A great deal of preaching is done to expose and correct things that are wrong, both in the lives of individual members, and in the church itself and of course, this is certainly needed. Paul charged Timothy, and all preachers, to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). Paul did a great deal of this type of teaching in the various letters that he wrote to the churches as well. I Corinthians deals with a variety of things that were wrong in the church at Corinth along with instructions about how to correct them.
However, we need to also point out things that are right in the church, things that we need to continue to uphold, and teach the world about these things as well. Before we begin, let me state clearly that we are only talking about the Lord’s church, the one He purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, none of the observations about the church is true of any denominational body started by men.
First, the foundation of the church is right. Paul tells us, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 11:3). The church of Christ is built on the solid foundation of Christ Himself. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The “rock” that Jesus speaks of refers to verse 16, where Peter had stated, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The “rock” was not the confession that Peter made, but it was the truth of that confession. It must be, and is, built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The foundation is right.
Second, the source of growth is right. Peter tells us, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Pet. 2:2). All through our life as a Christian, we are admonished to grow. We are to add (or supply) to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (II Pet. 1:5-7). Paul instructed the Ephesian brethren, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15). As he closed out his second epistle, Peter urged, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18). We have the word of God, the right source for growth. It is up to each one of us to “desire” that word; if we do, the growth will come. The source for growth is right.
Third, the future of the church is right. In Ephesians 5:23 Paul says of Christ, “He is the saviour of the body.” The “body” was identified in Ephesians 1:22-23 as being the church. See also Colossians 1:18. Since Jesus is the Saviour of the body, the church, we understand why “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). The future of those who are faithful members of the Lord’s body or church is a bright future. That future is described and identified as “life eternal” (Matt. 25:46), “a crown of righteousness” (II Tim. 4:8), a “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10), and even “mansions” (John 14:1f). Christians should eagerly await the end as described by Paul, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:54). The future of the Lord’s people is right and the future is bright.
There are many other things in the church that are right, but space does not permit their discussion. Never hesitate to speak up for the Lord, His church, and His word. That is, and always will be, right!
Paul M. Wilmoth
(January 18, 1944 – April 5, 2021)