by men I was thinking mankind but your points are valid.
My thoughts are you can hide in an institution, look good.
A personal relationship with God is too revealing and intense for many. No place to hide.
But that is the Good News, there is no place to hide.
It is not one or the other, but both are needed, just not an institution
The Book of Remembrance
Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name.
To me the above is the church. I hope you have a few of God’s warriors in your life, if not, find them.
“To me the above is the church. I hope you have a few of God’s warriors in your life, if not, find them.”
I don’t know about “warriors” in the context of other than staunch Christians (and Conservatives).... but yeah, I have a few strong people in my circle. And I posit that if God wants me to find others, He will send them to me or make me acquainted with them.