Lost in Church: Searching for the Will of God in a Divided World Made By Man
by Dr. John Roberts THD
by Dr. John Roberts THD
Where is the real identity that Christ promised to those who follow Him? Why does it seem so elusive, buried beneath layers of religion, tradition, and human expectation? Why does modern Christianity — especially the institutional kind — often demand conformity to their way, instead of leading us to God’s way?
How can every denomination claim to represent the will of God, when their teachings differ so drastically? Can we honestly believe that all of them are right, even when they contradict one another? Surely, God is not divided. So why are we?
When will the noise of man-made religion be silenced? When will the Kingdom of God be established in full — not just in word or theology, but in power and truth, bringing an end to all these divisions?
If Christ is truly building His Church, what must we do to be part of it? Not the church of men, but the church that aligns with the will of God — the church that He recognizes. I’m not asking for opinions. I’m not looking for denominational defense. I want biblical answers.
These questions are deep, urgent, and spiritually piercing. Many of you, including myself are wrestling with the pain of religious division, the yearning for authentic relationship with Christ, and the confusion caused by contradictory doctrines — all valid concerns. Let’s address each of these questions directly from the Bible, and piece together the answers according to God’s will, not man’s.
1. Why can’t we seem to have a real identity and relationship with Christ?
Answer: Because many pursue religion, not relationship. Identity in Christ begins with being born again and remaining in His Word.
John 1:12-13 — “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
John 8:31-32 — “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Many never move beyond form and ritual. They miss Christ because they cling to the tradition of men instead of the doctrine of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:5 — “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
2. Why does religious society force their way instead of God’s way?
Because religion wants control, but God wants surrender.
Mark 7:7-9 — “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men… You reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Religious systems often imitate the Tower of Babel: a human-made system to reach God their own way. But God rejects that. He came down to confuse their language because it wasn’t His plan (Genesis 11).
3. How can every denomination claim they’re right? Surely everyone can’t be.
What a correct straightforward question — everyone can’t be right when they all teach different things. This is why God gave one Gospel, one faith, and one body — not denominations.
Ephesians 4:4-6 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…”
Division comes from man, not God.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 — “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
The early church had no denominations. That’s why denominationalism is a work of the flesh, not the Spirit.
Galatians 5:20 — “…hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies.”
4. When will these divisions and false systems end?
When God judges the religious systems and sets up His unshakeable Kingdom. The book of Revelation speaks clearly about this.
Revelation 17–18 shows the fall of “Babylon the Great” — the religious and political systems of men that deceive the nations. God will destroy her.
Revelation 18:4 — “Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”
God is calling out a remnant — a people not bound to religion, but to Christ.
5. When will God establish His Kingdom in the Earth and end the divisions?
He already began doing it through Jesus Christ, but it will be consummated fully when He returns.
Luke 17:20-21 — “The kingdom of God does not come with observation… For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Daniel 2:44 — “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed…”
Revelation 11:15 — “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
So His Kingdom is spiritually present now, and will be visibly enforced when He returns.
6. What must we do to get it right according to God’s will, not men’s?
This is the most important part. Here’s the Bible’s call:
➤ REPENT & BELIEVE the Gospel:
Mark 1:15 — “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
➤ OBEY Christ, not tradition:
Matthew 7:21 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father…”
➤ FOLLOW THE SPIRIT, not the flesh:
Romans 8:14 — “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
➤ STAY IN THE WORD (not just sermons or church customs):
John 17:17 — “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
➤ BE PART OF HIS CHURCH — not a denomination:
Acts 2:47 — “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Final Thoughts:
God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and He never told us to build denominations. He calls us to follow Christ, not man-made systems.
Colossians 2:8 — “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men… and not according to Christ.”
There is a real identity in Christ.
There is a remnant body, a bride being prepared.
And there is a coming Kingdom where all false systems will be crushed.
Until then, let’s cling to Christ alone, live by every word of God, and reject the traditions of men.
Grace & Peace
Dr. John Roberts THD