The church of Christ at Julington Creek |
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IS THE BIBLE A BLUEPRINT BOOK? The following phrase has become popular among some brethren, “the Bible is not a blueprint book.” In one sense, the statement is true. The Bible is generally not laid out technically like a “blueprint book,” with precise lists of rules and measurements. Rather, it is contains the history of God’s people, principles, illustrations and general instructions. Therefore, it is necessary to “mine” the scriptures and meditate upon them to extract its truths. But though it is not literally a “blueprint book,” the Word of God....Is called “the oracles of God,” (1 Peter 4:1) Provides “all things that pertain to life and godliness,” (2 Peter 1:3) “Is a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathway,” (Psalm 119:105) (click here for the entire article)
IS ALL OF LIFE WORSHIP That's what some are saying. In his book, Unbroken Bread, Mike Root says: "Worship is a life given in obedience to God. It's not a when or where proposition, but a what. It's what we are. You can't go to it or leave it, dress for it or from it, and you can't start it or stop it... it doesn't open and close with a prayer, and it doesn't have human leader or a special day" (115). Appealing To the Scripture The New Testament clearly teaches that a Christian is to present his body as "a living sacrifice" to God (Rom 12:1-2) and do everything in the name of the Lord (Col 3:17) and to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). It is also true that a Christian can and should worship God apart from those times when the church assembles together (Acts 16:25; Heb. 13:15). Does this mean, however, that all of life is worship?
THE CHURCH'S PURPOSE What is the purpose of the Lord’s church? Is it to eradicate poverty, disease, social injustice, illiteracy from among men? Is it to bring about a cessation of war and conflict? Is it to campaign for a temptation-free society for Christians to live in? If the church had as one of its great goals the eradication of disease, the Lord could have easily equipped it to accomplish that goal. Could not the same power that enabled one blind man to see have enabled all blind men to see; that enabled one lame man to walk have enabled all lame people to walk; that cured many people of varied diseases have cured all people of all diseases? And could not this same power have been given to the church in all generations? If the church
has as one of its great goals the eradication of poverty, the Lord
could have easily equipped it to accomplish this purpose. After all,
He fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. He
similarly fed four thousand on another occasion. FRUITS OF RELIGIOUS ERROR In Matthew 7, as Jesus warns of false teachers, he states, “by their fruits ye shall know them.” Physically, we know what kind of tree bears an apple or peach. We likewise know the results of eating a juicy, ripe apple or peach – pleasure for our senses – and the great discomfort that can come from eating a soured, rotten piece of fruit. False teachers bear fruit that are unpalatable and dangerous to our spirtual health. One type of fruit would be the unsubstantiated sense of hope that may be receive through the doctrine of “faith only.” This doctrine has been described as “full of comfort” and indeed it is, but deceptively so, since the Bible clearly states that much more is required for salvation. Many live their lives devouring this poison fruit. It can lead to complacency and in extreme instances, even to destruction of the very fiber of morality. “Once saved, always saved” is a fruit as deadly. Again, it is contrary to the inspired word of God which teaches that one who has known salvation can “fall.” |
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