It seems like every week I read something someone has written about religion. The intention and content of these articles vary, but most often they explore options of how churches can compromise fundamental doctrinal matters and blend more into a denominational mindset to minimize stigma and be more tolerable to worldly minded people.
Somebody will inevitably stop me there and contend that when we mindlessly bind ourselves to our own “church traditions” then we are as bad as the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned for “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Often surprising to them I actually agree with that. Traditions that are really just traditions are only as beneficial as long as they are relevant. The nature of traditions that are really just traditions is that they must adapt or evolve over time to remain relevant. So a church should not be defined by its traditions. If traditions comprise the foundation of a church then that church is built on sand and we all know what happens to structures built on a foundation of sand (Matthew 7:24-27).
Man-made traditions, new or old, define man-made religions. Man, though, has no say in defining the church. Man did nothing to establish the church other than provide the need. The church itself was planned, prophesied, and purchased by God (Acts 20:28). He made the sacrifice necessary for its existence and thus He, and He alone, has the right to dictate the terms with which the church will function.
It’s those terms predetermined by God that define the church. They are clear, concise, and unalterable. They are what make the church the church. They cannot be changed at whim to suit one’s own purpose. That’s why Peter instructed: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). His authority directs us and His truth defines us. It is what separates saints from sinners. It is what distinguishes the church from the world. It is what makes us a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, and a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).
But when we abandon those essential principles, regardless of what we are pursuing, we cease to be the church. At least, we cease to be the church God originally intended for us to be. At that point we become something else. Sure, it may be something that is outside of the mold. Sure, it may be attractive to worldly-minded people. Sure, it may fill buildings and make people feel warm and fuzzy inside. But what eternal good does it accomplish?
Outside of God’s truth we have no redemption. After all, is it not the gospel that is God’s power to salvation (Romans 1:16)? If we abandon that gospel we abandon the redemption that accompanies it. Thus anything achieved outside of that realm of truth is temporary. It will last no longer than this life. But that is not good enough for the church. The church must be concerned with what’s eternal and man has no authority in things that are eternal. Jeremiah admitted that when he said, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23). The same is true pertaining to the church. The church cannot dictate its own terms of existence. For that we yield to God. Whether we like it, understand it, or enjoy it or not we will be judged by God’s law thus we should be concerned with living by it.
When we do that the church becomes what the church was always intended to be. We are God’s institution (1 Corinthians 1:2); His kingdom (John 3:5); His house (1 Timothy 3:15); His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); His dwelling place (Ephesians 2:19-22). We wear His name (Ephesians 3:14-16) and follow His directions (Hebrews 8:1-5). And when we realize this and form our actions to meet His expectations, then that is what makes the church the church. Anything else is simply unacceptable.
-Andy Brewer