“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” – Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV
A well-crafted Sandcastle is usually beautiful and delightful to look at. Interestingly, no matter how lovely it looks, it can easily be destroyed by water waves or just a mere touch. This is because it was never built with solid materials or on a solid foundation.
In the same way, the church you choose to grow in must have a solid foundation. God desires that we grow and mature in the faith. The church is God’s structure for this. (Philippians 1:25). However, you must be discerning enough to know the kind of church to belong to and the shepherd to submit to.
Jesus warned us to beware of people who portray themselves as knowing the truth when in fact, they are far from it. (Matthew 7:15).
This begs the question; what is the litmus test of a genuine church?
One of the non-negotiable marks of a genuine church is its doctrine of the gospel. A good church properly understands the gospel and accurately passes the message. This is the epicentre of our faith. You must ask yourself, “What do they teach? Does it align with the word of God?”
The undiluted gospel is vital for every believer. Your spiritual health depends on consistently hearing the right message. Your church can shape your understanding of the gospel and your relationship with God. You must avoid communities that offer little to no teaching or incorrect teaching on salvation (Galatians 1:9).
What then is the gospel?
The message of the Gospel is simple but powerful; God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Anyone who believes in His death, burial and resurrection is saved through His blood. In Christ, we are completely forgiven, redeemed, and given a gift we could never have bought – salvation and eternal life. This is the crux of our faith (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
Righteousness is credited to us by believing in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, which is the foundation of the Church. Therefore, choose a local assembly that recognises and emphasises its significance.
Dear believer, you mustn’t be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). A church built on the solid foundation of Christ is God’s will for you. One that rightly divides the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
If you already belong to such a local assembly, pray for God to increase their reach and help them continually propagate the true message of the Gospel. If you don’t, pray and trust God to lead you to one that will help you grow in your walk with Him.
A solid foundation is your defence against the devil’s wiles. So, you have to get it right.
Bible Reading Plan: John 18