Which
One?
Craig
Thomas
Often
members of Christ’s church are viewed as religious “extremists”, as
being out of touch with reality. For example, have you ever been told,
“How can you say that?!” “You really believe there is only one, true
church?!” “Surely, you don’t believe everyone who is not a member of
the church of Christ will be lost?!” Such questioners think we’re
“the lunatic fringe” and regard us as spiritual bigots, as
“soul-haters.” Are we deluded deceivers? Are our views of God, or are
they of a “god” we’ve craftily created in our own twisted and
perverted image?
For which “one” are we defamed? We are not
defamed when we preach on the “one Spirit”, or the “one
hope”, or the “one Lord”, or the “one faith”,
or the “one baptism”, or the “one God and Father of all”.
(Eph. 4:4-6). No, it is not these “ones” that
cause others to dismiss and disdain us, for myriad's of others also affirm
exactly the same. What then, transforms us into the “the filth of the
world, the offscouring of all things” (1 Cor 4:13) in the sight of
men? Isn’t it simply when we insist on consistency? That is, how can we
accept six “ones” and reject the seventh? To do so is the very epitome
of inconsistency! Surely anyone with “an honest and good heart” (Lk.
8:15) can see we are mocked when we “do not add
to His words” (Prov. 30:6), when we make our appeal only to the “law
and testimony” (Isa. 8:20), when we insist upon noting “those
who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you
learned, and avoid them” (Rom 16:17), when we do “not to think
of men above that which is written” (1 Cor. 4:6), when we “speak
as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11), when we reject and turn away
from any who “does not abide in the doctrine of Christ” (2 John
9) by our insistence that there’s only “one body” (Eph. 4:4) “the
church” (Col. 1:18).
Brethren, we have a very simple choice: either we can
speak only as the oracles of God and suffer the rejection and condemnation
of men, or we can compromise God’s word to gain popularity. The former
brings God’s commendation, the later brings God’s condemnation.
Remember, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please
men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of
Christ.” (Gal. 1:10) Which “one” will you choose?
