2 John 7 – 11
It seems to me that we (Sovereign Grace Baptist) are to be tolerant with the “religious Christians”. What I mean by religious Christians is those who treat Christianity like a “don’t really believe in Jesus Christ”, they believe in manmade doctrines. There is one single way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ by God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. If people believe any different then they are not saved and most certainly are not Christians, they are religionist. The word Christian was recorded in Acts 11:26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” And it means – a follower of Christ – to be a follower of Christ is to be a follower of His teachings or doctrine. We also know that no one will follow Christ’s doctrine unless they are saved. Isaiah 9:13 “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.” Therefore, they turn to man made doctrine, or false teachings. We are not all Christians, just because an assembly calls themselves a church it does not make them a church. Just because a person declares themselves a Christian it does not make them a Christian. So, what should our attitude and tolerance be toward those who are of another doctrine? God said, 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” we are to be separate from them, that is we are not to worship together, nor share our churches and pulpits with them. We also see God tell us 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” We saw how dangerous this can be before the flood. Genesis 6:1 - 2, 5 - 6 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Can’t we learn from history, we are not different, fellowship and marriage with the unbelievers is not different for us. So, what should be our relationship with unbelievers, or those of other doctrine? It must be a very careful one, not exposing ourselves to their teachings nor allowing their influencing of us. We are not to attempt to help expand their thoughts or teachings. It is when Christians and churches draw a close relationship with unbelieving “Christian” that we lose our status and closeness with God, see we must walk in the light to have fellowship with the Light. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 And “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” Psalms 89:15
It seems to me that we (Sovereign Grace Baptist) are to be tolerant with the “religious Christians”. What I mean by religious Christians is those who treat Christianity like a “don’t really believe in Jesus Christ”, they believe in manmade doctrines. There is one single way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ by God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. If people believe any different then they are not saved and most certainly are not Christians, they are religionist. The word Christian was recorded in Acts 11:26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” And it means – a follower of Christ – to be a follower of Christ is to be a follower of His teachings or doctrine. We also know that no one will follow Christ’s doctrine unless they are saved. Isaiah 9:13 “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.” Therefore, they turn to man made doctrine, or false teachings. We are not all Christians, just because an assembly calls themselves a church it does not make them a church. Just because a person declares themselves a Christian it does not make them a Christian. So, what should our attitude and tolerance be toward those who are of another doctrine? God said, 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” we are to be separate from them, that is we are not to worship together, nor share our churches and pulpits with them. We also see God tell us 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” We saw how dangerous this can be before the flood. Genesis 6:1 - 2, 5 - 6 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Can’t we learn from history, we are not different, fellowship and marriage with the unbelievers is not different for us. So, what should be our relationship with unbelievers, or those of other doctrine? It must be a very careful one, not exposing ourselves to their teachings nor allowing their influencing of us. We are not to attempt to help expand their thoughts or teachings. It is when Christians and churches draw a close relationship with unbelieving “Christian” that we lose our status and closeness with God, see we must walk in the light to have fellowship with the Light. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 And “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” Psalms 89:15
