“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” -Galatians 1:6,7.
The Bible tells us that FAITH is the evidence of things unseen, and without it we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:1,6), but I tell you that today our enemy has subtly deceived us into exchanging faith in Christ for the SIGHT of church buildings; even redefining what church really is, turning us away from how God's Word describes it.
So when we talk about church today, we're talking about buildings, but CHURCH in the Bible means the invisible body of Christ; not man-made structures we can see, or their organizations. But this is the switcharoo I mean, when the word “church” refers to a visible brick & mortar structure rather than invisible souls. Unless otherwise noted, every time I mention “church” in this article will mean the buildings we can see along with their organizations.
“Likewise greet the church that is in their house...” -Romans 16:5A, Bold type added to emphasize; see also Colossians 4:15 & Philemon 2 for “church in house.”
“...the afflictions of Christ...for his body’s sake, which is the church:” -Colossians 1:24B.
Christians also know that Jesus is our ONLY way to heaven; man's only mediator with God;
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all...” -1 Timothy 2:5,6A.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” -Acts 4:12.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” -John 14:6.
In addition to Jesus being the only mediator, it's clear that He alone must teach and direct us in what God expects in our daily lives.
Renown 19th century saint George Mueller first came to England seeking mission work, beginning studies through the London Missionary Society. Yet after 6 months he was becoming frustrated by taking courses he'd already had elsewhere, and the Society's delays for sending him out in the service God had led him to. Upon finally breaking with the Society, Mr. Mueller reflected that for Christians; “The Word of God is our only standard (2 Timothy 3:16,17), and the Holy Spirit our only teacher (1 John 2:27)... pointing out that, “A servant of the Lord has but one master.”
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” -1 Corinthians 7:23,24.
So with JESUS as the only way to God the Father, and His Word & Spirit the only teachers, we can begin to see how church organizations will get in the way of a relationship with God, even if well intended. Church organizations invariably follow the world's standards for “doing business,” thus preventing them from fully adhering to God's Word in everything.
But now the set up is in place for a HUGE switcharoo; from the FAITH God requires of us, to the sight our flesh is comfortable with; from the relationship the Lord desires with us to a religion that focuses on vain works meant to earn His favor (Galatians 2:18). The FAITH would be seen when we seek God on our own through prayer and Bible study in order to discern His will for us in all things. The sight is when we look to religious leaders and organizations to tell us what God wants for our lives; when we aren't testing the spirits of those leading or their teachings, nor do we search scripture to verify what's being taught;
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” -1 John 4:1.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” -Acts 17:11.
Incredible spiritual value has also been placed upon material church buildings and their attendees, even though NO requirements must be met to enter them, which the “All Welcome” signs make abundantly clear. Yet if history in the Bible teaches us anything, it's that God places no value on religious practices and their locations, but on the individual's heart condition, instead. The Bible calls Spirit-filled believers His temple, like shown in 1 Corinthians 3:16;
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” -1 Corinthians 6:19.
“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,” -Acts 7:48.
See also 2 Samuel 7:5-7; 1 Kings 8:27, 9:6,7; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Isaiah 66:1,2; Acts 17:24,25.
But real further problems arise if we start talking about church gatherings for UNITY in the body of Christ, because “All Welcome” signs are without discernment, and turn these gatherings into a spiritually polluted mess. Believers are plainly told to SEPARATE from the world, and must not be yoked together with unbelief, as we read from 2 Corinthians 6:14-18;
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
To show how far we've fallen from Godly obedience, consider that while Christians will prefer each other's company (Hebrews 10:25), there's no command for us to gather together in groups; yet many declare it to be necessary for salvation! And they're also ignoring plenty of scriptures which tell believers to turn away from those who practice any faith that's contrary to Bible doctrine;
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” -Romans 16:17.
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” -2 Timothy 3:6.
More on division/deception; Matthew 10:34, 24:24; Luke 6:22, 12:51, 17:3; Acts 20:28-31; Jude 4; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 3:16-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 1:19,20, 5:20, 6:5; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus3:10,11; 2 Peter 2:2:1-3, 17-21; 1 John 2:18,19;
True unity in Jesus isn't possible with the set up we face in churches today because all are invited within their doors, not just Christians. There's no separation from the world, let alone the casting out of those with sinful practices like we see in 1 Corinthians chapter 5 (Please read!). Christian unity might be achieved with discretion for smaller home-based gatherings, but church organizations are built for SIZE and profit, seldom taking time to evaluate individuals.
But probably the worst consequence of supposed unity in churches is that it plays directly into the Antichrist's plans for the world; he will unite all religion, and wants mankind to worship him en masse, without concern for the standards of any particular faith, as long as he's on top!
Yet this terrible switcharoo has only been made possible from the collapse of our spiritual foundation, which is God's Word; long ago the doubting agents of our adversary infiltrated Bible schools in order to steal faith, and establish conformity to this world that's contrary to God.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:2.
These teachers of falsehood stole from their students faith in the Bible as God's Word, and as they then took the lead over congregations, all they had left to offer was a form of godliness that DENIED the true God; they were unable to teach what they no longer firmly believed.
Take time to think about how church has taken God's place in our lives; the unsaved aren't invited to Jesus, they're invited to church. We use food or clothing giveaways, entertainment, and even VBS in order to draw people to CHURCH, but aren't going into the world to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15) to those spiritually perishing. In fact, normal church associations are mostly accepted by all, but venture outside of those walls to live your faith and there'll be conflict. At times I'll meet a professing Christian, and share something the Lord's shown me from the Bible, and instead of conversing about about God's Word, they'll respond, “What church do you go to?” Just as if God can't teach anything without that building!
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” -2 Corinthians 5:7.
If we follow a church organization and its leaders to the extreme, we deny our own personal relationship with God, counting on others to tell us what to do, trusting them to be in right relationship with God and unselfishly have our best spiritual interests in mind. Brethren, in the end each of us will have to account for our own lives without anyone else to blame.
This dangerous switcharoo has come about subtly over many decades, but a return to personal prayer and Bible study (King James Bible) will soon turn us back on the right path. Christianity is a serious faith, and Satan a serious foe, but he will be overcome through our Savior and the tools He's given (Ephesians 6:11-18). Be ready to give up all for the Lord, even that church if we must; yet our FIRST step should be seeking the Lord to direct, doing nothing until we've confirmed it with Him.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:33.
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” -Romans 8:37.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” -Romans 14:12.
Here is a link to the YouTube video I also did on this subject https://youtu.be/HUGIrfGz-LY.
Also I did a video Short located at https://youtube.com/shorts/SiMdYGdD66E?feature=share
