Signs Of The Times II.
It does not take a Solomon to read the signs of our times. They are too pronounced. Even the casual observer sees signs of indifference manifested on every hand. I am referring to indifference on the part of members of the church toward the work of the Lord. Apathy toward truth and error, good and evil, the work of the Lord and eternal salvation is appalling. This, of course, is expected to be found in some members. However, to find it in so many who know the scriptures and the truth concerning the departures extant today in the church is alarming indeed. How knowledgeable brethren can sit by and watch the church be swept into the error of denominationalism is more than I can understand. It is not uncommon to hear some one say, "I do not go along with all that the church is doing. " Yet, they are going along by attending and lending all their influence to error and by giving their money, thus supporting error financially. It is exactly like so many brethren who stayed in the "Christian Church" group, saying all the time they did NOT endorse the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship and the church supporting human societies.
I can understand and appreciate brethren remaining with a congregation long enough to teach the truth about sinful practices of the group. But after the truth has been taught and rejected by the congregation, the sooner one can get out of that congregation, the better. I know of many brethren who stayed in the "Christian Church" to teach them and try to save them from their sinful ways; but stayed too long and died in error themselves. The idea of staying in a church which practices error any length of time AFTER the truth has been taught, is as foreign from the scriptures as darkness is from light.
The Lord said to the church at Ephesus, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick (the church) (verse 20 of chapter 1) out of his place, except thou repent." (Rev. 2:5) (Emp. mine L. M. )The Lord did not tell them He would do it in a few months or years. He said he would do it quickly. Any time the truth is taught to a church in error and that church refuses to correct the error: the Lord quickly (immediately) ceases to recognize that church as one of His. IT IS A FALLEN CHURCH. For one to die while attempting to serve God in such a church is to die in a "fallen" state. Since death is imminent to all, we cannot afford to linger in sin. These same brethren, indifferent to their own lost condition, will urge those who have never obeyed the gospel to obey NOW. We need to be aware that a brother or sister in a fallen state will be lost the same as a person who has never obeyed the gospel. Paul was talking to brethren - members of the church, when he warned ... now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) If brethren would let it be known that they will NOT remain in a congregation which tolerates or practices sin and error, maybe these congregations would wake up and exercise discipline as God has commanded (1 Cor. 5:7-13; 2 Thess. 3:6)
We see indifference concerning the work of the church. Too many members have no concern at all about the work that must be done. They are too busy with their own affairs to give any thought or time to the work of the church. Take, for an example, the teaching program of the church. How many are really interested in the classes? Everything has to be just right for some folk to attend Bible classes. A slight headache, company or just about anything is excuse enough for them to "forsake the assembling of themselves together" (Heb. 10:25) If they need a little extra time to do something, they steal the time which belongs to the Lord. Yes, indifference can and does make a bunch of thieves out of brethren. Not only does it cause people to steal time that belongs to God, but I am persuaded that indifference causes members of the church to steal money that rightfully belongs to God. When we can have good automobiles, houses to live in, clothes to wear, money for entertainment and in some cases a bank account, yet, only give five dollars per week to the Lord, we are probably guilty of misappropriating funds. God's people in days gone by were guilty of "robbing God" (Mal. 3:8) They were guilty when they failed to give as they should have given. Are we less guilty when we fail to give as we should? If we had proper interest in the Lord's work we would never be guilty of "robbing God".
We see indifference manifested by a failure to develop our abilities so that we may better serve God. Who is going to do the preaching, teaching, song leading in the future? Who will serve as elders and deacons? ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE ENOUGH INTEREST TO QUALIFY THEMSELVES TO DO THESE THINGS. If every member of the church did no more than you are doing, what kind of a church would there be?