09/10/23 A TRICKY TRAP

09/10/23 A TRICKY TRAP

I only know of two times to step back from total commitment to a local church (BUT THERE IS NO VERSE in the Bible which tells us to take a break from a local church... NOT ONE).

TWO TIMES
Whether a new convert or a long time believer, whether in a leadership position or a faithful attender, there are two times that a person may step back to examine their relationship with a church, both of which are extreme situations.

FIRST,
If you think your church has been teaching or has recently started teaching doctrines which are contrary to clear Biblical revelation, you may step back but even then you must seek truth and examine the supposed errors in the light of the word of God. 

WITH CONDITIONS
Lines of communication must be maintained with pastor and leadership.
It could be that you have a wrong view, which you need to correct.
It could be that there is a misunderstanding, which needs to be cleared up.
It could be an actual heresy that needs to be addressed.
To abandon a pastor or a church without thoroughly confirming the truth of the matter is to misjudge and to possibly blaspheme the work of God.
To align with others, and misrepresent the former church is likely to be bearing false witness against a person, a local congregation.

SECOND,
if you think your church leadership either has a moral failure or that your church is allowing moral failure in the congregation to go unchecked, which is harmful to parishioners or demeans the name of Christ and His church in the community, then you may step back. 

WITH CONDITIONS
Even then you must seek truth and examine the accusations or appearances in the light of the word of God. Lines of communication must be maintained with pastor and leadership.
It could be that it is a false view, which you need to correct.
It could be that there is a misunderstanding, which needs to be cleared up.
It could be an actual moral failure that needs to be addressed.
To abandon a pastor or a church without thoroughly confirming the truth of the matter is to misjudge and to possibly blaspheme the work of God.
To align with others, and misrepresent the former church is likely to be bearing false witness against a person, a local congregation.

In neither of these two extreme situations are Christians free to just take a trial separation, without working with church and leadership to actually deal with the supposed problem.
If the problem you are facing is not of such an extreme nature, then you need to maintain a right attitude and relationship with the leadership and the church as you work through your personal problem.

No church should impose legalistic authority over the parishioners.
No church leader should oppress his people.
Neither should parishioners step back, take a break or abandon a church simply because they "feel" uncomfortable.
Make sure that your discomfort is not based in your own personal views, feelings, desires or beliefs.

No church or church leadership should cut off a believer, without meeting with the parishioner and trying to clear up problems.
Likewise, no parishioner should cut off a church or its leadership without meeting with the church and its leadership, trying to clear up problems.

Sadly, there are times when separation between parishioner and church needs to take place. It takes compassion, courage and commitment, regardless of who is in the right or wrong. But it is not something that should be done just to please self. The church is not a club, established under human rules and regulations. It is the established work and will of God, which must be subject to Biblical revelation and the law of love.

If a husband and wife have problems, which seem to be irreconcilable, then they need to get Biblical counsel and spiritual help. Neither the husband or the wife should, "take a break" from the marriage. Likewise, no parishioner should, "take a break" from their church. It is a time when people need to draw closer and be more restorative in their relationship.

The real issue is that a person who, "takes a break" from their local church is actually taking a break from God's family, and therefore, from God Himself.

You will be opening yourself up to more and greater spiritual deception.
You will find it easier to "separate" from God's people, God's family, God's will.
You will find it harder to return to a right relationship with the local church.
You will find people who will encourage you to leave a strong Bible church.
You will begin to feel liberated, as you are being entangled by darkness.

Make right choices, even if those choices are personally difficult and costly.

Adam and Eve thought they had found pleasure, peace, and power once they "separated" from God and His will.