To Christ and the Church
Be Loyal and True!
The New Testament church was purchased with the very blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:28). Its worth cannot and must not be minimized! Every saved person since Pentecost has been added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47). To ridicule, demean and scoff the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to attack Christ Himself (Acts 9:6)! As the beloved apostle Paul, "...ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31) regarding grievous wolves that would enter the church with the intent of drawing away disciples (Acts 20:29-30), so must every faithful servant of the Lord!
While it is much easier to speak of positive matters, we cannot, we must not, and will not neglect our duty of defending the faith (Jude 3)! To call upon 2 Timothy 2:24-26 to "support" the case of not defending the truth is to pit Paul against Paul and other inspired men! Note 2 Timothy 2:3, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." As soldiers of Christ we are to arm ourselves and do battle with the devil and all those who align themselves with him. "...that thou by them mightest war a good warfare." (1 Timothy 1:18), "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..." (1 Timothy 6:12). A reading of the following passages should put to flight the notion that exposing false doctrines and their proponents is without scriptural basis and unloving. "But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17). "But Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15). And "Beloved, when I have all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly content for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3)
Children of God need to be reminded that they are in a great spiritual battle.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Ephesians 6:10-18)
In his momentous book, Piloting the Strait, Dave Miller wrote: "Churches of Christ are experiencing shock and heartache all over America as they are being torn asunder by those who wish to restructure the church. The church is under siege from within" (p. 9). The ultimate aim is to completely change the Lord's church. This attack is taking place in large cities and small towns. Even mission fields are not exempt.
Those who are leading this assault once stood in the camp of the faithful, so we thought. The inspired words of John describe these evil men. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19). Love for Christ and His glorious church have been replaced by pride, the praise of men, power, and money, otherwise, they would not be doing what they are doing!
Advocates of this movement hide behind "lip service" declaring how much they love the Lord and His church, but their fruits (Matthew 7:15-16) demonstrate they have abandoned Christ and His glorious church! Speaking of love, it is interesting to note how they will hide behind love to spread their doctrines. As a matter of fact, they have a greater love and affinity for denominational preachers than faithful servants of the Lord!
How have they been able to accomplish such great strides, you may ask? Bear in mind this did not take place over night. The far majority of these "change agents" have drank deeply at the fountain of liberal theologians both within and without the church. They recruit disciples through a meticulous process. As pieces of a large puzzle are put in place, so they orchestrate their efforts by:
1. Re-evaluating and redefining terms such as adultery and repentance.
2. Affirming that Scripture doesn't speak of "living in adultery".
3. Opening the doors of fellowship to the denominational world.
4. Affirming that instrumental music in worship is a "non-fellowship" issue.
5. Refusing to believe and teach what Jesus said in Matthew 19:9.
6. Advocating that culture, not Scripture, determines the role of women in the church - preachers, elders, deacons, and song directors.
7. Changing worship into entertainment with the use of testimonials, singing of solos, quartets, hand clapping and the use of drama teams.
8. Abandoning Biblical designations of ownership e.g. church of Christ (Romans 16:16) and replacing it with a non-Biblical name, "Community Church".
9. Calling for laying aside issues (not repentance) that have divided the church, and work together in Gospel meetings and other activities.
10. Accepting into membership those in the denominational world as long as they are "satisfied" with their baptism.
11. Labeling anyone (preachers/congregations) who stand where the faithful have always stood as legalists, pharisees and unloving.
12. Having the Holy Spirit work outside of His word in an "illuminating manner" on the Christian.
13. The philosophy of the elders and the preacher is non-confrontational.
14. Emphasizing grace covering moral and doctrinal sins without any repentance.
15. Working as terrorists in cells. Carefully selecting the young and innocent, as well as those who agree with them, for small home studies.
16. Using the NIV and other perverted translations, soon replacing the tried and true KJV and the ASV 1901.
17. Emphasizing recreation and entertainment for the young people in an effort to get surrounding congregation's young people and their parents.
18. Using dynamic and charismatic speakers to motivate and make everyone feel good.
19. Seldom, if ever, discussing denominational errors from the pulpit or classrooms for fear of "driving them away". So those outside of Christ are always entering the assemblies happy and leaving happy in their sins.
20. Emphasizing what God "might do" at the day of judgment to save those who have never obeyed the gospel instead of teaching the truth as revealed in God's word.
Beloved, the matters that have discussed bring no pleasure to our hearts, but rather sadness and tears. As it is right and necessary for a physician to warn of a dangerous disease, so it is right and necessary to warn the faithful of those who are attempting to destroy the precious body of Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 33:7-9)! Actually, it would be a lack of true, genuine love for elders, preachers and other faithful Christians to do otherwise (Galatians 4:16)! Love for God, Christ, and His church, the church of Christ, comes before flesh and blood and any earthly relationship (Matthew 10:37-38; 22:37). Standing strong for the truth and love go hand in hand. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity" (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
Brethren, we cannot, we must not, we will not, alter the plumb line of God's glorious and divine truth for any person, groups of people, friends or congregations! Yes, to Christ and His glorious church, let us always be true!