Which One?

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?

Craig Thomas

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Tim 3:16-17