Gambling Wrong?

Is gambling right or wrong?

Well, much of America (over 50 million) is obsessed with gambling, spending more than 50 billion annually.  In addition to this, there are lotteries, bingos, and church raffles which are also gambling.  And, many Americans never think about gambling from the standpoint of right or wrong and for many who do think it is wrong, they have changed the label to “gaming.”  So, gambling or gaming is big business.

Now, we could talk about the casino itself.  There is no doubt that the house is in it to make a lot of money and if you will take the time to look at pictures of Las Vegas and other gaming areas, you will see that they are big and elaborate, and this was all built on the losses from people gambling.  We could also talk about the fact that you are winning from those who have lost in the past, but I don’t think that will work.  All of these things, while important to study, do not give us a clear answer if gambling is right or wrong.

So, what is the truth, as found in the Bible, pertaining to gambling?  Well, to start, the word is not found anywhere in the Bible.  And, there are many arguments that, I believe, will not hold up to the Scriptures, such as: Everything belongs to God theory.  We know that everything belongs to God, but to say that it is a sin, from this standpoint, is not going to hold water.  Gambling is not work and therefore, it is sin.  Well, I know of gamblers who spend a great deal of time working and perfecting the way they gamble.  Sure it is not physical work, but neither are a lot of other jobs in the world.  Gambling is not a work for ones needs (2 Thess. 4:7-12), for family (1 Tim. 5:8), to help out another (Eph. 4:28) or to support the Lord’s work (1 Cor. 9), thus, it is sin.  Or, gambling is not a gift or inheritance (2 Cor. 8:9; Gen. 15:1-4) and it is not something that we sell or give away and therefore, it is sin.  Now, I understand this, but again, this theory will not work on proving if gambling is right or wrong, from a Biblical standpoint.

But, we can turn to the Bible to passages such as 1 Tim. 6:6-10 that speaks of the love of money, being the root or foundation of all kinds of evil.  But, what does it mean to love money?  Well, this is an interesting word, which root word “arguros”, means to love “silver” (Acts 3:6).  Another meaning is “covetousness.”  And, we also find the word “pleonexia” in Lk. 12:15 and Col. 3:5, which also means “covetousness” or “greedy desire to have more” or “fraudulent”  which both the Lord and Paul forbids.  Solomon states in Eccl. 5:10, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money . . .”  In addition to this, gambling encourages selfishness and materialism (Phil. 3:19).

Now, something else that the love of money does is it is wealth gained hastily (Prov. 13:11) and one who gains this way, has an evil eye (Prov. 28:22).  Furthermore, since the love of money is the foundation of all kinds of evil, notice the major side associate with gambling: Alcohol, Smoking, Prostitution, Theft, Lying, Appeals to the flesh, Wrecked homes and destroyed lives.  Plus the fact, that gambling is an addiction.  There is a group called Gambler’s anonymous.  Like alcoholic’s anonymous.  And so, just from these implication alone, Paul states in Eph. 5:11, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Now, some may argue, “So what if it is gambling, the money is for a good cause!”  Well, gambling is still the love of money, it is still covetousness and therefore, it is still wrong no matter what good may come from it.  Now, someone may say, since gambling is a risk, then you can’t drive because driving a car is a risk.  Or, what about the apostles who risked or gambled their lives to take the Gospel to the lost as God directed them.  Some of our brethren will even go so far as feel there is nothing wrong with gambling as long as it is not at a casino.  For instance, paying to enter a golf or fishing tournament in order to win a pot of money.  Or, gambling at the kitchen table with money being exchanged.  Some even look at investing and say, isn’t this gambling too?

You know, all this philosophy and justification will not work.  Sadly, it is an attempt to justify what they do that they know is wrong.  Now, as to investments, I will say that when we look at the one talent man (Matt. 25:24-27), the Lord mentioned to him why he did not at least, invest it.  Investing was not developed to take money from others, but was designed to help a company to grow and develop.  Thus, an invest will reap a return but based on the law of sowing and reaping.  However, gambling is a game of chance where the purpose is solely to bet on the outcome of the game or event in question.

Now, while gambling does involves risk, not all risk involve gambling.  Gambling is defined as: “To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.”  Well, when we look at the definition of covetousness, it states, “Extreme desire to acquire or possess that which belongs to another.”  It is not hard to see that gambling is really an act of covetousness.  And, this is what Jesus warned against in Lk. 12:15.

Gambling robs the poor of their money and lines the pockets of the rich.  So no, I do not believe one can gamble and be pleasing to God.

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Lukewarm Christianity

While writing to the church in Corinth Paul urged them to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  We today are to do likewise and to have the assurance that we are living acceptable lives before God.

Recently while surfing the net, I came across a website dedicated to teaching about the dangers of lukewarm Christianity.  It caught my interest so I stayed around and read some of their stuff.  The more I read the more I became intrigued with what this website had to say and I started making some comparisons to my own life based on what I was reading and I realized that I have opportunity for growth.  None of us ever reach the point in our Christian lives where we can set back and say, ‘I’m going to heaven, I got it made, there’s no need for me to grow, or to change or to better myself’.  We always need to be watchful for ways in which we can improve ourselves to the glory of God.  

As we go forward with our efforts in the kingdom Christ, we need to be careful that we do not become too complacent, too comfortable in our positions here on earth.  We do not want to allow ourselves to become like the Laodicean Church spoken of in Revelation who Jesus accused of being Lukewarm.  What is interesting is that the word lukewarm is found only one time in all the Bible.   This word is translated from the Greek word chliaros, which according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon means ‘to become warm, liquefy, melt), tepid, lukewarm:  It is used metaphorically, of the condition of a soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor (an apathy) and a fervor of love.  Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines this word as being ‘used metaphorically in Revelation 3:16, of the state of the Laodicean church, which afforded no refreshment to the Lord, such as is ministered naturally by either cold or hot water’. 

Turning to Revelation 3:14-18, we read, “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Then in verse 22, Jesus goes on to say, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘”

What is interesting here is that Jesus was speaking to the entire church at Laodicea.  He didn’t single any of them out for this rebuke, choosing rather to lay His charge on the whole congregation.  This was His only complaint to them and He based the whole thing on an observation of their works.  Jesus said, “I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold“.   His condemnation was equally as direct, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth“.  That is some pretty direct language coming from Jesus.  I can only imagine how the Laodiceans felt when they read that for the first time.  How would we feel if the beloved apostle John handed us a letter from Jesus like that?  How would we feel if we got a letter from Jesus, addressed to the church of Christ in Granby, Missouri where He told us He knew our works and that because of them, He was going to vomit us out of His mouth?   I can only imagine how awful it would be to hear such a condemnation from our Lord and Savior so I can visualize how crushed the church at Laodicea must have been when someone stood up and read that letter to the congregation for the first time.

One of things we need to take from this is that Jesus pronounced this condemnation to the church in Laodicea as a whole, not to individuals.  Therefore what they did individually as members in that congregation had an influence on Jesus’ overall view of them as a congregation of His people.   We can infer from this that Jesus’ overall perception of His congregation of people here will likewise be a result of our collective works.  The activities of each and every individual within the congregation contribute to Jesus’ opinion of the church overall. 

Another important thing we need to take from Jesus’ condemnation of the whole Laodicean church, based on their works, is that Jesus expected them to be engaged in works which were carried out on a congregational level and not just individual works of the membership.  Examples of these would be organized works which we already engage in to some degree which require or offer the opportunity for participation by everyone within the congregation such as youth group meetings, care group meetings, gospel meetings and singing at the nursing home to name a few.  There’s no doubt that a Lukewarm Christian falls under the condemnation of Jesus, but we need to understand that it was the whole church in Laodicea that was condemned by Jesus Christ because of their works. 

A third thing we can take from this stinging review of the Laodicean church by Jesus Christ is that He told them “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten”.  Jesus made sure they knew His critical review of their works was prompted by His love and concern for their well being.  Jesus does not want them to be vomited out of His mouth.  Jesus did not love them enough to come and down here and die for them just to leave them in a state where their eternal salvation was at risk.  He warned them, not out of malice, not out of hate, but out of the love and concern of a benevolent savior. 

The fourth thing we can take from Jesus’ review of the Laodicean church is that He gave them the remedy for their woes, “Therefore be zealous and repent”.  It is obvious that the Christians in Laodicea were not zealous.  Paul wrote to Titus concerning being zealous in Titus 2:13-14, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”  The remedy for the Laodicean Christians was to be zealous.  They could escape condemnation if they would stop be being lukewarm and be zealous in their works. 

If Jesus were to write a letter to the church here, what would He say?  Would He find our works acceptable or would He find them lacking.  Would we receive a favorable review like the church in Philadelphia did, or would we be told that Jesus wanted to vomit us out of His mouth?  The task before us this hour is to perform a self evaluation and make a determination for ourselves based on what we know from scripture.  Jesus isn’t going to give us a personal review.  He already did that with the churches of Asia Minor and those reviews are recorded for us by inspiration.  All we have to do is examine Jesus’ review of the churches mentioned in Revelation and then make the determination for ourselves, based on comparisons with them and what we know from God’s word, to know what our review would be.   

There are individual works and congregational works which can be engaged in.  Individual works are things like attendance at the assemblies, personal evangelism, living the Christian life as an example to others, being able to give an answer to those who ask for the hope we have in Christ.  Visiting the sick and the aged, praying for them, helping them in various ways.  We’ll take a look at some of these individual works more closely before moving on to the congregational works.

1.  How is our attendance?
Do we as individual Christians show up for worship times and Bible studies?  How often do we set at God’s spiritual table and partake of the food which endureth unto everlasting life? (John 6:27).  Do we forsake the world and set aside time to assemble and learn of God, or do we forsake our assemblings and follow after the ways of the world?

Hebrews 10:25-26 says
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.“

I want to point something out in this verse which is vitally important and correctly translated.  It says by inspiration, the assembling of ourselves together.  Our worship periods, Bible study periods and congregational gatherings for the purpose of doing God’s work in the community are all assemblings.  The Hebrew writer tells us by inspiration of God not to forsake our assemblings.  Verse 26 begins with the word “For”.  This word introduces something in the next phrase which is connected to the thought in the former phrase.  The two verses are connected.  In this instance, the statement in verse 26 is a consequence that arises out if the condition in the previous statement is true. 

One could say, “Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves at dinner.  For if we eat not, we will starve.”  Hunger is the result of not showing up for dinner and starvation is the consequence that arises out of the result.   The consequence in verse 26 for forsaking the assembling is, “For if we sin wilfully”, (willfull sin as a result of forsaking the assemblings), “after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (The loss of our sacrifice for sin being the consequence for the result of forsaking the assemblings).  The sacrifice being spoken of here is the blood of Christ which was shed for our sins.  When we willfully and habitually forsake the congregational gatherings in favor of other concerns, we forfeit the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood.  This means His blood no longer covers us.  This means we no longer have the forgiveness of sin. 

One may ask, “wasn’t Jesus’ blood applied to our sins when we became Christians?”  The answer is yes.  Does that mean we cannot lose the effectiveness of that blood?  The answer is no.  If we could not lose the effectiveness of that blood then Hebrews 10:26 makes no sense.  That statement wouldn’t belong in scripture because there would be no condition under which we could lose the sacrifice for our sin.  There must therefore be a process by which our sins are forgiven on a continual basis. 

1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.“

That word “cleanseth” is used on a tense which describes something that is happening on a continual and ongoing basis.  If we walk in the light, the blood of Christ cleanses us on a continual and ongoing basis.  According to the rules of language, this is a conditional phrase.  If we do not walk in the light, then the blood of Christ no longer cleanses us of sin on this continual and ongoing basis.  We can therefore draw the connection that since inspiration says we forfeit the effectiveness of Jesus sacrifice when we forsake the assembling of ourselves together and that Jesus’ sacrifice is available on an ongoing basis only to those walk in the light, then part of walking in the light is to attend the assembling of ourselves together. 

2. How is our personal Bible study? 
Bible study is how we equip ourselves for our personal evangelism.  How much time do we spend in God’s word away from our assemblies?  Do we lay our Bibles down when we leave this place only to pick them back up when we return?  Do we just take the word of whoever is teaching us at our assemblings or do we search the scriptures at home to see if what we were told was according to what thus saith the Lord?  2 Timothy 2:15 reads, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

We are all to consider ourselves as workmen of God.  We want to make sure we are effective workmen.  Effective workmen know the will of their master.  They know what He expects and how to go about it.   A workman who goes out and works without knowing what He is supposed to be doing or saying will be ashamed.  Study to shew yourselves approved, a workman that does not need to be ashamed of himself.  Rightly dividing the word means correctly handling it. 

Our Bible studies in our assemblies are aimed at studying and learning God’s will for man.  And that’s a good thing, but is this is the only instruction we get?  Or do we spend private time in God’s word, studying, learning, seeking and trying to apply those things to our lives?  Do we seek God’s will in the assembly and seek the world outside the assembly?  These are questions we must ask ourselves and answer. 

In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear“.  We need to work towards this goal.  We need to be able to give people answers when they ask.  The more we study the better we can equip ourselves to give the right answers when we get the opportunity. 

3.  How is our Prayer life?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul gave this simple instruction, “Pray without ceasing.”  How much time do we spend in prayer?  Jesus said in Luke 21:36, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always…”  Do we pray to God when we want or need something, or do we spend real time in prayer, giving Him thanks and praying for others?  We are strengthened through prayer, we are encouraged through prayer, we receive God’s providential intervention as a result of our prayer.  We pray for each other, we pray for what we need, we pray for the sick.  How is our individual prayer life?

Do we pray spontaneously when the notion strikes us, or do we have regular appointments with God for prayer and do we keep those appointments? 

4.  How are our personal work habits? 
Do we visit the sick and the aged?  Do we visit the widows among us like we should?  Reading the words in Matthew 25:34-46, we see what Jesus has to say about personal work of this nature. 

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.“

These are all examples of works that we must engage in order to fulfill the will of God.  We all do not do the same things.  We each have an individual role we can play in order to help the body of Christ function as a living breathing, growing, caring, loving unit.  1 Corinthians 12:14-22, “For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.“

There is something for everybody to do in the kingdom of Christ.  Whether it be teaching, preaching, personal work or studying.  Which brings us to our next topic.  We have looked at individual things, now let’s look at our works on a congregational level.  These are works which have been organized so that our congregation as a group can work together for a common goal. 

Examples of these are Care group, Youth gatherings, Gospel meetings and visitations to rest homes where we sing and fellowship with the elderly.  These organized functions give everyone in the congregation an opportunity to participate in some way in the work of the kingdom.  Some of us may be only able to sign a card, or sing a song, or say hello to someone aged and sick.  But all these things make a difference.  All these things are important. 

We are planning on having some discussion at our next fellowship dinner where we are going to ask for input on more things we can do on a congregational level.  These organized events are put in place to give everyone in the congregation an opportunity to be involved.  It is important that we engage in these types of organized activities and it is important that all of us participate in them to the best of our ability.  Even if all we do is show up, it is an encouragement to the whole church.

What we need to do is to look at our individual participation in these activities and do what we can to support them.  Help out where we can.  Attend where we can.  Be involved in the assemblings whether they are worship, bible study or organized outreach efforts of the congregation. 

Brethren, the world is lost, without direction and without hope.  We have the answers.  We have the direction, we can offer them hope.  We can’t have something as precious as the hope we have and not do what we can to help share it.  I want to share with you one of the most encouraging scriptures in all the Bible for me.  For those who think they can’t do anything or can’t offer anything, please turn with me to Mark 14:3-9,

“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He [Jesus] sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could.“

There is another account of this in John 12 where we learn the woman’s name was Mary and the naysayer’s name was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.  Notice that Jesus defended her actions.  In Jesus’ defense of her pouring that flask of oil on Him, He said “Leave her alone.  She has done what she could“. 

She didn’t have much to offer Jesus, but she did what she could and that was good enough for Jesus.  Brethren have we done what we could?  If Jesus were to send us a letter right now, would He say “You have done what you could”?  If Satan were to stand before us and accuse us, would Jesus call Him off and say, “Leave them alone, they have done what they could”? 

Let’s examine ourselves individually and let’s examine ourselves congregationally.  If we can do more for Christ, let’s do it.  If we can attend more for Christ, let’s do it.  If we can love more for Christ, then let’s do it. If we can visit more for Christ, then let’s do it.  If we can do it, lets do it together.  Let’s encourage each other, let’s support each other, let’s help each other give help to others.  Let’s reach out, let’s shine the light on the path to heaven. 

The goal is Heaven. The cause is Christ. The work is His work. The responsibility is ours.

I have never heard anyone say, “I regret having done all that work for the Lord.”

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God Makes Provisions for Everyone!

In the transition from the family of Abraham to the nation of Israel, we learn a valuable lesson about God making provisions for everyone! Unfortunately, the Jews over time quickly misunderstood the reasons for the divine selection of Abraham’s descendants to become their own nation (cf. Deut. 9:13-29), and they falsely filled themselves with both pride and prejudice (Jonah is a great example of one whose attitude towards Gentiles was ungodly). It is true that God made a covenant with them like no other (cf. Ex. 19:5-8), but in this covenant that He made with Israel, He included provisions for Gentiles as well to demonstrate, among many things, that His concern was not just for one nation, but that He truly loves everyone! I do not believe that God focused on the nation of Israel while forgetting about the rest of the world, allowing them to wander around as best as they could and depending upon whatever knowledge they had received during the Patriarchal Age.

For example, in the very formation of the nation with the institution of the Passover, God already laid the foundation for the inclusion of everyone. Exodus 12:43-51 teaches that any circumcised Gentile (proselyte) could enjoy the full privileges of the Jewish religion. Here, we first learn of the distinction between a full proselyte (a Gentile who accepts the religion of the Jews, demonstrated with his circumcision) and a “foreigner” or a “sojourner” [ASV] (one who remains uncircumcised and thus, did not enjoy the full privileges of the Jewish people). Later, in the formation of the Law of Moses, God will remind them, “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Ex. 22:21). Again, while so many believed that God was not interested in the other nations, the truth of the matter is that He wanted the nation of Israel to be a light to the rest of the world, just as God is very interested in non-Christians today, and expresses such through the light that Christians are supposed to shine forth to them. Our failure to radiate righteousness is not a reflection on God’s lack of love for those in the world, just as the failure of the Jews to radiate God’s righteousness through their own covenant was not a reflection on His lack of love for the Gentiles. God cared even for “the stranger,” and they were supposed to learn this valuable lesson from His people, the Jews (cf. Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 14:21). The very fact that God sent Jewish prophets to prophesy to all the nations and not just to Israel or Judah ought to teach us this necessary lesson (cf. Is. 13-27, 43:9-11; Jer. 46-51; Ezek. 25-32; Amos 1:3-2:3; Obadiah, Jonah, and such like). In addition, we have seen throughout the history of the Israelites the interaction that God had with Gentiles and the provisions he made with them, including Rahab (Joshua 2), Ruth, the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and Naaman (2 Kings 5). Even the prayer of Solomon at the grand dedication of the marvelous temple recognized the provisions that God gave to Gentiles who responded appropriately (cf. 1 Kings 8:41-43), which we see centuries later in a couple of Roman centurions, one of whom was named Cornelius (cf. Luke 7:1-5; Acts 10:1-2).

One of the great tragedies of years gone by is the false notion that God has one law for the non-Christian and another law for the Christian. Such is completely false. Through even the law of liberty (James 1:25), God has provided provisions for his people, the church, as well as demanding accountability and responsibility by those who are not in the church. In this fashion, he shows that he has made provisions for everyone! No one is without excuse! This has always been the case. To God be the glory!

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Is the Church Important?

Over the years there have been a variety of statements (or mottos) expressing an ideology espoused by those who want Jesus “but not the church.” The newest of these is that one can love Jesus but hate religion.

In my experience those who profess such views are in reality just looking for an easy way out of what they see as an oppressive way of life. They want the grace of God that has been extended unto all men (Titus 2:11) but don’t want to be told what to do.by God or anyone else.

Now, if by religion or “church” one means a denomination or man-made organization or
institution I am in full agreement. The problem is two-fold created by those who have perverted the gospel and religion and those who are tired of the hypocrisy, ignorant of the truth, or just simply rebellious and self-serving (Romans 16:18).

So the question is, “Is the church important?” “Can we hope to go to heaven without the church or religion?” Well let’s not suppose we know what God would say, let’s listen to His Word.

Jesus didn’t come to destroy religion but to build His church and establish a one true religion for all mankind. Read and study Ephesians 2:11-22. In order to accomplish his mission to reconcile all men to himself he promised, “.I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Is the church important? It was important enough for Jesus to die on the cross and purchase it with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

In giving His life for us, and establishing the church, the Father gave Jesus all authority
(Matthew 28:18), placing “all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18). For us it means that we must do what He says. In fact He said that if we truly love Him we would do what He says (John 14:15). Is the church important? If we want the head of the church to be the head of our lives it will be.

Jesus is not only the head of the church he is “the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). The church and the body are the same thing. The body is where the blood is and where we are cleansed (1 John 1:7). It was the church to which the Lord added the saved (Acts 2:47). And when one is saved he is translated out of darkness and into the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Is the church important? If we want to be saved it is!

You cannot go to heaven if your name isn’t written there and if you are not in the kingdom. It is the names of those who are in the church that are written in heaven (Hebrews 12:23). And when Jesus comes again it is those who are in the kingdom that will go to be with Him in His home (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:24).

Is the church important? The more pertinent question is, “Is the church important to you?” It will be if we want to be reconciled to God, if we are willing for Jesus to be the head of our lives and truly love Him, and if we want to be saved and go to heaven.
If it is important to us we will not forsake the services of the church (Hebrews 10:25). We will put the church first in our lives (Matthew 6:33). We will let our light shine (Matthew 5:14-16). We will practice pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27). If the church is important to us we will be obedient and faithful!

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I Do Not Believe That

One of the greatest problems that the Christian faces today in converting denominational people is their lack of knowledge about what their particular denomination teaches and believes.  There are many good people who hold membership in denominational churches who do not know (i.e., or they act as if they don’t) the doctrinal positions held by the leaders of that group.  I say they do not know because I have personally made statements about the doctrinal positions of certain denominations only to be chastised by the person or persons with whom the discussion is being conducted.  If you confront many people with the true conclusions of the doctrine of inherited sin (i.e., original sin – infants are born sinners)  you will be told,  “I do not believe that.”  If a person does not believe the foundation principle of the church that they attend and give their money and time to support what on earth holds them in that denomination?

I had one person confront me after one of my sermons from the pulpit to explain  that he did not believe that infants were born sinners and that the denomination where his membership resided did not teach it.  Perhaps he did not believe the doctrine but the church to which he paid allegiance did – they could not continue to be in the conference if they did not accept the foundation principles of the denominational leadership.  Even when this person discussed this matter of inherited sin with his pastor? the pastor? told him that this was not true that God some-how made allowances for infants even though they were born sinners.   If infants are born sinners as this pastor suggested the only arrangement I know of for the remission of sins is belief, repentance, confession, and baptism “for the remission” of that sin.  This pastor lied to the person so that he would not  cause trouble or perhaps begin to really study the Bible for himself and find out that the teaching and doctrine of the denomination is not found in the Bible.

Whenever a true Christian attempts to teach one in a denomination, (i.e., Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic,  Church of God, Jewish, Presbyterian, etc.) he will find this lack of knowledge about the denomination’s teaching.  This poses a great barrier to teaching the person – the first thing then to establish with the person you desire to become a true Christian is what they DO BELIEVE”  One must know what the person believes before he can teach him the truth  and then proceed from that foundation.

IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE IT,  WHY DO YOU SUPPORT THAT WHICH YOU SAY YOU DO NOT BELIEVE?

If a person does not believe the doctrine of the church where they have membership why would they keep on supporting it?  This is a problem that I have never been able to answer successfully myself – if one knows the church is teaching for doctrine something that the Bible does not support and they continue to support it they are “bidding God speed to sin”   (2 John 9-11).  If the previous statement by John is correct and it is, then the person who understands that the church he is attending is teaching error must immediately seek to correct the error and if he cannot, he must leave that church and find one that is teaching “TRUTH.”  He must seek a church teaching “TRUTH”  — Because:

John 8:32-36 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”(KJV)

SOME PEOPLE ARE DISHONEST: SOME PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THE TRUTH: SOME PEOPLE ARE SOCIALLY INVOLVED: SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO CONVICTION: SOME WILL NOT CHANGE: SOME HAVE BEEN BLINDED BY FALSE TEACHING: SOME WILL NOT COME TO THE TRUTH: SOME ARE SATISFIED EVEN THOUGH WRONG:

There are many reasons for the religious connection that people have, many of them have nothing to do with a love for God and a desire to go the heaven.  Whenever we attempt to convert those from Denominationalism, we need to understand these facts.

SOME ARE HONESTLY MISTAKEN: SOME ARE DUPED BY OTHERS (i.e., blind leaders of the blind): SOME REALLY DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE WRONG:

Indeed, there are some that can be reached with the “TRUTH.”  Those that can be reached with God’s Truth may be few but there are some of them that perhaps we know personally.  Even if we know one or two people who might be converted to the “True Way” if we do not approach them with the “TRUTH” they may never become Christians;

Matt 5:13-16, Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (KJV)

SOME WILL COME TO CHRIST: SOME WILL NOT:

Matthew 3:3-9 For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up.

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