The Weight of Eternity

Posted on January 4, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts. . .” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).

There is a burden every soul must bear. It is the burden of eternity. It is a very weighty matter that many refuse to confront; but it cannot be ignored forever. Unfortunately, many wait until it is too late; then must face the consequences.

Jesus addressed the “weightier matters” with the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew’s Gospel. Specifically, He named some of them as “Judgment, Mercy and Faith” (cf. Matthew 23:23). That is a good place to start.

Eternal Judgment: In the economy of God things are not temporary, but eternal. In our economy we deal in time. Time always comes to an end. Judgment for a crime carries a sentence for a time. When the time of the sentence is served the judgment ends. In the economy of God in eternity the judgment never ends; it is eternal. Now, that is heavy. That carries some weight. That should get everyone’s attention and sober the mind. Unfortunately, it does not. Hopefully, it does yours.

Mercy: Along with God being a Just Judge, He is also merciful. “Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever” (I Chronicles 16:34). King David declared: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever” (Psalms 23:6). God is good. God is love. God is merciful. God is Just. Four attributes of God that change not. Goodness, Love and Mercy cannot, however, override Justice; otherwise, Justice does not exist. But God can be Just, Good, Loving and Merciful when He finds Faith.

Faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God; for everyone that comes to God must believe that His is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith has been given to everyone; but some people discard it, counting it as nothing, when it is a very weighty thing, indeed. It is only by faith that we can be saved. It does not get any heavier than that. It is the one requirement by which we must live, “The just shall live by faith” (Habakuk 2:4; Romans 1:7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

We are talking about the weight of eternity; so, things do not get any weightier for us to consider, ponder, and upon which to meditate. Eternity is in your heart. Do not ignore it; for you do so at your own peril. Deal with it. The big question is, where will you spend eternity? How is it with your soul?

The Soul: Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). There is only one thing you will take into eternity, your soul. Your soul, more valuable than anything in the universe. It is the foolish man who seeks riches, power, possessions, position; yet neglects his own soul. How is it with your soul? Are you ready for eternity? That question should weigh very heavy upon our hearts and minds. Can you feel the weight of eternity? Together, let us deal with the weightier matters. Let us get serious. Heaven depends on it.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

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Enter the Holy

Posted on January 1, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Having therefore, Brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

Holiest: (Gr. Hagion): Sacred, Holy Place, Sanctuary

Entering into something new is always exciting, as we explore new surroundings, environments, atmospheres with new sights and sounds to which we must adapt, familiarize, and conform. Engineers put on bunny suits to work in clean rooms where all is pristine, dust and germ free. Astronauts put on space suits to survive in weightless and even toxic environments. Hazmat suits, PPE’s are familiar to environmental and healthcare workers. There is always something different when we enter a new environment or workspace. There are procedures to follow, sometimes even to survive.

Enter the Holy. Our Scripture tells us we can enter the Holiest, boldly with free access by grace, but there is one condition that is essential: the Blood of Jesus. In the Old Covenant the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, on the Day of Atonement, but not without blood, the blood of bulls and goats to sanctify the Priest for entrance to the Most Holy Place with the Ark of the Presence behind the Veil. Entering without following the protocols would have been deadly. Procedures were in place with bells around the Priest’s robe and a rope attached to him in case they had to pull his dead body out from behind the Veil.

Living in our world we have become very casual with our entrance into worship, attending prayer meetings and assembling together. We think little about our sins, our lifestyles, our attitudes and our language. Perhaps we could use a new perspective when it comes to our relationship with a Holy God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). It is with the knowledge of the Holy that we increase our understanding of God. It was the word of the Lord through Moses that said, “You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; I Peter 1:16).

There is a great divide between sinful man and a holy God. How do we bridge this gap and reconcile with the Holy? The Law could not do it; how can sinful man keep a holy Law? Impossible. The answer came in the Incarnation. Man could not become holy God; but holy God could become sinful man; and this is what God did in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ Who, born of a Virgin by the Holy Spirit, Jesus become a man, the Second Adam, and offered up His body on the Cross of Calvary to Redeem us and Reconcile us to God by His Blood; and after rising from the dead, gave us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us to sanctify us and cleanse us from all sin, that we might be holy as He is holy and enter into the Holy by a new and living way, by His Redeeming blood, the Blood of the Lamb (cf. Hebrews 10:20).

Enter the Holy. A new perspective with greater knowledge of the Holy will give us greater understanding of God. As we boldly enter the Holy by the Blood of Jesus, we can enter also with a new awareness, a new reverence, a new respect for the Presence of the Almighty. Holy Spirit, as you dwell within the Veil, our flesh, may you sanctify our hearts by faith, and renew us with new insights into what it really means to be holy as You are holy. As we live in our world, with our families, in our communities and in our assemblies may we have a new appreciation of Holiness, and our obligations and responsibilities as members of the Body of Christ. Thank you, Lord for your promise that what you have started, you will bring to completion (cf. Philippians 1:6).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:23).

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The Virtue of Loyalty

Posted on December 29, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“With the kind (merciful, faithful, loyal) You show Yourself kind; with the blameless You show Yourself blameless” (Psalms 18:25) AMP.

Loyal: (Def: From Old French: Loial, from Latin: legalis ): Giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution

Synonyms: Faithful, True, Truehearted, Tried and True, True-blue, Devoted, Constant, Steadfast, Staunch, Dependable, Reliable, Trusted, Trustworthy, Dutiful, Unchanging, Unswerving, Unwavering, Dedicated, Firm, Stable, Steady, Unfailing

In a present time of selfishness, treasonous abuse of power, authoritarian rule, and strict curtailments of individual liberties, it is tempting to abandon the Virtue of Loyalty. It is infinitely wise to follow the counsel of the Master Who said, “In your patience, possess your souls” (Luke 21:19). Thank you, Lord, for keeping us properly aligned to Your heart.

Loyal to the Lord: There is a stability, soundness and even-flow to being loyal to the Lord. There is a focus of will, soundness of mind, and calmness of heart in staying loyal to the Lord, even in the most trying of circumstance. The Apostle John found that focus, soundness and calmness standing before the Cross of his Master and seeing the Lord crucified before his very eyes. Think of that focus, soundness and calmness standing next to the Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross and having a conversation with Jesus about the care of His Mother (cf. John 19:26-27). Consider the loyalty of John to Jesus to be there during His hour of trial and Crucifixion. Think of John’s loyalty to Mary, whom he later took into his own home and cared for as his own mother and became to her a son. The beauty of this degree of loyalty makes one weep.

Loyal to Your Calling: Are you at a stress point of quitting? Are you ready to give up? Before you do, give loyalty to your calling a second thought. You didn’t just think your calling was a great idea. You were called, chosen, appointed and given an assignment from the Lord. Loyalty to your calling is not a light thing. It is a heavy burden to bear. It is a burden placed upon you by the Lord with the grace to stay faithful, tried and true, along with His unfailing love to sustain you in your hour of decision.

Loyal to your Family: In the Lord we are blessed with two families, one natural and one spiritual. Let us be loyal to both. Your husband, your wife, your children, your mother, your father, your brother, your sister, your cousins. Let us stay the course together.

Loyal to your Friends: How many friends do you have? Can you count them on one hand? Both hands? You are blessed. Life-long friends from high school, college, work and recreation. Be loyal to everyone. Be with them in life. Be with them in death, to the very last breath. Yes, it is painful, but it is more precious than gold.

Loyal to your Community: We all live somewhere. We have neighbors. We live in community. Be loyal to yours. Smile a little, be friendly, give a helping hand and be sure to tell them about Jesus, if not by word, then by deed. Love speaks for itself. God can do a lot without us. But you can pitch in a little.

Loyal to your Country: “Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that be God’s” (Luke 20:25). President Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Pray, ask God for wisdom in your situation. Be loyal to your country to help make it a better place; a place where there is liberty and justice for all. The Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen and exercised his rights as such. Loyalty to God and Country is an axiom that never becomes archaic.

Are you faithful, true, devoted, constant, steadfast, staunch, dependable, reliable, trustworthy, dutiful, unswerving, unwavering, dedicated, firm, stable, steady, unfailing? Yes, well, look what the Lord has done. Loyalty, it is still a Virtue.

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The Place of Honor

Posted on December 26, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“. . .Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto Him Who sits upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13b).

Honor: (Gr. Time, (Tee-may) from Tino): Esteem to the highest degree; Dignity based upon a high price or penalty paid

Honor: (Heb. Kabowd, from Kabad): Weighty, Splendor, Glorious

The highest place of honor is the Throne of God, the Father and the Son, the Lamb. It is a place of dominion and power in the Spirit. This place of honor walks in authority flowing from the Throne. The Holy Scepter is extended, and favor is granted. It is a place of reverence, respect, full of awe and wonder. Indeed, the wonder of this place of honor is the grace extended in the Redemption in Christ and the Salvation brought forth from it that raised the believer to this high and holy realm, seated at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:6).

The Place of Honor is a place of Wisdom, Knowledge and Spiritual Understanding; not a place of feelings, emotions and temperament. This Place of Honor functions in the Wisdom of God, not the foolishness of man. This Wisdom is steadfast and grounded in the Truth. It is not fickle, changeable and fleeting. This Wisdom does not feel its way through relationships; rather it purposes to keep true faith and allegiance to the covenant commitments that were given. It fulfills the will of God given by His Word and does not alter or manipulate the Word for selfish purposes. It does not break faith and allegiance to the Covenant based on transient feelings, new affinities or affections. It is faithful and true from the beginning to end.

The Place of Honor is a place to walk in by faith and not by sight. This faith calls things that are not as though they were (cf. Romans 4:17). It believes to see the glory of God and actually sees it fulfilled. In this Place of Honor, the Lord speaks and the believer listens; then acts upon that which was heard. This believer is not a “forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work” (James 1:25). Indeed, a faithful doer, bringing honor to the Father and the Son.

The Place of Honor is weighty, full of substance, and sober mindedness. It is not imaginary, fanciful, and fleeting. This place of Honor remains and stands firm. It does not fade away like a summer breeze. It is real world and not dream state. It is of a sound mind and not delusional.

The Place of Honor is full of Splendor, Brilliant and Glorious. It is not Dark, Vague, or Clandestine. It is forthright, self-evident, in full manifestation of Glory. Here there is nothing deceptive, deceiving, or cloaked in guile. Here dwells the Father, the Lamb and the Spirit of Truth. Here dwells the saints who have been raised to reign in this Place of Honor by the favor and grace of God.

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (I Timothy 1:17).

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Humility: The Path of Life

Posted on December 23, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

Humility: (Heb. Anavah, from Anav): Gentle in mind; Saintly in circumstance; lowly, meek, poor in spirit

Humility: (Gr. Tapeinophrosune): Humiliation of mind; lowly

The Path of Life is a very different path than the paths of the world. The paths of the world are vanity and vexation of spirit (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:2). The Path of Life may only be walked upon by the humble for it was by humility that we were brought thereto.

Humility is a humiliation of mind. It is in the mind of man wherein proud thoughts lay. The mind left to its own devices will always wander into vanity. The mind must be disciplined, and for the mind the best discipline is humiliation. This will purge the mind of proud thoughts, self-sufficiency, and egotistical thinking. These only lead to death. It is humility that leads to life.

Humility is the counsel of the Apostles:

“Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).

“Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. . .” (Colossians 3:12).

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind (tapeinophrosune) let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Humility is the counsel of the Prophets:

“For thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

“Say to the king and to the queen, humble yourselves, sit down; for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory” (Jeremiah 13:18).

“And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me'” (Exodus 10:3).

From ages past, to the present and into the future as long as time endures, humility will forever be the Path of Life. Jesus led by example and said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly (tapeinos) in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

From the manger to the cross, Jesus was the humble servant of the Lord. Son of Man and Son of God, in nature the Lamb; exalted to the right hand of the Father forever to reign in Life with those who are of like kind. Worthy is the Lamb.

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The Newness of Life

Posted on December 18, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“Therefore, we are buried with Him by Baptism into Death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in Newness of Life” (Romans 6:4).

We all love new things: new house, new car, new clothes; for children, new toys and games. All these things make us happy for a season; but there is a greater new, the Newness of Life!

Newness: (Gr. kainotes; from kainos): Renewal, Freshness

The Psalmist declared: “Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth” (Psalms 96:1). The Prophet rejoined: “Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof” (Isaiah 48;6).

The Newness of Life brings a new song, a new rejoicing of the heart, an excitement that energizes the soul to pursue new things; to lift our sight, our vision, to higher heights than on the plateau we now dwell.

Isaiah further proclaimed the word of the Lord saying, “It shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 66:23).

A new year is upon us, and the Lord says, I do not just want to bring you into a new year; I want to bring you into a new Life!”

The Newness of Life. The Glory of the Father raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead. Now, just as Christ was raised from the dead, the Father wants us also to walk in the Newness of Life, as the Scriptures reveal. This Life is in Christ, as we live in Him and He in us. This will bring forth the new song, the new vision, a new worship before Him; and we will be lifted to higher heights than we have heretofore known.

The Freshness of Life: There will be a freshness to living with a new vision and new anointing. The Psalmist declared: “But my horn you shall exalt like the horn of the unicorn; I shall be anointed with fresh oil” (Psalms 92:10). Job encouraged himself in his remembrance of those earlier days, declaring: “My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand” (Job 29:20). As we know, those days were restored to Job in his latter days.

The Renewal of Life: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit renews, refreshes, restores, comforts and guides us into all that is new. He directs the way into the new, even the Newness of Life. “Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

We have much to look into, to see, to know about all that will be new in the coming days. A new heart, a new vision, a new Life. Embrace the new and see what the Glory of God the Father has planned for you.

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Childish Pleasures

Posted on December 13, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Corinthians 13:11).

The halcyon, idyllic and peaceful days of childhood with fond memories of baseball, marbles, trading cards, hide and seek, shooting hoops, jumping rope, running, fishing, summer camps, sled rides, hay rides, and amusement park rides, roller skates, ice skates, and “skating on thin ice” with our very lives without a care in the world.

We spoke like children of fairy tales, and pony tails, riddles and rhymes, and sing along times.

We understood as a child with wondering “why’s”, and innocent cries for candy and pies; for cake and ice cream, marshmallows and pop, for pennies and nickels and if lucky a quarter, or maybe a dime. We had childish pleasures seeing rainbows, stary nights, and lightning, thunder, and lightning bugs and butterflies. Falling snow, “look out, below,” with snow ball fights and snow angels everywhere.

Where have all the angels gone? Were those childish pleasures just a dream? Or were they speaking something more to us than we will ever know?

What if we could change from childhood to manhood and retain the purity of heart, the guileless nature, and joy of exploration, and inquisitiveness of knowing God.

Sin is a very nasty thing; perverting, twisting, defiling and corrupting everything. The natural flow of childhood to manhood was interrupted, cutoff, and destroyed.

“Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit, in malice be as children, but in understanding be men” (I Corinthians 14:20), so says the Apostle.

“Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby; if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Peter 2:1-3).

Jesus said, “Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

The childish pleasure of humility, with hands lifted up to the Father. The childish pleasure of love, acceptance; the joy of friendship; the caring heart and the blessedness of the pure in heart (cf. Matthew 5:8); these shall see God.

There was One who successfully made the transition from childhood to adulthood without an interruption in the flow of the process. Jesus, the sinless One, the Holy One, the Pure One made it through. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

Jesus had the childish pleasures fulfilled in Him and brought them into manhood; then laid everything down on the cruel cross for us; so, now we can all receive, speak of, think about and fully know what we were destined to be all along–conformed to the image of Christ.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

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Our Light Affliction

Posted on December 8, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Corinthians 4:17).

The perspective of the Apostles is amazing as we see through their eyes a reality that few see in our age. We need more of the Apostolic perspective for the days ahead and in the New Year to come.

Affliction: (Gr. thlipsis): pressure, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble

The perspective of the Apostles says we “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:18).

The Apostolic perspective determines that our afflictions are working for us, not against us. Our afflictions are working for us an “eternal weight of glory”. Few there are who embrace that perspective today.

In his Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Is this just rhetoric? Or, is this the Apostle’s reality? This was his reality.

Suffering affliction was Paul’s reality because this was appointed to him from his conversion. Jesus said to Ananias regarding Paul, “I will show him how great things he must suffer for my Name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). The Apostle accepted his assignment from his Lord, and this assignment he preached to the people, writing “for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).

Our Light Affliction: The Apostolic perspective not only accepts suffering for the sake of Christ as a way of life in the Kingdom, but in looking to the glory to follow compares our current afflictions as a light thing, a momentary thing, a temporary thing in light of the eternal glory that awaits us, and is to be revealed in us. This is the perspective that enabled our Church Fathers to change the world, despite being crushed by governments, persecuted by other religions, and mocked by unbelievers.

Our Light Affliction: Again, Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Giving no offence in anything that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;” (II Corinthians 6:4-5). Light afflictions, indeed, in the eyes of the Apostolic perspective.

Are you being pressured, persecuted, troubled, and burdened by the evil scheming of governments, religions, and unbelievers? Are you in tumults, labors, watchings and fastings from current events? Do you have an Apostolic perspective in the middle of all your troubles? Are you going through “light afflictions” compared to the glory to be revealed in you? Oh, what a glorious Gospel we have been given for the end of this age. This temporary, momentary, current time of suffering affliction is not worthy to be compared to the eternal, everlasting glory of Christ revealed in us.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the Life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (II Corinthians 4:10).

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Beware of Dogs

Posted on December 4, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Philippians 3:2).

Beware: (Gr. Blepo): To look at, to perceive, regard, take heed

Dogs: (Gr. Kuon): Literally, A hound; Also, a euphemism used as a reproachful term designating arrogant, shameless, imprudent, malignant, contentious and dangerous men

In the age of scammers, hackers, con men of all stripes, we have to beware of the “workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:23) within the Body of Christ, who only promote themselves for their own gain and not for the glory of God.

Jesus said, “give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6). It is of the utmost importance for the sake of the flock, the name of Christ, the Kingdom of God, that leaders beware, i.e., perceive, regard, and take heed to “know those who labor among you” (I Thessalonians 5:12). “Warn them that are unruly” (I Thessalonians 5:14a).

The Epistle of Jude sets forth a clear description of those dogs in our midst of whom we should beware:

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men, crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. . .these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. . .these are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear, clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:3-4, 8, 12-13).

Jesus gave us this warning in the Gospel of Matthew: “Not everyone that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that Day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? In Thy Name have we not cast out devils? In Thy Name done many wonderful works? Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Beware of Dogs. Take heed, perceive, look at any so-called ministry and examine the nature of their works. Not everyone that says, Lord, Lord is of the Lamb, is of the Kingdom.

The Apostle John tells us in his Book of Revelation:

“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the City. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15).

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the watchmen and shepherds who were corrupt in his day:

“His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain from his quarter” (Isaiah 56:10-11).

Beware of Dogs. It is the last days, the end of time. We are the church of the living God. We must purge the old leaven from among us and be a new loaf of unleavened bread, the bread of sincerity and truth (cf. I Corinthians 5:7-8). Let us keep the Feast of the Lord in honor of Him, Who is holy and true. Let us gather together with our eyes open and let us contend for the purity of the faith once delivered to the saints and proclaim Jesus to the world in the Beauty of Holiness.

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We Are One

Posted on November 29, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond or free; there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).

The power of transformation in the Gospel of Christ is astounding. The thought of “you are all one” coming from the pen of a former Pharisee of the strictest sect, a keeper of the Law down to the last jot and tittle will befuddle the intellect. What the Spirit of the Lord can do in the heart will boggle the mind.

We Are One: Beyond the pigmentation of our skin; the language we speak, the customs, mores, traditions to which we hold fast, we are one, children of God in Christ. The Apostle did not write that we do not “see” skin pigmentation; he wrote “there is neither. . .” This means there is nothing to differentiate us from being one in the One. In Christ we see the humanity, the dignity, the beauty in each heart filled with the glory of Christ. We see Jesus, the One we love, the One to Whom we have been joined; we see Him and only Him in each other. There is only Jesus and the other identities we may have in this world mean nothing in the realm of the Spirit.

The carnal, corrupted mind of man will never understand the mysteries of the Gospel of Jesus. The carnal mind is set on the things of the flesh, pigmentations and other skin deep, shallow thinking. The carnal mind is incapable of comprehending the “breadth and length and depth and height” or ever know the “love of Christ, which passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18b-19a).

Carnal man in his wisdom has become foolish. Elitist, social engineers, academia and other thinkers are “blind guides who strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24). Open wide and enlarge your throats you blind guides for the camel breeders have produced a large pedigree for you to engorge your appetites.

We Are One: “For we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5). We have one Lord, one Master and we are all Brethren (cf. Matthew 23:8-10). We are one. We have “one mind and one mouth” and with it we “glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, we receive “one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:6-7).

We Are One: We have been gathered in Christ, in one Body to be the expression of the one Spirit of Christ in the earth, to be the voice of Christ, the witness to Christ to the world. We speak of things eternal, not temporal; things of the spirit, not carnal; things of the Holy God, not sinful man; things of virtue: faith, hope, love, mercy, kindness and goodness, not doubt, misery, hate, brutish lust and evil.

We are the answer to the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, are in Me and I am in You; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21).

We Are One: “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we have all been baptized into one Body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether bond or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:12-13).

Jesus is sharing His heart with us and says, “Be not called Rabbi, for One is your Master, even Christ, and you are all Brethren. Call no man Father upon the earth, for One is your Father, Who is in heaven. Neither be called Masters, for One is your Master, even Christ” (Matthew 23:8-10).

Christ Jesus, my Master. Saints of God my Brethren. We are One.

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