"Hell's Faithful Christians"
In reality the above title is quite absurd. We realize that there will be no faithful Christians in hell. The above title is chosen not because it is a statement of truth and fact, but because there are some church members who are walking unquestionably in the ways of death, while being allowed to believe that they are faithful Christians. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov .14:12.) This proverbial statement is seemingly descriptive of any man who, thinking himself to be justified, lives in a state of rejection in the sight of God.
Men's Idea
Almost every individual has some idea as to what he thinks a faithful Christian is. Sometimes there is such a vast difference between our own ideas and God's ideas that a man can live very nearly any kind of life and still think of himself as a faithful Christian. Some think that because a man will serve at the Lord's table or lead a public prayer, he must surely be a faithful Christian. Others think that one who attends services regularly or teaches a Bible class must certainly be a faithful Christian. Of course, all of these things are characteristics of faithful and interested children of God, but the fact that a man will teach a Bible class, lead a public prayer, attend services regularly, serve at the Lord's table, etc., does not necessarily mean that he is a faithful child of God. Indeed, some of the "biggest" hypocrites in the church may do any and/or all of these things. And yet, many preachers, teachers, and elders are commonly guilty of referring to a man as a faithful Christian on evidence no stronger than the fact that he participates in the public worship services. Brethren, it takes something more than this to characterize a faithful Christian.
God's Idea
First, let us ask ourselves the question, "What is my definition of a faithful Christian?" Then we might ask, "Does it coincide with God's definition?"
We will not attempt to give a simple and concise definition of the term, "faithful Christian" (as though there existed one), nor shall we wrestle with extreme detail. Our purpose is to notice a few characteristics of every Christian faithful in the sight of God.
(1) It goes without saying that a man could not be a faithful Christian unless he has been born into the family of God. It is characteristic of every Christian that he has heard the gospel of Christ (Ron. 1:16 - 10:17), believed it (Heb. 11:6), repented of his sins (Acts 2:38), confessed the name of Christ as did the eunuch (Acts 8:36), and has been immersed in water for the remission of sins, which constitutes the putting on of Christ (Gal. 3:26-27) and/or the entrance into the body of Christ. (I Cor. 12:13.)
(2) A faithful Christian is an obedient Christian. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (I John 2:3-4.) The greatest assurance of our salvation is to continually remain alert (I Cor. 10:12), and obedient to every command of Christ. Paul reminds us that in view of the fact that the Israelites became proud and boastful, falling from God, we, too, should "take heed lest we fall".
(3) Another characteristic of a faithful Christian is that he is always careful to worship God acceptably. The principles of acceptable worship are set forth in John 4:23-24. Here we are told that acceptable worship consists of a combination of truth and spirit. It is clearly implicatory that truth without spirit (or vice versa) is not acceptable worship. Many of the Corinthians had failed to worship acceptably in their observance of the Lord's Supper. Paul said, "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." (I Cor. 11:30.)
When a child of God fails to assemble with the Saints he is worshipping neither in spirit nor in truth.
(4) Yet other characteristics of faithful Christians include the diligent growth manifested by the achievement of those spiritual qualities listed in II Peter 1:5-8. For years gospel preachers have emphasized the importance of possessing these characteristics, but I believe that no grater emphasis can be given than the statement of Peter, "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(5) And now we come to the "meat" of this article. Christians are to be teachers of God's word. By this I do not mean that every congregation should be supporting a full-time preacher. Neither do I mean that every congregation should schedule "at least one meeting per year." Neither do I mean that a congregation should be sure to appoint qualified elders Likewise, I do not mean that every congregation should provide a meeting-place and "invite" the community to "come out and visit our services."
Granted: it is commendable for a congregation to appoint elders, support an evangelist, schedule gospel meetings, and provide a meeting-place.... But ...these few things can in no way take care of the individual responsibility of the individual Christian to teach.
In Matt. 28:18-20 Jesus came and spake unto them saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Some Deductions From The Passage
(1) Jesus has all power.
(2) The disciples were commanded to teach.
(3) They were commanded to baptize, (or make disciples), by the authority of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
(4) They were to teach new disciples to observe Christ's commands.
(5) Christ will remain with us throughout time (not in the flesh). "He ever liveth to make intercession . . ." (Hebrews 7:25.)
So, Christ's commands remain perpetually alive throughout time, for every new disciple receives the same instruction that the disciples received from Christ in Matt. 28:19-20, i.e. to teach, baptize, and teach!
The commands to teach are among the most neglected commands in the New Testament by members of the church of Christ. Indeed, they are also much neglected by preachers in the delivery of sermons (i.e. teaching to teach). Numerically speaking, and by comparison with other "religious" bodies, the church has made rapid advancement in the past few years, but considering our gains in the light of our responsibilities, we stand naked in the sight of God.
The church is nearly two thousand years old.... It is a teaching institution . . . . And yet, it is said that "three die every tick of the watch who have never heard that there is a God in heaven" What is wrong with the church? Did God somewhere fail in the planning of the church? (See Eph. 3:8-12.)
Of course the answer is NO! The failure is not on God's part! Man has failed to carry out God's plans. The Old Testament reveals that God once saved eight people in a ship which he called the ark. Those eight were saved because Noah carried out God's plans. They would have been lost had Noah failed to put into use God's plans. The church hasn't done its greatest work because of man's failure to obey God's laws. Many "Christians" do not read their Bibles, do not pray, do not worship God; indeed, do not do anything that does not suit their liking.
One preacher said, "I have gone into congregations to preach where there is nothing being done about personal work and found that members go to sleep on my sermons and gripe because I preach too long. But when I go to a place where the members are busy trying to teach others, they grasp every word and take notes on what is said so that they may use it in teaching others." Experience has many times proven that the above statement is true!
Excuses
There are many and varied excuses as to why brethren do not do personal teaching. "Having boiled everything down", we inevitably reach the conclusion that one is not a faithful Christian who will not teach!
Brethren, encourage Christians to teach! Our excuses may satisfy some mortals.... but, will they satisfy God?
Worship alone will not save. According to Jesus, some who praise him will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Christ said, "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21.)
Consider seriously, friend, are you among "Hell's Faithful Christians"?