'In the Right Church' and Still Lost? (September 9)
If the congregation we've been a part of is not faithful to Christ, we need to worship elsewhere. But even if we're surrounded by others who are faithful to Christ, the more important question is still about our own responsibilities before the Lord. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com
“IN THE RIGHT CHURCH” AND STILL LOST? (SEPTEMBER 9)
View on Website -- https://wordpoints.com/in-right-church-still-lost-september-9/
". . . you still live as the people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn’t this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 Good News Bible).
THE QUESTION “HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE SAVED?” IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. Paul urged the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). But we need to be careful what standard we use to make this test. Some suppose that salvation is on the group plan and that as long as their names are on the roster of a congregation that is faithful to the Lord, their salvation is assured. Such individuals would say to themselves, “I have obeyed the gospel, the Lord has added me to His church, and I am saved — end of discussion.” But the truth of the matter requires a deeper look.
Some of the Christians in Corinth had not grown much since they became Christians. Their conduct showed that their hearts were the same as before they obeyed the gospel. As Paul said, “You are still of the flesh . . . and behaving only in a human way” (1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV). And if they didn’t repent, their salvation would be in jeopardy. The conclusion is sobering: it is possible to be “in the right church” (at least outwardly) and still be lost.
Having obeyed the gospel, we certainly need to find a fellowship of faithful Christians to be a part of. Christ does have some requirements concerning the collective (or “together”) part of our discipleship. But while the faithfulness of others will encourage us, merely being attached to a faithful congregation won’t save us. We won’t go to heaven just because we were “in the right group.”
Each of us needs to have a sense of personal responsibility. If after studying the Scriptures we realize that the religion we’ve been practicing is wrong, we need to leave that religion. If we find that we’ve been a part of a network of churches whose beliefs and practices are unscriptural, we need to disassociate ourselves. And if the particular congregation we’ve been a part of is not faithful to Christ, we need to worship elsewhere. But even if we’re surrounded by others who are faithful to Christ, the more important question is still about our own responsibilities before the Lord.
"Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory" (John Donne).
Gary Henry - WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
For more information, visit http://AreYouaChristian.com
View on Website -- https://wordpoints.com/in-right-church-still-lost-september-9/
". . . you still live as the people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn’t this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 Good News Bible).
THE QUESTION “HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE SAVED?” IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. Paul urged the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). But we need to be careful what standard we use to make this test. Some suppose that salvation is on the group plan and that as long as their names are on the roster of a congregation that is faithful to the Lord, their salvation is assured. Such individuals would say to themselves, “I have obeyed the gospel, the Lord has added me to His church, and I am saved — end of discussion.” But the truth of the matter requires a deeper look.
Some of the Christians in Corinth had not grown much since they became Christians. Their conduct showed that their hearts were the same as before they obeyed the gospel. As Paul said, “You are still of the flesh . . . and behaving only in a human way” (1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV). And if they didn’t repent, their salvation would be in jeopardy. The conclusion is sobering: it is possible to be “in the right church” (at least outwardly) and still be lost.
Having obeyed the gospel, we certainly need to find a fellowship of faithful Christians to be a part of. Christ does have some requirements concerning the collective (or “together”) part of our discipleship. But while the faithfulness of others will encourage us, merely being attached to a faithful congregation won’t save us. We won’t go to heaven just because we were “in the right group.”
Each of us needs to have a sense of personal responsibility. If after studying the Scriptures we realize that the religion we’ve been practicing is wrong, we need to leave that religion. If we find that we’ve been a part of a network of churches whose beliefs and practices are unscriptural, we need to disassociate ourselves. And if the particular congregation we’ve been a part of is not faithful to Christ, we need to worship elsewhere. But even if we’re surrounded by others who are faithful to Christ, the more important question is still about our own responsibilities before the Lord.
"Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory" (John Donne).
Gary Henry - WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
For more information, visit http://AreYouaChristian.com
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