“Divinely built, divinely ruled, to God she doth submit; His will her law, His Truth her guide, Her path is glory lit.  O church of God!  I love thy courts, thou mother of the free; thou blessed home of all the saved, I dwell content in thee.” - Charles W. Naylor, O church of God

I still love the old hymns - there is such rich doctrine in them.  Doctrine (or teaching of a set of beliefs) is important.  The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2: 16 that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   Truth does matter.  But we need to be careful not to be dogmatic and act as if we have the “corner” on truth.  Yes, certain essentials of the gospel such as; the death, burial, resurrection and coming again of Jesus Christ are essential to biblical Christianity.  And I do whole-heartily believe in the doctrine of the name of the church to be - the church of God.  It is God’s church and rightly named after Him.  But, I am more concerned that God’s people, “which He purchased with His own blood,” and called by His name - live out their daily lives reflecting Christ!  You see, we can have the right doctrine, but if we are not living rightly (righteous, holy) before God and man, doctrine really doesn’t matter.  Yes, salvation makes you a member.  Yes, if you’re born again you’re part of the eternal, everlasting kingdom of God - the family of God, and a member of His church -the church of God.  “…that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.” (cf 2 Chron.6:33)

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney