Ephesians
3:6
"That
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:"
The
Body of Christ, that consortium made up of those who accept Jesus and His teachings of the spirit that gives life to all mankind, His heavenly Father which we call the true believer. Made up of those who receive Him as the same Spirit of Genesis 1:27 who came from the Father of life. We have
made this comment before, but turn to Hebrews chapter 13, because we
have just one more verse to use in reference to the Body. We have
made reference to it over and over again. We do not care what
denominational handle people may have, all the members of that local
church no doubt have been baptized and memorized the customs and traditions and what ever rituals
the church demands. Just as did the people of Israel under the Jewish priesthood. But we can ask people eye to eye, "Are
all your Church member true believers?" And most people will
almost think that is a ridiculous question. "You know, they are
not," they will answer.
In
fact we were asked this question, "What do you mean when you
speak of a true believer?" We are not talking about someone who
has simply made a profession, and has joined the local church or
religious institution, or some religious organization. But
rather we are talking about someone who has truly and completely
placed their wholehearted trust, by believing with their heart, that
Jesus died for their sins, was buried, and rose again, + NOTHING
else for their redemption. As a result of that salvation has come
their house, and is but a short step away if they will have a
wholehearted change in attitude toward life, toward others, and as
John’s little Epistle says, "We know that we have passed
from death unto life, because we love the brethren."
When we pass from death into Life, we are going to have a Love for
the Word of God, and for the nations like we have never had before.
The whole of the word takes on a New Life because it has a Living
meaning and purpose. This is what is known and called Christ, the life giving spirit which is in all of mankind as a seed hidden by God, the source of that life.
We
are getting to where people are telling us, "I’m finally
loving the Word of God." Well that is a sign of being a true
believer. The professing Christian that is merely a church member, he
is not that concerned about what the Bible says. He is not that
concerned about spending most of his or her time with fellow
believers, and so when we have come to that place of completely
without anything else, trusting this "Gospel" for
our Eternal Salvation, then yes, we are a true believer. That of
itself does not mean that everybody is going to be as Spiritual as
the next person, because there is certainly room for different levels
of that within the Body of Christ. Just as a child does not go to
university after being weened from milk but rather has to learn how
to walk first. So it is with all of us we have to learn how to rest
in the Holy Spirit's arms and to become dependent on Him in and for
all things. Jesus is our first example of this, that is why we do not
have much about His youth recorded and why we have the witness of His
baptism in accord with Jewish custom, for righteousness. It required
both John the Baptist's witness and the Holy Spirits lighting upon
Him to fulfill all righteousness through the bring of the promised
close to all things Hebrew. But still the nation hangs unto it
identity by the customs, rituals, and ceremonies of the yoke
(religious forms) they could not carry. Just as mere humans remain under the yoke of sin and death from which we have already been delivered.
Jesus
told them, Understand my teaching
and follow it and you shall have peace and joy in life. I give you
another yoke and another load-the spiritual life. Yoke yourselves to
this, and you shall learn from me peace and happiness. Be tranquil
and meek-hearted and you will find blessedness in your life. For my
teaching is a yoke made for you, and to obey my teaching is to have a
light load with a yoke suited to you. But the Orthodox Priest’s
refused to do and accept His doctrine and instead sought how they
could put Him to death. It is in this same way that the religious
institutions have been putting Him to death within all those of there
congregations ever since. Jesus also said that the Father of spirit's required actions of righteousness or works of that righteousness which is this to Love your neighbor as yourself.
Even
here in Hebrews chapter 13 we also find the Body of Christ. We want
to remember that Hebrews was written primarily to Jewish-Christians,
believers, who were on the fence and unsure of themselves.
Hebrews
13:3
"Remember
them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer
adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
No comments:
Post a Comment