WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHRISTIANS GONE? |
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Many upheavals have occurred within the Church of God over the last several years. With each of these, there are accusations abounding and condemnations passed out for those who "left the Church." Usually "the Church" refers to the particular corporate organization with which the accusers are affiliated. And looking at the losses in their local congregations, they often ask, "Where have all the Christians gone?" Let's now take a close look at this question and see if we can arrive at any conclusive answers. Several years ago a popular song asked, "Where have all the flowers gone?" The answer was a circle of answers and progressive questions which finally returned to the first one, no ultimate answer being given. Certainly a similar circle could be invented to answer the question, "Where have all the Christians gone?", but instead another circle is found which clears up the questions one step at a time. By the end of the circle, the question will be answered. Where have they gone? Since when were any even missing? How do you know a Christian when you see one? For the most part Christians have melted back into the "world" they were called out of. Many, however, still put on a pretense or mask of Christianity so it sometimes can be a little more difficult to realize that another Christian is in fact missing. The circle we are about to travel is the mail route given in Revelation 2 and 3. The supposed list of Church eras that this is purported to be may or may not be valid as such, but that is not an argument to be discussed here. Almost everybody, however, agrees that it does enumerate and identify Church attitudes. This aspect is the framework for this article. Some are Ephesus Christians who were filled with excitement when they were first converted, but lost that "first love" and dropped out. Their love of God and His truth became overwhelmed by other things and took a second seat (if a seat was allowed at all). They may continue to attend services and participate in Church activities, but for all intents and purposes, they have left the Church. Others are Smyrna Christians, feeling poor and useless. Many have been taught by their leaders to feel this way. They are still around, but are not doing all of which they are capable because of their seeming poverty. Most, though, apparently are true Christians and are doing the Work as best they can—or at least the best they think they can. Then there are the Pergamos Christians who have not denied the Church, but put stumblingblocks in the way of other Christians. They, under the guise of doing God's Work, will try to receive as much glory and prestige for themselves as they can and will do anything and everything in their power to stamp out others who look as though they might compete or overshadow that and "steal" some of that glory and prestige. They talk of "doing the Work" but will fight as many "outside" efforts as possible with all the ferocity they can muster if they even seem to challenge them. These are borderline Christians who have let this bad attitude take over their hearts. This bad attitude will eventually cast its holders right out of the Church. Some have already left in spirit if not in body. The Thyatira Christians have allowed the teachings of other churches to creep into their faith. In their avowed "thirst" for understanding they have welcomed and nurtured unbiblical ideas gleaned from other faiths, not proving them and rejecting them when shown to be in error. This spiritual adultery has sucked up some of the true Christians and is working on others. Lack of awareness and alertness is the sign of the Sardis Christians. Through stagnation and lost motivation these Christians have fallen by the wayside and more continue to do so every day. Again, they may still keep seats warm for services, but inside they are void of the true Christian spirit. The Philadelphia Christians appear to be solid and busy, actively doing the Work and promoting it in every way possible. They have a positive and loving attitude and work harmoniously with others and with great faith. Finally there are the Laodicean Christians. They just get into the Work half-heartedly, without any deep conviction or dedication. Often they are part of an organization which has erected a beautiful complex of buildings (or several complexes), produces flashy TV shows and a host of slick publications, and fosters various activities which purportedly are involved with "doing the Work." These individuals do some work and make some contributions, but only as they "feel like it" or are "in the mood". The organization does the main work and the individual has nothing to do other than "support the Work." They are not really "on fire" but they are not "dead" either. These are true borderline Christians with some, of course, leaning more one way or the other. Apparently the "Smyrna" and "Philadelphia" Christians are the only true Christians, the ones holding at least a semblance of right attitudes and approaches. Is this an indication that only two out of seven of us are really Christians? How many times has God said to the wrong attitudes, "Repent!"? Count them up yourself, and while you are counting take a long close look at what He is saying to repent of and see if, upon close inspection of yourself, any of these reflect you. (See James 1:23-25). Where do you fit? Which attitude most closely fits your approach to the Church? And what will you do about it? How do we know any Christians are missing? That answer is best coupled with the answer to the last question of the circle of questions, "How do you know a Christian when you see one?" If you know how to identify a Christian, you will be able to detect the absence of any. There are some terrific actors making TV shows, movies, stage plays, musicals, and other forms of entertainment. Unfortunately there are also many fine actors (and actresses) playing "church" and doing an outstanding job of it. Of course, no matter how professional the acting may be, God knows the truth of the situation. And to assist us all in unmasking those who have acted their way into the Church (or have turned actor once they learned the lines without taking them to heart), He has given us in His Word the signs of a true Christian. They make an excellent yardstick not only for deciphering frauds, but for evaluating ourselves as well. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another" (John 13:34). "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils [demons]; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him . . . He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:4,6). These are just a few of the barometers and thermometers of true Christianity. Others were back in Revelation 2 and 3 and even more are sprinkled throughout the Bible. Look them up yourself and use the study to improve yourself. Just make sure that you are not included in the question, "Where have all the Christians gone?"
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