. We recognize God’s word, even the parts we don’t prefer or might have done differently, as our ultimate authority. Fearing God frees us from fear of the world.

Fear of people turns us into chameleons: we change colors with popular opinion in order to gain acceptance and applause. We live to please those around us and we place our own thoughts and preferences before that of Christ’s because, honestly, we see ourselves as the ultimate authority. Fearing people keeps us in bondage, always afraid of what others might say. or think about us.

Proverbs 1:7 – Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 29:24-25 –
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

God’s word is his word, and any church that ignores it, edits it, or denies it is not a church you want to find yourself in.

“But, Angela,” you’ll say, “how do you know what you’re saying is right?? Isn’t that arrogant, to say other people are wrong?”

To which I would lovingly respond, “If a church isn’t standing on Scripture, what the heck is the point? If Jesus isn’t the only way, then why bother with it at all? To be nice? To maybe hope your good outweighs your bad? No! That’s not what the Bible teaches at all, and doing “Christianity” apart from the authority of God is absolutely worthless and a complete waste of time. It makes us the star of the show, deifying human thought and human effort. It seeks to emasculate the awesome holiness and power of God, casting him instead as the kindly, indulgent grandfather. It attempts to negate the necessity of the cross, diminishing the gospel by telling sinners they are good where they are. It’s garbage, and it won’t save anyone.”

But the true gospel..now that’s worth everything.

Not sure what you believe?

Start here: is Jesus who he says he is? Did he really die on the cross for my sin? Did he actually rise from the dead, proving he is God?

If he didn’t, Christianity is worthless.

If he did, it changes everything.

And if it is true, don’t you want the real thing and not some weak, twisted attempt of a re-brand?

Jesus unfailingly upheld the Bible as the holy and fully reliable word of God, and anyone who trusts in him must do the same.

Even if it offends you.

Even if it asks you to change.

Even if other people don’t like it.

Even if it costs you friends.

Even if it costs you your life.

So it stands to reason: if your church leadership isn’t willing to stand on the word of God, they aren’t fit to lead, and you shouldn’t stay there.

That means you have to be reading your Bible enough to know the difference between a Biblical church and a deceptively misnomered social club for people with itchy ears.

God is loving and God is good. We know this because he sent Jesus to die in our place and take the punishment we so rightly deserve:

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” -Romans 5:6-11

He has so much more for us than the world has to offer, if we’ll only take him at his Word.

Don’t settle for less.

Angela

Psalm 19:7-9 – The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

Photo credit: research.Lifeway.com