The Malfunctioning of Today’s Church
By Pastor George Cutler
Today as we observe so-called mainstream Christendom, we are appalled at its prioritized obsession with the physical temporary blessings associated with the world. As the rapid progression of each moment transpires, we are more than ever convinced of the temporary status or nature of the median designated as time. It is impossible to dwell in the essence of truth and yet ignore the fact that we are transitional and thus we are moving and not stationary. Now if this is a fact (and it is), then our priority must be invested in that which is firmly positioned in those things which are foundational or fixed, i.e., that which is immovable and stock-still. In I Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle Paul states (Greek Text) “So then, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”. Here Paul makes this statement in light of focusing on the eternal state of the believer fully positioned in the body of Christ in this present age, but with the emphasis on the finality of what we shall be in Him (our glorified status). Note the special forcefulness of expression as it gives the utmost importance to one singled out source, Jesus Christ. It is to Him that special attention and effort is directed i.e., the body of believers’ eternal link via our glorified existence (in Him). It is this knowledge and understanding of the eternal plan, purpose and will of God that will sustain the elect in the sphere of time. The salvation of our souls must always and forever be the central point of our perspective as we sojourn through the turbulence of time. It is for this reason that the ministry must accentuate the doctrines of salvation (justification, election, reconciliation, redemption, regeneration, imputation, propitiation, adoption, faith, etc.,), for they form the crux of the gospel of grace, which is the gospel that has been delivered to the Church for this dispensational age of grace. Thus it is encumbered upon God’s people to learn and internalize these precious doctrines (Ephesians 1:18; 4:13; Philippians 3:9-12; 1Timothty 1:3-10).
Unfortunately, most of the 21st century church despises these doctrines, because they are not physical, natural nor visible with the natural eyes. The majority simply declines to engage with any detail those things, which are unseen, and invisible and indiscernible to depraved mankind except through the spiritual medium of faith. Because they are not familiar to the flesh, they are despised or lightly esteemed and thus that which the masses deem unnecessary to learn. In fact they are simply averse to engaging those things that are unseen.
They would much rather “feel their way” through in lieu of embracing sound doctrinal teaching. It may not necessarily be the case when it entails learning natural things, for in these they engage every moment of each day; but surely this disability (for spiritual things) contributes to most of their incapacity to absorb two hour preaching services without some other elements of activity to arrest their attention.
Historically speaking it is not generally known, but such a length of time (two hours) for preaching or teaching was not uncommon during the 16th and 17th century. As a matter of fact, if one was attending a worship service in those days, many were just getting started at that point, as the focus was entirely on the Word of God. One could suppose that it would not be politically correct to state that when it comes to the spiritual unseen, many or even the majority of God’s people are “mentally challenged”. Such a statement may be made in jest, but actually, when it concerns the everlasting abode of the never dying soul and their spiritual epistemology (base of knowledge), then it is certainly no laughing matter.
Now this is certainly not something profound or new. Unfortunately non-epistolary mindsets have been shaped and set within the past several centuries with the institution of receiving instructions mainly through story telling and illustrations from the Old Testament and the Synoptic Gospels as well as the accounts of Acts. While these areas of God’s word certainly express great truth, the prioritization of them casts a cloud over the epistemic (knowledgeable) acquisition of benefits that are gleaned from the revelation of the contents of “our gospel” (Mystery Truth- Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 1:9; 2:23 1Thessalonians 1:4,5; 2Thessalonians 2:13-16). Sadly, the doctrines that detail our glorious position in Christ are less esteemed by those who major outside of the communications addressed directly to the grace church. Consequently, so many of God’s elect are oblivious to the most important information available to the Body of Christ. Those who are among the remnant of God who have been so blessed to sit under biblically sound teaching, are highly favored of God, thus peace and happiness is granted to their souls through the essence of the knowledge of Christ!
But for the rest of the church they are steeped in traditions of misapplied doctrines taught by misinformed “prophets”. Contrary to what so many may think, ignorance is not bliss in this case, nor is it in most cases. Most of the time, the church has lent itself to this rejection of grace truth, because they have not learned how to think spiritually. They simply have not been instilled with the spiritual skills to rightly divide the word of truth. If one were to inquire of them of the contradictions of Law-Righteousness as it serves as a catalyst for Synergism (human contribution to the process of justification), they would be unable to properly respond though their practices exhibit the characteristics of such.
But this long settled system of ignorance affords no excuse to a new beginning for God’s people. The saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, should not be applicable for spiritual progress. The recipients in the body of Christ should be continuously learning about the essence of our creation in Him and the associated doctrines documenting it every day (Colossians1:25-28; 2:23).
In the mass arena of doctrines to learn throughout the Bible, there are certainly some doctrines that are more important than others. For instance, the teachings concerning the genealogical lines in the Old Testament and the gospels of Matthew and Luke are not as important or have the same value rating as the doctrines of adoption and election in Romans and Ephesians. Now the genealogies are important and should be read and studied for general information sake. There are even jewels to be found in the five books of Moses (Torah) and in Chronicles and Kings, etc., but you won’t find many writings on the doctrine of regeneration or reconciliation in this area of the Bible. It would certainly be more beneficial to teach the doctrine of imputation than it would to engage the church in listening to sermons or messages of deliverance of the children of Israel’s crossing through the Red Sea or their seven day encampment around Jericho or even Jesus’ many acts of healing.
However, as one surveys the sea of doctrinal messages which all are so familiar with throughout the word of God, there are doctrines which are certainly more important to us as the elect of God in the dispensational age of grace, i.e., Paul’s writings on justification or election via the Mystery (Ephesians 1:3-23). Some may submit for consideration “the atonement”, and to be solidly on record, we capitulate the atonement (covering) as crucial and the crux of saving grace in its era for the believer. But the importance of a doctrine does not simply rest on the kind of doctrine or even the contents of the doctrine, but more importantly on the need of the doctrine. Eschatology is very important, but is secondary to the doctrines of grace, which document and guarantee our glorified future position in Christ.
Today, it is just as crucial as it was in the reformation period of the 16th century to regain lost ground in understanding the doctrine of justification by faith alone and it must be brought to the forefront. Most denominations and religious groups, even those in the reformed circles who claim Martin Luther as their founder, have little to say about justification. The doctrines of the grace message receive only scant attention (if any at all) in most pulpits and Bible study groups, even though their substance documents the difference between one group (the elect) designated for Heaven and the other (the non-elect) for Hell.
These components of grace are vital doctrines that we absolutely cannot do without and are of crucial significance and should be correctly understood by those who claim Christ as head of the Church. If justification and the associated doctrines are misunderstood, being the pillar upon which the Church stands or falls, then what will the rest of our messages entail?
Will our ministering be confined to nominal Christianity infused with works-righteousness and synergism that are gleaned from messages outside of the boundaries of the grace dispensation?
It is so vital for God’s people to understand that we must be clothed in the righteousness of Christ for security in the day of Christ. It is so ironic that these foundational doctrines have been slowly forgotten down through the latter centuries and are all but lost in our day. The reality of our plight is that without them, we are lost. Without understanding them we will not truly perceive the great wonder of the grace of God in Christ. It must be the sincere prayer of all who are informed, that this glorious truth will be exulted beyond measure and that it may bring a great amount of glory to the one true and living God of all ages. May all our efforts truly promote the most important doctrines in the entire Bible, the doctrine of justification by faith alone and all other doctrines associated with it. To this end, true ministering must shun the more popular messages that focus on the physical, temporary and seen things of time and propagate the spiritual, everlasting and unseen things of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Revised 092503, 103103