R.O. Covey, The Evening Light – April, 2003
If we, The Church of God, sincerely believe what we teach, then we will not be offended when we are reproved for any inconsistency or failure to live up to our profession. Amen? And we had just better believe what we teach, or else “get out and let the Church roll on!”
If there was ever a time for us to sincerely believe what we have sincerely promised to “believe and practice,” that time is NOW! These are “perilous” (dangerous, deceptive) times when last-days prophecies are being fulfilled all around us! Consider the following “plain talk” observation:
“It is an alarming paradox for a church to teach perfection, yet at the same time tolerate members who live like the devil.”
As stated above, this statement should not offend us, but it should alarm us, for it is no secret that we have members who make our teaching on “perfection” appear contradictory; and they are often “tolerated” also inconsistently.
Just to be sure we understand the title of this message, consider some definitions: Paradox: “A self-contradictory or essentially absurd statement” (Oxford); “A statement that is self-contradictory in fact and, hence, false. A person, situation, act, etc. that seems to have contradictory or inconsistent qualities” (Webster). One synonym, absurdity, means: “Wild inappropriateness; extreme unreasonableness; silliness; nonsense; stupidity; idiocy.” (Blame me, if you will; but I’ve just quoted Oxford and Webster. However, I heartily agree with their definitions.)
It gets down to where we live when we apply the above “plain talk” observation and the associated definitions to ourselves. An “alarming paradox” indeed! An impossibility indeed! And it seems only reasonable that it is time to do something about it; and, of course, we know what must be done!
Let us illustrate by using some hypothetical cases: (1) Defiance or disobedience: A member openly defies the Church’s Advice to Members on moderation in dress. “Two or three witnesses,” ministers or other reputable members, report him/her to Church authorities. When confronted, he/she denies the accusation. Notice how the offense mushrooms.
First, (a) there is disobedience to the Advice, then worse yet, (b) the denial is a lie! And “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8; 22:15). We know when we are lying! (c) The truthful and innocent witnesses are made out to be liars! And all too often, the true liar is the one who is believed!
Second, a member offends a brother or sister member by word or deed and never makes restitution, knowing the Bible and the Church teach “Restitution Where Possible.” Though the offended one may endure it with grace and longsuffering, the offender remains guilty!
Third, a member does not pay tithes regularly, if at all, though aware that the covenant he/she took covers all that the Bible teaches.
Fourth, a member clearly associates himself/herself with a worldly lifestyle and worldly outsiders, while the Word plainly declares that “…whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Yes, this “paradox” (review the definition) of joining the Church and professing to accept the Bible as the Word of God in faith and practice, then living to the glory of Satan, is frightfully alarming, for it testifies that the professing one is lost; and it smears an ugly “spot” on the Church’s goal of perfection! Responsible leadership cannot afford to collaborate with the enemy by allowing this condition to exist, lest he also becomes part of the alarming paradox! Let God speak through His prophet: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand” (Eze. 3:17, 18—these verses are repeated in Ezekiel 33:7, 8).
STOP! THINK! CONSIDER! Is it not a paradox—an absurdity—to religiously say, “I will” to the Church covenant, then show disrespect for God and the Church by breaking that vow! Think on Romans 1:31 where “covenantbreakers” are listed among those of a “reprobate mind” (v.28)!
Yes, I’m being “strait,” but I didn’t write the Book. I’m just quoting the Author!