In Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this series, we discussed the various opinions people have about the place that unbelievers have in fellowshipping with believers at church, what the true function of church was intended to be, and some of the fallout that has occurred through the years because the mission of the church has been altered. If you missed them, you can find them here:

   

In this last part of our series, we talk further about the complications and problems that arise from not distinguishing the church from the world and from confusing the mission that Jesus has given us to fulfill during our time here on earth.

Recognizing the Separation

We can also think about it from an eternal perspective. On the other side, when it is finally all said and done, will there be a separation between believers and nonbelievers? God will judge from His great white throne and eternally separate believers from unbelievers. Believers will be in heaven and unbelievers will be in the Lake of Fire.

That separation, I think, makes it easy to deduce that there are times down here when there needs to be a separation as well. If four guys or ladies do a Bible study together, it needs to be all believers who are digging into the meat. But if you are teaching the Bible to four unsaved men or women, then that study would have a completely different focus. You would want to teach them milk so they can be saved and then, one day, they will be able to digest meat.

It sure seems, biblically speaking, that the church’s purpose is for saved folks to worship the Lord, dig deeper into the Scriptures, learn more about Jesus, and then exit the building. But what do we do after exiting the building? Should we just cater in some food and never leave the church? Wouldn’t that be a much easier way to get through life?

The Mission Field

Have you ever noticed the sign that many churches put up for Christians to see on their way out of the church building or on their way out of the parking lot? It says, “You are now entering the mission field.” Now, of course, they don’t really mean it. So, so few Christians even attempt to share their faith. If you hand out tracts or strike up a spiritual conversation with someone, many times, church folk look at you like you are an oddball. Why would they do that if they know their Scriptures? I think it’s because we have been trained the wrong way. We have been trained to bring lost souls into the holy sanctuary of our Lord to hear the gospel. It’s like they think, “They don’t hear it from me, but they will hear it from the pastor.”

Is it possible we have all of this upside down?

I was speaking at a church one time, and the pastor asked me how I was going to handle the “invitation” after my talk. I let him know that I wasn’t going to give an invitation. He asked me why. I told him that the talk was entirely for believers to get up and go, leave this place, and reach some lost souls. And I said that I wasn’t at all gearing the message to the lost. He was intrigued by that. But I also told him that it was fine to invite people forward if they wanted to talk with someone about what salvation is. Do you see the difference there? I always tell people that I am not looking for a quick salvation, but I am looking for a biblical salvation. Take your time with people. They actually appreciate it. They won’t feel rushed into a decision. They can take their time, study, pray about it, and then make their move when they are ready.

Sin and Worldliness

One man wrote in and said,

“But ultimately, those who are not believers will (hopefully) depart from the assembly.”

John 2:19

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.

To purposely invite people into the assembly who are not believers may cause an unequal yoking to occur and bring sin (leaven) and worldliness into the church:

Galatians 5:9

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Isn’t worldliness and ungodliness what the Laodicean church of the last days is all about? These types of assemblies make God sick to His stomach. See Revelation 3:14-22.

To yoke up with unbelievers is not biblical:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Just some thoughts. The days are running short. We need to line up with the Bible in all areas of our churches.

Be bold. Be safe. Be biblical. Be zealous for the things of God. Enjoy the biblical church. Finish well.

Until the nets are full,

P.S.

“The fundamental postulate of all rational thinking is the face of God.
I accept the fact of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God–
and that makes all miracles credible, makes it so that nothing in the Bible
staggers me. I believe–because I accept the fact of God.”
(Robert G. Lee, “Lord, I Believe,” 1927)

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