December 28, 2000

     1. To a member of the Lord's church: With some folks, their attendance, and sometimes their membership, is determined by their love for and friendship with some member of a particular local church of Christ. They have joined that local church, not because they are committed to Jesus as the Lord of their lives, but so they can be associated with their friend. This person did whatever they were told were the requirements to be a member. They didn't understand that one is not baptized into a local congregation, but in to the one body of Christ, His church. This is the same as being "born of the water and of the Spirit" into His kingdom (John 3:3-5). They could care less about the "mode of baptism," the "design of baptism," the "kind of music,"etc. They will do what that group does, for that's where their friend attends and their allegiance is to their friend.

     2. To a particular preacher: Proof that some are "converted to the preacher" rather than to Jesus Christ can be seen in cases where there is ample proof that the preacher to whom they have an inordinate attachment messes up morally, doctrinally, or judgmentally and causes embarrassment and confusion. Those converted to the preacher will defend him to the bitter end, often even to the division of the local congregation. Paul said, "be ye followers of me as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). In other words, follow me only so far as I follow Christ. He also wrote we should learn, "...not to think of men above that which is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6).

     When my very favorite preacher ceases to teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Or, when his personal lifestyle is anything but an example for others to follow. It is not only incumbent on that congregation to ask him to leave, it is also time for me to cease supporting and defending him lest I become "partaker in other men's sins" (1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 11).

     3. To some particular doctrine: For example, some get tired of hearing "money, money, money, tithe, tithe, tithe!" There are some "Christians" who will tell their friends that they will not be expected to "tithe" if they become members of the church of Christ, for we don't tithe. They consequently leave the impression that one doesn't have to give as much if they "join the church of Christ," as they are now being urged to give as a member of a denomination. Well, it is true that no exact amount is set for the Christian to give. We are to give "as we have prospered" or proportionately to our incomes. We are also told that we should give "liberally, willingly, cheerfully, and sometimes sacrificially" (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9). As I see this matter, it is pretty difficult to believe that the Lord is pleased with a Christian who lives under a better law with better promises giving less than those under an inferior law with lesser promises (Hebrews 7:19-8:13)! Please take the time to read these passages.

     5. To their family: Proof of this charge is those who remain in a particular congregation where their family holds membership even when that congregation departs the faith. Some years ago brethren who stayed with congregations that advocated the support of benevolent societies from the church treasury in discussion on these matters said, "If they ever begin to support the Bible colleges from the church treasury, we will not stay with them." Lo and behold, many of those same churches are now advocating and practicing such but these folks are still there with their family. These same folks would also say, "if they ever introduce the mechanical instrument of music into the worship, we will leave here." It is doubtful that they would since they have already shown more love for their family ties than for the Lord and for divine authority.

     {Note: I will just throw the following in without making a lot of comments about it, but some are "converted to a church building." They have put so much time, energy, and money into a meeting place that if error began to be taught there, they would still stay with the building.}

     6. The true convert is converted to Christ: This person will do like the apostles of Christ did when commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore. They said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29b). Are you and I totally committed to Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God? If so, we will feel as Paul, who said he had "suffered the loss of all things and considered them as refuse..." (See Philippians 3:7-11). Let us go back a couple of chapters and see his admonition to all followers of Christ:

Kenneth E. Thomas