Seek God's kingdom and His righteousness second

     I am more than a little concerned, and even sometimes literally amazed, at the arrogant, and often times defiant attitude that is displayed by some professing Christians toward God's Word and His church.  For some reason, some think they can "seek His kingdom and His righteousness second," (cf. Matthew 6:33), and still go to Heaven; that they can refuse to faithfully worship Him and still be in compliance with His word;  that they can neglect giving as they have been prospered on the first day of the week (1Corinthians 16:2), ignore the command to repent (Luke 13:5), snub the command to commune with the Heavenly Father by means of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7;  cf.1John 1:3),  neglect to sing praises to God (Ephesians 5:18-19), and refuse to assemble, forgive, and forebear one another -- all these things, and yet they still expect to here Jesus say on Judgment Day, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21).  

            Which one, or how many, of the above commands can a man ignore and still be said to be "obeying the Gospel?" (2Thessalonians 1:8).

            Evidently, the church, to some, is just an irritant, or at best, an inconvenience that is tolerated to ease their own conscience. Genuine love for the only soul-saving institution in the world is not present in their lives; this is discernable "by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20).

            The business and organization of the only institution which was purchased by the very blood of Jesus Himself (Acts 20:28), is often carried out with very little zeal, commitment, precision or concern. Fortunately, this is not true in every place, but it is true in far too many places.

            It concerns me that people will be baptized, then just set in a church building week after week, for years, and never hear what the preacher is saying. If they do hear it, precious few take it seriously. They want inner peace and spiritual fulfillment, but are unwilling to pay the price and do those things that they must in order to have these cherished characteristics. Preachers frequently mention the importance of attending every possible assembly, but it never happens; we preach on the importance of reading and studying the Bible, but it becomes obvious that the majority of the membership is paying no attention. If a preacher asks a man why he only attends for an hour on Sunday morning, skipping the evening services, as well as Sunday morning and Wednesday evening Bible Classes he becomes an object of scorn and ridicule and told to mind his own business.  Some folks get upset and begin attending a church that won't bother them with such "trivial matters."

            Jesus died on the cross that He might purify unto Himself a special people zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). Is it any wonder that Jesus Himself said there would be "few" that walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life? (Matthew 7:14). Or, as James puts it, "Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).

                                                                                  Toby Miller