The Basic “Flaw”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesProblems of a thousand kinds, in a thousand areas of life, have the researchers poring over plans, systems, procedures, behavior, etc. – all looking for the basic flaw causing the malfunction. Current space probes scheduled, and then repeatedly cancelled, show us that the search goes on for the “flaw.” Science was not my “big thing” in school, but we’re not speaking of science; rather, we speak of anything in any area that goes awry. Men then turn to try and find the basic “flaw.”
In the area of major interest for most readers of this bulletin, I know what the “flaw” is that causes so many problems in the kingdom. This denotes no brilliance on my part, for many of you know it to be so as well. The basic flaw – causing men to reject the New Testament plea and to seek fellowship with the denominations. The basic flaw – causing men to want to turn the church into a playground, substituting fun and games for the work of the Lord. The basic flaw – causing men to see the church ministering to the whole man, rather than attending to his spiritual needs. The basic flaw – causing men to fault all gospel preaching that “hews the line,” letting the chips fall where they may.
The basic flaw is feeling that the gospel isn’t sufficient! What God has provided just isn’t good enough! Though the Word is said to furnish us completely (2 Timothy 3:16-17); and though the apostles gave us what they had, completely furnishing us unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3); and though we are warned against turning to anything else (Gal. 1:6-7 and 2 John 9), it is true that some who wear the name of Christ don’t think the Word is sufficient. Again, some have sought “growth” in ways and using means other than that prescribed by the Lord, applying the Word! (1 Peter 2:2). They think the Word is not enough!
With that basic “flaw,” there is a constant move away from the Word, a constant dislike of some of its teaching, a continual distancing of oneself from study, and finally, becoming sectarian completely. With that basic “flaw,” there’s no way the person can be and can do what is pleasing unto the Lord! The basic “advantage” every faithful child of God has is his love of, and devotion to, the Word of the Lord. In that faithfulness, the joy of living one’s life without the “flaw” that robs one completely!
THE SOUTHWESTERNER – October 23, 1991