September 27, 2017 - - II Corinthians 6:16-18 Truth

And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will dwell in them

And walk among them

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people."

Therefore

"Come out of them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean

And I will receive you.

I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the LORD Almighty."

II Corinthians 6:16-18

In preparing for my final steps in joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, I have been reading books on polity (church government and organization). One book recommended to me was "Handbook of Church Discipline" written by Jay Adams. In dealing with cross-congregational discipline--that is, where one person leaves a congregation and takes up visiting another congregation rather than facing discipline in his home church--Adams has some strong advice.

'Where you have certain knowledge that a congregation denies the essentials of Christianity, you should not send persons back. Indeed, you should do all you can to get people out of such "churches". Jay E. Adams, page 109

We live in an era where all sorts of gatherings call themselves "church" but deny essential truth, denying such things as:

Christ's bodily resurrection;

God created ex nihilo (out of nothing) all of creation in six 24-hour days and on the seventh day created the Sabbath;

the clear commandments of God--such as His will for men and women to honour Him with their bodies, which means all men and all women remain within the God-ordained bounds for human sexuality.

Examine your heart own--the temple of God--are you devoted to Jesus and His Word? Examine your church--is it a place that follows the teachings of Christ and the Word of God, or is it trying to please the world? Believers will cause a stir in the world because we are to be separate from idolaters and no matter the cost, follow the Truth that is found in Jesus alone.

God of Glory, Jesus, the Truth, the Life and the Way, Spirit of Wisdom, help me to be a pure temple for Your dwelling place. Give me discernment to root out of myself the falsehoods and lies of the world which would make my heart and mind unfit for You. I desire You and You alone as My Father. Instruct me by Your Word. Direct my living by the power of Your Spirit so that I will follow Jesus, in Whose Name I pray. Amen.