Puritan said:
I have to say, that I don't see anything wrong with a person or a family finding a church with likeminded believers. It doesn't, in my humble opinion, do us any good if we simply aren't happy with the worship, practice and preaching of a church.
Dave,
Although it is certainly true that
subjectively there is nothing wrong with finding a church of "like-minded believers",
objectively one may "feel comfortable" but be woefully in error in what they believe. For example, I'm sure that Mormons feel much more comfortable and encourage others to worship where their doctrinal views are adhered to. Likewise, the Pharisees had mutual admiration for each other and stood together in opposing the Lord Christ. But what is far more important and one's eternal end depends upon it is this: Are you embracing the TRUTH of God or error that purports to be the truth of God?
The fact that every denomination, individual church, group and person will undoubtedly profess to hold to "the truth", only one (perhaps none) is holding to the truth and all the rest are embracing error. Thus one's lifelong quest should be to seek THE truth; "the faith once delivered unto the saints".
I will agree that there are always going to be differences among men. And in regard to what we would call the "non-essentials", we should be able to accept one another despite them. But there are "essentials" which if one fails to embrace then all one really has is self-deception in regard to salvation. One of the most hated statements among men that the Lord Christ ever uttered is, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Jh 14:6)
Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby."
In His grace,
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