The Apostle John, by the inspiration of God wrote,
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine
of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you,
and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house,
neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is
partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 9-11.
One of the greatest evils facing the Lord's church
today is the willingness for some church leaderships to give in
to unbelievers, false teachers, and those who do not contend for
the true faith. Oftentimes this is done without much regard for
the Son of God who was willing to give His life that we might
have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Colosse,
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him"
Colossians 3:17.
We have no right to change that which God has
given to us through His holy and inspired word; yet, some men
have taken it upon themselves to do so by fellowshipping unbelievers.
They do this for the purpose of social status and numerical growth.
The fact of the matter remains that 500 people sitting in a church
building on Sunday morning who have not obeyed the pure, unadulterated
gospel of Jesus Christ are still 500 people sitting in a church
building on Sunday morning who are not Christians!
Who are those whom we are addressing at this time?
The unbelievers, those in denominationalism, cults, sects, false
teachers (some in our own brotherhood), and the other false religions
of the world. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against
me" (Matthew 12:20a).
Listen friend, you are either for Christ or against
Him. You either obey His word and His will, or you do not. When
you choose not to obey Him in ALL that He commands, you are not
right with God the Father and will be punished for your sins.
Some brethren are at fault! By giving in to unbelievers,
accepting them, and participating in their evil ways, they are
bidding them God speed. They are encouraging them in their evil
deeds and making them feel as if they are right with God when
they are not! Much greater than this is the fact that in doing
so they are partakers of their evil deeds. As such, they will
be held accountable for those things they have done against the
doctrine of Christ.
Jesus wants a spotless church, a church without
blemish. It is our duty to earnestly contend for that faith that
it would be just that: "... a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27). PO Box 23, Bucyrus,
OH 44820.