What you should know about differences in the church. By Alan Ballou.
There will always be differences inside the church. Check the verse below. The question is whether or not there is a method to handle the faction (division) within the church, just in case the difference is to show who is approved by God, rather than to identify someone who is just out to cause a division. There is a difference according to the verses below.
1 Corinthians 11:19
19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. NKJV
Romans 16:17
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. NKJV
If you are looking for someone who is wise according to this world’s standards, then understand this. You are more than likely looking in the wrong direction. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:18-20), and what is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:15, verses below). Imagine that.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” NKJV
Luke 16:15
15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV
In fact, God doesn’t use many who are well-trained by men. Check the verses below before you run off.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. NKJV
Therefore, just because someone differs from the pastor or even your denomination, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are wrong. The best thing to do is to follow the instructions to “test everything,” and only hold on to the good (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. NKJV
If you are looking for someone who God has sent to you to speak to you, then without a doubt you are looking for someone who speaks the truth, in line with the truth, and according to what is written in the Bible (John 3:34, Jeremiah 23:22), without trying to please those who listen (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
John 3:34
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. NKJV
Jeremiah 23:22
22 But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings. NKJV
Galatians 1:10
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. NKJV
1 Thessalonians 2:4
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. NKJV
Those who speak to please men cannot possibly be servants of the Lord (Galatians 1:10, above). When the message of the Gospel is watered down in an attempt to please the listeners, then what hope is there in the Word of God changing them? And so it is that the church today is filled with people who reject any verse that requires them to change, and only embrace “feel good” and “sound good” verses which those who suppress the truth in order to grow the crowd gladly give them (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Their wrath is not sleeping (Romans 1:18).
2 Timothy 4:3-5
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. NKJV
If the Word of God were preached, it would work “all by itself” on the inside of those who “believe it” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 1:16). After we know the truth, “it” will set us free from sin (John 8:31-37, Romans 1:28-32). So guess what people in the church need in order to change for the better? Check the verses!
However, what is the first things that happens when the enemy sends a load of people, tares who do not want to hear the truth (Matthew 13:24-30), into a church? The truth gets suppressed for the sake of the money brought by those who only support the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Corinthians 10:11).
1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. NKJV
1 Corinthians 10:20
20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. NKJV
Yes, you can be giving to support the wrong message even in a church, and therefore you will have no return for your giving. Check for yourself and read the doctrine of Jesus Christ found in the Gospels; Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John. If that matches what you are hearing; give!
If you never hear the doctrine of Jesus Christ, but only hear about Jesus then you are more than likely in the wrong place. Beware of those who “always” teach out of the Old Testament. Kingdom teaching is found in the New Testament (Luke 16:16, John 1:17), and the New Covenant is founded on “better promises” than the old (Hebrews 8:6, 13).
Those who are sent by God will want you to know and live by the better promises, which would be living by faith and not law (Romans 3:21-22)? The righteousness of God is “apart” (separated) from the Law.
Luke 16:16
16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. NKJV
John 1:17
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NKJV
Hebrews 8:6
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. NKJV
Hebrews 8:13
13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. NKJV
Romans 3:21-22
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; NKJV
The reason many only preach out of the Old Testament is to keep people under the Old Covenant, which requires them to tithe in accordance with the Laws of Moses, which means “more money” (Hebrews 7:5). However, those who receive the tithe in accordance with the Law, reject what the Law says to do with the tithe after they receive it. There is not a single temple, or building built, or property bought in the Bible with tithe money. It was always used for food.
By holding people, who do not realize the truth, so strictly to tithe in accordance with the law, they will be judged with that same strictness for what they do with the tithe (Matthew 7:1-2). As it is written, they strain out a gnat and swallow a camel, because they hold so strictly to one set of verses to suit their own desires, and yet they reject the verses on the very next page (Matthew 23:24).
The truth is suppressed for greed. Therefore, the wrong message grows and oddly enough, it is considered a blessing when the church building is propitious. However, understand this and let this be a sign to you. If the doctrine of Jesus Christ is not preached, but shunned then you should know that Jesus is not welcomed there and our instructions are clear. Run!
2 John 7-11
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. NKJV
As it is written, take note of those who cause divisions among you “contrary to doctrine” and avoid them.
Romans 16:17
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. NKJV
I’m Alan Ballou; a servant. Got questions, concerns, then speak up.
