Life is filled with tough questions. Should I go to college or take this or that job? Should I marry or stay single? Should I have children or have none? Should I rent or buy a house? But by far the toughest question I have ever faced on numerous occasions is ‘should I stay or should I go?’
I and most of us usually find the safest easiest path toward our goals that also does not compromise our convictions or values. This is a reasonable life strategy. Solomon also preached that we should take safe paths,
25) Let your eyes look straight ahead.
Fix your gaze directly before you.
26) Make the path of your feet level.
Let all of your ways be established.
27) Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Remove your foot from evil.Proverbs 4:25-27 (WEB)
So we are agreed that wisdom leads us down the safe path. But what should we do about our propensity to also prefer the easiest path to our goals? Sometimes the safe is not the easiest! At those times we may be tempted to take a dangerous short cut because the way is easier. The long way around is often more difficult even though it is safer. Also with God in the equation we cannot rely on mere human wisdom in our decision making. With God in the equation, trust in him and obedience to him is the only safe thing to do now matter how crazy this may seem to worldly wisdom. Does it seem safe, easy, or wise for Christian missionaries to remain in Iraq during the present war? Hardly! Yet many because of their passion to show the love of Christ to the Iraqi people remain and risk their lives in this mission.
The point is that we all hate difficulty and we spend much energy in planning to avoid difficult circumstances. And yet I can safely say that everyone has already or will at some point face an unwelcome problem. At this point the toughest question will dance around the perimeter of the problems that besiege us taunting, ‘Should we stay or should we go?’ Should we face the conflict or is it time to search for greener pastures? Though we may face this tough question in any area of life let’s focus on an application of our relationship with the family of Christ and with the world.
Should I Stay?
David of the Old Testament is an amazing example of loyalty. Consider that several times David was nearly killed by King Saul’s raging jealousy and spear, and yet David remained in his service. Eventually David did leave because King Saul again sought his life. During King Saul’s hunt David even had the opportunity to kill Saul in a cave, but instead “David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, 'My lord the king!' When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect” (I Samuel 24:8 WEB). Consider, if your boss had attempted to kill you several times and now was chasing you across the country with an army would you then bow to his authority? David did. David stayed loyal to ungodly authorities because of his great trust in the Lord. Yet David was not foolish either. After reconciliation with Saul we read that “David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold” (I Samuel 24:22 WEB). David remained loyal to King Saul, but they lodged separately!
Jesus of course is the perfect example of commitment. Jesus faced many conflicts and made many enemies during his ministry. Though Jesus only did good things the Jews sought to kill him. Consider how foolish the jealousy of men can become. Jesus literally raised Lazarus from the dead and the Jews responded by plotting to kill both Jesus and Lazarus! Their jealousy drove them mad. They knew that the raising of Lazarus would cause the people to love Jesus more and they were unable to rejoice with the people. They wanted the people to follow them and so killing Jesus and Lazarus became their only recourse. You would think that Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religion and culture, would be the last place that Jesus would want to be.
Yet we read,
51) It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem 52) and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. 53) They didn't receive him, because he was traveling with his face set toward Jerusalem. 54) When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?" 55) But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are. 56) For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."Luke 9:51-56 (WEB)
Jesus stayed faithful to his mission and went to Jerusalem because of his commitment to the Father and his love for the Jews and all mankind and won the greatest victory that ever was or will be won.
Paul hated Christians. However, he met Christ while on the Damascus road and became a most loyal disciple. Keep that in mind should you have an enemy because of Christ. Some of the strongest objectors are destined to also become the strongest advocates, though not all. Now Paul faced a problem in Lystra. The crowds began to worship he and Barnabas. So Paul and Barnabas torn their clothes and shouted that they were only mere men bringing the good new of Jesus Christ.
18) Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them. 19) But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
20) But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.Acts 14:18-20 (WEB)
Paul did not call the police, but got up after being stoned and went back into the city that just stoned him! Paul stayed the course in the face of severe opposition.
Jesus also taught,
15) I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16) They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17) Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. 18) As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. 19) For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20) Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, 21) that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22) The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23) I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.John 17:15-23 (WEB)
Jesus prayed that we would stay in the world, but not stay of the world. Jesus also prayed that we would stay one with believers, just as he is one with the Father.
Paul taught,
9) I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; 10) yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. 11) But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don't even eat with such a person. 12) For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don't you judge those who are within? 13) But those who are outside, God judges. "Put away the wicked man from among yourselves."I Corinthians 5:9-13 (WEB)
Paul taught that we would not stay with rebellious Christians. Yet Paul also taught that we should stay witnessing to rebellious unbelievers in the world.
Paul also taught,
4) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, 5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in us all. 7) But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8) Therefore he says,
"When he ascended on high,
he led captivity captive,
and gave gifts to people."
9) Now this, "He ascended", what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10) He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
11) He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12) for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, 13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14) that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, 16) from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.Ephesians 4:4-16 (WEB)
Paul taught that we should stay committed to oneness with believers celebrating one another’s different gifts as the body of Christ grows into a full grown man, even through the inevitable growing pains.
We also read,
10) We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 11) For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp. 12) Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 13) Let's therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 14) For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.Hebrews 13:10-14 (WEB)
Most importantly we must stay with Christ.
Should I Go?
David of the Old Testament is also an example of wisdom. His master King Saul’s jealousy had grown out of control and David’s life was in danger. David wisely avoided a dinner party with Saul, but asked Jonathon to be there and pay attention to Saul’s reaction to David’s absence. When Saul became outraged that David was not there and accused David and Jonathon of treason, Jonathon knew it was time for David to escape.
Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh's name, saying, 'Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.' " He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.I Samuel 20:42 (WEB)
David knew it was time to go away from Saul’s uncontrolled anger.
Jesus also did not enjoy conflict, but escaped as long as he was able.
23) He said to them, "Doubtless you will tell me this parable, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.' " 24) He said, "Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25) But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land. 26) Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27) There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian."
28) They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things. 29) They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff. 30) But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way.Luke 4:23-30 (WEB)
Jesus’ teaching enraged unbelievers, but he was able to go through the angry mob.
Apostle Paul also set an example of when to go away.
17) "When I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 18) and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.' 19) I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. 20) When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.'
21) "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.'"
22) They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn't fit to live!"Acts 22:17-22 (WEB)
Paul did not entertain the unbelief of his Jewish brothers, but when they refused to believe then God told him to go to the gentiles who would believe.
Jesus also taught,
11) Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. 12) As you enter into the household, greet it. 13) If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you. 14) Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15) Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.Matthew 10:11-15 (WEB)
Jesus told us to go away from those who do not receive the message of the good news.
Paul taught,
9) I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; 10) yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. 11) But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don't even eat with such a person. 12) For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don't you judge those who are within? 13) But those who are outside, God judges. "Put away the wicked man from among yourselves."I Corinthians 5:9-13 (WEB)
Restated here for emphasis Paul tells us to go away from rebellious Christians, but do not go away from witnessing to rebellious unbelievers in the world.
Paul also taught,
14) Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15) What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16) What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people." 17) Therefore
" 'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. 18) I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty."II Corinthians 6:14-18 (WEB)
Paul teaches us that we should go away from fellowship with unbelievers which I interpreted to mean do not marry, partner in business, or confide with an unbeliever.
And we read,
10) We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 11) For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp. 12) Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 13) Let's therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 14) For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.Hebrews 13:10-14 (WEB)
We must go away from false religion.
Finding Jesus Outside the Camp
How do we find Jesus outside the camp? Should we stay or should we go from our current position to find him? We have found both example and teaching to stay and to go. We need God’s word and the leading of his Holy Spirit to guide us through the maze of this life. Jesus calls us to join him outside the camp. But where is this place? How do we find Jesus Christ in this crazy mixed up world? Where is his fellowship? I have a sad book on my shelf. The book simply lists the name and a paragraph or two about each Christian denomination in the United States. Sadly the book is over an inch thick. We are exhorted to come to Jesus outside the camp and yet we have established so many mini-camps professing Christ that new Christians today are burdened with carrying the past conflicts of Christians from every century since Christ. Like mentioned earlier the body of Christ has had and likely will have more growing pains till we become one full grown man.
To illustrate the problem let’s just consider the names of a few organizations that simply profess Jesus Christ. Some organizations of professing Christians have labeled themselves with the name of their founding father such as the Mennonites after Menno Simons, the Lutherans after Martin Luther, or even the Mormons after the angel Moroni. Yet why would we do this silly thing? Isn’t Jesus Christ our founder? Yes men have become great through Christ’s work in their lives, but no man or angel no matter how great should have his name on the church of Jesus Christ.
Other organizations have labeled themselves according to their preferred form of church government such as the Presbyterians which means ‘elder’ for their government of elder rule, the Catholics which means ‘universal’ for the only true Christian church and church government, and Episcopal which means ‘bishop’ for their government by bishops over pastors over churches. None of these church governments is evil in design, but purposed to help organize Christ’s people. Even the Catholic Church has a noble goal of demanding unity in Christ’s family. In fact I myself am catholic with a small ‘c’ because every true believer is a member of the universal congregation of Christ. Catholic leadership, however, errs by trying to make a physical human organization equal to Christ’s spiritual organization. Membership in Christ’s church is gained only by possessing true faith in Christ. A membership card to a human organization cannot guarantee salvation. So why put the name of our church polity on our placard even if our church government is superior or we think we have a greater number of true Christian members? Why not call ourselves Christians?
Finally other organizations have labeled themselves according to a key doctrine such as the Pentecostals who hold to the importance of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues and prophecy, the Baptists who know the importance of Baptism by immersion, though they are not all agreed whether once, thrice, forward, or backward, and the Reformed who debate the doctrines of the Reformation but often neglect to pray sincerely for their Catholic brethren. I think the most difficult assignment any of us will ever have in this life is to be right. Suppose we were right about Pentecost, baptism, or the Reformation and another were wrong? Would that be a cause for plastering my A+ test score on the door of my church? Wouldn’t that instead be the cause for even greater humility in my victory and greater prayer and concern over my opponent’s defeat?
Well I have said my peace. Efforts have been made in the past to scrap legacy systems and organizations to form new purer institutions. Yet the result has simply been the addition of more and more denominations. What then is a wise course? How can the body of believers in Christ get from where we are now to grow into the one mature man promised in Scripture? How can we escape the camps of this world to join Jesus outside the camp? Here are my reflections on this question.
Directions to Jesus Outside the Camp
Below are boundaries defined by Scripture with circles and boundaries made by man with squares.
Outside the Camp – Saved by God’s Grace Through Faith in Christ
So again how should we escape the camps of this world to join Jesus outside the camp? If you are in Camp Never Heard you must hear and believe the good news that Jesus has paid your entire sin debt and through faith in him you can have eternal life. And now that you have heard, you are no longer in Camp Never Heard! However, unless you leave your false religion if you have one, profess Jesus’ as your savior, and place your trust in him you have now simply moved to Camp Heard but No Profession or Faith, an equally bad position. So you say “OK, OK, I’ll believe in Jesus! Just go away!” But have you truly placed your complete faith in Jesus that he has forgiven all your sin past, present, and future and that he will give you eternal life guaranteed? You may even be a faithful member of a Christian denomination, but if your faith is not real you are still camping, but now in Camp Profession but No True Faith. Friend, to join Jesus Outside the Camp you must have faith that he has saved you by his grace alone. Do you believe that? Are you willing to suffer disgrace from this world who hates the grace of Christ and leave their camps?
Finally what should we do about the present denominational madness that has overtaken Christendom? Should we stay or should we go from that? Sadly denominational mini-camps do exist. I myself am a member of local church family myself and I think all Christians should be, and nearly every local church is denominational. Yet I am defined as a person by my faith in Christ, not whatever denomination I happen to be attending. I heard a pastor once say, “I am first a Christian, second a Calvinist, and third a Baptist.” Yikes! This is pure silliness!
Christian friends, we must organize ourselves and work together to accomplish the work of Christ and this means commitment to a local fellowship of believers as well as commitment to the larger body of true believers. But folks, let’s foster some passion for joining Christ outside the camp. Why not say, “I am first a Christian, second a Christian, third a Christian, and ashamed that there even is such a thing as denominations and Christians with different views!” I do know one thing, Jesus said, “I will build my church” and that is the one we need to be a part of. I also know that Jesus prayed that we might be one as he is one with the Father and folks that is pretty close. God help us to grow together as the body of Christ into one mature man.
In the end, whether we stay or go in the midst of our current pickle it is God’s plan to eventually conform us individually AND corporately into the image of his own Son. Examples above show that David, Paul, and Jesus were lead to stay and go on numerous occasions. Yet Paul exhorts us, “Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13 WEB). Thus we may be led to stay or go throughout our sojourn, but through the grace of God we will finally stand like our older brother, Jesus Christ.
