Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy
our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved,
and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia,
and Acrchippus our fellow soldier, and to the
church in they house: Grace to you, and pace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1-3
Salvation is an individualistic event and yet it is also social, that is a person has communion with God, there is communion between you and God, therefore your salvation is social. While salvation, even worship of God is individualistic we are to also have communion, or social, with other person who also have accepted Jesus Christ. Therefore Christianity, Authentic Christianity is both individualistic and social. We are not to go off into some cave and live like a hermit, or to cordon ourselves in some monastery (as good as things came about due to some monasteries), we are to live and to live among others, both those who are of the "church" and those who are not of the "church." Our priority of our social life is first with our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. True, Authentic Christians must everywhere be untied in the brotherhood of the Christian Church. Yes, it is true that Christianity is interested in social institutions. It is in these Christian institutions that education and even maintenance of our Authentic Christian Faith takes place. The writer of Hebrews gives us this important admonition: "We should hold fast the confession of the hope unwavering: (for He is faithful that promised): and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:23-25). Salvation is individualistic (not that God deals separately in His salvation, rather that you deal with your salvation individually, but not alone), and in need of others so as not to be left alone as this will have a greater chance to falter and allow you to be alone with your own devices. The Church has as its priority the spreading of the Gospel. It is not the spreading of the Gospel that is not to be done without a reason for this evangelism. It is to bring to the world the words of Jesus Christ and to show them the way to salvation and then to guide them into maturity in Jesus Christ. Maturity in Jesus Christ is not to give warrant not to aid others in your Church, in your family, and even in friends and if called by God to go to the uttermost part of the world and bring this life giving message: the Gospel.
The Greek word we translate "church" has this meaning: "the called out ones." You by the call of God are called to believe in the One Whom He sent forth, Jesus Christ and then to join together with other believers aiding each other in whatever way besides teaching them the word of God; to aid them in their struggles in this life. God is calling and you and I have the responsibility to answer this call (or not). The brotherhood of Jesus Christ seeks to bring all men in and this is not limited to the household of faith: all men, whether they are Christian or not, even those who are our neighbors in need. Authentic Christians are not to be content with the binding up of their wounds or rendering some aid as our main business is to grow in our faith and to bring others to the Savior of their souls. The Church, you, the "called out ones," those who have answered the call of God, have the answers to the social needs of man. This does not mean that we accept all thing, especially those things that are in contradiction to Scripture, but, we can do what we can do to aid others to conform to Scripture. We start with ourselves first and the extend to others.
Liberalism has similar beliefs about brotherhood yet Authentic Christianity differs in the way which the transformation of society is conceived. Example: The Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. will allow homosexuals to be part of the leadership, and will allow abortion, among other things that the Bible does not give warrant to and in fact condemns. This is liberal Christianity at its worst. It is a blight upon Authentic Christianity. Yes, they do help in many ways those in need, but the truth of Scripture is veiled by their unScriptural actions. Other Churches do the same thing by making their differences to be what is considered truth. Do those things and you will belong to that Church. Do those things and people will think that you are godly. Some think by doing those non-warranted actions that they will somehow receive special favor or grace from God.
This is not Authentic Christianity, it is worldly Christianity by doing that which Jesus never intended for His bride to do or participate. If, and this is the word, "if" not a subjective "if" but a definite "if" you desire to be an Authentic Christian, and "if" you do what is plainly warranted in Scripture, and "if" you continue to develop your individual relationship with Jesus, then, and only then, will you have the grace of God given to you. You cannot earn salvation, but you can earn the grace of God. It is your changing from the Inside/Out, from the culture of the world that has infected too many Churches, and you begin to live as Jesus commanded us to live, then God will give you grace, grace to meet every circumstance of life, to be a person of special worth to others in your congregation, your family, and friends.
Authentic Christianity, Authentic Christian Faith is all about having a right relationship with God, with His Son Jesus Christ. Start now, commune with God, do this as an individual, and the to continue to commune with God in a social manner towards your brothers and sisters. Extend this Authentic Christianity towards others, but never do this alone, join in with others who have the same Authentic Christianity. This is the only way that you can have the power to thwart the darts of Satan. Oh! Once again: you have a choice in the matter: God will not force you, you must do it!
Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak:
I will demand of Thee, and declare
Thou unto me. I have heard of Thee
by hearing of the ear: but mine eye
seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself
and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:4-6
You are individually the Church of God
Richard L. Crumb
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