For many new believers or even those seeking to worship God rightly one of the biggest challenges is identifying the true church that leads them to worship God in spirit and truth. This challenge arises largely because of the proliferation of false doctrines and leaders with misguided or even malicious intentions, whose goal is to mislead rather than save souls. Therefore, as a Christian, you must be a discerning seeker. God calls us to such discernment, as warned in 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”Indeed, we live in times of widespread deception. Despite the abundance of false churches and teachings, the solution is not to isolate yourself at home. Scripture commands us not to neglect gathering together (Hebrews 10:25 ESV): “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” The benefits of fellowship far outweigh solitary worship. Just as a small stone in your food won’t make you discard the whole meal, encountering some false teaching in a church shouldn’t lead you to abandon all fellowship, but it does call for careful evaluation. Joining a church, however, is not an automatic ticket to heaven. Yet, the right church plays a crucial role in helping you persevere in faith and grow spiritually on your journey to eternal life. Consider this analogy: a church is like a school. When a student finishes primary school and moves to secondary school, many schools compete for his or her enrollment, each promising good results and a conducive learning environment. It is the student’s responsibility to investigate and discern whether the school truly meets the standards needed for success. A poor choice can place the student at great risk of failure, regardless of their intelligence. Even if the school is excellent, the student’s own effort is necessary for success. Both the school’s quality and the student’s diligence work together. Imagine a student saying, “I won’t go to school; I will just study for my final exams at home.” Would that student likely succeed? The purpose of the school is to provide teachers, discipline, and a structured environment conducive to learning. Similarly, Christianity and the church must go hand in hand. It is your responsibility to choose a church that will support and nurture your spiritual growth. Key Criteria to Identify the True Church 1) Jesus Christ Must Be the Center of FaithChristianity is about Jesus Christ. A church that does not place Christ alone as the foundation of faith is not genuine. Beware of churches where a prophet, a leader, or even saints are exalted above or alongside Christ as mediators of sin forgiveness (cf. Colossians 2:18-19 ESV): “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head…”If you find Jesus compared to others as though they share His unique role, flee immediately. 2) The Church Believes in the Holy Bible AloneA true church accepts the canonical 66 books of the Bible no more, no less. Some denominations add the Apocrypha or elevate church traditions to the level of Scripture, which is a deviation (cf. Revelation 22:18 ESV): “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.”If a church elevates tradition above Scripture, it is a place of deception. 3) The Church Preaches the Kingdom of HeavenJohn the Baptist began his ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 ESV). Jesus and the apostles continued this message (Matthew 4:17, Acts 28:31).True Christianity is the good news about the coming heavenly kingdom, not primarily the kingdom of this world. If the church’s message is mostly about earthly wealth, power, or status, it’s a warning sign. 4) The Church Emphasizes Holiness and LoveSanctification and love are foundational marks of a living church (Hebrews 12:14, 1 John 4:7-8 ESV): “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God…” If people come to church dressed inappropriately, uncorrected in sin, or without being called to repentance and transformation, the church is not faithful. 5) The Church Affirms the Gifts of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit manifests His presence through gifts such as healing, prophecy, tongues, and more (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ESV): “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… to another healing, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy…” If a church rejects or suppresses these gifts entirely, it restricts the Spirit’s work and is not truly the body of Christ. Final Words:Take this matter seriously and evaluate your church against these biblical standards. Many believers remain trapped in false denominations out of fear or ignorance, but ultimately, you alone are accountable for your faith (Romans 14:12). I pray God grants you wisdom and discernment as you seek the true church. May the Lord bless you.
Where in the Bible does it say that trousers are exclusively male clothing? And what about the robe (kanzu)? Since robes are similar to gowns and worn by men, why can’t women wear trousers too? Answer:The first mention of trousers in the Bible refers to the garments worn by the priests. God commanded the priests to wear trousers that were distinct in their design. They were told to make short trousers (called “kaptula”), as well as longer ones that extended down to cover their legs fully. Exodus 28:41-43 (ESV) states:“And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. And you shall make linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh; they shall reach from the hips to the thighs. And Aaron and his sons shall wear them when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, lest they bear guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his offspring after him.” In Israel, there were no female priests—all priests were men. Therefore, these trousers were male garments by divine design (see also Exodus 39:27 and Leviticus 6:10). We also see this confirmed in the time of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When King Nebuchadnezzar threw them into the fiery furnace, the Scriptures say they were wearing their trousers along with their robes and coats. Daniel 3:21-22 (ESV):“Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was so hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were men not women and nowhere in Scripture are women described as wearing trousers or commanded to wear them like the priests. This clearly indicates trousers were male-specific garments. The Bible further commands:Deuteronomy 22:5 (ESV) says:“A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” A woman wearing trousers would be going against God’s design and command. Trousers are not intended to cover or modestly clothe a woman. Instead, a woman wearing trousers would not appear modest but rather dishonored or exposed. The Bible calls women to dress modestly and with propriety. 1 Timothy 2:9 (ESV) teaches:“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” Thus, women should avoid trousers or any tight or body-revealing clothing. What about the robe (kanzu)?The robe was not a female garment. It was a type of outerwear worn by men, somewhat like a coat. This is why Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wore robes over their trousers in the furnace. A robe is different from a gown, which is specifically designed for women according to their natural form. Christian women are biblically encouraged to wear gowns or long skirts that reflect modesty and femininity. In conclusion:You may not have known before that trousers are a male garment, but now you do. If you have trousers in your wardrobe, I encourage you not to wear them if you are a woman. Instead, discard them and seek modest skirts or gowns. Don’t fear appearing old-fashioned or unfashionable in the eyes of the world. It is better to be seen as plain and modest while walking in obedience to God than to be “fashionable” but out of God’s will. May the Lord bless you.
Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome as we come together to study the Bible, the true bread of life for our souls. The Scriptures teach clearly that we are saved by grace, not by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This passage tells us that salvation is entirely a gift from God — it cannot be earned by anything we do. No matter how righteous we may think we are, we still fall short because of our sinful nature. Like a dog who thinks its ways are right, but a human sees its many flaws, so God sees our flaws even when we consider ourselves pure. Therefore, we can never boast before God by our own deeds. Yet despite our many shortcomings, God extends to us the free gift of salvation. This unearned gift is what we call GRACE. But it is crucial to understand that this grace, while freely given, is not cheap or without purpose. It comes with a responsibility and an expectation. Grace teaches us and requires a response from us. If we refuse this response, we effectively reject the grace itself. What exactly does grace require? Consider this passage: Titus 2:11-13 (ESV) “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Notice verse 12: God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. This is the key demand grace places on us. It calls us to reject the sinful patterns of the world and to live lives marked by self-control, righteousness, and godliness. If we embrace this teaching and live accordingly, God’s grace will remain with us and cover over our smaller faults. Just as a dog who accepts his master’s training is loved and his minor faults overlooked, so too God’s grace overlooks small imperfections when we submit to His discipline. But those who reject this teaching and continue to live as they please—wandering freely in sin—will not experience the favor of God’s grace. Many today misunderstand grace to mean license to live however they want. They say, “We are saved by grace, not works,” without understanding that grace itself calls for a transformed life—a life that denies the world. If you desire God’s grace to abide in you, you must deny the fashions and pleasures of the world. You must reject worldly indulgences such as immodest clothing, tattoos, jewelry, drunkenness, sinful entertainment, sexual immorality, dishonesty, and all other forms of worldly sin. Do not be deceived—God’s grace and worldly living are fundamentally incompatible. Have you truly denied sin? Have you rejected the world? If not, then today is the day to repent, to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and to be baptized in water in His name. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and help you obey the commands of God’s grace. Maranatha!