What does a faithful follower of Christ do if they realize
their local church has become apostate? It no longer teaches or uses the Bible
and sin is hardly mentioned but tolerated. Some of its members lure others into
immoral practices and the leadership seems unconcerned.
It happens. We talked with a couple this week who attend a
mainline church, not agreeing with its teachings yet seemingly unconcerned and
without any indication they would go elsewhere. Another couple we know attend
another church that has ‘gone off the rails’ but deliberate choose to stay
there in hopes of being a godly influence.
Jesus’ letter to the church in Thyatira commends them
briefly then condemns them for tolerating false teaching that is leading His
servants into sin. Jesus is described as before with one change; He is called the
Son of God rather than the Son of Man, reaffirming His deity and His righteous
indignation at what was happening. This congregation had accepted the sexual
immorality that accompanied pagan religion and were eating food sacrificed to
idols, both practices that He abhorred.
But not all of them were doing this. He told them:
But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. (Revelation 2:24–27)
In this case, Christ did not command them to leave it but
to remain as a godly testimony. Judgment on the false teacher and her followers
would come; He would purge the church. Is staying put in a dead church always
the answer?
Usually faithful Christians in apostate local churches
leave and go elsewhere. This happened in a large scale in the Middle Ages when
Protestantism separated from Roman Catholicism and attempted a return to purity
in doctrine and life. It seems to me that God has no ‘rule’ about this, just
that Christians pay attention and do what He tells them. I’ve known people who
moved to another church because they wanted a youth group for their teen
children, not because the church had fallen into error. Motivation and paying
attention to the Holy Spirit are the norm. God wants me to be faithful to Him,
regardless of what others are doing.
In that regard, Christ promises faithful believers that
they will join Him in His rule. Revelation 20:4–6 indicates this is during a
certain time period yet the interpretation of that passage may not be literal.
To me, the more important part of God’s command to Thyatira is to be faithful,
to not allow ‘the deep things of Satan’ to have any hold on me. If my church
took a dive, I’d need to let the deep things of God tell me what to do.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, I hope this never happens to me, but I know it does
happen. Our world is increasingly drifting and even running away from You and
letting the enemy direct their thinking and actions. Being faithful sounds nice
yet I know it is often challenging and can be costly. Thank You for Your
promises to keep me on track!
Today’s thankful list . . .
- the Lord’s instructions can be found, either by
principle or clearly spelled out.
- He also speaks to my heart so that I know what He wants
from me.
- a good day even though I’m not caught up on all I hoped
to accomplish.
- tickets to the ballet tonight.
- no fresh snow but still looks like a Christmas card
outside.
- our Panini maker that turns ordinary into gourmet.
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