"Follow me!" Jesus Christ

Chapter 5 – What is the Church?

Generally, when a person is engaged in conversation concerning their relationship with Jesus Christ, one of several responses is voiced, as follows: “I go to church,” “I need to start going to church.” or “Where do you go to church?” To most people the term “church” as commonly defined or understood is synonymous with relationship with God. Is this a valid assumption? Those who say, “I go to church” need to understand that it’s not something you go to, but it is what you are if you are following Jesus Christ! Individually you are not the total body of Christ, but you are a unique and necessary part of the corporate whole (Rm 12:5, 1 Cor 12:27). Throughout the remainder of this book, a biblical distinction will be revealed: Religion verses Relationship with God. The relationship God desires might be better termed “Living Faith” or abiding in Christ daily. The difference between religion and relationship is the dissimilarity between man’s ways verses God’s way (Is 55:8-9). God’s way being righteous and holy and man’s ways being self seeking and are generally rebellious to God’s purposes (Rm 10:3).

Often the religious will become offended by a conversation that convicts their heart. They will want to know where you go to church, meaning: what is your authority? Jesus came doing the Father’s will (work) and speaking the Father’s Words. This threatened the religious: Luke 20:1-2, “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?” Perhaps they wanted to know what synagogue He attended or where He received religious training or what His lineage was. Those religious judged Jesus as unworthy to follow and they rejected Him and ultimately killed Him. Christ’s Words undermined their authority and quite frankly He did not have the credentials (qualifications, diploma, certificate, background, etc.) they were looking for. Man exalted his will to Judge God. We are God’s representatives on earth (Christ’s body) and our authority will also be questioned by those who are self seeking and religious – where do you go to church? Well my pastor says… These religious ones do not consider your merit to be “life in Christ,” but rather desire to associate you with institutions of man, such that they may judge your words by familiar standards. Most cannot separate life in Christ apart from the religious institutions of man. This is because these institutions have seated themselves as the head for many. They serve the institutions and this is “another gospel” altogether with “another authority.” A true believer’s life is found soley in Christ (Col 3:4, Gal 2:20, 2 Tm 1:1). 1 John 5:12, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

Some terms in our language have taken on new and different meanings over time and through practice. Sometimes the derived and accepted understanding of a word is far different from the original intended meaning. Such is the case with the term, “church.” For this reason it is necessary that I define the words “religion” and “church” for the understanding of their use within this book. Whenever the term, “religion” is used, I am referring to man’s attempts to please God apart from a Spirit led, filled, taught, and guided life of living faith from the heart, through love, with Jesus Christ as absolute Lord. Religion is man’s attempts to reach God his way which always seems right in his eyes (Pv 21:2) and always leads to blindness and deception (2 Cor 4:4). It is very difficult to adequately describe the vast religious systems man has built apart from the Spirit, which most people accept and reverence as the church. These will be referred to as what they are, namely: religious institutions, religious organizations and religious associations. The scriptures also reveal such as the harlot or whore (Rev 17:5 & 19:2). This is an adequate description when one considers that much of what calls herself the bride of Christ actually has her eyes on another, namely self, the flesh and the world. Those members of the religious system who are not whole hearted followers of Jesus Christ will be referred to as “the religious” or “professed believers.” The scriptures refer to light (righteous) and darkness (evil). Many professed believers think there are many acceptable shades of gray and that the degree of one’s dedication to the Lord is somewhat optional. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus equated his followers as hot and those who are lost as cold. The lukewarm would be those shades of gray (Rev 3:15-16). Jesus said He desired that we be hot or cold, but the lukewarm He would vomit out of His mouth. These were especially displeasing to Him. Some would call them fence sitters. The lukewarm are noncommittal, lack zeal, and are generally deceived and hard to reach because they have a powerless form of godliness that keeps them content (2 Tm 3:5). The lukewarm may be very hard to distinguish from the world due to a life of compromise or hypocrisy (Mt 23:28). The lukewarm mostly believe that they are hot and certainly superior to the cold.

The Accepted Meaning of “the Church”

What is the church? The popular notion of “the church” is that it is a facility, building, meeting place or religious organization/institution where one goes to find, worship and serve God. Preachers/pastors are looked upon as a sort of priestly order having lordship and authority over their members (Mt 10:42). These are mostly viewed as God’s authority on earth to teach, administer or facilitate salvation and perform religious ceremonies or rites such as baptisms, weddings, funerals and the Lord’s Supper. If pressed most would acknowledge the church is a body of individuals, but it is mostly referred to from the standpoint of a facility, building or denomination – i.e. “at my Church.” Another popular notion is that membership, attendance, support, devotion and faithful service in one of these institutions is the primary gauge to reveal right standing before God (Acts 17:24-25). This is why most people’s thoughts immediately conjure up their images of “religious organizations” when engaged in any discussion of Jesus. Most have difficulty separating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ from a religious institution, denomination or doctrine. Often it is because the religious organization has become their form of relationship with Jesus Christ as it has exalted itself as the head of the body. This is a poor substitute for the real thing!

Often men and religious things are placed between the believer and God. There is only one way to approach God. Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Notice that through Christ we have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit (Heb 4:14, 8:1, 9:24, 1 Jn 2:1). Man and the things of man have been totally left out of the equation. Jesus brought reconciliation and has given us His Spirit, let us walk therein (Eph 2:13-17). Ephesians 3:11-12, “According to the eternal purpose which he (God) purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” Our faith must be in Christ and He must be head of the body (Eph 1:22, 5:23, Col 1:18). Anything that exalts itself in the place of Christ is not of God. 1 John 5:11, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” We are complete in Him: Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

The True Body of Christ

The Greek word for our term, church, is Ekklesia (ek-klay-see-ah) meaning: “Called out ones.” The true church is the body of believers who are disciples and followers of Christ, consisting of individuals past, present and future. There is one body, one Spirit and one Lord (Eph 4:4-6). Jesus said it like this: John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (also Ps 95:7).” The sheep would represent the church, not the pasture, pen or stable. Hearing Christ’s voice & Christ knowing them, represents relationship. Following is much more than a profession, mere mental belief or acknowledgment, but seeks and lives God’s will over your own. Following is obedience and is best described as walking in the footsteps of Christ (1 Pt 2:21-22, 1 Jn 2:6). How did Christ walk? Jesus walked the way of the cross, meaning: He came to the earth when directed by the Father; He totally denied SELF to do/perform the Father’s will to the point of giving His physical life; spoke and taught His Father’s Words; did the Father’s Work; prayed often; forsook the things of the world; became a servant; was tempted yet did not sin; was reviled and rejected; and always obeyed the Father. In order to do these things, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. The example that Jesus left for us to follow has been discussed in much more depth in previous chapters. It is also important to note that wherever the word “church” is used in scripture, such as in the King James Bible, it was translated into English from this Greek word “Ekklesia” meaning “called out ones.” On occasion the term may mean an assembly or gathering of called out ones. The body of Christ is not something you join, but is something you are born into and only God can do this (Jn 1:12-13, 3:3, 6:44, 6:65, 1 Cor 3:7) - not by the will of man or the flesh (Jn 1:12-13). Ephesians 5:30,32, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

What have the Ekklesia (called out ones) been called out of? We have been called out of darkness which is all sin, evil, and unrighteousness (Mt 4:6, Lk 11:35, Jn 3:19-21, 8:35, Col 1:13, 1 Jn 3:8). We have been called out of worldliness which is the cares/pleasures of this life, deceitfulness of riches, pollutions of the world, and lusts of the eyes and pride of life (Mk 4:18-19, Lk 8:14 & 21:34, 1 Jn 2:15-17, 2 Pt 2:20, Js 1:27, Gal 6:14 ). We have been called out of Mystery Babylon which is confusion, a mixture of government, paganism/idolatry & religion - Doctrines of Balaam (2 Pt 2:14-16, Jude 1:11, Rev 2:14). This is man’s attempts to reach God through man’s will while retaining the things of the world (Rev 18:4, 2 Cor 6:17, 1 Cor 6:15-16). We have been called out of SELF which is self-sufficiency, self-love, selfishness, self-seeking, self-gratification, self-righteousness, self-preservation, self-centeredness, and self-knowledge, known as the flesh (Mt 10:39 & 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24 & 17:33, Jn 12:25, Romans chapter 8). All sin results from a pursuit of self-will rather than God’s will. Self is prideful and arrogant. God would have us humble and meek. Self wants to be sovereign. God would have us to be dependant upon Him. In short, we have been called out of all rebellion to God and must lay down all resistance and come back under His authority - freely and lovingly.

Jesus is the Head of the Body

Jesus is the head of the church, for it is His body and He has purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Ephesians 1:20-23, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. The church represents Christ on the earth. The power that drives the church is the Holy Ghost and is manifested as love (Rm 5:5). Jesus must be the sole focus of all activities within the church (His body). Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (also Eph 5:23). The religious institutes of man have actually set themselves in the place of Christ. Men are looking to these organizations to save them, rather than Jesus Christ. There is a distinction here that most are blinded to and do not see. Christ scolded the church at Ephesus because: Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Jesus must be the love of our life and our sole motivation must be to please and bring Him glory in all things. The Jews had trusted in the law to save them rather than God. They had a heartless observance and this was not God’s desire. Some have a heartless “religious observance” because their heart is on the world. Woe to you because God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). We are not to serve buildings, personalities, or institutions. We are to serve Jesus Christ with a whole heart of devotion.

Many will say, I am of the Baptist; or I am of the Methodist; or perhaps I am of the Pentecostals (institutions – of man). Perhaps they will say, I am of Billy Graham, Charles Stanley or Benny Hinn (personalities – men); or I am of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (entities – of man). These will associate themselves with man or the institutions of man. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13, “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” The Baptist, Methodist or whatever did not die for you, neither are they the head of the body (these are institutions of man, the Spirit brings unity, man divides). Salvation will not be found in a man (other than Christ) or a television network. We are to look to Jesus alone for our salvation. Not to doctrines, traditions, personalities, institutions, etc. Jesus Christ must be our first love and our heart must be for Him alone (Rev 2:4). Secondly we need to start putting denominational loyalties aside and look for individuals that have spiritual life and fellowship with them as members of Christ’s body. Spiritual life is found in one who has yielded totally to God and seeks His will through the Holy Spirit. This one will be living a life of demonstrated faith. If we are being led of the Spirit, then we will come to understand Christ’s gospel (not man’s doctrines). Those who are following men such as John Calvin, Jacobus Arminius, John Wesley, Martin Luther, or whoever need to repent. You are being led by doctrines and not by the Holy Spirit. Many of the religious institutions of today are based upon what men (such as the above) believed, taught and wrote about rather than Christ – and they will argue endlessly about it (strife between denominations). God’s truth is revealed through His Spirit and His Word. You may have truth, but if you do not have the Spirit, your in error. Open God’s Word and seek the Spirit’s guidance. All these competing doctrines and confusion could be cleared up if you will put your eyes upon Jesus and submit to His Holy Spirit.

All these groups who have named themselves and set up distinctions (of man) only prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are being led of man and not the Holy Spirit. Where is the unity in Christ’s body that these religious denominations/factions presume to be (Eph 4:3)? Where is the one-mindedness (Rm 15:6, 2 Cor 13:11, Php 1:27, 2:2)? Where is the love? Man separates; the Spirit brings us to unity of purpose and understanding when we will humble ourselves and be led (obedience). This cannot and will not be accomplished through the flesh. This will only happen through obedience to the Spirit. Thus man cannot convert, direct nor control. Man can humble himself and obey and this is what God requires. In other words, God will do the leading and man will do the following (in love through faith). It is through Christ that we have access by one Spirit to the Father (Eph 2:18, 3:12) and not through man’s religiosity. Man presumes much!

What about Religion?

What shall we say of religion? Matthew 16:21-23, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Jesus had put His will aside and was traveling the “Way of the Cross” in perfect loving obedience to the Father’s will. He was going to be killed by very religious men who claimed to represent God, although their hearts were far from Him. Peter believed he was aiding Christ by his comment, but finds himself equally opposed to God’s will. The elders, chief priest and scribes thought they were serving God by killing Christ; whereas Peter thought he was serving Christ by trying to save Him. In both cases, the individuals believed they were serving God, but were actually conflicting and resisting with His purposes and were mostly self serving. Jesus’ response to Peter describes man’s religion very well. It is a stumbling block or offense to God, and does not delight in, take pleasure, relish, enjoy, love, appreciate, or value the things of God, but does relish the things of man. So what is to be done with man’s religious system? Matthew 15:13, “But he (Jesus) answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Man will never please God his way. We must come to God on His terms. No flesh will glory in God’s presence (1 Cor 1:29). God says that we must die to what we are (sinful and self-seeking) and be born again (desiring God’s will be done). We must approach God humbly with a heart’s desire to yield to Him and perform His will in faithful obedience. Man only wants to put on a religious exterior, yet retain self will. God is going to do some shaking and rooting up during the tribulation period and this is discussed in Chapter Ten – many will be purged, or tried and purified.

Our God is a jealous God and we are to follow Him alone and not set up any other image or entity in our lives (Ex 34:14). John 10:3-5, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” The sheep know the Shepherd and He communicates with them. This is relationship. The Shepherd intimately knows the sheep, by name! This is the close personal relationship that Christ wants to have with you. The Lord once said of Moses, “I know thee by name” (Ex 33:17). Notice: the Shepherd leads and the true sheep follow because they are listening and focused on the Shepherd and they obey Him (Is 40:11, 1 John 2:3)! The Shepherd goes before them and provides for them. The sheep walk in His path. Sheep are humble and obedient. God desires that we look to Him alone for all our needs, not ourselves or other men (Ez 34:31). The true sheep will not follow after someone (man – no matter how likeable) other than the Shepherd because they are focused on the Shepherd. There are many other sheep in the religious world blinded and following after strangers or institutions, which have set themselves in the place of the Shepherd. Strangers want to tell you what the Shepherd really said or meant as they beckon you to themselves in their own fenced pen or pasture which may become a spiritual prison. They may tell you that they alone represent the Shepherd and their pen is the only correct sheep place. These leaders tread down the pastures and foul the waters (Ez 34:18-19) and consume the sheep (Ez 34:10). Perhaps if these sheep read their bibles and sought God in prayer and daily life, this would not be the case. These sheep also seek to go about independent of the Shepherd and provide for themselves (self-sufficient), their way (self will), and in their timing (impatient). The Shepherd is going down a narrow trail and the sheep must pay close attention and listen for a still small voice (1 Kg 19:12). Many sheep have had their eyes on the surroundings and worldly delights that are off the narrow path. These have wandered off the Shepherd’s path, but are absolutely convinced they are still following Him, yet they are in the midst of wolves.

Personal Relationship

We must be careful not to elevate any method or mechanism of our worship to be the emphasis or substitute for our relationship with God. In the wilderness, the children of Israel were constantly complaining, whining, and rebelling against God (Ex 17:2-3, 7, Num 11:4-6). They tempted Christ (1 Cor 10:9). Numbers 21:6, “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” When the people repented of their evil, God sent deliverance. Numbers 21:8, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” This solution was to be a foreshadowing or symbolic object lesson to represent what Christ would later do on the cross. John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The symbolism was that we are all dying in sin, and only when we look to God’s provision (Christ) for salvation can we have life. Satan overcomes man by injecting his venom in man’s blood (which is the life of the flesh) and thus corrupting it. Christ is the only cure. Jesus being lifted on the cross being God’s great sacrifice of love for us. Those who did not obey and look to God’s provision, died in their rejection and rebellion. The people of Israel later corrupted what God had done by worshipping the means of deliverance rather than the deliverer. 2 Kings 18:4, “He (King Hezekiah) removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.” Israel had made a false god of the brazen image thereby greatly dishonoring God. Likewise, many today have made their own God and deliverer out of the religious organizations, ceremonies and rites (sacrements), charismatic leaders, religious works, baptisms, doctrines and traditions, etc. They rejoice in the works of their own hands (Acts 7:41). When we place our faith in these things rather than Jesus Christ, we have missed God’s will and exalted man’s. God knew that man would improve upon the method of worship, evolve it, and eventually exalt it in the place of God. This is why God forbid Israel to carve an altar. Deuteronomy 27:5, “And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.” God desired to be the focus of man’s worship rather than have man improve, beautify and exalt the means.

King Ahaz saw a pagan altar that he liked while visiting Syria and sent the pattern of it to Urijah the priest to have a similar one built (2 Kg 16:10-18). This altar violated God’s Word (Moses was told not to deviate from God’s pattern, Ex 25:9, Heb 8:5 and subsequently David and Soloman) and the one in Damascus certainly didn’t save the Syrians who offered upon it from Tiglathpileser’s (Assyria) invasion which was orchestrated by Ahaz. Rather than follow God’s pattern, Ahaz chose man’s – and that of the heathen. King Ahaz incorporated a similar pagan altar into his worship of God at the temple. He offered worship unto Syria’s gods because they seemed stronger (2 Chr 28:23). The truth is that Ahaz’s demise was due to his own evil (2 Chr 28:19, 22). We are told of the people: 2 Kings 17:33, “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.” King Ahaz had a form of religion, but was wicked in God’s eyes as he did that which opposed God (2 Kgs 16:2-4, 2 Chr 28:24-25). King Ahaz would not see his own wickedness and repent, but sought other solutions. Nothing has changed in our “modern day.” Many will “profess Christ” and then take the things of the world and Christianize them. Many will desire to fear God and also serve the world and their own idols after the manner of the culture/society around them. God will not share His majesty with man’s idolatry. We cannot incorporate our own will or idolatry into our relationship with Jesus Christ. Idolatry is mostly incorporated within a religious context (observance). Israel constantly provoked God with their idolatry (2 Kgs 17:8-18). We must decide - ritual or relationship? Which do you think God’s emphasis will be on during Judgment Day? Heart or formula.

How did Jesus define eternal life? John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Christ defined eternal life as knowing the Father and Jesus. This is a relationship! We know God as we follow and live in abiding faith. In following, we obey: John 14:23-24, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” So if we love Jesus, we will make sure we keep His commandments, it will be our desire. Do you know Christ? To know is to follow (see Chapter Two for details).

Putting us under Bondage

When you come to Christ and understand that we are to have a very real, vibrant ongoing relationship there is such a freedom. Our acceptance with God is not based upon religious merits or works, but by loving faith lived daily for our Lord. Suddenly you realize that it’s not about pleasing man or his systems. Christ yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt 11:30). Men will try and load us down with all sorts of religious requirements and keep us under heavy loads. Galatians 2:4, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” The early church came out of the Jewish religious system. Most were raised under strict doctrines and traditions. Initially, this break was not totally clean. The body of Christ was working out through the scriptures, being led of the Holy Spirit (unfolding the scriptures - teaching), and discerning Christ’s Words as to how the body was to function. Many could not part with their old religious ideas (instilled in them). They tried to impose circumcision and observances of the law upon the new believers (converts) and bring them back under the bondage that Christ had freed them from (Gal 4:5). Acts 15:5, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Even Peter had problems with holding on to the old traditions and doctrines (Gal 2:11-16). Things are no different in the modern religious institutions. Men will try and bring us into bondage by telling us we must attend their denomination, believe their doctrine, and support their organization through attendance, volunteerism, finances, good works, evangelism, missions, etc. What we really must do is be led by the Spirit of God through daily life which will undoubtedly produce fruit that is acceptable to the Father and liberty to those who follow (Ps 119:45). The law does not justify, but faith in Christ does (Acts 13:39). Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Those who love God use their liberty as His servants and not for evil – meaning those things which oppose God (1 Pt 2:16). Many have great difficulty parting with the institution and this in itself reveals the bondage. They have been instilled to think of relationship with God and man’s religious institutions as one in the same. To separate from one is to separate from both in their minds. This is bondage! I’m not talking about becoming an independent agent, but joining the true body of Christ and seeking out those who have spiritual life. Come out, come out and let Christ be your authority.

Do not allow men to put you back into bondage because Christ will then become of none effect to you (Gal 5:4). Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” This is the nature of our liberty: Galatians 5:5, “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” When we live daily in obedience to Christ with a whole heart, then God is pleased. For this reason: Galatians 5:18, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” You will be performing the intent of the law with your correct attitude and obedience toward God as led by His Spirit. Since we are doing this, we have liberty and this liberty can never be allowed as occasion to the flesh (Gal 5:13). To seek after fleshly things would not be following the Spirit and thus nullify the liberty due to the wrong motives. So: Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” We will walk by the Spirit (narrow) or the flesh (broad) and you must decide which path you are on and where you choose to travel.

Trinkets and Paraphernalia

We read earlier how God doesn’t desire an ornate artistically sculpted altar and doing such disqualifies it. All glory is to go to God alone and not to implements of worship as man’s eyes tend to be drawn to fleshly things. Exodus 20:4, 23, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” We worship God in Spirit and not through physical representations (Rm 1:23) – recall the brasen fiery serpent discussion. Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” God’s glory will not be given to an inanimate object (Is 44:9, Ps 78:58). Acts 17:29-30, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Religious man has made all sorts of unauthorized Christian trinkets (images). Most ignorantly assume that their religious images are not the same, but all images have religious context. Examples would be gold and silver crosses (Ex 20:23) in every conceivable size and variety, with and without an image of Christ hanging on it; sculptures of praying hands; angels; nativity scenes; paintings; and fish/cross symbol jewelry, etc. (Deut 4:16-18, 23, 25 & 5:8). These things are man’s ideas and not God’s direction. Scripture never directs us to use the sign of the cross as a Christian identifier. Christ died a horrible death for you on a torturous Roman cross to provide followers with forgiveness and reconciliation to the Father. We must never forget this act of love. The cross was the shame Jesus suffered for us (Gal 3:13). We remember Jesus through communion (Lord’s Supper), which is Christ’s broken body and shed blood. The cross was never designated to be a religious icon. Many will be upset with this and that just proves the point that these are images because of the defensive attachment (possessive) placed on them. These same ones will have a form of worship regarding their crosses (or sculptures/paintings). If you cannot separate the cross image (icon) from Christ in your defense, then you really have a problem (attachment) – we do not worship a cross. Many worship the work of their own hands (Is 2:8). We are to seek our Lord directly through prayer and relationship, not inanimate objects. Women (applies to men) are told to dress in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety without gold, pearls or costly array (2 Tm 2:9, 1 Pt 3:3-4). Fashioning jewelry into religious symbols does not give license to violate scripture. Many people have a religious nature (outlook), but that does not mean that they have God’s nature. We are to have a heart for God and a love for His Word and not to serve Him based upon what we think He would like (see Chapter Seven, Christ (Mass), A Worldly Celebration). Religious man thinks surely God would be honored by religious objects (images) because they draw attention to religious things (such as God). However, do these religious ones read and obey His Word? (read on)

Many have paintings or movies that depict Jesus (or depictions of Jesus hanging on a cross). This is a direct violation of the Word of God and thus is against God’s will. Please consider this verse: Exodus 20:4, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth (also Deut 5:8).” This verse cannot be more clear. Jesus was in heaven, came to earth and now is in heaven. God never revealed His simlitude (form) to Israel because He did not want them to make images of Him. Deuteronomy 4:15-16, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female (also Deut 4:12).” AND Isaiah 40:18, “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” We do not know what Jesus looked like and these have portrayed false images. Most portray Jesus with long hair yet the scriptures say, 1 Corinthians 11:14, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” Jesus is always depicted as having very desirable features. Isaiah 53:2, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness (beauty, attractiveness); and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Comeliness is that which is becoming, fit or suitable, in form or manner - less forcible than beauty, less elegant than grace, and less light than prettiness. We are not to worship the image of a man, for God is so much greater. One day we shall see Him as He is, in all His glory (1 Jn 3:2, 1 Pt 4:13). Most will think this to be innocent, but most will also have these portrayed images in their mind when they think of Christ. God has forbidden this (Deut 4:23, 28:47)! The point is that our worship of Christ is not found in objects of adornment. God never wanted it to be this way and was very clear about it. Isaiah 46:5, “To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?” Religious man seeks to worship God his way and never sees fault in anything he does. Some will say that they have had visions of Christ, but do we trust man’s visions or God’s Word? Do not visions agree with the Word? Why is Christ depicted as a man of which we have no description and not as John described Him in Revelation (vs. 1:13-17, 2:18, 5:6)? John said, “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead (Rev 1:17).” Christ’s righteousness was once seen by Peter, James and John (mount of transfiguration) as Jesus was transfigured before them: Mark 9:3, “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Jesus’ shining white clothing represented His total righteousness. This is the understanding we should have of Him. We are to “follow” and conform to His image as the Spirit leads us and God works in us (Php 2:13, Heb 13:21). God does not allow physical representations of Himself no matter how man feels about the results (winning people to the Lord?) of the artistic license he presumes. To presume is to venture without positive permission (to suppose entitlement). This is a form of arrogance (pride – stiffnecked, rebellious).

Many will be thinking that they absolutely do not agree about the crosses because it has been so instilled in them to accept them and they are attached to their worship of them. Images could never portray the awesomeness and totality of God. Israel greatly feared God when He spoke to them through the midst of the fire in the burning mountain (Deut 5:23-27). However, they didn’t fear the images that they made and controlled – big difference! They made THEIR god and offered sacrifices to THEIR god and rejoiced in the works of THEIR hands (Acts 7:40-41, Ps 106:19-20, Is 2:8). They chose their way over God’s way just as so many religious do today. Do we obey God and His Word or do we rebelliously worship a God of our own making in the image we wish to construct? Men love images and always have. They want something physical and tangible that they can see and worship. God says that we must approach Him through faith (Heb 11:6). Man tries to compromise by making his images of a religious nature. If you find comfort in your images you’re an idolator (maybe a prayer garden/grove, cross, prayer beads). God is a Spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and by His Word (Jn 4:24). We are not worshipping an idol that we can see with our physical eyes. Instead, we are to serve God with love in faith – the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). 1 Peter 1:8, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt by His strong hand (Ex 6:1). When Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:16-18), the children of Israel were making a golden calf and worshiping it (Ex 32:1-6). The people wanted something tangible that they could see and touch. They said the calf was their god (representative) that brought them up out of Egypt (Ex 32:4). After all, they had grown up in Egypt and this is what the Egyptians did – they made images of their gods and worshipped them. Hey – everybody’s doing it! Israel was not guiltless and this was not innocent fun because God had just prior told them: Exodus 20:3-6, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Perhaps they just wanted to relegate God into an image of their creation? – They were afraid of God as He had presented Himself to them (Ex 20:19, Deut 5:23-27). God had come to prove them (Ex 20:20) and the results were disappointing. God told Moses the people had corrupted themselves and had turned aside quickly from following His commandments (Ex 32:7-8). God also said they were stiffnecked (rebellious, Ex 32:9) and He was prepared to consume them (Ex 32:10). Had Moses not intervened (Ex 32:11-14) they would have been destroyed. The people later mourned and “put off their ornaments” - they stripped themselves of the ornaments (things displeasing – jewelry items, religious images, Ex 33:4-6). Woe to those who look to images!

Many movies have been made concerning Jesus. The gospel was never intented to be entertainment to the flesh, yet these dramas are made to be just that. As mentioned, we do not know what Jesus looked like, nor do we know His actual personality, His body language, His thoughts, how He interacted with others and His emotional expressions. If Jesus the man could be portrayed, the deity certainly could not. These movies are man’s opinions and speculations based upon what appeals to the flesh. Men conform Christ to their image of Him (opposites – demonic). To make an entertaining movie, men must take many liberties in filling in unknown details. The whole thing becomes a huge fraud with some semblance to the biblical account. These movies could never be truly accurate and are thus deceptive. The truth is not accurately represented and therefore becomes a lie. False impressions are burned into the minds of the audience. These surface during prayer, worship and devotion and thus become idolic. This is not the way God intended to be worshipped or represented. Woe to man! Good intentions are not license to do evil. People will not be drawn to God by man’s disobedience to God (God draws men unto Himself, Jn 6:44, 65). A lie will not draw hearts to the truth. We may not worship any other god, including man’s assumed likenesses of the real God (Ex 34:14).

Do you have paintings of Jesus or statues (Jesus, virgin Mary, angels, nativity scene, saints, etc. – Deut 27:15)? If you do, then you have put up images and this is forbidden (Deut 16:22). This is not innocent – you have rejected God’s Word in favor of your own thoughts or ideas – doing what is right in your own eyes (Deut 12:8). Israel did this over and over and always thought it was innocent – everybody was doing it. Jesus said that if you do not keep His sayings (Word) that you do not love Him (Jn 14:24) – this is rejection! Jesus also said: John 15:23, “He that hateth me hateth my Father also.” There is not a pick and choose option for serving God. Many worship an image of Christ – few “follow” the living Christ – there is a tremendous difference that the blind will never see. Many will put religious symbols or bumper stickers on their cars. Jesus would have others see Him through us by the faithful lives we live – do and not say.

Many have made images of angels (paintings, sculptures, jewelry, etc.) and have a form of worship thereof (Deut 16:22, Col 2:18). We are told more than once in the Word of God not to worship angels (usually by the angels themselves, Jdg 13:16-18, Heb Chap 1&2, Rev 19:10, 22:8-9). Many also depict angels inaccurately as winged and feminine or as young children. Angels are always referred to in the masculine and as mature, in God’s Word.

Compromise

What an evil word compromise is. We have to understand that the nature of man is fallen and as such is in rebellion against God. Man always seeks to please his flesh. The best situation for the unconverted is if he can please his flesh and soothe the guilty conscious at the same time. If God says you are not to have graven statues, then man will immediately respond, “what if.” What if they were molded rather than engraved with tools? What if they are metal rather than clay or wood? What if we had a painting rather than a statue? What if they were of Christian symbols? In other words religious man will overlook the intent and major on the fine points of the law. Men will strain at a gnat, but swallow a camel (Mt 23:24). The best possible justification for the religious man would be a verse from God’s Word even if it has to be taken out of context or is an obscure and less understood verse that may even contradict a multitude of other verses. Those that have a heart toward God will uphold the intent of what God desires. Those who are seeking God, but want to live in the flesh will look for loopholes. Those who serve through the flesh will at best grudgingly follow God and in their way. Another word that some will hide behind is “tolerance.” This is going along with something that you know to be wrong for the sake of unity. Most likely this will be associated with the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We are to seek peace with all men if possible, but never, ever compromise the Word of God in so doing (Heb 12:14).

Assembling

When asked the question, “Where do you go to church?” If you do not respond with the appropriate answer you are immediately viewed with much suspicion and basically considered a heretic or apostate until possibly proven innocent. The desired answer being a membership with an established (known) and generally accepted form of man’s organized and incorporated religion (one of the thousands of denominations). The religious institutions have been tremendously successful in furthering this concept. You may find that the most biblically illiterate person may be able to conjure up some form of this verse of scripture: Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” It is so important to understand that this does not necessarily mean perfect attendance at a religious institution. That is a doctrine and tradition of men which is mostly fear based – not in love. The scripture is saying that true followers assemble wherever and whenever appropriate to exhort one another in the faith. The early church assembled in private homes, courtyards, upper chambers, synagogues, or wherever. The importance was why they were assembling. Exhorting means to give spirit, strength, comfort, courage and to entreat (pray against an evil) and pray. Jesus said: Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” If we include the full text of Hebrews Chapter 10, we find that God has written His law in our hearts and minds and we have a new life of love and faith to draw near to Him with correct motives. We are to come with a pure heart or whole heartedly due to our love for Him in unwavering confidence. We look to Him alone. We assemble ourselves to provoke each other unto love and good works, the forsaking of sin and having conduct that is pure and holy always seeking righteousness in following our Lord. We encourage one another to forsake the things of the world and wholly seek God’s righteousness. This is generally not what the religious are doing and this will be more thoroughly covered in Chapter Seven. Two people form an assembly. There is no rule about meeting in religious buildings with pomp and ceremony. Those that think there must be some sort of religious structure to legitimize the gathering only show their ignorance of the truth.

The truly sad thing is that although many have taken religious attendance to heart, they have not taken true faith to heart. True faith is loving obedience and service to Christ as Lord, everyday and in every way. This is a denying of self and a forsaking of sin and the world. Faith will save, religious attendance will not. The priorities are all out of order and this is the confusion that God allows for those who love not the truth (live, apply, do). Those who do not love the truth, have no use for it and will not be given it – this you can be assured of. This is the spiritual blindness that Christ talked about so often. This was also always associated with the religious. The religious will interpret God’s Word through the flesh and mostly wrongfully apply it. The truth of the gospel such as coming to the light (living righteously), self-denial, and sacrifice becomes a reproach to them as it does not soothe the flesh, and they have no delight in it (Jer 6:10). The spiritual will have the Word of God unfolded to them as taught by the Holy Spirit as they live it and travel the narrow path conforming to Christ’s image more and more along the way. To conform to one, you must die to the other. To become spiritual and Christ like, you must die to self and the flesh.

If we are not assembling to truly serve God whole heartedly (fanatically) and encourage, exhort, and edify others in their walk, then we have missed the whole point of assembly. We are to have relationship with God (through Christ) first and with others second. Assembling is not about building facilities and serving them, shallow relationships, religious form, ceremony, rites, etc. It’s all about Jesus Christ, the head of the body. It’s about helping each other live daily in a world that undermines and opposes all that Christ stood for. This should be a time when a believer finds refuge and support – does he?

Who will Lead the Body?

Whenever there is a true move of the Spirit of God, men’s hearts will be truly changed and cry out to Him. This will be evidenced and demonstrated in their daily walk. They will essentially follow in the steps of Christ in self denial (dying to self) and devotion to Him. Such a group of men will form a powerful body and the gifts of the Spirit as identified in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 will be clearly manifested as the Spirit of God leads the body. Inevitably man will rise up and attempt to franchise the move of God and institutionalize it. The gathering will be named, facilities will be sought and soon the Spirit will absent as man takes over and improves, develops creeds or doctrinal statements and otherwise legislates the move. The Spirit of God must be free to move and direct the body. Man must be obedient through faith always looking outward to God rather than inward to himself. Although there will be much similarity from group to group this may vary somewhat as the Spirit determines the need. The Spirit of God cannot and will not be boxed in by man as man determines what truths of God’s Word will be emphasized and what will be reduce in importance (relegated).

A Brief Historical Perspective

Just after the church was first established at Pentecost (book of Acts), it came under heavy persecution from the religious Jews. This persecution actually caused the church (body of Christ) to grow and be disbursed throughout the region (Acts 8:1, 4, 11:19-21). The church was divinely designed to endure, overcome and triumph in such persecution because Christ is their Head and it is directed by His Spirit. The church was not dependent upon human leadership to function. New groups (individuals, not buildings) were established all over the area with no more than one assembly in any given city. Almost immediately false prophets and teachers and those seeking personal glory began to arise (2 Pt 2:1-3, 3 Jn 1:9-10, 1 Tm 1:20). This was a constant aggravation to the apostle Paul. The apostles were busy establishing (maturing) the body with teaching, encouragement, and exhortation. Some brethren laboring in this effort forsook the Lord for the things of the world (2 Tm 1:15, 4:10).Some realized that religion could be “profitable” as a means to obtaintheir fleshly desires (money, power, control, influence, etc.). At times, Paul must have felt all alone. Philippians 2:20-21, “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” So men seeking their will and purposes entered in from the very inception. Nevertheless, Christ has always been faithful to His “little flock” who truly seek Him and His Spirit. Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” There will always be a counterfeit (and it will outnumber the true), but those who truly and intently seek Christ will find Him and His truth. Acts 17:27, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” AND Jeremiah 23:23, “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?” Beware of the counterfeits that seem right, but the Spirit is absent. Cunning men can craftily expound upon and interpret the Word of God their way. The Spirit unfolds (reveals) the Word and brings life to the hearer.

Almost as soon as the Jewish persecution subsided, persecution began from the Roman Empire. This persecution was severe and lasted through ten successive Caesars over a period of two hundred and fifty years. Most have heard of the horrible stories of Christians being thrown to lions and set ablaze on crosses. Throughout all this the church spread and grew tremendously, which seemingly defied logic. The Holy Spirit led the body and no persecution on earth could contain it. The church is spiritually designed to overcome when functioning properly. The church actually triumphed over Rome’s efforts to stop it, resulting in the Emperor Constantine proposing a deal to church leaders who were eager to end the persecutions (If you cannot conquer from without, then you must conquer from within).

During this same time period many leaders were arising within the church. These were men who sought power, influence and control. They began to accumulate such power incrementally over time. They also established mindsets and methodologies, such as they could be the only ones to administer communion (Lord’s Supper) and sacraments that were later added. They began laying the widespread foundation of what Jesus termed “Nicolaitans” (Rev 2:15) which means to “Lord over the people.” These religious set-up seats of authority over the people contrary to Christ’s command that to be great in the kingdom of heaven, you must be servant to all (and not to establish titles or positions of supremacy). This became as the Levitical priesthood that Jesus had abolished on the cross (Mk 15:38). Today we know this system as the clergy-laity. The truth is that all disciples have direct access to God through Christ (Eph 2:18) and are to be led of the Spirit who instructs in God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16, 1 Cor Chap 2). Over time sacraments were developed and actually became the religious (man’s way) means of salvation rather than faith in Christ. If you were not a member of their religious institution, then you were considered lost. The spiritual life seen in individuals should be the evidence of relationship with Christ through faith.

Under Constantine there was a sort of combining of church and state (Mystery Babylon) and the persecution of the visible church ended. Church leaders, who had been enduring the reproach of the cross and suffering persecution, tired and sought the relief that the state was offering. Rather than try and defeat the church from without, the devil changed tactics to defeat it from within. A little compromise here and there and the persecution ended. Christianity suddenly became very popular. The conversion of the masses soon led to pagan temples becoming church buildings as people changed religion. Later, cathedrals (monuments to the flesh) were built. Many of these new converts brought their pagan traditions into the church body. A little Christianizing here and there and these pagan observances were added right in. Ambitious leaders were happy to accommodate this mixing in order to consolidate power and influence. For some time, God’s Word was suppressed and not available to the common man and they were told what authorities wanted them to hear. Doctrinal arguments were settled by Church Councils, beginning with the Council of Nicea in 325 (which formulated the Nicean Creed). Religious man forms councils rather than seeking the Holy Spirit. Man wants to formulate, consolidate and control. Those who truly followed the Spirit were probably not part of these councils. The church literally became two separate entities. The true church was humble in spirit, less noticeable, and Christ-seeking. The false church (harlot) exalted the flesh, was highly visible, state approved, and was self-seeking. Those whose beliefs or practices deviated sufficiently from the orthodoxy of the councils now became the objects of efforts (persecution) to bring them into the fold. Resistance often led to persecution. This soon plunged the church into the Dark Ages whereby the resulting Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church Systems became the persecutors of all those who did not yield to their absolute rule (within their realms of influence). Believers were told that only by being a member of the now institutionalized religious system could one be saved (sounds familiar for today). These institutions assumed they held all truth and apart from them there was none other. They even claimed to speak for God. Even so, there were still many smaller groups of true believers who did not yield to this beast system. It’s amazing, but the worst and probably longest sustained persecutions of true believers were actually carried out by those who claimed to represent Christ, just as Christ was killed by those who claimed to represent God and who were looking for His coming. Torture, murder and destruction of written materials became the mode of control. Throughout a history of man exerting his will, God has preserved His Word for “whosoever will” and this is miraculous (Rev 22:17). We must seek Christ alone and understand this Word as guided and taught by His Holy Spirit. There is no justification in God’s Word to persecute or kill in His name. This activity showed without doubt that these institutions were following man and not the Spirit. The religious system totally misrepresented Christ through such authoritarianism and rule of terror.

The Church of Rome known as the Roman Catholic Church had many reformers. These were men who saw error in the church and sought to correct the error. In most cases these were Roman Catholics who never renounced their membership within the Roman Catholic Church. From these attempted reforms came additional protestors. These men were eventually forced to split from the Roman Catholic Church and became know as the Protestants (Protest-ants). Although the Protestants steered their memberships back to the truth of faith in Christ, they carried over much of the error of the Roman Catholics (lust for buildings/temples, holidays, ceremonies, Lordship authority/ control). Although these reformers had the truth of God’s Word, many were still deeply entrenched in doctrines and traditions of these systems of man (very hard to break free from, see Chapter Seven, Christ (Mass), A Worldly Celebration).

The nation of America was born out of rebellion (Rm 13:1-2) – it broke away from the English empire by force of will. America has always been known for rebellion (independence), pursuit of self, and pride (see Chapter 7, Rock and Roll). Most of us were taught in school how the United States was founded by people escaping religious persecution in Europe. Escaping persecution is seeking relief, but in what? This has been called a Christian nation. The church in scripture has always been a remnant called out of the world into relationship with Christ. The true church would never be synonymous with an entire community or nation – there is no scriptural authority or historical precedent for such. Throughout the history of the church, Christ has always had a remnant that would carry the torch of His testimony. Inevitably these groups would eventually tire of the persecution and seek relief. In relief they found complacency and what was once alive would eventually die as they institutionalized to preserve what they had (Rev 2:4, 3:1-2). Fortunately there have always been others who would step-up and carry this precious testimony forward. What happens when believers seek relief from governments/religious authorities from persecution? Fleshly comfort and security are gained, but what has been lost? What has been compromised? Perhaps an examination of the United States of America might provide an answer. Throughout the history of this nation, the religious and government have had an arrangement. The church has lived in security, protected by law, and has even enjoyed special tax status. The state has been the Defender of the Faith. Churches have multiplied across the land and assemblies (franchises) are literally located on every block. There is a type of Christian culture flourishing with television, magazines, schools, entertainment, retail stores, sports, associations, etc. This country has exported religious denominations (missionaries) across the globe. The new trend is super mega-churches operating under church growth doctrines. So what is the problem? What has been lost – it seems so wonderful? The problem is that the culture/society of United States of America is the most decadent, self-indulgent, depraved, degenerate, morally corrupt nation on the face of the earth. Does this upset you? Examine the facts, not your emotions. America is prideful, America is arrogant, yet America is the world’s ideal of man’s accomplishments. The USA is condidered the greatest country on the face of the earth. It reigns supreme militarily, economically, culturally, religiously, socially, scientifically, etc. Everyone wants to immigrate to America. Some would consider the USA to be the world’s moral compass (and this is very telling of the great deception). The US proudly boast, “I Am, there is none else beside me” (Is 47:8-10). HOWEVER: The U.S. aborts its babies (murder of innocents) by the millions; glorifies every sin imaginable through its television programming and movie industry; promotes illicit sex, homosexuality & perversion and creates & distributes the world’s pornography; is consumed with a love of violence, alcohol, and drug use; wars with an occupies other nations or controls economically; enslaves (debt) its citizens through a system of banking and credit (Federal Reserve) combined with enticements of covetousness and greed; is very proud; promotes gambling (Lotteries, casinos, etc. – whole states are consumed) and rebellious music styles which lower inhibitions; uses the majority of the world’s resources and consumes its products (therefore: what America wants the world produces and also buys) – America’s great “merchant men” (corporations) and financial institutions enslave the world (the souls of men – Rev 18:13, 23, consider the increasing multitude of third world sweat shops) – seeking the fruits that her soul lusts after (Rev 18:14); The greed and self-indulgence are unrivaled in world history; and worse – it exports immoral culture around the world. American culture is just a continuance of that of Rome (violence, sensuality, slavery, regulations, military superiority, roads, right to face accusers {Acts 25:16}, etc.). What all this is saying is that the American religious institutes are totally ineffective (even from a worldly perspective, given its size, resources, influence, etc.). The country that sends out so many missionaries is in desperate need of missionaries. The most popular toys, children’s books and movies in the U.S. all concern witchcraft and the occult. Video games (played by most youth) are saturated with themes of graphic violence, sex and the occult. Many Christian families justify participation in these things by saying its just fun make-believe. In order for the organized churches to maintain popularity and draw crowds, the message of Christ becomes weaker and less offensive to such a point that now God has just become an unconditional “Love God” with no expectations. The banner on a local church proclaims: “God loves you no matter what.” This may sound good to the flesh, but scripture does not support this - (Ps 7:11, 11:5, 119:155). Relationships are reciprocal: John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” Most religious institutions are worldly and very representative of the culture. A typical religious assembly will be very representative of the culture at large. America is the economic/religious Babylon described in the Bible! America undoubtedly corrupts the world with her fornication (Rev 19:2). She is wholly given to pleasures and living carelessly and deliciously (Is 47:8, Rev 18:7).

Americans like things quick and convenient so getting saved has been reduced down to a one line repeated prayer formula. Most are blinded, having itching ears and will not endure sound doctrine, but are satisfied with fables (2 Tim 4:3-4). America is the modern seat of Mystery Babylon and the book of Revelation addresses its coming fate (Pv 16:18). If you cannot discern that there is something dreadfully wrong in much of America’s denominational churches, then you need only to open your Bible and start reading it. Where is the church that Jesus described? It’s in following Him and not man. The last reprobate act of Sodom was open homosexuality. The modern church is now opening it’s arms to unrepentant homosexuals – judgment is near (Jude 1:7). We are now at a point in God’s timetable (look at the signs in Matthew 24, Daniel, Revelation) when the world and the church is headed into the Great Tribulation. Much of the U.S. religious institutions propagate fables of pre-tribulation raptures (those less worthy than themselves as being “Left Behind” to face tribulation) - meanwhile the Churches in China, Sudan, Indonesia, etc. suffer heavy persecution now, for standing up for Christ. The people say: Isaiah 30:10, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” The false prophets cry peace, peace, but sudden destruction is coming (1 Thess 5:3, Ez 7:25).

The harlot church wants to live for the flesh, she partakes of the things of the world committing spiritual adultery. Rev 2:20-22, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” This is referring to the doctrine of Balaam (Rev 2:14). This is a harlot church that mixes her worship of God with the things of the world. This church is an adulterer and will go into the great tribulation. Jesus does give those who will seek Him the ability to repent. The harlot wants to save her flesh (pre-tribulation raptures), but will be thoroughly purged. This will be addressed in Chapter Ten.

Chapter 6 – Christ’s Holy Spirit Led Body

When Jesus walked upon the earth in the flesh, He was limited in what He could do. He could only minister to so many people at a time or be at so many places. Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go away (Jn 16:7 & Jn 14:28). Not only did He give Himself as the unblemished Lamb to be sacrificed for our sins and bring opportunity for reconciliation to the Father, but He also brought about a more perfect way in which those who would follow Him could walk therein. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us more perfect access (Eph 2:18). The Spirit is not limited in time and space. This chapter will consider the vital role the Spirit has in conforming us to Christ’s image. Through the Spirit we have access to God’s wisdom and Christ’s direction all the time (1 Cor 2:10, 16). The Spirit’s role is so vital that we cannot walk in Christ apart from the Spirit. Galatians 5:5, “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”

John1:6-8, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” John the Baptist was a prophet sent to prepare the way for Christ and did accomplish his purpose (Jn 10:41). Luke 1:15, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.” John operated in the Spirit of Elijah and was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb (Lk 1:17, 41, Mal 4:5). The Holy Spirit provided the authority, boldness and words for John to speak to be the witness God ordained. Luke 3:2-3, “Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” The Word came from God and not from the religious leaders or their system (religious schooling) and that word was to “repent.” Ezekiel also specifically spoke God’s Words (2 Chr 36:12, Ez 3:1-4, 11:5, 16:17) as did all the prophets (Deut 18:18-19, Moses – Num 11:24-29, Is 63:11, Jonah – Jo 3:2). A true prophet always speaks God’s Words as per the Holy Spirit (2 Pt 1:21).

We read in Chapter Two that Jesus was filled with the Holy Ghost (Lk 4:1). Christ was justified in the Spirit (1 Tm 3:16). Christ’s wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel were of the Spirit (Is 11:2, Jn 7:38-39). The Spirit leads us to obey God. Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus’ desire is for His body (the church) to also be filled with this same Spirit. Christ said, John 3:5-6, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.” To be born of water is referring to the baptism of repentance and this is what water baptism is symbolic of. This is the process discussed in Chapter Four whereby one is broken before God, forgiven, born again or converted and given God’s nature (Eph 4:24). Water is representative of God’s Word – we are to be washed in it (Jn 15:3, Eph 5:26). The Word is from God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tm 3:16) – it stands for ever (Is 40:8). The Word of God purifies us. 1 Peter 1:22-23, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” The Word will make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ (2 Tm 3:15). We obey the truth, which is the Word, through the Spirit (water and Spirit). The Spirit unfolds God’s Word so that we can understand and apply it in the right manner. This water of the Word purifies us: Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Purifying is taking away all our wrong attitudes and giving us a heart to serve God. Jesus said: John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The miracle of the new birth takes place only in obeying the truth (Word) not just hearing. The Word must be accompanied by the Spirit to bring life – to change our hearts and attitudes. Those who have the Word but not the Spirit will not manifest this change of heart and attitude toward God. This was demonstrated by the religious men of Christ’s time. They had the Word, but their hearts were far from God. 1 John 5:8, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” These witnesses are the Holy Ghost, The Word, and Christ’s sacrifice - the giving of His very life (God’s plan: forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to God through Jesus). 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our salvation is through faith and sanctification (becoming like Christ) through the Spirit by belief in the Word (loving, accepting and applying the truth).

We are forgiven and our sins are covered by Christ’s shed blood (Col 1:14, Eph 1:7). The life is in the blood and Jesus’ was poured out for you (1 Jn 5:11-12). Being born of the Spirit is that empowerment to live holy and righteous before God (Lk 24:49, Jn 1:12, 1 Pt 1:2, 5). This is referred to as “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for Christ, said: Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” We are to be led by the Spirit daily, having died to self (repented) and having been forgiven by Christ’s shed blood.

We need a Comforter

Jesus said, John 16:7-8, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” The Holy Spirit’s manifestation was so necessary that Jesus said it was better for Him to leave such that this could be accomplished. The Spirit will convict us of sin and wrongfulness, lead us to righteousness, and will convince the world of its fault (make manifest) before God. For any of this to be meaningful, we must freely choose to obey. Jesus (in the flesh) could not physically give everyone such personal attention. John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” Jesus sends the Spirit to us so that we can have the ability to follow in His steps and be conformed to His image. Christ’s image (in the flesh) represented the image of God that man was created to be. We must be reconciled through Jesus to the image of God under His authority. John 16:13-15, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” The Spirit will guide us to the truth, meaning the correct knowledge, attitude and application of God’s Word. Without the Spirit the Word is as a sealed book – we do not rightly understand it, for there is blindness. We must pray that the Lord will open our understanding of the scriptures (Lk 24:45). As we travel “the way” of Christ (Jn 14:6), the Spirit unfolds God’s Word in knowledge and application in our lives. The Spirit will write the epistle of Christ in our heart (2 Cor 3:3). God’s Word is truth and it is eternal (Ps 12:6, 119:160, 1 Pt 1:25). The Spirit’s direction will always agree with God’s Word because He testifies of Jesus who is the Word (Jn 17:17, Js 1:18, 1 Pt 1:25). God has given the Spirit to us through our faith (Gal 3:2). The Spirit cannot be earned or merited through our good works or keeping of the law (must have love and devotion). Man does not control the Spirit in anyway. Religious error quickly manifests itself when the Spirit is absent. Man cannot know God or serve Him apart from the Spirit. God has sealed us with the Spirit in our hearts: 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” Notice that these verses bear witness of the full Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). The Spirit will lead and instruct us, if we follow and obey (Acts 5:32). Psalm 86:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Understanding of the mystery of Christ (the inspired written Word of God) was revealed to the Apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Mk 12:36, Lk 1:67, Eph 3:4-5, 2 Pt 1:21). To understand and apply God’s Word is to live within His will freely (purposes). Jesus must receive the glory and the Spirit will direct us to Christ.

Knowing the Truth of God’s Word

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” If we truly want to know God’s will and desire to perform it, then the Holy Spirit will ensure that we understand it. The Holy Spirit searches and reveals the deep things of God and we thereby have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:10-16). Conversely, if we seek our own will in any way then we will not understand God’s will. God’s truth is a mystery – hidden wisdom to those who are prideful or fleshly (1 Cor 2:7), yet will be understood by those who are humble and childlike (Mk 10:15, Lk 18:17). The kingdom will only be revealed through the Holy Spirit and never through man’s wisdom (1 Cor 2:13). The Holy Spirit gives truth of understanding – He is the Spirit of truth (Jn 15:26, 16:13)! Seeking of your will is seeking the flesh. Dying to your desires and will to seek God is seeking the Spirit. These things are as foolishness to the fleshly (1 Cor 2:14). When the flesh is active it will always seek its own and exalt itself above all else. God will not serve our flesh.

Have you ever noticed how different people can look at the same verse of scripture and come up with very different interpretations of the meaning? A person’s perspective may be biased based upon various reasons such as denominational/religious doctrine (doctrines of men), the way they were brought up or taught (traditions of men), pre-conceived notions, or perhaps a cherished lifestyle. In other words, scripture tends to be examined in light of the individual’s desired outcome or prior knowledge (2 Cor 2:17, 4:2). These things interfere with God’s will and are idols in your heart. If the desired meaning is not clearly apparent or is in doubt, then justification is sought. Offensive scriptures are downplayed and desired ones are emphasized. The Word becomes tailored to meet an end. These look at God’s Word through the eyes of the flesh. We must examine God’s Word through the Spirit. The flesh desires that which is contrary to the Spirit (Gal 5:17, Rm 8:4-5). The flesh will not desire to deny itself or make sacrifices. If the truth is not approached with a pure heart and right motives then it is of no use to know it. If the truth says to deny yourself and take up the cross, yet you are not willing, then the truth is of no value to you. Many handle God’s Word as a buffet of suggestions to be picked and choosed from, given a changing appetite. They do what is right in their own eyes (Deut 12:8) - but never see it that way (blindness).

Men find all sorts of ways to justify their errors or desired beliefs. They will take God’s Word and say this doesn’t apply because it is in the Old Testament (Mt 14:52); or this does not apply because it was only meant for the Jews; or this was only for the early church or during apostolic times; or this is only symbolic; and on and on. Jesus brought the truth, but man prefers his opinions. The truth will deny the flesh and this is the issue! Rather than accept and live within the truth, man will alter the truth to fit his opinions and assume that God is in agreement or will see things his way. We must understand that our “opinions” will always equate to “doing what is right in our own eyes” and will strengthen (feed) our flesh (Deut 12:8, Jud 17:6, 21:25, Pv 12:15, 21:2). Our opinions will be judged by God’s Truth – and they better be in agreement (Jn 12:48). God’s Word is eternal and never changing (Js 1:17). Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” What God said in the Old Testament absolutely continues to apply within the context it was said (Mt 13:52). God has been very clear and consistent throughout the Bible that man is to love, obey and serve Him with a whole heart – to cleave to Him (Deut 11:22). Anything short of total surrender to the will of God and a life of abiding faith (in Jesus) is rebellion and sin. Nothing has changed including the fact that man manipulates to have his will prevail in keeping with his fallen nature (2 Cor 2:17). Those who love not the truth of God’s Word and use it for selfish ends have judged God’s Word as unworthy in favor of their own or another’s. What will happen to those who reject God’s truth? Acts 3:23, “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet (Jesus, as per v. 22 and Acts 7:37), shall be destroyed from among the people.” These despise God’s Word (Pv 13:13, 2 Cor 4:2). Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice and “follow” me (Jn 10:27). Consider: Psalm 95:7, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice.” We must hear Jesus and not what we want to hear.

What is the correct way to examine God’s Word to accurately understand Christ’s doctrine (teaching)? How can we know the correct context and application of the scriptures? John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know (understand) of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” The fundamental condition for obtaining spiritual knowledge (truth) is a genuine heart-desire to carry out the revealed will of God (Ps 25:14). Proverb 28:5, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” God will give understanding (Pv 1:23, Lk 24:45, Mt 13:11) to those who will do His will (desire to know and perform His will), they will understand and thus know His doctrine – This God promises! These will be taught of God (Jn 6:45). Knowing means intimate knowledge that leaves no doubt (consider: Jn 17:21, 23, 26). In order to know and apply God’s will, we must totally put our will aside, you cannot have both (who will be Lord?). When we put our will (or idols) aside (doctrines, traditions, likes, dislikes, etc.), then our heart is ready to receive His will (Dan 9:13). If we truly want to know God’s will, then we will DO IT (this is a must, Js 1:22) when given the truth, because our heart genuinely seeks to please Him (Ps 25:5, 27:11, 119:12, 33, 143:10). Psalm 86:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” To be taught of God we must be meek and fear Him (Ps 25:9, 12, 14). As we do/perform God’s will, our eyes will be opened to the understanding of His Word. Christ said, “to those who hear more will be given (Mk 4:24).” Jesus also said: John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Scriptures reveal that when Christ came the people would not receive Him, meaning that they did not take to heart the things which He said. His will must become our will. This always results in self-sacrifice on your part (denying the flesh). Christ’s love was sacrificial and we must reciprocate (it’s a relationship). If you love not the truth and will not die to self to conform to God’s will (Christ’s image, Rm 8:29) then: 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Many claim salvation through the blood of Christ, but they received not the love of the truth. So they have blindness of heart (Eph 4:18-19). To see the truth, we must first turn from our iniquities (Dan 9:13). To be self-serving and holding onto the things of men is to reject God’s truth in favor of your own or another man’s, usually to satisfy the flesh (carnal nature). Notice the verse (Jn 7:16-17) said doctrine (singular) and not doctrines (plural). There are not many teachings or many paths as some might have you believe. Many want to see God as their own image of the way they think He should be. God is not the image of man (those who rebel see things opposite – as the devil)! They create their own golden calf and make sacrifices to it! The Holy Spirit will bear witness and teach those who will embrace truth (John 14:26). God sends those who love not the truth a strong delusion such that they believe their own error (strongly consider this).

God will confirm our own idols back to us if we love not the truth. Ezekiel 14:3-5, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.” Do you see the magnitude of these verses? When we approach God with idols in our hearts (favorite doctrines, beliefs, notions, traditions, justifications, self-centered wants) or for any reason other than to know the truth (even if it disagrees with our entire understanding, doctrines and traditions) and to live within that truth, then God just confirms our own error back to us according to the multitude of our idols (2 Thess 2:11). God Himself deceives those self seeking prophets (Ez 14:9). God validates what we want to hear because we reject His truth (Ez 14:9-10). Our own error becomes a huge stumblingblock (of iniquity, Ez 14:7) that we now suppose God endorses. This becomes the strong delusion that is believed and accepted as truth. We have no real use for the truth, only validation of our opinions. God doesn’t force us to hear the truth, and if we’re not seeking to follow it there is no benefit anyway. God says of these: Psalms 50:17, “Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.” We know that those seeking God’s will are being led in the path of righteousness unto holiness (Ps 23:3, Pv 8:20, Lk 1:74-75, Rm 6:19, 22, Eph 4:24, 1 Thess 4:7, Heb 12:14) – we are blessed in doing so (Ps 128:1). Where are those who seek SELF being led? Psalms 125:5, “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity…” Do not enter the path of the wicked or go the way of evil men – they stumble all the way and are an abomination to God (Pv 3:32, 4:14, 19, 15:9) – they’ll be cast down (Ps 147:6). There is no peace for the wicked (Is 48:22). You will be supernaturally led down the path you choose (most likely supposing whichever to be in God’s will). This happened to Ahab and Jehoshaphat in 1 Kings Chapter 22 (also 2 Chr 18:19-22). These men wanted an affirmative answer for their way, so: 1 Kings 22:23, “Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” The kings received the answer they wanted to hear (2 Chr 18:11), but it was to the undoing of Ahab (wrong path). God doesn’t tear down the idols that are in your heart, they are there because you want them to be. You have set them up of your own free will and you defend them. The result is: John 12:40, “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” God will not force you against your will. God’s truth is eternal and will remain whether you choose to believe it or not (Ps 119:160, 1 Pt 1:25). If you seek God’s truth to perform it, then you will receive it as you obey. If you seek confirmation of your own idolatry, you will receive such confirmation to your own demise – Perhaps God will not even be inquired of by you at all (no answer, Ez 20:3). The religious, who seek God through the flesh, have never understood this. These sought God not through faith. Faith being love, obedience and denial of the flesh – such as was demonstrated by Abraham. God responds to us in like manner: Psalms 18:25-27, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” Do you reject God’s truth? By mercy and truth iniquity (sin) is purged (Pv 6:16-17).

There is only one solution (continuing from the verses above): Ezekiel 14:6, “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” We have to repent and then start seeking the truth – we must love the truth, it sanctifies (Jn 17:19). Psalm 119:167, “My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly” AND Psalm 119:174, “I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.” We must apply the truth and live within it. Psalm 119:133 , “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Many religious men seek God to confirm their own idolatry (doctrines and traditions) and God answers them with what they want to hear according to the multitude of their idolatry. Do we not see this demonstrated in the multitudes of religious denominations today? They all differ, yet they are all sure they are hearing from God. Many just suppose there are many paths to God, but this is in total biblical error and these religions/factions contradict (oppose) each other. Failure to embrace truth becomes a mighty stumblingblock. Many religious institutions have a mixture of truth and error and this is confusion. Israel mixed their worship of God with Paganism and idolatry – so do the religious of today (Jer 7:7-10, 18). Jeremiah 7:19, “Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?” Anything apart from the truth is confusion. Confusion is instability and not a firm foundation. Many religious factions seek to unite, but this is only accomplished through tolerance and not truth.

When we embrace God’s will, He reciprocates: John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” AND 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” As with any relationship, love is mutual (two sided) and there is union and communion with each other. 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.” As we sincerely love and obey Christ, God gives us intimacy with Himself within proportion to our effort. Prayers get answered and because we are doing His will they are asked with right intent (not asked amiss, Js 4:3).Oh man, do you see God as your own image of Him? God will not be boxed in by your own religious interpretation of Him. God will not be confined by doctrines of men. God is not answerable to men nor does He serve man. He is the great “I AM” and you cannot even comprehend such. Submit, have fellowship and be led.

To correctly obey God we must serve in Spirit and in truth. God defines His very Word as truth. Psalm 119:160, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever (also 1 Pt 1:25).” We read this Word and apply it to our lives as led by the Spirit. The Bible says that we are to be “doers” of the Word and not hearers only (Js 1:22). Hearers are not justified before God; doers are justified before God (Rm 2:13). When we become doers of God’s Word in seeking His will and not ours, then God will make sure we are “understanders” of His Word and purposes (Ps 119:12, 169, 28:5). They that seek the Lord understand all things (Pv 28:5). That means that you cannot just sit in religious services and hear the Word and agree with it. You must be actively applying the Word to your life daily – living it! This becomes a “Living Faith.” However, the elders, chief priest and scribes knew the Word of God and also applied it to their lives but fell short. They did not mix the Word with faith (Heb 4:2). This is why we must also live in the Spirit. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” Simply following a list of do’s and don’ts will fall short of God’s desire. God will hold you to your list and you’ll be lacking (Gal 3:12). We must be taught and led of the Spirit how to correctly live out God’s Word with correct motives (attitudes) from the heart out of love. Romans 7:6, “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Does this mean that God is more lax in our obedience to Him? No! It means that: we cannot fulfill the law on our own (with our abilities and motives); and we must have the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us too voluntarily (out of love) uphold the intent of the law – our heart must change! To simply follow the law with no real love and devotion to God misses the point. Many become servants to the law rather than servants to Christ (He is Lord). The law points out our sin, failings and inabilities (Rm 3:20 & 7:7). Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” When we see our great need and submit to Jesus, He gives us the ability through our faith to live correctly for Him. Romans 8:4, “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We are definitely being led in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Galatians 5:18, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” The law is not made for the righteous, for they are a law unto themselves with hearts toward God and pure motives, the law is for the disobedient and rebellious (1 Tm 1:9, Rm 2:14-15). Those who love God are willing to follow God’s commands because of their love for Him. They do not have to be forced to do such.

John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” If we attempt to understand God’s Word apart from the Spirit we will fail to understand the truth. The flesh profits nothing (Jn 6:57). The flesh wants its dominance and will interpret God’s Word in that disposition. The flesh wants to live in darkness yet profess to be in the light. The Spirit works on us to completely change us - our attitudes and desires. The flesh does not want to be changed it’s a hindrance, a stumbling block and will keep us from truly coming to Christ. The flesh will see God’s love, forgiveness, blessings and grace, but will not see self denial, sacrifice, obedience, forsaking worldliness and crucifixion of self. The flesh does not want to forsake anything, it wants to accumulate. Since the beginning, men living in the flesh have interpreted God’s Word into all manner of erroneous doctrines. Men can be led to follow many a doctrine when the flesh is soothed and pacified and emotions are enticed. We may profess, but will we follow? Jesus said: Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Jesus also said whosoever does not bear his cross and forsake all that he hath and come after cannot be Christ’s disciple (Lk 14:27 & 14:33). This is not a message for the flesh and is rarely preached in context. Only when we allow the Spirit to quicken will we see the truth and have life. The Holy Spirit regenerates! When we die to ourselves and seek God’s will, we change into something beautiful like a seed planted in the ground or a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.

The Key

When we are given truth we must respond appropriately. Many people might agree with or accept a truth of God’s Word, but this is not sufficient. We must take the truth we are given and apply and demonstrate it in our lives. We can agree with righteousness and understand righteousness, but that does not make us righteous. When first approaching/coming to the Lord, some may initially offer a blanket statement (cover all) of repentance for past sinfulness. This may be sufficient for that moment, depending on whether or not you truly understand the nature of your transgressions. However, sooner or later (depends upon you), the Holy Spirit will bring up representative sins (for your past transgressions) or the actual sins (instances) themselves for you to individually grieve and repent over. Once the sin is properly dealt with, there is deliverance (assuming you forsake it). You see, we often are blinded to sinful aspects of our lives and these things must be dealt with as the blindness is lifted. We must be cleansed from all sin (1 Jn 1:7). When we realize a present or past sin, we must grieve, repent and forsake. The fruit of our repentance will be manifested in our actions (Lk 3:8-9). Obedience requires a sacrifice and a self denial on our part. Obedience itself is superior to sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22), but is often implemented through sacrifice. We submit, yield and place our trust in God and obey. Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” We must be willing to obey even when it requires personal surrender or great inconvenience (Job 13:15). Is this not following in the steps of our Lord and Savior who constantly sacrificed for us? Put all your cares upon God and have faith. 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

When we apply God’s truth to our life and live it, our eyes are opened to ever increasing knowledge and truth. If we are faithful in little, we are faithful in much and are trusted with greater riches (Lk 16:10-12, Mt 13:12). We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Our action or obedience proves our faith (Js 2:17-18, 20, 22, 26). 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” As we live out God’s Word in obedience to the direction of His Spirit, and sacrifice, we are bit by bit, faith to faith, glory to glory, changed into Christ’s likeness. Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Each time we obey God (regardless of personal cost) and forsake our rebellion, we become more like the image of Jesus. We are then traveling the narrow path. We are leaving the darkness and coming into His glorious light. To remain in the darkness is most assuredly rejecting the light. To be unfaithful in the things of God is to lose even that which you have and not to be trusted in true riches (Lk 16:10-12, Mt 13:12, 25:29).

If we reject God’s truth then He will hide Himself from us (blindness of understanding) – this is shown in John 8:30 through John 9:41. Jesus was speaking to a group who believed on Him (Jn 8:30-31). When Christ shined light on their darkness (iniquity, evil nature), they rejected His Words (Jn 8:37, 43-47), and lashed out at Him with demeaning slurs (defended their corrupt nature, Jn 8:48). These men even took up stones to kill Jesus (Jn 8:59). During the midst of this confusion, Jesus hid Himself from them, yet stopped and ministered to a man who was born blind (Jn 9:1). The Father decided whom He would reveal Himself to (Mt 11:27). This man received Christ’s instruction and obeyed (Jn 9:7). As a result his eyes were both physically and spiritually opened (Jn 9:11, 38). The religious were seeking God, yet did not see their own iniquity and could not humble themselves (fleshly, proud) and accept Jesus’ graceous Words. The blind man was not seeking God, yet had a humble heart and a willingness to submit and obey. God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and will have compassion on whom He will have compassion – it is God who shows mercy (Rm 9:15-16). Many who seek God, will seek Him in a way of their own choosing and for their own purposes and will come away lacking. Some will make great boasts until their flesh is inconvenieced. The men Jesus was talking to said Abraham was their authority (Jn 8:33-40). They also said they were Moses disciples (Jn 9:28-29). They were rejecting Christ’s precious Word’s for their doctrines and traditions developed from their incorrect interpretations (Jn 8:39-40) of Abraham and Moses. Jesus said: John 10:8, “All (people, places, things, etc.) that ever came before (put ahead of, higher in priority) me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.” Whenever we elevate anything above Christ, we are robbed of the truth of His Words. John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Those things placed in importance above Jesus (even your religious endeavors) rob you of the life of Christ – the light of His Word. You will never understand it. Jesus stated: John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Our life is found in Christ!

We will Obey!

Many will be glad to obey God assuming He tells them what they want to hear (fleshly doctrines). Such was the case with the Israelis that remained in the Land after Babylon had devastated the country and killed or carried most away captive. Jeremiah 42:1-3, “Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.” Jeremiah told them that he would seek the Lord and hold nothing back that the Lord required of them. Jeremiah 42:5, “Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.” Jeremiah came back to these men and spoke the words of the Lord. God wanted them to remain in the land, but they wanted to flee to Egypt. These men feared the Babylonians would come back and kill them. They wanted to seek security and provision in man (Pharaoh) rather than God. Jeremiah 43:1-2, 4, “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words, Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there. So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.” God didn’t speak what they wanted to hear so they blamed Jeremiah for speaking lies. The “proud” will never find the Lord for He hears the “humble.” They went to Egypt and God brought their fears upon them and they were destroyed (Is 66:4). Many religious people today will do the same. They will love not the truth, but rather the darkness and will seek out those who tell them what they want to hear as “thus saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 6:10, “To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.” The truth will require trust and faith in God (and sacrifice) and will not appease the flesh. Most will trust and seek security in the flesh. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

The Holy Spirit is Vital

We have read that the Holy Spirit is to be our (follower’s) comforter sent from God who guides, teaches, glorifies Jesus, and convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer (2 Tm 1:14, Jn 14:17, 1 Cor 6:19). The Holy Ghost also helps us pray: Romans 8:26-27, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The Spirit edits those selfish portions of our prayers to conform them and us to God’s will. We must understand that everything eternal revolves around God’s will. We must stop looking at the temporal. If you are strong willed then you should start praying for God to break your will in whatever way necessary and make you humble. The Holy Ghost empowers or strengthens us to do God’s will, but we must desire it (Lk 24:49, Acts 4:31, Rm 15:13, 1 Thess 1:5, 1 Pt 1:2, 5). Ephesians 3:16-17, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” Our own strength will quickly fail us. Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” The Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace, and hope (Rm 5:5, 15:13). Jesus dwells within our hearts through our daily walk of faith which is our demonstrated love and obedience to Him.

It’s just not possible to live on earth as we should without being filled with the Holy Ghost. Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” The Bible contains many accounts of those that were filled with the Holy Ghost (including Jesus) – Isaiah 63:11, Mark 12:26, Luke 1:41, 67, 4:1, Acts 2:1, 4, 4:8, 31, 6:3, 5, 7:55, 9:17, 10:44-45, 11:15, 11:24, 13:9, 52, 19:6, and Eph 5:18. We are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Giving into the will of the flesh and living a life of self grieves the Spirit. Seeking temporal worldly things grieves the Spirit. The Spirit leads us to die to self and become like Christ. Are you being led?

Yielding to the Spirit

By nature most people are complacent and do not like change. When we yield to God, he wants to conform us to the image of His Son (Rm 8:29 & 14:17). The Holy Spirit works on us to meet that end – to grow and mature us. The process is often very uncomfortable to the flesh (flesh is denied). There are peaks and valleys, trials and tribulations and much SELF denial. The flesh must become subservient to the Spirit. The flesh does not want to deny itself; the flesh does not want to love its enemies; the flesh does not want to forgive; the flesh does not want to yield to God’s will – it prefers it’s own. So if one is not following the Spirit, one does not grow, is in rebellion and falls back. The flesh becomes dominant and rises up in rebellion to God’s will. The flesh (carnal) wants to live in a way that satisfies self and not God. The main point is: If you are not being led of the Spirit then you are living apart from God’s will in rebellion (opposed) to Him. Then your purposes involve satisfying the flesh no matter how subtle it may seem. To reject the Spirit is to reject Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:22, “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

Flesh or Spirit

Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” We are to deny the flesh and feed the Spirit. Living in the flesh is doing those things that are contrary to God’s will, such as worldliness, and putting self above God and others. So what do you suppose happens when one constantly feeds the flesh and neglects the Spirit? This could be as simple as eating more than you require to seeking selfish carnal entertainment rather than God through His Word and prayer. The possibilities are endless. The flesh wants what it wants when it wants it; the Spirit is sacrificing and patient. The flesh wants to do what is right in its own eyes irregardless of others; the Spirit denies itself for the benefit of others (love). The flesh takes; the Spirit gives. The flesh exalts itself; the Spirit is humble. The flesh wants to control; the Spirit wants to set free. Galatians 6:8, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.” We must examine ourselves and determine what our interests are, where we spend our time, which direction are we heading? Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Notice you must be “in Christ Jesus” and you must “walk after the Spirit”, for such there is no condemnation. If you are sowing to the flesh, then do not assume God’s grace allows it. Christ’s death was a precious thing and God will not be mocked (Gal 6:7). Those who “profess” Christ yet live in the flesh, and possibly do not even give thought to the fact that they are fleshly, are greatly deceived. Galatians 5:16-18, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” The law kills because it forces us to obey. This type of obedience is out of fear or compulsion – love is absent. The Spirit brings life because it compels us to willingly and lovingly obey through the heart (2 Cor 3:6). The Spirit is leading to holiness, and conforms us to Christ’s image.

Not Just in Word, but in Signs, Wonders, and Miracles

Hebrews 2:3-4, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” The gospel is powerful and is confirmed by God through His means when we are serving His purposes (Acts 14:3). This is what separates the truth of God from just another philosophy of man or doctrine of demons. This chapter opened with the revelation that Jesus was filled with the Spirit and power and thereby performed wonders (Acts 10:38). Consider what was said of Jesus: Luke 4:32, “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.” Christ is our example and He told us that we will do greater things (Jn 14:12). Notice what the apostle Paul says, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” When we are speaking God’s Word in His will, He bears witness with signs and wonders (Heb 2:4) - It’s powerful! 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” What have followers of Christ done through the ages? Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Jesus gives the authority (Lk 10:17-20): Luke 9:1-2, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” John the Baptist (while enduring a low point in prison) sent disciples to Jesus to confirm He was the Christ (Lk 7:19-20). While they were in Christ’s midst, He cured many people of infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight (Lk 7:21). Jesus told them, go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached (Lk 7:22). The signs and wonders confirmed (authenticated) Christ’s ministry.

Paul once said: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Paul didn’t try and use witty persuasive arguments or rely on all his pharisaical (religious) learning (Rm 15:19). Paul was not a motivational speaker. Like Jesus, he spoke God’s Words as he was directed by the Spirit. If our faith stood in man’s wisdom (doctrines), then it would be subject to change every time someone more intellectual or cleverer came along. Man’s wisdom is opposed to God’s. God’s Word is life, powerful and it does not change. Our Words are death and void of power.

We look to God’s Word through His Spirit for what we are to say. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Jesus has given us His Spirit to teach us. Many in the religious world have rejected the teaching of the Holy Ghost in favor of man’s wisdom or their own. Many attend seminaries or religious schools to earn degrees and philosophize about the things of God. They then presume to become our teachers and error is advanced. They are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tm 3:7). This is because God said, you will do it His way. To truly understand God’s wisdom, we must reject our own. The things of God are spiritually discerned and are otherwise unknown (1 Cor 2:14). God will reveal Himself to one that is humble, broken and childlike, but these things that God reveals, the learned man will never see (Mk 10:15, Lk 10:21) – making wise the simple (Ps 19:7). Man’s teaching is not necessary (even detrimental) for one who is yielded to God and seeks to know Him. This is not to say that the Spirit does not speak through men that are yielded to Him to others. God’s Spirit will be this one’s teacher and much of the teaching will be lived out and reinforced daily as applied to one’s life. God has established the process whereby we may know of Him. All teaching will come from His Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder that the religious schools of man have strayed so far from the truth of God’s Word? Heresies, apostasies and all manner of erroneous doctrines abound. When we try to reach God our way (man’s), then our eyes are blinded and our ears are dull of hearing and confusion reigns. The Lord looks for the humble with a heart yielded to Him. Oh man, when will you humble yourself and seek and obey God as He has prescribed. The apostle Paul counted all his extensive religious teaching as loss (dung), and depended on God’s Spirit to teach Him (Php 3:7-8). Jesus never had any formal religious training (Jn 7:15), but depended on the Spirit for knowledge (Father’s Words). Jesus is our example and we must follow in His steps. The wise will consider Christ’s flawless perfect life and take note!

Pentecost – Establishing the Body of Christ (Church)

What event inaugurated the church? The answer is Pentecost. At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, His disciples were still not ready for the ministry. They were unable to follow through on their own claims not to deny Christ to the point of death (Mk 14:31), and they forsook Him (Mk 14:50). Just after Jesus’ death, they were hiding away scared for their own lives (Jn 20:19), when Jesus appeared in their midst, encouraged them and provided needed strength: John 20:22, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” This was a needed measure to endure until the fullness came. Jesus also told them: Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” The promise was the Holy Ghost (Baptism of - immersion) – the same power that Jesus walked in. This is why a believer and hence, the Church MUST have the Holy Ghost: Acts 1:4-5, 8-9, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Jesus spoke of the need for the Holy Spirit just before His bodily Ascension to heaven. We must take note of the importance.

The revelation of the coming of the Holy Ghost was Christ’s last earthly words to His disciples who were to form the core of His church (Ekklesia). When Pentecost fully came, they were all gathered together in one place: Acts 2:4, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The Spirit turns timid men into bold witnesses for Christ: Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Also Acts 9:29, 13:46, 14:23, 18:26, 19:8). What a difference! Peter and John who had been hiding from the religious, are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak boldly. Soon they are brought before the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees: Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” This was God’s doing and not man’s. Our own strength would quickly fail us under persecution. God is the difference!

Jesus had given His followers the complete gospel. After His death, for fifty days, there were no recorded conversions. Immediately after the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples at Pentecost (on the very same day), three thousand souls were added unto them (Acts 2:41). This was certainly confirmation of Christ’s Words concerning the Holy Ghost. This was the establishing of the body (Acts 9:31). The Spirit is life; the flesh is death.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers and is very necessary. Evil religious men try and rob disciples of this precious gift by telling them it is not for today and was only for the apostles and early church or they point out the many abuses done by others that are attributed to the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the religious of His time: Luke 11:52, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” If you do not have the Spirit, then you are not Christ’s. Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” These religious men desperately need the Holy Spirit to bring life to their dead institutions that are full of the works of men. These men need to be renewed by the Spirit to see God’s truth. This is a vital topic and is the primary reason the religious institutions have erred in so many ways. The life of the church is the Spirit. There are two needs we all have. The first relates to the past, which is the forgiveness of our sins. The second relates to the future, which is ability to live a life that pleases God. Man through his own abilities or inabilities cannot meet either need. Our first need is taken care of by Christ’s sacrifice. The second need is taken care of by the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in our lives. The New Testament opens with two promises: “He will save His people from their sins” (Mt 1:21) –AND- “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mt 3:11). Is your new born again birthright important to you? Then lay hold and don’t be as Esau who despised his (Gen 25:34, Heb 12:16-17). God gives us “gifts of power” through the Spirit so that we can serve Him effectively in building up the church as the body of Christ. He is the One however who determines which gift each of us should have (1 Cor 12:11).

Realizing the Importance

Genesis 25:29-24, “And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” Clearly, Esau being the firstborn, had no regard for the importance of the birthright to the promises God made to Abraham (and Isaac). Jacob saw the importance and sought God’s promises. Esau traded the blessings of God for a momentary carnal fleshly desire. He rejected God’s purposes for his own will just as Adam had done. This was total disregard for God. He chose the way of the flesh over the Spirit. However, Jacob was willing to deny his flesh for the Spirit through his sacrifice. He gave up the things of the world for the blessings of God. Romans 9:13, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” God was not pleased with Esau: Hebrews 12:16-17, “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Let us not despise the things of God and His rule in our lives. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit sent from Christ (Jn 15:26 & 16:7). The Holy Ghost will lead us to die to the flesh and conform to the image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). Christ says: John 14:15-16 “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” Notice the word “and.” If we obey Jesus, He will give the Holy Spirit. God is obeyed through our faith. Galatians 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Therefore the Spirit is given through our obedience which is our faith. Will you reject God’s promise for the desires of the flesh? Many will seek the things of the flesh to satisfy self and love not the truth of God. The world says eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die (Lk 12:19). Those who seek God, die today, for they live in Christ (Mk 8:35, Col 2:20, 3:3).

Gentile Believers

The church at Jerusalem had been established with Jewish believers (after Pentecost). The Jews had always looked down upon the gentiles (non-Jews, uncircumcised) as unclean and therefore had no relations with them. The Lord was about to change all this. The Spirit brought two men together, Peter and Cornelius; each had a separate vision from God (Acts 10:1-3, 9-10). Cornelius was a gentile with a heart toward God who sought to do His will (Acts 10:2). Peter’s vision was repeated thrice for certainty and through the course of events was interpreted to be the opening of the kingdom of God to the gentiles. Peter was directed of the Spirit to go to Cornelius’s house (Acts 10:19-20). Cornelius had called together all his kinsmen and friends and were awaiting Peter’s arrival. Acts 10:34-35, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” This was a significant event and was orchestrated by the Spirit and not man! Peter presented the gospel to the gathered gentiles. Acts 10:44-45, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Peter’s vision was convincing, but the event which declared the truth of God’s purpose was when Peter was bade of the Holy Spirit to preach to this gentile gathering during which time they were spontaneously filled with the Holy Spirit. This was undeniable!

The point here is that this event would never have happened if men were leading the church rather than God. Man’s prejudices would have maintained separation rather than the purposes and unity the Spirit was establishing. This was not an easy thing for the flesh to accept. Peter said, Acts 10:47, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” Baptism in water and the baptism of the Holy Ghost are two separate events (Acts 4:31, 19:1-6). We are told in scripture how many had believed and were baptized and later Peter and John came to them and laid hands upon them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:12-18). In the previous account the people were first baptized with the Holy Ghost and then later with water. The point is that there are two distinct events here. There is no doubt that one receives a measure of the Holy Ghost upon water baptism, but the fullness is separate and distinct event. John the Baptist had earlier proclaimed, Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” It is important to note that baptism with the Holy Ghost is stated as a necessary thing. Any true follower of Christ will quickly tell you that the Spirit is vital to His walk. We must pray for the filling of the Holy Ghost (Lk 11:13).

Peter now had to explain to the Jewish believers that the Holy Ghost had been poured out upon the gentiles. Given the Jewish doctrines and traditions, and a history a prejudice, this would not be an easy task. Peter explained about the vision and the Spirit’s leading: Acts 11:15-18, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” This was a hard thing for a man to accept, but the Spirit’s involvement and God’s will was undeniable. Fortunately these men in the early church were focused upon God’s will and not their own. This was a major event in the forming of Christ’s church (body) and was directed by His Spirit. The Jews and gentiles did have to work through many issues involving faith verses religious observances and customs, but the Spirit was leading (Acts 9:31). Had this happened today there would probably be one more new religious denomination. Notice the verse says repentance unto life. Until will see our great need for Christ, humble ourselves and seek His will, there can be no life.

Ye are the Temple of the Holy Ghost

God once dwelt among Israel in a tabernacle (tent) in the wilderness. God then dwelt in a temple in Jerusalem until Israel rebelled against God through idolatry (unfaithful). God now dwells in a new temple; do you know where it is? 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Wow! Its not about a brick and mortar building or religious institution, God dwells within each member and the corporate body: Ephesians 2:20-22, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” It doesn’t matter where the body meets as long as there are two or three present: Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” It doesn’t have to be a religious building! Buildings and structures are the things of man. Changed hearts are the things of the Lord. We are to serve Christ everyday through the temple of our body as led by His Spirit. When do you have services? – Everyday!

Jesus was in the temple and had chased out those who bought, sold and changed money. John 2:18-21, “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” Jesus revealed something very profound; The Spirit of God dwelt in His body (temple). If we are Christ’s, then the Spirit dwells in us. What modern religious institution can top that? He that hath an ear to hear!

Consider this: 1 Corinthians 3:17, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Defiling the temple (smoking, drinking, drugs, foul language, pornography, etc., Eph 5:18) will stop your being “filled with the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” As previously stated, you must die to self. The above defilements and bondages result from self. Jesus Christ came to set us free from such bondages, not to have us live in them. John 8:34, 36, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Followers of Christ are not to be entangled or in bondage to darkness and not desiring freedom is an indication of one’s true nature. Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We are to abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good (Rm 12:9). We are told throughout scripture to cleave to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:16, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” The temple is you, idols could be television, money, self, possessions, personalities, etc. If you want to be filled with the Spirit, these things must become non-important and released.

Purpose of the True Church

The true church is the Ekklesia or “called out ones” and are those who have been called out of this world’s systems to be Christ’s witnesses on earth. We are pilgrims and sojourners in this world waiting for eternal reconciliation and habitation with God (Rev 21:3). We have died to our old sinful lives and desires, and now serve God in love and newness of life (faith) to perform His will (Rm 6:4, Col 3:10). God rules and reigns in our hearts (Col 3:15). We have laid down all weapons of resistance and rebellion toward God and have humbly submitted ourselves to His purposes - for thy will must be done on earth (and in our lives) as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10, Lk 11:2). We realize that God’s will is supreme in heaven and that it must also be in our lives if we hope to be with Him eternally. We recognize that God is our hope and provision. We love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength (Mk 12:30). We receive at the end of our walk of faith, the salvation of our souls (1 Pt 1:9, 1 Thess 3:8).

The church is not a building or an organized institution of man. The Ekklesia are those individual followers of Christ that form a corporate body with Jesus as the head. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 20, 27, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For the body is not one member, but many. But now are they many members, yet but one body. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Ephesians 5:29-30, “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Each of us is important and known of Christ as we continue in a very personal relationship with Him (Jn 10:3). 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” The Ekklesia is to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one (Jn 17:11). John 17:21-23, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” We will be one with God and fellow believers OR one with the world, but not one with the world and God.

We follow Christ on a narrow path and become bonded to Him through the likeness of our sufferings (we are made partakers, 2 Cor 1:5-7, Php 3:10, 1 Pt 4:13). As we follow our faith is tested, tried, refined and purified such that we become as our Lord. We learn patience and mature through this process.

Followers of Christ are to be likeminded in Christ Jesus and as such are to be united with no divisions (1 Cor 1:10, 2 Cor 13:11, Rm 12:16, Php 1:27, 2:2, 1 Pt 3:8). We must strive for unity in the Spirit (Eph 4:3). This can only be accomplished through submission to the Holy Spirit and being guided and taught truth by Him. The Word of God is to dwell in us richly (Col 3:16). Believers are to edify, exhort, encourage admonish, and teach one another, each having been filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 5:11, Heb 3:13, Rm 15:6-7, 13-14, Col 3:16). Edifying is to teach and persuade each other in faith (truth) and holiness. Exhort is to embolden, cheer and advise. Encouraging is to inspire and give confidence in strength of mind. Admonishing is to instruct and direct; warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness; and counsel against wrong practices. Each member of the body of Christ is given gifts as determined by the Holy Ghost to support all other members (1 Cor 12:4-7, 11). Romans 12:4-5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” We provoke each other unto love and to good works and are good stewards of all Christ has entrusted us (Heb 10:24, 1 Cor 4:2). We Confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another, that we may be healed (Js 5:16). We are to have fervent charity among ourselves and use hospitality one to another without grudging (1 Pt 4:8-9). We are not to use our liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God (1 Pt 2:16). We exhort each other to fight the good fight of faith, profess Christ boldly before men, and lay hold on eternal life (2 Tm 6:12). The body is to warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men (1 Thess 5:14). We are to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). We are to be merciful, kind, humble in mind, meek, and longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgiving one another as Christ forgave us (Col 3:12-13, Eph 4:32). The basis of our fellowship is life in Christ as demonstrated by our heart to serve Him and follow in His steps. The Holy Spirit will be leading us in this regard and some may have less understanding (maturity) than others. Therefore we must not look too hard at understanding, but more thoroughly for a changed life and heart for God. Understanding will come if the heart is right and one is being led and taught of the Spirit (Rm 14:4, Eph 4:15).

Believers should find refuge from the world in the body of Christ. The body should be encouraging one another to live holy and righteous. I’m not talking about church trips to the beach, ski vacations or covered dish suppers. I’m talking about dying to the things of the world – the world’s knowledge, methodologies, pleasures, etc. We must be seeking the Lord and His perfect will with all the ability we have and praying likewise for others (Col 4:12). We must be conforming to Christ in a world that is antichrist – we all need such encouragement. We should strengthen the weak. All should be discipled to maturity in the faith to be able to stand on one’s own and instruct others. We must be separate from the world, yet united in the truth of Christ (2 Cor 6:17). The church will tell each other to die to the flesh and live for the Spirit. Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Correction

Believers have a duty to correct one another in love according to God’s Word (Ez 33:8-9). 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a time to reprove and rebuke. Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” If a brother is in sin then we must tell him, not for the purpose of condemnation, but so that he may seek repentance. We must forgive our brother’s trespasses. If one cannot take reproof or rebuke from God’s Word, then they love not the truth and wish to live in darkness. Generally when one is corrected, their first reaction is to lash out at the corrector in self defense. Our attitude toward correction should be humble and meek. If we truly love the truth and seek the light, then we will listen to the concerns and search the scriptures to see if they are true. We will also fall on our knees and pray to God while examining our own hearts. If we are violating God’s Word then we must repent and turn from our sin. If we are violating someone’s opinion or the will of man, then the basis of rebuke or reproof may have no merit. We should seek peace with all men if possible as long as we do not violate God’s Word and purposes. Keep in mind that those who give correction must be able to take correction. If we are truly dead to self, then feelings and emotions should not be the issue (BIG issue for those in the flesh). The issue is walking righteously before God and not offending or causing others to fall as a result of our fault. Some will reject the truth and choose the darkness (Jn 3:19-20). 2 Thessalonians 2:10, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” We must love God’s truth and live within it, for it is our salvation. Jesus is the Word which is the truth (Jn 14:6). We must come to the light that our deeds may be reproved. John 3:20-21, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Perhaps those who will not accept righteous correction will justify their evil: 2 Timothy 4:4, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

There is a biblical process for correcting a brother with a fault when he falls into sin/ worldliness/idolatry and his fruit is visibly rotten (Lk 6:43-44). We must correct each other in love because we do not always see our own sin. We must admonish the brother (notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness) privately at an appropriate opportunity (Mt 18:15). If one flagrantly (openly, deliberately, unashamedly, brazenly) sins then we are to rebuke them before all as an example to others that they may fear (1 Tm 5:20). We must do so with the Word of God and not speculation or our own opinion. To judge of our own knowledge of good and evil would be in error and exalting our will over God’s. God’s Word (will) must be the only basis for judgment and is the extent of our authority. If the brother in error will not listen, we should take others to establish truth and if he will not hear, bring it before the church (Mt 18:15-17). Then what? Titus 3:10-11, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Jesus said, “Let him be as a heathen” (Mt 18:17). 1 Corinthians 5:11, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat (have social relations/fellowship).” We do not socialize with those who knowingly live in error. Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Religious institutes have many such people and they go uncorrected. These will infect the body and spread evil. Everyone has a “judge not lest ye be judged” attitude. Many rightfully do not judge because they are equally guilty (Rm 2:3). We are not judging the person’s eternal condition before the Lord, just the sin. If we identify another’s sin, then we best not be guilty of the same (Mt 7:2). We may not pass judgment upon what is in a person’s heart or on their eternal state. We may not pass judgment upon anyone’s relationship with God. We have not been given such authority and do not have the capability to render righteous judgment in this area. We can judge sin by God’s Word and reprove individuals to seek repentance. To see a brother in fault and not say something could have eternal consequences for him and affect those he influences.

There was evil in the church at Corinth and Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 5:2-3, “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed.” 1 Corinthians 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (also 1 Cor 5:12-13). We must put away evil from among ourselves. You’ve heard the saying one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Sin cannot go unchecked. Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Showing love is also correcting (just as a parent with a child). True love informs of a fault, false love ignors it.

Self Righteousness

When one endeavors to live righteously and holy before God, one must guard against the tendency to look down upon those who are less than enthusiastic in their walk. This is unacceptable to the Lord. Consider this example: Luke 18:10-14, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Notice that the Pharisee prayed to himself and the prayer was “I” centered. All of these religious works that he named were of no value because his heart was not right before God. This man looked down upon others and this does not display God’s love. The sinner had no religious works, but his heart was broken and honest before God. He was truly repentant and this is what God desires. The works will follow a changed heart – if not, the heart was not changed. No matter how righteous we think we are, it is but a filthy soiled garment compared to the glory of Christ. Our hope is in a heart toward God and intense desire to do His will – to have relationship and identify with Him.

This is further illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). A father (representative of God) has two sons. The younger asks for his inheritance, goes far from his father (out of his will, rebellion) and spends all on riotous living (worldliness, sin, self). He is out of the father’s will and lost (dead – Lk 15:24). This son suffers the fruit of his way (hits rock bottom) and becomes destitute (without hope) and starving (spiritually). The son repents (changes direction) and returns to his father and pleads for forgiveness and to serve under His authority (submission, yielded). The father runs to the returning son in great love (God has great mercy on those who confess their wickedness and repent – Ps 86:5). The father rejoices that this son who was lost (spiritually dead) is now found (salvation). The older brother is not so happy. He wants justice rather than forgiveness. He thinks of himself rather than being joyful in the salvation of his brother and would not share in his father’s happiness. The father tells him that his place is secure and he must also long for the lost. We must always remember the great mercy that God has had on us when we look upon others. Our joy is in the reconciliation of another – goodwill toward men.

How Should I Worship God?

Jesus best explained God’s expectations of us in His explanation of His parable of the seeds: Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” This verse ties together being “Born Again” (converted – Jn 3:3, Eph 4:22-24) whereas God puts His laws in your heart and mind (Heb 10:16); obedience to God (Heb 5:9, 1 Jn 2:3-5, Lk 11:28); love (Mk 12:30, Jn 15:9, 1 Cor 13:2, 1 Pt 4:8); and abiding in Christ and thereby producing fruit (Jn Chap 15) namely: John 15:5,8, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” So let us remember: Lamentations 3:25-26, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”

John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. What is in Spirit? John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” AND Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” For this purpose: 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image (Christ’s) from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” What is in Truth? John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Recall that Jesus is The Very Word (Jn 1:1-4), John 17:17, “Sanctify them (set apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”

Therefore: We must read God’s Word and be taught and led of His Spirit, and Live-It! The Holy Ghost will unfold God’s Word to us such that we understand it. This is accomplished as we apply that which we have learned. This is everyday and is your new life in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, many are instilled to believe that worship of God is just attending religious ceremonies and being told what to think. This isn’t a doctrinal list of do’s and don’ts; this is a loving obedient daily relationship with your Lord – an actual walk up the narrow path.

Right Motives

When you are truly converted and become a new creature, all things become new (2 Cor 5:17). Your heart changes and you take on the nature of God (His outlook). You are delivered from the kingdom of darkness (and its bondages) into the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13). You start seeing things from God’s perspective rather than that of fallen man and your whole world view changes. The Lord fills you with joy and your desire is to serve and please Him from the love in your heart (Eph 5:2). You want to give Him your all. There is peace and freedom from all the imposed requirements/obligations of man (Mt 11:29-30, 1 Pt 2:16). You do not serve out of fear (hell), obligation, tradition, habit, peer pressure, emotion or gain. When you have truly experienced God in your life you do not seek to justify the least amount of effort on your part needed to secure and sustain salvation – No, No, No! You do not avoid sacrifice. You do not examine the limits of God’s mercy and grace. In other words you do not use God’s longsuffering, mercy and grace (1 Jn 1:9) as a means of give and take for living your will. 1 Peter 4:2, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” Things you once took no heed of now become unacceptable. As you yield to the Holy Spirit, you become changed into Christ’s image. You do not live according to men in the flesh, but you live according to God in the Spirit (1 Pt 4:6). If you do not yield you become stagnate or fall back. God allows us freewill; otherwise love will not be the motivation or fruit. God operates within that freewill. When we get out of line, God chastens us as a loving Father so we will not be condemned with the world (1 Cor 11:32) and will be partakers of His holiness and thus yielding the fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:5-11, Eph 4:24). Ultimately we will stand before God for acceptance or condemnation (Mt 3:12, 12:36, 13:47-48 & 25:32-34, 41; Lk 3:17, Jude 1:15) – all judgment is given into the hand of the Son (Jn 5:22) who will judge righteously (Jn 5:30, 7:24 & 8:16, Rm 2:5, 2 Thess 1:5, Rv 16:7). Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” This account will be heart-centered. Always remember, Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Ghost is leading and we must obediently follow.

Being a Witness

There was a power shortage at my home one night. At first everything seemed totally dark. As my eyes became accustomed to the dark, something became quite obvious. In total darkness even the tiniest smallest bit of light shines brightly (a little glow in the dark object). The light overcomes the darkness. Followers of Christ have been commissioned to be that light in this otherwise dark world. Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We are to represent Christ’s gospel. Our light shines brightly through our demonstrated faith - our daily walk. Be aware that the darkness does not want to receive the light because it diminishes its presence. Those who walk in the light must desire to eliminate the darkness from themselves and others.

Every one of us is called to live our life as unto God before men. Our mission field is our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We are to be found faithful in our daily lives. We may be a witness at school or on a trip to the grocery store. We need to open our eyes to the needs around us and perhaps pray or fast for individuals and situations we encounter or are told about. If we see a need, the Lord may direct us to discretely give of ourselves or resources. We show love as our Lord has done to us – for we are like Him. Above all we are to live our lives in such a way as to please the Lord God as if for Him alone. May God open our eyes and grants us this ability.

The world loves to talk about things worldly. News, television, events, course jesting and jokes. These are not to be our desire. We must yearn to talk about our Lord and hope with the same passion that those in the world talk about their joys and dreams (Lk 12:8). Matthew 10:32, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Should this prove embarrassing, then you must consider: Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Our silence is denial. If you are embarrassed to talk about the Lord, this may be an indicator that you do not know Him or have His Spirit. Pray that the Lord will fill you with His Holy Spirit to accomplish His purposes before men. The Holy Spirit gives boldness and endues with power (Acts 4:31, Lk 10:19, 24:49).

Chapter 7 – Except the Lord Build the House

Psalm 127:1, Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” Let us examine some of the facts concerning those things Jesus had to say about the religious of his day and consider if these things just might have application to our lives and circumstances today. The wise and humble will consider and make necessary corrections on bended knees before God. The religious are those who try to reach and serve God man’s way through Man’s devices. There may be similarities in form and function, but there are distinct definable differences. The true body will be led individually and corporately by the Spirit with Christ as the head.

Religious Similarities

The Jewish people had a well established religious system in place at the time of Christ. This system can best be described as follows: There was one Temple (headquarters) and numerous synagogues (church buildings) with at least one in every city (Acts 15:21). The synagogues were meeting places where the scriptures were read and expounded upon. Each synagogue had a chief ruler(s) (pastor, Acts 18:8, 17, Mk 5:22), elders, and scribes. The scribes interpreted the Law of Moses and occupied the chief seats (Mt 23:6). There were many religious parties (denominations/divisions) such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots and Scribes.

The Jews evangelized and made proselytes. Proselytes were gentile converts to Judaism. The proselytes either observed the whole law with full rights or just the moral and perhaps dietary codes. The Jews and their converts made long prayers, tithed & gave gifts, read the scriptures, fasted, had well defined doctrines, had synagogue traditions, evangelized, held titles (including PhDs, Acts 5:34) and positions of authority, sang hymns (Mk 14:26), wore religious garments, performed ceremonies, celebrated Holy Days (holidays) & feasts, had religious schools (Seminaries, Acts 22:3), appeared very righteous on the outside, had rules of membership (Jn 9:22), contended for their faith (Acts 22:3), had hours of prayer (Acts 3:1) and believed the Torah (Law of Moses) was God’s infallible law – the scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35 is true forever). These religious Jews were also political and were seeking a return to self government (Acts 1:6) so they could have a religious state and enforce their own religious doctrines and traditions on everyone (legislate morality). Some reading this may be rightly thinking that this sounds just like the religious institution they are a member of.

What did Jesus say about all this? Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus also said of these highly esteemed religious men, Matthew 23:33, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Understanding why Christ said this will be the key to our comprehension of what God truly expects from us. The religious superstructure does not save and those who put faith and trust in it to save them will be lacking! Jesus alone is the door we must enter (Jn 10:9, not organizations, religious attendance, ceremonies, rituals, personable leaders, etc.). What about the religious institutions of man? Matthew 15:13, “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” If the religious organization is not being led of the Holy Spirit then it is being led of men and will be rooted up. What about all their good works? Matthew 15:14, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” These men were blind guides (Mt 23:24, Lk 6:39)! Unless we are truly seeking God and His purposes then we are given to spiritual blindness and total misdirection (Is 9:16). Man’s way seems so right to man (Pv 14:12) and God will answer man according to the multitude of his idolatry. The religious thought they were seeing God clearly, but those who think they see are often blind (Jn 9:39-41). Jesus said they were children of the devil (Jn 8:44).

Jesus further said to these religious men: John 5:42, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.” Wow! It is possible to be very religious, even a religious leader, and yet totally miss God. These men had a tremendous religious system, but not the love of God (Lk 11:42). The implication here is that all the religious things are not what saves. Stephen, through the Holy Ghost added: Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” This is what it all boils down to. Man seeks his own will through the flesh, rather than God’s will through the Spirit (Php 3:3). We must look beyond the flesh and find ourselves in Christ and develop the relationship that He desires to have. Until we can see the depravity of our own sin and our tremendous need for Christ, then we cannot perceive the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3). We approach Jesus unconditionally and fall upon His grace and He creates a heart in us with correct attitude toward God. Man twists things and has God accepting him unconditionally, yet we know there are conditions because hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure (Is 5:14). Hell will come to meet those who are rebellious (in actions, not profession) to God (Is 14:9). The devil said that you could sin and not die (Gen 3:3-4). This equates to “unconditional.” This is the lie man’s flesh accepted in Eden. This is the lie that man accepted to pursue the flesh. The religious of today mostly follow an “unconditional love god” (of the flesh).

Jesus also stated: John 17:25, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee…” This statement was directed at the Jewish religious system, but applied to all of man’s religions. The Jews were the only ones who corporately sought the one true God (the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), yet never knew Him. Jesus came to tell them of the Father and spoke only the Father’s Words, but was totally rejected in doing so (Jn 8:26, 28, 38, 12:49, 50, 14:10, 16:25). We must realize that the religious system in place when Jesus walked the earth is very representative of all of man’s religious attempts to reach and serve God apart from the Spirit. Man tries to serve God through the flesh, yet the flesh is opposed to God (Gal 5:17). God is a Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). Jesus said: John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Nothing New Under the Sun

This book maintains that much of the institutionalized (organized) religious system of today, known as “the church” and all the various denominations (divisions/factions) is much the same (no different) as the religious system that was in place at the time Jesus Christ walked the earth. The chief difference is that Christ is “professed” (even if in name only). In many cases “another Jesus” is worshipped, “another Spirit” is followed and “another gospel” is preached. Those deceitful workers who wanted to assert themselves started infiltrating the church even in Paul’s time. The apostle Paul feared these evil workers would come and beguile the believers and they would be led astray. 2 Corinthians 11:4, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” Whenever Christ’s gospel is misrepresented, “another Jesus” is followed. This was a constant concern to Paul. Acts 20:28-31, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” The elders were men who were mature in the Lord who were to serve others in love and exhort, encourage and teach them until they became rooted and grounded in the faith through the Spirit (Eph 3:17). This was not a lording over or priesthood (1 Pt 5:3)! Paul further stated: Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” This perverting of the gospel has been furthered by so many who claim to represent Christ. The apostle John had a similar problem: 3 John 1:9-10, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” Casting one out of the synagogue was a favorite tactic of the Jews to usurp control over the people (Jn 16:2). Some, like Diotrephes, sought the same control in Christ’s body.

The purpose of this book is not to slam or belittle the religious and their system, but to point out the vast difference between man’s religious works and God’s expectations of a loving obedient living relationship. To show the truth and merit of relationship, we will examine the failings and incorrectness of religion. We (as individuals and corporately) must be careful that we do not become as the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees in thought, manner and deed. Many are proud and have professed: “If we had been in Eden, we would not have sinned like Adam did” and “We would never have crucified Christ,” yet they do both daily and spiritual blindness covers these facts. Adam’s great sin was disobeying God and choosing his own will over God’s; AND Christ was nailed to a cross due to man’s resultant sinfulness. This is what the Jews said: Matthew 23:30, “And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Yet their fathers killed the prophets (Mt 23:31, Lk 11:47-51) and they killed God’s own Son because in all cases they could not stand to hear the truth from God much less live it (Jn 8:40, 45-47). John 8:45-47, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” How many pastors today will not speak the truth of God’s Word for fear of offending man (Lk 12:5) and losing members? Conversely, how many members have itchy ears (2 Tim 4:3) and: Isaiah 30:10, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” The scriptures reveal much about some who claim to profess Christ: Jude 1:18, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”

Jesus wasn’t establishing a religious system, that’s what killed Him. Man through his attempts, can never please God or atone for sin. Many will say: “there is no way all these religious denominations could be wrong, look at all the members and church buildings they have, look at all their good works” OR “my denomination/organization/pastor (who would never mislead me) says...” “Hey this theologian/big name personality has twenty best seller books and a line of videos (Jn 2:15-16).” The sad fact is that statements like these show a reliance and dependence upon man and the things of man. The whole (entire) world was once wrong and only one man was correct – Noah. Many put their trust and faith in these visible things of man rather than living the truth of God’s Word. Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Who are you following God or man? John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” Jesus did however, totally commit Himself to God: John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 8:29, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” When Jesus walked the earth, the religious told their members that if they believed on Him as the Christ, they would be put out of the synagogues (Jn 9:22, 12:42). This is a big disconnect and for obvious reasons. If Jesus truly becomes our head, then all the religious things of man become unimportant.

If you are following God, then you should not feel the slightest bit defensive about comparing the organizations you have put faith and trust in with the truth of God’s Word. The truth of the matter is that the majority of people have always traveled the broad road that leads to destruction: Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The audience was religious people and Jesus said of them: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Notice that they used Jesus’ name and did many “religious works” yet Jesus did not know them (must have relationship – abiding faith). Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” This is so important to understand. The works of men are as filthy rags (Is 64:6). Man through his own devices will never please God nor glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:29). Only by abiding in Christ and being led of His Spirit can you produce acceptable works to God (fruit, Jn 15:2, 5, 8). To abide is to continue, dwell, endure, stand with, be in relation, remain, and be present with (Heb 3:6, 14). Colossians 3:3, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Please understand that Jesus is talking to “religious” people when He says, MANY are on the wrong path, and MANY will not be known of Him despite their profession and religious works, and MANY were called, but few chosen. Luke 13:24 adds that MANY will seek to enter in and not be able. These religious folks are clearly caught by surprise. Christ does not acknowledge everyone who makes a profession or seeks to identify with Him (Lk 13:25-26). I do not say this to discourage you, but to reveal that being “religious” is not sufficient. Jesus said, “he that doeth the will of my Father.” What has God’s will been all along? To yield to him with all your heart in humble obedience known as faith (Josh 22:5). This must be your life, not your religious appearance. The straight gate is of righteousness: Psalms 118:19-20, “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” Having an association with Christ is not enough. The children of Israel were associated with God in the wilderness, but many did not enter into the promised land – God was not well pleased with them (1 Cor 10:2-12). Pray that you may be accounted worthy (Lk 20:35, 21:36).

The truth of the gospel is that we are to die to our will and then absolutely live for God’s will with all love, obedience and devotion known as faith. Christ led the way and then said “come, follow me.” The great condemnation is that men loved the darkness and they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (Jn 3:19, 2 Thess 2:10). Religious man will often follow another gospel that allows for the flesh (which opposes the Spirit – Gal 5:17) and God (Rm 8:1). Generally, God is put in the place of serving the flesh through man’s desire for blessings or selfish prayers. Those who take pleasure in the things of this world and the flesh (unrighteousness) are damned because they believed not the truth – they just can’t except it (2 Thess 2:12, 1 Jn 2:15, Rm 8:5, 9). These want to do what they want to do when they want to do it, known as rebellion. They will turn from the truth and accept fables to appease the flesh (2 Tm 4:4, 7). The truth seeks godliness (Ti 1:1, 1 Tm 6:3-5). Godliness is love and reverence for God and His will. We must become humble and mourn over our condition. We must be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and be living soberly, righteously, and godly (Ti 2:12).

Jesus spoke to a group of Jews who believed on Him (Jn 8:31) and through the course of the conversation, Christ revealed to them that they could not see their own sin and depravity and thus their great need for the deliverance that He alone brings (Jn 8:32-45). When you seek the lusts of the flesh, Christ’s Words find no place in you (Jn 8:37) such that you cannot hear or understand them (Jn 8:43, 14:17). Those who seek the flesh cannot understand a gospel that does not accommodate the flesh, but rather denies it. Jesus said, John 18:37, “…Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” This still applies today. Do we hear God’s truth or purposefully twist it to suit our flesh? Do we live Christ’s truth or just abstractly identify with it? Many may say: what is truth? (John 18:38) as they seek to establish their own to suit their desires. Job 21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Jesus told them that they do the things of their father, the devil (Jn 8:38) and this is the fruit of the unconverted. Christ said: John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” In other words, they had Satan’s nature and did the devil’s will rather than God’s will – yet they could not see this. Men naturally seek that which pleases self – their lusts. This is displeasing to God and our desire must be to be delivered from it. This is the deliverance Christ brings. Jesus made it clear that we must do the will of God to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Mt 6:10, 7:21, 12:50, Mk 3:35, Lk 6:47-48, 11:2, 22:42, Jn 4:34, 5:30, 6:38, 7:17, 9:31, 14:23, 15:14). To conform to God’s will means that you must die to your will. You cannot have dual “wills” or dual “natures.” When we see our great need and desire to come under God’s authority, He gives us His nature such that we will desire to do His will. We accomplish this by being led of His Spirit rather than our flesh. Jesus told these men: John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” They defend their carnal nature and this is to their own condemnation. Jesus told them if they were of God they would receive His Words (v. 47). These men then accused Jesus of having a devil (John 8:48). When the flesh is denied it lashes out with a vengeance (Jn 15:23). Christ says: John 8:51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying (do my will), he shall never see death.” Whose will do you prefer? Jesus revealed the thoughts of many hearts – and still does (Lk 2:35). When the darkness in your life is revealed, your thoughts will be known as you seek to defend it or fall on your knees and repent of it. Our actions will reveal our hearts (Example: Lk 4:16-30). When your heart is revealed do you lash out?

There are religious organizations and buildings everywhere - their parking lots are full. How can this country be so far from God? Consider all the abortions, juvenile delinquents and teen promiscuity, rape and crime, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce, sexual perversion, violence, and open witchcraft that have become the norm in life and entertainment, the relentless pursuit after money and possessions, and the seeking of self. Much of this is done by those who actually attend religious institutions. We do not need anymore religion, we need Jesus Christ! This proud country demands God’s blessings! Why will He not bless (2 Chr 7:14)? Could it be that those who profess His name are not living their faith, teaching their children or impacting those around them? Perhaps these are attempting to conform God to their image as they have conformed to the world, rather than dying to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to conform them to Christ’s image. Many that call themselves “Christians” are living and not dying – this is the problem. Jesus said: Luke 18:8, “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” With all the religious institutions, why would Christ make such a statement?

God’s Way

Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” The Lord intentionally does things to confound our flesh – we will not glory before God. Let us consider why. Man has a fallen nature that is self seeking and rebellious toward God. Therefore man by his very nature does not think or see things God’s way (Is 55:9). Man actually sees things more like the devil does. Man is rebellious and opposite toward God, always seeking his way, which is the way of the flesh (Lk 19:14, 27). Just as the devil is opposed to God, so is unconverted man. The flesh seeks its own and we must subdue the flesh. God converts us and makes us partakers of His divine nature, but only after escaping the corruption of the world (2 Pt 1:4). Christ has given us His Holy Spirit, who works on us to conform us to His image so that we can partake of this divine nature. When man seeks God apart from the Spirit, he puts on a religious façade (outward show, Lk 11:39). Matthew 23:28, “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Man is still seeking his way, only with an air of religiosity – a form of godliness (2 Tm 3:5). We must die to our way and seek God’s will and purposes. Religious man does not please God. He claims to represent God, but is mostly self-seeking. The religious presume to be God’s authority, yet do not know Him or discern His will. Whenever there is a legitimate sovereign move of God, religious men eventually get involved and institutionalize it and make it their own. They name it, denominationalize it, buy a building and set up shop. What once was very real, vibrant and living becomes dead and religious. Soon relationship is replaced with icons, ceremonies, procedures, doctrines, traditions, pomp, authorities, methodologies, etc. They rejoice in the works of their own hands (Acts 7:41). God’s precious Spirit is gone. God help us all to see this. What does God say about rebellious man? Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.” These continually provoke God and are a smoke in His nose that burneth all the day long (Is 65:3, 5). By their very nature they do not do what God delights in (Is 65:12).

Pride

There’s just no doubt from a biblical perspective that God hates pride (Pv 16:5, 18, 2 Sam 22:28, Mal 4:1, Js 4:6, 1 Pt 5:5). God resists the proud and loves the humble (Js 4:6). Luke 1:51-52, “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.” John the Baptist was a prophet sent to prepare (Jn 3:28) the people for Jesus’ arrival: Matthew 3:1-2, 6, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And (many) were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” John was sent to provide knowledge of salvation (Lk 1:77) – to guide those in darkness (Lk 1:79). That knowledge is to repent (forsake your wickedness and come under God’s authority). Confessing of one’s sins is the realization (comprehension, awareness, recognition) acknowledgment (admission, acceptance) and accountability (liability) of one’s transgressions against God. Baptism is recognizing the need for forgiveness and forsaking of those sins. The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees were very self-righteous and did not feel any guilt that they should hear or need John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance (Mk 1:4). They were very proud and could not admit fault, particularly for all to see (Pv 16:18). Luke 7:29-30, “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” These men just could not see their depravity and great need for God. Some of these same leaders who openly rejected Christ would later come to Jesus at night in the cloak of darkness, due to pride or fear of man (Jn 3:1-2 & 12:42). These would not openly confess Jesus in their lives (Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26, Jn 7:13). The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees were very concerned because the people loved John and held him as a prophet. The religious had no control over John the Baptist and this greatly troubled them. They couldn’t put him out of the synagogue (church) or bribe him, because he didn’t belong to the synagogue (Lk 1:80) and lived in the wilderness and his raiment was of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle; and his meat was locusts and wild honey (Mt 3:3-4, Mk 1:6). How do you control such a man? John was answerable to God alone and not man (religious). This is a very important point to consider for those whom God calls. Due to John’s acceptance by the common man (poor in spirit), the religious felt very threatened. When the religious came out to spy, John did not have good things to say about them (Jn 1:19, 24-25): Matthew 3:7-8, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? They were further told: Luke 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance (evidences in your life), and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” In other words, God was looking at hearts and not genealogies. The religious questioned him: John 1:19-21, “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.” John displayed true humbleness and meekness. John was the greatest prophet to arise in the earth, but sought no personal glory (Lk 7:28). He just did that which he was sent to do.

It is important to note that John the Baptist came with a specific mission and purpose from God (Sent from God – Jn 1:6). This was to prepare the people’s hearts through repentance (of sin) for the arrival of Christ (Lk 1:76-79, 7:27, Jn 1:7-8, 23, 29-30, 32-33, 5:33). If anyone should have understood this, it should have been the religious authorities. Through their much learning and religious structures, they sought man’s way to such an extent that God’s way became foreign to them. 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” One can only know God as taught through His Spirit. John was the greatest prophet ever to be sent from God. Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” The religious totally rejected him out of envy and jealousy and because he did not conform to their (man’s) ideas. John’s message was that self had to die, and this was not comforting to the flesh. The religious had been awaiting the prophetic arrival of Elias (Elijah). John came and operated in the spirit of Elijah and actually was the one they were looking for (Mt 17:10-13, Lk 1:17, Mal 4:5). Those that claimed to represent God actually opposed Him in every way – they did unto him whatsoever they listed (Mk 9:13, Jn 8:42). Likewise today, many a man sent from God will be rejected by the religious and a system largely built by man. Those with a true God given calling will be suppressed, hindered and attacked by those envious ones who wish to control and dominate (such as the afore mentioned Diotrephes).

Seems these religious felt they were justified before God simply by being descendants of Abraham (heirs to the promise, Rm 4:14), yet lost sight of why Abraham was justified before God. Abraham had demonstrated his faith through obedience and love to God (Heb 11:8). Abraham performed God’s Words (Neh 9:7-8). This was even done prior to the covenant of circumcision and certainly not by works of the law (Rm 4:1-13). Abraham also brought forth fruits meet for repentance, meaning he was justified by his works yielded through love and devotion to God which made his faith perfect (Js 2:21-23). Jesus later told these religious: “Do the works of Abraham” (Jn 8:39). Similarly, we must be careful that we do lose sight of why we are justified in Christ - living a life that is pleasing to our “first love” (Rev 2:4) which produces fruits (evidences – John Chap 15) worthy of our repentance (and conversion) to perfect our faith. To say: “I am resting (no responsibility) on the finished work of Christ,” or having once had a profession of belief with no real ongoing life totally misses God’s will as revealed in scripture and such will “be lacking.” God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7, 1 Kg 8:39).

Jesus later addressed these religious men’s rejection of the baptism of repentance. The chief priests and the elders wanted to know by what authority Jesus taught (Mt 21:23). Jesus said He would tell them if they answered whether the baptism of John was from heaven or men (Mt 21:24-25). They couldn’t say from heaven because they had rejected God’s method of changing hearts in favor of their own doctrines and traditions (man’s way). They couldn’t say from men because all the common people loved John and considered him a prophet, and this would make them unpopular (and possibly get them stoned/killed), for they always sought the praise of men (Mt 21:25-27, Lk 20:3-7). Therefore they lied and said they didn’t know. So, Jesus said, Matthew 21:28-31, “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” The first son did not initially do the will of the Father. Then this son had a change of heart, humbled himself, repented and performed the Father’s will (did his work). The second son made a “profession,” but then his life (actions) did not live up to that profession and the Father’s work did not get done. He professed with his lips, but his heart was not really toward doing the Father’s will (Mt 15:8). Perhaps this son felt his “profession” was all that was important even if he had his own desires to fulfill (self). Many ask, what’s in it for me? These religious men correctly discerned that the first son did the will (actually performed the work) of the Father, and this was to their own condemnation. The religious are actually like the second son. God wants us to humble ourselves in true repentance and then go and perform (actually do) His will (Mt 12:50, Mk 3:35). The religious man will make great “profession,” and claim to represent God, but seeks to approach the Father his way and for his purposes. Maybe they don’t want to go to hell or someday hope for great rewards. Where is the love toward God? Jesus said that the publicans and harlots, whom the religious despised, would enter heaven before them. The reason is that they do not claim to represent God or to be the path to God (middleman), they just acknowledge their guilt and great need for Him and then go on to do God’s will. The publicans and sinners “followed” Jesus and received His message of repentance (Mk 2:15-17) – its about seeing your need. Jesus concludes by saying: Matthew 21:32, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” God sent a man to the people with a message, the humble and poor in Spirit received the message (Is 61:1-3, Mt 11:5, Lk 4:18-19). The religious did not receive the message because of their self righteousness, doctrines and traditions of men. They clearly rejected God’s message in favor of their own way. Is it any different today? Does your “opinion” exalt itself above God’s eternal unchanging Word? Perhaps your opinions are what are really manifested in your daily actions. The Bible reveals: Psalm 119:89, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Some think this not to be the case on earth given their opinions (Is 5:21) –and they are pertinacious about it. We will fall on our knees and cry out to God in all humbleness with due repentance or we will not find Him. The way to God is the way of righteousness. If you are not headed in that direction then you are on the wrong path!

When Jesus came forth, John knew his time was over. John was sent to prepare the way and bear witness and he had accomplished his purpose (Acts 13:25). Christ’s disciples were baptizing people near the place where John the Baptist was baptizing (Jn 3:22). John’s followers were concerned about this perceived competition – all men were coming to Jesus (Jn 3:23-26). Jesus’ disciples baptized more than John (Jn 4:1-2). John 3:27-30, “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John knew his place and purpose. John humbly stepped aside to allow Jesus place – John’s life on earth was coming to a close. John knew the will of God and submitted to it. What about the religious (Sadducees and Pharisees)? How did they react to Jesus’ presence? As discussed in Chapter 2, they were envious, jealous, defensive (of their institution) and undermined Christ everyway they could.

In conclusion, Jesus made a startling prophecy: Matthew 17:12-13, “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” John and Jesus were both sent of God and both came with a message of repentance. One was the greatest of all prophets and the other God’s only begotten Son (Lk 20:9-16). Religious man had been looking for their arrival as previously prophesied (but as per man’s opinions). When they came, their messages did not agree with man’s religious doctrines or methods. Jesus did not follow their beloved doctrines of the Sabbath as they thought He should. Jesus did not hold to the ceremonial hand washing traditions (Mt 15:2). Christ even pointed out their errors – judging righteously (Mt 15:3). It soon became clear that God’s purposes were not that of man’s desires. God required man to humble himself, put aside his will and perform God’s will. Religious man chose his will over God’s and killed God’s messenger and Son – and rejoiced over it (Jn 16:20)! Man has been rejecting God’s will in favor of his own since Eden. Oh man, Is it really any different today? If a man of God came into your religious institution with a convicting message of God that differed from your pet (favorite) doctrines of man, would he be received? Would there be repentance or disdain (despise, condemn)? Followers of Christ must realize that when we do not do what the religious men (institutions, denominations, organizations) of today bid us, then we will be equally contemptible to them. Just as the religious told Christ that He must do things their way, the same will be true toward Jesus’ followers. They will say we must assemble with them and worship God through them and their methods/institutions.

What made John the Baptist so great as to warrant Christ’s proclamation of him (Mt 11:11, Lk 7:28)? John was totally devoted to God and never sought his own. There is nothing in scripture to indicate that John sought himself in any way (Lk 1:80, 7:25-26). John spoke God’s Words and lived in total obedience to perform God’s purposes (Mt 3:1, Lk 3:2-3). He was ridiculed by the religious in doing God’s will (Mt 21:25, Lk 7:33, Jn 1:22-25). John was humble and God-centered (Jn 3:26-30) and was a burning witness for God (Jn 5:35). He was killed for speaking the truth (Mk 6:17-29, Lk 3:19). Now consider: John mightily preached and led many to God (through repentance), but he had no religious building or title (of man). He was zealously devoted to God’s purpose in his life, yet received no wages. John’s messages were from God, yet he did not fit-in with the religious folks or their doctrines and traditions (outside the box). He was a voice crying in the wilderness (minority view, lone voice), yet he prepared the way for, bore witness and baptized Jesus Christ – God’s own Son (bore witness- Jn 1:6-7, 15, 29-30, 32, 34, 5:32-33). From man’s perspective, John was an odd ball – someone to be watched. From God’s perspective, John was the greatest man born of woman. These same attributes can be said of Christ, but on a higher level.

Something is just not Right

Have you ever noticed that there seems to be something dreadfully wrong within much of the religious institutions and organizations that you just can’t adequately describe? Much of what is done has Christian overtones, but seems to be fleshly with little or no spiritual depth and vitality. Many are talking the Christian lingo, but what about the walk? Most of the members seem to be decent somewhat moral people and are nice enough, but also seem to lack real compassion, zeal and commitment in their lives. Relationships tend to center on small talk of worldly topics such as television programs, the latest movies, items in the secular news media, careers, and popular books. Ladies wear the latest fashions, jewelry, and hairdos (1 Tm 2:9, 1 Pt 3:3-4). The young ladies dress hip to draw attention to themselves (with their parent’s knowledge), which tends to be provocative and unseemly (Job 31:1, Mt 5:27-28). The young men present themselves as rebellious with perhaps an earring, gaudy necklace or strange haircut or attire. There seems to be no personal sacrifice and shunning of the things of the world. We should be worshipping God and not drawing attention to SELF. The simple selfless life that Jesus lived and the example He left for us does not seem to fit in well with the modern religious empires, many with big comfortable multimedia type auditoriums, gymnasiums, and convention style banquet facilities/fellowship halls. Jesus taught selfless love and yet the religious institutions have fractured into hundreds of denominations as man leads rather than God’s Spirit (1 Cor 1:10). Where is the Spirit led church as per the biblical model (love, devotion, obedience, encouragement, exhortation, etc.)? This list could go on and on.

So many things that are done in the name of Christ actually violate the scriptures that the religious claim to accept and revere. To question the institution is like questioning God Himself. Those that do are usually given vague reasoning that leaves one even more in doubt. Man’s religious structures seem to be conformed to the world, yet the Ekklesia (called out ones) are suppose to be transformed to the image of Christ, not that of the world (Rm 12:2). We must ask ourselves, “Am I a mirror of the world or of Christ.” What makes you any different from an unbeliever? A mere mental profession/association with Christ; a slightly better morality; or perhaps following a list of religious doctrines that you hope will save you; these will all fall short. A loving and living abiding faith that is transforming you daily into the image of Christ will meet God’s purposes. God wants a relationship of love and obedience. Loving and serving God with your heart will manifest in your outward actions. It may surprise many to know that Satan’s workers are in the religious institutions (2 Cor 11:13-15). This is because most are deceived of the devil’s workings. The devil is not on the outside looking in. He was invited in long ago and has established much of the structure of man’s attempts to reach God apart from God’s Spirit. Religion is just fine with the devil as long as it is devoid of God’s Spirit. The more error the devil introduces the more an abomination and confused it becomes, and thus the more to his liking. To truly find God, you must be prepared to lose everything - everything that you hold dearer than Him. The five sins Jesus hates most are: hypocrisy, spiritual pride, impurity, indifference to human need, and unbelief. Would you be comfortable if Jesus physically came into your home one evening? Now consider the fact that God sees all anyway - Proverb 15:3.

The author does not intend to propose solutions to repair this religious system of man. These structures of man would have to be totally torn down rather than be restored. Jesus leads us out of this system of man, but we must understand why (Ex 33:7, Jn 10:3-4, 27, 2 Cor 6:17). The intent of this book is to present the truth of the gospel and believe that the Holy Spirit will convict the reader’s heart such that one life will be changed, not an institution. The Lord’s purposes will be accomplished one individual at a time, each being loved and important. Christ’s true church will be built with these living stones – perhaps having been rejected by the religious (1 Pt 2:3-5). In Christ are all the solutions that we struggle to find. The author’s prayer is that eyes will be opened to see that God never desired a religion, but a relationship whereby individuals and the corporate body love, worship and look to Him, in and through all things. Many will look to the religious institutions to save them and will be very disappointed. Man’s attempts to reach God are man-centered. We must become God-centered and be transformed, renewed, and converted. Christ must be the head of the body in all things. If the Spirit is not leading a particular assembly, then the Spirit is absent and man is leading. If men are leading then they will certainly be overcome by Satan. Recall from Chapter One, man chose his will (way) over God’s from the beginning. If a man’s nature has not been changed, then Christ will not be his focus and he will not willfully submit to the Spirit. When a man humbles himself (poor in Spirit), then he can be changed. If a man is exalted, he will not desire to be changed – he will want to do the changing.

The religious Jews had God’s law and were suppose to live it in such a way as to bring glory to God and be a witness to all the nations of the earth (Gen 18:18 & 26:4, Gal 3:8). God intended for the children of Israel to obey the law out of love for Him – to cleave to Him for their every need (Deut 11:22). After all, God had provided them deliverance from their Egyptian bondage; food and water in the desert; a Promised Land in which to live; He fought all their battles for them; and blessed them abundantly. The Jews eventually twisted God’s desire and believed that if they just kept the law, then they would be saved. The law became their salvation rather than God, and they served it. They could have an outward righteous appearance yet be full of all manner of wickedness on the inside with a heart that was far from God. Jesus demonstrated this when He said, Matthew 5:21-22, “Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Jesus further illustrated the point in saying: Matthew 5:27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Those who partake of pornography (and much of what’s on television or in magazines) or have unseemly thoughts (gawking, evil eye) of others should pay particular attention to this! This is why Jesus said, Matthew 23:27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” A religious observance means nothing if you do not love God with your whole heart.

Here is the paradox: The law does not save. This only becomes a religion of man. Having a heart toward God (through Christ) with love and desire to do His will is what saves. This is relationship with God. In doing this, the law is kept through the Spirit. Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Faith is looking to God alone (through Jesus) for our salvation and as such obeying Him from our heart. John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” The Jews also took God’s law and through their scribes they expand it significantly. They served the law and not God. Their hearts were far from God. Some used it for the purposes of bringing glory and honor to themselves, while manipulating and using others.

The Law or Faith

Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The law was added because of transgressions and reveals God’s will for us and our fallen state (Rm 7:7, Gal 3:19, 24). To keep the law with no faith, love, willingness and devotion toward God is pointless. You simply become a servant to the law itself (dead works – Heb 9:14). The law will not justify you – only Christ (Acts 13:39, Rm 10:4). This is trying to earn your own justification apart from God, and make God a debtor to you (Rm 4:4). We are in fact greatly indebted to God and have no means to pay. Romans 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” No man will be justified before God through his own works. We must not have our own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ and have the righteousness of God by faith (Php 3:9, Rm 10:3). If there had been a law given that would have given life then it would be required of us (Gal 3:21). The law compels one to serve – grudgingly. This is not the faith God desires. We must keep the spirit of the law through our love, devotion and obedience to God. If we desire God’s will on our inside (in heart) then the spirit of the law will be manifested on our outside (actions) as we are conformed to Christ’s image as led by His Spirit. Galatians 5:18, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Romans 3:27, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” We must abide in Christ through faith and love – not by obeying the law under human effort (Gal 2:21). Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” This was the problem of the religious Jews: Romans 9:32-33, “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Those that seek only to obey rules or laws apart from love and devotion to God will be expected to absolutely live in them (Gal 3:12). Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” We must cease from our religious works and submit ourselves to God and His direction (purposes) – then perform His works as obedient to the Spirit and the Word. When we stop trying to reach God our way and submit ourselves to His way, we enter into His rest. Heb 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” This is truly a rest and a lifted burden. We no longer are beholding to man or his religious systems. We walk and live in faith to God alone through Jesus. We abide in Christ in faith and hope daily. Jesus said, Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When we release all that is of man and simply serve Christ, we find this to be so true. Life becomes a joy! Therefore: John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Grace enables us to live a life of faith in Christ’s truth with a heart to serve.

Faith by-passes the flesh. Faith requires us to reach beyond SELF. God must be approached through faith (Heb 11:6). We cannot approach God through the flesh, meaning our works, abilities, strengths, resources, intellec, influence, accomplishments, etc. To be strong in the flesh is to be weak in the Spirit. God grants mercy and grace when we approach Him His way (faith) and not through man’s way (flesh) – Exodus 20:6. Examine your religiosity – do you approach God through the flesh in any way or do you look to Him for all things? When we die to our will and submit/yield/humble ourselves before God, then we have put the flesh aside.

God’s Intended Law

The law (ten commandments) was given in two tables of stone (Ex 24:12, 32:15). The first set of commandments (table) dealt with man’s relationship to God (Ex 20:1-11) and the second set (table) dealt with man’s relationship with each other (Ex 20:12-17). When our relationship is right with God, then we should see that manifested in our relationship with each other. This is why Jesus summed up the law as first, love for God (Mt 22:36-38, Mk 12:30) and then love for each other (Mt 22:39, Mk 12:31). This is why Jesus could say: Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” These are relationships that are lived out daily and are based upon love (sacrifice). This is what God requires of us. First we love and obey God with all our hearts and cleave to Him (Deut 10:20, 11:22, 13:4, 30:20, Josh 22:5). Secondly we relate to each other based upon this great love and new nature we have from God – forgiving as God forgave. Romans 13:10, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” These relationships are not religious observances of rituals, ceremonies, liturgies, and sacraments. God writes His laws in our hearts: 2 Corinthians 3:3, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

Methodology

Man is always confident and sure that God will be pleased with his way of serving Him. God gave King Saul a task (via Samuel the prophet): 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. The Amalek had done evil to Israel when they came up from Egypt (Ex 17:8. 14-16, Num 24:20, 25:17-19). The Amalekites were the descendants of Esau. Esau had a birthright to the blessings of Abraham and Issac, but sought the flesh (his wants) rather than God. The children of the flesh are not the children of God (Rm 9:8). We must destroy everything of the flesh (Amalekite) and seek God’s purposes. In the day of the Lord all of Esau (those of the flesh) shall be destroyed – none remaining (Oba 1:18). The Amalekites lived for the flesh and did vile and evil things. King Saul’s task was understood and the victory was assured (by God Himself). Saul smote the Amalekites and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 1 Samuel 15:9, “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.” Notice that Saul only destroyed those things that were of no use. The things the flesh desires, he saved alive. Man seeks the things that please the flesh in his worship of God. Does this not describe much of man’s religion today? There was no denial of self (sacrifice) in performing God’s will, but rather an exaltation and selfish gain in seeking man’s will. God told Samuel He was very displeased with Saul’s disobedience. Samuel went up to see Saul. 1 Samuel 15:13, “And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” Saul had done the task his way rather than the Lord’s way, but didn’t see a problem. 1 Samuel 15:14-15, “And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” God didn’t ask for animal sacrifices. This was man’s idea with a religious component such that man could fulfill his motives. Saul justified his way by saying that he did it for the Lord. He surely thought his way would be better than God’s. This “doing it for the Lord” should sound familiar to the religious of today. How many times have religious institutions done whatever for the Lord or to win the lost? Man has made all sorts of extra biblical improvements since Christ’s resurrection. So many things are justified by saying that they are done for the Lord. They seem so right in man’s eyes. We will discuss many of them in this chapter such as unauthorized holiday celebrations, worldly praise bands, vast religious structures, and entertaining children’s activities. After all, these improvements are unto the Lord, not for us. Saul wanted to serve the Lord his way through these great sacrifices, but God wanted his obedience. The Lord said, 1 Samuel 15:23, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” The religious often reject the word of the Lord (clearly detailed in the Bible) in favor of their own ways. Saul loved not the Word. He partially obeyed the Lord. Saul’s partialobedience was justification in his own mind, but his actions told a much different story. Saul couldn’t separate obedience from the flesh. It is also interesting to note that Saul died at the hands of an Amalekite (2 Sam 1:5-10). Many will profess Christ in partial obedience, but their actions will reveal the true story. Turns out that partial obedience is not acceptable with our Lord and He will only accept unconditional surrender unto His total will. Many will partially obey the Lord, but that’s not what God is looking for. Some will obey the parts of God’s Word that do not come against their will. This is a judgment on God and His Word. This is conforming Christ to your fleshly will.

Then finally Saul admits part of the root of the problem. 1 Samuel 15:24, “And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.” Saul feared offending the people so he gave in to what they wanted rather than obey God. This is exactly what we see in most of the religious world today. The people want to be entertained so gymnasiums are erected and bands are assembled. Smooth speakers are hired that can really play to the crowd. The celebrations of the world are observed even if they have to be somewhat Christianized. Its not that the religious want to do such things, they just want to attract people to the Lord so they can win them to Christ. If they can coax them into saying a prayer then it will have all been worthwhile. The Lord sought a replacement for Saul after that day. This is what the Lord’s criteria is: 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” The Lord wants obedient hearts to serve Him in faith. The Lord is not after looks or a big religious show, just devotion. The Lord has rejected much of the world (crowds) in favor of a faithful remnant (Joel 2:32). It is interesting to note that an Amalekite ultimately kills Saul in battle (2 Sam 1:2-15).

The scripture is clear, we ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Psalm 56:11, “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Man will always seek to exalt his will at the expense of obedience to God. A follower of Christ must have faith and trust in God alone. Hebrews 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Compromise is often the vehicle used as one justifies one’s lusts or desires. Sometimes it can be very intimidating standing for God alone when all others are against you (Ps 9:9-10). Peer pressure can be a powerful tool for failure. If we truly seek to do God’s will, then He will be our strength in such battles. Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Saul did not obey the intent of God’s purposes and thus God found a replacement. Acts 13:22, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Notice what God was looking for in a leader: one that would obey and accomplish His will. We must all take careful note of this, particularly if you are in a leadership position..

Rely on Man or God?

In 1 Samuel Chapter 17 we learn that Goliath was a giant and the champion of the Philistines. He was a warrior from his very youth and greatly accomplished in battle. His success was attributed to his great size, training and fighting ability (skill). All Israel feared him. David was a Shepherd with no military training. When David heard him curse Israel, he decided to meet the challenge that all the others had feared. Saul agreed to send David, but wanted him to fight the battle man’s way. 1 Samuel 17:38-39, “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” The weapons and armor were the things of man, David chose reliance upon God. Goliath came out to meet David with all the strength, ability and weapons of man. 1 Samuel 17:45, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” Do you see the difference between the two? David said the Lord would give him the victory. 1 Samuel 17:47, “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.” The victory was assured and came to be. We must stop relying on the things and ways of man and start looking to God. David’s faith in God was evidenced through his actions. David literally put his life on the line for his belief in God.

Foundations

Everyone builds their life upon some foundation of belief. Certain foundations may seem stable, but then a tribulation or catastrophe comes along and test the foundation. Jesus said, Luke 6:47-48, “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” God honors His Word, for it is true, eternal and never changing (Mt 24:35, Is 40:8). Our foundation must be in Christ (1 Cor 3:11). We must recognize the source (Christ), understand the application, and then live the truth, and this God honors. Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” The same cannot be said concerning the foundations of men. Many build foundations (their understanding of God) on men’s religious efforts to reach God rather than on Jesus Himself. Many may build upon a strong religious personality (charismatic leader), religious denomination and associated pet doctrines, or local church facility. Men are subject to failure and will ultimately disappoint. Religious denominations are always changing interpretations or practices based upon majority popular opinion. These changes tend to even further erode and already shaky foundation of religious works. God cannot be contained within a specific doctrinal box. Members of local church facilities split over religious issues or human emotions all the time. Jesus Christ must be all things in our life. Some may align themselves with certain religious organizations, but their true foundation is themselves and what they desire. Our strength, determination, and abilities will fail when put to the test. We must build our lives upon Christ’s Word and truly seek His Spirit to understand and live this Word. Christ will never disappoint during time of need.

Just prior to His discussion of laying the proper foundation by doing His will, Jesus said that not all who call Him Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mt 7:21-23). The only ones who enter the kingdom are those who do the Father’s will. Christ’s will and the Father’s are one in the same. John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Now we follow in Christ’s steps (For Jesus is the Word of God). Some came to Jesus with religious works but were denied (v. 22), for they still worked iniquity (v. 23). That meant they were still not totally converted and were living for self in sin (still rebellious – not reconciled). Many in the religious world believe God’s mercy and grace gives them license. These have done despite the Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29). The issue is love and devotion toward God; that is a pure heart and sincere desire to die to self and live for Him. 2 Timothy 2:11, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.” God’s mercy is for those who fear Him (Lk 1:50).

Truly a Work of Man

God directed Moses to build a tabernacle (tent) such that He could dwell among His people (2 Chr 6:18). God specified every detail of how tabernacle was to be made and furnished (Ex 25:9). Moses was not to deviate from God’s pattern (Acts 7:44). Exodus 25:40, “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” This pattern was an example and shadow of heavenly things (Heb 8:5) – not to be altered by man! King David later had in mind to build God a temple (2 Sam 7:2). Isaiah 66:1, “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?” God did not allow David to build the temple because he had shed too much blood from wars round about (1 Chr 22:8, 28:3). God did allow David’s son, Solomon, to build Him an elaborate temple based upon heavenly patterns given to David (2 Sam 7:13, 1 Chr 28:11, 19). This pattern was given to David by the Spirit (1 Chr 28:12) and he was made to understand it in writing by God’s hand that was upon him (1 Chr 28:19). God gave the pattern and it was to be followed exactly. Man was to obey! Now the children of Israel had the Law of Moses and the temple of God. From this foundation, they proceeded to build an elaborate religious system of man.

When Jesus set about to minister on the earth, the Jews had an extensive religious system in place. This system was full of ceremony, doctrines and traditions of men. Jesus would later state, Matthew 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Jesus further stated, Mark 7:9, “And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” They religiously observed the law and their traditions, though they were ritual, heartless and uncompassionate. God’s own Son came to them but they received Him not (Jn 1:11). Jesus words found no place in them, John 8:37, “I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.” Their hearts were so far from God: John 5:42, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.” Oh religious man do you think it is any different today? To “receive Christ” is to take His Words to heart and live them daily (see Chapter Seven – The Sinner’s Prayer).

John 8:3-9, “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” The religious again showed how far their hearts were from God. They had no compassion or regard for the women, they just wanted to entrap Jesus. Some have speculated that Jesus was actually writing down the sins of the accusers. In any case, they were convicted in the hearts when Christ shined His light upon their own transgressions (darkness) and hypocrisy. When we come to the place that we can see our own sin, none of us will be able to cast that first stone. Our own self-righteousness will condemn us. We must have love for the person and hate the sin or behavior. We are to not to condone evil, but rather point the way to Christ. John 8:10-11, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Jesus forgave the women but told her to sin no more. Many religious folks will gladly receive Christ’s forgiveness, but what about the “sin no more?” If Jesus tells you to do something, you can be sure that it is within your ability through Him. Jesus gives us the ability to overcome. Had this not been possible, then Jesus would have been misleading her with falsehoods and this would have been sin. Christ never sinned! Jesus came to redeem us from sin – not to give license (2 Tm 2:19, Ti 2:14, Acts 3:26). 1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” Christ didn’t condemn this woman, but also did not justify her actions. Jesus was telling her to stop serving the flesh and the world, but rather come under God’s authority (the will of God). You cannot be under God’s authority if you are still walking in your own.

Jesus did not condemn the woman, but neither did He excuse her behavior. Christ pardoned her (showed mercy) and told her to “sin no more.” You cannot be forgiven to go away and continue in that transgression (sin) from which you were forgiven, otherwise forgiveness has no meaning (Pv 28:13). Those pardoned of a crime cannot expect to go and continue in crime. Forgiveness and pardon require repentance – the changing of the heart and direction. Christ came to call sinners to repentance (Lk 5:32, Mt 9:13, Mk 2:17). Consider: Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” We first truly repent and then receive the forgiveness. Does being forgiven to continue in sin make any sense? Repentance which does not produce change is meaningless (hollow)! Those who wish to continue in sin (love the darkness) have no need of (or use for) forgiveness (Jn 3:19-20). Forgiveness only has value to one who understands his transgressions and desires to forsake them (and be delivered). Those who realize their great need (those who mourn) will see the beauty in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and will understand His great sacrifice. Those who love the darkness (trivialize sinfulness) only seek forgiveness and pardon from the penalty of their transgressions (sin) – that being eternal punishment. They committ transgression and do not even blush (no grief). They make a mock of sin (Pv 14:9). They have accepted their sin (or a measure thereof) and may have ceased to fight the flesh. The fear of God is not before their eyes (Rm 3:18). These oppose the deliverance that Christ offers and do not understand the gospel – following, obeying, overcoming, sacrifice, enduring. They have turned the gospel into one of the flesh which soothes the will of man. The desire for deliverance from sin is a great point of distinction between those who walk in the light and those who walk in the darkness (Rm 13:12, Eph 5:8, 1 Jn 1:5, 3:10). The righteous “followers” keep His commandments, do no iniquity, and walk in His ways (Ps 119:1-3, 128:1).

The Modern Church Facilities

Matthew 24:1-2, “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Acts 7:48-50, “Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?” I guess Jesus was not too impressed with man’s attempt to be righteous in God’s eyes. They looked to man’s works (accomplishments), yet God wanted them to look to Him. The point of the temple was for God to dwell among His people. It’s not about the temple, but rather the One who occupies the temple. Man’s works will be thrown down, but God’s will shall abide forever. Jesus once said he was greater than the temple: Matthew 12:6, “But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.” He is also greater than the modern day mega-church complexes or denominational headquarters. The religious build large structures (and then serve them) for their comfort that they attribute as being for the Lord’s work. These have gone well beyond meeting places. Many now boast of separate youth buildings/ complexes, gymnasiums, banquet halls with full service convention style kitchens and/or dinner theaters, book stores, libraries, prayer gardens, etc. If you look nearby, you may find a church run thrift store that maximizes profits in converting non-cash donations into MAMMON. There may be state of the art sound systems and projected messages or praise verses on walls and screens. Praise should not be recited but should emanate from one’s heart. This shows what happens when man decides the pattern rather than God. Here is something to consider: In these modern fellowship halls with their full service kitchens, do you think the meal of bread and fish that Jesus offered would even be the least bit appreciated (Mt 14:16-21, 15:32-38, Mk 6:34-44, 8:1-9, Lk 9:12-17, Jn 6:5-13)? – Be honest! The children of Israel sure didn’t appreciate the manna from heaven (Num 11:6)!

In order to build these vast projects, the religious go to the world (banks) for financing. The world’s financial system could best be described as legalized robbery, which puts people in bondage and essentially makes slaves of them (servants) through debt. Proverb 22:7, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” There are no chains so it doesn’t seem as such. The religious man will say that this is just the way things are. No; this is the way of the world and of those who seek the things of the world. The antichrist will use this worldly system to control the world one day (Rv 13:7). In the scriptures, God’s blessings meant that one would not have to borrow: Deuteronomy 15:6, “For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. God’s curse was to be on the other side of that equation: Deuteronomy 28:44, “He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.” So, why do these religious organizations of man seek the things of the world and thereby make themselves servants of the world thus revealing that God’s curse is upon them? They are the tail and the godless financial institutes have become the head. The religious are in debt to the world – seems strange doesn’t it? – an anomoly! Good stewards? The religious build big structures and then serve them (facilities burden) and the world. Why don’t the loyal church members and the aspiring ambitious leadership, or building committees fund their own fleshly projects? Because then they wouldn’t happen! Let the wise consider. They will say that these facilities are for the Lord’s work (where is this in scripture?), just as Saul justified his bleating sheep as sacrifices for the Lord. If the religious truly sought God and were led of His Spirit, then meeting places would be simple, but they would not be in bondage to (and serving) the world. Christ would be the focus and not the flesh. Israel sought after the things of the nations (world) around her (harlotry) and God gave Israel over to her lovers (Ezekiel Chap 23).

Church Activities

What did Jesus think about some of the temple activities? Matthew 21:12-13, “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” The religious were taking advantage of sincere worshippers of God and profiting off of them. Just after this event: And the blind and the lame came to him (Jesus) in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying (praising) in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased (Matt 21:14-15). Notice that Jesus had a good heart of love and compassion. The religious had a bad heart and were envious, self indulgent and greedy. Christ was cutting into their monopoly and profits and taking their glory. Jesus would no doubt be turning over cassette, CD, book, and trinket tables in churches today. Jesus absolutely MUST be the FOCUS of all activities by the body of Christ! Serving Christ must be from the heart with the intent to do God’s will (Ps 40:8). God’s will can be known by those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6), rather than casually reading the latest theologian’s book. Notice that Jesus healed the blind and the lame. The blind are those whose eyes are spiritually opened and the lame are those who require Christ’s strength.

Today’s church is a bee hive of community activity. One may encounter Christianized karate and aerobics classes, health and wealth seminars, sports teams, theatrical/drama productions (including secular), rock and roll praise bands w/concerts, cantatas, holiday galas, patriotic celebrations, graduation ceremonies, coffee shops, banquets, political voting, thrift stores, etc. Most if not all are of the flesh and have no place in the worship of God. These are nothing more than worldly distractions that quench the Spirit and hinder the purposes of God (1 Thess 5:19). There seems to be little or no discernment today to know right from wrong. This author thought he had seen it all and then just prior to the release of this book, saw a Christian fireworks stand. The sign out front said all proceeds go to missions. The stand was being run by a nearby religious denomination. This reminds me of the church pumpkin stands which endorse the satanic celebration of Halloween in their quest to raise funds and be popular in the community (that they are suppose to be examples to). My heart truly grieves. I guess it’s all about money, supposed good works and generating new members. Many will find nothing wrong with these things because the world loves its own. Let us not dishonor God for the entire world to see. We are not to be as the world nor joined to it.

Jesus must be the absolute love of our lives and His body must focus on Him. Revelation 2:4-5, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Jesus must be our motivation in love in all things (daily life and fellowship). Otherwise everything degenerates into a dry routine. You’re still going to the meetings, reading your Bible and praying, but it has all become a ritual or a routine.” Many organized religious have totally lost focus and left their first love. They have entertaining (fleshly) rock and roll praise bands; career motivational speakers (high paid pastors) that inspire through man’s wisdom; gymnasiums with church sports teams and other activities; entertaining children’s programs with puppets, crafts, and prize give-a-ways; benevolence committees that carefully screen the needy; democratic church government rather than Spirit filled and led elders that do not lord over the people, and doctrines that are opposed to God’s Word. Just where is the focus? They would say on Christ, others would say SELF. One thing is sure, God does not use entertaining worldly things to accomplish His purposes – He warned us about such things: 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Notice, he that does God’s will abides eternally!

But They Won’t Come to our Church Any Other Way

Jesus said: Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” So what do you suppose happens to the spirit when one constantly feeds the flesh (Rm 8:13)? Many churches are now focused on entertaining and pleasing the flesh – they feel they must make the Gospel enjoyable and entertaining (human psychology), otherwise the lukewarm, hypocritical, and pharisaical may take their memberships elsewhere. The truth is that most churches are focused on church growth (membership) and not Christ. Consider this verse: Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections (emotions) and lusts (desires).” Notice the verse says “they that are Christ’s” – this does not bode well for fleshly/worldly religious organizations or individuals. We must examine ourselves and determine if these affections of the flesh have been crucified (Ps 26:2). If not, we may be led into more vile ones (Rm 1:24-28). We must seek those things above (Col 3:1-3).

Now many will say: “You will never find the perfect church because we are all only human.” This is why the church (body of Christ) must be submitted to the Holy Spirit and not man. The transgression of Ananias and Sapphira would be considered tame by most (particularly today), but the Holy Spirit didn’t think so (Acts chapter 5). So, if you’re religious organization has many such errors (particularly uncorrected ones) then it must be led of man. The religious will say that doing these fleshly things is OK if it is for the purpose of winning souls for Christ. So how does one violate God’s will/word (read Romans Chapter 8) for the purpose of accomplishing God’s will (Rm 3:8)? What are these converts being won to (Mt 23:15)? Some will say: “We must make church services entertaining for the youth to keep their attention or they will reject it as dull/boring compared to the things of the world.” The problem here is that parents (who profess Christ) have given children such choices to begin with. The world will always appeal to the flesh. When the church becomes as the world it is no longer the church.

Once a body of believers is institutionalized and comes under the doctrines and traditions of men, and is no longer led by the Spirit, they cease to become the church! They just become religious! There is a religious observance in form and practice, but the life and power of God is removed. 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” There is a carnal desire for the eternal security Christ offers, but this desire is self-centered and legalistic – religious. Their only power is in themselves, not God and His Spirit. The real power is the working of the Holy Spirit in your life to transform you into the image of Christ. This is lived out daily not orchestrated at a religious facility once or twice a week. Matthew 15:8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” The power of sin has not been broken and they live in the old life (old man). Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” When you are not truly seeking God and actively living your faith, you can easily become just religious. For example, one could be worshipping God on one day of the week and then enjoy watching television programming throughout the rest of the week that depicts the very sins that nailed Jesus to the cross (pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thess 2:12) – yet never see the hypocrisy or wrongfulness (see Chapter Three, A Tremendous Idol). One could be praising God one moment and then cursing or using the Lord’s name in vain in a difficult situation later - James 3:9-10, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Perhaps you might even attempt to use God’s grace as a covering for you’re own lasciviousness (Jude 1:4). Galatians 2:17, “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.” The problem is that the religious tend to compartmentalize things. One morning is for God (assuming things don’t go over normal time); the remainder of the week is for ME. Everyday must be for God and other things will be worked in if God allows.

The Rock and Roll Praise Band

So what’s wrong with the music? Secular rock & roll was born out of rebellion and sensual delight and that’s just what it produces. It appeals to the flesh and the words mock God and glorify sin. The musicians themselves referred to it as the devil’s music (Rm 1:29-32). The driving beat and chants are no different from what the heathens do in the deepest part of Africa (to summon demons). Consider the foul (filthy/vile) language and bawdy (course, vulgar, rude, lewd) messages of the popular rap music style. Today’s popular music is a multi-billion dollar global industry. Many who came into the religious organizations did not forsake their old sinful lives and brought the things they enjoyed with them. They Christianized the things of the world and called it Godly. Many congregations now rock & sway to praise bands and say they are glorifying God, but they are really just entertaining themselves. Ask preachers if it doesn’t draw in the crowds. True worship is from the heart not projected on the wall as sing along or a multi-media audio/video presentation. It shouldn’t make your flesh want to move to the beat. It is a melody sung to God for His glory.

There is one easy way to tell if you are in the flesh or in the Spirit. If you are participating in these so-called rock and roll praise services and your body has an instinctive urge to move to the beat, your in the flesh. You might even find it hard to resists once you become consciously aware of it. This is the flesh and not the Spirit. Try praying in the midst of this commotion or attempt to sing a melody within your heart and see if it is even possible. All of this detracts from Christ, who is the head of the body. Perhaps this is your favorite part of religious services (maybe your seeking self)? I was once in a religious service where they put the songs, “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” to a drum beat and folks were moving to the beat. The religious institutions know what draws the crowds; the numbers do not lie or do they? Maybe if religious services become just as entertaining as the world then the youth would be won. The only problem is that the religious organization will have then conformed to the world rather that Christ and the youth will be lost to the world anyway. This is what the youth and lost (non-believers) are being won to – a worldly religious experience devoid of the Spirit – seeking God, man’s way.

Men of God once braved (hazarded their lives) the great “darkness” in remote areas such as Africa to bring the “light” (Christ’s gospel) and quell (subdue, squash, put down) the drum beats of heathen men who worshipped false gods. These pagan drum beats summoned all manner of evil (spirits) as the people swayed about (perhaps clapping their hands). These men of God showed true love in laying their lives down for others (those seemingly non-deserving). Today, religious men have brought those “dark” forceful and repetitive drum-beats into their worldly worship services – such a paradox! The people sway and feel the tingling in their flesh – such an experience. Men of the true God, it is time to come forth again – the fields are white.

The author grew up in the midst of rock and roll during the sixties and seventies and absolutely understands from personal experience (past devotion and failures) the effects of this music style. Not all music is bad, but this style and those similar are (country, rap, blues, etc.). It creates rebellion, lowers inhibitions, opens one up to demonic realms and clearly manifests the fruits of the flesh. You can put whatever words you like to it, but you will still be in the flesh. Religious words or not, you cannot worship God through the flesh, only the Spirit (Jn 4:24). The fruit will be outwardly visible through attitudes and actions. Look at the lives of all the “professed” Christian performers. They seek the same things as the world: money, fame, being cool, and rebellion (our generation does things differently). They reap the same rewards: divorce, adultery, substance abuse (drugs), covetousness, and pride. The performers dress cool and have kids that idolizing them – and they love to have it so. They honor themselves with award ceremonies (dove? Where is the Spirit?). Look at the motivation of the industry (money) and who owns it. Christ is a by-line buried within the lyrics and drowned by the beat. They even tone down the message of Christ (if there is one) to sell more CDs. However this is not the point. The religious use the things of the flesh and expect to derive a spiritual benefit, yet the two are contrary to one another (Gal 5:17). The Christianized rock (contemporary) will lead children to the secular rock, not that there is much difference at all. Children aren’t being won to Christ; they are being lost to the world. Please understand that Satan understands music and uses it to take focus from Christ and put it on self (the flesh). Ezekiel 28:13, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” The devil has pipes and he will be that pied piper that will lead your children away from God. Music influences attitudes, mannerisms, fashion, and forms of language. Many religious are offended by the blatant foul language and satanic themes of rap music, but this type of music is a derivation of rock music just as Christianized rock music is. Its all linked together, yet tailored to your taste – the devil accomodates to further the rebellion. The Christian radio stations are worldly businesses just like the secular ones. They air commercials, worldly news (AP, UPI), act worldly cool, have non-offensive feel good messages, have prize give-aways and always look at the bottom line (money, ratings, audience, etc.). We once attended a religious institution where the youth minister wanted to be hip and cool with the kids. They planned trips to see Christianized rock groups. My son really didn’t care for that sort of thing, but they tried to pressure him into going (peer pressure) and would send flyers home with him. The student Christian group at his school had a battle of the bands. This is the type of secular thing (with rock and roll music) that was going on when the author grew up and was leading kids to smoking, drinking, fornication, and drugs. We need youth ministers that will stand up for Christ against the world and protect these children’s precious souls – oh how grievous!

Consider this: Rock music was developed by the “Me” generation – “If it feels good, do it.” Rebellion against parents and society was strongly encouraged by the majority of that generation (baby boomers). The encyclopedia characterizes the sixties (when rock came of age) as a time of social protest. There was a civil rights movement, women’s movement (feminism, gender roles, legalized abortion, introduction of the birth control pill), youth movement, gay rights movement (gain acceptance and influence), free speech movement, and environmental movement. These created a climate of rebellion, confrontation, separation and upheaval. Pride (exhaltation of self) and rebellion is the nature of the devil – and his followers. The youth were trying to change American society through demonstrations, marches, rallies, protests, sit-ins, and teach-ins. Rebellion, rock music, drug use (exploded exponentially), illicit sex (fornication/adultery/sodomy), abortion and free expression (do what is right in your own eyes) went hand-in-hand. All this was shaped by a powerful mass media (see Chapter 3 – A Tremendous Idol). God says: Ephesians 6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (also see Col 3:20).” Do you see how the devil operates? He encourages children to disobey God and their parents, take on his nature and thus decrease their life expectancy such that they are eternally separated sooner (less time to consider repentance) into eternal damnation (Pv 20:20, 30:11, 17). He comes to steal and destroy. The devil will change society through the youth (and bring about his son). The Beatles rock group is credited with popularizing this trendy music style. They once pridefully and arrogantly stated that they were more popular than Jesus Christ. This music style is of the flesh and Christianizing it doesn’t change things – it still mimicks the world! – so do the concerts, marketing, CDs, lust for money and fame, dress, and paraphenalia. It should be noted that the majority of Americans did not support the aforementioned protest movements when they initially started. Over time through the efforts of mass media indoctrination (desensitization and positive portrayals), adherants coming of age and in confrontational in-your-face tactics, much of this rebellion has now been accepted or embraced by the public (converted) at large – or their children. Peer pressure has changed direction - Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Worse is on the way.

How should we give musical praise to the Lord?Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Praise is not about being loud, emotional or entertaining. Praise to God is from the heart of those who desire God’s will and are sincerely trying to live it. It’s a melody and not a driving beat. The content and truthfulness of the words is the emphasis (Js 5:13). Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Do we sing about God’s will, but actually live a life opposed to it? Think of it as a prayer of praise put to soft music - thanksgiving. If we truly love the Lord with our heart, then we will not want to see Him dishonored by turning praise into an imitation of the world’s entertainment which is undoubtedly rebellious and lascivious. If we are seeking our will and the flesh, then perhaps it won’t matter. Many have conformed Christ to their image and this is just part of it – Jesus must certainly like what they like. How did Jesus musically praise God? Mark 14:26, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives (Also Mt 26:30).”

Many will disagree with the conclusions drawn concerning worldly Christianized music and probably be quite angry. Perhaps you envision Jesus moving to the beat with hip clothing and an earring? Do you base your disagreement on the way the music makes you feel, arouses your emotions, and electrifies the auditorium atmosphere? Be honest with yourself. If any of these, then I would suggest that the praise and entertainment is directed at self and your emotions (flesh) and not God. The body cannot exalt itself as the head. When you examine/relate service to God as how you feel, then you are serving the flesh and not God. It’s not that complicated to understand, but a blind man can’t see. Pray for eye salve (Rev 3:18).

Further Consideration

Many will just be too blind to see and comprehend the fallacy of Christianizing the things of the world (such as rock music) by assuming that this makes these things godly. Therefore, another example will be offered that will hopefully clarify the point. This example is purely fiction, and somewhat absurd (feigned – to assert as if true), and to the author’s knowledge has not happened (yet); at least not just this way, but read-on. Gambling is a sinful and fleshly vice and the motivation is lust, greed and covetousness (Lk 12:15, Js 4:3-4). This is a seeking of the dainties of the world (Mk 4:18-19, 1 Jn 2:16). In many ways the following example is fă-cē-tious (playfully joking with what would be an inappropriate condition if it were true) parody (satirical imitation, sarcasm used to expose vice or folly), using common errors, to prove a very real point – a sort of fable or allegory. Suppose a religious denomination were to buy a casino and Christianize it such that their members would not miss out on any of this fleshly entertaining experience (and to fulfill their desire to create new members). Perhaps they would call it a religious retreat – sort of like a church camp for adults. There would be a large “image” of a cross out front. The placard (billboard) would say ten percent of all revenues go to feed the poor (which they help create) and to spread the gospel. A seminary trained pastor would be the manager and the board would be composed of reputable denominational religious authorities. The slot machines would not have symbols of fruit on their dials, but rather “images” of crosses, lambs, and fish. The tokens would have “images” of Christ on them – one side would say render unto Caesar, and the other side would say render unto the Lord via the religious denomination. There would be a sign with a Christianized worldly logo over the dice table that says, “Got Faith!” The attendant might say, “role’em strait and narrow, and keep’em on the table boys.” Perhaps another sign would say, “Be a good steward and increase your talents by ten fold.” Black Jack might be renamed white prince. The waitresses (wearing the latest fashions with plaited/broided hair and gold jewels and pearls – 1 Tm 2:9, 1 Pt 3:3) would bring complimentary non-alcoholic fruit drinks to the players. There would be a chapel for prayer (for lots of winnings and blessings) and preaching of denominational doctrines. When reporting taxable income from your winnings, there would be a place on the form to donate a tax deductible contribution to the religious organization. Psychologist (oops, I mean Christian counselors) would be provided as a service (cost deferred, debt incurred – take a pledge of the poor, Job 24:9) for those who lost their monetary means of providing for their families (1 Tm 5:8). The atmosphere would be festive like children’s church at some religious institutions (i.e. churches) with disco balls and colored lights and religious paintings on the walls. Outside there would be various statues (images) of men that had great faith (to inspire patrons in their ignorance to name-it and claim-it) such as Moses with an eternal burning bush (natural gas in this case). There might even be a “holy roller” coaster. Carefully selected (screened) scriptures would be displayed and emphasized throughout the facility. There would be loud Christianized rock and roll (oops, I mean contemporary) music played throughout the facility. There would be a stage where religious cantatas (composition of choruses, solos, and recitatives) are performed; and Christian music rock idols (oops, I mean contemporary performers) play concerts. There would be a gift store offering the latest self-help psycho-gospel books and Christianized trinkets. Each hotel room would have a talking idol (oops, I mean television). Big contributors would stay free. We are talking a virtual Christian “wonderland” here that points to a Christ (another/different one) and the denomination’s version of the gospel (2 Cor 11:4). To some this would be paradise – their version of heaven on earth. No one would feel bad about participating because of all the “good works” and feigned religious talk of Jesus. After all, the ends justify the means – right? What could possibly be wrong? There would be huge crowds, good works and a smooth messages! People would be saying sinner’s prayers as they hit rock bottom after losing all (at the slots). Well, I will now burst this sacrilegious bubble by informing you that the very core (foundation) evil was never changed by Christianizing our ficticious (in this case) example (which only added additional wickedness, blasphemy, rebellion and deception) and this would be totally incompatible with the true gospel. The motivation would still have been “the flesh” – and a total giving over to it – overcome. The drivers (initiative) would be lust, greed, covetousness, and worldliness. The results would be loss, bondage, misrepresentation, blasphemy, and sacrilege (theft of something sacred, desecration). Most would say this fictional example is totally unrealistic. Perhaps, however, the author once drove through Louisiana and Mississippi and saw whole large cities totally given over to gambling (consumed in). There were huge towering modern glitzy casinos. Right down the road there were huge towering modern glitzy religious buildings. One must have envied the other and both represented the glory of the world. The casinos and religious institutions seemed to be prospering, yet there was poverty all around – so sad. Some of the religious buildings apparently predated the casinos, yet obviously didn’t have ANY impact in keeping the casinos and their corruption away. One could only wonder if some of the good religious folk might also work in the casinos; and if so, would anything be said about it in the religious institutions (1 Cor 6:4-5). You can Christianize “whatever” worldly delight to seek the flesh (entertain), but the core will still be rotten (Mt 23:23-27, Lk 11:39). Many of the American States have passed lottery legislation. Those States that haven’t look at those that have with envy. All the interstate highway billboards read, “Play Lotto.” Its for a good cause they say – for the schools; for the children! What about those who disagree and are forced to now sell tickets in grocery and convenience stores? Many a religious man must have voted “yes” for this to happen in so many States. America is indeed a great mission field – people need the truth. Many ignorantly assume good shall result (seemingly on the surface as seen through the flesh) – as they also consider the entertainment and possible fortunes one could reap (fantasy). The author has witnessed many dry counties (no alcoholic beverage sales) change to wet counties (alcoholic beverage sales) in the area he lives having applied similar logic and reasoning. Lastly, many a religious man will psuedo-gamble (in the heart) at home through home computer casino style video games. Whats the difference? So! Is this an absurd example? Maybe not! Think about these things and seek God’s Spirit.

Titles, Robes and Privilege

1 Peter 5:2-3, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. Let us consider:

Many will say they feel God’s calling on their lives and enter into “the ministry.” They mostly accomplish this through the precepts of men (Is 29:13). They seek religious schooling through the wisdom of man in order to be certified and approved by man. One is not considered legitimate without such credentials (degrees, certificates). In days of old, a heathen man could become a priest by consecrating himself with a young bullock and seven rams (2 Chr 13:9). Today one can make himself a priest with the cost of religious tuition (teaching, schooling, training, education) – it’s just that simple. Many will entrust their very souls to such men. Those without such training need not apply for employment(? - hire) at the institutions of man. Isaiah 40:13, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” God’s greatest prophet (John the Baptist) and only begotten Son were soundly rejected by the religious systems of man. Doesn’t God equip and teach whom He calls? Do we not have God’s Word and Spirit? So what are God’s requirements? – Child like faith (Mt 18:4, Mk 10:15, Lk 18:17) - obedience to speak His truth (so hard for the flesh). God witholds His understanding from the wise and prudent (religiously educated), but reveals it unto babes (humble, God seeking, obedient – Lk 10:21). Paul is accepted as a tremendous minister of God’s truth – what did he say? Galatians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” Paul came as Jesus did, speaking God’s Words and not those of men (Gal 1:11-12, 16). Paul was justified in Christ alone. So did Paul set out to please men or God? Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Our faith does not stand in the wisdom of men (1 Cor 1:5). We do not follow men’s wisdom, but rather the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 2:13). Consider: Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Sent by who? God. With what message? God’s Words (through the Holy Spirit, not man’s wisdom). The dispensation (privilege, allowance, God giving knowledge and purpose) comes from God, not man (Col 1:25).

Matthew 23:5-12, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi (Reverend, Doctor, Priest Father, Honorable, Distinguished): for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” These verses make it very clear that we have one Lord and that is Christ (not man or organization). We are to serve one another in love. Titles and distinctions separate rather than unify. I dare say that the more titles and distinctions a preacher adds to their name only reveals how far from any dependance on God they actually are. This only reveals a reliance on self and the things of man. Recall from Chapter One (God’s Order) that to be great in God’s kingdom one must be submitted (a servant – opposite of what the world teaches us) – not exalted. Mark 12:38-39, “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts.” One will encounter one or more (possibly all) of these very negative traits in almost all religious institutes – religious clothing, special seats on stage, love of praise, titles, distinctions (clergy/laity), honors (educational certificates), etc. Some Lord over the people supposing that they have superior education which gives extraordinary insight into God’s Word. They exalt themselves! 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Truth is only found in God as revealed by His Spirit. Perhaps these distinguished men would have you call them doctor or reverend to show your respect for their high position (Job 32:22). A servant operates in love, not for control or personal glory. A servant seeks to please his Lord (Christ), loves others, is not self-serving, but rather self-sacrificing. Servants encourage and disciple others to become mature in the Lord and are not threatened when others exercise their spiritual gifts within the body. Servants live by example.

Some beat their fellow servants possibly through laying on guilt (manipulation) or obligation (Lk 12:45). Mark 9:35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” The only servants in the religious institutions appear to be the ones that are being lorded over. The clergy would say they are serving through their careers, but that is what these hirelings have been paid to do. Matthew 20:27, “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” Those that are faithful in the small things and obey the Lord in what He (not clergy) has called them to do are blessed. Matthew 23:11, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Surrender, submit, and serve; and God will exalt in due time in accordance with His purposes.

Believe it or not, many of the biblical scholars (PhDs), theologians, and seminary graduates may be of little or no use to God. Why? Because they tend to rely on their own wisdom or that of man rather than God (following His Spirit). Our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but is from God (2 Cor 3:5). 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence (also Job 37:24).” Where are the poor uneducated fishermen these days? So all these men with their degrees, certificates, accomplishments will not boast before God. This only reveals reliance upon man and human reasoning & achievement. Psalm 94:11, “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” The Holy Ghost is shut out – not desired. A true man of God will come with God’s message and not be beholding to influential church folk. His message will in no way appeal to the flesh. Most religious theologians will surely reject, shun and discredit such a person. Paul said he preached the gospel not with wisdom of words, nor with excellency of speech lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect (1 Cor 1:17, 2:1). Our faith must not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God – per the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 2:5, 13)!

The authoronce had a dream in which he had possession of some animal horns – the type that a hunter would desire. I said to myself, “I will display these horns for all to see.” Then I immediately heard the voice of the Lord say, “Will you make an altar to SELF.” It then suddenly occurred to me that all the trophies, certificates, diplomas, achievements, and awards that we so proudly display are no more than idols to ourselves. This is not the humble attitude one should have who truly relies on the Lord for everything. We must seek to find our importance and acceptance in God. Our acceptance is relational to our surrender. All these other things of man are worldly and temporal and will quickly burn away when put to the flame of God’s testing/judgment.

Jesus went up and taught the religious in their temple, John 7:15-16, “And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” They had spent their whole life learning and Jesus who had never learned put them to shame. Their wisdom came from man, but Christ’s came from God. What a difference! These men did not take this very well; they were jealous, envious, offended and felt threatened. Jesus put them to shame in their own territory and on a topic (Sabbath) they thoroughly studied and was so dear to their heart (Jn 7:21-24). How many doctorate theologians today would take offense at being corrected by an unlearned man who is just following the Spirit? Jesus prayed (Lk 6:12-13) & chose common unlearned men (fishermen) or those that society despised (tax collector) as he looked at hearts that would be pliable to God - fit for God’s use. Man’s religious system demands highly educated theologians (instructed in a particular denomination’s doctrines) – fishermen need not apply. The highly educated Pharisees looked down upon Jesus as unlearned (Jn 7:15) as did they to His disciples (Acts 4:13). They were humble in man’s eyes, yet God exalted them through the miracles they did and words they spoke – all were amazed and marveled. They truly changed the world. God wants those who will depend solely upon Him not themselves or others.

Paul was a very educated Pharisee (Acts 22:3, Gal 1:14, Php 3:5-6) and highly qualified to reach the Jewish leadership with the gospel, yet God saw that as no value and sent him to teach the Gentiles. In this position, Paul was forced to rely upon God rather than his own understanding. Paul was given a ministry by God: Galatians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead).” Paul was not sent of men or answerable to men. Paul stated: Galatians 1:11-12, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul’s religious training would put any modern seminary graduate to shame, yet the gospel he preached came from God. All his prior training from man was useless in God’s purposes. Paul said he counted it as loss and dung that he may win Christ (Php 3:8-9). Some religious readers need to take note of all this! Religious institutes today train men (and women? 1 Tm 2:12) for the priesthood, yet there is no more priesthood (as such) – Christ alone is our High Priest (Heb 8:1)! Whom God calls, God will equip, quite independent of man (ex. Peter/Paul/John – Acts 4:13, also Amos 7:14-16). Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” These are giftings of the Spirit for those filled and led of the Spirit. Paul said: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. -ALSO- 1 Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” God doesn’t desire any entertaining motivational speakers (1 Cor 1:17). Tell a few jokes or stories, sell a product (church growth), and raise money. God is not looking for politicians to be popular and tell everyone what they want to hear. God is looking for vessels that will submit to Him and speak His truth (as directed) and demonstrate His power (as directed). Rest assured that God’s message will condemn the flesh (crucify).

Moses was a man much beloved of God. Deuteronomy 34:10, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face (also Ex 33:11, Num 12:6-8).” What were his qualifications (learning, degrees)? Exodus 4:10-12, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say (also Ex 6:12, 29-30, 7:1-2).” Moses would have been disqualified by religious man given his poor public speaking skills. God was looking at Moses heart and meekness – for he was meek above all men (Num 12:3). God doesn’t choose us for our intellect or fleshly strengths/skills – that’s are a hindrance to the obedience God desires. Notice that God said He would teach Moses what to say. All men sent of God will speak God’s Words and be led of His Spirit. God was planning to use Moses and his brother Aaron for His purposes: Exodus 4:15, “And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.” The Lord gives us His Word and we speak it in obedience (Ex 7:6). Dear Lord, teach us what to say that we do not speak forth that which is of man.

The Problem with Man

When man is not submitted to God, he is not listening and being taught of His Spirit. A prime example of this would be one believing that it is absolutely necessary to attend some sort of religious school or seminary to get a certificate to be able to minister the Word of God. Religious institutions are in great error in advancing this notion and requiring such degrees. Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Most are out to please man – whom God calls, God will equip (Acts 4:13). We will either jump through men’s hoops or follow the Holy Spirit. Man attempts to approach God through the flesh. God says you will approach Him through the Spirit (Jn 4:24). When God is sought through the flesh, then His Word is looked at with fleshly eyes and prayers are offered with fleshly intent. Doctrines (teachings) start to emerge that sooth the flesh because man is placing his will above God’s in seeking after self. Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” This perverting of the gospel is the inevitable result of seeking the flesh and not the Spirit. An example of this would be the doctrine of “once saved always saved.” This doctrine sooths the flesh because it proposes the notion that once one makes a profession of faith, then one cannot loose salvation due to any effort of their own (Pv 11:6, 19-20, 23, 13:6, 14:2, 17:15, 24:24, 28:10, Is 5:23, Ez 13:22, 18:24, 26, 33:13, Mal 2:17, 3:18) – you are justifying the wicked. Often these will tell us we are justified “as is” – no deliverance (freedom) required. God in no way will justify the wicked (Ex 23:7, 34:7, Num 14:18, Deut 25:1, Is 5:23, Nahum 1:3), but religious man will say the wickedness is justified by the grace of God. This is a perverting of the gospel and becomes “another gospel” altogether – one of the flesh. This elevates the flesh to partake of all its desires and still offers eternal security (Col 3:25). This is a perverting of the gospel (Pv 24:24, Is 9:16)! Beware! These religious doctrines and traditions make the Word of God of none effect (nullify) by allowing one to live in the flesh and not seek God’s righteousness and holiness (Mk 7:6-13). We must abide in God’s goodness or be cut off (rejected, Rm 11:22). God’s desire is that we deny our will and seek His purposes. We conform to the image of Christ through the Spirit. The Spirit will never be leading to placate the flesh. Examine Christ’s life as discussed in Chapter Two. Do not our works (deeds/fruit) give an indication of our nature (Jn 14:12)? Jesus said of Himself: John 10:37-38, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” Christ was saying, look at My fruit (Jn 14:11). If we love Jesus, we will obey (Jn 14:23, 15:10) – that is the fruit. Jesus loved the Father and obeyed (Jn 14:31, also see Chapter Two). The fruit of this “once saved” teaching is all manner of evil as one lives for self yet maintains a religious profession or observance. Woe to them who say that those who do evil are good and the Lord delights in them (Mal 2:17). Another example would be the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture. The Bible clearly states that Christ will not return until after the tribulation (Mt 24:29-31, Mk 13:24-26). Throughout the Bible we are told to expect persecution, tribulation, suffering, and even martyrdom. The pre-tribulation rapture appeals to the flesh because there is no self denial or sacrifice. This topic is covered more extensively in the last chapter of this book.

If you are a minister or pastor, God can certainly use you if you will seek Him through His Spirit for the purpose of doing His will (speaking God’s Words however unpopular). You must examine your heart and determine if you have been seeking God through the flesh, relying on man or pleasing man. If so, then you must repent and turn your heart to God and be led of His Spirit. This will require a dying to your old life and a new life devoted to God’s will. You may have to die to all your religious education and surrender to the Spirit’s leading. Be advised that preaching the truth of the gospel will reduce your membership and most likely cost you your position within the religious institution.

Hirelings

John 10:11-13, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” A hireling does not truly care for the sheep, they have a personal stake and derive a living (career) from their position. Caring for the sheep is to tell them the whole counsel of God even though it may be unpopular, not appeal to the flesh and many may take offense. They are hired (most likely seminary trained, Jer 8:9) professionals. They are full of the wisdom of men and have their denominational doctrinal emphasis blinders own. Most religious institutions employ and are staffed with such men. Usually these men are answerable to boards or committees, which pay their salary and determine their continued employment (arrangement). As with the world, they are told what will be expected of them and perks are negotiated. One should always remember that the one who pays the piper also calls the tune. The hireling does not warn (speak truth) the sheep because it may scare them (offend) and thus the wolf comes (those things allowed into the church that oppose God’s will) and catcheth (damages or kills the faith of some) and scattereth (brings division/denominations and wounds the faith of others). If things are not going well the hireling leaveth or fleeth (goes to another religious organization). Can you see how religion has deviated from God’s plan? Whom God calls should be answerable to God alone and not to man. What man controls, man corrupts. One who is led by the Spirit of God is following the will of God and answerable to Him. This individual speaks God’s Words and not what man wants to hear (Mt 10:20). This individual does not always have the threat of the loss of livelihood should some influential person become offended at God’s Word or the Spirit’s direction. In Israel, the priesthood had become corrupted and God sent prophets (those not beholding to the priesthood). The words of the prophets were always rejected by the priesthood to the point that they killed and imprisoned/mistreated the prophets (2 Chr 36:16). It should also be noted that God’s prophets were always vastly outnumbered by the false prophets.

When a pastor or teacher becomes concerned about their reputation or financial security (career, 1 Cor 7:10), they are easily kept from teaching the parts of the Bible that conform the congregation to godliness (1 Tm 4:8) – their heart is on the hire (personal benefit). Since he needs the approval of the congregation to fulfill his selfish ambition, he will not deal with certain parts of the Bible which will offend their flesh. They will not consistently or seriously preach about the need for repentance, abstaining from worldliness, God’s judgment upon sin, nor will they seriously and consistently preach against sin. Righteousness and holiness will be downplayed. Such messages offend the flesh and will keep them from receiving glory from men. The whole Gospel will tell the flesh it has to die. This is not a popular message and will not please men, but it is what God’s men will preach as they seek the approval of God rather than of men. The prophets of old paid a heavy price for such a message as will the true man of God today. Messages that deny the flesh are absolutely excluded from all the church growth formulas in the modern religious world. Jeremiah 5:31, “The prophets prophesy falsely (feel good messages, flattery), and the priests bear rule by their means (lord it over, clergy/laity); and my people love to have it so (content/spiritually lazy): and what will ye do in the end thereof?” The facts are that a false prophet/teacher is always popular – very likeable. Their messages appeal to the majority (flesh nature). Members are placated and assured that all is well (peace, peace). God will love us and accept us regardless as if God were answerable to man – how presumptuous and arrogant (Jer 23:32). Jeremiah 23:17, “They say still unto them that despise me (love the darkness, not the truth), The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” The false prophet will speak according to their own ideas and then say “thus saith the Lord” (Ez 13:2-3, Jer 23:25-26). God says woe to these foolish prophets - liars! - He is against them (Ez 13:8, Jer 23:30-32). A true prophet is despised by those living in the flesh. Their messages require sacrifice or obedience to God. They will always seem fanatical or extreme to one whose eyes are on the world and not God. The flesh wants to rule, but God says it must die. The hireling has a great conflict of interest in truly serving God. God required Judges to be honest, fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness and not taking bribes or perverting justice (Ex 18:21, 2 Chr 19:6-7). God surely requires His teachers not to take bribes (derive an entire livelihood and subsistence) and pervert truth (Is 33:14-15). Micah 3:11, “The heads thereof judge for reward (Christian counseling), and the priests thereof teach for hire (paid salary, career), and the prophets thereof divine for money (write and sell books, videos, and trinkets): yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us (we are serving God and not ourselves)? none evil can come upon us.” Any offerings a man of God receives must come with no strings or expectations nor should they be a continual stipend. Career Clergy are paid by man, focused on man, answerable to man and as they relate to God there is a conflict of interest with man. Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul had no such conflicts. Their eyes were on God, not man, and God provided. Of course the true prophet will not seek the things of the flesh and will live simply as God provides.

These career men (who may have felt the call) who feed themselves at the expense of their congregations (meaning they live off of them, yet they do not teach true godliness – repentance, obedience to God, righteousness, serving the Spirit and not the flesh, etc.) are warned of God, even though many will never consider these verses as applying to themselves: Ezekiel 34:8-10, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” These may say that they were just following what their religious denominational bosses (men) told them to do. Well they should have been following the Holy Spirit and speaking God’s Words. There is good news for the real sheep (God will separate between the rams and the sheep – Ez 34:17): Ezekiel 34:11-12, “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” The author was one of these sheep that the Lord found – Praise you Jesus, thank you for your great and undeserved mercy. The Lord says: Ezekiel 34:15, “I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.” That’s just what He does when you are led of His Spirit! Glory to God! The Lord will also heal those who have been damaged by these supposed sheperds: Ezekiel 34:16, “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.” If your preacher/pastor is not absolutely directing you to Jesus in all holiness and righteousness then you are being consumed by him. Take heed and beware!

How do we Know if One is a Man of God or a Hireling?

Things have become so confusing, how will we know if a preacher is a hireling? Jeremiah 23:21-22, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Anyone who comes for any other reason than to help you see your iniquity (depravity, sin) such that you forsake (turn from, Pv 28:13) your evil way and submit totally to Jesus Christ, is a hireling (Ez 13:22). In other words, their preaching must be turning you from sin and the things of this world (your will - darkness) to God to perform His will (His light). The truth of the Word – the whole gospel will convict the heart. This is not constructing buildings, increasing memberships, positive motivation, etc. This is being a faithful Shepherd over God’s people to direct them toward living faithfully for Christ. The hireling will be appeasing the people in their sin, always speaking of God’s love and gaining the favor of all (God loves you no matter what – Mal 2:17). The hireling will not speak of death to the flesh in any real sense, overcoming sin, or forsaking the things of the world. They can’t speak such a message, because it will not gain them employment or popularity. We will either be hearing the doctrine of the man (or institution) or in the case of the true man of God, the doctrine of the One who sent him. The flesh hates sacrifice and you can be sure that such a messenger is not appeasing you, for he has nothing to gain except the pleasure of His Lord.

A true man of God will feed the flock with truth (which always opposes the flesh) out of love and devotion and will live what he preaches. 1 Peter 5:2-3, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Hirelings serve from compulsion, seek money and position (authority). Notice that pastors are not to “lord over,” but rather set an example. God gives pastors which lead His people to knowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15).

Deceitful Workers

Have you read the latest book by so and so – you know, he is a Christian. Our pastor says such and such – and he is such a wonderful Christian man. Oh, we love the President – and you you know he is a Christian. I just read the best selling Christian book and you know it must be true because it is so popular. So many people come in the name of Christ and promote their messages as godly. Are we to be so naïve and gullible (easy to fool or mislead) as to assume that a profession of Christ is God’s seal of approval for what is being said or promoted? We do not have to judge the individual, Jesus said we are to examine their fruit. Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” People say lots of things in the name of Christ. We are to look at their actions and messages in the light of Christ’s Word. Many claim to know and represent Christ, but are actually far from Him. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Perhaps these verses have garnered your attention. The statement “according to their works” is the same as “knowing them by their fruits.” This is what it all comes down to: They will be leading you toward God in all righteousness, holiness and self denial through the Spirit or they will be leading you away from God in things of the flesh. Those leading in the things of the flesh will overemphasize God’s love at the expense of living soberly, godly and righteously. They will trivialize sin and overplay acceptance without the condition of repentance. They will issue license to live fleshly and worldly and tie this to Jesus’ forgiveness. Those deceitful ones are very crafty because their authority (devil) is the master of all subtilty (trickery, cunning, craftiness). They will weave their poison amidst truth. They will gain your confidence and slowly lead you opposite from God. Your defense is to stay in the Word of God and be directed by His Spirit daily. Man thinks he knows it all and cannot be deceived. Man’s pride is the very weapon that will be used to misdirect. When we humble ourselves and allow God to lead, then we will stay on the path He has set forth. This path is very narrow and the human will does like to wander – beware! Many will say that their respected leader or authority (note: should be Jesus) would never do such things. These may or may not be doing this intentionally. Most deceitful workers are deceived themselves and assume their authority is God. They always assume God approves and endorses their messages.

The One Man Show

Perhaps you have encountered the one-man show. Years ago we attended a church where the pastor was very controlling of all things (not a godly trait, like Diotrephes). One night he was absent and my young son asked me where Jesus was. Through the course of our conversation I realized that he thought the pastor was Jesus. This was a real eye opener. Don’t discount the thoughts of a child. Jesus said: Matthew 18:3, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Also Matt 19:14). Had this pastor elevated himself to the place of Christ? One child thought so! Woe, Woe, Woe!

No More Priests?

Israel was structured under a Levitical priesthood that required priests to offer sacrifices and approach God for the people (Ex 28:29-30, 38). The High Priest entered the temple once a year into the holy place and then through a thick veil (curtain - Ex 26:33) into the most Holy Place where God dwelt between the cherubims to offer sacrifice for the people. Hebrews 9:7, “But into the second (most Holy) went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:” When Jesus (of the Melchisedec priesthood) died on the cross the old covenant (Levitical priesthood) was ended and the new covenant was established: Hebrews 8:13, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” When Jesus died: Mark 15:38, “And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” This meant that we (followers of Christ) can directly approach God through Jesus – no more veils and no men or things in between! That veil was Christ’s flesh (Heb 10:20). Hebrews 10:9-10, 13, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 10:19-20, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” Jesus is our high priest: Hebrews 8:1, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” Unfortunately, men who are not servants and religious organizations put themselves between God and the people. Their doctrines and traditions have boxed them in from the truth of God’s Word. Their concern has become pleasing men (membership), influence, control and maintaining the institution.

Layers of authority have been established – perhaps you have heard of the clergy/laity? Jesus referred to those who desired to rule the people as Nicolaitans (Rev 2:15-16) whom he hated. Usually those that want to rule seek control, perhaps through doctrine, fear, by-laws, peer pressure, etc. Desiring position, power, or rule over others is fleshly and not of the Spirit. You as a believer have the responsibility for your relationship with Christ. Do not seek God through men or institutions. Many true disciples were labeled heretics and were martyred over the years for refusing to serve such theocracies and prophecy tells us this will soon happen again (great tribulation). The true eldership edifies (Rm 12:4-5) the body through their spiritual gifts (Eph 4:11-13). The true church (body) encourages and edifies one another in love: Ephesians 4: 15-17, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (pride) of their mind.” True men of God will teach the truth of His Word, but our eyes must always be on Christ.

Eldership

Paul had set forth rules for elders (more than one) that were to oversee each local body in love, meekness, and humility – being servants to all. These were basically the pastors. They were to be blameless (just/holy), not self-willed (temperate), not soon angry, not given to wine (sober), no striker (not a brawler), not given to filthy lucre (not covetous or greedy); the husband of one wife (not divorced), vigilant, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; patient; and one that ruleth well his own house, not being a novice (mature in faith, 1 Tm 3:3-6). Their children must not be riotous or unruly. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (Ti 1:6-9). The elders in the religious institutes of today do not even perform the same functions and I dare say most do not meet the eligibility. The requirement for not being a novice is concerning an established relationship with the Lord (spiritual life, faith) and demonstrated maturity as taught and led by the Spirit. This is not referring to some religious schooling whereby one is taught the precepts of man.

Woman as Head of Man?

The Lord has clearly set an order of authority in His Word. 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” The man is the image and glory of God and the woman is the glory of man (1 Cor 11:7). Man is to take a leadership role, subject to Christ’s authority and will be held accountable. 1 Timothy 2:11-14, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” These verses are so clear that there should be no room for doubt, only our obedience to them. When we step outside the roles God has placed us in, then we rebel against God’s order and judge it as unworthy of our obedience - Woe! God has made distinct differences between males and females. These differences compliment one another. Women due to their make-up tend to be more prone to deception. Woman was taken out of man to be a helpmate. Genesis 2:18, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, “For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” This does not mean that woman is inferior to man or less loved by God. 1 Corinthians 1:11, “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” The man is clearly meant to be the covering for woman. 1 Corinthians 11:7, “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” The man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” This clearly places all lines of authority and responsibility under the commandment of “love.” There is absolutely no room for abuse or domineering in complying with God’s line of authority (Eph 5:23:25). Those who do so are following the flesh and not the Spirit. Each designated role of authority must be followed by the bounds set in the Word otherwise you become a transgressor. Wives, if you do not submit to your husband’s God given authority as your head, then the verse says that you have also denied Christ as your Savior. Please understand, Christ submitted to the Father and this was to His glory. Similarly, woman submits to man (in God’s order) and this is to her glory. Christ did not usurp the Father’s authority, neither should the woman usurp the man’s. Pride is a great abomination, we must be humble.

Satan plays opposites with the things of God due to his absolute rebellious nature. If God would have man lead the woman, then the devil’s purposes would be to exalt the woman over the man. Mankind in his rebellion has followed suit. Ambitious imperious (commanding/domineering) women have long sought equality and/or dominance over men through the political process and various movements. These activities were certainly demonically inspired by those seeking self rather than God. Our culture has bought into this lie and it has been taught to our children. Now God’s Word on this matter seems foreign, archaic, antiquated (behind the times) and out of place to most. This only shows that the flesh has accepted the devil’s message and is in agreement with his rebellion. Many religious individuals have judged God’s Word as void as they seek to recreate God’s Word in their own image. They presume to update God’s very Words according to the majority popular opinion (culture) of man – “Oh that was for back then due to their culture.” All such rulings are based upon human reasoning, not the Word of God! Women who follow suit are rebelling against God’s curse placed upon woman in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:16). The curse says that man will rule over thee. Just as surely as the pain of child bearing continues to this day, and the fact that man lives by the sweat of his brow (Gen 3:17-19), so does the fact that the husband shall rule over the wife in God’s order (Gen 3:16). When women manipulate men to get their way, they are not being biblically submissive and are exalting themselves above the curse. By exalting themselves above man, they are telling God that His punishment is unfair and they exalt their own will above God’s – they judge God. As a result confusion reigns between the genders. We are all to yield and be submissive before God. The women is also to further submit to her husband. We are blessed and content when our lives are lived within God’s directions.

Women assuming leadership is now blatantly seen in the religious organizations. Many a religious man has attempted to explain away God’s line of authority and make it null and void. Because the religious read God’s Word through the flesh and not the Spirit, they will contort it to their views and liking. This is pure rebellion to God’s purposes – man exalting his will. This is man’s judgment against God’s purposes. Many religious denominations now place women in authority over men. Women rule over them (Is 3:12)! They ordain women as clergy and assign them leadership over their temples or put them on their committees. This clearly violates scripture. Religious denominations are caving on this issue of allowing women to lead because they are tied to the world. What is popular in the world must be accepted by their organizations or they will lose the thing they seek most – members and church growth. Just like the world, there is a competition for market share. The perks must match or exceed the other players in the field or the customer base will be lost to another more tolerant and fleshly religious denomination. Also there is the consideration of public opinion (negative advertising). The flesh seeks praise and not rebuke. Feminism is popular in society (due to electronic and printed media), so the religious must go along or face persecution for living godly in Christ (2 Tm 3:12). When man seeks God man’s way through his religious efforts apart from the Spirit, there is confusion, disorder and failure. Compromising on this issue is doing that which is expedient to the flesh. Jesus chose twelve apostles. These were all men and this was intentional – God does not violate His own Word as men do. Had Jesus chosen a woman apostle, then He would have sinned (violated scripture) and thus have been blemished and unworthy as the sacrificial lamb of God.

In many cases there is also another consideration. What is the responsibility of these women religious leaders in raising their own children? What is their responsibility to their husbands (Ti 2:3-5)? 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” Did God intend for others to raise our children? – the ones He entrusted to us (is this being faithful stewards?). The modern woman has been taught that nurturing and teaching/raising their children is not redeeming or important. The world says that self must come first (careers, wants/needs of the individual). Is it any wonder that women seeking religious position/authority would look down upon (lessen the importance) guiding the house and raising children (1 Tm 2:15)?

Note: It doesn’t matter how capable (demonstrated and proven) women are in leadership positions nor of man voluntarily abdicating his authority (desiring Jezebel dominance). This is not the issue. The issue is obedience to God’s Word! You either accept God’s Word and live within it or you reject it and justify your alternative.

Some religious folks will contend that there are examples in scripture of women in leadership positions. The issue is not that God uses women, but of women taking authority over man. One such example would be Deborah the Prophetess. If one will read the account in the book of Judges (chapters four and five), you will find that at the time, the children of Israel were wholly given over to idolatry and rebellion against God’s purposes. Israel was far from God and this always brings confusion - A woman reigning over a man is a great dishonor (Jer 31:22). Isaiah 3:12, “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Even Barak who was called by God through Deborah to lead Israel against the Canaanites (Sisera, Jabin) wanted to be led of a woman and this was to his dishonor. Judges 4:9, “And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.” A woman named Jael killed Sisera rather than Barak (Jdg 4:17-22, 5:24-27). One other such example would be Huldah the prophetess (2 Kgs 22:14). During her time the children of Israel did great evil before the Lord (2 Kgs 21:9). Manasseh and later his son Amon had been kings and were exceedingly wicked before the Lord (for fifty four years). Through their leadership such evil had been done that even a graven image and grove had been set up in the Lord’s own house (2 Kgs 21:7). God said that as a result He would bring such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who heard would tingle (2 Kgs 21:12, God spared new king, Josiah, because of his humbleness of heart). Consider the specific evil done as detailed in 2 Kings Chapter Twenty Three. Things were definitely not being done as God would have them – this is great confusion which manifested in the religious leadership. Neither the king (now Josiah) nor the religious leadership (no doubt including Huldah and Hilkiah the High Priest) had been following the Lord – this was only evident after Hilkiah found the book of the law while repairing the temple (2 Kgs 22:8, 10-13). Hilkiah the high priest had been participant in setting up idols in the Lord’s house and must not have known God’s law. The things written in the book of the law surprised Josiah and Hilkiah – they had been in violation (2 Kgs 22:11-13). The city of Jerusalem and all of Judah and Israel was given over to idolatry. Josiah humbled himself and sought answers from God. God spoke through Huldah. We do not know how Huldah’s heart was toward God, but we do know God will speak through those who oppose (are in error) Him – consider Balaam whom God used to bless Israel (Numbers Chapters Twenty Two through Twenty Four).

Symbology of Marriage

Ephesians 5:31-32, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” A man and a woman come together as one flesh – perfect closeness and unity. How is this accomplished? The answer is submission (See Chapter One, “God’s Order”). Can two be united if they have dual wills (Amos 3:3)? Not as one flesh. One must submit to the other – to love, honor and obey! In good times and in bad. In marriage, God has the woman submit to the man – His order. Colossians 3:18, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” AND Ephesians 5:24, “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing (1 Pt 3:1).” The man loves the woman as himself (his flesh) and as Christ loves the church (Eph 5:25, 28). Ephesians 5:29-30, “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Each has a role and a responsibility. The head is leadership, love and care. Notice the symbology: The man is the head of the woman (body – the two as one flesh). Christ is the head of the church (body – the two as one). The woman submits to the man to become one. The church (body) submits to Jesus to become one. Submission is loving, honoring and obeying another. The key is that this is done willingly from the heart. When one does not submit in their role (or role switching), they are in rebellion – out of God’s order and His will. Rebellion brings separation and is the opposite of unity and closeness – i.e. not one flesh. Does anyone suppose that Christ is coming back for a bride (church) that has her own mind and will? - A bride that desires a hyphen (maiden name hyphen married name). Will Christ sign a marriage agreement (faithless arrangement) with His bride? Does Jesus desire to just give the marriage a try? Will God spend eternity pleading for subjection to His will? Scriptures reveal a great separation – those who submit and those who do not. Satan did not submit and neither will his followers. These are destined for separation - eternally.

Doctrines

Man always wants to reach God his way rather than God’s way. Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Often the religious systems that man sets up to reach God are no more than establishing man’s own righteousness. God desires that we come to Him through Christ in faith. This is how we are to absolutely live our lives. We do not come to God through man, religion, ceremony, ritual, attendance, tithing, or anything else other than a heart full of love, faith and devotion to Him – seeking His will. What did Jesus say about the doctrines and traditions of men during His time on earth (Mt 15:3, 9, Mk 7:7-8)? Matthew 16:6, 12, “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Their doctrines were far from a humble and repentant heart seeking God in sincere love and faith to perform His will. Jesus’ doctrine was not His, but the Fathers (Jn 7:16). The same can be said of John the Baptist and all the prophets. Religious man often forms doctrines throught the eyes of the flesh and they are of man – without life.

Whenever Christ ceases to become the sole impetus of the church and the Holy Spirit is quenched (1 Thess 5:19), then self-sufficient man takes over (think of all man’s improvements that entertain the flesh). The scriptural pattern is demonstrably unworkable apart from the Spirit. Whenever humble reliance upon Christ slackens, the leadership degenerates into no more than a committee. Often a few strong personalities will dominate. The problem is that God must often be sought through intense prayer, self sacrifice, and scriptural study, a constant subjection to the will of God as lived out daily. The natural way (man’s) is always easier to the flesh than the way of the Spirit. People tend to take the most expedient approach. The religious institutions run by man, soon find themselves to actually be an opponent of Christ (not in their eyes), because they confirm their own doctrines (denomination’s) by ascribing them to be infallible. Many will consider their doctrines (such as Calvinism-eternal security, pre-tribulation rapture, female leadership, creeds, etc.) to be untouchable. Those that do will face the wrath of the institution. 1 Peter 2:8, “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Often the religious organizations put more of an emphasis to the understanding or assent to certain denominational truths (doctrines) than dedication and love to the Lord. There most likely will be an agreed litmus test for membership to their club. Mark 7:7, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Man through his doctrines (statements of faith) attempts to control the outward actions of a man, but can do nothing with inward thoughts and motives. Jesus said the Pharisees appeared righteous on the outside but inside were full of hypocrisy and sin (Mt 23:28). This is why the Holy Ghost must be directing the body. The Spirit works to clean the inside of a man. ONLY God can change the inside of a man! This will result in a truly outward righteousness and a living walking statement of faith. Jesus didn’t follow the Pharisees traditions, are you so confident that He will follow yours? Do you follow them?

Jesus once corrected the Sadducee’s untouchable doctrine that they considered to be infallible. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. So they came to Jesus with one of their best arguments using a scenario that seemed to prove their point (from a human perspective). They said there was a man who married a wife and then died. His brother then marries the widow and he also dies. This goes on through seven brothers. Their question was whose wife would she be in the resurrection? Seems like a pretty witty argument. Mark 12:24-27, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” – and these live unto God (Lk 20:38). We know from scripture (Acts 23:8) that the Sadducees did not heed Jesus’ advice. How often do the religious admit fault concerning one of their doctrines?

Similarly today many put forth witty arguments like this one: “You are a parent who loves your children. If your children did some bad things, you would not send them to hell for an eternity. So why do you think a loving God would do that?” This argument is used to suggest that there is no hell or that once you are saved, you can never lose your salvation (Lk 8:13) – depends on your doctrinal twist. However, both positions err because those who espouse them know not the scriptures. There may be some scriptures that seem to support their notions (out of context), but there are many more that absolutely conflict and such cannot be the case if their position is correct. God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). Many will view God through human emotions. They will say, “how can I enjoy heaven if I know a loved one is suffering in hell?” This is thinking in terms of self and not God’s purposes and judges God’s will as well as placing yours above His. We do not have full understanding (Deut 29:29). Those who do not “enjoy” being with God will be separated from Him and placed in hell. The hearts of unsaved (they assume they are) church members in multitudes blindly trust their church doctrines and programs, which have become their idols (golden calves), to lead them to heaven. These are not interested in righteousness, holiness and brokenness before God. By so doing they have blinded themselves to many of the truths of God’s Word. Paul said: Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God (not part).” Those that will not submit (be led) by the Spirit and uphold the whole truth of God’s Word because of unbelief, fear of man, or simply a desire to increase organizational membership, fill the churches with Pharisees and hypocrites. These majorities soon dictate church doctrine based upon popular culture (ex. Sodomites, feminism, humanism, psychology, worldliness). A body of believers should be measured by the holy lives that they live, demonstrated and broken before God, constantly with a sense of our own need, because we have a great and intense longing to be perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). The question is whether Pharisees and hypocrites can live comfortably in these organizations or whether they are exposed and get offended and leave.

They all cannot be Right

Many sincere individuals believe that they are hearing from God on all manner of issues. The problem is that when you assemble any number of these doctrines, many just plain contradict one another. This cannot be the case regarding God’s eternal truth. Some are totally opposing others. Similarly, Religious institutions are sure that they are hearing from God and that their existing doctrines are constantly being affirmed and any changes are confirmed. However the different religious denominations differ greatly on so many things, yet each is sure that God endorses their distinct beliefs. How can this be? As discussed in Chapter 6 (Knowing the Truth of God’s Word), when one approaches God, one must be seeking to know His truth and desire to do His will. This must hold true even if God tells you to sacrifice your only son (or favorite doctrine) or sell all you have and give to the poor (die to your flesh/control, Gen 22:1-2, Lk 18:22). Most are seeking their will and not necessarily God’s (Rm 1:18). They come seeking affirmation or justification of existing beliefs and doctrines. They want God’s endorsement of their own ideas (views, doctrines, traditions, idols, etc.). They love not the truth. They set up idols in their hearts (doctrines, beliefs) and God simply confirms their own idols back to them because they love not the truth (Ezekiel 14:3-5, 9). This is what they want to hear. Their own idols become their stumbling blocks. Their darkness becomes the blindness God puts upon them which hardens their hearts (Jn 12:40). Religious people have always taken prior error and built upon it and then wanted God to endorse these doctrines. This has been going on for two thousand years. For instance many will say they follow Calvin’s doctrines or those of John Wesley. These had better start seeking the truth of Jesus Word as revealed and taught by the Holy Spirit. Many are raised and taught certain doctrines in religious denominations. These are their foundation and not Christ. To question these doctrines is to question God Himself and the very essence of their own being - to betray their own family. Let us examine what our lives are built upon!

When Man Prevails

Luke 11:46, “And he (Jesus) said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers (Mosaic experts)! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.” We must be careful to obey Christ in the Spirit (led) as revealed (affirmed) by the Word (2 Tim 3:15-16). Jesus came to lessen our burden and we must be careful not to increase it on ourselves or upon others. The religious system of the time, through the Scribes and lawyers had taken the original Ten Commandments and through their interpretations had increased them to over 600 major new commandments. They called these traditions and actually held them in higher regard than scripture. These didn’t even capture what was important (love). This is what happens when man and not the Spirit governs the body. When asked what the greatest commandment was: Mark 12:29-31, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Jesus had taken the original Ten Commandments and reduced them down to two. These two commandments of love revealed God’s desire for us. Jesus said: Mark 7:7-9, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups (cares of this life): and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” They were so entrenched in their doctrines and religious structure that they had no place in their hearts for the words that Jesus spoke (Jn 8:37). Jesus didn’t fit in with the religious system! – Woe! The religious look to a myriad of do’s and don’ts to save them. This may take the form of church attendance, tithing, getting involved, obeying the denomination, and attending Sunday school. God says you are to look to Him in love with all that is within you. God is your salvation and His Spirit will conform you to His expectations through your obedient faith. The issue is not the do’s and don’ts, but the thoughts and intents of the heart – the attitude toward God – why you do or don’t.

Ceremony or Practice?

Some religious groups major on one doctrine to such a degree that they become known by it. Water baptism is symbolic of dying to the old sinful man and becoming a new creature (conversion, born again) in Christ Jesus. The water represents the washing or purification by the Word (Eph 5:26). Water baptism is performed after one has truly submitted to God as was described in Chapter Three concerning the beatitudes. In other words, you are publicly professing before God and man the work that Christ has already done in your life. Water baptism is symbolic of repentance (unto, Mt 3:11). Everyone should be water baptized at the first opportunity because our Lord said for us to do so (Mt 28:19). Intentionally refusing to be water baptized shows nothing more than an unconverted rebellious heart that says “I know better than God” and judges His purposes. Some groups have elevated the very act of water baptism to being salvation itself. They will say that you are not actually saved until you are water baptized. This of course denies the fact that God looks at the heart and judges righteously (1 Kg 8:39). They will take this doctrine so far as to say that if you are on your way to get water baptized and die in an accident, that you will go straight to hell. So they have elevated the very act (ceremony, ritual) to be of more importance than the brokenness and repentance before God and subsequent changed heart (spiritual life) – which I might add that only God can do in the first place. The sad thing is that most of these same ones do not put into practice what water baptism is suppose to represent, that being death to sin and worldliness and a life devoted to God. They will give the lost a run for their money on partaking of all the world has to offer. The evidence for new life in Christ is not a wet head but: Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Only God can change your heart and give you the desire (free will, voluntary) to live righteously and holy. These same ones also deny baptism of the Holy Ghost which Jesus said you must have or you are none of His (Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16). Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” 1 Jn 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. We must seek God’s Spirit (Lk 11:13).

Another group will point a finger and cry foul saying, “we practice water baptism, but it is our faith that saves us.” Then they will major on a doctrine of Calvinism that says they don’t actually have to practice their faith because once saved, always saved. Similarly they will deny that receiving the Holy Ghost is anything more than a part of water baptism. Some members of this group will practice all the doctrines of Calvinism (most pick and choose) and say, they are predestined to go to either heaven or hell and that it is completely out of man’s hands or free will. If this were the case, why would God give man choices to begin with (e.g. trees in Eden)? When confronted with the fact that they are telling those who practice wickedness that they are right before God (calling evil good - in this once saved doctrine), the religious will say that those who live in sin were not saved to begin with (this causes problems with their sinner’s prayer formula). However, their religious institutions are filled with such people and this does not bode well for their organization. A truly saved person will not desire to do wickedly, but we all must take heed, lest we fall and come short (1 Cor 10:12, Heb 3:6, 14, 4:1, 2 Pt 3:17, 1 Tm 1:19).

Many elevate rituals, ceremonies, sacraments, objects, methods, works, doctrines (beliefs), traditions, liturgies, and earthly authorities as the means to man’s salvation. They place these things in Christ’s rightful place – Oh how grievous. Usually these same ones do not think they are necessarily doing this. Some have taken a different extreme and say that a one line repeated profession of faith will eternally save you and that all these other religious things are just done to make God happy. The truth is that living our faith daily before God as abiding in Christ and being led of His Spirit is what saves us. Jesus is our hope. This hope is demonstrated by how we live our lives in conforming to His image. We follow His steps and He gives us strength and power (grace) through His Spirit to do all things. We die to our will (self) and this world and say, “thy will be done” in our lives. As we obey, the Spirit works and transforms us into Christ’s image. God does the work as we comply in love. Otherwise we are being forced or manipulated (witchcraft) and this is not God’s desire or in keeping with His character.

Man Has and will Invent Religions to Reach God

Man has invented much of his religion to suit self, yet becomes deluded that he is also serving God and succeeding generations know no better. Because of Solomon’s idolatry, God separated (split) the Jewish people in the nation of Judah (House of David) and the nation of Israel (other tribes). Jeroboam, son of Nebat became the first king of Israel. 1 Kings 12:26-33, “And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.” Jeroboam just created his own religion and based it upon the Hebrew religion. Notice that this was for his own purposes (self). He appointed his own priestly class and invented holidays (and dates) out of thin air. 2 Chronicles 13:9, “Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.” Jeroboam had cast out the priests God had appointed (those who answered to God, 2 Chr 11:13-14). He then appointed priests called of man who were answerable to man. There may have been similarities to the Jewish worship of God, but there were also many differences. Those who sought the true God had to come out of Israel (2 Chr 13:8-9). Jeroboam also set up high places (sanctuaries) for the golden calves which were devils (2 Chr 11:15). Jeroboam also prevented the people from returning to Judah at set times to worship the true God. Man often puts himself or his systems between the people and God to hold them captive. All the kings of Israel that followed Jeroboam did evil in the sight of God. They were said to have followed in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, namely worship of his golden calves religion (1 Kg 15:34, 16:2, 19, 26, 22:52, 2 Kg 3:3, 10:29, 31, 13:2, 6, 11, 15:8-9, 17-18, 23-24, 27-28). This is why God ultimately gave Israel over to their enemies (1 Kg 14:16). 2 Kings 17:21-23, “For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.” God later sent Josiah, king of Judah, to destroy Jeroboam’s idol at Bethel (2 Kg 23:15). Deep seated tradition is very hard to break free from.

There are many similar such examples today. For instance the doctrines and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church is mostly a creation of man with some similarities to the true biblical worship of God. They have invented feasts (Holy Days) and assigned dates such as Christmas and All Saints Day (Halloween). They have appointed their own priestly class. They have many religious icons and statues of saints (Idols) and pray to them. They have many extra-biblical doctrines and traditions. They have elevated Jesus’ earthly mother to a goddess status and pray to her – and seek forgiveness through her. They have all sorts of rituals such as lighting candles and burning incense. They claim to speak for God (Pope) and to be the only true church and try everything to keep the people in their hold (captive). Other examples would be Mormonism, Orthodoxy, Protest-ants (and their denominations) and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many have cast God out in favor of their own religious methodologies. Almost all religious groups (such as Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Assembly of God, etc.) appoint their own priests, clergy, pastors, preachers, bishops or whatever name they assign to them. Whom God calls is answerable to God (led of His Spirit) and whom man calls is answerable to man (denominations, boards, committees, doctrinal statements, creeds, religious training, church rules and votes, influencial church folk, financial institutions, etc.). The religious world has set up schools of indoctrination whereby their religious leaders are trained and certified to their particular doctrine to preach in their various franchises. These are vastly led of man and not the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not be subjugated to man’s doctrines or denominational demands. So you see there is an immediate conflict. Many of these men simply could not yield in obedience to the Spirit without violating pre-established religious rules, doctrines and traditions of man. God requires obedience, but so does religious man. Please do not err in thinking that obeying religious man is essentially the same as obeying God. There is a definite conflict of interest here involving the flesh and authority. To reject the Spirit is to reject truth and vice versa (Jn 14:17, 15:26).

In the book of Judges (Chap. 17) we read of a man named Micah who started his own religion. First he had a graven image made and then a molten image. He set them up as a house of Gods. Micah then made an ephod (breastplate for a priest) and teraphim (images) and hired himself a priest of the Levites. The priest was hired for a set salary per year (money, shelter, clothing, provisions) and was answerable to Micah. Micah’s motive was for self-seeking blessings from God (Jdg 17:13). We read later (Judges, Chap. 18) that a migrating tribe of Israel (Dan) takes Micah’s idols and persuades his priest to go with them and they set them up and worship them (Jdg 18:30-31). Today the religious institutions also hire priests (pastors, preachers). Religious committees screen candidates to make sure they are going to get the kind of priest they want (agree with their doctrines and instructions). True men of God are answerable to God and not man. They will speak God’s Word which will certainly not be appealing to the flesh or any religious criteria for that matter – but will line up with God’s Word. The religious institutions pick men that are answerable to them and they come to an arrangement (salary, shelter, provisions, and benefits). They want a man to tell them what they want to hear. Is this not what the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and scribes were also looking for in a Messiah? Jesus didn’t fit the criteria and was done away with. You would also have to include John the Baptist and all the other prophets (Lk 11:49-51). This is why local church (called out ones) or assembly of believers should be led by the Spirit and have local established (mature) men of faith (elders) who act as servants to all.

Through Religion, Man will Disannul the Word of God

God sent a prophet with a message to Jeroboam king of Israel concerning his idolatry (1 Kg 13:1-7). This prophet was to deliver God’s message and then return to Judah by a different way, not eating nor drinking in Israel (1 Kg 13:8-9). The prophet was obeying when another man claiming to be from God changed God’s Word and deceived him (1 Kg 13:15-18). The prophet then went to the false prophet’s house and ate and drank (1 Kg 13:19-21). God was very displeased and slew the prophet (1 Kg 13:22-24). Many will come in the name of the Lord and say, Thus saith God. We must be careful to follow God’s Word and direction. God may test us through others (1 Kg 13:26). When God speaks, we must obey regardless of what man says – even religious man. These religious men will say, Alas my brother! - when their damage is done (1 Kg 13:30). Be responsible to God. Responsibility starts with knowing God and not just being told of Him.

The Sinner’s Prayer

The religious message of today says that God accepts us as we are. This cannot be the case because there is an eternal place of punishment reserved for those rebellious ones (lake of fire, hades, hell). The religious man will quickly add that you must accept Christ. What does this mean? The religious man will say that you must say “the sinner’s prayer.” This is the tremendous deception of the modern religious man who seeks God on his terms. This is what this section will examine in some depth. The following verse was discussed at the start of this chapter: Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Saying Lord, Lord is the equivalent of the modern day sinner’s prayer. This does not qualify you for the kingdom of heaven (Mt 22-23)! How could it? Are we not saved by faith? Notice what the verse says concerning who will enter the kingdom of heaven, “he that doeth the will of my Father” (also Mt 12:50). Now this is faith and it is lived daily and steadfastly (persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwavering), enduring (continuing, lasting, long-term) until the end. This is mixing the hearing of God’s Word with faith as applied to your life (Heb 4:2). We are not to just say, but also to do (Lk 8:15, 21-22). Consider this verse: Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” What this verse is essentially saying is, “why do you say a prayer acknowledging Me as your Lord and then do not obey me in your daily life?” Do not suppose that repeating a very quick little prayer formula will reserve you a place in glory. What did Jesus say concerning the seeds? – Mark 4:16-17 & 4:18-19. What is God’s will? Those who seek Him through His Spirit will know (Chapter Six, Knowing the Truth of God’s Word).

Romans 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Because of man’s fallen nature there is no reason that man would desire to seek God and submit to Him totally on his own. Man desires his old nature and does not seek the nature of God (Jn 6:65). John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Notice that conversion comes from God (Is 48:17) and “not the will of man (also Jn 15:16).” This is further stressed in scripture as follows: John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” AND John 6:65, “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” God draws us out of the darkness into His marvelous light and grants mercy (1 Pt 2:9-10). God calls as many as He will (Acts 2:39). This is a hard thing for man to understand, but scriptures are clear: Romans 9:15-16, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” So God calls and God adds to the church such as should be saved (Acts 2:39, 47, 13:48). When God calls, how do you respond? God convicts hearts, but gives man the freedom to choose – you must have ears to hear. Many will reject God’s call: Proverbs 1:24-25, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.” Christ came but man mostly did not RECEIVE Him (Jn 5:43, Lk 9:48). We (the church) are to be used of God as willing vessels to witness and pray for the lost and present the gospel to them (teach). We are witnesses and vessels for God to operate through - for we are labourers together with God (1 Cor 3:9). 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” God is all in all (Col 3:11). God calls us according to His own purposes and grace out of darkness into His marvellous light (2 Tm 1:9, 1 Pt 2:9). We present ourselves as vessels to be used of God to reach others, but God is sovereign. Only God can change the heart (Deut 30:6).

In the religious institutions, self sufficient man has taken over. The religious want to plant, water, and bring the increase, and instantly! To them conversion is as simple as a quick little prayer formula which they term the sinner’s prayer (Lam 3:24-26). This is a quick little vow (not a magic formula) that one is suppose to repeat to gain instant salvation with no obligation to substantially change your life and live completely for Christ. They have searched the scriptures and pulled out what they deem as the necessary information (Romans road to salvation, etc.). The word “believe” is used in the sense of mental acknowledgement or acceptance. The problem is that it is presented in such a way that you are doing God a favor by letting Jesus be your Savior, but not necessarily your Lord (Mt 23:10, Jn 13:13). There is no brokenness before God and repentance is generally left out altogether. I dare say that often the lost individual has a greater sense of the commitment involved than the one attempting to proselytize him. Thus the sinner through his limited knowledge has attempted to count the cost and may be reluctant because he is not ready or willing – has not seen the need. They think if they can just persuade (manipulate?) one into saying the prayer, that he will be instantly saved. Salvation cannot be forced or coerced. If one’s heart and motives are not right, then for what purpose is this ritual? If one does not understand his sin or desire to forsake it, then what is the point?

The Jews also tried to save their way and Jesus said of them: Matthew 23:15, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” This is important to understand because these religious ones had hearts that were far from God – and thus their converts did also. How can this be? Jesus then refers to many of these religious as serpents and vipers (Mt 23:33). The devil came as a serpent! A serpent injects his venom (poison) into the blood of the victim. God defines the life of one to be in the blood (Lv 17:11). This poison corrupts the blood or life of the victim – the inner man. This is what these doctrines were doing. Jesus said, Matthew 15:14, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Man often uses fear or emotion to lead one to Christ. Within a religious setting, a stirring emotional sermon may be presented coupled with music which rouses the senses. Everyone may be told to close their eyes and bow their heads (in shame?) while the pastor makes many appeals for the lost to come forward. Some may commit on an emotional high or sudden feeling of guilt, but it is seldom that you see brokenness over sin and true heart repentance in those who come forward. We are not to trust our emotions (flesh), they are very deceptive! Another tactic is to tell the lost individual that he will suffer forever in hell or he could say this quick little sinner’s prayer and be set for eternity. Who would not choose the latter? Does this produce a committed individual that loves God with all his heart (has God’s nature) and hates the sin in his life to the extent that he will forsake all, totally yield to God and follow? I think not. What it does produce is a very deceived person who usually goes on to live as the world with minimal commitment to God, yet is perfectly at home in the religious setting. It is just presumed that devotion and a changed life will follow later. Thus - one more member for the religious institution and one more decision for the year’s tally - success. Since much of the religious community is living very worldly, the bar has been set very low for a life of true “living faith” with almost no real encouragement to truly live righteously. Many are deceiving and being deceived (2 Tm 3:13). This is the leaven that has worked its way through the religious systems of man and is very corrupting. This is why we are like the days of Noah in this end of the age. Unless one humbly approaches God with his full heart (not emotion) with brokenness, godly sorrow and grief over his sinful condition (known as repentance), then there can be no conversion. Ecclesiastes 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” This was Israel’s problem, they sinned greatly yet said, “I have not sinned” and they refused to be ashamed (Jer 2:35, 3:3). We must acknowledge our iniquity and turn from it (Jer 3:12-13). Man wants a salvation that is quick, permanent and allows one to continue in the flesh with no sacrifice and minimal commitment. Man wants to “have it his way.” Please note: One can absolutely be saved apart from walking the isle in a religious institution. This is ritualistic and controlling. People are drawn to God when they genuinely cry out to Him (as He convicts) in whatever setting they are in.

Most of the sinner’s prayers I’ve seen do not give a complete scriptural portrayal/ message of salvation (dying to self – new creature in Christ, genuine repentance & forsaking all sin, not conforming to the world, denying oneself for Christ, obeying Christ’s commandments, being led of the Spirit, righteous life, endurance, making God the priority of your life, etc.). This is probably because most of the adherents do not believe these things to be necessary for salvation, thus the worldly condition of many churches. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance and this is so significant to understand (Mt 9:13, Lk 5:32). Many may recite yet have little understanding of what is required and rarely a truly changed life. These folks didn’t sign-up for a commitment and thus they are worldly, unchanged and uncommitted. Many are willing to say the prayer but few are willing to walk the walk (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6). Being a Christian simply becomes a part of their life rather than being their life (Col 3:3-4)! Abstract agreement is quickly overridden (dominated) by the flesh. Biblical faith demands and produces costly and radical changes in one's life. Its essence is supreme commitment to Christ. Many will say a prayer and make promises in a desperate or life threatening situation only to return to their old lives once things return to normal.

It is understood that all must come to a decision point in life regard