The corruption of the church seems to be increasing.  The pattern found in Scripture and throughout church history, however, is this.  Again and again God’s people have done what is right in their own eyes (Judg. 21:25), and God must call them back to obedience.  The Law is given and the prophets are sent.  The message of John the Baptist, then Jesus, is delivered to the lost sheep of Israel: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2).  Admonitions against apostasy, disunity, and immorality fill the New Testament epistles.  The prophet Hosea’s longsuffering love for Gomer is a parable of the price God will pay to woo His people back to Him (hos. 3:1-5).

“THE LAW IS GIVEN AND THE PROPHETS ARE SENT. THE MESSAGE OF JOHN THE BAPTISR, THEN JESUS, IS DELIVERED TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL: “REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”.”

One of the key roles of Christ today is to sanctify and cleanse the church (Eph. 5:25-27).  Scripture strongly condemns religious leaders who lead others astray (Matt. 23:24, 27, 33).  The biblical view of the church is not a club that we can easily leave when problems arise (1 Cor 12:21).  Instead, we must labour as Paul did (1 Cor. 11:1).