All are welcome, yet not all are called to serve in church leadership
James 3:1
All are welcome, yet growth and maturing in our salvation is expected- not fighting to remain in our sin
Eph 4: 11-16
All are welcome, but fighting through our own pride to get our way, regardless of whom it hurts is hurtful to the body
James 4:10
Phil 2:3-4
All are welcome, yet we are not to conform to the culture, or give in to its demands over the commands of God.
If the world loves us, though Christ said it would hate us, we must check ourselves to ensure we are following the commands of God and Biblical authority
Rom 12:2
James 4:4
John 17:14
Is it possible that the growth seen in many congregations who have more leaning toward Biblical authority over church authority, or a more Biblical stance than a desire to conform to the cultural standard, are in fact in a state of blessing from God?
While the rest argue and fight to be more like the world, to dodge Biblical authority in favor of what feels right to them, and to debate and argue for their right to stay within their sin, longing more for their old ways than to become a new creation in Christ, those who adhere to scriptural authority and seek to be set apart from this world, appear to be experiencing growth and blessing.
Is stagnation and complacency within denominations a product of them spending more time in committees and meetings than in teaching the people to work out their salvation, and to understand why they believe what they believe, in order to propel them to diligently ensure they are not in a Matthew 7:20 position on that day we will all face? “Not all who say to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven”
Social justice, good works, loving others certainly is important, but not more important than our own salvation, and our own justification through faith in the Gospel. Good works pour out from this justification, but it is not good works which save us from our sin and our separation from God.
There are many false gospels, but each at its face has some value. They become false as they are taken to extremes.
The prosperity gospel encourages trusting God with our tithes and believing for increase.
The patriotic Gospel at its heart simply sees a desire for their country to follow Christ.
The social gospel seeks equality and to help those in need.
Yet the prosperity gospel on the dark end promotes greed and God as a genie ready to grant wishes.
The patriotic gospel sees legitimate believers blindly following unGodly politicians simply because they state a position that aligns with the believers’ view.
And, though the adherents would like more to point fingers at these other gospels and not their own, the social gospel places so much emphasis on conforming to cultural standards, whether Biblical or not, so they are not seen as “old fashioned” or “bigoted” that they throw out proper theology and training their congregations to work out their salvation - or to be saved at all. As the other tendency of this gospel is to emphasize good works so much that one may expect that being “a good person” is a substitute for legitimate Biblical salvation and adherence, to God’s commands.
So, we must look at what we are torn about, is it our own pride pushing to legislate our own sins to legitimize them? Or if we humbly seek God’s true will, rather than our own, could unity still be Achieved?
I don’t know, but just as it isn’t God telling a man to divorce his spouse or to abuse their position of power for personal gain, so also it is not God arguing on the side of leaders who stubbornly resist correction or adherence to Biblical authority and hierarchy within the body of Christ.
Those called to shepherd the flock, are called to live an example to others. By allowing sin to permeate the pastoral ministries, we allow it to permeate the body. As Paul says, A little leaven makes a change in all the mass.
Yes, Christ loves everyone, but Christ must also judge everyone someday, based on their response to His Gospel.
If the denominational churches want growth, they must turn back to Christ and the Bible. They must stop allowing known sin to go without rebuke. They must stop trying to please man, and seek to please God
