Knowing God Without Church
Religion and Church Didn't Save Me, Jesus Did
With all that religion around me one would think I would have found God there, but I didn't. I only came to know Jesus Christ through personal suffering, alienation and heartbreak. He was my savior then and He is my savior now.
Not a morning or evening goes by where I don't bid Him a loving greeting, and He's been there when the pain seemed almost too much to bear. He even gave me the unmistakable gift of visiting me in a dream on one very important occasion - foretelling an event in my life with such vivid clarity that I can remember every detail, even 10 years later.
I know God and I feel His presence among his phenomenal creation and so often by myself. At church I feel oddly distant from Him. The prayers and songs seem monotonous, lacking genuine passion and feeling. It's almost as if they're offered out of routine rather than glory.
In the years since I was a good little Lutheran I've visited dozens of churches, always leaving disappointed and disconnected. It's not that God wasn't there or wasn't blessing the churches, but I was distracted by the sinful humanity of the pastors or the lack of warmth and friendliness from the congregants. But when outside or in peaceful solitude, I am the only one around that lives in sin and nothing else diverts my attention; it's just me and God.
I have a hard time being preached to by men and women who live lives more questionable than my own. Some have problems in their marriages, others fall into adultery, a few are pedophiles or have addictions to money; many more are full of arrogance and pride. Why should they be put on a pedestal while preaching to me? I can learn a lot from them, but not in the ways they would want. Therefore, I face my own sins and go to God with them, carrying my burden and mine alone.
One day I would be grateful to find a church where I felt at home and learned from those more knowledgeable than myself, but until then, I'll keep seeking and I'll be at peace with knowing I'm saved through grace, and not because I do or don't go to church.
Published by Donna H. Davey
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12 Comments
Post a CommentSaved by grace not through grace. By grace through faith. Saved through Jesus' faith, and this is the grace and mercy of God.
Jesus; Who do you say I am?
Peter: The Christ.
Jesus: Blessed are you....and on this rock I will build my church...
The truth of Christianity cannot be separted from the church. Without the church there is no Christianity and without Christ there is no church. The two are mutually exclusive. You cannot have one without the other.
If you look to people and not Christ you are sure to be disappionted. God has always had a faithful REMNANT, just a handful of followers who were completely faithful to him. You can see this in Exodus, the Gospels, Jeremiah.....which do you want to be? Being faithful means worshipping God the way he wants to be worshipped, and he is clear about this throughtout the Torah (Leviticus, the epistles, etc).
Not going to church is not a choice that honors God.
It just seems sad that the Churches have let you down..but as you said you will keep searching for a Church that you can call "home"..but the truth is..you don't have to go to Church to be saved..
Excellent article. God is always on your side no matter what. He is always watching over you no matter where you are.
I have been going to church every Sunday. It took me a while to find a church that I felt comfortable at. Going to church on Sunday was a great reminder for me each week to know how much Jesus Christ loves us. Not until I actully went to a bible study did I feel real connected. Now I understand more about the bible and my religion. I think any Christian should go to church to help keep their faith strong and try to build on that. Staying at home dulls your faith regardless of how you want to think it doesn't. You need fellowship. Nice article and true of so many people out there in the world today. Thanks.
Why sad?
oh..this is so sad...
Good voting record to see on Obama.
Sorry to know that a church let you down. Jesus never will and He is the one who tells us to come together as a body and worship Him. Allow your Savior to direct you in this area...remember no church is perfect, only our heavenly home. Fellowship with believers can be positive and not only a one way positive but God can use you to edify someone else. It's a challenge that with God you have the opportunity to work through things in a setting that is not anywhere else on earth.
That is very sad. It is pitiful how many crooks hide behind religion to commit such acts just because they know the victims are loving, caring and devout individuals.