First of all, we need to realize something about all of God's tests. God "tests" His people, but does not "tempt" His people. Testing and tempting are not the same, even though in some translations of the Bible they may be interchangeable, which is okay depending on the context. For example, in Genesis 22:1, the KJV says "that God did tempt Abraham." In the context here, the word "tempt" means to test, so this is fine. This is proven in James 1:13, where it says, "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." So, the words "tempt" and "test" can be interchangeable as long as we remember that tempting has to do with enticing one to evil, but testing has to do with measuring something, such as one's faith. God never tempts us to do evil, but He does test our faith and it's always for our good. Righteousness must be tested. This is the reason God put one tree in the Garden of Eden to test man's faith and obedience. God was not tempting Adam and Eve to sin, but testing their obedience to righteousness. On the other hand, Satan always tempts man to sin.
GOD'S SCORE IS EITHER PASS OR FAIL
What is God's grading scale for His tests? God does not use letter grades or percentages, not even a good, better, or best. With God, it's either pass or fail. With Him, it's with absolutes, such as good-evil, love-hate, or lost-saved, for example. So, when God gives man a test, it is with a score of pass or fail. Adam and Eve failed their test. Abraham passed his. Job passed his, and so on.
However, even when man fails God's test, it can work for our good, providing that man has a right heart toward God. Our failures show us that we fall short of what God wants, and that we need to seek God's grace and help in order to improve so the next time He tests us, we can pass. This is how Christians grow, learning how we can be more faithful to God and to His Word. Furthermore, when we pass a test, it encourages us, and God moves us forward to another test in a different area of our lives.
In the past, this principle of passing and failing was used to advance students in our school system. This is not the case in modern schools, for most of them pass a student to the next grade level even if they have failed. In the past, a student was tested on certain grade material, and if they failed, they had to go back and relearn the material. They weren't promoted to the next level until they passed that test. When they did, then they went on to the next level containing more advanced material. It is the very same with God. In His school of faith, He gives us trials or tests so that we can see where we are concerning our faith and obedience, and He doesn't pass us on to our next test until we pass that one, even if it takes our whole life. That's the reason many Christians don't grow. They never pass the test they're on, so they don't advance, getting stuck in that stage in their spiritual life.
Furthermore, testing is not for God's benefit, because He knows where we are, but it's for our benefit, to reveal to us where we are. How? By the test key, which is the Word of God. You can find all the answers to the test in there. So, really, all of God's tests are open book tests, which were my favorite tests in school. Now, how easy can it be? But, why then are most Christians failing their tests if it's an open book test?
GOD'S BIGGEST TEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
In the Old Testament, God tested individuals as I mentioned, but let's take a look at one of God's biggest tests of all, the testing of Israel. Let's look at the testing of Israel, beginning with their wilderness journey. God could have made things very easy for Israel, holding their hand and making it very easy for their short trip to the promise land. However, God did not feel that this people was ready to go into the land. They needed to grow and learn to be faithful to God, in spite of how things appeared. They didn't have much faith in God at all, being raised their whole lives in Egypt under the influence of pagan gods. Thus, God wants to show Israel where they were spiritually, so He begins to give them a series of tests, and for the most part, they failed each one of them. Instead of being a good student and learning from their short comings in order to improve, and reach that higher level where they could successfully go into the promise land, they murmured, wanted to quit and return to Egypt.
You see, the problem was that Israel was greatly outnumbered by the stronger nations that already occupied the promise land. In Israel's condition, it was going to be impossible for them to take that land away from them. However, they had God, and with God's help, they could take the land, but there was one catch. They had to do it by faith, trusting God to help them fight their battles. But, Israel was not at that level of trusting God and relying upon Him by faith. This was proven by the results of their tests in the wilderness. God was testing their faith and they kept failing their tests, so they were prevented from moving on. It would take 40 years of testing before they finally passed and would be ready to trust God and go into the promised land.
One of the biggest tests for Israel was when Moses sent out the spies to search out the promised land, and ten out of twelve of them came back with unfaithful reports, discouraging the Israelites, causing them to feel defeated and wanting to return to Egypt. The other two spies were faithful, and reported that there wasn't anything there that God couldn't handle, just have faith in God. Because of Israel failing this test, God sentenced them to 40 years traveling in the wilderness until they could learn to pass more tests to show they were faithful enough to enter the promise land. In the end, it would be a new generation that would learn those lessons. The previous generation could not.
At the end of their 40 years traveling and learning to be more faithful to God, Moses passed on, Joshua led them across the Jordan, and by faith, they began to boot out the pagan nations in the promise land. However, after some time, that generation passed, and there arose in Israel a new generation that did not know Moses, Joshua, or the works of God in the wilderness journey (Judges 2:10). Because of this, they were not completely obedient to God in removing all the inhabitants of the land as we see in Judges 2:2, where God told them, "And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you."
So, we clearly see that this new generation in Israel failed their test. God's command was clear: Make no league or treaty with the other inhabitants and throw down their altars. In other words, kill or drive them all out. Israel's response: They did not obey God, but rather mingled with the inhabitants. Judges 3:6 says, "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods." These ungodly inhabitants would be a thorn to them and their gods a snare. "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth" (Judges 2:13).
But, as much as this new generation of Israel is flunking their tests, notice that God did not give up on them by expelling them from His school, but continued to teach, chastise, and test them. But, again Israel would flunk the test, forsake God, serve Baal, cry out to God, and He would raise up another deliverer again. So, this cycle continued over and over all the way through the book of Judges.
So, what we see here is that it was God's will for Israel to wipe out or drive out all the pagan nations out of the promised land. They did this in the beginning, but as time went on, they quit, and made treaties with them. So, if Israel is not going to obey, then God will use those very pagan nations for His purpose of "proving" Israel, or testing, and teaching Israel to obey Him. God would use something bad to test them in order to gain something good. God was now ready to give His biggest test of all.
"I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: 22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not." (Jgs 2:21,22).
"Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them," (Jgs 3:1).
"And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses" (Jgs 3:4).
Three times here in these verses God emphasizes that He will allow these pagan nations that should have been driven out, to remain in Israel for the purpose of "proving" Israel, or testing Israel, whether they would be faithful to God or not. Just one big test, but He would continue to use it throughout the centuries and it would result in their ultimate downfall before being exiled from the land into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. So, if they won't learn their lessons the right way, then God will move them on to a different school away from home to learn their lesson in a foreign land. They will not be allowed to advance until they can pass the test no matter how long it takes. Same test, but a different school. By the end of that 70 years in captivity in Babylon, they repented, or had a change of heart, so they would be allowed to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple. They learned their lesson, were faithful to God, because I don't see them chasing after the pagan gods of these other nations anymore. Wow! Wonderful! Revival. No more pagan gods.
However, as time passed, Israel began to backslide again, and they served another god, but it wasn't a pagan god. It was the god of self. Self-righteousness came into their hearts. They began to worship themselves rather than God. The Law that God gave them became a stumbling block to them (Rom 9:32), and they became self-righteous, and this was their condition when Jesus came upon the scene.
GOD'S BIGGEST TESTS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Likewise, in the New Testament, we see God testing Christians for their faithfulness. For example, the disciples were tested by the Lord in Matthew 8:23-26. Their fear of the wind and the waves revealed their lack of faith, so they did not pass that test. There are many more examples like this in the New Testament where He tests the faith of His disciples and other believers.
However, do we see any examples where God uses something that is evil to test how Christians will respond? Yes! One of the biggest tests that I see, and very similar to the example used in the Old Testament with God using the pagan nations to prove Israel, is God testing the Corinthian church. There are divisions and heresies in this church and God uses these bad things to test the Christians there.
Paul said, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1Cor 11:17-19).
The main words we see here are "divisions," "heresies," and "approved." God uses something evil such as divisions and heresies to test and "approve" who is right and who is wrong among the group. The Christians are being tested and God shows His approval with those who are not linked to the divisions and heresies. The word "approved" means acceptable, but also translated as "tried" or tested in (James 1:12). So, what we see here, is some in the church passed and some failed the test.
Now, why do I say that this is one of the biggest tests in the New Testament? Because it's similar in scope with the one mentioned in the Old Testament with the nation of Israel being tested by the pagan nations. However, even though the church at Corinth is fairly insignificant, this sin that they are committing is not insignificant. Paul sees it as a very destructive behavior that will result in many sinful practices by these Christians. It is so serious in Paul's view that right after a short salutation in the letter, he jumps right into rebuking them over it, and continues to do so for the next three chapters, and brings it up again in chapter 11.
Also, notice in chapter 11, that Paul says in verse 18, "For first of all when you come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you." The term "first of all" can either mean in what order or by what importance. I don't think he means in what order of time, because as you read on, you don't see a "secondly." So, this could very well indicate a matter of highest importance.
Most all churches today have problems, but their biggest problem is with divisions and heresies, and you will see this clearly beginning in chapter 1, where you can see this importance chronologically and by degree. Paul is very disturbed by this division and addresses it first and and doesn't let up until chapter 4 where he then begins to address the specifics of their carnality and and their sins throughout the rest of the book.
After confronting them over their divisions in chapter 1, Paul makes it clear to them that God has chosen foolish, weak, and base things to confound the wise for the purpose that no flesh could glory in His presence; and that if any man wants to glory, let him glory in the Lord. So, the Corinthians are not to glory in men.
In chapter 2, Paul uses himself as a personal example why they should not glory in men. He said that he came to them not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, but that he was with them in weakness, in fear, and his speech and preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom. Paul tells them that it is God who has revealed to them by His Spirit all these things, and thus that we all should have the mind of Christ.
Through chapter 3, Paul continues that any of the servants of the Lord are but ministers that God uses, but it is God that gives the increase. "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (1Cor 3:6,7). So, for the first three chapters, Paul pleads with them to get their thinking straight that they should glory only in God, not in men.
Yes, with all the problems in this church with abuses at the Lord's table, brother taking brother to court, pride, fornication, eating meat offered to idols, and doctrinal errors concerning the resurrection, Paul first addresses this problem with divisions and heresies. Now, we don't think like Paul thinks, because we would say that some of those other sins would be more important and should have been addressed first, but, Paul didn't see it that way. Furthermore, I believe that these divisions and heresies very well led to these other sins in the church.
Paul said that "there be divisions among you;.... ..there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." Notice the order. Divisions first, then heresies as a result. And, how does God use that to test Christians and then make it manifest who the approved ones are? To answer this, we need to understand what heresy means. It is more than just false teaching. The Greek word "heresy" means a "choice" or "to choose." God says we are to do something and then we make a choice and choose either to do it differently or to do something else instead. That's heresy. We aren't given a choice in the matter, but we are do what God commands.
For example, the Bible says that we are saved by God's grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His work alone (Eph. 2:8), but then someone says, "yes, but you must also be baptized and do good works to be saved," implying that Christ is not enough. So, this person "chooses" to believe in something that the Bible does not teach, and that is heresy.
Furthermore, all false teaching is heresy, because the people are "choosing" to believe something different from what God has stated in His Word. Thus, the different views of Scripture results in divisions among them. So, divisions and heresies. They always go together. Cause and effect.
Normally, heresies will create divisions, but it was different in the church at Corinth. There, it was the divisions causing the heresies. How? The divisions in the Corinthian church are addressed beginning in chapter 1, verse 10, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Here, we see that men in the church were identifying with these different men which led to divisions in the church. Now, I don't believe this division would have been caused by heresies, or false teachings, because Paul, Peter, and Apollos would all have been in agreement with each other. These were good men, good servants of the Lord Jesus, but these Corinthians, as far as we can see from the Scripture, were just identifying themselves with their favorite teachers, and this lead to divisions between themselves. More than likely the Jewish Christians identified with Peter, who was the apostle to the Jews, and the Gentile Christians identified with Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Maybe the more educated believers identified with Apollos because he was "born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures...." (Acts 18:24). In contrast, Paul later spoke to them about his physical presence with them, and the rumors he later heard from them, "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2Cor 10:10).
Paul's plea is for unity in the Corinthian church and they should all be unified in and under the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and not under the names of their favorite men. But, they were not doing that. Yes, they were identifying with Christ and His Name, but they were also identifying themselves in other men's names, Paul, Peter, and Apollos. Now, it can't be Jesus plus Paul's name, or Jesus plus Peter's name, or Jesus plus Apollos's name. No, they were all to be gathered in Jesus' Name and His Name alone. Anything else would be heresy.
If those Corinthians were anything like people today, they may have referred to themselves as "Paulites," "Cephites," or "Apolloites." But, Paul would have none of it. They were to only be identified with the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be referred to as "Christians," "believers," "disciples," or "saints." For example in this letter, Paul addresses the Corinthians in verse 2 as "saints," which included all of them. All these terms can be used for any Christians in any church. These are terms that are not divisive. They express unity.
But, when these Corinthians add another man's name, even the names of good men, then they are causing divisions among themselves. They didn't realize it, but dividing Christians into subgroups, they were dividing the Body of Christ. They are all to be united under the Name of Christ to give expression to the One Body of Christ, but instead, they subdivided under their favorite man's name.
Also, in Ephesians 4, Paul says that we should be "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.... 4 There is one body...(Eph 4:3,4). "Endeavouring" means to work hard, thus we are to work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit and the One Body of Christ. The church on earth, born at Pentecost, and taken up in the Rapture, is the Body of Christ. In John 17, Jesus prayed for our unity and oneness so that the world might know that God has sent the Son. But, when the world looks at Christians, they do not see unity, but only division, and they don't want to have anything to do with it.
However, it is so sad to look at the history of the Church which is marked with divisions and heresies and the reproaches it brings upon Christ. The word "denominations" is not in the Bible, but the word literally means "division," which is in the Bible. In math, we use the word denomination as part of a fraction with the numerator being divided by the denominator. What are the results of divisions in the church? They lead to all types of heresies. They each choose their own sectarian names to promote their "choices" and evil doctrines. Also, it works the other way as well. New false doctrines, or heresies will always lead to new divisions, further dividing the Body of Christ, which will result in more sectarian names to identify those divisions.
Paul stopped the Corinthians from going any further in dividing the Body of Christ by them using sectarian names such as Paulites, Cephites, and Apolloites, but that is were it was headed if he had not put a stop to it. If it had continued, then it would have been very likely that these subgroups would have split off to form their own separate churches. It would have been the Church of the Paulites, or the Church of the Cephites, for example.
Paul put a stop to it so these seeds of denominationalism would not begin to spread to other churches of the Lord. Thus, the fate of the church of Corinth was not only in view, but all other churches as well. This would have been like a cancer spreading not only in the Corinthian church, but also throughout, infecting other churches as well. This is why I believe that in Paul's view, this sin had to be dealt with first and foremost before it worsen in the church and spread to other churches. The cancer had to be stopped in it's early stages. As far as we know this cancer was isolated here at Corinth, and cancer is easier to cure if it is caught early. But, thank the Lord, we can applaud the Corinthians for they did repent, because we don't see Paul addressing the matter again in his second letter to them.
Denominationalism would be postponed until a later date after Paul and the other apostles were gone. Speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus, Paul said, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29).
Here, heresy leads to divisions, which is probably the norm in most churches. In Corinth it was divisions leading to heresies, so it can work either way. But, here in Ephesus, heresies were taught in order for the teacher to gain followers. This would eventually lead to splits thus sowing the seeds for denominationalism. The word "perverse" means corrupt or misinterpret. The teachers were corrupting or misinterpreting the Word of God. This is heresy, and it will always lead to divisions.
Like any cancer, denominationalism should not to be taken lightly. Cancer is a destructive element in the human body, and denominationalism is a destructive element in the Church. The two biggest problems I see that denominations cause is: 1) It divides the Body of Christ, and 2) it creates heresies, because divisions will always lead to heresies.
The very nature of denominations is that it will produce heresies, because a denomination is a division. Just like cancer creates havoc in the body, denominations create false teachings. It's what they do. It's a given. Paul said so. He said, if "there be divisions among you;.... For there must be also heresies among you." Paul did not say if there are divisions among you, there might be, or could be heresies. No, he said there MUST be heresies among you. As soon as Paul heard there were divisions in that church, his first reaction was that there must also be heresies there too, and he was right. So, we must see the same thing, that if it's a denominational church, then there must be heresies there.
A careful reading of 1Corinthians 11:18 will show this, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you...". I believe Paul is saying that because of the divisions he is hearing about from other members of that church (of the house of Chloe), that he assumes there are also heresies among them because they go together. "For there must be also heresies...". The information Paul got from them about the divisions, he partly believes. He's not going to take it as a fact. But, nothing in the report said anything about heresies, but Paul assumes if there are divisions there, then there "must" be heresies as a result.
Paul knew that divisions, which is a heresy, would set a precedent for other heresies that would come later as a result. If it's easy to have a division, which is heresy, then it will make it easier to have other heresies, which will only strengthen the division. For example, if you are not going to obey in having unity, but choosing to divide instead, then that will make it easier for you to "choose" to do whatever else you want. A child that can get away with disobeying a command will only make it easier to get away with disobeying other commands. Thus, heresy will just lead to more heresies, as we see this happening in the Corinthian church. Division lead to heresy, which lead to more heresies, or sinful practices in that church.
Whether if division causes heresies or heresies cause divisions, that's not the point. It doesn't matter for the result is still the same. The point is, if it is a denominational church, where you hear, "I'm a Baptist, or I'm a Methodist," then it is a divisive church. Paul would say, then "there MUST be heresies" there also So, it's automatic, that if it's a denominational church, then you can count on it. It will have false teaching going on there. It's a given. My past experience in denominational churches for over 40 years verifies that. Even though we moved from church to church trying to find one that would teach right, it was to no avail. None did. So, Paul was right. There MUST be heresies in these kinds of churches. No denominational church can teach the whole Bible accurately. It just can't be done.
GOD USES DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES TO TEST CHRISTIANS
If God used the sin of division in the Corinthian church to test and to approve the Christians in who were right and who were wrong, then I believe by extension, He is using on a larger scale, the divisions by denominations to test and approve Christians today. Whether it's God testing the Corinthian church, or God testing all Christians in general, it's the same test.
Furthermore, if denominational churches won't get right, then God will use them, as He did the pagan nations of old, to "test" genuine Christians today. "That they which are approved may be made manifest among you." I believe God is using denominational churches to stir the hearts and minds of committed Christians that through His Word, they might seek the truth in following the Bible in gathering as a church. This is what happened in the 1800's when men like Darby, Mueller, Coats, etc., left mainstream denominational churches, sought the truth, studied the Scriptures, and started gathering unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. But, the tide has turned, and today it is rare to find this anymore.
Yes, Christians are being tested by God today whether they will do the right thing or not. Churches are also being tested. There may be some churches, not many I'll admit, that might be open to God's Word, and want to do the right thing. But, the hindrances would be immense. The worse obstacle is the fact that most of these people have been raised up in the knowledge of denominational churches, just like Israel growing up under the influence of pagan gods. It's all they knew.
Growing up under these kinds of influences is so hard to overcome and to see the truth of the Scripture concerning God's will for us. In our case, it's like us reading the New Testament through denominational tinted glasses. You have trouble seeing the truth because of the brainwashing, programming and all the influences from the denominational churches. This will always influence our view as we read the Bible. In other words, you can't see the forest for the trees. So, many won't see it unless they get out of the forest, then you can step back and say, "So, that's what the forest looks like. Now I can see it clearly." So, more than likely, it would take leaving the denomination, so you can see how wrong it is. Once you do this, the only alternative you have is to start what is right, just like those believers did in the 1800's.
Furthermore, there is something else that makes it hard to see things right today. I believe that those pagans in the Old Testament were probably some very nice people. Usually when we think of pagans, we think of people that are scary and look as ugly as home made sin. However, pagans can be very nice, friendly, and attractive. They couldn't be too bad, for the Jewish men wanted to marry their pagan women, right? Also, Baal might have been presented as a very pleasing god, and their practices no doubt appealed to their flesh. Baal was worshiped as the God of fertility that would produce bountiful crops and healthy children, so there were financial considerations. The whole nation of Israel left God in some degree, and later totally, so there had to be something there in worshipping Baal to entice them and draw them away from God.
Realize that the devil is not stupid, nor is he ugly and looks scary as most people picture him. Now, if you want to think he looks that way, that he is red, has horns, and a forked tail, then go ahead and believe that, but, you are wrong. The Bible does not give that picture at all. The Bible says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness...." (2Cor 11:14, 15). Now, do you think an "angel of light" and a "minister of righteousness" looks scary and ugly? They will no doubt be attractive, charming, charismatic, having sweetness dripping from them in order to deceive you and lead you astray.
So, I believe the pagans that mixed in with the Israelites were just as friendly and visually appealing. making them attractive to the Israelites. These Jews had grown up after the passing away of Moses, Joshua, and all that generation that had seen the mighty works of God in the wilderness journey and defeating the armies of the promise land. They saw none of that. All that stuff was just stories to them. But, they have grown up with these pagans and they don't seem all that bad. Matter of fact, they like them, and their religion appeals to them.
I believe the Pharisees in the Bible that gave Jesus so much trouble were the same way. No doubt in my mind they were outwardly very friendly, pleasant, and charming. Forget about all those pictures you've seen with the Scribes and the Pharisees looking sad, like they were all sucking on lemons. No, the Bible describes them as outwardly "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward" but on the inside, they were "full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Mat 23:27). The Bible says they were beautiful on the outside. That's what makes these people so dangerous. Beautiful on the outside, but rotten on the inside. Thus, it's the same way with most of these people in denominational churches, especially their leaders. They can seem very friendly, charming, and caring, but just cross one of them and see what you get. Or, disagree with what they believe and see them change quickly. Now, they are not all that way. It's mostly the ones that are the more committed ones to their denomination.
Furthermore, in Galatians 2, how could Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish believers be so easily deceived by the visit of those legalistic Jews from Jerusalem if they had not been "whited sepulchres which appeared beautiful outwardly?" I mean these guys can put on the charm like Satan did with Eve. But, thank goodness for Paul who got so upset about it that he confronted Peter face to face and rebuked him right in front of everyone. So, don't look at the person, being a respecter of persons, but hear what they are saying, and make your judgement entirely upon what they have said. For, Satan "himself is transformed into an angel of light" and "his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness."
Whether if division causes heresies or heresies cause divisions, that's not the point. It doesn't matter for the result is still the same. The point is, if it is a denominational church, where you hear, "I'm a Baptist, or I'm a Methodist," then it is a divisive church. Paul would say, then "there MUST be heresies" there also So, it's automatic, that if it's a denominational church, then you can count on it. It will have false teaching going on there. It's a given. My past experience in denominational churches for over 40 years verifies that. Even though we moved from church to church trying to find one that would teach right, it was to no avail. None did. So, Paul was right. There MUST be heresies in these kinds of churches. No denominational church can teach the whole Bible accurately. It just can't be done.
GOD USES DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES TO TEST CHRISTIANS
If God used the sin of division in the Corinthian church to test and to approve the Christians in who were right and who were wrong, then I believe by extension, He is using on a larger scale, the divisions by denominations to test and approve Christians today. Whether it's God testing the Corinthian church, or God testing all Christians in general, it's the same test.
Furthermore, if denominational churches won't get right, then God will use them, as He did the pagan nations of old, to "test" genuine Christians today. "That they which are approved may be made manifest among you." I believe God is using denominational churches to stir the hearts and minds of committed Christians that through His Word, they might seek the truth in following the Bible in gathering as a church. This is what happened in the 1800's when men like Darby, Mueller, Coats, etc., left mainstream denominational churches, sought the truth, studied the Scriptures, and started gathering unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. But, the tide has turned, and today it is rare to find this anymore.
Yes, Christians are being tested by God today whether they will do the right thing or not. Churches are also being tested. There may be some churches, not many I'll admit, that might be open to God's Word, and want to do the right thing. But, the hindrances would be immense. The worse obstacle is the fact that most of these people have been raised up in the knowledge of denominational churches, just like Israel growing up under the influence of pagan gods. It's all they knew.
Growing up under these kinds of influences is so hard to overcome and to see the truth of the Scripture concerning God's will for us. In our case, it's like us reading the New Testament through denominational tinted glasses. You have trouble seeing the truth because of the brainwashing, programming and all the influences from the denominational churches. This will always influence our view as we read the Bible. In other words, you can't see the forest for the trees. So, many won't see it unless they get out of the forest, then you can step back and say, "So, that's what the forest looks like. Now I can see it clearly." So, more than likely, it would take leaving the denomination, so you can see how wrong it is. Once you do this, the only alternative you have is to start what is right, just like those believers did in the 1800's.
Furthermore, there is something else that makes it hard to see things right today. I believe that those pagans in the Old Testament were probably some very nice people. Usually when we think of pagans, we think of people that are scary and look as ugly as home made sin. However, pagans can be very nice, friendly, and attractive. They couldn't be too bad, for the Jewish men wanted to marry their pagan women, right? Also, Baal might have been presented as a very pleasing god, and their practices no doubt appealed to their flesh. Baal was worshiped as the God of fertility that would produce bountiful crops and healthy children, so there were financial considerations. The whole nation of Israel left God in some degree, and later totally, so there had to be something there in worshipping Baal to entice them and draw them away from God.
Realize that the devil is not stupid, nor is he ugly and looks scary as most people picture him. Now, if you want to think he looks that way, that he is red, has horns, and a forked tail, then go ahead and believe that, but, you are wrong. The Bible does not give that picture at all. The Bible says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness...." (2Cor 11:14, 15). Now, do you think an "angel of light" and a "minister of righteousness" looks scary and ugly? They will no doubt be attractive, charming, charismatic, having sweetness dripping from them in order to deceive you and lead you astray.
So, I believe the pagans that mixed in with the Israelites were just as friendly and visually appealing. making them attractive to the Israelites. These Jews had grown up after the passing away of Moses, Joshua, and all that generation that had seen the mighty works of God in the wilderness journey and defeating the armies of the promise land. They saw none of that. All that stuff was just stories to them. But, they have grown up with these pagans and they don't seem all that bad. Matter of fact, they like them, and their religion appeals to them.
I believe the Pharisees in the Bible that gave Jesus so much trouble were the same way. No doubt in my mind they were outwardly very friendly, pleasant, and charming. Forget about all those pictures you've seen with the Scribes and the Pharisees looking sad, like they were all sucking on lemons. No, the Bible describes them as outwardly "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward" but on the inside, they were "full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Mat 23:27). The Bible says they were beautiful on the outside. That's what makes these people so dangerous. Beautiful on the outside, but rotten on the inside. Thus, it's the same way with most of these people in denominational churches, especially their leaders. They can seem very friendly, charming, and caring, but just cross one of them and see what you get. Or, disagree with what they believe and see them change quickly. Now, they are not all that way. It's mostly the ones that are the more committed ones to their denomination.
Furthermore, in Galatians 2, how could Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish believers be so easily deceived by the visit of those legalistic Jews from Jerusalem if they had not been "whited sepulchres which appeared beautiful outwardly?" I mean these guys can put on the charm like Satan did with Eve. But, thank goodness for Paul who got so upset about it that he confronted Peter face to face and rebuked him right in front of everyone. So, don't look at the person, being a respecter of persons, but hear what they are saying, and make your judgement entirely upon what they have said. For, Satan "himself is transformed into an angel of light" and "his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness."
NOT FOR THE BETTER, BUT FOR THE WORSE
Please notice what it says in the verse before "divisions" and "heresies." Paul says in 1Cor 11:17, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse."
So, Paul is saying that the Corinthians are in fact going to church not for the better, but for the worse. They are worse off in going to church. Why? Because, he says there are divisions in the church, and because of these divisions, there's also going to be heresies, and when you go to church, then you will be worse off rather than better off. That is all he is saying.
Now, Paul doesn't say to the Corinthians that it would be better for them to stay at home than to go to church. He doesn't imply that as an option. No, they need to get the problems in that church corrected, stop the divisions, so they can go to church and be better off for going. But what if they won't listen to Paul and correct their problems? Then what? Do you just stay and suffer in a rebellious church? Should we continue to go to a bad church that makes us worse, not better? You say, "we'll find another church." What if there isn't another church? The Corinthians didn't have another church to go to. But, thank goodness, they did repent and correct their ways, as we see in Paul's second letter to them. Thus, they could go to church and be better off for going.
But, what if a church today refuses to get right and do what God says, and there's no where else to go, then what? Personally, I will not go to a rebellious denominational church, where going there I will be worse off than better off. By going there, I might be better off socially, and maybe even financially, but I will never be better off spiritually. If that is the situation, then I would rather stay at home, pray, study my Bible, and pray God will start a meeting in my home (He did). But, even if no one was to ever join me, I would be better off spiritually staying at home than to go to a denominational church.
However, I have met some people in my past that saw the denominational church as a mission field and tried to reach others, but it will usually end up either with them getting kicked out or them compromising God's Word in order to stay. But, that's really the problem, isn't it. The bottom line is that to be in a denominational church on good terms, a Christian has to compromise the Word of God. And, we should never do that.
For example, what did Jesus do when He went into the synagogues? Did He remain quiet and compromise? How about Paul when he went into the synagogues? Did he go along with the program? Did he compromise? No, they both got kicked out.
Look, let me be very clear, I am not saying that a Christian going to a denominational church is a sin. I am not saying that. I would not say that anymore than I would say that Christ and Paul going into a synagogue was a sin. But, I do believe that it would have been a sin for Paul to go into a synagogue and sit there and not say a thing while some Rabbi was standing up there and twisting the Scriptures. When Paul first got saved, he went to the synagogue often, but he always shared the truth concerning his Lord and Savior. He did not hold back on the truth to them. And, he was usually given the boot, and sometimes beaten, and as time went on, he finally, quit going because he realized they were not going to change.
So, what I am saying is that I believe it is a sin for a Christian to go to a denominational church if they are just going to sit there and go along with the program, be silent and compromise the truth, because you can count on it, they will be teaching and practicing things that are wrong. And, if you don't say something, then you are condoning it. Paul never did that, nor did Jesus. They always spoke the truth no matter where they were, including the synagogues.
I could go to a denominational church, and it would not be a sin for me to do so. But, I don't go. Why? Because I know I would say something and it would create a problem there, and they would ask me to leave and not come back. So, why go? If I could see any good coming out of it, I would, but I don't. These churches are too far gone, too much to correct, and they are not going to change and I'm not going to change. If there are any true Christians going there, then God is testing them, and the Holy Spirit can work on their heart, but it takes time, and I don't want to upset that by barging in and making a scene. That could be counter productive and I don't want to work against the Lord's methods or time table.
HIS TESTS REVEAL CARNAL CHRISTIANS
Can it be more clear than that? Paul is clearly identifying who the carnal Christians are in the church at Corinth. And, by extension, he is doing the same today with his epistles when someone says they are a Baptist, a Methodist, or whatever, that they are carnal too. If they were carnal then, they are carnal now. If they said, "I'm of Paul," they were carnal. If they say "I'm a Baptist, then they are carnal. Now, I don't know if they are saved or not, but I do know they are carnal, which means they are not spiritual. They might be saved, but they think and behave like a lost man, a man in the flesh. So, it's a given, if they talk that way, then they are carnal. It doesn't matter how nice they are, or how much it seems they are doing for the Lord, if they use divisive language, then they do it because they are divisive and carnal. It's what carnal people do. It's how they talk. A spiritual Christian will not speak that way for he knows the Scriptures forbid it.
So, do I believe all people going to a denominational church are carnal? No, I believe most all of them are lost, and the few that are Christians, I believe they are carnal, and they will remain carnal as long as they go to a denominational church and hang around lost people.
If at any time, Christians have a desire to be closer to the Lord and His Word, then the Holy Spirit will convict them and lead them out of a denominational church. How? They will either leave on their own or get thrown out. You start showing others in the church what the Bible says, and they will eventually ask you to leave. Why? Because, they serve their denomination, not the Lord.
So, it's a given, if it's a denominational church, then it's a carnal church, at best, and the Lord will use these types of churches to test real Christians to see if they will be faithful to Him or to that denomination. If they're faithful to God, then He will manifest them as "being approved." Who knows? Maybe their stand might help another Christian be faithful and bold enough to do the same.
Speaking of the many people serving their denominations rather than Christ, isn't that as bad as the pagans worshiping Baal? In the Bible, serving and worshiping are basically the same. We are to worship and serve Christ, not a denomination. To do so is idolatry. I don't care how charming and friendly the people may seem in a denominational church, it will hinder any Christian going there. At best, they will be a carnal Christian that will be little used by God.
Denominational churches are made up of three groups of people as I see it: (1) religious uncommitted lost people, (2) committed hypocrites that are lost, and (3) carnal Christians. There are no spiritual Christians there. If there are any spiritual Christians, then they either won't stay long, or they will be asked to leave. So, basically, it's lost people and carnal Christians that make up the denominational church.
A Christian's faithfulness should be unto the Lord Jesus alone, not to the denominational church. A church should be open to look at the Scriptures and see if they are doing things right, rather than being faithful to their denominational creeds and by-laws. They should never get upset when someone opens the Bible and asks why are they doing this or not doing that. They need to have the right answers. If not, when confronted, they will get upset. At first, they will just brush it off, but if you continue, they can't handle it. Why? Because for the most part, they are not following New Testament principles for the way they meet. Instead, they follow Old Testament principles, such as tithing, the clergy system, meeting in a sanctuary, altar calls, and so on. I call them Old Testament churches, because they get most of their practices from the Old Testament. You can get more insight on this from my article "Old Testament Churches."
Furthermore, non-denominational churches and home churches have an easier time making corrections to be more Scriptural, because they don't have the weight of that denominational albatross over their heads. However, from what I've seen, most of these non-denominational meetings are sectarian, meeting under their own sectarian names. When you check them out, you find most of them are off in their doctrines, being more of a social gathering, rather than practicing New Testament principles for the church. Also, it appears, especially with home churches, according to home church websites, that most of them are charismatic gatherings.
I have heard some say, "Well, the "I of Christ" crowd was saying it out of pride, so they were wrong too, that they in a sense were divided, which also made them a sect or party. No, that is stretching it. Yes, they did become a party or a division by default, because the others divided which resulted in them becoming a subgroup also, but they did not initiate this. Whenever asked which group they belonged to, they would respond "I of Christ." But, that is what they should all be saying. That's what they were all saying before the division, so nothing changed with the "I'm of Christ" group.
Secondly, to say that the "I of Christ" group was being prideful, because they were included with the other groups would mean that everybody in the church was wrong, but Paul said in 11:19, that the divisions and heresies would make them "which are approved may be made manifest among you." So, they aren't all wrong. Someone had to be right, and it has to be those who were saying "I'm of Christ" that would be the ones manifested as being "approved." And, dear sister Chloe and her house, and maybe some others were part of that group, "I'm of Christ."
For example, what did Jesus do when He went into the synagogues? Did He remain quiet and compromise? How about Paul when he went into the synagogues? Did he go along with the program? Did he compromise? No, they both got kicked out.
Look, let me be very clear, I am not saying that a Christian going to a denominational church is a sin. I am not saying that. I would not say that anymore than I would say that Christ and Paul going into a synagogue was a sin. But, I do believe that it would have been a sin for Paul to go into a synagogue and sit there and not say a thing while some Rabbi was standing up there and twisting the Scriptures. When Paul first got saved, he went to the synagogue often, but he always shared the truth concerning his Lord and Savior. He did not hold back on the truth to them. And, he was usually given the boot, and sometimes beaten, and as time went on, he finally, quit going because he realized they were not going to change.
So, what I am saying is that I believe it is a sin for a Christian to go to a denominational church if they are just going to sit there and go along with the program, be silent and compromise the truth, because you can count on it, they will be teaching and practicing things that are wrong. And, if you don't say something, then you are condoning it. Paul never did that, nor did Jesus. They always spoke the truth no matter where they were, including the synagogues.
I could go to a denominational church, and it would not be a sin for me to do so. But, I don't go. Why? Because I know I would say something and it would create a problem there, and they would ask me to leave and not come back. So, why go? If I could see any good coming out of it, I would, but I don't. These churches are too far gone, too much to correct, and they are not going to change and I'm not going to change. If there are any true Christians going there, then God is testing them, and the Holy Spirit can work on their heart, but it takes time, and I don't want to upset that by barging in and making a scene. That could be counter productive and I don't want to work against the Lord's methods or time table.
HIS TESTS REVEAL CARNAL CHRISTIANS
Furthermore, I believe that even if things seem to be going well in what appears to be a good denominational church, then the people there are still going to be "worse off" than better off. Why? Because there are "divisions and heresies" there, and they are dividing the Body of Christ. It doesn't matter how a person views it, how much they like it, or how well they think things are going there. If they are saved, then it will spiritually drain them and cause them to be worse off as a Christian. They will be a carnal Christian, and that means they will be worse off. First Corinthians 3:1-4 says they will remain a babe-sucking carnal Christian as long as they go there. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?"
Can it be more clear than that? Paul is clearly identifying who the carnal Christians are in the church at Corinth. And, by extension, he is doing the same today with his epistles when someone says they are a Baptist, a Methodist, or whatever, that they are carnal too. If they were carnal then, they are carnal now. If they said, "I'm of Paul," they were carnal. If they say "I'm a Baptist, then they are carnal. Now, I don't know if they are saved or not, but I do know they are carnal, which means they are not spiritual. They might be saved, but they think and behave like a lost man, a man in the flesh. So, it's a given, if they talk that way, then they are carnal. It doesn't matter how nice they are, or how much it seems they are doing for the Lord, if they use divisive language, then they do it because they are divisive and carnal. It's what carnal people do. It's how they talk. A spiritual Christian will not speak that way for he knows the Scriptures forbid it.
So, do I believe all people going to a denominational church are carnal? No, I believe most all of them are lost, and the few that are Christians, I believe they are carnal, and they will remain carnal as long as they go to a denominational church and hang around lost people.
If at any time, Christians have a desire to be closer to the Lord and His Word, then the Holy Spirit will convict them and lead them out of a denominational church. How? They will either leave on their own or get thrown out. You start showing others in the church what the Bible says, and they will eventually ask you to leave. Why? Because, they serve their denomination, not the Lord.
So, it's a given, if it's a denominational church, then it's a carnal church, at best, and the Lord will use these types of churches to test real Christians to see if they will be faithful to Him or to that denomination. If they're faithful to God, then He will manifest them as "being approved." Who knows? Maybe their stand might help another Christian be faithful and bold enough to do the same.
Speaking of the many people serving their denominations rather than Christ, isn't that as bad as the pagans worshiping Baal? In the Bible, serving and worshiping are basically the same. We are to worship and serve Christ, not a denomination. To do so is idolatry. I don't care how charming and friendly the people may seem in a denominational church, it will hinder any Christian going there. At best, they will be a carnal Christian that will be little used by God.
Denominational churches are made up of three groups of people as I see it: (1) religious uncommitted lost people, (2) committed hypocrites that are lost, and (3) carnal Christians. There are no spiritual Christians there. If there are any spiritual Christians, then they either won't stay long, or they will be asked to leave. So, basically, it's lost people and carnal Christians that make up the denominational church.
A Christian's faithfulness should be unto the Lord Jesus alone, not to the denominational church. A church should be open to look at the Scriptures and see if they are doing things right, rather than being faithful to their denominational creeds and by-laws. They should never get upset when someone opens the Bible and asks why are they doing this or not doing that. They need to have the right answers. If not, when confronted, they will get upset. At first, they will just brush it off, but if you continue, they can't handle it. Why? Because for the most part, they are not following New Testament principles for the way they meet. Instead, they follow Old Testament principles, such as tithing, the clergy system, meeting in a sanctuary, altar calls, and so on. I call them Old Testament churches, because they get most of their practices from the Old Testament. You can get more insight on this from my article "Old Testament Churches."
Furthermore, non-denominational churches and home churches have an easier time making corrections to be more Scriptural, because they don't have the weight of that denominational albatross over their heads. However, from what I've seen, most of these non-denominational meetings are sectarian, meeting under their own sectarian names. When you check them out, you find most of them are off in their doctrines, being more of a social gathering, rather than practicing New Testament principles for the church. Also, it appears, especially with home churches, according to home church websites, that most of them are charismatic gatherings.
WHO ARE THE APPROVED OF GOD?
Who are the ones that have been manifested as being approved by God? "That they which are approved may be made manifest among you." Who are these Christians that are being approved, that they have passed the test, that they have not been involved in this division and other heresies? Well, for one, how about Chloe? This is a female name, so either she or one of those in her house notified Paul of this problem. Thus, I don't see her joining in with the others in doing wrong. She was one of those that became manifested among the others as being approved by God, along with those in her house, and maybe some others in the church part of the "I of Christ" group that relayed the report to Paul. How about them? Chapter 1 says, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ" (1Cor 1:12). Notice Paul said, "everyone of you says." Not some of them says, or most of them says, but everyone of them says. Everyone in that church was either saying "I'm of Paul, I'm of Apollos, and I of Cephas." But, notice there were some saying "I of Christ." All of them in the church were saying one of those terms. Only one group was right, though. They weren't all wrong. Only one group was spiritual (the others are carnal, ch.3). Only one "approved" (ch. 11).I have heard some say, "Well, the "I of Christ" crowd was saying it out of pride, so they were wrong too, that they in a sense were divided, which also made them a sect or party. No, that is stretching it. Yes, they did become a party or a division by default, because the others divided which resulted in them becoming a subgroup also, but they did not initiate this. Whenever asked which group they belonged to, they would respond "I of Christ." But, that is what they should all be saying. That's what they were all saying before the division, so nothing changed with the "I'm of Christ" group.
Secondly, to say that the "I of Christ" group was being prideful, because they were included with the other groups would mean that everybody in the church was wrong, but Paul said in 11:19, that the divisions and heresies would make them "which are approved may be made manifest among you." So, they aren't all wrong. Someone had to be right, and it has to be those who were saying "I'm of Christ" that would be the ones manifested as being "approved." And, dear sister Chloe and her house, and maybe some others were part of that group, "I'm of Christ."
Hey! We're not talking about just the Corinthians, but everybody today that claims to be a Christian should be saying it too. We should all be saying "I'm of Christ," and quit saying all that other stuff you hear today, "I'm of Paul, I'm of Peter, or I'm of the Baptist," "I'm a Methodist" or whatever.
Thirdly, please notice in chapter 3 of the letter, Paul says that those who say they are followers of men like Paul and Apollos, for example, are carnal, but the "I of Christ" was not mentioned there. Why? Because, that is what should be said. Anything else is carnal. The term "I of Christ" was only mentioned with the other groups in chapter 1, because Paul said "everyone" of you are saying, and he listed there all the terms that were being used in the church including the "I of Christ" term. Later, by deduction and elimination, the "I of Christ" term was the only correct term to use, because in chapter 3, the other terms were condemned.
I wonder if Chloe, her house, and maybe some others in that group, "I of Christ," knew God had approved them, and the answer is most definitely. This letter of First Corinthians was read to that church and each of those four groups are sitting there listening carefully while it was being read. When it comes to the part where Paul says God is using these divisions and heresies to make manifest who are approved of God, I'm sure they all knew which group passed and which groups failed. How? Because they would all have remembered when Paul first helped set them up as a church, that he taught them to meet only in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it must have hit home when Paul said in chapter 1, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1Cor 1:10). Then, he went on to condemn the "I of Paul, I of Peter, and I of Apollos" language. So, each of these 4 groups knew exactly what Paul was saying in reference to each subgroup.
Now, I know all these corrections are in the letter being read to them, but don't you think Paul would have taught them about unity from previous visits with them, especially when the church first started? Of course he would have. Then, in 1Corinthians 5:4, Paul said, "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together.....". Don't you think he would have already have taught them about meeting in Jesus Name in the past too? Or, is this the first time he tells them to gather in Jesus' Name. Sort of like, closing the gate after the cows are already out. No, you can count on it, they had heard this before, to have no divisions, to be of the same mind, and to meet in Jesus' Name.
So, when Paul sent this letter to them, and when it was read in the church, everyone in that church remembered this, and knew who Paul was speaking of, and who was approved. So, this is how heresies make manifest who the approved are today, when we look in the Word of God and see who is obeying God. But, the problem today is that unlike these Corinthians that knew they were wrong, denominational Christians today, for the most part, won't admit anything they're doing is wrong. As long as it fits their denominational teachings, then they are okay, and you're just interpreting it differently.
Generally speaking, not only does God's test reveal the approved of God, but it also helps identify the lost from the saved, and the spiritual Christian from the carnal Christian. For the most part, it appeared that this test revealed that most folks in Corinth were truly believers, because when rebuked by Paul, they got things right. He did not have to bring up the issue again in his second letter to them which was a very good indication that most of them were saved. This test at Corinth revealed the spiritual believers from the carnal ones. However, because the carnal believers repented and gave up their divisive language, they also became spiritual believers again. A rare example of Christians that have changed their test score from "failed" to "passed." From disapproved to "approved." So, it can be done, but it is so much easier if done early.
Having said that the Lord approved the ones doing right in the Corinthian church, I wonder if He is still approving believers today that are obeying His Word concerning the church? Yes, I believe so. As we have been saying, the Lord can use the same method today that He used with the Corinthians. He used divisions and heresies back then to make manifest who the approved were, and He can also do that today. Paul said there "must be heresies" to make manifest who the approved are. Well, there are definitely lots of heresies out there today in the denominational churches.
Any church today that will meet in Jesus' Name alone and follow the New Testament principles for gathering unto Christ will be approved of God, just like the "I of Christ" group was. You see, they were approved because they were the only ones doing right out of the four groups. We are supposed to meet in Jesus' Name alone. It is what He said to do (Mat 18:20; 1Cor 5:4), and they were doing it. The others departed from that and said, "I of Paul," "I of Peter," and "I of Apollos." Today most church goers will say, "I'm a Baptist," "I'm a Methodist," and so on. So, those of us who refuse to be identified with men or organizations of men, are the approved of God. We meet as a church in Jesus Name alone. No other name to meet under. This is so important that I can't emphasize it enough. But, no one's listening. Well, maybe a few.
Furthermore, meeting in Jesus Name alone means that we are meeting in the authority of His name, so we need to follow His commands in how we come together as a church. In contrast, denominational churches don't do this. Why should they? They don't meet in His name, so why should they follow His commands in how they come together in the church? Check it out and you will see that denominational churches follow Old Testament principles given to Israel such as tithing, rather than the New Testament church principles given by Paul. For more info, you can read my article, "Old Testament Churches," and see several other examples other than tithing.
So, those of us that meet in Jesus' Name alone and follow His commands for the church gatherings are the approved of God. The denominational divisions, using sectarian names to identify those divisions, and all their heresies do in fact make manifest those who are approved of God, by His Word.
ARE GOD'S TESTS FAIR?
You may think that I should not compare Israel being tested by pagan nations to Christians being tested by denominational churches, that it would not be a fair comparison, that after all, the pagan nations worshiped Baal and denominational churches worship Christ. Yes, I understand that. But, Cain also worshiped God, but God refused his worship (Gen 4:5), and it resulted in Cain murdering his brother. Also, Judas appeared to follow Christ, but we know how that went. So, don't think that because denominations claim to be Christian and follow the Bible, that all of them do. Matter of fact, I believe that most of them don't.
Look, I don't mean to put both of God's methods of testing on the same level in every respect, but just to point out that His methods of testing His people are similar and they are fair. Whether God is testing a nation or testing a local church, we can learn a lot about God. Why does He do it? How will He do it? What does He want from us? A method and the goal of testing can be the same for a child or for an adult even though the tests may be on different levels of difficulty according to their age. And, what is God's method or purpose that would be the same whether its using pagan nations to test Israel, or using denominations to test Christians? His goal is the same in each case, to test our faithfulness to Him and His Word, and then reveal to us where we stand with Him. It will either be a passing grade or it will be a failing grade. Pass or Fail. Faithful or unfaithful.
I also realize that some denominational churches do preach Christ and the Gospel, and I am thankful for that. "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Phil 1:15-18).
Generally speaking, not only does God's test reveal the approved of God, but it also helps identify the lost from the saved, and the spiritual Christian from the carnal Christian. For the most part, it appeared that this test revealed that most folks in Corinth were truly believers, because when rebuked by Paul, they got things right. He did not have to bring up the issue again in his second letter to them which was a very good indication that most of them were saved. This test at Corinth revealed the spiritual believers from the carnal ones. However, because the carnal believers repented and gave up their divisive language, they also became spiritual believers again. A rare example of Christians that have changed their test score from "failed" to "passed." From disapproved to "approved." So, it can be done, but it is so much easier if done early.
Having said that the Lord approved the ones doing right in the Corinthian church, I wonder if He is still approving believers today that are obeying His Word concerning the church? Yes, I believe so. As we have been saying, the Lord can use the same method today that He used with the Corinthians. He used divisions and heresies back then to make manifest who the approved were, and He can also do that today. Paul said there "must be heresies" to make manifest who the approved are. Well, there are definitely lots of heresies out there today in the denominational churches.
Any church today that will meet in Jesus' Name alone and follow the New Testament principles for gathering unto Christ will be approved of God, just like the "I of Christ" group was. You see, they were approved because they were the only ones doing right out of the four groups. We are supposed to meet in Jesus' Name alone. It is what He said to do (Mat 18:20; 1Cor 5:4), and they were doing it. The others departed from that and said, "I of Paul," "I of Peter," and "I of Apollos." Today most church goers will say, "I'm a Baptist," "I'm a Methodist," and so on. So, those of us who refuse to be identified with men or organizations of men, are the approved of God. We meet as a church in Jesus Name alone. No other name to meet under. This is so important that I can't emphasize it enough. But, no one's listening. Well, maybe a few.
Furthermore, meeting in Jesus Name alone means that we are meeting in the authority of His name, so we need to follow His commands in how we come together as a church. In contrast, denominational churches don't do this. Why should they? They don't meet in His name, so why should they follow His commands in how they come together in the church? Check it out and you will see that denominational churches follow Old Testament principles given to Israel such as tithing, rather than the New Testament church principles given by Paul. For more info, you can read my article, "Old Testament Churches," and see several other examples other than tithing.
So, those of us that meet in Jesus' Name alone and follow His commands for the church gatherings are the approved of God. The denominational divisions, using sectarian names to identify those divisions, and all their heresies do in fact make manifest those who are approved of God, by His Word.
ARE GOD'S TESTS FAIR?
You may think that I should not compare Israel being tested by pagan nations to Christians being tested by denominational churches, that it would not be a fair comparison, that after all, the pagan nations worshiped Baal and denominational churches worship Christ. Yes, I understand that. But, Cain also worshiped God, but God refused his worship (Gen 4:5), and it resulted in Cain murdering his brother. Also, Judas appeared to follow Christ, but we know how that went. So, don't think that because denominations claim to be Christian and follow the Bible, that all of them do. Matter of fact, I believe that most of them don't.
Look, I don't mean to put both of God's methods of testing on the same level in every respect, but just to point out that His methods of testing His people are similar and they are fair. Whether God is testing a nation or testing a local church, we can learn a lot about God. Why does He do it? How will He do it? What does He want from us? A method and the goal of testing can be the same for a child or for an adult even though the tests may be on different levels of difficulty according to their age. And, what is God's method or purpose that would be the same whether its using pagan nations to test Israel, or using denominations to test Christians? His goal is the same in each case, to test our faithfulness to Him and His Word, and then reveal to us where we stand with Him. It will either be a passing grade or it will be a failing grade. Pass or Fail. Faithful or unfaithful.
I also realize that some denominational churches do preach Christ and the Gospel, and I am thankful for that. "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Phil 1:15-18).
There are a few denominations out there that do preach and teach some truth and the correct Gospel, but the truth they do preach, they are doing it through the works of the flesh, as we just saw in the passage above: "envy," "strife," "contention," "not sincerely," and adding "afflictions" which are all mentioned concerning those who were preaching it and those are works of the flesh. The truth should be taught in the right spirit and in love. Look, I'm not judging, just telling you what this passage says. A man that is not right with God can speak and preach the truth and help others.
For example, Judas also was sent out with the other apostles to preach the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. What he preached could help those that heard it, but it didn't help him any, for it was presented from a selfish heart, because later we find out he was in it for personal gain. So, I do have a problem with denominational churches, not in what they are preaching (if it's the truth), but the selfish methods they use in going after new converts. By the way, Judas knew how to put on a good show as a follower of Christ. He was so good that even the disciples didn't suspect him when Christ spoke of a betrayer among them. They each thought it might be themselves rather than Judas. Again, he was appearing as an "angel of light" or a "minister of righteousness." But, he did not fool Christ.
So, am I wrong in using pagan nations of old with denominational systems of today in a comparison in how God tests His people? No, I don't think so. I believe both are evil in God's view, especially those who are faithful to their denomination rather than faithful to God. Again, it's not so much that the people in the denominations are evil, even though some of them are, but the denominational system itself that is evil because it promotes divisions and heresies, and attracts many of it's people to owe allegiance to the denominational system rather than to Christ alone.
In contrast, I admit the pagan people were more evil in their religion, because they worshiped Baal, so that was a greater evil. But, whether big or small, evil is still evil. It's like saying that blowing up someone with a bomb is worse than giving them a lethal injection in their sleep, but the results are the same, they are both dead and the ones who did it are both murderers. Thus, is one murderer worst than the other? No, they both killed someone, and an honest judge will give both the same sentence.
So, even though the pagan nations might be a more drastic diagnostic tool that God used, likewise the results are the same in that the pagan nations hindered the Jews from following God, and denominational systems today hinder Christians from following God, so the results are of equal value. With God, one diagnostic tool might be greater than another diagnostic tool, but they both were used for the same purpose, to test those claiming to be God's people.
For example, Judas also was sent out with the other apostles to preach the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. What he preached could help those that heard it, but it didn't help him any, for it was presented from a selfish heart, because later we find out he was in it for personal gain. So, I do have a problem with denominational churches, not in what they are preaching (if it's the truth), but the selfish methods they use in going after new converts. By the way, Judas knew how to put on a good show as a follower of Christ. He was so good that even the disciples didn't suspect him when Christ spoke of a betrayer among them. They each thought it might be themselves rather than Judas. Again, he was appearing as an "angel of light" or a "minister of righteousness." But, he did not fool Christ.
So, am I wrong in using pagan nations of old with denominational systems of today in a comparison in how God tests His people? No, I don't think so. I believe both are evil in God's view, especially those who are faithful to their denomination rather than faithful to God. Again, it's not so much that the people in the denominations are evil, even though some of them are, but the denominational system itself that is evil because it promotes divisions and heresies, and attracts many of it's people to owe allegiance to the denominational system rather than to Christ alone.
In contrast, I admit the pagan people were more evil in their religion, because they worshiped Baal, so that was a greater evil. But, whether big or small, evil is still evil. It's like saying that blowing up someone with a bomb is worse than giving them a lethal injection in their sleep, but the results are the same, they are both dead and the ones who did it are both murderers. Thus, is one murderer worst than the other? No, they both killed someone, and an honest judge will give both the same sentence.
So, even though the pagan nations might be a more drastic diagnostic tool that God used, likewise the results are the same in that the pagan nations hindered the Jews from following God, and denominational systems today hinder Christians from following God, so the results are of equal value. With God, one diagnostic tool might be greater than another diagnostic tool, but they both were used for the same purpose, to test those claiming to be God's people.
For example, if I use a normal hammer to drive a nail into a board, and then use a sledge hammer to drive another nail in a board, then what's the difference? Even though the tools were different, they both accomplished the same thing.
So, even though the testing methods were not exactly of equal value, I don't really see a big difference in the consequences or the results of the tests. They both revealed those who were unfaithful and those that were faithful and thus "approved" of God. Those that passed and those that failed.
So, even though the testing methods were not exactly of equal value, I don't really see a big difference in the consequences or the results of the tests. They both revealed those who were unfaithful and those that were faithful and thus "approved" of God. Those that passed and those that failed.
Yes, God's tests are fair. He is Perfect, and everything He does is fair and right. Righteousness must be tested, and He has a variety of tools and methods for testing our faith. Whether it's the tree in the garden, the pagan nations with Israel, the divisions and heresies in the Corinthian church, or denominations today, God is going to use these diagnostic tools and methods to test those claiming to be His people. He will test us as individuals, such as He tested Abraham (Gen 22), and He will test groups as a whole, such as He did Israel in the Old Testament and the churches in the New Testament. I see no reason why He is not still testing His churches today, and I believe that is by using denominational churches to make manifest those which are approved. Yes, righteousness must be tested.
WILL GOD'S PEOPLE EVER LEARN WHEN TESTED?
Most of the Old Testament is about the unfaithfulness of God's people, the Israelites. What was the problem? Disobeying God in driving out all the nations, thus making treaties with them. This led them to eventually take on their pagan gods, mainly Baal, the god of fertility. God repeatedly told them to get rid of these gods and tear down their groves, but they would not do it, nor do it fully. All through the Old Testament, God would test His people, they would fail, fall into idolatry, brought into bondage, cry out to God, then He would raise up a deliverer, and they would serve God for awhile, then go back to worshiping Baal and back into bondage again, over and over throughout the Old Testament. They were stubborn students, always failing their tests, but never learning. "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2Tim 3:7). Were the Jews stupid? No, just stubborn, and never really learning their lessons.
A big problem with Israel is that they liked the pagan nations. They didn't want to destroy them. But, the practice of Baal's religion was very evil. It was fun, but evil. The general practice of Baal worship involved all types of sexual immorality, and pantheism which was a reverence of creation over the Creator (Rom 1). The Canaanites, not to be outdone, took it a step further by having child sacrifices unto Baal which made it convenient for unwanted pregnancies. Even though this sounds shocking, it isn't that much different today with conveniently aborting babies at any term, and laws protecting and promoting all versions of sexual immorality.
We also have today a great reverence and worship of creation over the Creator (Rom 1) which comes in the disguise of radical environmentalism. All of this is affecting churches today as it did God's people in the Old Testament. Today, more and more denominations are allowing these things to some degree such as women being ordained as preachers and teachers in their churches, accepting homosexuals as members, allowing fornication by members, allowing abortions, and promoting climate control and other aspects of radical environmentalism. Fundamental denominations frown on this now, but it will have it's influence even on them as time goes on.
Having said all this, would it be too much of an exaggeration to say that America today is a pagan country? It didn't start out that way, but neither did Israel. Israel started out as a people of God and look where they ended up, joining the pagans in Baal worship. Only God could get them out of it, and He had to do it the hard way.
Having said all this, would it be too much of an exaggeration to say that America today is a pagan country? It didn't start out that way, but neither did Israel. Israel started out as a people of God and look where they ended up, joining the pagans in Baal worship. Only God could get them out of it, and He had to do it the hard way.
We like to think that pagans are in countries like in Africa where they worship the gods of sticks and stones, but we have learned that pagans can be very refined. They don't have to be ignorant, uneducated, or backward. Some of the smartest people in the world were the Greeks and the Romans, but they were also pagans. In light of this, most people in Hollywood are pagan. Most people in Government are pagan. Most people in the universities are pagan. What is "paganism?" In the past it was used to identify religious beliefs other than those of the main stream religion. Today, modern paganism or neopagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death (Mother Nature). Most pagans are eco-friendly, and seek to live in a way that minimizes harm to the natural environment thus honoring earth.
Furthermore, those in denominational churches are becoming more pagan in spirit as time goes by. The future doesn't give any hope here for them. The spirit of anti-Christ is working today and denominations will quickly be united as a one world church system controlled by Satan. Hey, they say they worship Jesus and they teach the Bible, but the Catholics say that too. The Word of God tells me that after the Rapture, that the professing Church will become a one world church, and will follow Satan by way of the Beast and his image. Now, if that doesn't sound like Israel, a nation of God, going after pagan Baal, then what else can I say?
So, I don't think it is far fetched to compare Israel being tested by pagan Baal worshipers to Christians being tested by denominational churches. It may be happening on a smaller scale today, but it will explode before too long. After the Rapture, there will still be people getting saved and so there will be true Christians during the Tribulation period, but they won't be in that one world Church system. There will be no divisions nor denominations in the one world Church at that time. All the denominations have joined together and there will be complete unity. It will be like the Catholic church was from all those centuries in the past when no other church would be tolerated. Denominations will be outlawed. It will truly be a universal Church, but it is not representing the Body of Christ on earth, but rather the beast and the false prophet.
There's one thing the world learns from history, and that is that the world never learns from history. You can count on it. "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us" (Ec. 1:9, 10).
I believe that what we are experiencing today is a test very familiar with the one God gave Israel in the Old Testament. God used that test to evaluate the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, and it revealed that most of the nation was only Israel in name only.
"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ....... 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: ........8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: ........" (Rom 9:3,6,7,8).
So, the Bible tells us that not all Israel was truly God's children, "For they are not all Israel which are of Israel." Isaiah made this clear when he said, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:" (Rom 9:27). So, most were lost, and only a few, a remnant were saved. But, how much is a remnant? Not many. 1 Chronicles 21:5 census shows there were probably around seven million in Israel during this time. The entire nation of Israel had turned to idolatry led by Ahab and Jezebel to the point that Elijah thought he was the only one left that had not turned to Baal worship. But his assessment was wrong. God was giving the test and only God knew the actual results.
Elijah said to the Lord, "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Rom 11:3,4). To get an idea of the actual number, you have to notice that in the Greek, the word "men" in the verse is "males" and not "mankind," which would include women and children. This means it was literally 7,000 men (males) which had not bowed the knee, so you would have to figure in their families bringing the total higher to maybe 30,000 or so. Either way, whether 7,000 or 30,000 or whatever, it was a small percentage compared to 7,000,000. That would be 1/1,000 percent vs. 4/1,000 percent, or 1 out of a 1000, or 4 out of a 1000, so not much of a difference there anyway.
Notice that with God, it was an objective pass or fail test concerning those that worshiped Baal whether they bowed the knee or not to Baal. The 7000 remnant of men in Israel that did not bow the knee, they were the "approved" of God. All the others bowed the knee, and they were rejected as "not of Israel."
Will we learn that God is giving Christians the same kind of test today? Denominations are not of God, but God is using them to test Christians. He is testing professing Christians, or "Christendom," those who claim to be His children, but they are not His children. They are failing the test for they will not obey His Word. "They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God:" (Rom 9:8). I believe that most people today claiming to be Christians are bowing the knee to their denominations rather than bowing to God and His Word alone. They are committed to their denominations more than to the Lord. So sad. More than likely, most of them are not saved and they will be the ones missing the Rapture and being apart of the one world church.
By the way, it's interesting to me that in Revelations that we see the term "mark of the Beast." This mark is mentioned 8 times in the book and refers to those who have worshiped the beast. In other words, they have bowed the knee to the Beast and worshiped his image, "them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image" (Rev 19:20). They did something objectively by taking the mark of the Beast. That sounds eerie familiar, doesn't it? Notice, that there will be no hope for those that take the mark of the Beast and worship his image, just like there was no hope for those that bowed the knee to Baal and worshiped his image.
God said that He had 7,000 men "who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Rom 11:4). Notice, He said "who have not bowed," in other words, that they have never bowed the knee. Not that they once did, but now they don't. No, they never have. You either did, or you never have bowed the knee to Baal. This tells me that over the centuries, Israel had gotten so bad that it was pretty cut and dry between those who did and those who didn't. Most did, but the small remnant never did. There was no repenting and no changing teams during this time. Interesting, when you read Revelations, it sounds to me that it will be the same way, that men will either take the mark of the beast, or they won't take it. There won't be those who had taken it and then repented and changed. You just don't see that at all.
So, what is my point here? The point is that we are still living in the age of Grace, and I admit that things are not as bad with denominational churches today as it was with Israel and the pagan nations, or compared to the Church during the Great Tribulation period. Those in denominational churches today that have bowed the knee to their denominations have a chance to either get saved, or to repent and bow to God alone, before it is too late, although I don't believe I have ever met anyone that has ever done that. It is a strong force that binds these people to their denominational system and they will strongly defend it. Their dedication to it seems stronger than their dedication to the Lord, but that's just my observation. But, I have never seen any of these folks change, but only God knows their hearts, and anything is possible with Him. But, once the Rapture takes place, then that chance of repentance for them will be gone and they will be completely deceived (2Thes 2:3-12), and they will take the mark and be apart of that one world church system with the Antichrist claiming to be God in the flesh.
So, like most everyone else in the world, today's church people will not learn from history, either secular history or history from the Bible. This is why I love the Old Testament. You see countless centuries of history with God dealing with mankind, and Him reaching out to man, but men refusing Him. Let's learn from God's history in the Bible and it will help us understand a little more in what we are facing today. He clearly says we are living in the end times, so let's be faithful to Him, do things His way, and by faith understand what we are seeing as the world gets closer to that greatest test of all, the Great Tribulation period, where man will be tested like never before. Thank the Lord that we will not be here then for this will happen after the rapture of the true Christians.
EVALUATING THE TEST RESULTS
So, what were the results of God's tests? Well, first we saw Israel failed their test and were disapproved of God. God expelled them from the Holy Land, and sent them eff into bondage in Babylon.
Secondly, in the Corinthian church, the "I of Christ" group passed their test because they were the approved of God. They were the spiritual Christians because they acknowledged that the writings of Paul were the commandments of the Lord (1Cor 14:37). The other groups "I of Paul," "I of Cephas," and "I of Apollos," failed their test revealing that they were guilty of divisions and heresies, or choosing to do things contrary to what Paul had taught them. However, they repented and stopped their divisive ways. Paul says so in his second letter to them. He said, "For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things" (2Cor 2:9). This lets us know that they became obedient in all things that Paul had addressed in his first letter to them. If he had gotten anymore reports of their wrong doing, then he would have brought it up again, but he didn't.
Thirdly, the denominational churches today have failed their test. But, they are not like the Corinthians that failed their test, because they repented, changed their ways, and thus changed their score from failed to passed, but the denominational churches today refuse to change their ways. They are still failing and will be stuck in this level until they can pass the test. But, that's wishful thinking. Honestly, I believe they are too far gone. Like Israel, they have been stuck in remedial school for way too long. I know teachers today give remedial students a diploma regardless and they can graduate, but God will not do this. In the way denominations are so stubborn and refusing to follow the Scriptures, they are looking and behaving more and more like Israel, not the Corinthian church.
Fourthly, the few churches that meet today as Paul instructed have passed. They are the "approved" of God. They stand clearly in contrast to the denominational churches. They are very similar to the "I of Christ" group in Corinth. They only want to meet in Jesus Name alone, and they only want to follow the New Testament principles for the church. However, they are very few in number. I believe it would be even smaller that the percentage during Elijah's time.
I thank God for the Corinthian church and what they went through, because we wouldn't know any of these things if not for them. Yes, Paul corrected them and it helped the wrong doers get back on track, but it also helps us today to know what God wants for us too. Yes, I love that church and want to spend some time with them in heaven one day letting them know that, that I appreciate them and how they responded to Paul and to the Lord.
These Corinthians repenting and getting right is evidence of true Christians. Now, if matters had been different, if they had refused to hear Paul and change their ways, then that would raise the question if they were really saved or not. How can a true Christian refuse to do what the Lord says to do? Maybe they might be stubborn initially, but as time goes on, how can they continue disobedience. But, it was clear that they were carnal Christians (ch. 3), but they repented, were obedient, and became spiritual Christians. So, it can be done.
Israel on the other hand is a bad example, but we can learn from them too. They refused to obey God in getting rid of the pagan nations fully out of the land and it revealed their true colors and that they were not really the children of God. "For they are not all Israel which are of Israel." God is absolute and His test was an objective test, and they failed it. An objective test measures things based on facts and can be measured or observed. The test was very simple. If they bowed the knee to Baal, it was because they were not God's. Those 7,000 that did not bow the knee to Baal, it was because they belonged to God and refused Baal. So, Israel was not a complete lost cause. There was a remnant and there always has been a remnant of God's people throughout time, but it's usually small.
Can people in denominational churches be helped? Well, if you are trying to help a person that goes to a denominational church, then you need to first observe how they view their denomination. Do they seem committed to it, or do they seem open to discuss the validity of it. Either way, when you bring up verses about it being divisive with the Body of Christ, and how many of the practices such as tithing are not for the church, then how do they respond? If they have bowed their knee to their denomination, then the response will not be good, because they worship their denomination rather than Christ. So, be prepared for a backlash. Sad, but this reveals evidence that they are not a true follower of Christ. However, if they are willing to listen, and their mind is open to the Scripture, then that is a great sign which indicates a carnal Christian rather than a religious lost person. Realize that even if they seem interested in what you are sharing, they still may need time to process it all. People that are brainwashed need time to think clearly, but the Holy Spirit and the Word of God can speed up the process. But, being open, listening, and interested are great positive signs. Getting upset and shutting you down immediately is not a good sign from them.
If Christians are in things that are wrong, then this verse tells us what to do, but we need to be willing to do it. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?.....Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2Cor 6:14,17).
It doesn't matter if these people in denominations are your best friends or your close relatives, if they love and revere their denomination, then something is very wrong with them. Denominations are not of God. They were created by men. They are divisive and full of heresies. They divide the Body of Christ, which is the most serious sin, but they will never see that. As I said before, denominations are full of lost religious people, a few carnal Christians, and if there are any spiritual Christians, they will eventually leave on their own, or they will be booted out by the church.
Today, the world's population is around 7 billion and rapidly growing. However, even though that number is large, the number of true believers is growing smaller, not larger. "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Mat 24:22).
BENEFITS OF THE TEST
Yes, God will test the faith of His followers whether they are the children of Israel in the Old Testament or His Children in the New Testament, and there shall be much reward when we pass these tests by showing our faithfulness to God. "That the TRIAL of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" (1Pet 1:7).
God says that the testing of our faith is much more precious than of gold. When He tests us and we pass, then that is precious to Him and should be precious to us as well. Even if we fail the test, it is still precious if it motivates us to learn from our failures and turn to the Lord for help. What does God want in our lives? To be faithful to Him. Believe His Word and try to obey it the best we can. If we have problems doing that, then we can pray to Him and ask for His grace to help in time of need. God is merciful and full of grace to help us be faithful to Him even when all seems impossible.
In closing, God can already see those who are approved, He knows who they are whether He tests them or not, so the test is for our benefit to know where we stand in our relationship with Him.
God's test for the Corinthians did not reveal lost people from Christians in that church. No, that was not the purpose of that test at all. We see that God's purpose was to reveal spiritual Christians from carnal Christians. The approved believers were the ones saying "I'm of Christ." They were the spiritual Christians. The word "spiritual" means those who acknowledge that the writings in the Bible are the commands of the Lord. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant" (1Cor 14:37, 38). The other Christians that were identifying with Peter, Paul, and Apollos were not spiritual, but Paul said they were carnal (1Cor 3). But, if any want to be ignorant, then let them be ignorant.
Furthermore, those in denominational churches are becoming more pagan in spirit as time goes by. The future doesn't give any hope here for them. The spirit of anti-Christ is working today and denominations will quickly be united as a one world church system controlled by Satan. Hey, they say they worship Jesus and they teach the Bible, but the Catholics say that too. The Word of God tells me that after the Rapture, that the professing Church will become a one world church, and will follow Satan by way of the Beast and his image. Now, if that doesn't sound like Israel, a nation of God, going after pagan Baal, then what else can I say?
So, I don't think it is far fetched to compare Israel being tested by pagan Baal worshipers to Christians being tested by denominational churches. It may be happening on a smaller scale today, but it will explode before too long. After the Rapture, there will still be people getting saved and so there will be true Christians during the Tribulation period, but they won't be in that one world Church system. There will be no divisions nor denominations in the one world Church at that time. All the denominations have joined together and there will be complete unity. It will be like the Catholic church was from all those centuries in the past when no other church would be tolerated. Denominations will be outlawed. It will truly be a universal Church, but it is not representing the Body of Christ on earth, but rather the beast and the false prophet.
There's one thing the world learns from history, and that is that the world never learns from history. You can count on it. "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us" (Ec. 1:9, 10).
I believe that what we are experiencing today is a test very familiar with the one God gave Israel in the Old Testament. God used that test to evaluate the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, and it revealed that most of the nation was only Israel in name only.
"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ....... 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: ........8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: ........" (Rom 9:3,6,7,8).
So, the Bible tells us that not all Israel was truly God's children, "For they are not all Israel which are of Israel." Isaiah made this clear when he said, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:" (Rom 9:27). So, most were lost, and only a few, a remnant were saved. But, how much is a remnant? Not many. 1 Chronicles 21:5 census shows there were probably around seven million in Israel during this time. The entire nation of Israel had turned to idolatry led by Ahab and Jezebel to the point that Elijah thought he was the only one left that had not turned to Baal worship. But his assessment was wrong. God was giving the test and only God knew the actual results.
Elijah said to the Lord, "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Rom 11:3,4). To get an idea of the actual number, you have to notice that in the Greek, the word "men" in the verse is "males" and not "mankind," which would include women and children. This means it was literally 7,000 men (males) which had not bowed the knee, so you would have to figure in their families bringing the total higher to maybe 30,000 or so. Either way, whether 7,000 or 30,000 or whatever, it was a small percentage compared to 7,000,000. That would be 1/1,000 percent vs. 4/1,000 percent, or 1 out of a 1000, or 4 out of a 1000, so not much of a difference there anyway.
Notice that with God, it was an objective pass or fail test concerning those that worshiped Baal whether they bowed the knee or not to Baal. The 7000 remnant of men in Israel that did not bow the knee, they were the "approved" of God. All the others bowed the knee, and they were rejected as "not of Israel."
Will we learn that God is giving Christians the same kind of test today? Denominations are not of God, but God is using them to test Christians. He is testing professing Christians, or "Christendom," those who claim to be His children, but they are not His children. They are failing the test for they will not obey His Word. "They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God:" (Rom 9:8). I believe that most people today claiming to be Christians are bowing the knee to their denominations rather than bowing to God and His Word alone. They are committed to their denominations more than to the Lord. So sad. More than likely, most of them are not saved and they will be the ones missing the Rapture and being apart of the one world church.
By the way, it's interesting to me that in Revelations that we see the term "mark of the Beast." This mark is mentioned 8 times in the book and refers to those who have worshiped the beast. In other words, they have bowed the knee to the Beast and worshiped his image, "them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image" (Rev 19:20). They did something objectively by taking the mark of the Beast. That sounds eerie familiar, doesn't it? Notice, that there will be no hope for those that take the mark of the Beast and worship his image, just like there was no hope for those that bowed the knee to Baal and worshiped his image.
God said that He had 7,000 men "who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Rom 11:4). Notice, He said "who have not bowed," in other words, that they have never bowed the knee. Not that they once did, but now they don't. No, they never have. You either did, or you never have bowed the knee to Baal. This tells me that over the centuries, Israel had gotten so bad that it was pretty cut and dry between those who did and those who didn't. Most did, but the small remnant never did. There was no repenting and no changing teams during this time. Interesting, when you read Revelations, it sounds to me that it will be the same way, that men will either take the mark of the beast, or they won't take it. There won't be those who had taken it and then repented and changed. You just don't see that at all.
So, what is my point here? The point is that we are still living in the age of Grace, and I admit that things are not as bad with denominational churches today as it was with Israel and the pagan nations, or compared to the Church during the Great Tribulation period. Those in denominational churches today that have bowed the knee to their denominations have a chance to either get saved, or to repent and bow to God alone, before it is too late, although I don't believe I have ever met anyone that has ever done that. It is a strong force that binds these people to their denominational system and they will strongly defend it. Their dedication to it seems stronger than their dedication to the Lord, but that's just my observation. But, I have never seen any of these folks change, but only God knows their hearts, and anything is possible with Him. But, once the Rapture takes place, then that chance of repentance for them will be gone and they will be completely deceived (2Thes 2:3-12), and they will take the mark and be apart of that one world church system with the Antichrist claiming to be God in the flesh.
So, like most everyone else in the world, today's church people will not learn from history, either secular history or history from the Bible. This is why I love the Old Testament. You see countless centuries of history with God dealing with mankind, and Him reaching out to man, but men refusing Him. Let's learn from God's history in the Bible and it will help us understand a little more in what we are facing today. He clearly says we are living in the end times, so let's be faithful to Him, do things His way, and by faith understand what we are seeing as the world gets closer to that greatest test of all, the Great Tribulation period, where man will be tested like never before. Thank the Lord that we will not be here then for this will happen after the rapture of the true Christians.
EVALUATING THE TEST RESULTS
So, what were the results of God's tests? Well, first we saw Israel failed their test and were disapproved of God. God expelled them from the Holy Land, and sent them eff into bondage in Babylon.
Secondly, in the Corinthian church, the "I of Christ" group passed their test because they were the approved of God. They were the spiritual Christians because they acknowledged that the writings of Paul were the commandments of the Lord (1Cor 14:37). The other groups "I of Paul," "I of Cephas," and "I of Apollos," failed their test revealing that they were guilty of divisions and heresies, or choosing to do things contrary to what Paul had taught them. However, they repented and stopped their divisive ways. Paul says so in his second letter to them. He said, "For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things" (2Cor 2:9). This lets us know that they became obedient in all things that Paul had addressed in his first letter to them. If he had gotten anymore reports of their wrong doing, then he would have brought it up again, but he didn't.
Thirdly, the denominational churches today have failed their test. But, they are not like the Corinthians that failed their test, because they repented, changed their ways, and thus changed their score from failed to passed, but the denominational churches today refuse to change their ways. They are still failing and will be stuck in this level until they can pass the test. But, that's wishful thinking. Honestly, I believe they are too far gone. Like Israel, they have been stuck in remedial school for way too long. I know teachers today give remedial students a diploma regardless and they can graduate, but God will not do this. In the way denominations are so stubborn and refusing to follow the Scriptures, they are looking and behaving more and more like Israel, not the Corinthian church.
Fourthly, the few churches that meet today as Paul instructed have passed. They are the "approved" of God. They stand clearly in contrast to the denominational churches. They are very similar to the "I of Christ" group in Corinth. They only want to meet in Jesus Name alone, and they only want to follow the New Testament principles for the church. However, they are very few in number. I believe it would be even smaller that the percentage during Elijah's time.
I thank God for the Corinthian church and what they went through, because we wouldn't know any of these things if not for them. Yes, Paul corrected them and it helped the wrong doers get back on track, but it also helps us today to know what God wants for us too. Yes, I love that church and want to spend some time with them in heaven one day letting them know that, that I appreciate them and how they responded to Paul and to the Lord.
These Corinthians repenting and getting right is evidence of true Christians. Now, if matters had been different, if they had refused to hear Paul and change their ways, then that would raise the question if they were really saved or not. How can a true Christian refuse to do what the Lord says to do? Maybe they might be stubborn initially, but as time goes on, how can they continue disobedience. But, it was clear that they were carnal Christians (ch. 3), but they repented, were obedient, and became spiritual Christians. So, it can be done.
Israel on the other hand is a bad example, but we can learn from them too. They refused to obey God in getting rid of the pagan nations fully out of the land and it revealed their true colors and that they were not really the children of God. "For they are not all Israel which are of Israel." God is absolute and His test was an objective test, and they failed it. An objective test measures things based on facts and can be measured or observed. The test was very simple. If they bowed the knee to Baal, it was because they were not God's. Those 7,000 that did not bow the knee to Baal, it was because they belonged to God and refused Baal. So, Israel was not a complete lost cause. There was a remnant and there always has been a remnant of God's people throughout time, but it's usually small.
Can people in denominational churches be helped? Well, if you are trying to help a person that goes to a denominational church, then you need to first observe how they view their denomination. Do they seem committed to it, or do they seem open to discuss the validity of it. Either way, when you bring up verses about it being divisive with the Body of Christ, and how many of the practices such as tithing are not for the church, then how do they respond? If they have bowed their knee to their denomination, then the response will not be good, because they worship their denomination rather than Christ. So, be prepared for a backlash. Sad, but this reveals evidence that they are not a true follower of Christ. However, if they are willing to listen, and their mind is open to the Scripture, then that is a great sign which indicates a carnal Christian rather than a religious lost person. Realize that even if they seem interested in what you are sharing, they still may need time to process it all. People that are brainwashed need time to think clearly, but the Holy Spirit and the Word of God can speed up the process. But, being open, listening, and interested are great positive signs. Getting upset and shutting you down immediately is not a good sign from them.
If Christians are in things that are wrong, then this verse tells us what to do, but we need to be willing to do it. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?.....Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2Cor 6:14,17).
It doesn't matter if these people in denominations are your best friends or your close relatives, if they love and revere their denomination, then something is very wrong with them. Denominations are not of God. They were created by men. They are divisive and full of heresies. They divide the Body of Christ, which is the most serious sin, but they will never see that. As I said before, denominations are full of lost religious people, a few carnal Christians, and if there are any spiritual Christians, they will eventually leave on their own, or they will be booted out by the church.
Today, the world's population is around 7 billion and rapidly growing. However, even though that number is large, the number of true believers is growing smaller, not larger. "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Mat 24:22).
BENEFITS OF THE TEST
Yes, God will test the faith of His followers whether they are the children of Israel in the Old Testament or His Children in the New Testament, and there shall be much reward when we pass these tests by showing our faithfulness to God. "That the TRIAL of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" (1Pet 1:7).
God says that the testing of our faith is much more precious than of gold. When He tests us and we pass, then that is precious to Him and should be precious to us as well. Even if we fail the test, it is still precious if it motivates us to learn from our failures and turn to the Lord for help. What does God want in our lives? To be faithful to Him. Believe His Word and try to obey it the best we can. If we have problems doing that, then we can pray to Him and ask for His grace to help in time of need. God is merciful and full of grace to help us be faithful to Him even when all seems impossible.
In closing, God can already see those who are approved, He knows who they are whether He tests them or not, so the test is for our benefit to know where we stand in our relationship with Him.
God's test for the Corinthians did not reveal lost people from Christians in that church. No, that was not the purpose of that test at all. We see that God's purpose was to reveal spiritual Christians from carnal Christians. The approved believers were the ones saying "I'm of Christ." They were the spiritual Christians. The word "spiritual" means those who acknowledge that the writings in the Bible are the commands of the Lord. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant" (1Cor 14:37, 38). The other Christians that were identifying with Peter, Paul, and Apollos were not spiritual, but Paul said they were carnal (1Cor 3). But, if any want to be ignorant, then let them be ignorant.
Furthermore, by extension, God is using denominations, in what I believe to be His biggest test to date, to approve who the spiritual Christians are from the carnal Christians that are scattered within the denominations of the religious lost. As was in Corinth's test, the results were either pass or fail. Either approved or not approved. Either spiritual or carnal.
So, let me get personal. Were do you stand? You have already been tested by the evil denominational system. Have you passed or failed? If you are still in that system, then you have failed, and you are either lost or you at best are a carnal Christian. As I have said, you cannot be a spiritual Christian and remain in that system for a long period of time because you will have to defend God's Word and when you do, you will be asked to leave. And, there is no use in going to another denominational church, because you won't fit in there either, if you are spiritual ("Spiritual" is acknowledging that the things Paul wrote are the commandments of the Lord).
If you've been in the denominational system, and the Holy Spirit is convicting you about it, and you are tired of being carnal, then repent, and come out of it (or stay, speak out, and get kicked out). But, it will cost you, because it won't sit well with your denominational family and friends. It may be difficult for you, and it may be of some cost, even some suffering, but it will all be worth it, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18). And, it will all be worth it to hear the Lord say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Mt 25: 21).
So, our difficult "trials of faith" cannot be compared to the glory that will be "revealed" in us. Yes, these trials "must be" that we may be "approved" of God. Will you be "approved?" Will you pass this biggest test as a Christians? Or, will you be one of the failures? Pass or Fail? If you feel the cost is too high or there will be too much suffering, then it will keep you from doing God's will, and you continue on with a failing grade. Is the cost too high for you? "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2Tim 3:12).
If you defend the Word of God, you will be persecuted and evil spoken of. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Now, like most people, I always thought that to "keep" His commandments meant to "obey" His commandments. Of course it does mean that, but it means much more than that. In the Greek, the word used for "keep" here is a Greek word "tereo" that means to keep an eye upon, to watch over, to protect, and to guard. So, Jesus is saying if you love Him, then you will watch over and protect and guard His commandments. Of course, that means you will also obey them, but more than that, you will defend them when the occasion arises.
Do you know what that means, to protect His Word? How can you sit in a denominational church and hear something that you know is not right and remain silent? To do so means not only are you carnal for sitting in a divisive denominational church, but it also means you don't love the Lord Jesus very much. He said that if you love Him, then "keep" or watch over, guard, and defend His commandments. Protect them! You can't just sit there and not say anything. A spiritual Christian will speak up, and they will pay the price. But, a carnal Christian like you will just sit there and be silent so they won't cause any trouble. So, you have failed the test. You have failed Him! "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2Tim 3:12). Yes, you will suffer persecution if you do the right thing for Christ whether you stay and defend His Word, or if you leave which will result in them speaking evil of you. I pray you will do the right thing. But, remaining silent is not a good option for you. It will only prove that you are carnal, you don't love Him as you should, and you will have to one day give an account of it to Him.
All Christians will stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ where He will judge us for our works and our faithfulness to Him. We will have to give an answer for our trials, and our responses to them. He will then give us His assessment, His evaluation, and rewards if any have been earned "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall TRY every man's work of what SORT it is" (1Cor 3:13).
God will one day "manifest" or reveal your faithfulness to Him. He is testing you, or "trying" you and what "sort" of work you are doing. It is not how much work you are doing for Him, but what sort of work are you doing for Him. What kind of work is it? Is it what He has told you to do in His Word? Or, is it what you want to do? It will all be revealed one day. I pray that it will be the kind of, sort of work that He will approve, and it will be, if it is done by faith to Him and by the His Word.
I hope that I have been a help to you. May God bless you and help you to do the right thing according to His Word.
In Jesus Name,
James B. Sparks
jb5sparks@aol.com
No comments:
Post a Comment