 |
Are you a part of the Christian "hodgepodge" that exists
in Central New York today? What's a Christian hodgepodge,
you ask? It's confusion in the Church. Confusion is
not from God, "For God is not the author of confusion
..." (I Cor. 14:33) The Christian hodgepodge exists
because of man creating his own idea of Christianity
and deviating from the inspired, Holy Word of God. It's
man clinging to the traditions of men rather than the
person of Jesus Christ. In simple terms, it's "easy
religion" that is destructive to human souls.
Do you know there are over 300 Christian churches
lised in the Syracuse area yellow pages, representing
over 50 denominations? What's wrong with that, you ask?
Aren't all churches built by God? The answer is simply
and emphatically, "NO!" The Bible clearly states, "Except
the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build
it ..." (Ps. 127:1) Unless God builds the Church, quite
frankly, it adds up to a big zero.
Is your church built by God? How will you know? First,
know this: God's Church is not just a building with
stained glass windows, or a marble altar, or a magnificent
organ. No, the word "Church" means people called
out from sin and assembled together. If you
truly want to know if your church is built by God look
at the people in it, and the ones who are in
authority there.
Jesus said, Ye shall know them by their fruits ..."
(Matt. 7:16) He's not refering to bingo games, spaghetti
suppers, chicken barbecues, Monte Carlo nights, religious
feast days, or trips to Reading, Pa. Jesus Christ is
referring to the fruit that endures forever. He's referring
to changed lives, holy living, repentant hearts of thanksgiving,
worship, and praise unto Him. That's what you'll see
in God's true Church, my friend. Are you in it?
God says He has "set the members... in the body, (His
Church) as it hath pleased Him (I Cor. 12:18) Why? Because
He knows where His Church is located and He knows what
a true believer needs. We must seek Him to show us where
we belong. But, be prepared! God's true Church may not
be in your neighborhood. It may not be the church you've
attended since birth. It may not even be the church
your parents and relatives attend. But if it is truly
built by God you will know it, because He will reveal
it to you.
Now, what about the shepherd of your church? The leader,
the pastor, the priest, or whatever you call him. Is
he called of God? The Bible says God sets the shepherd
over the congregation. "Let the Lord, the God of the
spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation."
(Num. 27:16) You see, God sets the man. Man doesn't
set himself or have other men set him. By the way, when
God sets a man over His Church, He doesn't move him
around every few years.
A shepherd is not a shepherd because he wears a robe,
or a white collar, or a large cross around his neck.
No, he doesn't even need a degree in theology. God's
man, a true shepherd, is called by Him, anointed by
Him, taught by Him, and set by Him. He should be "blameless,
the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour,
given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine,
no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient,
not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his
own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; Not a novice ... Moreover he must have a good
report of them which are without." (I Tim. 3:2-7) God's
true shepherd, the true man of God, will be known and
recognized by his character. How does your
shepherd line up with Paul's inspired description ?
In addition to Godly character, a true shepherd has
the responsibility of protecting the congregation from
sin. How many shepherds today even mention the
word sin? Does your shepherd expose sin in the church
or is it swept under the pew? Paul said, ". . . Know
ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"
(I Cor. 5:6) Sin is like a cancer. If left unchecked
it can spread and destroy souls in the Body of Christ.
Does your shepherd love the Word of God and teach
from it as God's delegated authority? Can he protect
you from false teachings? Does he tell you what you
need to hear rather than what you want
to hear? "For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."
(II Tim. 4:3) Does your shepherd provoke you to holy
living by exhorting you to separate yourself from ungodly
people and values? Better yet, does he even know your
name?
And what about you? Are you a true Christian? Jesus
said, "... Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) A true Christian is
born "... not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) Jesus
Christ is the only way unto the Father. He is
the only way into heaven. No religious ceremony,
no amount of money, no number of good works, no prayers
of people alive or dead can get you into heaven. Jesus
said, "... I am the way, and the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
How will you know if you're a true Christian, a true
believer? Paul said, "Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new." (II Cor:
5:17) You will be different. You will look different,
talk differently, and act differently. Others around
you will see it. It will be that evident.
Wake up, Syracuse! This is simple truth, simple
gospel. Jesus loves you, my friend. Leave the hodgepodge.
Come to Jesus Christ and be set in His Body as it pleases
Him.
next
article
»
|
|
|
Special Articles
• What must I do to be Saved?
• ¿Qué es menester que yo
• haga para ser salvo?
• Que dois-je faire
• pour être Sauvé?
• Will Good Deeds Save You?
• What's Waiting for You?
• Ignoring Calvary
• The Bible
• Roman Catholic Traditions
• Vs God's Biblical Truth
• The End Times
• and Where You Stand
• Hey,
College Student
• Fill in the Blank
• For Parents Only
• Christian Hodgepodge-
• What's
That?!
• Being a 'Nice Guy'...
• What a Hassle!
• The Eight Tongues
• of Pentecost
• The Anointing Oil
• Decades
Downtown
|
|