The true Church of Christ is not defined by buildings, institutions, or denominational labels—it is found within our hearts and in our relationship with God and others. As followers of Christ, we are called to unity, love, and spiritual growth, seeking to build Zion by seeing the divine in everyone we meet. Yet, many struggle with religious communities that foster division, exclusion, or blind obedience rather than a sincere pursuit of truth and love. This lesson explores what it means to truly be part of Christ’s Church—not through external affiliations but through the condition of our hearts and our willingness to live in Christ’s grace. We will examine how to cultivate peace, avoid harmful spiritual dynamics, and recognize genuine spiritual communities.

Key Concepts

1. Unity in Christ: The Church is not a physical institution but a spiritual fellowship of believers who strive to be one with God and with each other. True belonging is found not in denomination but in Christ-centered love and service.
2. Avoiding Rechilus (Gossip and Division): Speaking ill of others creates division and undermines the peace of Zion. True spiritual growth requires that we see the divine in others, approach them with love, and build bridges rather than walls.
3. Discerning Genuine Spiritual Communities: A healthy faith community encourages individual spiritual growth, transparency, and love, while a manipulative cult fosters control, secrecy, and blind conformity. Evaluating a church or group based on these characteristics is essential for maintaining spiritual well-being.

The Church is in Our Hearts

It is clear that it is not the denomination we belong to that defines our church status (what organization we belong to), but who our hearts belong to. Who is it that we serve? God or Satan? Our neighbors, or ourselves? Does our love for our fellow man wax weak or strong? Are we working to grow in the Grace of Christ or in our own self-worth and self-importance? These are the things that define us, not what we own or what religious institutions we belong to.

My challenge to you this day would be this: Turn to God. Remember the Shema:

Hear, O Israel! YHVH is our Elohim, YHVH is Unity.” —Deuteronomy 6:4

This is the prayer that Jesus uttered when he asked that we, His Church, would be one, even as He and the Father are one (John 17:11). This should be our prayer, every morning when we wake and every evening before we sleep as a reminder that we are to be one with God and one with our neighbors, because unity is the very heart of Christianity. To be a part of the Church of Christ is the very desire to be one.

Peace in Zion

To some it would seem that rechilus speech is merely “pointing out the facts.” To others, the excuse may be made that we are to warn our neighbors (Doctrines of the Saints 53c:17). But does this bring peace? Our goal as Saints is to build Zion. Zion begins in our hearts. Can we have Zion if we are pointing to the flaws of others? No. To find Zion we must first perfect ourselves in Christ (Matthew 7:1-5). Once we have been perfected, our perception changes. Rather than as man sees things, pointing our flaws, we see the Godliness of others and meet them where they are. This is, of course, where God met us.

This is important to understand because other people are mirrors of how we see ourselves. When we point out weaknesses and flaws in others it is because we see our own faults. But when we Have Christ, we see Christ in others. Thus, we cannot speak rechilus because we no longer see the evil. It is Ego that lulls us into the false security that we are or must be better than others. As Zion, we see each other as one. And as one and lachon hara against another is rechilus against ourselves.

And see that there is no iniquity in the Church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking.” —Doctrines of the Saints 2a:52

Everything in Love

Processing the light of Christ, we must do everything reasonable to keep the channels of communication open. Don’t give your friends or loved ones an excuse to cut you out of their lives. Eventually, they will remember that you are a trusted ally that will not judge them and that they can speak to you when doubts do surface. Don’t be afraid to learn about the cult, but don’t get sucked into it or feel the need to join or go to meetings to placate your loved one(s). By supporting them and showing interest, they trust you. And when they do open up, don’t place blame on their religious beliefs. Ask them simple, thought-provoking questions and let them think for themselves.

Let God do the Heavy Lifting 

Remember, you cannot fix them, I cannot fix them, but God can, if they will listen to the Holy Spirit. By loving them and letting them work things out, that light of Christ in you can help bring them home. The one exception to this rule is if they become a threat of harm to you, themselves, or others. If the cult they belong to gets violent, please contact the proper authorities. It does not matter if the cult is a church, a so-called self-help group, a political organization, or even a business. If violence or the threat of violence becomes an issue, for safety reasons we must alert the proper authorities. Beyond this, the best remedy for getting people out of cults is loving them. Don’t let the cult drive a wedge between you and them. Always let them know you are there for them, no matter what and that you love them.

I have found that a genuine spiritual community will encourage its members to explore their own beliefs and experiences. Rather than demanding blind obedience, they will welcome diverse perspectives and ideas. These will be used to help everyone in the group learn and grow. By contrast, cults may try to control what members believe or how they behave, with membership being the main objective. Cults generally promote a single, narrow viewpoint that is considered the only “correct” way. A genuine spiritual community should be transparent about its practices, finances, and structure. Cults are more likely to keep these details obscure or hidden.

Educate yourself about these types of warning signs. Use your critical thinking skills to evaluate any group or community before getting involved. I want you to grow spiritually, and I want you to do so safely.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” —Psalms 147:3

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean for the Church to exist in our hearts rather than in a physical institution? How does this change the way we think about worship and community?
2. How can we practice unity in Christ while still embracing theological diversity among believers?
3. In what ways does gossip (rechilus) damage spiritual communities, and how can we work to eliminate it in our own lives?
4. What are some key warning signs of manipulative religious groups or cult-like behaviors within churches? How can we safeguard ourselves and others?
5. How can we approach friends or family members who are part of controlling religious groups with love and patience rather than confrontation or judgment?

Suggestions for Action

1. Practice active listening. This week, engage in a conversation where you focus entirely on listening without judgment or interruption. Reflect on how this deepens your understanding of others. How did this experience change your perspective?
2. Examine your words. Each day, take a moment to reflect on how you spoke about others. Did you contribute to unity and love, or did you engage in rechilus? What changes can you make to ensure your words build rather than divide?
3. Assess your spiritual community. Using the key characteristics of a genuine spiritual community vs. a controlling cult, reflect on the group(s) you are part of. Does your church encourage open dialogue and personal growth?
4. Pray for unity. Each morning and evening, pray the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) or say another prayer for unity. How does this practice shift your mindset toward love and oneness?
5. Reach out in love. Identify someone in your life who may feel isolated or judged by their religious community. Offer them kindness and an open heart. How did they respond, and how did it affect your own spiritual journey?

Final Thought & Meditation

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine yourself standing before Christ. He does not ask you what church you belong to or what doctrines you adhere to. Instead, He looks into your heart and asks, “Did you love?”

Let that question sink in. Consider all the people in your life—those you cherish, those who have wronged you, those who walk a different path. Can you see Christ in them? Can you love them as He does?

Now, imagine a world where every believer, every church, every spiritual seeker embraced this love fully. What would change? What would remain the same?

As you reflect on this, ask God to guide you toward true unity, away from division, and into the peace that comes from knowing that the Church is not a building, but the love we carry in our hearts.