Old Truths for Today: What Choices Do I Have?

By J.T. Morgan, Florence Christ of Christ

  Someone voices, “I have a right to my opinion!” That is correct but your opinion does not bind God’s acceptance and approval. You have your right to choose your religious affiliation or to choose not to be affiliated with any religious body.  However, “joining the church of my choice” does not obligate God to assume the responsibility of your salvation!   

Carefully consider this: Jesus promised to build His church (Matt.16:18); the Lord added the saved to that church (Acts 2:47); He gave Himself for that church (Eph.5:25); He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28); God gave Him to be the head over all things to that church, His body (Eph.1:22-23); and He is the Savior of that body (Eph.5:23. You have the right to choose that church or reject it for a man made church that is mentioned nowhere in God’s word. But after your choice, don’t try to make God save you in a counterfeit church made by man to compete with the church Christ died for and purchased with His own blood. Man is the only one that bears responsibility when he makes the wrong choice especially after God has plainly revealed His Church! Notice, “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” (Matt.15:13). What choice have you made?   

When driving around any community you will find a multiplicity of names relating to religious churches. Members of those bodies have the right to choose the name they will wear. Remember, you will be responsible for the choice of the name you will wear. The name of Christ’s followers is first found in these words: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26). This is a fulfillment of prophesy found in Isa.56:5; 62:2; and 65:15. When Agrippa said to Paul, “Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Paul did not stop to ask him “What kind of Christian are you speaking of?” Peter states later, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Pet.4:16). (See also Jam.2:7). Even in the days of these men people were not choosing that name! One day they will have to answer for that choice.                    (to be continued)