By Erasmus Makarimayi The restrictions to gathering occasioned by the global pandemic has led to closure of some churches. Many believers are in between choosing new places of fellowship. Previously, we established that it’s necessary and scriptural for every born-again believer to physically identify with a local church of their choice. It’s beneficial and edifying to follow sound ministry online, through various broadcasting platforms and other media channels. You, however, need to be discerning and discreet. It remains biblical for a natural physical human being to relate and fellowship with fellow beings in the physical gathering of saints. This is for spiritual growth. The availability of many churches (read denominations or ministries) makes our quest for the best attainable. Since this is a matter of eternal life, the decision on which local church to identify with is a serious issue requiring a prayerful and purposeful approach. When we get born again, that’s when life starts; to us a new life for that matter. Therefore, growth becomes our focus for us to decipher and fully appreciate this spiritual life. With this in mind, one important question to ask yourself is: do I want to spiritually grow? No right-thinking believer wants to blindly pursue life. God gave the church ministry gifts to equip and mature us. Ephesians 4:11 records: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” He doesn’t want us to be deceived. Search for knowledge becomes paramount The passage goes on to say in Ephesians 4:14-16, New King James, “(14) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — (16) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Beyond membership, we need belonging and submission for us to grow. If you want to grow, then you must choose to attend a local church, where the teaching of God’s Word is given first place. Choose where every member is closely mentored and monitored to understand every Bible doctrine. It can be a small assembly in numbers or a megachurch; it doesn’t matter as long as you are accountable. Spiritual growth will only come with growth in the knowledge of God’s Word. Dispatching us by the great commission, Jesus mandated us to teach. Matthew 28:20 spells out: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Where there’s teaching there’s of necessity learning. We therefore avail ourselves to learn the Word of God. Apostle Peter instructs us in 1 Peter 2:2: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, therefore, commit to
