The World Stole the Church
Chapter 4
Hostility Toward Believers in the Church
There is hostility by the World toward true Christians within church assemblies. This is not surprising because human nature hates the Light of Born-Again Believers.
“18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord.
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”
- John 15:
The World does not like the idea of depending upon God for His leading and provision. It takes away their free will of doing things their way, the way of the World. They want, above all, to be in control!
The World in the church hates to hear the Bible quoted because they do not have the Living Word in their hearts; it is a witness to them that they are hypocrites and frauds.
The World and the True church are opposed to God’s Way the church should function.
Christ leads His sheep but the world drives the sheep!
“3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
- John 10:
The Scripture says that to climb up some other way into the sheep fold you must be a robber; but Christ leads the sheep in Grace!
“1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
- John 10:
“45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;”
- Luke 12:
“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
The way Adam and Eve attempted to appear respectable was by covering themselves with fig leaves.
The reason the world is in the church is that they want to appear respectable.
If asked whether they have been born again, they will often reply
“I go to church”.
The World in the church looks upon the outward appearance as that which is of primary importance. This is because they will not come to the Light of Christ’s LIFE; they avoid the Light of God shining within their hearts lest the evil in their heart be reproved.
“3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
- In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
- John 1:
“19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
- John 3:
When God instructed Samuel to anoint a King over Israel, He told him to not look at the outward appearance; for God Looks upon the heart!
“7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
- 1 Samuel 16: