Does it matter?

By Don McClain

We live in an age where priorities and affections are grossly misplaced thus resulting in indifference and apathy towards spiritual things. "Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," (Matthew 6:33), appears to be extremely low on the priority list of most. People refuse to take the time to worry themselves with studying God's word, prayer, and meditating upon the scriptures, (Hosea 4:6). Most had just as soon hang all their hopes upon some preacher, gut feeling, or unexplainable experience - rather than putting forth the effort to search the scriptures for the truth, (Acts 17:11,12). The religious world is saturated with those satisfied with their religious beliefs and way of life. It seems that most are simply unconcerned that they could be religiously wrong.

Have you ever though about the prospect, that indeed, your worship and service to God could all be in vain because, in reality it could be based upon the doctrines and commandments of men instead of the scriptures? (Matthew 15:7-9). Our aim is to show that in deed, when it comes to these matters, - it REALLY does matter!

The Way To Salvation - Does it matter?

The question "what must I do" is asked and answered in Acts 2:37 - "37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" How did the inspired apostle Peter answer this group of believers? "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Have you ever heard your preacher use these words of Peter while extending an invitation, or while explaining what someone needed to do in order to be saved? Does it matter to you whether or not you have been taught error regarding your salvation? (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 3:21).

To instruct one to "Say the sinners prayer," or - "Ask Jesus to come into their heart," cannot be found in the scriptures. No inspired apostle or evangelist in the New Testament ever gave someone these instructions? It matters little how one "FEELS" about their salvation (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23) - But it matters a great deal whether or noot we follow the Bible's instructions when it comes to our salvation?

The Road In Life We Choose - Does It Matter?

The false concept that there are "Many roads to heaven" prevails in the mind of the majority. Does it matter to you that the Bible speaks of only one way, and it is "narrow and difficult and that only a few will find it?" (John 10:1,2; 14:6; Matthew 7:13,14, 21-23). The preponderance is indifferent regarding the need to double check the direction in which they are going by the true and certain spiritual map - The Bible, (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Does it matter to you that if indeed you are following the doctrines and traditions of men rather than the Bible, that your worship and work will all be wasted, and will result in your soul being lost? (Matthew 15:7-9, Ezekiel 14:10; Jeremiah 23:32).

Those Who Lead Us - Does It Matter?

Do the Biblical warnings about false teachers coming in sheep's clothing concern you? (Matthew 7:15). Whether they mislead purposely or sincerely out of ignorance, you need to know that following false teachers will result in your destruction, right along with them! (Isaiah 9:16; Matthew 15:14; Revelation 19:20). And beware - there are many false teachers out there!! (2 John 1:7; 2 Peter 2:1-3)

Which Church - Does It Matter?

Maybe you truly believe it doesn't matter to which church you belong, and that one church is as good as another. Does it matter to you that Jesus only promised to build one? (Matthew 16:18). How many then did He build? (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4). Paul says there is one body, (church). Does it matter then to which one I belong? If I want to be saved it does! - "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47; also see Ephesians 5:23). To what church do you suppose He added the saved?

In Galatians 3:26,27, Paul tells us how we get into Christ, or His church, "26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." All who are in the church of Christ are children of God through faith. There is no exception to this! But how did they become children of God by faith? By being baptized into Christ - thus putting on or being clothed with all of the spiritual blessings and relationships that are enjoyed in Him. There are no exceptions here -"For as many as have been baptized into Christ," - if you have not been baptized into Christ - you have not put on Christ, and you are not a child of God by faith in Christ! The same act in which God saves us is the very same act in which the Lord adds us to His church, (Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Does it matter whether you are in Christ's church or not?

The word church, when referring to those who belong to Christ, is used in only two senses in the New Testament: (1) The church in the universal sense: In which there is only one, which includes those both alive and dead, (Colossians 1:18-23), from the first Pentecost after Christ death till now who are children of God by faith in Christ - the saved. (2) In the local sense: Those who had been baptized into Christ were to join together, and "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel," (Philippians 1:27), in the location in which they lived, (1 Corinthians 1:2). In this sense the word can be used to refer to a plurality of churches, (Romans 16:16). Understand however, that the local churches in the New Testament were made up of individuals who had all obeyed the same gospel, (Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthian 12:13). They were all to follow the same teaching, (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 4:17), and they were all to be of one faith and practice, (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:1-6), and they all submitted to the same head - Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:23-26). The saved individuals in the local churches were part of the one church in the universal sense. They did their work in the local congregations but were all members of the same body, (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).

Does It Make A Difference Which Local Church I Work And Worship With?

Yes it does - it must teach and follow only the Bible! (Philippians 3:16,17). It's name must indicate Christ's possession of it, (Romans 16:16), and must teach its members to do the same, (1 Corinthians 1:12,13; Acts 11:26). It must teach its members to worship in spirit and in truth, and its work and worship must be guided by Christ's authority. (John 4:24; Colossians 3:17). We do not use instrumental music because there is no authority for it in the New Testament - it is not a matter of preference. We do not have a "fellowship hall" or "recreational activities" because such works are not authorized as being "works of the church." God has specified the form of worship He wants and the work He wants the church to be engaged in (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 1 Peter 1:3). - To go beyond or to fall short of the things God has specified is to transgress the teachings of Christ, (2 John 9)

How We Worship God - Does it matter?

Does it really matter whether your worship that you offer God is pleasing and acceptable to Him? How much thought have you put into this question? It matters little whether your worship is pleasing and acceptable to you! There were many examples in both the Old and New Testament that God does not accept all forms and acts of worship.

w When not in accordance with God's instructions: Cain's offering, (Genesis 4:3-7), Nadab and Abihu's worship, (Leviticus 10:1,2)

w When not offered with a sincere and humble heart, (Psalm 51:16,17).

w When the doctrines and commandments of men are mingled into our worship, [Mechanical instruments of music], (Matthew 15:7-9; 21:23-27)

w When offered while sin reigns in the heart - (Psalms 66:18)

w If our brother has something against us, (Matthew 5:23,24)

w When not giving our best - (Malachi 1:6-10)

w Jesus taught that those who worship God must do so in spirit and in truth, (John 4:24),

w We MUST approach God in "reverence and godly fear" - (Hebrews 12:28)

Undoubtedly it matters to God how we worship Him - it should then matter a great deal to us!!

Does It Matter How The Church To Which I Belong Is Organized?

Yes it does - There is no earthly organization larger than the local church found in the New Testament! Elders were to be appointed in every church, (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), and their oversight consisted ONLY of the congregation over which they were appointed, (1 Peter 5:1-3). The church in the New Testament was in NO SENSE denominational. Each congregation was autonomous and no earthly organization existed beyond the local church. (Philippians 1:1)

To think of different denominations making up, or even being a part of the one true church is foreign to the Word of God, and is in fact contrary to the scriptures. (John 17:20,21; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13). If you are a member of a denominational church, does it matter to you that you are part of something that cannot be found in the scriptures, either by name, function, or practice, and that it is in fact wrong according to the scriptures? (Romans 16:17).

Does all of this really matter?

Yes, most definitely, and for all eternity at that! An extremely dangerous notion that many have is this, - "To take the time to examine my faith and direction by the word of God is not something that is extremely important." May I humbly say that such an idea is gravely mistaken, and the consequences - eternal condemnation, (Acts 17:11,12; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

The prophet Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," (4:6), and so it is today. The knowledge of the large majority concerning what the Bible actually says and teaches is extremely low to begin with, and is on a speedy decline from there, because spiritual things "don't really matter" to most people.

Do they matter to you? Will you place your soul in the hands of a man and his doctrines, or your feelings, or will you turn to the Bible and trust and obey God's word?

The truth has been revealed in the Bible, and it is extremely important that we come to know it and obey it! (John 8:32; 1 Peter 1:22). A lie won't save you - only the truth! Are you willing to study these things? I hope so - because it does matter - IT MATTERS A GREAT DEAL! - Get your priorities straight, and take the time to examine where you are and where you are going! If these things don't matter to you now - the day is coming when they will! (Romanss 2:4-9).