This sort of divisive
atmosphere that exist in the body of Christ (the church) is not what Jesus
Christ intended for His church when He said to Peter, “and on this rock I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” There is
a definite reason why the church is so divided which is the sin of irreverence.
There is no shadow of
doubt that many people have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and even
may be performing miracles and doing wonderful works in His name, but this may
not necessarily be pleasing to God, for thus says the Lord; "Not everyone
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done
many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;
depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew
7:21-23).
The confusions and
divisions that exist in the church it is not because of the diversities of our
gifts, ministries, activities, the measure of our faith or charisma, because it
is one and the same Spirit that works all these things, distributing to each
one individually as He wills, and despite the diversities there should be
unity.
The source of the
division and confusion in the church is that of irreverence. Jesus stated
categorically that, “all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He
who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:23).
When one truly believes
and understands that, Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in
heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and
for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is
the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).
Coupled with Jesus’ saying
that, “the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me: You have neither
heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form” (John
5:37).
Thus signifying that,
the One who spoke to Moses and gave him the laws and statutes was Jesus Christ
Himself, and therefore, when the Lord issued such command saying, “You shall
keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.”
And the command to, “Speak
also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for
it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know
that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore,
for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death;
for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his
people. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of
rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall
surely be put to death. Therefore, the children of Israel shall keep the
Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual
covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in
six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He
rested and was refreshed " (Exodus 31:13-17).
Since this command was given by the Lord Himself Who is the same yesterday, today and forever and Who does not change, it is imperative that we take time to examine and consider the contents of this command because it is a perpetual covenant and a sign between God and His people forever.
To be continued
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FV4WTWQ
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6E380O
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
No comments:
Post a Comment