UNWORTHY CHILDREN

One of life's saddest sights is that of children whose behavior is unworthy of their noble parents. God's word often speaks of children who bring shame to their parents (Prov. 19:26). Some become entangled in drugs or alcohol, others in crime or immorality.  Interestingly while the child in such cases is the one who has failed to live up to the standard of his progenitors, he may be so absorbed in self, or so calloused by his sin, that he feels no sense of shame. The shame and embarrassment falls upon his parents.

In God's family we also see unworthy children. By their faith in and baptism into Christ, they are children of God (Gal. 3:26-27). They are privileged to wear the name of the Savior (Acts 11:26), and to have a place at his table (Luke 22:29-30). They enjoy the honor of working in his cause, sharing his message and of being heirs of all of heaven's treasures (Rom. 8:16-17).  But in spite of all these blessings and honors, some live unworthy lives. Some live worldly lives that bring dishonor on their heavenly Father.  Others are disloyal to the will of the Father in spiritual matters. Only those who do his will can expect to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21). Some dishonor their Father by conduct that casts shame on his church; some by trying to dominate their brothers and sisters. Some rend the unity of the body in pursuit of their own agenda.  Some have a hateful, spiteful attitude that is shameful to themselves and grievous to the Lord in whose kingdom they wish to serve.

Today, there are unworthy members of the Church of Christ here in America. Two hundred years ago, devout men, realizing he inadequacies of denominationalism, shook off those shackles and set their sites on restoring the faith and practice of the primitive church. From small and humble beginnings, God blest the cause they launched and it took hold of the public mind. Soon thousands stormed the gates of the kingdom of heaven, seeking entrance (Matt. 11:12). By the end of the first century upwards of a million souls had embraced the plea for restoration.  But unworthy children grew weary of the simplicity of the ancient faith. They grated under New Testament authority. Consequently they began to agitate for change.  They preferred to sing with instruments of music.  They craved a national organization to lead the churches. They wished to place women in leadership roles.  They wanted acceptance by their denominational neighbors.
Disregarding the pleas and protests of their brethren, they forged ahead, rending the body.  Their actions result in the emergence of the Disciples of Christ and later the Independent Christian Churches.

Today, a century later, we see scattered among our people another generation of unworthy children. They too are weary of the old paths. To be limited to things authorized by the New Testament is burdensome. They see us as only another denomination of human origin.  They would accept the use of instrumental music. They yearn to have fellowship with their denominational neighbors.  They would move women into roles of public leadership.  They would change us into their image or destroy us. Their actions are shameful.

They are unworthy children who have betrayed the cause of their ancestors in the faith.  The cause they plead is not the restoration of New Testament Christianity, rather it is the destruction thereof. May God help them see their mistake and grant them time to repent.