Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." NASB
I think that every era of the Age of Grace must have had its issues. One of the biggest issues in the Reformation age has been the propensity of Christians to move off into different sects and then proceed to compete with each other for new converts.
This has led many away from God because of the contradictions and hypocrisy that it has engendered. Nothing hurts other believers more than being slapped down by the pious for perceived misdemeanors against a denominations unexplained code of conduct. When viewed in the plain light of day it can only be the work of an enemy.
I’m not saying here that the Roman Catholic Church is the Bible Believing Christian Church of Jesus of Nazareth. It is not! What I am saying is that if you believe that “God so loved you that he gave his only son Jesus Christ for you and that having believed on him, You shall not perish but inherit eternal life.” The you are a member of the Church - The Bride of Christ.
Your connection to your brothers and sisters in Christ is through the indwelling Holy Spirit who reveals the nature of Jesus Christ in you. Your mission is to carry the seed of the gospel to as many who don’t possess it as you can and the World and its rulers will not thank you for your work.
As to the denomination that you subscribe to, it will likely be covered in the letters of Paul and the Messages to the Churches from our Lord Jesus in Revelation. There will be wonderful strengths in your Church and beautiful people who are Christ with us. There will also be weaknesses in the form of false apostles, false prophets, apostasy and wrong teaching. The devil may well be in the midst of your bible believing congregation.
Your defense is the Word of God, the Full Armor of God and prayer in the Holy Spirit. For as the author of Hebrews tells us in “Hebrews 4:12-13....the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” NASB
The Full Armour of God and Prayer in the Spirit are described in “Ephesians 6 verses 10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints...” NASB
My personal admonition to you in this late stage in the Age of Grace is that we hark back to the first century and the times of the early Church. That we consider ourselves members of the Church of Jesus of Nazareth - The Bride of Christ. Further that we look upon anyone who proclaims the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ to be our brother or sister in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. NIV
Reference List
Scriptures from http://www.biblegateway.com and http://biblehub.com
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