An ancient Chinese proverb says:
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
That first step is an important one, for it can very often determine the ultimate destiny. Many things that are familiar to us today, but foreign to the Bible, originated long ago with one small step – and were completed by another small step. That is why each step must be taken carefully. A familiar maxim warns that great wickedness can have its beginning in many small, gradual deeds, most of which were benign, not wicked.
A child can end up in jail at eighteen because he/she took the wrong step at twelve or thirteen. A nation or a business can become what it never planned to be, all because it got started on questionable principles.
That is also true with a Christian – or with a church. Though never intending to do so, a church can find herself defending the very thing she should oppose, and opposing that which she fervently believes.
A study of church history brings this into sharp focus, for it is often the case that small, gradual, seemingly insignificant choices result in large but very significant problems that could easily have been avoided. History reveals that some of those “short steps” took Christ’s church on a long journey to a place she never intended to go. Consider some of those “short steps.”
Fearful of Being “Different”
This may have been the origin of the sad situation in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 in which a congregation was “puffed up” with pride because a man had taken “his father’s wife.” The city tolerated wickedness, and the church did not want to be viewed as “different,” Romans 12:1-2.
Failure To Know The Scriptures
Ignorance of Bible principles is at the root of most departures from the faith. If we do not know what God wants the church to support, to do, to teach, to oppose – how can we make wise choices? How can we keep from taking the wrong steps? By paying attention and giving our highest respect to the Scriptures.
Illogical “Logic”
Rational thinking is to be greatly admired, but when human “reasoning” opposes and replaces God’s word, we would be wise to look elsewhere for our wisdom. Our culture puts a lot of confidence in modern education, and rightfully so. But man is more likely to ask, “What’s wrong with_____?” instead of “What does God’s Word say about_____?” Read Proverbs 3:5-7.
Convenience
You have probably observed that we humans like everything to be convenient. We like our food to be instantly ready, same-day dry cleaning, and, of course, we even want “drive-through-religion.” If it’s not real easy and convenient for us — it’soutta here!!
Religion? Yessir! But it must not demand big changes. “Do I have to quit drinkin’ and chasin’ wimmin?” is one I have heard. “I don’t want anything that makes me change my lifestyle.” But “convenience” is a billboard size ‘road sign’ on the highway to eternal destruction. Do you think it was convenient for Christ to die on that cross??? I’m glad He didn’t think like some of us.
Let Others Do Our Thinking For Us
The clergy system among our denominational friends lends itself to turning one’s mind over to the “clergy”, letting him/her think for us. Some religious groups include this viewpoint in their bylaws, their rules of membership. Many of us have run into this idea when discussing the Bible with a neighbor. “I’ll talk to my preacher about that” is considered a safe end to a Bible discussion, especially if you “don’t know much Bible.” But note these words:
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
“...show thyself approved”! We are responsible for our own thinking, Paul had to do his, and the Bereans had to do theirs, Acts 9:6, 17:11. We still hear, “every tub must sit on its own bottom,” and we are still responsible for what and how we think and act.
Organization Corrupted
The Bible gives God’s instructions for a church’s leadership and its work, but it did not take long for man to make big changes in the local congregations. Oh, it did not take place overnight, but gradually. Sound familiar? At first it was merely putting one man in the role of Bishop, rather than what the Bible prescribes – a plurality of elders/bishops/shepherds.
Yes, those were “short steps,” but when we see the end result after centuries of those “short steps,” we realize how easy it is for us to lose our way.
Lost Respect For God’s Authority
In God’s Book, the Bible, He gives guidance on all that we are to say and do:
“Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” Colossians 3:17.
God’s authority does not give way to man’s personal preferences. Huge changes took place in Christ’s church because man had little or no respect for doing what God said in the way God said to do it.
Warning: Small steps can take
us on a long journey to a place we never really intended to go.
