When & Why To Leave Churches And Assemblies
By
John Rieley
1. Because they have settled down in the
world, and even love it. (See 1 John 2:15, 16) [1 John 2:15 Love not the
world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world.] When discipleship to Christ and separation from the world was
good (200 to perhaps 250 years after Christ), they never settled down; they bore reproach
and were persecuted. [Perhaps any time
people practice the word of God whole-heartedly, we bear reproach and are persecuted.]
2. Because obedience and discipleship are
not kept at the forefront; God is leading us onward constantly toward better obedience and
maturity. [If we keep God’s word in
obedience then all these things shall be added unto us and will fall into place.]
3. Because big buildings and big religious
structures absorb so much money, time and labor that there’s little left for the
Lord’s real work. [This is true
and we were never commanded, in scripture to build these things, but that God would
provide for all of our needs. Are we not to wait on the Lord?]
4. Because in big congregations most get
no real fellowship and support; no “hands-on” discipling as in home churches and
small groups. [This is true and for
many reasons. For the most part it is because they are a collection of people who are not
true disciples of our Lord and savior but are mere babes in Christ, refusing to leave the
breasts, be weaned, grow up and take responsibility. In other words it is this way in
large disobedient gatherings of so-called Christians.]
5. Because love is seldom the main goal;
other programs and agendas displace it. [Galatians
5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself. 1 John 4:7 ¶Beloved, let us love one
another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Deuteronomy 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.]
6. Because clergy (most often young and
even “novices”) displace the functioning of the body in very large measure. And most attending are
“meeting-oriented” whereas we should be “life-oriented.” [Mark 7:13 Making the word of
God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like
things do ye.]
7. Because idolatry is not avoided. Patriotism is encouraged. We can’t put the Kingdom (spiritual) first,
and serve another master! (Matt. 6:33) [Matthew
6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt
worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Deuteronomy
5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.]
8. There is an absence of the gospel of
the Kingdom and a seen Kingdom-consciousness. (Matt. 6:33)
Happily, in America, the Deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ are still held
and preached, but “Lord, Lord…” without obedience is everywhere. [The deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ may
still be preached today, but it seems it is cast down and trodden under foot by the very
ones who preach it for the most part. The gospel they preach from the pulpit is, for the
most part a false gospel of instant salvation and has been twisted and distorted from that
which was originally delivered to the saints.]
It could also be mentioned that few
are Spirit-filled and led, though many claim to be.
God is not granting many of these big churches His blessing and power. [And it may be that He is not granting any of
them His blessing and power as He has a “little flock”. Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. I also must mention here that most of them are spirit/s filled and led, but
not by the Holy Spirit of God.] We
want His blessing first, as we trust and obey; perhaps, on up ahead, He could trust
some of us with a measure of power. [Psalms
37:34 ¶Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to
inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.]
Coming out was encouraged by early
“brethren” in England, and has occurred, of course, down through the centuries;
it should be to Christ, as Lord and Master, and with a love for Him and the brotherhood. Experience shows that coming out for all or mostly
negative reasons is not healthy, nor toward unity; it fosters further disunity. [I have to make a comment here; we are to obey
the word of God first and lean not unto our own understanding as “experience shows”,
regardless of whether our reasons are negative or positive, because our reasons for
separation have been set forth by God. As for unity/disunity, doctrine is supposed to
divide. That is what it is for, that the church of God might be pure and without spot or
blemish.]
Many of us have come out of
“Christendom” to Christ and the Kingdom of God.
But we all need help. [2
Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be
ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you,] The Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount will be restored as foundational
among us. [The foundation is the very
word of God, Jesus.] Only in poverty and meekness, with a hunger and thirst for
righteousness can we mature, bear fruit, and please our Lord. [Not only in these things, but only by the Word
of God, in obedience. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him.] Salvation is very comprehensive—good
marriages, a genuine and growing knowledge of God, righteousness, peace, and joy in the
midst of toil, trouble, and even persecution, love [agape] controlling and abounding in our
daily lives, and God’s sure protection and blessing over and among us (including
ministry of angels). [Good marriages
are a gift of God and not necessarily a prerequisite of salvation as may have been
indicated here.]
Who can accuse or blame us if these
are our goals and desires? [No one can
truly accuse us or blame us in anything binding if we abide in the doctrines of Christ
because we are not our own, we are bought with a price and those who would are in conflict
with Christ rather than us.] We pray for the men and ministries of Ephesians 4, and
we keep the prayer of our Lord Jesus in John 17 in mind, especially in regard to our
unity; it will come.” [Unity of the
saints and true brethren, not unity of them of the world or falsely professing Christians.]
At 82 years of age, John Rieley is a
bee-keeper by trade and a full-time servant of the LORD.
Monte - Alexander: Bjork, a humble servant of the living God, which is solely by His grace and mercy, have added and help to clarify some of these things which have been stated here within the [highlighted areas].