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Don't Throw The Baby Out With The Bath Water
“Don’t Throw the Baby Out With the Bath Water”
By Mike Willis
"Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" is an idiomatic expression for an avoidable error in which something good or of value is eliminated when trying to get rid of something unwanted” (Wikipedia). Articles have appeared from several news outlets that cite statistics showing that many Americans choose not to be affiliated with the church, but still believe in God. I think this is a case of throwing out the baby with the bath water!
I know a bit about the church in America since I have preached for 56 years and my religious education allowed me to have a working knowledge of many churches outside my own limited fellowship. I am aware of those faith healers who became involved with prostitutes, that sometimes in our efforts to expose sinful conduct as evil we have come across as being judgmental (leaving an impression of “holier-than-thou”), and that churches sometimes seem more concerned about building a new building than building a church. Yes, we who are part of the church have sinned and made mistakes, but no one is told to be saved by the church, but by the Lord.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The Apostle Paul said that “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:25-26). He also wrote that the church is part of God’s purpose for sending Jesus Christ: “. . . that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:8-11). So, why would a disciple of Jesus even consider walking away from the Lord’s church?
In 56 years of preaching, I have seen some hypocrites in the church and suffered a bit because of them. However, I have seen many more devoted Christians who are conscientiously trying to serve the Lord, turning away from their sinful lives to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:8), and bring up their children to know the Lord Jesus. I have witnessed many success stories among these people and praise the Lord for the effect the gospel has had on our lives. Don’t let Satan deceive you into throwing the church out your life!
