COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE
(PART II)
If righteousness comes only through Christ and it does, then a saint cannot be yoked with unbelievers. Any organization or formation which is offended by our use of the name of Jesus Christ in our prayers is not a voluntary place for the saint. If it inhibits the Christian from confessing the name above all names, then the Christian, by participating in it condemns his soul to hell because, “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: [9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God” (St Luke 12:8-9).
Does this fellowship leave the Christian brother clean before God? The apostle Paul says “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils” (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). David writes to us believers in Christ concerning fellowship, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).
To us who have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light anyone who does not confess that Jesus is Lord hath no God, therefore is ungodly. For the scripture saith in a certain place, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (I John 4:2-3). And again, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (I John 5:5).
And, “Who is a liar but he
that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the
Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:
(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” (I John 2:22-23).
The bible says “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.” (I Corinthians 15:33-34).
Paul warns us again concerning those associations, ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”And the only way to reprove them is by lifting high the name of Jesus to them without fear and shame , “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16). “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” (Ephesians 5:5-7).
John offers an implicit warning concerning Christ-less religions or formations, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (II John 1:10-11). Paul said to avoid any that teaches not the doctrine of Jesus Christ “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17).
To worship or fellowship in the way of the example above is compromising the truth of God. To worship or pray in a religion or social group that mutes and silences any reference to the one who shed His blood for us is to sell your testimony to another god. Jesus died for us, we have no entrance into God’s kingdom but through Him. And anytime, in season and out of season, if Christ means anything to you and me, then we have to speak His name.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:2).