Mike’s Musings …
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Without apology, this week’s THOUGHTS WORTH THINKING is one of the lengthiest articles published in this format. Nonetheless, its content is meant to prick the hearts of those who have departed from us and stir the hearts of those of us who diligently seek to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) To some, it may be offensive. It is not meant to be, but if it helps to pull souls out of the fire, then let it be offensive to their sinful ways! I pray that it be effective for the souls who need to hear it and bring them to repentance! MJD
The Lord’s Church Must Please Christ, Period!
Read what the inspired apostle Paul wrote to the Lord’s church at Corinth: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6: 14 – 18) What is negotiable about this commandment? What makes this a “choice”? Where does “allowances for our desires” fit into God’s plan?
Throughout the New Testament, serious students notice that the Lord’s church is HIS, not ours! We who have obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:36 – 48) are privileged to be part of HIS body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Peter 2: 5 – 10), but we must remember it is HIS, not OURS! Therefore, those who obey the gospel have no right to even suggest changes in any part of HIS church! Still, some souls, admittedly, are not satisfied with the blessing of being part of HIS church and insist that their desires be accepted as “acceptable” practice. These same people would be insulted if someone, even an appreciated friend, were to come into their home and insist on changes that suit the guest but are not authorized by the owner. Why, then, should anyone think the Lord is not insulted when souls claiming to love and obey HIM depart from those congregations of the Lord’s church that insist the church belongs to CHRIST and does not bow to the wishes of men, including its members? The Lord’s church must please CHRIST! Period!
“If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that barks is the one you hit.” Proverbial, yes, but its truth is seen all too often when souls are disgruntled for selfish reasons. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is another truthful metaphor, but it should never describe a Christian! The faithful soul does not grumble about doing what God has commanded us (1 Corinthians 10:10) because the faithful are content to obey God without question. They realize they can neither add to nor subtract from the truth and righteousness of God’s word (Revelation 22:18-19), and they remain content to be HIS servants (Hebrews 13:5). The faithful realize that the church (of which they are a part) must please Christ, PERIOD!
Are we, the faithful, to be concerned for the souls who have left their first love? (Revelation 2:4) Certainly! Being spiritual, we are to restore the erring in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we be tempted (Galatians 6:1). But notice that the wayward must be willing to repent and be restored for our efforts to succeed! Also, notice that the faithful are under no obligation to cater to the whims and fancies of those who would have us engage in error only to please the flesh! The faithful realize we can have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:6 – 17). The faithful realize we cannot indulge the ways of the world (1 John 2:15 – 17). Yet disgruntled souls say, “I’m not happy,” or “It doesn’t suit my needs,” or some other selfish excuse, and are really saying, “I’m not satisfied with what Christ authorized His church to be and do.” Why not? It is HIS, not yours! By what authority should Christ bow to man’s wishes to please man? It is man who must obey HIM. (Hebrews 5:8-9)
The faithful are neither “babysitters” nor “fetchers of the fallen” who don’t want to return! Granted, we are to feed babes in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14), but we must also feed meat to the full-grown (ibid.). The father of the prodigal did not chase after his wayward son, though we can certainly understand his aching heart over his son’s loss! Instead, he patiently waited for the son to “come to himself,” and when he returned, the father welcomed him home! (Luke 15:8 – 32).
“I don’t feel loved” is the worst excuse offered by departing souls. They may feel that way, but the question must be asked, “How much love did you extend to the brethren?” If love is only “one direction,” then how can it be true love? Christ gave His life for us, and we ought to give our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16). Unfortunately, those expressing this selfish attitude want only to receive without giving. They often try to “monopolize” certain ones to capture their individual and exclusive attention, saying, “He/she is my best friend” when in reality they are their OWN “best friend,” wanting all the brotherly love and attention without returning any love of their own toward any other member. Which member of the Lord’s church does Jesus love more than another? To which member does He grant “exclusive” attention? Is it not the WHOLE body of Christ (i.e., the church) that He loves? Is it not the fact that HIS church is “fitly framed together and compacted by that which every joint supplies” (Ephesians 4:16)? That which compacts us together is LOVE. The Hebrew writer commanded us, “Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1). That is impossible if brotherly love does not first exist! And brotherly love cannot exist if YOU are not extending it! Why? Because true love is GIVEN more than received (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:22-23).
Notice Paul’s inspired words to Titus: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3: 9 – 11) Notice also John’s inspired statement regarding such souls: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 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. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (1 John 2:18-20) These souls simply refuse to accept that the church belongs to Christ alone! If they aren’t happy with that fact, if HIS church is not “suitable to their needs,” if they don’t “feel loved,” let them examine themselves and see if they be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). They will find they are either faithful or unfaithful: they are either pleasing Christ or they are not! There is no “middle ground of satisfying favor.” (Matthew 12:30) Unless they are willing to accept this fact, there is nothing the faithful can do to change them! They MUST remember they are members of the LORD’S church, and it does NOT belong to man!
