The Danger Of Unscriptural Fellowship
What comes to your mind when you see the word danger? Certainly we do not think of ignoring a sign that says "Danger." Except when we speak of matters religious. After all what does it matter? When we talk to the unfair about their soul
they see no real danger no need to repent. When we talk to many caught in immoral practices and the danger of hell fire they see no real urgency to change. As Felix, many wait for the "convenient season" that never comes. So the danger signs are
ignored.
Are there real dangers in unscriptural fellowship? Does the Bible warn against such?
1 John. 1:5-7 tells us that what was seen and heard was proclaimed that the
brethren might have fellowship with the Father and his son and that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. To be in the light of the Father and in fellowship with him we must walk in the light or follow the revealed Word. He reminds us of the
danger in 2Jn.9 that "WHOSOEVER transgressed (goes too far, NAS) and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God." Those transgressing are not walking in the light.
WHAT ARE THE
DANGERS?
1) Verse 11 of 2 John explains that we are participating in evil when we fellowship those in darkness. We are considered an accomplice, a getaway driver, if you will. We would be aiding and abetting
those in error. Thus, our lights would not be glorifying God (Mt. 5:16, l Pet. 2:12)
2) When we give consent to such we act the part of a hypocrite. Matthew 23 is enough reason not to so
act,
3) We will also draw away disciples after us just as Barnabas and other Jews were drawn away by Peter's hypocrisy (Gal.2:11ff, 2 Pet. 2:1-2)
4) Unscriptural fellowship
will cause the problem to escalate. Compare the affect of Hymenaeus and Philetus. Paul said their error was spreading like gangrene and overthrowing the faith of some (2 Tim. 2:16-18).
5) When we unscripturally
fellowship an erring Christian or false teacher we are endangering the church. We must keep it a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27). Elders must stop the mouth of the gainsayer or those who speak or go to the scriptures (Titus 1:9).
We cannot fellowship the false teacher no matter how long he has been preaching or how much we love him. If we fellowship him we give credence to his false doctrine. Did Paul hate Demas (2 Tim. 4: 10)? If we fellowship Homer Hailey in his false
teaching concerning marriage why not fellowship those who practice what he preaches?
6) Remember, we reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow (Gal. 6:7-8-, Hos. 8:7). The devil bonds us to the
harvest and does so many times as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:14). We cannot forget how deceptive Satan's devises are (Eph. 6: I 1). Jesus said, the deceptive wolf comes in sheep's clothing.
7) When we
unscripturally fellowship error we are allowing ravenous, devouring wolves into the flock (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-30). The devil and his agents are constantly and continually "Peace, peace when there is no peace,(Isa. 6:14) May God help those who take
the bait of the traps the Deceiver sets. We must remember that we can't take fire into our bosom lest we burn our clothes (Pro. 6:27).
When withdrawing from those in error it is because we do love their souls and
the church (ICor. 5:5-7, 2Th. 3:14-15). When we fellowship those in error we also show our endorsement or approval of the same. For example, the Bridge Street church 'in New Martinsville fellowships the Sistersville church which has a fellowship hall.
Bridge Street doesn't have a fellowship hall yet fellowships churches that do. Now the Bridge Street church, according to their preacher, Charles Pugh has "funeral meals', in their building. How long will it be before they have "wedding meals"? Do you
see how they are slipping? Do you see the danger in unscriptural fellowship? They have the "anti's" as a common enemy so overlook the unscriptural "fellowship halls-".
WHOSE RULE
RULES?
2Cor. 5:11 is a powerful motivator to keep us from fellowships' unscriptural as well as Heb. 12:28-29. If God is not the one that decides who is to be fellowshipped then men are the ones who decide. If men
decide who is to be fellowshjpped the list would be endless. Do we fellowship the homosexual? If God decides the answer is "N(Y' (Rom. 1:24-27). Do men decide what the marriage laws are? God has already decided (Mt. 5:32, 19: 1 -9; Rom. 7-1-3). Man
says the church needs instrumental music to aid in its worship. God says to (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16). Man says one church is not enough to take care of the needs of man. God has already spoken and says one is enough (Eph. 4:5; 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1:18).
Our own brethren say the church is not sufficient to do its work arid needs benevolent societies to take care of the needy. The Almighty hasn't left it 'm doubt and has commanded the church to take care of only needy s@ from its treasury I Cor. 16:1-3;
2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1,12, Rom. 15:25,26,3 1). You can readil
y see the danger of allowing man to speak for God. Once you open the gate to allow men to play God there will be no end to changes they will make. AU one has to do is to look at
the Catholic church where tradition has become law.
Many brethren do not see the final results of unscriptural fellowshipping of error. Look what happened to the young prophet of lKings 13. He believed a he and
died. Adam arid Eve did the same even after the clear warning of God. Jesus tells us the same thing will happen to us in M-Matthew 15:1-14. On the other hand Shadrack Meshach, and Abednego lived because they would not fellowship the idol god of
Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3).
Brethren, study, meditate and pray daily to defend yourself against our Adversary and one or his weapons of unscriptural fellowship (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:15-16; 1 Th. 5:17; Eph.
6-11-17).
Morris Hafley
January, 1997
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