Do As They Say

"Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: 'The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.' " (Matthew 23:1-3, NASB)


"Moses' chair" was a specific position of spiritual and national authority. I doubt it equates to anything in American politics. But this scripture has been coming to mind this week in regards to our place in the wayward church.

The hard-line view of the Church' apostasy is that it's an unmistakeable sign to "come out of her." That's tempting: though it inevitably raises the question where in America to find a fellowship that remains true to God. But I don't hear God saying "come out of her" just yet.

For one thing, I sense He still wants His witness to remain among those who have been deceived: even now, some may repent and follow Him. It's an uncomfortable business in the meantime: no one wants to hear that they've been deceived, or that they need to repent. But that's God's word to the Church: and clearly none of its own chosen leaders will tell it.

For our relation with the deceived Church, Jesus' words also seem to have another application. The Church still takes God's word in their mouths, and His word we should always "do and observe." Even if the Church and its leaders have gone off into the grossest possible disobedience, God's word remains true: we must do what they teach, and not what they do.