Contending for the Health of the Church

But speaking the truth in love, may (we) grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ… – Ephesians 4:15

I do not think the time will ever come when we shall all of us see eye to eye and shall all use the same terms and phrases in setting forth doctrinal truths. I do not imagine there ever will be a period, unless it should be in that long looked for millennium, when every brother is able to subscribe to every other brother’s creed; when we shall be identical in our apprehensions, experiences, and expositions of the gospel in the fullest sense of the word. But I do maintain there should be, and there must be if our churches are to be healthy and sound, a constant adherence to the fundamental doctrines of divine truth…if it should ever come to be a matter which casts doubts upon the divinity of Christ, or the personality of the Holy Ghost; if it should come to a matter of using gospel terms in a sense the most contrary to that which has ever been attached to them in any age of the truth; if it should ever come to the marring and spoiling of our ideas of Divine justice, and of that great atonement which is the basis of the whole gospel, as they have been delivered to us; then it is time, my brethren, once for all that the scabbard be thrown aside, that the sword be drawn. Against any who assails those precious vital truths which constitute the heart of our holy religion, we must contend even to the death…Verily there were giants at one time, when the sons of God saw the daughters of men and we may live to see gigantic heresies, when God’s own children may look upon the fair daughters of philosophy, and monster delusions shall stalk across the earth. A want of union about truth too clearly proves that the body of the Church is not in a healthy state…We must look to the preservation of the health of the Church. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0314.cfm

2 thoughts on “Contending for the Health of the Church

  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.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

    I believe that God is able even in this day when the church is divided, carnal and apathetic. His Word stands true… the great issue for the full unity is in our response to Him… “not everyone who says Lord…” will know of His Kingdom.

    The way to unity is obedience… “he that doeth truth. cometh to the light”. It is the Light of Him (and my walking in it) shining in my heart that brings me to His Light and joins my heart to those who “walk in the light as He is in the Light”. It is from this wonder our love and fellowship is deep and true.

    Love the share as always and may He continue to direct our steps into His fulness.

    Blessings
    BT

    Liked by 1 person

    • Wonderful word, BT. You are a great Spirit filled and led teacher. “The way to unity is obedience…” and our love for our Beloved Jesus works itself out in obedience to the truth.

      God bless you, BT, amen! \o/

      Like

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