Jesus Christ is my God!
Issued 30.01.2007
Freedom from religion
When you came to faith you became a member of the Church of God. In this way Jesus sets you free from the slavery of religions. Do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery!
Invisible God
The real and genuine relationship with God is not a religion, but it is fellowship with God. It is common life with God and walking on His way. Religions make the relationship between God and man into an enslaving play.
So that you could be set free from the slavery of religion you must in a way see the invisible world of which this visible world originates, and learn to live with the invisible God. As long as some visible thing represents God to you as long you remain a slave of your religion.
The real and genuine relationship with God is not a religion, but it is fellowship with God. It is common life with God and walking on His way. Religions make the relationship between God and man into an enslaving play.
So that you could be set free from the slavery of religion you must in a way see the invisible world of which this visible world originates, and learn to live with the invisible God. As long as some visible thing represents God to you as long you remain a slave of your religion.
The relationship with the invisible God
Do believe that God is able to meet you wherever and whenever. When you turn to Him and want to talk to Him be careful not to talk to anything visible. Concentrate on talking to God who is invisible to you.
The Bible's Jesus has risen from the dead. He lives and He is available. Think, you can experience His presence wherever you are and whenever. Isn't it releasing? The gospel about the crucified and the up risen Jesus gives us a contact with the invisible God.
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1Pe.1:8
Are you satisfied with serving God whom you cannot now see? If we are in anguish and lonely, we seek comfort and then we easily have recourse to religion, and we don't turn to God. But you, do not be satisfied with a substitute consolation, but purposefully turn to the Highest.
"We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2Co.4:16-18
Many have genuinely experienced the salvation given by Jesus, but soon after they came to faith they have again allowed themselves to be put into the chains of slavery. Through the ages God's people have had the same struggle. Even Moses remained in faith, because he was tied up in the invisible reality. "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible." Heb.11:27
You, too, don't fear the anger of priests and preachers, when they want to burden you with the yoke of their church by claiming that you do not belong to the Church of God, if you leave their church. The presence of Jesus sets you free from fear and gives you strength to break away from the religious world.
Do believe that God is able to meet you wherever and whenever. When you turn to Him and want to talk to Him be careful not to talk to anything visible. Concentrate on talking to God who is invisible to you.
The Bible's Jesus has risen from the dead. He lives and He is available. Think, you can experience His presence wherever you are and whenever. Isn't it releasing? The gospel about the crucified and the up risen Jesus gives us a contact with the invisible God.
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1Pe.1:8
Are you satisfied with serving God whom you cannot now see? If we are in anguish and lonely, we seek comfort and then we easily have recourse to religion, and we don't turn to God. But you, do not be satisfied with a substitute consolation, but purposefully turn to the Highest.
"We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2Co.4:16-18
Many have genuinely experienced the salvation given by Jesus, but soon after they came to faith they have again allowed themselves to be put into the chains of slavery. Through the ages God's people have had the same struggle. Even Moses remained in faith, because he was tied up in the invisible reality. "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible." Heb.11:27
You, too, don't fear the anger of priests and preachers, when they want to burden you with the yoke of their church by claiming that you do not belong to the Church of God, if you leave their church. The presence of Jesus sets you free from fear and gives you strength to break away from the religious world.
The invisible church
The battle of what is the real people of God has run high for thousands of years. Paul, the apostle had had the zealous opinion that one must belong to the Jewish synagogue if he wanted to belong to the people of God. After becoming a Jesus believer he totally abandoned that thought. He realized that the salvation, Jesus gives, is missing nothing. Therefore it is wrong to try to make it complete by joining something.
When some demanded believers also to become Jews to make their salvation complete, Paul rejected it strictly and said: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Ga.5:1 Notice that here he considers Jewishness slavery although in the correct meaning Jewishness was a dear thing to him.
They became slaves of Jewishness, because they wanted to become members of God's nation by becoming Jews. If they had considered Jewishness only a servant of the real nation of God and not the nation itself, they would have lived in that freedom which Jesus had given them. "For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' In other words , it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." Ro.9:6-8
The same fits the Christian churches. Not all who are from a Christian church belong to the Church of God. If you regard a Christian association as the Church of God, you have allowed yourself to be burdened by a yoke of slavery. It is for freedom that Jesus has set you free, stand firm and don't consider any earthly association the Church of God anymore. In its right position also congregational association is a valuable and lovable thing.
Why those who came to faith wanted to become Jews? Because belonging to the invisible church was not enough to them. They didn't feel at home on the Mount Zion situated in the invisible world, but they loved the Mount Zion on which the visible Jerusalem is built.
So what an invisible Zion, you may ask? If you have come to Jesus, you have also come to Mount Zion. "You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." Heb.12:22-24
When the Jews asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, He replied: "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is.' or 'There it is.' because the kingdom of God is within you." Lu.17:20-21
Jesus said that we cannot see the Church, but still it is among us. So the Church is invisible to this world, but a part of it can be occasionally seen in the form of an assembled congregation. Watching invisible things is also the essential part of a congregational meeting. When Jesus defined what an assembling congregation means He told that He himself will be there as the invisible man. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Mt.18:20 The assembled believers don't see Jesus among them, but however He is there, if the congregation is assembled in His name.
But have you turned to the invisible one or only to the visible? In many cases it is so that the unseen has not given birth to their faith, but a church, which they see, has done it. The Bible says their faith was born after the flesh.
The battle of what is the real people of God has run high for thousands of years. Paul, the apostle had had the zealous opinion that one must belong to the Jewish synagogue if he wanted to belong to the people of God. After becoming a Jesus believer he totally abandoned that thought. He realized that the salvation, Jesus gives, is missing nothing. Therefore it is wrong to try to make it complete by joining something.
When some demanded believers also to become Jews to make their salvation complete, Paul rejected it strictly and said: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Ga.5:1 Notice that here he considers Jewishness slavery although in the correct meaning Jewishness was a dear thing to him.
They became slaves of Jewishness, because they wanted to become members of God's nation by becoming Jews. If they had considered Jewishness only a servant of the real nation of God and not the nation itself, they would have lived in that freedom which Jesus had given them. "For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' In other words , it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." Ro.9:6-8
The same fits the Christian churches. Not all who are from a Christian church belong to the Church of God. If you regard a Christian association as the Church of God, you have allowed yourself to be burdened by a yoke of slavery. It is for freedom that Jesus has set you free, stand firm and don't consider any earthly association the Church of God anymore. In its right position also congregational association is a valuable and lovable thing.
Why those who came to faith wanted to become Jews? Because belonging to the invisible church was not enough to them. They didn't feel at home on the Mount Zion situated in the invisible world, but they loved the Mount Zion on which the visible Jerusalem is built.
So what an invisible Zion, you may ask? If you have come to Jesus, you have also come to Mount Zion. "You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." Heb.12:22-24
When the Jews asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, He replied: "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is.' or 'There it is.' because the kingdom of God is within you." Lu.17:20-21
Jesus said that we cannot see the Church, but still it is among us. So the Church is invisible to this world, but a part of it can be occasionally seen in the form of an assembled congregation. Watching invisible things is also the essential part of a congregational meeting. When Jesus defined what an assembling congregation means He told that He himself will be there as the invisible man. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Mt.18:20 The assembled believers don't see Jesus among them, but however He is there, if the congregation is assembled in His name.
But have you turned to the invisible one or only to the visible? In many cases it is so that the unseen has not given birth to their faith, but a church, which they see, has done it. The Bible says their faith was born after the flesh.
Sarah and Hagar
The Bible tells us that Sarah is the figure of the mother of those who are born by God's promise and Hagar is the figure of the mother of those who think they are the children of the promise. Paul says: "Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children." Ga.4:25
Come on Paul, what are you speaking about! Is Sarah not the mother of the Israeli but Hagar? Okay, if you are a Jew, on what basis are you that? Have you a covenant with God by the Messiah or only by your descent or by your own decision? If you don't believe that Jesus is the Messiah, then from the viewpoint of the covenants Sarah is not your mother but Hagar. "These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants." Ga.4:24
Sarah needed her maid, but Hagar should have stayed in her position and not give birth to children of Abraham. Also God needed Israel so that He could bring the Messiah into the world, but it doesn't make all the Israeli members of God's nation. In the same way the Church of God needs associations for its activities, but also they must remain in their position and not be considered churches of God, because otherwise also they begin to give birth to slaves of religion.
God made a covenant also with Hagar - for the sake of Abraham, but there is no promise of eternal life in that covenant. The promise has to do only with earthly life. In the same way God has blessed the earthly Israel in the worldly things. They have been allowed to return to their country - for the sake of Jesus. In the same way God has blessed the earthly Christianity in the worldly things - for the sake of the invisible Church.
Islamism proclaims that Hagar and Ishmael are the right beginning of God's nation. Because Paul said to us that the Jews of our days live in the spirit of Hagar, thus these religions, Islamism and Jewishness are born from the same spirit. Many don't believe this, because these religions are so much fighting against each other. The children of the same mother can stand against each other until their father puts them in order.
When Antichrist comes he will unite all religiousness that has been born after the flesh. Then Islamism, Jewishness and ordinary Christianity will be united as one religion. It is so because these three have the same mother, Hagar.
When those who belong to Jesus don't consider their associations anymore the churches of God, believers assembling in the different places will recognize each other and heaven will come down in their meetings.
The Bible tells us that Sarah is the figure of the mother of those who are born by God's promise and Hagar is the figure of the mother of those who think they are the children of the promise. Paul says: "Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children." Ga.4:25
Come on Paul, what are you speaking about! Is Sarah not the mother of the Israeli but Hagar? Okay, if you are a Jew, on what basis are you that? Have you a covenant with God by the Messiah or only by your descent or by your own decision? If you don't believe that Jesus is the Messiah, then from the viewpoint of the covenants Sarah is not your mother but Hagar. "These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants." Ga.4:24
Sarah needed her maid, but Hagar should have stayed in her position and not give birth to children of Abraham. Also God needed Israel so that He could bring the Messiah into the world, but it doesn't make all the Israeli members of God's nation. In the same way the Church of God needs associations for its activities, but also they must remain in their position and not be considered churches of God, because otherwise also they begin to give birth to slaves of religion.
God made a covenant also with Hagar - for the sake of Abraham, but there is no promise of eternal life in that covenant. The promise has to do only with earthly life. In the same way God has blessed the earthly Israel in the worldly things. They have been allowed to return to their country - for the sake of Jesus. In the same way God has blessed the earthly Christianity in the worldly things - for the sake of the invisible Church.
Islamism proclaims that Hagar and Ishmael are the right beginning of God's nation. Because Paul said to us that the Jews of our days live in the spirit of Hagar, thus these religions, Islamism and Jewishness are born from the same spirit. Many don't believe this, because these religions are so much fighting against each other. The children of the same mother can stand against each other until their father puts them in order.
When Antichrist comes he will unite all religiousness that has been born after the flesh. Then Islamism, Jewishness and ordinary Christianity will be united as one religion. It is so because these three have the same mother, Hagar.
When those who belong to Jesus don't consider their associations anymore the churches of God, believers assembling in the different places will recognize each other and heaven will come down in their meetings.
The heavenly mother
The headquarters of the Church of God is in the heavenly Jerusalem. "But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: 'Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labour pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.'" Ga.4:26-27
How can the heavenly Jerusalem be your mother? If the promise of the gospel caused you to turn to the unseen Jesus, then the heaven gave you birth. You were born again, from above. Jesus says: "No-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, (from above)." (Actually the Greek Bible says "gennethe anothen" which means "born from above". The Finnish Bible mentions the word "from above = ylhäältä". The Greek word "anothen" has both meanings: from above and again.) Joh.3:3
If you turned to a church, then it gave you birth. An authoritative church attracts people much more than an unseen Church. Many believers think that it is not possible to do successful congregational work without an organization that is considered the Church of God. However at the end it will be concluded that "more are the children of the desolate one".
Be glad if your name is written in heaven. Of course it is written there, if you were born there. The birth certificate of the heavenly Zion guarantees the only citizenship that is worthy of seeking. "Indeed, of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.' The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: 'This one was born in Zion.'" Ps.87:5-6
The heavenly citizenship sets us free from patriotism and religiousness. Awareness of belonging to the heavenly community makes us wait for the coming of Jesus. "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Php.3:20
If a believer considers an earthly church the Church of God he doesn't honour his mother. If one's faith was born after the flesh, his worldly church is his true mother and he has nothing to do with the heavenly Jerusalem.
The headquarters of the Church of God is in the heavenly Jerusalem. "But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: 'Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labour pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.'" Ga.4:26-27
How can the heavenly Jerusalem be your mother? If the promise of the gospel caused you to turn to the unseen Jesus, then the heaven gave you birth. You were born again, from above. Jesus says: "No-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, (from above)." (Actually the Greek Bible says "gennethe anothen" which means "born from above". The Finnish Bible mentions the word "from above = ylhäältä". The Greek word "anothen" has both meanings: from above and again.) Joh.3:3
If you turned to a church, then it gave you birth. An authoritative church attracts people much more than an unseen Church. Many believers think that it is not possible to do successful congregational work without an organization that is considered the Church of God. However at the end it will be concluded that "more are the children of the desolate one".
Be glad if your name is written in heaven. Of course it is written there, if you were born there. The birth certificate of the heavenly Zion guarantees the only citizenship that is worthy of seeking. "Indeed, of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.' The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: 'This one was born in Zion.'" Ps.87:5-6
The heavenly citizenship sets us free from patriotism and religiousness. Awareness of belonging to the heavenly community makes us wait for the coming of Jesus. "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Php.3:20
If a believer considers an earthly church the Church of God he doesn't honour his mother. If one's faith was born after the flesh, his worldly church is his true mother and he has nothing to do with the heavenly Jerusalem.
Congregational association
The unseen Church doesn't need an association, because it is "one body" organized by the Holy Spirit. God has arranged the members of the Church body the way He has wanted. It is the task of the assembling congregation to recognize and to accept these services given by God.
However an assembling congregation can need an earthly association for its activities. Don't mix up the services of the association with the congregational services. Normally this mix-up is the basis for considering an association the Church.
Services of a Christian association are not congregational services. The treasurer of an association can have any congregational service, e.g. a prophet or an overseer or any other. However everyone should take care that serving the association doesn't hinder acting in the congregational service.
If the association is considered the Church, then they try to combine the spiritual and worldly services. For instance only elders and overseers are chosen to be the board members of the executive committee of the association. The services given by God are for the whole body of the Church. They are not the property of any human organization.
The Bible tells that the apostles appointed elders for each local church: "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust." Ac.14:23
These appointments were not based on their own choosing of the apostles, but the Spirit of God told them who was chosen by God. This is proven by what Paul said to the elders of the church of Ephesus: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Ac.20:28
They kept watching over the flock which the Holy Spirit gave them. So they didn't tend the persons whose names are listed in the membership register of the Christian association, but the persons who were given them by heaven. Put your congregational service into practice in the Holy Spirit and be not restricted by the human commissions. However you cannot do it, if you don't see the unseen Church.
It is sad, if you are only able to rejoice at the names in the register of the congregational association, but you cannot rejoice at the persons who came to faith as new members of the Church. If you see the unseen Church, you can rejoice at all believers and at new names in the book of life.
The unseen Church doesn't need an association, because it is "one body" organized by the Holy Spirit. God has arranged the members of the Church body the way He has wanted. It is the task of the assembling congregation to recognize and to accept these services given by God.
However an assembling congregation can need an earthly association for its activities. Don't mix up the services of the association with the congregational services. Normally this mix-up is the basis for considering an association the Church.
Services of a Christian association are not congregational services. The treasurer of an association can have any congregational service, e.g. a prophet or an overseer or any other. However everyone should take care that serving the association doesn't hinder acting in the congregational service.
If the association is considered the Church, then they try to combine the spiritual and worldly services. For instance only elders and overseers are chosen to be the board members of the executive committee of the association. The services given by God are for the whole body of the Church. They are not the property of any human organization.
The Bible tells that the apostles appointed elders for each local church: "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust." Ac.14:23
These appointments were not based on their own choosing of the apostles, but the Spirit of God told them who was chosen by God. This is proven by what Paul said to the elders of the church of Ephesus: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Ac.20:28
They kept watching over the flock which the Holy Spirit gave them. So they didn't tend the persons whose names are listed in the membership register of the Christian association, but the persons who were given them by heaven. Put your congregational service into practice in the Holy Spirit and be not restricted by the human commissions. However you cannot do it, if you don't see the unseen Church.
It is sad, if you are only able to rejoice at the names in the register of the congregational association, but you cannot rejoice at the persons who came to faith as new members of the Church. If you see the unseen Church, you can rejoice at all believers and at new names in the book of life.
Heart on things above
If you were born from above, you are able to seek those things which are above. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col.3:1-2
When a congregation assembled on earth gets a connection with its heavenly headquarters those present experience fellowship with each other through the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus believers have a sense of community not only with those present, but with all the members of the Church body. Thus there is no reason to build up any denomination.
All those who belong to Jesus in the same area form the local Church of God (ekklesia in Greek). Normally they belong to many assembling congregations (synagoge in Greek), which have their own associations.
Many believers have had the dream that all the believers of the same area would belong to the same congregational association. However denominations separate believers from each other and hinder this dream from coming true. Why do they want to have a visible local Church? Therefore, that the world would see how all the Christians are one and would believe in Jesus.
They want to have only one local Christian association so that they could have a good reason to say that this is the only correct church of God here. The prayer of Jesus, "that they may be one" doesn't mean that they all should be in one earthly organization. However it is natural that faith based on visible things understands it in this way.
What would it happen, if all the believers of an area who assemble in different places, would cease to consider their association a church and would proclaim that their activities are only one part of the actions of the local Church of God? Then they would more easily find practical co-operation in the Holy Spirit, when these associations would not cause any more disorder in the Church of Jesus.
If they all would make it clear in their activity area that they belong to the Church of Jesus, then outsiders would realize that although the believers assemble in many places they actually are one church of Jesus. This would be an answer to Jesus' prayer: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." Joh.17:22-23
If the believers of an assembling congregation decide to deprive their association of the status of the church, they put into practice the following word: "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Ga.4:30
Actually in this way they only cast out Hagar. Her children leave the congregation by themselves soon after they notice the "dangerous" atmosphere of freedom. Some of them can stay and spy the freedom of the children of the promise, but their requirements must not be met. "This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you." Gal.2:4-5
If you were born from above, you are able to seek those things which are above. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col.3:1-2
When a congregation assembled on earth gets a connection with its heavenly headquarters those present experience fellowship with each other through the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus believers have a sense of community not only with those present, but with all the members of the Church body. Thus there is no reason to build up any denomination.
All those who belong to Jesus in the same area form the local Church of God (ekklesia in Greek). Normally they belong to many assembling congregations (synagoge in Greek), which have their own associations.
Many believers have had the dream that all the believers of the same area would belong to the same congregational association. However denominations separate believers from each other and hinder this dream from coming true. Why do they want to have a visible local Church? Therefore, that the world would see how all the Christians are one and would believe in Jesus.
They want to have only one local Christian association so that they could have a good reason to say that this is the only correct church of God here. The prayer of Jesus, "that they may be one" doesn't mean that they all should be in one earthly organization. However it is natural that faith based on visible things understands it in this way.
What would it happen, if all the believers of an area who assemble in different places, would cease to consider their association a church and would proclaim that their activities are only one part of the actions of the local Church of God? Then they would more easily find practical co-operation in the Holy Spirit, when these associations would not cause any more disorder in the Church of Jesus.
If they all would make it clear in their activity area that they belong to the Church of Jesus, then outsiders would realize that although the believers assemble in many places they actually are one church of Jesus. This would be an answer to Jesus' prayer: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." Joh.17:22-23
If the believers of an assembling congregation decide to deprive their association of the status of the church, they put into practice the following word: "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Ga.4:30
Actually in this way they only cast out Hagar. Her children leave the congregation by themselves soon after they notice the "dangerous" atmosphere of freedom. Some of them can stay and spy the freedom of the children of the promise, but their requirements must not be met. "This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you." Gal.2:4-5
Do you obey the invisible or the visible?
What kind of a faith do you have, if the visible things drive your activities? Are you inspired to build the Church of God based on what you see? The faith that Jesus has given us obeys things that we cannot now see. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb.11:1
We are so greatly impressed by all we see, that we quite naturally follow its lead. Therefore we must meet the invisible God to be able to obey Him.
Listening to the gospel gives us the faith in Jesus. If we are certain that Jesus lives, we speak to Him and put our trust in Him in all our matters. Many have got the gift of faith, but they have not used it for obeying the invisible God. Instead they have started to change their faith suitable for what they see. When they changed the faith given by the gospel, they lost the strength it gave them.
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" Joh.20:29 Faith and invisibility are the essential part of the salvation plan of God. The faith in what we cannot see produces the deeds of God which everybody can see. God's good deeds in His own are meant to give proof of the existence of the invisible world. If they are made to give proof of the godliness of the visible church, it is a great injustice.
The sinful mind regards an association as the Church of God. A congregation gathered together with this mind is not able to produce believers who walk in the Spirit of God. Those, who remain with this mind, remain carnal, and they cannot make progress in following Jesus.
What kind of a faith do you have, if the visible things drive your activities? Are you inspired to build the Church of God based on what you see? The faith that Jesus has given us obeys things that we cannot now see. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb.11:1
We are so greatly impressed by all we see, that we quite naturally follow its lead. Therefore we must meet the invisible God to be able to obey Him.
Listening to the gospel gives us the faith in Jesus. If we are certain that Jesus lives, we speak to Him and put our trust in Him in all our matters. Many have got the gift of faith, but they have not used it for obeying the invisible God. Instead they have started to change their faith suitable for what they see. When they changed the faith given by the gospel, they lost the strength it gave them.
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" Joh.20:29 Faith and invisibility are the essential part of the salvation plan of God. The faith in what we cannot see produces the deeds of God which everybody can see. God's good deeds in His own are meant to give proof of the existence of the invisible world. If they are made to give proof of the godliness of the visible church, it is a great injustice.
The sinful mind regards an association as the Church of God. A congregation gathered together with this mind is not able to produce believers who walk in the Spirit of God. Those, who remain with this mind, remain carnal, and they cannot make progress in following Jesus.
Open his eyes
In the days of Elisha the enemies of Israel surrounded the city where he was. Then Elisha said to his servant who was afraid: "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'" 2Ki.6:16
The servant of Elisha was like Thomas, the apostle who was allowed to see so that he could believe. Elisha prayed to God: "'O LORD, open his eyes so that he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha." 2Ki.6:17
John, the apostle proclaims that those who belong to Jesus have the same kind of comfort as Elisha had: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1Jo.4:4
Who are those we have overcome? John is speaking about Antichristians. "This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1Jo.4:3 When the beast of the Revelation and Antichrist appear the hearts of believers can be filled with fear. Then faith in the invisible God is needed for getting over your fear. Our enemy is weak but with us is the Almighty, glorious Lord.
Man Jesus Christ sits now on the Throne of God. He died once on the cross for every human being, so that everyone who believes in Him could be saved. Soon He will come back onto the earth and will take all governmental powers here and everyone is allowed to see Him.
Thus see the truth that everyone of us must one day face what now is invisible to us.
In the days of Elisha the enemies of Israel surrounded the city where he was. Then Elisha said to his servant who was afraid: "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'" 2Ki.6:16
The servant of Elisha was like Thomas, the apostle who was allowed to see so that he could believe. Elisha prayed to God: "'O LORD, open his eyes so that he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha." 2Ki.6:17
John, the apostle proclaims that those who belong to Jesus have the same kind of comfort as Elisha had: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1Jo.4:4
Who are those we have overcome? John is speaking about Antichristians. "This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1Jo.4:3 When the beast of the Revelation and Antichrist appear the hearts of believers can be filled with fear. Then faith in the invisible God is needed for getting over your fear. Our enemy is weak but with us is the Almighty, glorious Lord.
Man Jesus Christ sits now on the Throne of God. He died once on the cross for every human being, so that everyone who believes in Him could be saved. Soon He will come back onto the earth and will take all governmental powers here and everyone is allowed to see Him.
Thus see the truth that everyone of us must one day face what now is invisible to us.
The Bible version used in references is NIV