Reasons for the lost identity of the true church

Reasons for the lost identity of God´s church

It is inconceivable to believe that the church which is built on Jesus Christ, and of which He said that, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” could be so difficult to distinguish among the counterfeits.

Judging from statements made by Jesus Christ Himself and other passages of scripture, one can conclude that the majority of churches are not portraying the sign of the true church of God.

For example Jesus said unequivocally “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.”

He then gave a stern warning saying; “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus Christ placed His stamp of authority on the Sabbath which is part of the commandments by saying; “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

The Sabbaths therefore is a critical sign in identifying the church of God, as confirmed by scriptures which states, “You must observe My Sabbaths. This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Also, “Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:20).

The Sabbaths, not just the weekly Sabbath, but the Sabbaths including the annual Sabbaths are times specifically ordained by God for holy convocations or religious assemblies. For thus says the Lord; “These are My appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:2, 4).

Unfortunately, while some are very zealous in observing the Weekly Sabbath, they have rejected and held in gross contempt the Annual Sabbaths and therefore are not ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name.

Others on the other hand who observe both the Weekly and Annual Sabbaths, fail to bring to the Lord His offering which is the main objective for having a sacred assembly, for thus says the Lord; “These are the Lord’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day.’

In the event that someone has not truly understand the reformation and not the abolition of this burnt offering, this burnt offering is Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, with the unleavened bread representing His body as the grain offering, and the wine representing His blood as the drink offering. This is figurative to Christ who loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This is the offering which abolished the first and established the second, as the new and living way by which the church draws near to God.

This offering is of such paramount importance that it is besides or in addition to, the Sabbaths of the Lord, and besides our gifts, and besides all our vows, and besides all our free will offerings which we give to the Lord (Leviticus 23:37-38).

Furthermore the majority of churches are profaning the name of the Lord and profaning His holy things, they have failed to make any distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, they have disregarded the Lord’s Sabbaths, so that He is profaned among them (Ezekiel 22:26).

For this reason the Lord is not being worshiped in the beauty of holiness. It is stated quite categorically “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God as God has said; ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

No one who is uncircumcised in heart should be allowed to enter the Lord’s sanctuary, the Lord’s sanctuary is only for priests who are called to be holy to their God, and not to profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings by fire to the Lord, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.

The Church of God unfortunately has lost its identity, it is no longer looked upon as the little flock, who does not peddle the word of God for profit, and who demonstrates the presence of the Holy Spirit by teaching the word of truth, who ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His Name, who brings to the Lord His offering at its appointed time, who worships the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and who takes delight in approaching God, all because of three reasons.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph