As we walked around the lake, I commented to my companion about the roses’ sweet smell.
He said, “I don’t smell any roses. All I can smell is those flowers over there.”
It took me a moment, but then I understood. The roses were an old variety, simple rugosa, which looks like a wild rose. They didn’t look anything like the fancy roses you buy at the florists by the dozen. They’re very attractive in their own right, but they just look so different that without knowing, you wouldn’t even think they are related.
It can be that way with the church. There is such a diversity in practice and in style that you’d never know that they were related. Some are incredibly ritualistic and solemn; others are very free-form and exuberant. Some have only a couple of members, while at the other extreme, the world’s biggest Christian church has more than 750,000 members. That congregation is bigger than many denominations.
In some, the pastor wears robes and is addressed as father. In others, the pastor wears shorts and a T-shirt and is called by his first name. In some congregations, it’s a man who leads and teaches, and in others, it’s a woman.
You’ll probably never find a “perfect” church. There will always be something that you don’t agree with, or people you don’t get along with. After all the church is full of people.
With all the diversity, how do you know it’s a good church? There are lots of counterfeits out there who claim to be Christian or who claim to use the Bible as the source of their teaching. How do you tell the good from the bad? How do you know whether it’s a rose or a noxious weed?
There are several good indicators.
Their view of the Bible: a rose recognizes the Bible is truth. If they deny the truth of Scripture they are a dandelion.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Their doctrine is sound. Contrary to what many might think, sound doctrine is important.
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
A good church teaches heaven and hell. It recognizes that the only way to salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[a] by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
A good church recognizes that we are saved by God’s grace alone.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
A good church has a passion for the lost, and does more than talk about it.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age Matthew 28:19-20
A good church has love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Have a look at where you are worshipping. Is it a rose or a dandelion? There are no perfect churches outside of glory, but the basics must be in place.
Until next time, my prayer is that you find yourself affiliated with a rose.
Be blessed
Kevin
Some thoughts on finding a good church
Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.
