remodel, replace - or remove? (part I)

It sometimes happens that buildings become so dilapidated that they can no longer be renovated, but they must be entirely replaced or at least removed.  Through indifference - resulting in neglect and compromise, such buildings have been gradually surrendered to the relentless processes of decay.  Inexorably in every such case, rottenness penetrates beyond the facade and proceeds to eat away at the very core of a building's structural members.  At some point, reconstruction is no longer feasible, and what once was a serviceable building becomes not merely an eye-sore but henceforth it is an impediment to every possible use of the land it occupies.  So it appears, to me, to be the case with the Church - in America, at least.
Through long years - indeed, through recent generations of neglect and compromise, what once was a 'serviceable building' of God - that is to say the 'visible' Church, has come at length to be a real impediment not only to society in general, because that Church does not and will not stand boldly for the truth.  But that Church furthermore is a serious impediment to raising, upon the same 'ground' (that is, amongst communities) which the existing, albeit rotten, superstructure occupies, a true Church which will faithfully represent Christ.  It were far better if there was no church at all in the midst of those neighborhoods which are now occupied by the rotted corpses of erstwhile (used to be) Christian churches.  For, at least then the people of those communities would not be subjected to a perverted imitation of Christianity, which serves not to save but rather to deceive.

Where it concerns an irreparably dilapidated building, it is no longer helpful or meaningful to identify the cause of decay, but it is then only necessary to recognize and assess the condition of the structure. Numerous sources and causes of corruption within the Christian Church in America were identified and denounced long ago, by those who cared about the cause of Christ.  But the majority of churches were (and still are) largely indifferent to those voices.  Since that corruption has been allowed for so long to proceed unchecked, it is no longer meaningful to debate about the causes of such widespread corruption; but now it is important to "recognize and assess the condition of the structure" itself.  Which is to say, it is now possible to assess - based upon factual evidence and considerable experience - the impact which apostate churches have had, with regard to a broad spectrum of outcomes measured against true Bible doctrines.  In other words, it is not necessary to investigate why this or that church is apostate; it is only necessary to determine whether any such church is in fact apostate.  And that can easily be decided by determining whether such a church has impacted the community, which it supposedly serves, in ways which correspond with what the Bible reveals should be the work - and the fruit - of a godly church.

This line of argument probably requires a book-length treatment, in order to adequately explain and defend my stated and implied reasons and conclusions - not to mention my unstated recommendations.  Nevertheless, for any who may care, this brief essay at least challenges the Reader to consider the problem of apostasy among Christian churches, in a light which few even dare to contemplate.

Ultimately, and most important, individual Christians are challenged - not by me, but by the Word of God, no less than by the present reality, to carefully consider the nature and extent of their personal relationship with whatever church they may currently be affiliated with.  The urgent admonition of prophetic Scripture, concerning "mystery" Babylon, most especially pertains to this present generation.  To ignore that fact and its implications, would only add to the guilt of those professing Christians who persist to encourage that apostate and wicked religious system's continuance: by supporting it with their attendance, with their services, with their gifts, and all the while refraining from boldly denouncing it.

Consider, if you will, the example of a basket of fruit.  If left uneaten, decay soon appears among some of the fruit.  If the spoiled fruit is not promptly removed, decay spreads even more rapidly among the remaining fruit.  At a certain point, corruption becomes so extensive, throughout the basket of fruit, that it is no longer practical to attempt to remove all that is rotten but, instead, it is then advisable - and far more practical - to remove what little good fruit remains.

Whereas the Word of God rebukes the spirit of the Laodicean church, though still holding out the possibility of repentance; yet, true followers of Jesus Christ are unequivocally commanded to "come out of" Babylon (apostate churches), "that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).  On the Sunday morning after the Rapture, it will be business-as-usual among the vast majority of supposedly 'Christian' churches in America - none of which will realize that they have been left behind to suffer the wrath of God.

It's far too late, in most cases now, to attempt to remove the 'bad' apples from the basket, as it were.  In other words, most churches are so deeply corrupted that they cannot be reformed.  The best that can be hoped for, I believe, is that what 'good' apples remain (sincere Christians) must be 'culled' (taken out) from the midst of apostate churches.  That is precisely what happened, ultimately, in the course of the great Protestant Reformation; an important epoch of Church history, about which few Christians, today, have any substantive knowledge.

"Where else can we go?" is a question I am often asked.  Where did any Christians 'go', who were persecuted and ostracized by the religious leaders and nominal church-goers of their time?  They gathered together - usually in much smaller numbers - with like-minded Christians whose lives exhibited sincere devotion to Christ.

Of course, that means that the true Church is not likely to be found in the midst of stately edifices (big church buildings) - which, as evidenced by the very existence of those costly estates, such churches evidently present no real threat either to the devil or to ungodly governments (which 'allow' such churches to exist, so long as they don't rock the community's boat too much).  For, the true Church has ever been hated and persecuted by the world.  When did Christ ever erect a building and call that the 'Church', much less command such to be done in His Name?

If we ever hope to have real Revival, then we - though 'we' are few - must be willing to make some radical changes in the way we live and serve the Lord.  Do we dare to re-think what it means to 'be' the Church of God?  Do we dare to inquire what the Scripture - and not man - says, concerning what the Church of Jesus Christ should be and do?

And do we dare to risk 'being' and 'doing' that, alone, if need be - as Noah did in his day?