Written With Love

Like this forest path, it can look beautiful….and it can seem right……can it not? But….in the end…..where does it lead?

Hello sisters and friends! Today I’ll begin with this verse……

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) 

 Here is a question to ponder. How many sincere-hearted people out there in the world feel like they are doing the “right things” when it comes to salvation, worship, and life in general, but in reality they are heading towards spiritual death? This question is why I titled this article, “Written With Love”. This is a haunting question to me, because I hate the thought of anyone being lost. But…..it is a reality…..that is…..it is a reality if you believe that God’s Word is absolute truth…..which I do with all my heart. And when I say, the “right things”…..this consists of a plethora of every kind of belief system you can imagine! Some don’t believe in God at all. They believe that this world is all there is, and when we die, it is over. Some believe in a “higher power”, but won’t call it God. Some believe in false gods/idols. Some believe in God, but don’t believe in being associated with a religious body. Some believe in God, but don’t believe the Bible is the infallible truth. Some believe in God, but don’t believe Christ is deity. Some believe that every type of “church” is the body of Christ, no matter who established it, when it was established, and no matter how they choose to worship Him, or what their views on salvation are…..they are all just fine. One church is just as good as another as long as Christ is in the picture. Some believe that everyone is saved automatically no matter how they live their lives. Wow….it is mindblowing and overwhelming to think about all the religious confusion in the world. There is a great amount of deception in the world regarding religion. Who is behind this deception of humankind? Well…..who was the first deceiver? Satan himself was the first deceiver in the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve into disobeying God. He has continued to be the deceiver of humankind up until this very moment in time. Every deception that has ever been known to man has come from one entity…..Satan. He can make anything seem right. He gets in our heads and causes us to justify things that we know are wrong. Even as faithful Christians, if we don’t keep our guard up at all times, he can find a way in. He will use our weaknesses to get us to compromise just a little. His desire is to deceive us into compromising just one thing in God’s Word. And once we compromise that one seemingly small thing…..he’s got us. One compromise leads to another…..and then another……until we don’t even recognize ourselves anymore. This can happen to individuals, and it can happen to the church as a whole. This is why we have so much confusion in the religious world today. And isn’t confusion exactly what Satan wants? I’m afraid that all of these different churches worshiping all of these different ways is exactly what Satan wants. Why? The answer is simple. Satan wants “finding the truth” to be like “finding a needle in a haystack”. He wants to make it as hard as he possibly can for us to find the one true church of the Bible. And…make no mistake friends. There is only one church that is talked about in the New Testament….one original church that was established in Acts 2 on the day of pentecost. Every other church or denomination was started by someone who wanted to change the original. And why? Was the original not good enough? The original New Testament church is still here today. It is alive and well. (Romans 16:16) 

So…..according to Proverbs 14:12, something can seem right, but that does not mean that it is pleasing to God. Satan has been compared to both a “roaring lion”, and an “angel of light”. (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 11:14) These comparisons move from one end of the spectrum to the other. Sometimes Satan shows who he truly is. It is obvious…..and we can see him as plain as day in certain situations, just like we can see that roaring lion’s sharp teeth coming at us. But sometimes….he is  disguised and can seem like an angel. He will hide behind a so-called kind of love that is simply false. Satan is behind the phrase “love is love” that the world uses so frequently, especially in the month of June. He will hide behind false teachers who only tell people what they want to hear, but don’t speak the whole truth. Satan is behind the phrase, “join the church of your choice”. Satan is behind the phrase, “just pray and ask Jesus into your heart”. These phrases are not in God’s Word, and neither is the “sinner’s prayer”. But….don’t they “seem right”? Let’s go back to Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man…”. First of all, humans have no authority to decide what “seems right”. God is the ultimate discerner of what is right. There is no “seems right” with God. If there is any gray area at all in a given situation, then that situation will have to be left for God to sort out. I cannot do what “seems right” to me. I have to find out what truly is right, and then do that. The world is full of so many religious bodies that are doing what “seems right” without actually looking into God’s Word to see what actually is right. God has given us everything we need in His Word. We have no reason to try and make it what we want it to be. 

I would like to pause right here for a moment to explain a thing or two. This post is not to pass judgment on anyone or on any other type of church. This is simply a post to explain the “why” behind the church of Christ. Everything that I say in this article, and every question that I ask is only to help the reader understand where we are coming from. It is not to downgrade anyone, call anyone out, or condemn anyone. It is only to get you to really think. The church of Christ has always been questioned about why we do what we do or not do. Why do you guys not use musical instruments? Why have you not become more modern in your worship? Why don’t you have choirs, praise teams, bands and people singing solos? Why don’t you put on plays around Christmas and Easter? Why don’t you have children’s church? Why do you take the Lord’s Supper every week? Why do you believe that you are only saved after baptism? How is it that you believe that we can fall from grace after we are saved? And I get it, friends. We are different. But…..aren’t we supposed to be different? We as a body (church) are not the popular choice. But….Jesus wasn’t popular either. Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates us, because it hated Him first. (John 15:18) I have heard of many other churches who have spoken unkindly about the church of Christ as a whole because of who we are, what we believe, and what we practice. And I am sure that the church of Christ may have done the same thing at times, and I don’t agree with that either. There is no need for unkindness in pulpits anywhere, but there is a need for the simple truth of the gospel. If the simple truth of God’s Word, all on its own, points out the error in another church (which it will), then that is not unkindness. It is simply the truth revealed with love. Sometimes hearing the truth can hurt, and we might not want to face it. I have been there myself. But…..we have to have absolute truth from our Creator, even if it stings. And where else is absolute truth found other than in God’s Word? The Word of God is the two-edged sword that is the discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) It speaks for itself …without any unkind words about any religion offered up by a man. God’s Word will reveal if a church is teaching the truth or not. If everything a church is doing is backed up with scripture, then that is what is important, and that is what will reveal error when needed. You see…..this is how we, the members of the church (body) of Christ, believe….and we won’t compromise God’s Word for any reason. I just ask you….is this way of thinking wrong? Personally, I want others to question me about the church of Christ, because I want the opportunity to help others understand. I pray for open doors to share the gospel. Friends, the bottom line in answering all the questions that others have about the church of Christ is found in the above verse that we are studying in this article…..Proverbs 14:12. The Lord’s church does not do what “seems right” to a man. Everything that we do in regards to worship, salvation, and living the Christian life has to be backed up with God’s inspired Word or we will not do it. The way that I see it…..we can’t go wrong if we follow the Bible as closely as possible…..in love of course. Everything that we do is to be done out of love…..love for God, His Son, His Word, His church, and love for all humankind…..yes, ALL humankind. That “in love” part is crucial. We must present who we are in love, explain what we believe in love,  and show who we are “in love”. The “in love” part means everything to God. Without the “in love” part, our worship and everything we do is worthless. 1 Corinthians 16:14 plainly states, “Let all that you do be done with love.” Another important aspect of the church of Christ is that we do not “add to” or “take away from” the scriptures as it states in Revelation 22:18-20. We want to keep the New Testament church intact. We follow the pattern found in the New Testament either by command or by example. In other words….we hold our worship to God up against the worship that we read about in the New Testament, and we see if it matches. We are the New Testament church. The rest of the religious world does not understand us at all, and they get the wrong idea about us. We are seen as closed-minded. And they are right to a certain extent. We are closed-minded to anything that is not scriptural, and not authorized by God. However…..you could see us as open-minded! We are open-minded to all things scripture-based. We are open-minded to all things that are authorized by God. It is all in how you look at us. This next paragraph is an example of how we think about instrumental music in worship. Again, not to condemn, but to inform and explain our way of thinking. 

For example, instrumental music in the worship service….who decided that it “seemed right” to bring that into the worship service? Is it something that people wanted or that God wanted? I’m only asking you to think about the “why” behind it. The church of Christ sees it like this….God did not say that He wanted instruments used in the worship service anywhere in the New Testament, but….He did tell us what to do…..He said for us to sing. Please go look the following verses up to clarify. (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 14:15) There is no example of anything other than singing. There is no mention of instruments of music being used in the worship in the New Testament church. Let’s think about this question….why is singing not enough? If God wants us to sing, then why not just sing? Why do something that “seems right”, but that might not be pleasing to God at all? Some might be thinking, “wouldn’t God like hearing the music being played”? I can’t say whether He would or not. Personally, it is not worth it to me to take that chance. God has never changed, and He has always wanted His children to be obedient to Him first and foremost. He cares more about us being obedient to Him than anything else. God wants worship to be about Him, and not about what we are entertained by. The New Testament church was established around 33 AD. A man decided to bring an instrument into a church about 630 years later around 670 AD. The Pope at that time brought an organ into the catholic church. He did this without God’s authority. This action was met with much criticism at the time. Why follow in the footsteps of a man? Check out the references below.

“Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some churches of western Europe, about 670;”  (The American Cyclopedia, Vol. 12)

“The organ is said to have been first employed in the church during the time of Pope Vitalian I.” [c. 666 a.d.] [New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 13, p. 446].

Can you think of a Bible character who tended to want to do what seemed right in the moment? He was impulsive and impatient. Jesus reprimanded him for this behavior more than once, but He certainly loved him. And……this man went on to preach the first gospel sermon on the day of pentecost. It is none-other-than the apostle Peter. 

Let’s begin with Matthew 16:21-23. It reads ….“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 

I truly believe that Peter meant well! Don’t you? But what did Jesus call him? He called him Satan! Wow! Peter was trying to hinder Jesus from His purpose. He was getting in Jesus’ way. But, Peter wanted to be in control of the situation. In a sense, he wanted to control Jesus at that moment. Peter was always wanting to lead, and be in control. It was his nature. And that turned out to be a good thing in the future when the church was established. Didn’t it seem right for Peter to protect Jesus? Yes, it did. But was it actually the right thing for Peter to do? Nope. Next we have the transfiguration in Matthew 17. We see Peter trying to impulsively take control of things again. 

In Matthew 17:1-5, it reads, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 

Do you think Peter meant well? Absolutely! Did it seem right to Peter to build tabernacles to Moses, Elijah, and Jesus? Yes, the leader inside of Peter felt that he had to step up, and suggest something big! But….did God want the tabernacles? No! And I find it funny that God intervened before Peter even stopped speaking! God wanted Peter to stop, and listen to Jesus instead of coming up with his own big ideas. And one more reference to Peter doing what seemed right in his impulsivity was when Jesus was arrested in the garden. 

In John 18:10-11, it reads, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

It seemed right for Peter to defend Jesus at that moment, but was that what Jesus wanted? Peter was an awesome servant of Jesus, but he sometimes wanted to take control, and do things without God’s authority. He was always reprimanded for that. It was his personality to lead and take control. This quality was a blessing later on when it was channeled in the right direction. We definitely need people like Peter in the Lord’s church today…..leaders and take-control types of people.  Nothing would get done without them. Peter went on to preach the first gospel sermon, help establish the church, and become an elder in the Lord’s church. He went on to write two wonderful letters for us to study and learn from today. He was eventually martyred for the cause of Christ. 

So….what is my purpose for writing this post or any of my posts for that matter? Well, friends, I know that a post like this is probably not popular among those that are not members of the church of Christ. But, out of love for souls, I have to write what is on my heart. I believe that God wants me to speak with honesty and love about spiritual things of this nature. I wasn’t always honest with myself or others in the past. I didn’t want to upset anyone or rock the boat. I would nod or agree with others even when I knew in my heart that I didn’t believe what they were saying was true…..and even though I could prove it. I am sorry for all the times that I responded in the wrong way, all the times that I didn’t speak up, and all the times that I let Jesus down. And, believe me, I don’t want to upset anyone now. That is not my intent. I just want to spur someone….. anyone…..to think outside of what they have always done. I want to encourage someone, even if it is just one person, to search for the truth. Don’t think about what your family has always done. Don’t think about what you personally enjoy. Just go to God’s Word, and let Him speak to you. If you need help in sorting it out, I can help you or find someone to help you. As always, this is written out of love for everyone who reads it. I have no other reason or motive other than love. Just remember Proverbs 14:12, my friends, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Please….I’m begging you….don’t just do what “seems right” when it comes to spiritual things. Please…..make sure that it is right, and is in line with God’s Word.

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. Nothing about this plan is what “seems right”. It is straight from God’s Word.

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we remain faithful in our commitment to Christ until death. (Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 2:20-22)