Long ago, the apostle John wrote, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (2 John 9-11)

The Scriptures are clear. To have true fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one must "abide in the doctrine of Christ," "the apostle's doctrine" (Acts 2:42), "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25), "the truth" (John 8:31,32).

"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:5-7)

Not only do we then have fellowship with God; but we also have "fellowship "one with another." That is, as "we walk in the light" and as we "abide in the doctrine of Christ." Failure to do this brings our souls under condemnation from God.

• "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."
• "...and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death," (Revelation 21:8) after which there will be no "second chance!"

How sad it is to witness the failure of individual Christians, and of entire congregations, to uphold the doctrine of Christ as it pertains to the critical issue of fellowship. Just how critical is this issue? Examine carefully the following scriptures:

• "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18)
• "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6)
• "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11)

Is teaching error regarding baptism a "work of darkness"? Is teaching error about the one true church offensive to the doctrine of Christ? Is teaching error concerning marriage and divorce "walking disorderly"? For some, the answer to the first two questions is a resounding "YES," but when it comes to the eternally consequential issue of marriage and divorce, truth is "suspended," and the "doctrines of men"(Matthew.15:1-9) are upheld. And not only is this true concerning this issue, but others as well.

Living in the state of Oregon during the past six years has helped me realize how limited the number of sound congregations is. Right now, I can count only ten. (Of course, there may be others of which I am unaware). However, just two years ago, I would have said twelve. During the past two years, I have witnessed the congregations in Beaverton and Salem "fellowshipping" with men who are known to be either teaching error or supporting those who do. Both of these congregations were warned concerning the men they were "fellowshipping," but the warnings were not taken seriously enough; at least, nothing was done about them. Why?

Note again 2 John 10: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed." We are not to receive such teachers into our homes, much less into the church. Yet, these two congregations have had, or continue to have, fellowship with men who are either teaching error, or are themselves fellowshipping others who do. How, without questioning him and "trying" him, can we know the doctrine a man brings? We are commanded: "... try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) Yet, these two congregations have, in essence, failed to do this; or if they have, they simply overlooked this "small matter," and moved on.

There is no "moving on" when it comes to the doctrine of Christ. For those who do, eternal damnation stands at the door, (Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). If "doctrine" really doesn't matter, why do we have the Bible? Why did Jesus bring the "Law" down from the Father (Cf. Isaiah 2:3; John. 12:44-50)? Why did Paul admonish Timothy:

• "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)
• "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)

The doctrine of Christ means something. So does standing for the truth. Years ago, (long before I was born), our liberal brethren introduced the mechanical instrument of music and humanly devised organizations into the church. Many congregations were destroyed. Today, we see once-sound congregations introducing (no matter what the cost) fellowship into the church. When we take one step outside the truth, there is no logical stopping place. The congregation that upholds those who support or teach error has taken that step. And where will the next generation find a stopping place?

During a Bible Study with a group of precious souls at a retirement home, the issue of instrumental music in worship was introduced. After the study, one of the women, who is a member of a church of Christ that uses the instrument, approached me with her concern over the fact that the woman who played the piano during the Lord's Supper was now singing during the Lord's Supper. I told her that when we step outside the truth, there is no logical stopping place. She replied: "I really don't know that much about the Bible." (Of course, I wasn't really surprised, considering where she attends.) Just how far will that congregation go? And just how far will these other two congregations go?

I've been told that, years ago, the church of Christ was the fastest growing religious group in the United States. Today, she isn't even listed in the top 100! Perhaps, because of lack of "numbers," some congregations have chosen the "broad way" (Matthew 7:13,14). Perhaps, they're careless. Perhaps, they just don't care. Whatever the reasons for transgressing the doctrine of Christ, they do not matter nearly so much as do the consequences. Long ago, Paul warned Timothy:

• "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the,latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, , doctrines of devils;..."(1 Timothy 4:1)
• "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1) Also read verses 2-9.

Brethren, these "last days" are indeed perilous. Wolves in sheep's clothing are among us (Cf. Matthew 7:15-20). Are we willing, and able to wield the "sword of the Spirit?" (Cf. Ephesians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Or will we pursue fellowship at any cost?