Today, points are shared as council to a teenaged believer on the need for perspective that provides balance between sacred knowledge and active participation within a community of faith. All believers are challenged to “create” and make the church to be what it must become by applying the resources and tools provided through Jesus Christ. Because there are individual differences, diversity, and energy that must be properly channeled and directed, the duty of building a true communion and fellowship demands developed awareness and skill that allow focus upon multiple levels of spiritual experience. In addition to the work of continuing in intimate relationship with likeminded believers, there is also the task of repelling and resisting false teachings, and those who approach to do a work of destruction and spiritual confusion. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “anthony” (Level 1 with 9 points, a member since April 06, 2015) posted the following:
Finding a biblically correct church?
So basically I'm a teenager, and I was raised a Catholic. Just a couple months ago, I made my own choice to take Christianity seriously, and now I have an advanced understanding of the bible, which made me realize the Catholic Church are false, and so are a lot of churches. My parents don't seem to understand this no nagged what I say, and how am I supposed to find a true correct church?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10: 35-39, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015); Those Who Read? (02/17/2015); Dating and Worship? (09/11/2014); Quality Time Together? (09/12/2014); On Youth Doing Enough (02/06/2014); Driving Under the Influence (02/07/2014); Hierarchy (11/14/2013); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013); Evidence of the Unseen Spirit? (04/09/2013)
“anthony”, here are a few points to consider that have been helpful to many Christian believers:
(1.) The holy writings provide sacred knowledge to believers in such forms as guidance, sacred history, divine law, principles for righteous living, and recommendations for sacred practice and relationship with GOD through Christ. Because various teachings are specific to the covenant (also called, the law of Moses) and culture of the Hebrews as a people, many become misdirected and are carried into spiritual confusion by the multiple interpretations, readings and traditions that appear, that are “logical” or reasonable, and that seem to be legitimate. The disciples of Jesus are cautioned against over emphasis upon obeying the “letter” of the law, and neglecting to execute its “righteousness by faith” through the Spirit of the law.
(2.) Mature Christian believers often acknowledge that, for believers to assume only the early church has received direct correction, guidance and instruction from divinity, may not be as Christ would have it. There now have been spiritual developments, ongoing process and continuing revelation since then. Such features as apostolic succession, operations by the Spirit of Prophecy (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth), and the accomplishments of church leadership in convocation and council can not be ignored as having genuine benefit. Rightly understood, such features do not replace the Scriptures, rather, they amplify, authenticate, and make the holy writings alive in day-to-day practice as well as in worship.
(3.) The full perspective a believer must acquire (we also say, becoming perfected) can not be achieved immediately, and comes only through fellowship with mature believers, service, study of the Scriptures. Those who are born again also must “grow up” again encountering the same challenges, difficulties and problems (we say, growing pains) that come against all others who are living upon the earth. More than this, such believers will endure much of that same suffering imposed upon the early church and its head, Jesus Christ. Included are false accusations, condemnation for confessing belief, persecution, rejection, separation from family and friends, and slander. Teens must be careful to continue their trust in parents, church leadership, and doctrine. Where they leave the church before becoming fully grounded in their life as a new creation through Christ, they effectively lose their special anointing and endowments from GOD intended to equip them to meet the inescapable challenges of adult life. More than this, they have no spirit power, and can not serve effectively as priests and kings in the service of Jesus Christ.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) While salvation comes as a peculiar cooperation of flesh and spirit, the operations of divinity are uppermost. So to speak, the contribution of finite created beings and living creatures is less than one in ten zillion, and the bulk of the work is done by divinity. For this reason, we are seen restored as Adam, dependent upon faith, love and trust, rather than upon our own perfect conformity and obedience to ceremony, discipline, law, ritual and tradition.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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