By Tom Young
As Diane and I were traveling to visit the kids and grandkids this past weekend, we saw an interesting saying on a denominational building’s marquee in Prattville…”All of God’s Churches are essential”. While one can immediately understand that the thought is referring to the current pandemic and the lack of states allowing members to congregate to some degree, it would be very easy to miss an implied meaning that should not be overlooked; the implication that all churches are approved by God. I would submit that God doesn’t think that all churches are essential and His word makes that clear.
You might be thinking, “Tom, that is a harsh statement to make?” Is it really? In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Himself stated that He would build His church….that statement alone excludes all others. As such, the church of Jesus Christ, the body of Christ, is the only religious body that is essential. Eph 4: 4 states that there is one body……Col 1:18 states that He is the head of the body, the church….the church is exclusive. Sadly, there are many within the Lord’s church that will not teach that the church is exclusive thereby endorsing denominationalism by their silence and fear of offending anyone that disagrees with them.
According to swedishnomad.com, scholars estimate that there are approximately 4,200 active religions around the world at this time. It is hard to believe that what started as one has morphed into over 4,000 in just one millennium. Brethren, we need to teach the exclusivity of the church. Instead of trying to tell others what is wrong with the man-made churches of this present age, why don’t we tell them what is right about the one true church, the one that Christ built just as he said he would and the one that the word of God describes in plain detail:
– Christ purchased it with His own blood Acts 20:28
– Christ is the head Eph 5:23
– It is the only body Eph 4: 4
– It is open to all Mark 16:15-16; Rev 22:17
– It’s duration is everlasting 1 Cor 15: 23-26
Matthew 7 is clear in its description of the straight and narrow gates. Wide is the gate that leads to destruction and many there be which go in; narrow is the way which leadeth to life and few there be that find it (verses 13 14). As you can see, with 4200 active religions in the world today, the gate to destruction is becoming wider and wider….let’s do our part to ensure that everyone knows that the one true church of the Lord is indeed essential and is open to everyone who will submit and obey.