Christian Cooperation and Separation - John R Rice

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Christian Cooperation and Separation determined I would say what John Wesley said, “The world is my parish,” and that I would be for the man who is for Christ and the Bible. So I work with all people of God who are born-again and live like it, all those who believe the Bible and who are willing to work with other Christians. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The Bible has very clear limits on cooperation. Second John 7 to 11 is a familiar passage. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” Many a good Christian who has won souls loses his place of favor with God, loses many blessings and rewards he would have at the judgment seat of Christ, because he is not careful to take sides against modernism and sin. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” Now the subject today is too broad to be covered completely in those verses alone. But I speak on Bible cooperation among 8
Christian Cooperation and Separation Christians and the Bible limits on that cooperation. Born-Again, Bible-Believing Christians Should Cooperate When Possible The fellowship center for Christians is Jesus Christ and the Bible, that is, the doctrine of Christ. Doctrine comes from some established, inspired teachings of the Bible. But the doctrine in question is not on baptism, not on the organization of a church, not on some detail of prophecy, but the doctrine of Christ—who Jesus is, whose Son He is. Is He the sinless, blameless Lamb of God? Did He die for our sins? Did He rise from the dead? The Person and work of Christ and that as taught in the Bible is the great center for Christian union and fellowship. Brotherly love and cooperation are clearly commanded. Here this Scripture says by the psalmist, “I am a companion [that is, I keep company] of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” It is right to work with other Christians, right to love all the people of God. It is right to call “brother” those who are truly brothers. Because one fights sin does not mean that he ought not to love good people. Don’t think there is a special virtue in being “against” more than there is in being “for.” We ought to be for the right and against the wrong. We ought to be for Biblebelieving Christians who win souls; we ought to be against those who are not Christians and those who are against the Bible. One balances the other. Notice we are not talking about organic union, a favorite 9
Page 2 and 3: Copyright 1959 by Sword of the Lord
Page 4 and 5: Contents Preface...................
Page 6 and 7: Christian Cooperation and Separatio
Page 28: For a complete list of books availa

Christian Cooperation and Separation - John R Rice

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