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God’s faithful people of the first century were strongly warned concerning the impending destruction of “Babylon”: Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4). The many apostate, digressive, congregations of our time certainly qualify as modern “Babylons.” What are the thousands of faithful saints to do who now find themselves in a congregation whose elders and preacher are either not at all concerned with or who mock the very concept of abiding in the “old paths”? The Lord’s answer is clear: “Come forth, my people, out of her.”
One of the stated purposes of this warning (which should be sufficient to motivate one to depart from such corruption) is to prevent any further fellowship with error and evil. One way in which a member of a liberal church has fellowship with its sins is by financial support. The money faithful brethren give in doctrinally liberal churches may be intended by the givers to advance the Truth, but instead, it goes to the support of a false teacher in the pulpit, to liberal missionaries in the field, and to all of the other erroneous practices of the church. Over a period of only a few years a generous, faithful Christian will give several thousand dollars in the Lord’s day contribution. Multiply this one saint by hundreds (thousands?) Who continue as miserable, dissatisfied members of liberal churches and it will quickly be seen that good brethren at heart are pouring multiplied thousands of dollars into churches that are enemies of the cross. They are actually helping to build up that which they know is wrong and which, at heart, they oppose. Dear brethren, how can such be excused?
Liberal elders and preachers (like many of our college administrators) do not listen to verbal opposition to their apostasy. However, there is one language they do understand: M-O-N-E-Y! We cannot eradicate the curse of rebellion against God seen in so many brethren, but it could be slowed significantly if only brethren who object to it, but continue to support it with their money, would “come forth.” Not only should that money not be used to support error, it should be used to support faithful congregations and men who preach the Truth. Isn’t it time (or far past it for some) to hear the warning, “Come Forth”?
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, May 10, 1990, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
