Ben F. Vick, Jr.
Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun. This was true then; it is true today. There have always been malcontents who opposed God’s way. It was true in the church in the first century; it is still true today. They have an air that leaves the impression that they are wiser, more intelligent, and more knowledgeable than some who have been on the firing line, fighting the devil and his minions for decades. John wrote of some in his day: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19). Some things never change. While others are “running down the church,” let us give thought to what is right with the church of Christ.
The Price Is Right. Christ having left the bosom of the Father to walk this low ground of sin and sorrow. Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). Jesus shed his precious blood for the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Eph. 5:25).
The People Are Right. No Christian claims sinless perfection. We all sin (1 John 1:8-10). The charge is sometimes made: There are hypocrites in the church. No doubt there are; however, if they are ever going to repent and change, the best place to be is in the church. The church is like a hospital, caring for all who need help. We do not need to develop the Elijah-under-the-juniper-tree syndrome; I am the only one faithful to the Lord. Some of the finest people in the world are in the church. They are right because they strive to walk in our Savior's steps.
The Plea is Right. It is a plea to return to the Bible. In the long-ago, Jeremiah said, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jer. 6:16). We strive to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent. We are trying to give a “thus saith the Lord” for everything we say and do. We desire to be right in name, origin, worship, doctrine, organization, and work. We want to call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways.
The Purpose is Right. The church is to glorify God. Paul wrote, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21.) See also Revelation 4:10-11; 7:12. We glorify God through worship that is acceptable to him (John 4 23-24; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev. 4:9-11). We praise God in bearing fruit (John 15:8). We can bring glory to God in all we do in life (1 Cor. 6:19-20;10:31).
We bring glory to God when we carry out the work of the church. Years ago, a brother baptized sixty people in about 2.5 to 3 years. I asked him how he did that. How did he get his contacts for studies? He said the members were busy setting up studies for him. He would baptize a couple. They would say we have friends who need to hear this message. They would go to see them. Study with them. They would obey the gospel. The church will grow when the members get busy.
The work of the church is not entertainment. Too many churches are looking inward, not outward. There are three areas in which we are to seek and save the lost: evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20), edification (Acts 20:32), and benevolence (Gal. 2:9-10; 6:10; James 1:27).
The Right Promises. Peter wrote, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3–4). Also, we read: “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11). All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3): the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:4); sweet fellowship with God the Father, Christ, and fellow saints (1 John 1:3,7); forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38); our mediator and advocate, Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2-1-2). These touch the hem of the garment. Time and space fail me now to discuss justification, sanctification, redemption, adoption, and reconciliation.
The Plan of Salvation is Right. The church being the pillar and ground of the truth means she will teach the truth concerning what I must do to be saved. One must hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17). One must believe the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4; John 8:24). One must repent of his sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). An individual must confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:9-10). One must be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48). Then one must remain faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; 1 John 1:7).
So, what is right with the church?
The Price is Right.
The People are Right.
The Plea is Right.
The Purpose is Right.
The Right Promises.
The Plan of Salvation is Right.
Someone has said that originality is forgetting where one has learned something. I do not know where I got these points. Two possibilities are either brother Frank Faircloth or brother Neale Pryor. Both have gone on to their reward. I heard the story of brother G. K. Wallace, who was delivering a lesson, and someone rose and said, “That’s brother So-and So’s lesson!” Brother Wallace responded, saying: No, I bought the book and made it mine. Or something to that effect. Someone asked brother Hardeman if he would mind if he used one of his sermons. Brother Hardeman said: If the fellow I got it from does not mind, neither do I. Anyone is welcome to use anything I write without getting permission from me. If what I preach or teach is the truth, use it if you please. If not, discard it. I heard brother Joe Pryor once say in chapel at Harding College: Do not accept everything you hear because some things are false, but do not reject everything you hear because some things are true. Does that remind you of Acts 17:11?