‘Does it really matter?’

By Bob Money
Linden church of Christ

We live in a day of relativism. By this we mean that many have been led to believe that in the realm of religion, morality, patriotism and personal conduct nothing is absolutely right or wrong. Rather, they believe that so long as a person is sincere in his actions and beliefs it really does not matter what they may be. To such deluded souls there is no divinely given standard of right and wrong to which we are amenable and by which we will be judged.
Sadly, we see this false view reflected in the behavior of some of our brethren.
 * Jesus said “and on this rock I will build My church,” (Matthew 16:18) and the church was not built on Peter, but on what Peter stated in (Matthew 16:16) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” yet some of our change agents are heard saying Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone founded the Church of Christ. Does it really matter?
* Paul tells us that Jesus is head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22) “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.” and that God has given him all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” yet some of the promoters of change act as though they have the authority to make fundamental changes to the church to meet modern needs. Does it really matter?
* The Bible clearly states that when we are baptized our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Some spokesmen for the change agenda argue that sinners are saved by grace through faith and baptized only to show they have already been saved? Does it matter that they take this different view?
* Jesus made it clear that he expects his disciples to be one, as he and the Father are one (John 17:20-21) “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” But our progressive brothers see nothing wrong with there being many different divisions in the church. They accept them as God’s children. They even say that the Church of Christ is nothing more than a denomination. Is this important? Does it matter?
Does this kind of teaching that ignores, challenges, denies the plain teaching of Christ and his chosen Apostles really matter? You bet it does!
The words of Christ will judge us in the last day (John 12:48) “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
Any man who goes beyond the teaching of Christ has neither the Father nor the Son (II John 9-11) “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.”
Christ is the savior of all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Our eternal destiny hinges on our submission to Christ and our obedience to the Father’s expressed will (Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
The difference is the blessing of God or His wrath; eternal life or eternal punishment. Does it really matter? Oh yes it does!