Category: religious tradition

“Christianettes” #7

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

How can we prevent ourselves from being “Christianettes?”

As touching the nation Israel’s spiritual immaturity, the Holy Spirit through the writer of the Book of Hebrews commented in chapter 5: “[11] Of whom [Christ] we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

When Hebrews was written—the latter half of the Acts—the seven years of Tribulation should have already passed, Christ should have already returned at His Second Coming, and He should have already established Israel in His earthly kingdom (thus evangelizing Gentiles). By this time, however, the nation is unable to teach God’s words to non-Jews. The Jews themselves must first learn fundamental truth before they can share it with others. Like the Corinthians, they have responded poorly to the spiritual light given to them. Hence, they are “unskilful in the word of righteousness”—like a baby sucking on a milk bottle! They are not spiritual adults, “them that are of full age,” so they cannot eat spiritual meat (solid food): essentially, they are useless to God’s ministry. Hebrews is the Holy Spirit re-teaching Israel the basics, preparing them for Christ’s return and kingdom once our mystery program terminates.

Likewise, Father God would like us members of the Body of Christ to move from “babe” to “full age”—milk to meat, unskilful to experienced, students to teachers! Most importantly, He wants us to grow up now (as opposed to waiting to reach maturity in Heaven). The Pauline Epistles are the means whereby we undergo this transformation….

“Christianettes” #6

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

How can we prevent ourselves from being “Christianettes?”

God’s current dealings with mankind, His present will, is “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). This is the information He has in effect today: what He believes and expects us to believe, and what He is doing and expects us to do. He has dispensed or distributed this body of truth via the Apostle Paul’s ministry—particularly the 13 Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Ephesians chapter 3 opens: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;….”

Every church member knows prophetic truth: “[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. [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21). However, practically no one in any church is aware of mystery truth: “…the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest,…” (Romans 16:25,26).

Church traditions taking preeminence for 2,000 years, Paul’s unique apostleship has been diminished or totally ignored: it is considered to be nothing more than an extension of the 12 Apostles’ ministry/message, or viewed as completely illegitimate and therefore worthy of exclusion from Scripture. We have failed (!) to follow the pattern of the edification of the believer outlined in Romans chapter 16, so believers are mere “Christianettes,” weak and confused, not much better off than they were before coming to Christ by faith….

“Christianettes” #5

Monday, June 7, 2021

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

How can we prevent ourselves from being “Christianettes?”

Father God intends the Church the Body of Christ to grow up, to move away from sin’s power (man’s two natural extremes) and submit to grace: “And he [Jesus Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting [equipping] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 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” (Ephesians 4:11-16).

The outline as to how God accomplishes this is found in Romans 16:25,26: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to (1) my gospel, and (2) the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and (3) by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:….” We are to be “edified” (built up) and “stablished” (spiritually stabilized) via a three-step strategy. This design for the edification of the member of the Church the Body of Christ is the key to maturing in grace and avoiding both extremes of fallen human nature—asceticism (human good) and lasciviousness (human evil). Since churches, denominations, cults, et cetera, have failed these last 2,000 years to follow this pattern, “Christianettes” have resulted….

“Christianettes” #4

Sunday, June 6, 2021

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

How can we prevent ourselves from being “Christianettes?”

In our fallen, natural, or sinful state, we humans have a nature divided into two extremes. There is asceticism on one end and lasciviousness on the other. Asceticism is the strict, legalistic, “self-disciplined” crowd, people obsessed with religious rites, rituals, and ceremonies; they fight the urge to engage in wild living by “managing” their sin with some prescribed denominational, religious, or spiritual routine. Lasciviousness is the loose, rowdy, “worldly” crowd, people fixated on doing whatever they want to do without any regard for boundaries or moderation; they fight against the inclination to pursue strict living by “managing” their sin with actions that defy prescribed religion.

A “Christianette” is someone caught in the above spectrum. Whether a genuine member of the Body of Christ, or just another lost person joining a local church, they are conducting themselves somewhere between asceticism and lasciviousness. They have not matured in grace principles, so they are involved with the “sins of the spirit” (works-religion) and/or the “sins of the flesh” (worldliness). In the case of the member of the Body of Christ, he or she is a living contradiction: a sinning saint does not make sense at all. As for the mere church member, we would expect a lost person (non-Christian) to act like a lost person (non-Christian): there is nothing surprising there!

Considering the two aforementioned erring Christian groups to whom Paul ministered, it is no coincidence we find one extreme of human nature dominating one crowd and the other extreme of human nature controlling the other multitude. Regarding the predicament of Galatia, they are the rigorous religionists, Moses-oriented (Galatians 4:21): “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” As touching Corinth, they are the lax humanists, man-oriented (1 Corinthians 3:3): “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

All these centuries later, the Body of Christ as a whole is still wavering between the sin of Galatia (strict) and the sin of Corinth (loose). Individuals thus suffer the effects….

Tongue-Tied! #4

Saturday, May 15, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

If a Christian is not skilled in the Word of God rightly divided, it will be evident in his or her speech and writing. Denominationally-minded souls have no real understanding of spiritual truth, so they can do nothing but prattle and babble. It is nonsense, foolishness, tripe. They are completely unable to teach someone valuable spiritual information. Sadly, they themselves must first be taught. That was Israel of old, possessing the Hebrew Bible for 1,600 years and yet still confused. Hebrews chapter 5: “[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

The professing church, and even the genuine Body of Christ, is actually in worse shape. Despite the fact of possessing a complete Bible for 2,000 years, it cannot adequately express Christian truth to others because there is such a lack of Scriptural proficiency even among so-called believers in Christ. They can mindlessly recite facts about church history, comprehend the original Bible languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), devise complex denominations and theological systems, and defend religious tradition; they can engage in lengthy prayers, stirring “praise and worship,” humbling water baptisms, and exciting missions trips; but can they tell others about how to have eternal life in Christ and victorious grace living? No! Like ancient Israel, we have hearts of sin and unbelief. There is almost no preaching of the clear Gospel of Grace, almost no preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, almost no sound Bible doctrine. Precious few believers are mature and founded in the truth; the rest utter gibberish. Like Israel, we also suffer an impediment in our speech….

Tongue-Tied! #3

Friday, May 14, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

Reading verses 1-13 (passage preceding today’s Scripture), you notice Israel has relegated the Hebrew Bible to an inferior status. Whereas the written Law of Moses commanded the Jews to honor their father and mother, they circumvented that by appealing to rabbinical interpretations of Jewish religious tradition. Rabbis taught Israel did not have to financially support their aging parents. All a Jew had to do was merely claim to dedicate his wealth to “God” (the money actually going not to God, but the religious system of the Jerusalem Temple!), thereby freeing him from his obligation to his parents. Religious tradition took precedence; God’s words, especially the Ten Commandments, really meant nothing to them! The Lord Jesus criticized these hypocrites or pretenders for spurning His Father’s words. Since they did not have the Scriptures on their mind, they were unable to have faith and teach others.

Moving to verses 14-23 (also prior to today’s Scripture), you realize Israel is sidetracked with religious tradition, fanatical ceremonial washings. They ignored the most fatal contaminant; their hearts were unclean because of sin: “[20] And he [Jesus] said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Thus far, we see national Israel has two problems—both are in the heart or soul. Firstly, Israel has a heart of sin, which separates her from God’s purpose and plan for her. She is defiled internally. Secondly, Israel has a heart of unbelief, and she has rejected God’s words to the degree of substituting works-religion (church tradition) for God’s righteousness (pure Bible). In contrast to Israel wallowing in this rank unbelief, a Gentile (!) woman has faith in Jesus (verses 24-30). Finally, as the chapter closes, a deaf and speech-inhibited man appears in today’s Scripture. Depicted here is Israel’s pitiful condition, spiritually deaf and babbling, whom the Lord faithfully restores to perfect health….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does 1 Timothy 6:19 support Calvinism?”

Straightened Out—At Last!

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV).

Having departed this present world, they are free from all the effects of sin—including doctrinal confusion!

Recently, I learned of the Homegoing of a brother in Christ whose writings I have read for several years. I was initially saddened, but then realized and rejoiced he was with his Lord and Saviour! What thrilled me the most was—at last—he was straightened out doctrinally. Although saved, denominationalism and seminary (Bible cemetery!) had severely corrupted and confused him. Hence, his articles frequently abounded with “scholarly” ramblings and sectarian slants. What he intended to be a Bible study was mostly Greek or Hebrew study: he would employ complicated terms here and there. As opposed to a lesson in Scripture, it was a lecture on theology. He did not “rightly divide the word of truth” either. All these unfortunate facts hindered the Holy Spirit from working through him more fully. Now, however, things have changed for him! Never again will he be spiritually puzzled!

Praise the Lord! The next time we see the saints who have graduated to Heaven, no doctrinal error will be present to divide or confuse us. Here is one more reason to “sorrow not, even as other which have no hope.” Continuing after today’s Scripture: “[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

The Withered Right Hand #5

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

“And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered” (Luke 6:6 KJV).

What can this account of the withered right hand teach us?

Israel’s Sabbath-Day observance was to remind them of the Creation Week, their role in God’s purpose and plan for creation (recall Exodus 20:8-11). They were God’s earthly people, and obligated to keep the Law of Moses, of which the Sabbath was the sign. By deliberately performing a miracle on Saturday, Jesus was pointing to His Millennial Reign, what the Sabbath previewed (cf. Hebrews 4:1-10). Israel would be restored to service! Every week, the Jews were to meditate on God’s Word, the Hebrew Bible, and be mindful of the LORD’S will for them. Alas, they became too preoccupied with their religious works. They were therefore unable to appreciate Christ healing the withered right hand on the Sabbath!

“And looking round about upon them all, he [Christ] said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness [insanity!]; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:10,11). “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him” (Matthew 12:13,14). “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him” (Mark 3:5,6).

Here is the callousness or mercilessness of people obsessed with religion; they rejoice not in God’s deliverance of suffering sinners. After seeing Christ heal the man, they are outraged He has broken their religious rule, and thus begin plotting Jesus’ execution! Saints, may we not be foolish as they were. Let us have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe the value of the withered right hand made whole! 🙂

The Withered Right Hand #4

Monday, April 12, 2021

“And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered” (Luke 6:6 KJV).

What can this account of the withered right hand teach us?

Today’s Scripture (cf. Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2) says it was the Saturday Sabbath. JEHOVAH God had given Israel the Fourth Commandment through Moses, chapter 20 of Exodus: “[8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Through the centuries after Moses, Israel began to move away from the written Law of Moses and emphasize the so-called “oral” Law of Moses. In fact, rather than worshipping the LORD on the Sabbath, the Jews were worshipping the Sabbath itself. According to rabbinical tradition, unless concerning a life-threatening situation, medical aid was not to be rendered on the Sabbath. Therefore, when a man with a withered right hand appeared in a synagogue (Jewish place of worship), the local religious leaders saw this as a perfect opportunity to set a trap for Jesus!

“And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him [Christ], saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him” (Matthew 12:10). “And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him” (Mark 3:2). Today’s Scripture in context again: “[6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. [7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.”

Blinded by their vain religious tradition, apostate Israel refused to see the significance of the withered right hand healed….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is the ‘flood’ of Joshua chapter 24?”

Something in Which to Glory!

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

“As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14 KJV).

In what shall we glory? About what shall we boast? In what shall we find value?

Religion produces people who enjoy bragging all about their “dedication to God.” “Look what I did—the ceremonies in which I have participated, the many prayers I faithfully recited daily, how much I put in the collection plate, see how many pleasures I gave up to please God! Come, see how much I love Him!” Dear friends, the Apostle Paul found great value in something—but that something was not what he did. All that human flesh can accomplish pales in comparison to the work in today’s Scripture.

As Lent begins, the time when religionists temporarily (a mere 40 days) relinquish some pleasant food or activity, let us remember that our performance is often non-performance. Once we place ourselves on that treadmill of “do, do, do,” we are guaranteed to fail at some point. Human flesh is simply too weak to maintain 100 percent—that is sin! Even concerning one rule, we cannot keep it perfectly. We mess up eventually.

If ever we believe that our puny works are worth bragging about, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture. While some boast in their religiosity (in the passage, the Judaizers applauding their rite of physical circumcision), and such denominationalists today urge us to obey their church’s instructions so they too may boast in our ability, let us eschew such foolishness. Being imperfect, all their works do not measure up to Christ’s finished crosswork. At Calvary, we find the only sacrifice that will ever please the God of the Bible. If we must boast, let us brag that He did what we could never, ever do!

See our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians observe Lent?”