FOR FAIR USE EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES

Link of article or video : http://www.godsswordoftruth.com/Unityofthebodyofchrist.htm


Hello all,

With so much happening in the world, reflecting the end times darkness, and most, if not all, news and articles are about how bad things are and how we need to be prepared. It is good to take the time to reflect on the Good News, and what it means for us, as those who have come out of the lukewarm churches of religion and traditions of men, to find Truth. We might need reminding about what Christ intended for His “church”…and who the elect really are.

Sites like this one, serve as fellowship in most of our lives now, at least it does in my situation. With this in mind, I wanted to change the focus and dwell on this Good News, and I think the following article is a worthy reminder of what our Lord and Savior did for us to make it possible for us to, SOON, live with Him forever. And also a reminder of what "church" is not... it is not about religion nor is it a social club.

God gave us His Son, and His Son gave us the Holy Spirit by which we can have direct contact with the Father through the Spirit. How Great is our God!

##############################

Spiritual Unity of the Body of Christ

By Raymond Laginess
~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~-

“AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: WHO IS THE BEGINNING, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD; THAT IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.” – COL. 1:18

~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~- ~-

Christ did NOT come to earth to establish a “religion”, a “church system”, or “mystical body” as the Catholic church teaches, nor was He going to share His reason with man or a woman. Based on His Word, Jesus Christ came to fulfill a promise to open the gates of heaven – closed by man’s sin (Adam and Eve in the Garden).

Christ came to take care of the sin nature that Satan gave to man. All sin had to be dealt with and to be paid for – that is why Jesus used His blood on the tree to cover our sins so that the Lord God could fellowship with us again. All sin breaks our covenant with the Creator. No system, rules, sacraments, religious catechisms, or Jewish commandments could save mankind. It took an act of love from the Creator, a plan to renew our contact with the Lord God, His plan to take back what Adam and Eve gave to Satan when he lied to them in the Garden of Eden. Adam (and Eve) gave Satan (who became known as the “Prince of the earth”) the title deed to earth and its creation when they believed his lie and sinned.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law). Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” (Romans 5:12-15).

God established the salvation of His elect by another Man, the second and last Adam, who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who came to this earth, reclaiming this act (the title deed to earth), and, for good reason - He paid for our sins by His shed blood on the tree (His crucifixion) (“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” – Eph. 1:7.), which is why the body of Christ (the Church) was purchased and saved by Him so that we could obtain our salvation and the final dwelling place He prepared for us – “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” – I Corinthians 2:9

When the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth, He created the spiritual system of what we call “The Body of Christ” – the beginning of the membership of the family of God. Keep in mind, when He came, He established HIS CHURCH by choosing 12 disciples, all Jews just as Jesus was, and commissioned them to teach and guide His Church. He didn’t tell them to go and ‘build’ a Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Lutheran church, – NO – He told them: “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world…” Amen. ( Matt. 28:18-20)

The Lord Jesus never meant the “church” to be a social club. What He gave to the world was the living Word, the Gospel of Christ, to be carried to the whole world, Jesus said: – “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” –( Mark 16:15 )
It is written “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matt. 18:20. Jesus never joined a group of believers, but went to the lost sheep – “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” – Matt. 18:11. No Apostle, nor Disciple, not even Paul, joined a group but did instruct and guide the believers in truth.

Jesus wrote seven letters(Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3) to the believers from the period of His Ascension into heaven to His return, in other words, to the believers from the Book of Acts to His Second Coming, which was the entire history of the Church, the body of Christ, for the past 2000 years. If you read it, you will see that He names these believers by area, or city name, NOT by religions names, such as Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, etc.

Now, following the death of Jesus Christ, just before He went back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) to teach and guide all the souls in the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Advocate of the Lord Jesus, and it is Jesus Christ Who is being represented by the Holy Spirit, yet everything the Spirit does, is done for the sake of the unity of His body.

Now, our Advocate, the Holy Spirit who dwells in the believers, adds to the Church daily, uniting all to one Body. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” – I Corinthians 12:13. As God the Father: “….hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints…” (Col. 1: 12), it is the Holy Spirit Who safeguards the estate.

The body of Christ on earth IS ONE body, and ONE Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One Word, One God and Father of all (See Eph. 4:2-10). There are NO religions, schisms, or man-made systems in heaven, JUST Christians – the Lord’s people (the BODY OF CHRIST). There are NOT many doors to heaven, not even many roads, there is just ONE WAY, and that way is by JESUS CHRIST. If two do not agree, they can’t walk together.

Each soul must make a choice how they will live – and must, by faith, hear the WORD, believe in the WORD, and be born again of the Spirit, then each will change into an immortal soul to be judged of his/her stewardship (life on earth) and be given rewards (crowns) for one’s works of faith, and then to be with Jesus forever.

All religions on earth have misled and misguided the souls. Religion has given souls a false hope and a false faith in an earthly god of works and self-righteousness. It’s Satan all over again, just like when he gave the Jews a false religion of flesh and phony works, so that by the time Christ, the Messiah came, they couldn’t even recognize Him and never knew Him. They rejected and killed Him.

Satan is doing it again with his religions and false prophets, especially the TV (so called) miracle workers, and its women preachers who put on a fancy show, in their expensive clothing, for their unsaved followers. These are no different than the scribes, Pharisee and guides that Jesus warned us about (Read Matthew, Chapter 23, all of it). Jesus said: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Mat. 24:4) Read all of Jude and there you will see the many warnings against corrupt teachers, and doctrinal heresies it’s all there. People, get with it, and give up the false prophets and money hungry preachers, for you can only gain hell from their teachings. Pray that the Holy Spirit guide you in truth, read His Word and you’ll find truth.

All Christians have a gift of faith and can find truth in the Word He left us by the Holy Spirit. No man on this earth could do this for us, other then the head of the body, i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ. It is everyone’s choice as to how they exercise their faith in their daily life. But, before the Holy Spirit can guide us, we must give up control of our life and pray the Holy Spirit guide and teach us. He will even guide us to holiness when we listen to Him. He is our teacher and friend.

It is He (Holy Spirit) that Jesus gives us for power on earth over evil forces (Satan). It is the Holy Spirit that knows our heart and brings us to Jesus in Salvation when we let Him in. You can never find Jesus unless the Spirit brings you to Him. He will add to the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit leads, guides, picks and teaches all who are Christ’s. Do you want to be under spiritual bondage? “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16). You know the old saying – ‘if you fail to yield, you pay the consequences’, and that is exactly why some Christians in the body of Christ fail to function – they do not yield control to the Holy Spirit.

There is no act or works that man can do to save himself. It is by faith in Jesus Christ and His completed work on the cross that we are saved. For by putting on Jesus Christ we are made holy and un blamable – “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Col. 2:8-10.

Attending a church building, or having fellowship does not mean you have salvation, when there is of no value of either when you stand before the throne of God. There is no yoke of bondage (not even giving of a tithe) to being a Christian, it’s just love for Christ for the things He did on the tree for us, believing, living, and trusting in Him, for He is real. Live Jesus Christ every day, not once or twice a week. When you are free in Christ, you are free indeed, it is finished.

Our true fellowship will be in heaven with Christ Jesus for all eternity – “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. I John 5:11-12. As you can see, the body of Christ (born-again believers) is called to divine fellowship by God: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Co. 1:9).

Since the very existence of the body of Christ, it has always been a heavenly spiritual group of believers that are the true family of God, which will live forever in a new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, as told us by His Word – 2 Peter 3:13 – “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, where-in dwelleth righteousness. The new heaven and earth are not here at this point, but will be created at a later time when the Lord so appoints it to occur. One day God will present to the body of Christ, a New Heaven, and a New Earth to enjoy as originally set forth in His Word.

The present group of believers, today’s true body of Christ, are the ones that will (soon) be taken out of the world, and will be small in number and probably not even be missed. This “Rapture” (taking out of the saints) will happen just prior to when the wrath of God will be poured out upon all the earth. It could happen at any time because everything is ready for this event. Just look at the state of this world today? Homosexuality, lesbianism (Sodom and Gomorrah all over again), children being raped and murdered (some by their own family members), pornography on the web and a close second on TV (even commercials are porn) and these things are happening today people, look around you. The Lord God knows what is going on in this earth and He will recompense punishment, for it seems that everything is ready for this event.

The whole plan of the Lord God was geared toward repentance of sin, believing on Him, and judgment – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15. Now, His reward for those that are His will be eternal life on a new heaven and earth.

Neither religion, nor man or woman has anything to do with it. One cannot earn it, or buy it, not even by doing good works, or thinking you are self righteousness by belonging to a church system or fellowship. Your flesh must be born again into a spiritual body and your life controlled by the Holy Spirit. There is only ONE door to salvation and Jesus. You must go HIS way only, and it’s ONE WAY and you need nothing of this earth to get you there.

The body of Christ on earth is a temporary group, not meant to last. While on earth they are going to be persecuted, imprisoned, and killed for Jesus sake. It is written – “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:18-19, therefore, if they hated Christ, they will hate the Christian. If you are a Christian and the world DOES love you and fellowships with you, then YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.

If you are Christian, your blood family will NOT know you, nor will they want ANYTHING to do with you – they will think you are nuts or crazy and they will persecute you – as Jesus said: “…If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” – John 15:20-21. It’s such a small price to pay after what Christ did for you.

If you are His, your final heavenly home has been prepared for you and He said that He “will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3. I’m ready for my mansion in heaven, how about you? There will be a new heaven and earth, for this earth will melt away as will also the heavens will pass away with a great noise – Read 2 Peter 3:10. Remember Jesus made a way for ALL creation, He paid for ALL sins.

Now, for all you people with white collars around your neck with big titles, expensive suits and cars, rock music and phony gospel words along with your voodoo yelling and rolling around, is nothing more than Satan’s antics and misguided phoniness. Your faith is by tradition and customs, all on the out side, one of dead works, cold and bare of love, but guess what, the Lord will say to you: “…Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” – Matt. 25:12. You wave your hands and hold your heads high for man to see in the daytime, but in your own house at night you curse and drink just to get high on Satan’s sins of lust. And, just what is your sin? DISBELIEF? (John 3:18) - UNBELIEF? (John 15:22) - IDOLATRY? (Matt. 4:10) - PRIDE? (John 5:44) - LOSS OF FIRST LOVE OR LUKEWARMNESS? (Rev. 3:15-16) – or Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, Envyings, Murders, Drunkenness, Revellings, and such like?

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:6-8. If you are living in the flesh or have been lukewarm in your spiritual walk, you immediately need to ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness and for the renewal of your spiritual walk. Don’t be blinded by Satan, repent now while it is yet this very moment, before it’s too late. Begin your daily walk with Him TODAY.

Do NOT follow any man or religion, and, if any man tells you that you must follow him, his religion or denomination, then RUN, RUN AWAY FROM THIS MAN AND HIS RELIGION. Follow ONLY the Holy Spirit in faith and truth by His Word because He is our spiritual head, our teacher and leader. Listen to Him ONLY, because it is He Who gives us power to overcome Satan and persevere.

When the fullness of time arrives, the Lord God will come for His Church, are you a member of the body of Christ, one of His? If you are a member of the true church (body of Christ) and Jesus Christ dwells in you, you will then recognize the unity of the body of Christ according to His Word:

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:21-23

##########################

Just an interesting side note….when spellchecking this post, the word “church” was deemed incorrect when the word “Catholic” was used before it! It is wrong if not capitalized!! This is the only use of the word “church” this happens with…not Baptist, nor Evangelical church or any other, only Catholic….big religion so engrained in our culture. It is good for us to remember a couple of very religious people and groups that had the spirit of antichrist…Cain and Nimrod, and the religious leaders of Christ’s day. Seems most of our leaders are in one of these camps and this spirit seems to be taking over the whole world.

Religion is of the flesh, and Truth is of the Spirit! We are called to come out of religion…and into Truth.

Agape!

JESUS IS ALL AND EVERYTHING!!

Patti C.

Hello all,

Just bumping this up as a reminder of the Good News and Unity...in a world where bad news is the order of the Day and division seems to reign supreme!

JESUS IS OUR ONLY HOPE, ONLY INSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE AND THE REASON WE ARE IN THIS WORD AT THIS TIME!!

May we, as His followers be United in His Name and Filled with His Love, as we share His Word and fight the Good fight. It will not be long now...

Patti C.