Scanning some of the blog comments on MySpace.Com I find a common theme that Baptists need to be right or are intent on everyone else being wrong. The old rock song asked, "Why Does It Have To Be Wrong Or Right?" It is kind of a goofy song because in most things we want right or wrong. We want the right change, the right value for our money, the right food we ordered, the right prescription, right surgery, etc, etc. When the things we want to be right turn out wrong we have a hissy fit and sue, shoot or spit on the offender and demand the wrong be made right. Yet, when it comes to God and doctrine which will determinate our quality of life here and hereafter we want to be sloppy.
1 Cor 11:18-19
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (KJV)
All the people fussing about unity and yelling stop being divisive need to read these verses. Yes, we are all supposed to speak the same thing and be in accord but we don’t and aren’t. God through Paul acknowledges that fact. John said they went out from us because they were not all of us and Paul says that the divisions are to make the approved manifest. There has been division since the 1st Century and it isn’t going to stop until He comes back. Hence, doctrine is important. False doctrine divides and that makes it and splitting a church over carnal issues heresy. So to be approved I need to avoid heresy and point out those who are causing divisions by their heresy.
Rom 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For 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. (KJV)
Let’s face it many are into religions, including perversions of Christianity, for money, fame, power, booty or whatever. A Christian is instructed to mark or point out those folks because they are not being in accord with the doctrine taught in Scripture. Are there some Baptists like that? Sure, and I am on my own people’s backs more than anyone else.
I believe that the Independent Fundamental Baptists are the closest in doctrine to the First Century Church than any other group but we are not without flaws. We have some real dorks in the house that give us, and the Lord, a bad name. Even some of the best of us have made some bad calls over the years. We sometimes choose wrong hills to die on and wrong issues to put on the front burner but in core doctrines and practice we are in better shape than the other sects. Doesn’t mean that all of them are going to Hell but some have fully apostatized and some are on the way. I despise false doctrine and false teachers but not Joe and Jane Pewsitter. They don’ know any better so I teach them and rail on the Pharisees and Sadducees in leadership.
Ironically, most folks on here have bashed the Southern Baptists as ultra-Conservative but compared to what they were in the 1940’s and 50’s many of them are downright Liberal and some hold to some really bad heretical viewpoints. I have some in the Independents that have gotten weak as well but since we are in an age of apostasy that should be no shock.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV)
In spite of all the hype of some of the mega-church movement folks and the prosperity people Jesus posed this question. It sounds more like there will be the few, the proud, the Marines amounts of Christians when He returns not mega-churches or even mega-numbers of the population.
The prosperity folks haven’t read Hebrews 11:33-40 nor noticed that the only "rich" church in Revelation was the one He said was poor, naked and blind.
So, do I have to be right? I need to seek to be right in all things if I want to be one of the approved. I can’t be lazy and sloppy about it just so I can be tolerant or inclusive.
I Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (KJV)
There are no gray areas to God. It is light or darkness, black or right. The heresy of non-essential doctrine is one of the biggest heresies around because it leaves people in darkness. If God took the time to speak to an issue He must have found it important. Salvation is not the only doctrine in Scripture. A saved person can be wrong on other doctrines and if I love a person I don’t leave them in error I lead them out of it.
Josh 1:7-8
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV)
Rev 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV)
Matt 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV)
Hmm, not supposed to turn right or left, add or take away and the way is strait or narrow. God is not real tolerant or inclusive. It is His strait way or the highway to Hell.
I hate that anyone goes to Hell, but they do. I don’t fuss about doctrinal differences just for the fun of it. They are important.
Matt 23:23-24
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (KJV)
Most people preach this verse as an example of the adage, "Major on the majors don’t major on the minors." That’s not true. Jesus said to do both the major and the minor. He said they were right to do the mint tithe but they didn’t do the others. Jots and tittles are important to God.
Matt 5:17-19
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
Not ONE jot or tittle shall pass away and yet we swallow camels and yea, blue whales! You bet this Baptist wants to be right and so should you. Meandering milquetoasts aren’t what God called us to be!
Eph 5:11-12
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (KJV)
Where does it say to be tolerant here? It doesn’t.
2 Tim 4:1-5
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 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;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)
Welcome to the 21st Century Church and unchurched alike. Rebuke, reprove, exhort? Nope!
Isa 30:10-13
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. (KJV)
All you smooth preachers and smooth hearers better get ready because judgment is coming and it won’t be smooth!!!
Heb 5:12-14
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)
It is high time for true Christians to quit being babies that need to be entertained and exhorted to wealth to get off the milk of the Word and grow up and eat some steak. No one knows what is good or evil any more because they don’t have their senses exercised by the Word and the Spirit. No one has convictions anymore because they don’t let the Word and Spirit convict them cuz all that counts is that I am saved and I have my experience. Doctrine is nothing! O, the damnable heresy of all that!!!!
Grow up before it is too late and come out of the unclean "churches" and other associations. Get real with God and you will see things a lot more differently than you do right now.
2 Tim 2:15-16
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (KJV)
There is a whole lot of wrongly dividing of the Word going on. Hit the Book, get right, and join the fight in the Light!!!
Maranatha!
