Orderly arrangement provides us with direction and simplifies our daily living. Our actions result in consequences. We can’t change the past, but the future is open to clear vision, provided we make sound choices. Desire dictates who we are and what we do at a given time in our life. Vision defines our desire to bring about things we want. Circumstances determine what’s important at a particular time. Priorities and focus change when tragedies arise. Think about how things are in the world today with regard to entertainment, personal activities, moral issues, crime, politics, environment, security, and, yes, the condition of your spiritual life. Are you going too fast and possibly placing emphasis on less important things? Understanding and following the will of our Lord makes for a strong spiritual life; anything else is dangerous (Ephesians 5:15–17).
With regard to organized religion, concentrate on faith, conviction, belief, and submission. Without direction the foundation of our faith and belief would be impossible to follow. Thankfully there is a guide for organization: God’s inspired word, the Bible. It provides sound guidance and doctrine, and also warns about unauthorized changes that nullify one’s hope of making it to heaven. Consider these two warnings:
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, . . . teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:8–9).
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
God is the author of “organized religion,” not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Those saved are in the church; they are the church. Simply stated, salvation is in Christ, and the church is the body of Christ (Acts 4:12). The Greek word ekklesia is an assembly of citizens; church. The church is the body of believers under the authority of Jesus Christ: “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22–23). We are saved by God’s grace through our faith and obedience to the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). God adds saved souls to the body of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 6:7; 16:5). The church assembles on the first day of the week (Sunday) for the purpose of worshiping God through partaking of the Lord’s supper, praying together, singing, and learning from God’s written word. Additionally, Christians encourage and edify one another as well as teach the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18–20; John 15:1). Our Lord planned, established, and organized the church.
Is your life organized to the point that you are ready to face life’s day-to-day demands as well as enjoy the assurance that your vision for the future is 20/20 and you will be ready for eternity? (Matthew 6:19–21 and 31–34). The article on the front page article is worth reading multiple times, absorbing the content, and researching all the scripture references. Also, pay close attention to “God’s Plan for Saving Man” printed on page 3.
Please visit us any time and investigate the church following God’s pattern in its simplicity, not adding or taking away from the direction of God’s inspired scripture. If you need transportation, give us a call. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions, come to your home, talk to you on the phone, or respond to your letter. Our address and phone numbers are listed on the front page. We’re just off Highway 84, on Highway 92, in Wicksburg.
– James Sims
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