So have we. Hate to say it, but this is pretty common, which accounts for why people try out new churches and rarely just stay in one place for their whole life. Perpetual dissatisfaction can be a problem, but sometimes it wasn’t just you – you really did experience some legitimate hurt while at a church, perhaps something very serious like spiritual or sexual abuse. These are very serious and heavy burdens, and it is fully understandable why it’s hard to trust or want to try somewhere new.
Let us encourage you with the words of Isaiah 42:3, speaking prophetically about the Messiah Jesus: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Christ, though all-powerful in strength, has no desire to further wound the wounded follower or snuff out the faith of the God-fearing person who has suffered injustice which has led to mistrust or doubt about the church. If you’d like to talk about it, please get in touch with us.
This is all too common, but it is understandable when going to church was the expectation of parents. When the liberty of adulthood hits, many people bail on church. If you’ve never actually received Jesus Christ as your Savior when you were growing up, the bad news is that salvation is not hereditary. The good news is that God saves sinners like you and me in spite of our good or bad upbringing. Church attendance as a child doesn’t make you a Christian, nor does it result in salvation as an adult, either. Read What Is the Gospel?
If and when you have that confident assurance that you are a child of God, washed clean and justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, you need to find a church to help you grow in your sanctification – that is, the God-given process of being more like Jesus by putting off sins and growing in Christian maturity and holiness. It doesn’t have to be our church – but find one that teaches the Bible faithfully.
We can always find fault with imperfect institutions. And there are no perfect churches, because church people still struggle against sin. That said, we fully acknowledge it can be very hard and frustrating to go on walkabout, trying to find a good church in any given area. From Hebrews 10:24-25, the author says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” To wit, Christians need the church to obey God fully.
Church is not man’s idea; it is God’s idea, and He loves His Bride. If you say you love the Bridegroom, you can’t scorn His beloved Bride. So if you have black-pilled on church, repent, and maybe give us a try.
Good! Chase that feeling. Let me say this: Just like it was not good for Adam to be alone, and so Eve was created for him, it is not good to be a Lone Ranger Christian. In our age of online “connections,” we’ve never been more lonely and friendless as a human race. Come find your people in the church. It can be intimidating because life online allows you to cover up your flaws, and IRL does not. But the church is filled with people with flaws at least as great as yours. We are all equalized at the foot of the cross.
That’s super exciting. Know why? Because that is the work of the One True and Living God in your life.
Jesus says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)
You may think you’re seeking after God, but the situation is that He is after you. He has been called “the hound of heaven” and He will track you down. No one on their own accord seeks for God (Romans 3:11) so if you feel that drawing towards the God of the Bible, that is the Holy Spirit working on your heart, preparing the soil for the seed of the Gospel.
Take heart! “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Praise God, not for the wandering away, but for your conviction that you have strayed off the path you once were on, and it’s time to come correct. You don’t have to clean your life up first in order to be found by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He comes to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10) He will make you right again – submit to His way, because God loves His children as any good father does. You may say, as Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:5-6) There is hope for you. We would love to help you on your journey with Christ the King.