by Pastor Stanley Farrar II
We see some dangerous trends in our society as a whole. It has come to the place where people will condone anything but the truth. The reason they our so resistant to the truth is that truth makes us believe and live a very specific way. This eliminates the ability of man to live and function as he deems fit but limits all conduct to a higher code. We see this throughout society, people are constantly condemning Christians for believing and standing on that higher code of conduct. We find ourselves called judgmental for calling sin a sin. It is not that we are being judgmental, God has laid out His laws for all to see. To call a sin a sin is to sound forth a warning to the perishing to turn before it is too late. When a person is in a burning building do we ignore them and say they have the right to believe that the building is not on fire? Oh, what a blind and callous society. We have dozens of groups trying to save this animal or that, while humans plunge head long toward hell.
We see this attitude has infiltrated the church. There are many that the devil has convinced not to make a public stand for anything for fear of being labeled uncompassionate. So they strive through life watching their loved ones condemn their souls and saying nothing. Where is the compassion in this? (Ezekiel 3:17 -21) "17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." We see here that if we warn them and they turn then we have saved a soul but if we don't warn them then their blood is upon our hands. This doesn't leave a lot of room for overlooking sin or for that matter false teaching. I realize that this is not always well received by those who have gone astray. After all this is why they killed the prophets of old. But it doesn't diminish our responsibilities to sound forth the truth in this lost and dying world.
We were warned that these days would come. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." We see that we do live that time now. This is one reason why there are so many deadly fables being taught from the pulpits of so called churches today. Through these they convince people that they can sin and still see God. This violates what the scripture teaches, in fact the scripture teaches the opposite. (Hebrews 12:14) 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"Hebrews 10:23-27) "23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." As we can see the scripture tells us to provoke each other to good works for if we sin we have no more sacrifice (i.e. our sin is not covered) and this is destruction. To go into eternity with sin in our lives is to condemn our souls and it matters not if we have been saved once or not. So dear reader if you have sin that has not been covered by the blood of Jesus, this is the day of salvation. (Revelation 2:5) "5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (1 John 2:1 -3) "1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Bring those sins to Jesus and get them washed in the blood of the Lamb." This removes the sin from your life, then live for Him.
We find the devil uses a doctrine of works teaching people that they can work their way to heaven. But Salvation is a gift and it is freely given, not something that we can earn. (Ephesians 2:8-9) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." We are given salvation but we maintain it through obedience. We cannot work our way in nor can we get there by doing nothing. (James 2:17) "17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." So while salvation is a free gift it is not a free ride, for we must then live for God.
The devil also uses emotionalism and rationalism to draw people away from the truth of the word of God. I have heard many relying on how they feel to determine whether something is of God or not, but feelings go up and down like a roller coaster. This is not the way to determine if something is of God. The rational approach removes any place for faith. Both are extremely dangerous approaches. The bible tells us to try the spirits. (1 John 4:1) "1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." To try the spirits we must verify that what they are telling us matches what the Word has to say. If what they are saying disagrees with what the bible has to say then is doesn't matter how good it makes you feel or how logical it sounds, it is not of God. The devil spreads many fables and gets people to believe that they are of God. This is a major problem and one that cannot be avoided if we are unwilling to take a stand.
Remember that to take a stand one has to have a place to stand. Our knowledge of the Word of God will give us a place to stand for the inspired Word was given so we could know God and know how we are to live and believe. Many people want to believe that people have the right to believe as they see fit. This to is one of those dangerous fables, for we only have the right to believe what God tells us to believe. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." As we see the Word is given for both instruction and reproof and gives us a doctrine as to what to believe. This requires us to make a stand for the truth but it also requires us to know what the bible has to say. This doesn't allow us to preach to tickle mens ears. It also doesn't allow us to believe just anything. We are to know the truth and believe the truth. Sadly, many ministers today care more about what they think or what others think than about what the bible has to say on the subject. Due to this line of thinking they are not able to be a watchman, warning people of the dangers to their souls. Due either to their unwillingness or to their ignorance they stand back and watch as souls are lost to hell; thus finding themselves spiritually adrift.
We as Christians are called to be Christ's witnesses. If we allow the world to convince us to be silent we are not being Christ's witnesses, but are condoning the evil that is taking place around us. God has left us here on the earth not to be part of the world but to bring His Word and love to the world. If we do not take a stand we are not being the watchmen that God has called all Christians to be. Take a stand for the truth while there is still hope, for to reject the truth is to reject God! Let's not stand before God with the blood of others on our hands but as good and faithful servants who not only know the truth but share the truth in love to a world that is dying in the dark. Let us give them God's glorious light. Now is the time to take a stand for God.
What is it all about and
what is the reason for it existence?
By Dr. Stanley Farrar
Church of God, what is it all about and why does it exist? Well, there is no way to explain what it is all about in one short article. There is far too many facets to the very existence of the Church of God, but we can narrow the question down to why does it exist. It is a divinely organized institution, established by our Lord Himself. In the book of Matthew we find Jesus asking His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" After giving Him a number of answers to that question, He asks "Who then do you say that I am?" Peter then speaks and gives an answer which only a person that has received a revelation of God could have given. (Matthew 16:16-17)"17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Only as the Heavenly Father reveals it to us can we possibly know the truth of the existence of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Just as the Father revealed to Peter the truth and gave him the understanding to know that Jesus truly is the Son of God and that He was the one that came from God to be our atonement for sin. Only through Jesus Christ can we have that salvation that was brought down to man. Without Him there is no hope for the future nor is there any salvation of man. Only through the blood sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, can man be made whole and without sin. The sacrifice that Jesus made is the only one that is acceptable to God to satisfy the atonement for sin. In His coming to the earth and living as man, Jesus had purpose for those things that He did. He came to seek that which was lost, reconciling man back to the Holy God, revealing the Father to man. He also came as a healing God, providing the divine personal healing for all that would have faith in Him. He meets all of our needs no matter what they may be. Note, I did not say He meets all of our wants, there is a huge difference between needs and wants. He came to be our Savior and Lord throughout all the ages. In being this, He established the Kingdom of God, of which the Church is the visible arm of the Kingdom of God.
In considering the Kingdom of God and the Church, we need to realize that the Kingdom of God is all of the redeemed of all ages. This includes those who have already gone on to meet their rewards with Christ. Therefore, the Kingdom of God stretches from the very beginning of time throughout eternity. The Church, on the other hand was established at the time that Jesus was incarnate in the flesh and walked upon the earth and it was inaugurated on the day of Pentecost in the upper room when the disciples of Jesus were all gathered together in one accord.
(Acts 2:1-4) "1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Jesus established the Church and the Holy Spirit empowered it from on high. Without recognizing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and believing on Him, the Church cannot exist. Without the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in her, she has no power. But, when the Church believes and lets the Holy Spirit rule and direct, then she is a life giving force reaching out into the world giving life to those dead in sin. The Church is not confined to one locale or to one group of persons. The Church takes in all those who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives, or are born again by the Spirit of God. Acts 2:47 tells us how we become a part of that great Church Jesus established. (Acts 2:47) "47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
The Word of God uses various terms to describe the Church. It uses the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the Church of God, the flock, and the people of God, there are others but this will give you a general idea. As Christians we are those that God has chosen and set aside for His purpose. Than what is the purpose that He has for each one of us that are in the Church? The portion of scripture that is often termed to be the Churches Great Commission states the work of the church thusly: (Matthew 28:19-20)"19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Mark 16:15-16) "16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Jesus, in this statement, gave to us the specific purpose and responsibility of the Church, being the arm of God that reaches out to those who are lost and in sin, to win them to Jesus. We are to carry the good news of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all mankind. God does not have a need for us to do this, but it is the vehicle that He has chosen to use to reach out to those who do not know Him, letting them experience the life of those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. Therefore, He has chosen those who are in His Church to be the ambassadors of His to the world. Jesus came and He set the example for the way of life for all Christians and what the mission of the Church is. He came for the purpose of seeking that which was lost. In other words, He came to search out those who are lost in sin and afford them the opportunity to be reconciled to God. (Luke 19:10)"10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Being the body of Christ, we are responsible for preaching the gospel so that others can come to be won through the Christ that reigns in our lives today. We are what man sees and knows about Jesus in our modern day society. Jesus said that the disciples had seen many wonderful things in the life and ministry of Jesus, but even greater things would they do. Why? Because He was going to be going back to the Heavenly Father, He would only be in the world a short time, but His disciples would be carrying on His ministry and work in the world. They would be representing Him to the world from that time forward until the return of Jesus to take His Church home to be presented to the Father. (John 14:12-14)12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
The first and uttermost responsibility of the Church is to win the lost to Jesus so that they too can have eternal life. Then the Church has the responsibility to teach the word of God so that those that are in the Church are equipped to carry out the mission of the Church and be in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul gives to us the responsibility to equip the saints for the work of Christ in this present world. (Ephesians 4:11-12) "11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
The Holy Spirit places those in the body of Christ as He sees fit, so as to be able to perform the task of preparing the saints of God to do the ministry of God. All too often those in the Church try to go forward with the ministry ill prepared and unready to meet the task of winning the lost to Jesus Christ. It is admirable to see the desire of the Church to reach out, for that should be the natural outflow of the heart after one has been given the love of God in saving his soul. Not until one has received the in-filling of the Holy Spirit as a second definite work of grace, can he be effective in his service for God. The first work of grace is the salvation that is given to those who will believe and the second work of grace is termed sanctification. Until one is saved and sanctified one is not empowered to do the work of God. Jesus tells us we would receive the Holy Spirit and then we would be empowered to be witnesses for Him. (Acts 1:8) "8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." When you are saved you are placed in the Church and when you are sanctified you are empowered to do the work the Church is called to do. Without the power of the Holy Spirit you cannot be an effective witness for Jesus. Only as the Holy Spirit goes before you and is working on the heart of that individual can you effectively present the gospel. The only way that a person can be won to God is to come to Jesus in faith believing and repenting of his sins and asking for forgiveness. There is also only one way for him to come to Jesus and that is to be called of God. (John 6:44) "44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." When the Holy Spirit leads the Church in soul winning it will be effective. But, when the Church attempts to do it on its own then it will not be successful. Only as God uses the Church and the Church is obedient to the calling of God can the real mission of the Church be realized. Every local congregation of the Church of God needs to be a soul winning station and will be if they are obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Along with being a soul station, the Church is also a fellowship of believers that meet together to learn and to have fellowship together as the family of God. As the Church meets together it grows spiritually and in knowledge, gaining strength from one another and from God. Paul tells the Church that the strong should uphold the weak. (Romans 15:1) "1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
The Church should be a loving, caring, obedient, and working community of believers. There is good reason for the commandment not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together for we learn from one another, gain strength from one another, and as a collective body we are the body of Christ. (Hebrews 10:25) "25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." There are several reasons why the Church exists, to reach out to the lost and bring them to Jesus, to gain knowledge and to teach so others can know more about God, and for fellowship of the believers to learn and gain strength from one another. God knew we would need help and that others would need help to come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Therefore, He chose the weak to help the weak and infirm. (1 Corinthians 1:25-31) "25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
The Church of God is the body of Christ,
the bride of Christ and is the redeemed ones of all ages. It is a glorious
Church without spot or wrinkle. Jesus will, in the last day, take the Church
to be with Him forever more and present it to the Father. Praise be to
God and glory to the Son and honor to the Holy Spirit which constitutes
the God Head in three persons.
(1 Timothy 4:1) "1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
If there ever was a time to examine belief systems the time is now. Ever growing numbers of deluded Christians can be found both in the left and right wings of religious groups. Are we believers in the whole of scripture? As we check let us be careful not to pick a few scriptures here and there to support our views. Generally left leaning people want to get rid of standards and rules, but what about Matt. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 (the sermon on the mount)? Did not Christ take us even closer to the standards of God than Mosaic law? Yes, He did, but He also said "without me ye can do nothing". The law is a great teacher and schoolmaster to point us to Christ and the forgiveness each of us needs.
There is an evil coming into the land known as Christian Identity, this is a right wing theology. People who believe in this theology would like to take us back to the old testament with its feasts, and even polygamy. I have a friend of this persuasion, who said that we ought to kill, with the sword, all mixed race marriage partners as in Numbers 25*. Wait a minute, what did Christ teach? He said He died for all living souls and He will draw all men (women & children) unto Him. (John 12:32) "32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." So we see that the love of Christ includes every race, tribe, and nation. The four gospels teach us of Christ's ministry and how we ought to love God and each other. The acts of the apostles and Paul's letters further expand on God's truth in practical ways. The truths of the Word are timeless and to every generation.
*{The
Scripture mentioned above is Numbers 25:1-5 "1
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with
the daughters of Moab. 2
And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people
did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3
And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was
kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people,
and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger
of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5And
Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were
joined unto Baalpeor." This Scripture refers to how God was directing Israel
to deal with those that had become pagans. Notice that it was for those
that had joined unto Baalpeor, a pagon god. This was not a matter of race,
but of people turning away from God. Just as we die spiritually if we turn
away from God today. SRF II}
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