"It Wasn't In The Plans"
A few months ago, my wife and I went into the home of some people here in our community with whom we had an appointment to study the Bible.
For an hour or more, we discussed the history of denominations, contrasting this with the teaching of the New Testament with respect to the one body, and the implications appertaining thereto. This included discussion on baptism, instrumental music, the Lord's Supper, etc. The study was pleasant, and we hoped profitable for our friends, as we esteemed them as upright and honorable people.
The final plea of the lesson had to do with authority, and the absolute necessity of our having authority from God to engage in all our religious activities, lest we incur his displeasure through our disobedience. However, the point was lost on their ears. While sympathizing with our concern for doing things in the New Testament way, and the need for authority, they still insisted that "all this really doesn't make that much difference."
Having concluded our study, we then turned to another matter at hand. My friend was a contractor, and I had been having conversations with him in recent weeks relative to the matter of building a house. He got out the blueprints of a house he had just completed, and we began to discuss them.
Having seen the completed house, I had a few questions to ask concerning it. The lower portion of the house had a large utility room, but there was no outside door to it. In order to take out a load of wash to hang, it would be necessary to go through the den. When I asked him why he had not put an outside door there, he replied, "Well, to be honest with you, it wasn't in the plans."
Immediately I said to him, "That's exactly what I've been talking about with respect to the church, ' and went on to point out to him and his wife that if he was so careful to follow the blue-print for a house, why couldn't he show the same concern for the blueprints of the Lord's house. In good humor, he said, "You've got me there."
But if he would only ACCEPT the teaching, and be aware of the fact that the Bible IS the Lord's blueprint for his house, his church. Listen to the testimony of the Word:
"According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master-builder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how we buildeth thereon." (1 Cor. 3:11) Is this not a warning to be careful to follow the divine plan? "Now these things, brethren, have I in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written...." (1 Cor. 4:6) The Lord gave us his plans, and said, "Don't go beyond them!"
"And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Co1.3:17) This is but a simple injunction for us to be sure that all we do is BY THE AUTHORITY OF CHIRST, i.e., IN HIS NAME. ... even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount." (Heb. 8:5) If Moses had to follow that blue-print and standard so closely, by what reasoning do we excuse ourselves when we consider that the tabernacle was a type or shadow of the church today?
"Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ hath not God: He that abideth in the teaching, hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 9) What is the "teaching of Christ" but the New Testament, the Lord's "blue-print" given to guide us? How dare we dismiss it as being insignificant, or say that "it makes no difference?"
May God help us all to learn that he has not wasted our time with a revelation that is not vital in its every aspect, or with a blue-print that has grown outdated and old-fashioned. May we learn to give as much respect, yea MORE, to God's DIVINE plans, as we do to the plans of any human architect. Can we otherwise have hope?
-2394 Wesley Chapel Road Decatur, Georgia 30032