Commended Church

If you’re talking about walls of jealousy between the good Bible-preaching churches that remain, I’m all for it! It’s high time we see each other as teammates, and not competition.

If you’re talking about walls of preferences that divide our churches, I’m with you. Since when are we supposed to make methods and preferences our gods? From time to time I see pastors in town, or at the hospital, and as we talk, I see that while we may do things differently, and may even believe differently about some sideline issues, we agree on the main thing which is Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace alone thru faith alone, and I can look at them and say, God bless you brother! I love you in the Lord! Because Jesus said, “He that is not against us is for us”.

If you’re talking about tearing down that wall of sideline issues, I’m with you!

If you’re talking about tearing down a senseless wall of preference, I’m saying, “Give me a crowbar!”

If you’re talking about tearing down walls or racism, jealousy, preferences, methods, and side-line issues, I’m on board.

But if you’re talking about tearing down walls of doctrinal truth, I say, I’m not touching a wall that God built! We have a Biblical mandate to contend for the faith, and to separate from those who walk contrary to the gospel.

Rom. 16

17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

The very next verse says…

18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

II Tim. 2

16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Let me emphasize, I’m not talking about peripheral issues. I’m talking about the gospel, Christ, sinless, crucified, resurrected, saving all who trust in Him! Our motto ought to be, “The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing!”

A few years ago, Paul Crouch of TBN came onto my TV screen and invited me to an “inter-faith” meeting at his place…the eyelash capital of the world…and he said, “leave your doctrine at home…and come talk about Jesus together.”

Jesus IS doctrine, He is truth! And to Paul Crouch I shouted, “I’m not letting go of doctrine, and beside that, I’m not coming!”

That might sound harsh / inflexible / unaccepting…

But remember, the Lord praised this church at Philadelphia…because they kept His Word!

Someday, I want to be commended in the same way. I want GBC to be commended in the same way!

After the Lord commends them for keeping His Word, he commends them for not denying His Name.

You say, Bro. Jerry, it was easier to live for God back then.

Who are you trying to kid? They were surrounded by opportunities to deny Jesus. In Philadelphia, beautiful prostitutes were widely available to commit immorality with…in the name of worship! Then there was the Roman government, threatening their very lives if they didn’t recant.