ARE YOU TIRED OF ALL THE RELIGIOUS DIVISION?

 

While much of the religious world has decided that everyone can do their own thing and everyone still ends up in Heaven, God’s Word directly opposes such a notion.  God’s Word never said anything along the lines of “Go to the church of your choice,” but it commands our obedience to His Will.  Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His crucifixion, showing that He was deeply concerned about the unity of His followers, John 17:20-23.

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Does God’s Word give us liberty to do whatever we think sounds good?  Jeremiah 10:23, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”  Proverb 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  Proverb 16:25 says the same thing again.  God’s Word shows us repeatedly that we can not decide for ourselves what is acceptable to Him.  This is a sad testimonial against the people that claim to be “spiritual but not religious.”  God demands that we bow the knee, either in this life or in the hereafter, Philippians 2:9-10.  It also means that those seeking spiritual blessings through any other source but Jesus are doomed to failure, Ephesians 1:3.

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Jesus says Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”  Thus we must be sure that we have authority for whatever we do.  Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  When we teach something as Truth, we must speak with the authority of God’s Word and not ever try to conjure up our own feeble authority.  I Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ…”

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God’s Word is complete, lacking nothing.  2 Tim 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Jude 3, “…I found it necessary to write to you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”  Note that these words were written about two thousand years ago, along with the rest of the New Testament.  Nothing has changed.  There is no need for a creed book, new revelations or any changes whatsoever to God’s Inspired Word.  God’s Word is so powerful that it put all things into existence and sustains them in existence even today, 2 Peter 3:5-7.  The only concern we should all have about God’s Word is making sure we know and obey it, for this is our purpose in this life, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into Judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

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Galatians 1:6-9. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him Who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different Gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”  Even when the writing of the Gospel was still being completed, people were already turning aside to other “gospels,” but God’s Word says clearly that there “is not another.”  People turn aside from the Truth to the devil’s multitude of alternatives for many reasons, but God’s Word is the Truth.  John 17:17, Jesus prays to the Father, “Sanctify them by Your Truth.  Your Word is Truth.”  When people do not want to see the Truth, God will send them a strong delusion. “  2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “And for this reason God will send them strong delusions, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

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Why, then, is there such religious diversity all around us today?  People supposedly worshiping the same Jehovah God from the same New Testament teach things in direct opposition to each other.  “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints,” I Corinthians 14:33.  Many churches delve into social functions from running hospitals to sending the kids to theme parks.  While these are not wrong in and of themselves, there is no authority from God’s Word for the church to do such things.  Ignorance is certainly no excuse, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Thus we are commanded to be familiar with God’s Word.  2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth.” 

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Our purpose as the church of Christ (Christ’s church), Romans 16:16, is to follow nothing more and nothing less than the New Testament pattern for God’s people.  We do not add to or take from God’s Word, Revelation 22:18-19.  God’s Word is the highest authority we could possibly appeal to, so we stay with God’s Word as our one and only guide and source of authority.  We cordially invite you to come and study with us.  Bring your Bible or let us give you one.  We apply ourselves to obedience to the Lord God Almighty that we might encourage each other in His service and reach out to our neighbors along the short time we call life.  Won’t you come and meet with us?

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We’re the Funny River Road church of Christ, a small but growing group dedicated to serving the Lord God Almighty as His Word dictates – nothing more and nothing less.  We meet at 48611 Funny River Road, 1/4 mile out Funny River Road on the right.  We meet every Sunday at 10:00 am for worship service with class immediately following.  We’d be glad to answer your questions or concerns without any obligation on your behalf.  You may call or write for a free Bible, correspondence Bible study, or to correspond about any Bible subject that you would like to study.  We’d love to sit and talk with you about God’s Word at your convenience.  Life is about choices and  its eternal consequences; are you ready?

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In Christian Love,

The members of the Funny River Road church of Christ