IS THE
CHURCH REPROBATE?
In the book
of ROMANS, we see Apostle Paul describing the state of a set of people whom God
has subjected to reprobacy because of their willful rejection of God’s word.
‘’for the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed
it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world
are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that when
they knew God, they glorify him not as God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
''Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed
beast, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature
more than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave
them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use unto
that which is against nature. And likewise also the men , leaving the natural
use of the women, burned in their lust one towards another; men with men
working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of
their error which was meet.
'' And even as they did not retain God in their
knowledge , God gave them over to reprobate mind, to do those things which are
not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, backbiting, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors
of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant
breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not
only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.’’ ROMANS 1:18-32. The above scripture painted a state of a
set of people whom God had rejected. The reasons for their rejection are as
follow:
They hold the truth in
unrighteousness. Verse18
They Glorify God not as God. Verse 21
They changed the truth of God into a
lie (Verse 25).
Being reprobate is a spiritual state where one’s conscience or mind is
rejected by God, and therefore allowed to believe what it may. This state of
the mind is worse than the state of a sinner’s mind that has not come in
contact with the saving grace of Christ. HEBREW 10:26-31. A reprobate mind is a
mind that has willfully rejected the infallibility of God’s word. Jesus read
the LAW and the PROPHET but never at anytime rejected any part of God’s
revealed words, but believed and even quoted them, MATTHEW 5:17. But whenever a
believer comes to a state where he begins to rationalize God’s words, it is a
sure way to reprobate mind.
As one considers the rate at which pastor divorce and remarry these days,
and the trend at which unscriptural teaching is being peddled by pastors, one
is forced to ask if the church is now reprobate. Before we answer this
question, let us consider some basic scriptural facts.
FACT ONE
The word, teachings, counsels of Jesus and the Apostles of Jesus Christ
form the New Testament. In EPHESSIAN 2:19-22, Paul identifies Jesus as the
CORNER STONE of the church, while the Apostles and prophets form the
foundation. This means that besides the word of Jesus, the Apostles’ teachings
and counsels are equally laws that every believer must obey. Therefore no level
of anointing should warrant the modification or rejection of any part of the
scripture, REVELATION 22:18, 19.
FACT TWO
Any time a believer rejects or modifies the scripture willfully under any
guise, he or she automatically rejects the infallibility of God’s word. This act
could make God to reject such mind if the act continues. The evidence may not
show readily, only that such a person would sink deeper and deeper as he
attempts to modify or undermine more scriptural truths.
FACT THREE
The Name of Jesus is an instrument for signs and wonders for everybody,
whether saved or not. PHILIPPIANS 2: 10
says, ‘’that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth.’’ Here no qualification is mentioned of who to use the Name of
Jesus, but what the Name can do. So whatever exploits anyone makes in the Name
of Jesus should not be considered an achievement by the user of the Name. In
summary, our relationship with God is not judged by what we do in Jesus’ Name,
but our obedience to his word. Read MATTHEW 7:22.
IN SPITE OF ALL THESE COULD THERE CONTINUE TO BE DISSENT VOICES IN
CHURCH?
The answer is yes. God created us rational and gave us ability to think.
So that alone means that believers may continue to disagree in many minor
areas. It is not a sin to think differently. The only sinner is he who thinks
his view is the best. Paul, for instance, got revelations that Peter did not
know of. God did not need to tell Peter anything before he gave wonderful
revelation about the law and grace to Paul, So divergent opinions are allowed.
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