In talking with people about why they attend the church they do, I get many different answers. Some let their mothers choose for them. (“This is the church I was raised in.”) Others choose a church for their kids or their spouse. (“They would be happy there.” Notice the absent “I.”) Still, others join a church to promote their careers. (“This is where I make business contacts.”) Of course, there are those who choose because it has an appealing program (softball league, children’s program, etc.) and I like those people who choose a congregation because it supports a worthwhile project and they want to help. Of course, there are those who choose a church that is “easy on the ears” with a good preacher or great music. But all these reasons leave out the most important reason of all: Is it the True Church?
Truth has fallen on hard times. I see many different interpretations of Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” Some people suffer from the “Candy Shop Syndrome.” They are so busy looking at an issue “objectively” or “from every side” that they can’t come to a conclusion about what is true.
Another popular flavor of truth is “custom tailored” — “Whatever you believe is true for you” — while some believe in subjective truth, “If it feels right it is right.” (I’ve bought too many used cars using that principle! Next time, I’m looking under the hood.) There are also those who decide the truth in very “practical” terms: “If it works, it must be true.”
Christians, however, believe in objective truth — truth that is independent of how you feel or what you think. We believe there are eternal truths and absolute rights and wrongs. True Christians are not afraid to ask the tough questions. Truth is truth and cannot be harmed by inquiry.
Now that may seem very cold and logical, and it certainly can be, so we must guard against “Vulcan” Christianity. (In the popular series “Star Trek,” Mr. Spock represented the Vulcan race who stripped themselves of all emotions.) Christians know that a marble stallion may look like a horse but without the warmth, it won’t take you anywhere. The mark of the true church is a heart that beats with love as well as her obedience to the truth.
So how do we find the True Church? By comparing the product to the blueprint. If GCC is the true church then we must continually check what we do and what we believe against the “spec sheet” – God’s Holy Word (see 1 Peter 1:22-2:3).