True and counterfeit churches

(GB Message)

We learned how Satan has already devoured many churches. He is like a man-eater having tasted the blood of members of dead churches and so he is keen to capture many more. With the experience that he has gained, he runs pseudo churches parallel to genuine churches. One thing is certain, Satan has no power whatsoever over living churches.

We may wonder what is a live church and how they may be identified.

We may also wonder how these dead churches are still so very active in imitating the living church. One broad characteristic is that in a genuine church, activities are spiritual and involve the inner man; whereas in the dead churches the showmanship of the outer man, albeit with a profuse use of biblical jargon, keeps things going.

The churches under the patronage of Satan are generally super active. Hence the spirituality of a church should not be measured by the number of activities alone. Both the genuine and the counterfeit churches are equally active. The vital differences is that in the counterfeit churches, the inner man is completely overpowered by the outer man. Whereas in the Lord’s church it is the other way round. The outer man is completely subdued by the inner man.

Satan being cunning beyond human imagination makes church activities attractive to the outsiders and/or to the newly added Christians. Satan imitates the spiritual churches in such activities as Bible readings, attractive order of service, using of biblical language, and eloquent and witty sermons. Attractive singing with musical instruments wielded by unbelievers is his forte. The church has multifarious social activities giving each member something to do for their preoccupation and satisfaction.

If we may classify the activities in the church, we can divide them into two basic divisions:

• Fruitbearing activities
• Non-fruitbearing activities

Churches under the patronage of Satan concentrate on non-fruitbearing activities of a more cosmetic nature like the leafy fig tree without the desired fruit. A leafy fig tree without the desired fruit is a good example for the activities of the outer man. A ‘fruitbearing’ life is a spiritual life lived with the power and help of the Holy Spirit. Only genuine churches can function as fruitbearing institutions. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the greatest spiritual tool given to believers for their progress in the sanctified path leading to the heavenly kingdom.

But the satanic parallel churches will, invariably, divert the attention of the unwary believers from the path of the heavenly kingdom, which is invisible and imperceptible to the senses, to visible activities, mostly of a social nature. Social activities are not wrong in themselves, but the mandate given to believers by God has a different focus altogether.

We are in this world for a particular purpose, namely to discover the path of sanctification in this alien land ruled by Satan, and to progress in it. We have to constantly pass through rugged paths on account of our own sinful nature and the satanic environment in this world. We must therefore beware of the parallel churches established by the satanic forces. The ministry of the various false prophets claiming to perform super natural acts also belongs to the same category as these parallel churches.

Bending the circumstance: Believers must learn the art of bending circumstances in case they are found to be a threat to their spiritual progress. Mostly circumstances are beyond the control of individual believers. Nevertheless we should be in a position to at least bend it if not change it, lest it may be a stumbling block for progressing in the path of sanctification. We should go to God when the going is still quite impossible.

Is your Assembly alive?
Constant introspection within believers, individually and within the church as whole, should be inbuilt into them. Everyone must examine themselves every now and then to see if their church is alive. I suggest here just two of several kinds of tests. (More can be devised as church grows)

1. Are there at least two members in your church (the spouse is not to be included in the counting) who

• Regularly attend the worship service
• Regularly attend prayer meetings

2. Are there at least three members who

• have a cordial relationship with one another
• take part in church activities
• take part in the discussion group in a cordial and humble manner

In the special prayer committee only those who are very regular in church attendance and who have a cordial relationship with one another should be included.