The 20th century theological commentary by Machen has been cited in many books within the last decade on the emergent church. It speaks not to liberal politics, but liberal theology and the movements away from the gospel of Christ.
Last week I was reading 1st Corinthians, and I was tripped up by this verse:
But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person. (5:11).
I thought that sounded harsh. Aren't we all sinners? But Machen's words helped make a connection in my brain:
"Christian fellowship exists only between those to whom the message (of the gospel) has become the very basis of all life"
Those who hear the gospel and are transformed are no longer just sinners. We are repentant sinners. We are redeemed sinners. We are ransomed sinners. And though we continue to sin, we strive to no longer serve it. We sin, and we repent. A man who struggles with a pornography addiction while seeking godly counsel and Christ's strength is different from one who relies on himself and continues to fail. A woman who works to honor Jesus in her standards of dressing and can get carried away is different from the woman who worships all the latest trends.
Fellowship in Christ exists to build one another up, which cannot exist when one party attempts to build as the other is constantly swinging a wrecking ball at his own foundation.
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