We Stand Firm On God’s Word

by GC LaMar

I write this based upon my own personal observations compelled by the truth of God’s living word. 

After much research and prayer, I’ve come to sobering conclusions regarding certain church organizations with which I once fellowshipped. This isn’t about causing division — it’s about standing firm on God’s Word.

The Apostle Paul warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4) and they will turn their ears away from THE TRUTH, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 3:3-4.

THE CALL TO SEPARATE OURSELVES 

The LORD God’s living word is clear: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.

When a church organization that once stood firm on biblical guidance begins to compromise with worldliness, we must choose obedience to “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” – Jude 1:3 over any loyalty to an organization or institution that has knowingly departed from “sound doctrine.” 

The Apostle Paul has declared, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18) For those who are such do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” – Romans 16:17-18.

Women In Leadership. What Does God’s Word Say? 

Some church organizations have introduced women preachers and teachers in direct contradiction to God’s living word. These church organizations are trying to appease popular sentiment, but are doing nothing more than losing their spiritual backbone. 

The Apostle Paul clearly wrote, “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35) And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. 

Again, writing to Timothy, “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13) For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” – 1 Timothy 2:12-14.

This is not about misogyny──women are very precious “being heirs together of the grace of life” – 1 Peter 3:7. It’s about order, obedience, and structure to the LORD God’s well-established structure for mankind. As Paul explains, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” – 1 Corinthians 11:3. There is the LORD God’s structure for mankind.

But, when we call something by another name to avoid the living truth of God, we are deceiving ourselves, “’ Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!’” – Isaiah 5:20. 

 WORLDLINESS HAS ENTERED THE CHURCH OF GOD 

There has been a blending of worldly entertainment with worship, which has been grieving the Spirit. We are told, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world──the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life──is not of the Father but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16. 

When churches of God embrace this world’s ways, i.e., its music, its entertainment culture, even including celebrating its pagan festivals under the cover of “Christianity” ── they have departed from holiness. 

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Truly, truly, there have been the Lord’s ordained Feast of Tabernacles where costume parties were being held. Now, keep in mind that the Feast of Tabernacles and Halloween are very close to each other on the Gregorian calendar. There was a minister and his wife dressed as a magician and a witch at one of the Feast of Tabernacles “costume parties.” Ponder on that. 

If you are truly obedient to the LORD God, then you know what God thinks of that. To me, it’s terrible. God’s living word declares, “’ There shall not be found among you ANYONE who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.’” – Deuteronomy 18:10. Those are abominations unto the LORD God!

The Apostle James asks pointedly, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” – James 4:4. 

Our Lord Jesus Himself said, “’ No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’” – Matthew 6:24. 

Discerning the fruits of man 

Our Lord Jesus teaches us, “’ You will know them [false prophets and false teachers] by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.’” – Matthew 7:16-18.

When a church organization or a church’s leadership, or its members, consistently display worldly attitudes rather than “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23), you must take notice.

Christ Jesus warned of those who “have a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:5. He has also warned us, “’ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.’” – Matthew 7:15. 

The Apostle John wrote, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” – 1 John 2:19.

Standing for truth in Godly Love

I share this with you not in worldly anger, but in grief and in warning. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11.

We should not remain silent when the word of God is being compromised! 

The Apostle Paul commanded Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” – 2 Timothy 4:2. Again, the Apostle Paul to Titus, a true son in our common faith, “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith.” – Titus 1:13.

For those who seek wholeheartedly genuine biblical teaching: be diligent. “Test [prove] all things; hold fast what is good. 22) Abstain from every form of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.

Search for congregations of the Church of God that hold firm to God’s living word without any compromises, where God’s word──not church or worldly culture, trends, or human reasoning──is the final authority. “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” – Isaiah 8:20. 

 THE LORD GOD’S STANDARD HAS NOT CHANGED 

There are some who call faithfulness to biblical standards “old-fashioned” or “outdated.” But the LORD God’s living word declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9) Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” – Hebrews 13:8-9.

Our Lord Jesus says, “’ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.’” – Matthew 24:35. 

I personally have noticed there are a lot of modern churches of God with a great lack of godly discipline, a great lack of decency, and a great quantity of filthiness. 

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks.” – Ephesians 4:3-4.

What was the living truth of God in the apostolic era remains true today. We do not update God’s word to fit the times we are living in; we conform ourselves to God’s living word. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2.

The LORD God had established great Church leadership in the early years of the 20th century as a great guide for us in the 21st century. But, because of a “falling away” into laziness, lack of discipline, a desire to be unkept slobs and slothful, we are now seeing ministries of slouches──ministries of pathetic representation.

e.g., if your minister is going to be dressed down and look like a beach bum, or appear before the congregation as past ministers have appeared, then… keep this in mind… that man represents Jesus Christ. That man is displaying his disciplined efforts for the ministry. As such, uniforms are important as a sign of discipline, unity, and a representation of a position. There was a time when you could easily recognize a person's position by what they were wearing, i.e., police officers dressed like the television show Adam-12. Classy and easily recognizable. Today, police officers dress like they’re in the military. School uniforms have changed drastically over time,  reflecting the changing socio-political landscapes and pedagogical philosophies. It’s becoming a sign of lacking. And the ministry is no different. They too are becoming like the modern world.

Over time, the clothing of insurance agents has changed significantly. Initially, agents typically wore suits and ties, with women often in skirts and blouses. Today, many agents have opted for jeans and polo shirts. A minister used to wear a suit and tie because he represented an office of position.

The rebellious-spirited worldly types continue to creep in with their philosophies and their ideologies. In this modern age that we are living in, we should represent what our position is. Well… maybe it’s just me, I’m a super strict disciplinarian. I believe in discipline to the hilt. I have no tolerance for slothfulness and slobs. I do not like it. And, I do not like to be around them. I do not like their demeanor and their lacking.

I’ve known family members who were like that, and I avoided them. As I said, it could be a personal thing ── and probably is ── but I remember how it used to be when people as a whole were disciplined in the Church of God and carried themselves with pride, dignity, and honor.

Today, most don’t seem to care. Does anybody care anymore? That’s what the problem is! And it bothers me──it bothers me──to the core.

God’s living word warns, “’ His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11) Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory.’” – Isaiah 56:10-11.

Some mockingly say of people like me ── they “just want to hang on to that old-time religion. Well, that’s what was taught 50-some years ago out in Pasadena.”

Well, brethren, I’d love to have that “old-time religion” that was in the Body of Christ before the sluggard generation and the ministry of ministers came along! 

“Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.” – Proverbs 22:28.

Also, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls” – Jeremiah 6:16. 

There are church organizations that are politicizing the Church of God, trying to bring in modernized political ideologies, literally acting nearly as though they’re voting, every so many years, for their ministers to determine whether or not they should stay in the church. How absurd!

Who is man to think he can judge the anointed of God? The LORD God says, “’ Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.’” – Psalm 105:15.

Even David had refused to harm a hair on King Saul’s head ── even when he had the opportunity to do so, saying, “’ The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.’” – 1 Samuel 24:6.

Those church organizations are a joke. They produce a lot of philosophy, ideologies, and spiritual decay.

We are warned, “’ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8. 

Those church organizations have left the faith once for all delivered to the saints and have invented a worldly, modernized, propagandized manner of modern religion into the Church of God ── which is of the devil, and most are blinded to it.

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

A final word

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1.

I beseech thee: choose carefully where you plant your spiritual roots. Seek congregations of the Church of God that fear God more than they fear man’s opinions, that uphold God’s living word without apology, and that display genuine spiritual fruits.

“If it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15. 

The Apostle Peter and the other apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29. And the Apostle Paul exhorted, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13.

May the LORD God grant you all wisdom, discernment, and courage to stand for truth in these drastically changing times. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13. 

“’ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.’” – John 17:17. □                      

Additional things to think about...

How God is called God ── Friends, how is it that “God” is called “God” by the native tongues of various regions around the world?

Debt Forgiveness ── When people do good deeds for others and expect something in return for those good deeds, then that person is offering a loan.

A New Sodom and Gomorrah ── In the local news - A guy who is involved with the University of North Alabama (UNA) posted something against homosexuals on his own PERSONAL social media account.

A Soon-Coming Kingdom ── Personally, I firmly believe the following – and it surely makes a lot of wonderful sense.

A Roman 'Mark'!? ── Back in Rome, in the times before our Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman government MARKED people ...

Blessing or Curses? ── IT IS my understanding that of all the remnants of the churches of God, the Intercontinental Church of God has had the most confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths!

Pray to Father God or Jesus Christ? ── SHOULD WE pray to Father God or to Jesus Christ?