JESUS IS NOT A MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH ONLY

I grew up in a church environment where we didn't truly believe that those who were different from us were born again. Though it wasn't explicitly stated, I now realize that was the subtle message we received. Raised in a very conservative Christian background, we openly criticized certain churches. Our preachers did not spare white garment churches, they were the worst hit.  We felt that Jesus was meant for us alone and no one else.

The way some of our pastors talked about mainline churches that most people call orthodox was nothing to write home about. I remember hearing tales of how they permitted occults and gave them special seats in their churches, even clergies in occult. That might be true for some but not for all. Some how, we saw all of them through that lens.

Another thing was that they were categorized as churches without "fire". While some pentecostal churches that are not conservative were seen as hell fire preparatory or recruitment centre on earth. Even their tongues was derided because we judged them 'unholy' through their dressing especially females. You may not understand what I am saying except you've been in that kind of setting.

This thing affected my spiritual growth in a way because I could not benefit from fellowshipping with others without seeing the fault lines especially the ones I was told. God knew I wouldn't go far with that mindset so He decided to do a thorough mind laundry for me by exposing me to certain people and churches for a change of mindset.

Back in the days when I sought admission, I lived in a town called Ipetu-Modu. There, I mingled and met a sister from one of those churches I was told was "fireless". I became close to this sister through some other friends in my company. This sister was worded, carried "fire" and was a shining light. She stood for righteousness. Wow! A scale fell off my eyes.

Today, I have met sound Christians from white garment fold some of whom are in ministry together with me and I have been privileged to minister in a white garment church more than once. I met a people who loved God and were genuinely following Christ. That was where God dealt a final blow to that agelong mentality that made me feel Jesus belonged to my church only.

Though, some of the concerns of my stream were valid and are still valid till date. They were not all that wrong about certain unbiblical practices they saw in those churches. They did not want us to be polluted but they missed it by thinking everyone in those churches were unsaved and are hell bound. That's extreme.

*No matter how bad a church institution might be, there is always a remnant*.

1 Kings 19:8 says, *"Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!*”

Dearest,If you are like my former self, you need to open your heart to what the Lord is saying this season. God cannot be boxed to a denomination neither is Jesus the member of your church only. That feeling of exclusivism is of the devil. No single pastor or church is the custodian of Christ.

*There is a limit to how far you can go If your mind is not open to receiving other brethren especially their ministries. It shouldn't start and end with you and your church only*.

Your pastor isn’t the only one preaching the truth, nor is your church the only one commended by God. The tendency to look down on believers from other churches may stem from a mix of spiritual pride and ignorance.

Tell the Lord to help you get rid of that mentality, It will not help your spiritual growth. We don't relate with other believers using the name of their denomination. Rather, we relate with the brethren because of our relationship through the blood of Christ that binds us.

A born-again believer from another church is your brother in Christ. While your church and theirs may differ in certain doctrines, as long as you both share salvation and agree on the fundamental beliefs of our faith, you are brothers from the same Father, gathering spiritual nourishment in different places.

Run from divisive preachings or teachings that pitches you against other believers because of their denomination. Yes, we all won't believe the same thing because our interpretation of scriptures may differ but we are not permitted to love one another less.