Category: The Church the Body of Christ

I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ #2

Friday, May 11, 2012

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

Why is the Gospel of Christ given “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek?”

From Genesis chapter 12 (Abraham’s salvation) to Acts chapter 9 (Paul’s salvation), God dealt almost exclusively with Israel. During those 2,000 years, God dealt with mankind on the basis of physical circumcision (Jew) and physical uncircumcision (Gentile) (Ephesians 2:11,12).

During these centuries, the Old Testament prophets reminded Israel of her coming King (Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 23:5,6; Zechariah 9:9; et al.). When Jesus Christ presented Himself to Israel in the Four Gospel Records, He came to establish His kingdom on earth, for Israel to then evangelize the pagan Gentiles (Exodus 19:5,6; Isaiah 60:1-3; et al.). Nonetheless, Israel rejected Jesus in unbelief, demanding His crucifixion on Calvary (John 19:15).

After Jesus Christ resurrected, Israel still rejected Him by persecuting and ignoring the Holy Spirit-filled twelve apostles who were calling Israel to repentance and faith (Acts 2:14-40; Acts 3:12-26; Acts 4:8-31; Acts 5:29-42; et al.). With uncooperative Israel finally murdering her prophet Stephen in Acts chapter 7, God turns to the Gentiles without Israel (Romans 11:11,12). The ascended Lord Jesus Christ saves Saul of Tarsus (Paul) in Acts chapter 9, commissioning him as his apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).

From Acts chapter 9 to Acts chapter 28, Israel is “diminishing”—losing her special status before God (Romans 11:12). Thus, in the cities Paul visits in the book of Acts, God has him go to the local synagogue to preach the Gospel of Christ to Jews first: “Brethren [Jews], you have killed your Messiah Jesus, and your kingdom program is falling away, so you can only be saved now by becoming a member of the Church the Body of Christ!” Once these lost Jews refused to listen, Paul preached salvation in Christ to local pagan Greeks (Gentiles) (Acts 9:20-22; Acts 13:5, 14-52; Acts 14:1-27; Acts 17:1-34; Acts 18:1-11,18-21; Acts 19:8-10; Acts 28:20-31).

Let Another Man Praise Thee

Monday, May 7, 2012

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2 KJV).

As humans, we all have a tendency to brag about ourselves. Religion only makes the matter worse, for it teaches us to perform rites and rituals for others to see. They then “glory in [our] flesh,” boasting in our ability to fulfill those commandments (see Galatians 6:12,13). We need not praise ourselves, dear friends, for in due time, another Man shall praise us.

While we all enjoy someone telling us “Good job” or “Congratulations,” oftentimes these words go unspoken. Some individuals, no matter what we do, will never accept us. Even if it was godly Christian service, they still criticize us. Nothing we do will ever be good enough for them. No matter how kind we are to them, they will never treat us with respect. Do we love man’s praise, or God’s praise (John 12:43)? If we want man’s praise, then we should not be Christ’s servants (Galatians 1:10)!

In 1 Corinthians 4:5, the Apostle Paul talks about Christians having “praise of God” at the Judgment Seat of Christ: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

The day is coming, the Judgment Seat of Christ, when Jesus Christ Himself will evaluate us Christians (the Church the Body of Christ) (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10). He will look into our inner man (soul), searching our hearts and examining the doctrine we studied and believed from His Word rightly divided, the doctrine we stored in our inner man by faith. He will evaluate the doctrine we believed according to Paul’s epistles (1 Corinthians 3:9-15). Finally, we will receive a reward: an office in the government of heaven (Ephesians 1:3,20-23; Ephesians 2:6,7; Colossians 1:16-20; 2 Timothy 2:12)!

While fellow man may never say “Thank you” or “Well done” in response to thy acts of kindness or accomplishments, let another man praise thee… let the God-Man praise thee.

The Temporal State and the Eternal State

Monday, April 30, 2012

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19 KJV).

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the State of Louisiana officially joining the Union (becoming the 18th state of the United States). While I am proud of my Cajun (French-Canadian) heritage, being a part of God’s family is more important. Louisiana is only my temporal state. I anticipate my eternal state… the third heaven.

May I never grow attached to the things of this life, for they will pass away. “[I am] risen with Christ, [and I] seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [I] set [my] affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). While I am conscious of my life here on earth, I live it in accordance with the eternal Word of God, remembering that this state is temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18).

One day, I will cease to be a Louisianian. I will bid this state farewell, never to set foot on it again. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I shall be caught up in rapture to arrive in glory on high (1 Corinthians 15:51). Heaven, my new home shall be, and there shall I reign with Christ, throughout all eternity (2 Timothy 2:12).

I shall leave this state, where I have lived for all my life, and enter a new state, one free from sin, death, pain, and strife. I shall enter a state of unfathomable creatures and landscapes, expansive realms of unspeakable beauty to roam. And, there I shall see my Saviour, the great God and my Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory, finally shaking His hand as He exclaims, “Welcome home!”

Once, I was a hell-bound Gentile, but since I have trusted Christ Jesus alone as my personal Saviour, I am part of God’s household, “a fellow-citizen with the saints” (today’s Scripture). I will not always be a Louisianian, but I will always be a saint of the most High God. Louisiana is my state… only for now….

The Body of Christ at the Second Coming?

Friday, April 27, 2012

“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean” (Revelation 19:14 KJV).

Today’s Scripture and its context (verses 11-21) describe the literal, physical, and visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ to planet earth. According to today’s Scripture, at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, He is accompanied by “the armies which were in heaven,” individuals “clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” Who are these creatures?

While today’s Scripture is often assumed to be referring to us (the Church the Body of Christ), Jesus Christ provides the correct interpretation regarding His Second Coming: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31). The creatures described in today’s Scripture are angels, not us: angels wear white clothes (Mark 16:5; Acts 1:10).

At the rapture (which could happen at any moment), God will secretly and instantly will remove from earth all people who have trusted exclusively in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, those who have relied completely on Christ’s dying for their sins, His burial, and His resurrection for their justification (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul describes the rapture in two main passages: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

If God will one day remove us (the Body of Christ) from the earth, would it make any sense for us to return to earth at His Second Coming? No, it does not, for we the Church the Body of Christ belong in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6,7; Colossians 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:18). God will give us bodies “eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1-5): our glorified bodies will not be meant to function on earth.

At His Second Coming, Jesus Christ will be coming for Israel: we have no relation to that event. Beginning at the rapture and down through the ages of eternity future, we, the Body of Christ, will function in heaven. We will have no need to ever return to earth: earth will be Israel’s territory.

The Fire That Wood and Talebearers Kindle!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20 KJV).

What do wood and talebearers have in common? Today’s Scripture gives us the answer.

The King James Bible uses the term “talebearer” six times. Let us look at those remaining instances. What is a “talebearer” exactly? Proverbs 11:13 explains, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Compare Proverbs 20:19: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Talebearers learn the private matters of others, and then maliciously broadcast and publicize the information without permission, usually with the intention of destroying or defaming the parties involved.

Consider Proverbs 26:22: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Compare Proverbs 18:8: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” These wounds strike the most sensitive areas of the human heart (soul), and causes great damage. The emotional and spiritual scars brought on by gossiping can literally be permanent.

As we know, wood is a fuel, so it can be used to start a fire. Obviously, without fuel such as wood, a fire cannot begin (today’s Scripture). But, by the same token, today’s Scripture says that talebearers can be viewed as fuel, for people who reveal secrets and gossip will generate strife (fighting). Clearly, without gossipers, there is peace—literally, no heated debates for lack of “wood.”

This is why God, in Leviticus 19:16, charged Israel, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people….” God did not want talebearers hindering His will for Israel, and He does not want talebearers disrupting His will for us, the Church the Body of Christ! Saints and brethren, the time we have been given on earth is extremely precious, so let us be about the Christian ambassadorship, and let us not be guilty of the foolishness of tale bearing.

What Does God Want Me to Do? #8

Thursday, April 5, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God wants to build Himself a house, a place in which He can not only live, but an habitation where He feels right at home! Will you let Him work in you to accomplish that goal?

In Ephesians chapter 2 (which I encourage you to read on your own), the Apostle Paul describes our sinful lifestyles and wicked nature before our salvation in Christ Jesus (verses 1-3). Verses 4-10 discuss how God saved us from sin and His wrath in order to make us His “workmanship” (creation). Verses 11 and 12 explain that when God dealt with Israel in “time past,” we Gentiles were “without Christ.” Verses 13-18 explain “but now,” in our Dispensation of Grace, God has removed the division between Jew and Gentile. God is now forming a spiritual body of believers, Jews and Gentiles. Why?

Verses 19-22 explain: “Now therefore ye [believing Gentiles] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 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.”

God is forming the Church the Body of Christ so He can have a house (“an habitation”). Amazing, huh?! The Holy Spirit not only lives in us Christians (1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 2 Timothy 1:14), He wants to also live through us—to manifest His life living in us, so the lost world can see our new lifestyles and glorify Him!! God wants to fill our minds with sound doctrine, which we gain from proper (dispensational) Bible study, so the Holy Spirit can then take that doctrine and work in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13), “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (today’s Scripture).

The world cannot see Christ’s physical body; instead, they see Him living in us Christians!

What Does God Want Me to Do? #6

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God’s will according to religion and God’s will according to the Bible are contradictory—only one can be right. If you want to know and do God’s will, look to the Bible, which is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Religion causes us to have a superstitious understanding of God’s will. Does God want me to work here, or work there? Marry this person or that person? Buy this house, or that house? Attend school here, or there? Drive this vehicle, or that vehicle? Eat this, or that? Go here, or there? Beloved, God has given us doctrine to make those decisions, but ultimately, He has given us free will. God has not preselected our house, vehicle, spouse, or job: these are decisions we must make—God does not want robots (religion does!).

God’s will—His “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)—is to exalt Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9,10). Whenever faced with a decision, you need to ask yourself, “What decision will hinder God’s eternal purpose?” (Avoid that choice.) “What choice will accomplish God’s eternal purpose?” (Choose that alternative.) God’s will is “to have all men saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). God wants to use you to lead others to Jesus Christ and to use you to share sound Bible doctrine (dispensational Bible study) with others. Your purpose as a member of the Church the Body of Christ is to let Christ live His life in and through you, where you are now (your job, home, marriage, et cetera). That is God’s will for your life!

When you study and believe God’s Word dispensationally (understanding that Paul is your apostle, and our Dispensation of Grace is not associated with Israel’s Dispensation of Law), God the Holy Spirit will work in you, and fulfill His will in you (today’s Scripture), enabling you to make wise choices to prove/demonstrate God’s will—to glorify Christ (Romans 12:1,2).

What Does God Want Me to Do? #3

Saturday, March 31, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

To find God’s will for your life, you need not “endure” Hebrew and Greek. If you can read sixth-grade English (the King James Bible), then you can discover (and thereby appreciate) God’s overall plan for creation, thus learning God’s will for you.

The Bible says that God’s “eternal purpose”—His overall will for creation—is to exalt Jesus Christ in the heaven and in the earth (Ephesians 1:9,10; Ephesians 3:9-11; Colossians 1:16-20). While we are on earth, our lives should bring Jesus Christ glory and honor: it is God’s “good pleasure” to work in us to accomplish this (today’s Scripture). However, we are members of the Church the Body of Christ, so God’s primary goal is to one day take us to heaven and bring Him glory there (Ephesians 2:6,7).

People have utilized religious tradition to greatly confuse and complicate God’s will. Sadly, the average Christian never grasps exactly what God expects of them; what they are to believe and how their daily lives are to operate. No wonder the Body of Christ is so ineffective in reaching the lost!

God’s will is not as specific as religion teaches. Rather than trying to “discern” God’s will for your life through subjective means (hunches, weather, actions of others, religion, et cetera), you need to discover God’s will using objective means—the written, permanent, inerrant Word of God (the King James Bible).

What would God have you to do, fellow Christian? God’s Word points us to salvation in Christ and educates us regarding life’s situations. Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11); consult his epistles first regarding all matters/situations. If Romans through Philemon are silent about the matter, then, and ONLY THEN, seek counsel from the remaining Bible books. In the event these books are silent about the issue, then, and ONLY THEN, should you seek outside (extra-Biblical) advice, bearing in mind that this extra-Biblical advice should not contradict the Bible (especially Paul’s epistles).

What Does God Want Me to Do? #2

Friday, March 30, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

Although not impossible, discerning God’s will for one’s life is oftentimes very difficult. Many times, denominational hierarchies tell you their will for your life, leading you to believe it is “God’s will” for you. Be not fooled, beloved—only Paul can tell us God’s will for us!

Today’s Scripture says God wants to work in us Christians “to will and to do of his good pleasure.” According to Ephesians 1:9,10, “[God] having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him;” Colossians 1:16-20 says “all things” refers to offices of government. Paul explains that God has revealed His will to us: He wants to use us Christians in the ages to come to rule in heaven for His glory!

Before we Christians can attain these heavenly offices (places of leadership), which we will do in eternity (Ephesians 2:6,7), God must educate us now (in this life) to understand His doctrine for this the Dispensation of Grace (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon). These 13 Bible books alone tell us that God is currently forming the Church the Body of Christ, an entity He will use to bring Him glory in heaven. In Paul’s epistles alone, we find our doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny. We study all of the Bible, but the doctrine of Paul’s epistles is God’s Word to and about us (the Body of Christ).

Study Paul’s epistles, and then, by faith, let that doctrine work in you (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Christ Jesus wants to fill your life with His life, to work in and through you so that He can use you to reach this lost, dying world for His glory. Will you, by faith, allow Him to do of His “good pleasure” in and through you?

What Does God Want Me to Do?

Thursday, March 29, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

Someone recently asked, “What does God want me to do in life?” Well, what would God want us to do?

God wants to use us for His glory, but sin interferes: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So, in order to use us, God must first save us from ourselves (sin, death, and ultimately hell). This is why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, to shed His innocent blood for our forgiveness (to wash away our sins), and to resurrect the third day for our justification (to give us a right standing before God). That is Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

God’s will is to have “all men saved” (1 Timothy 2:4a); God wants no one to go to hell forever (2 Peter 3:9). Do you want to do God’s will? Get saved! Trust Christ Jesus alone as your personal Saviour (Paul’s Gospel) and receive eternal life in heaven. God the Holy Spirit will then take you and place you into the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Salvation is that simple!

But, God’s will is to also have “all men… come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4b). Once a person is saved, God then wants him or her to learn why He saved them. God wants to teach us His overall goal for creation and our role in accomplishing that purpose (we learn this by studying His Word, the Bible). Do you want to do God’s will as a Christian? Follow the Apostle Paul as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)! Learn about God’s will for you in this Dispensation of Grace by focusing on Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

As today’s Scripture teaches, God wants to accomplish a magnificent work in us, a work that will literally reverberate throughout the ages to come (eternity future). He wants to save us forever so He can use us forever.