Serving the High Plains
Religion Columnist
I was taking one of our daughters to a school activity recently and wasn’t exactly certain where to go. One of her classmates came up beside us on Rte. 66 Boulevard, so I asked her if he was probably going to the same place so we could follow him. She replied that he probably was and that he was a really good driver. Almost before those words were out of her mouth, he turned onto First Street. So, she continued her sentence with, “but, hey, don’t follow that guy,” because she realized that he probably wasn’t going to the activity.
That incident is similar to a common occurrence in the church today. That is, people follow eloquent leaders no matter where they’re going. I’ve known of people who commuted for hours each way just to attend the “big” church with an eloquent preacher, although in this case, the preacher was doctrinally solid. Still, people travel shorter distances to hear less than solid preachers or to participate in the church’s activities (even Paul knew that people are won to what they are won with – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Following eloquent leaders is likely the reason there are so many denominations today. Denominationalism breaks Jesus’ heart (his heart does get broken – Matthew 23:37-39) because it: (1) leads God’s people away from God (Acts 20:26-31; Galatians 5:7-10), (2) causes people to not come to God to begin with because they’re confused (1 Corinthians 1:10-13), and (3) could come across that God said, “No,” to Jesus’ prayer for unity among his followers so that the world would recognize his unity with God (John 17:20-21).
God didn’t deny Jesus’ request about Christian unity because his people are not divided over what the Bible says about matters essential to salvation and they’ve become obedient to that one faith (Ephesians 4:1-6; Acts 6:7; 2:37-41; 1 Peter 1:22-25; John 13:34-35). Unity doesn’t mean there can’t be differences of opinion in non-essential matters, but there’s no wiggle room in direct commands regarding what the Bible says about obedience to come into the right relationship with God by having our sins forgiven and receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Actually, opinions are to be handled so as to not lead to division (Romans 14:1 to 15:7, note especially 14:22, which says to keep trouble-causing opinions and offensive liberties to yourself).
Even if it was one of the Apostles, anyone teaching anything other than the gospel revealed by God through his inspired writers is condemned along with anyone who follows him (Galatians 1:6-9; Jude 3-4; Luke 6:39-40).
Does your congregation teach and practice ONLY those things taught in the Bible and ALL of those things taught in the Bible so that we can participate in the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:13; Revelation 22:18-19)?
It’s your personal responsibility to yourself to verify that you’re being led to heaven and not following an eloquent teacher who might be leading you down the wrong road (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan. Contact him at [email protected]