An Open Letter to Unchurched Christians – Part I

There is a raging perversion within some circle of believers today and it is shamefully propagated freely by many with glee. This is about believers, people who claim to confess Jesus Christ as Lord, the one who washed them from their sins in His own blood to present them guiltless before God, our father. This group of believers claim that being part of the Church is not necessary as long as you know God “for yourself” and especially considering the corruption in sections of the Church in this era. Knowing God “for yourself” would mean you study your bible and pray on your own away from the Church and its ministers so as not to be deceived by cunning pastors whose stock in trade as they believe is to make merchandize of people and live large at the expense of the congregation; and those who live atrocious immoral lifestyles.

Knowing God for yourself is your first breach of the protocol of God’s kingdom which is noted in doctrine and practice. In doctrine, the responsibility to teach people about the kingdom is given to some men who went on to train others to keep the chain going. Jesus’ instruction to the apostles was to make disciples, teaching them to observe…

Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The apostles kept the letter and the spirit of the Lord’s instruction. In the early days of the Church, they shouldered the teaching and praying responsibility, led and commandeered these activities exclusively. In fact, the people called the teachings apostles’ doctrine.

Acts 2:42 (NKJV) 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

When Church administration became a distraction to fulfilling these weighty responsibilities as the Church population grew, they surrendered that to deacons appointed for that purpose to specifically focus on the Lord’s instruction, on praying and teaching. Of course, some of the deacons grew into ministry gift roles such as Stephen and Philip.

Acts 6:1–4 (NKJV) 

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

When apostle Paul came along, he pontificated on this subject with more elucidation in his letter to the Ephesians reinforcing the instruction of the Lord and doctrine and practice of those who were apostles before him. God has a class of leaders he appoints over the Church to equip the saints for the work of ministry and for edification. He did not leave believers to go figure out things by themselves.

Ephesians 4:7–16 (NKJV)

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”…and He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So, we see clearly God appointed some people over his flock to look after and watch over them. This is God’s way, his order. To pull yourself away from this order is to defy the wisdom of God, the same wisdom by which you are saved. Staying within the bounds of this same wisdom is how God mature you as the man in Christ and protect you from hawks masquerading around as angels of light. You should not forget that the “foolishness” of this wisdom is wiser than the finest counsel of your insight.

Of course, some of your reservations against sections of the Church may be true and shamefully so, especially among those named with Christ. To be very clear, these depravities must not be seen among Christians as the Bible teaches.

1 Corinthian 5:1–2 (NKJV)

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles — that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Ephesians 5:3–4 (NKJV) 

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Our conducts are rather to reflect our ingression into the gospel of Jesus Christ, an outward demonstration of our inward conviction, leading a life devoted to the kingdom of God, easily and recognizably noted apart from the commonality the world offers. It is good you talk about your faith but it is a better testimony for the world when they are matched by corresponding actions.

Ephesians 4:1 (AMP)

So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior — a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation],

Philippians 1:27 (NKJV) 

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

So, be it clergy or laity, the expectation of godly conduct is the same but you may reason it becomes more compelling for a leader in God’s camp and expectedly so, in order to be a good example unto the flock. Being aware of the responsibility and burden of leadership, especially being an example to the flock God gave you to preside over should knock a leader into shape because more has been committed to your trust. Being a part of the ministry gift pack is an indication more is expected of you.

Luke 12:48 (NKJV) 

…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

James 3:1 (NKJV) 

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

With all these in view, the Bible gave instructions on what to look out for in appointing elders in our Churches, one of which is not to appoint a novice, a recent convert, (and this should naturally include those who have been Christian for a long time but with no demonstrated evidence of the life in Christ, chiefly in the fruit of the Spirit) to leadership, which we on many occasions ignore. The injunction includes being blameless and having a good public reputation. This good reputation is not the type bought with money. It flows from the demonstrated virtues of Christ within.

1 Timothy 3:6–7 (NIV) 

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

These are just a few instructions out of many. The time has come to certainly return to the wisdom of the Bible in appointments to Church leadership to eliminate all these “stories that touch”.

But as the popular saying goes, chopping the head off cannot be the cure for headache. The Bible did not instruct believers to leave the Church because other members of the assembly lived in open sin. Rather, it teaches that the sin be dealt with. Public sin will attract public rebuke (from leadership) as in the case of the Corinthian brother who took his father’s wife. Nonetheless, it is noted that when sin is perpetuated by the elders, it becomes difficult to handle sometimes, mostly in places where the governance structure does not engender accountability.

Nonetheless, the Bible also instructs us to restore those who fail among us, not throw them under the bus and as the public may mostly suggest. We do not conduct our affairs in the Church by the pulse of media, traditional or social. Besides, it is ill manners to take your brothers and sisters to the cleaners in the media space. It is uncultural for the man in Christ and does not speak to good Christian upbringing. You must know that victory against your brother is a loss on every count.

Jude 1:23 (NLT) 

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV) 

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

So, moving on, the proper way to deal with this issue is not to withdraw from the Church altogether. That can never be a Spirit inspired decision or course of action in the light of our understanding that Church is a creation of the Lord and by His Spirit, He sets leaders therein to look after His flock on His behalf. Choose rather to follow the instruction of the Bible which is to WITHDRAW from those who walk in corruption, working all manner of evil in the name of the Lord and His Church, including merchandizing preachers.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 (NKJV) 

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Romans 16:17–18 (NKJV) 

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NKJV)

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV) 

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

The instruction is not to turn away from the Church. Rather, it is to turn away from the unrepentantly corrupt folks. This might mean that you stay in the same Church but avoid the company of these carnal folks trusting the wisdom of leadership to deal with issues. And at the extreme, leave the Church for another where the supremacy of the word of God is demonstrated. This will particularly apply where leadership is neck deep in the rot. But you should also remember that the word of God does not allow for accusation against the leaders based on hearsays.

1 Timothy 5:19 (NKJV) 

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

The Lord gave us unambiguous instruction on how to deal with issues between brethren. Go to the person with the fault, just you and the fellow. If you cannot resolve between you two, go back to him/her with two other persons (from the church of course) who can help you both to resolve your differences. If you still fail to reconcile at this level, then report the matter to the Church. This Church here would be the institution through which the Church resolves issues between members. This cannot include you forming a group, virtual or real within the Church to cause division or to serve as a platform to back bite on others. By the time you have gone through this rigorous system, you would have regained your brother or sister and all issues resolved. But where it is the case that the issue remains unresolved, the Lord says treat the fellow like an unbeliever.

Matthew 18:15–17 (NKJV)

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

So, on every count, misdemeanours, failures and sins cannot form the basis for which you abandon the Church of God, certainly not! The Lord Jesus and all His apostles did not by any stroke of chance give us the leeway to vacate the Church because of any kind of misdemeanour or sin, no matter the gravity of the offence.

If you honour the blood that saved you, you will go back to Church, and immediately so.

Amen.