Clark's Corner

In this century, we have seen the rise of "noble sounding" slogans, catch-phrases, formulas, and gimmicks, which are completely "anti-Christ". Meaning, these things which religious men tell God's people to do INSTEAD of worshipping in Spirit and in truth, are not from the Spirit of Jesus, and thus, they are "antichrist".

Take for example, the often quoted plea for unbelievers to "make Jesus the Lord of your life". Sounds appropriately reverential, but comes from darkness. Jesus is already Lord of everybody's life. We can't make Jesus anything! The Father Himself made Jesus "both Lord and Christ", and there is nothing we can add to it or take from it. It is done. Jesus is Lord of all. But to hear some preach, one might think that in speaking to sinners, we are speaking to people over which He is NOT Lord. Listen my friends... Jesus is Lord even over the devil himself. "All power", Jesus said, "in heaven and earth is given to me". But to suggest that we may somehow "make Jesus Lord" of our lives, appeals to the arrogant pride which resides comfortably in human flesh. It attributes to mortals, the power of God, Who alone "made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). Amen.

Another foolish and unscriptural saying in vogue is "accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour". When I hear words such as these, it causes me to shake my head at the church's unsatiable appetite for undeserved honor. We, accept Him??!!?? According to the Bible the greater accepts the lesser, as the weary Job asked his proud friends, "Will you accept His person?" (Job 13:8). God forbid. But doesn't it sound "so holy" just to make the plea, to "accept the Lord Jesus as your personal savior"? WE are the ones commanded to make straight paths for HIS feet! God has no fear of us. We are to fear Him.

And that brings us to a current idea, which is just as foolish: "joining the church". If you have "joined a church", you have been "entangled with" and "deluded" by the Spirit of antichrist, for he delights in men attempting to do something that only God can do. We are to be church members, but of no other church than the one Jesus brings us into! So how does one "become a church member"?

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13).

"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Rom.8:9).

"And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." (1Jn.3:24).

Receiving the Spirit or being baptized into Christ. It is the "same" event. That is how one becomes a "Church member". And there is no other way. When Jesus washes a man's sins away by his blood, that man is, at that moment, as much a church member as he ever can be. As much as any apostle, or any other person from the very beginning of the Church on the day of Pentecost.

Then to teach any of God's children they should "join a church" detracts from the holy work of Jesus, and robs Jesus of the honor which belongs to no one but him. "I am the door", cried Jesus, "He that...climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (Jn.10:1). To claim the authority to take people into a church is a mockery of the Lordship of Jesus.

I believe in the government of the body of Christ. I am deeply grateful for the ones who have been my overseers, and I have submitted myself to them as unto those who must give account. But government is one thing, while organizing to the point that we think we can consider who "is a member" and "who is not" - regardless of what the Head of the church has done for them - is altogether another. How much longer will Jesus endure the dishonor brought to him by those in His body?

What does singing lovely songs of praise mean to a Lord whose exclusive right to grant church membership has been denied by those same ones? God is in no need of our flattery. He wants obedience.

If you are involved in any congregation that has a "church membership" you are doing despite to the grace of God. If you are part of any group that teaches a person can be "born again" (or put into the church), WITHOUT receiving the baptism that puts one INTO the church (That is the baptism of the holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues - read 1Cor.12:3, 13), you are dangerously entangled in "Babylon". It is confusion and the Spirit is saying, "come out of her my people". How you receive this truth will tell you how much you really love Jesus and His Church.

Remember, Satan has a church also. It looks very much like God's church, except that God is not fooled "by appearances". He knows the heart, and "gives the holy Ghost (makes one a member of the church) to all who obey him (Acts 5:32)."

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