The True Meaning of Christmas

As Christmas once again draws close, we need to remember the circumstances of His birth. As Mary was heavy with child they were forced to make a long journey, discomforted by a political decree to be registered by the government for the sake of governmental control. Politicians were continually vying for control and distorting taxes for their own lavish lifestyles. The religious elite were often caught up in the process as well. While prophesies of God’s intentions were readily available to the religious leaders, few of them paid any attention or made them known to the people. It was into this background that God moved and Mary brought forth her firstborn son.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7

What should have been the most glorious episode in Israel’s history happened with almost no notice. Certainly, the news media of the day was unaware as well as the political movers and shakers. As I watch the hoopla generated by the visiting prince of England and his new bride, I am reminded that for the King of the Universe there was not even ‘room at the inn’. The fact that God alerted a few humble shepherds and that was all reveals that God saw no value in alerting the government or the ruling elites to His plans. Very few of the religious class knew of this momentous event until some two years later. What does this say to us about God’s method of moving? It seems that if people have no desire to seek God, He doesn’t feel obligated to let them in on His plans! And the fact that He did reveal the coming of the Christ child to wise men from east re-enforces this truth, even though they were Gentiles.

This Christmas takes place in a similar setting; politicians vying for power, a government more concerned about its power to tax and spend while excluding itself from the laws they pass, a news media that promotes political correctness and eliminates every reference to Christmas or Jesus Christ that it can, and religious establishments that are more concerned about what Caesar thinks than about what God thinks and about their own position and power. Am I being to judgmental? Yes, there were a few, like Simeon and Anna or Nicodemus and there are a few today like them but, the majority fall into the same category as their historical counterparts.

But, that did not stop God from sending His Son to begin His government that will only increase until it fills the entire earth. And it should be remembered by all that Daniel was shown this Christmas story thousands of years before as he interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream –

"You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. – Daniel 2:34

Man’s kingdoms always appear glorious to him but God’s kingdom begins with a stone which the builders rejected but grows until it becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth. This exactly the way God described the Christmas story to His prophet Isaiah –

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6, 7

So, may the blessings of the Christmas story be yours as you rejoice in the hope that the government of Christ is indeed growing – now, in the hearts of men – but soon as a mountain that will crush all of Satan’s inspired governments.

The Problem with Lawlessness

Taxpayer Costs of Illegal Aliens in Wisconsin:  $883 Million

I recently received this assessment from a Wisconsin State Senator’s office. It was based on a recent report by FAIR, The Federation for American Immigration Reform. The full cost for illegal immigrants to US citizens is $113 billion yearly of which $84 billion is born by states and local levels. This study took into account the tax collections from illegal alien workers in both the above-ground and underground economy.

If you wonder why your government keeps taking larger amounts in tax from you and yet are still going into the red, the annual outlay that illegal aliens cost U.S. taxpayers is an average amount per native-headed household of $1,117. The fiscal impact per household varies considerably because the greatest share of the burden falls on state and local taxpayers whose burden depends on the size of the illegal alien population in that locality. The full report may be seen at –

http://www.fairus.org/site/News2/977633106?page=NewsArticle&id=23190&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1761

Why am I writing about this problem in a Christian blog? Because it is basically a Christian ethics problem! Jesus predicted these things would abound at the end of the age:

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:12

This is basically a problem of ‘lawlessness’. That phrase is not speaking only of breaking man’s laws but, primarily of breaking God’s laws! The ‘love of money’ is driving this problem and Paul writes that the love of money is a root of all evil –

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

Employers, in their greediness are looking for cheap labor and they are willing to break and bend the law to get it. As a result, we are all ‘pierced through with many sorrows!’ This practice has provided a conduit into our nation through which all kinds of wickedness flows, including drugs and radical Muslim terrorists. Politicians, greedy for power, have also helped this illegal practice in the hope of gaining votes. Paul writes, all who do these things have ‘strayed from the faith.’

I do not blame the one coming to gain employment. Those who promote the illegal action are to blame. If an employer paid his employees a fair wage for doing the work or if the government upheld its own laws concerning illegal immigration the problem of illegal immigration would soon be solved. Instead, we allow employers to under pay these illegals and we allow our government to refuse to enforce the laws and even sue states that do try to cure the problem. This is lawlessness!

Jesus warned that if we allow this kind of lawlessness to abound, it will result in our love for God growing cold. A spiritual Winter is upon us: we cannot pray to Jesus in our public schools or political events, we cannot erect crosses on public land, some even forbid singing Christmas carols that mention the LORD, our churches are more worried about losing their tax-exempt status than preaching the truth found in God’s word, and our youth are leaving the church in record numbers. We have indeed grown cold!

WARNING: Paul said this kind of lawlessness would have far-reaching results causing believers to stray from the faith. Those who do are in danger of being deceived -

“… and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Some are preaching an ‘I’m OK, you’re OK’ or that ‘once saved – always saved’ gospel, but notice that it is God who will send them a strong delusion so they will be condemned! Lawlessness and willing approval of it is a deadly serious sin. If you are guilty of it, I plead with you to repent before it is too late.

The New Testament Church_part 3

The first Christian church discovered recently in Megiddo, Israel reveals that the Lord’s Supper was central to the early church’s service. The uncovered mosaic showing two fish held the communion table and was situated in the center of the room. All activity seems to have revolved around it leading one to wonder just how the first church really functioned?

The Church is the gathering of the ‘called out ones’, the fellowship of true believers in Jesus Christ. But, it is much more than that for it is also a place of communication; God to mankind and mankind to God. While we are always to be in prayer, there is a special place for corporate prayer. Paul writes to Timothy –

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; - 1 Timothy 2:1

Praying and giving of thanks was so important that it was to be done ‘first of all’. God wants to bless His people and Jesus gives the formula for receiving, “Ask and you shall receive.” (Matthew 7:7) but Jesus also explained that there are some requirements –

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. – John 15:7

We must abide in Him and respect the Word of God. God wants all men to be saved, but He waits for us to ask for it in prayer. I know of a certainty that my life has been shaped by prayers for my salvation. I remember when as a young man I overheard my Grandma and Uncle praying for my salvation. And I know my mother has prayed many long years for God’s grace in my life and many others as well. There are few prayers more acceptable to God that those of parents for their children. After all, God is a ‘family man’ and children are His heritage and His reward to parents. He delights to hear parents calling out for His help in training their children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord!

Paul also explains a great secret to Timothy about prayer and government –

“For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” – 1 Timothy 2:2

Our prayers can make a difference in the government we live under. Few nations on earth showcase this fact more than the United States. When the church in America submits to God and prays, it has been blessed with good government but as the church has drifted away from the truth of God’s word, prayer has been outlawed from our schools, public prayer in the name of Jesus Christ has been declared ‘unconstitutional’, a spirit of murder has been released upon the land, and government has practiced dishonesty and corruption more than honesty and truth.

But God wants to speak to His people in the church as well. Paul explains –

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. – 1 Corinthians 14:26

This verse makes it very clear that God wants speak into our lives by His Holy Spirit. Several points become very clear about the format of these fellowship meetings. Everyone is to be involved! It was not the ‘leadership model’ used by most of the church body today; a few leaders up front and pews full of spectators, always receiving and never giving out, which is a recipe for constipation! Did they have leaders? Yes, they had Elders (or Bishops), from which came the apostles, evangelists, prophets, teachers and pastors, and they had Deacons appointed to serve. But these never usurped the moving of the Holy Spirit and His various gifts poured out on all the members. They had singing. The Psalms were mostly sung and they had hymns as well. They had doctrine, teaching by the elders, and they had messages from the Holy Spirit delivered through the gifts of prophesy, messages in tongues and interpretation, revelations which included dreams and visions. All this was done in good order and for the purpose of building up the individual members.

They also had one other feature which both explains their existence and their foundational purpose for meeting, the Communion of Christ’s body and blood.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

God knew how quickly man forgets so He instituted the Feasts of the Lord in the Old Testament to remind them of His promises as well as coming prophetic events. Jesus exhorts the churches of Revelation many times to ‘remember’. What we refer to as the Lord’s Supper was really part of the Feast of Passover. It reminds us that God was faithful to send His Passover Lamb for us. It also reminds us of the blessings He bought for us on the Cross. It reminds us that we have entered into a covenant relationship with God. When the devil assails us, we do not stand alone, Jesus is with us and Satan can no more defeat us than he could Jesus. But, perhaps even greater, it reminds us that when we stand before the final judgment of God to be judged for our sins, which we all have committed, Jesus stands with us and says, “Father, he (or she) has repented and My blood paid the blood debt for his sin.”

This is the church.

The Month Before Christmas

T'was the Month before Christmas

 

T'was the month before Christmas when all through our land, not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away the reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing about Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a ' Holiday'.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa in hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down at Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found. 

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears you won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzer on Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter to eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith, forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded, the reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree' sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say; shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christ is The Reason for the ‘Christ-mas’ Season!

Author unknown

Christmas and the Church

The Christmas season is once again approaching and I already see stores setting up displays of Christmas trees, bright lights, and isles filled with toys and other items related to the season. It is with great sadness that I read about the White House no longer erecting a Christmas tree but a ‘holiday’ tree because either they don’t believe in Christmas or they are afraid of offending Muslims and others. While Islam is un-ashamedly declaring they will take over the world and every knee will bow in submission to Allah, Christians are mostly silent on the reason we celebrate Christmas, or perhaps it’s just because most don’t know why Christmas is important.

Just what is Christmas anyway? Is it Santa and a sleigh full of presents for every child? Is it a time of celebration and family get-togethers? Or is it a time for retailers to make up for lagging sales throughout the year?

While all these things might be done during the Christmas season, they are not what Christmas is about! The true meaning of Christmas can be summed up in a verse from the Book of Isaiah:

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6, 7

Christmas is really about God re-affirming His government on earth. This government was officially re-established nearly 2000 years ago with the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus. To Isaiah it was revealed that His government would increase and have no end. To king David God revealed –

“..I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. …Now therefore, be wise O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth, serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” – Psalm 2:6-12.

Satan’s forces claim they will rule the world but it is always through fear, intimidation and violence that they try to achieve their goal. God’s plan is for the government of Christ to be established with “judgment and justice”. It is not forced on anyone but each is given a free choice. We all have sinned in some way and so have earned the reward of death but because of God’s love for us, He made a way to be reconciled through the free sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His mercy makes a way for all who will choose it.

How are judgment and justice brought forth? Those who follow Jesus, the Christ, are having their senses exercised to discern good and evil. His innocent blood shed for us on the cross cleanses us from sin and guilt. The Holy Spirit, Jesus sends to every believer who asks, is training us to judge every situation, every temptation by holding it up to the light of God’s Word. When we choose God and His standards, true justice is established. We are not only cleansed by the blood of the Lamb but it also gives us judgment, the act of discerning between the good and evil. When we testify of the good, the truth, (and that means act on it) God’s justice is lifted up like a light in the darkness. When we give place to no fear but the fear of God – we overcome. Our prayer rises like sweet smelling incense to God.

Christmas is about God making a way to save us from our self-imposed destruction. As each individual person responds to the free offer of salvation through Christ Jesus, the government of Christ grows.

Christmas is about establishing the government of Christ Jesus in our individual lives. We do that by turning from ideas and actions that will destroy us to the ideals that Jesus and the Word of God teach us. This process is called repentance. Contrary to popular thought, repentance is not just feeling sorry but it is changing from bad to good. It starts with individuals. But when individuals change they can affect their families. And when families change they can affect their communities. And when communities change they can affect their states. And when states change they can affect their nation, and so on. So, every individual has the potential to affect nations for the good!

We celebrate Christmas because it commemorates the birth of the Christ Child. The time God stepped into man’s history with the answer to his problems. The time when God began to bring forth His government on earth that will only increase and have no end.

No matter how bad the world situation looks or how much evil seems to hold sway over mankind, I can celebrate Christmas with joy because it reminds me that Christ is still on the throne of God’s government on earth and it will yet rule all. How can I be sure of this? Because the “zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish it!”

Silence Leads to Submission

As Libya falls to Islamic rebels, the new leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil declared in his keynote speech, "You should only embrace honesty, patience, and mercy," Abdul-Jalil told the crowd at the declaration ceremony in the eastern city of Benghazi, the birthplace of the uprising against Gadhafi. He urged Libyans to reconcile their differences.

He then laid out a vision for the post-Gadhafi future with an Islamist tint, saying Islamic Sharia law would be the "basic source" of legislation and existing laws that contradict the teachings of Islam would be nullified. In a gesture that showed his own piety, he urged Libyans not to express their joy by firing guns in the air, but rather to chant "Allahu Akbar," or God is Great. He then stepped aside from the podium and knelt to offer a brief prayer of thanks.

President Barack Obama congratulated Libyans on the declaration.

So here we have a Taliban-type government being instituted with strong ties to Al Qaida and the Muslim Brotherhood and our President congratulating them. One wonders how long it will take before we have troops committed there to fight ‘terrorism’, if we can still call it that.

Mustafa should practice what he preaches – “embrace honesty, patience, and mercy”. When it came to Gadhafi, he got no trial and when he surrendered he was shot. Certainly no mercy there! Also remember how women are treated under Sharia law and tell me about mercy.

In Egypt, their ‘democratic’ takeover also embraced Sharia law and proceeded to kill Christians. Just what does ‘honesty, patience, and mercy’ mean to Islam? If Libya, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Hamas, Hezbollah and their ilk are the standard of honesty, patience, and mercy, we are all in deep trouble. And why is President Barak Husain Obama congratulating them? Does that mean he wants a similar government structure in this country? That seems to be the goal of his Islamic buddies in this country. Just look at some of their actions here in the U.S.A...

A Hyatt hotel in Sugar Land, Texas, has abruptly canceled a previously scheduled tea party event at which author and Atlas Shrugs founder Pamela Geller was scheduled to speak on the dangers of Islam. 

Geller said the decision came about because the hotel was “intimidated” into censoring her planned speech by “CAIR thugs,” referring to the controversial Islamic advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations.

She accused the Hyatt Place of enforcing Islamic law, or Shariah, under which no criticism of Islam is allowed. In Muslim nations, it can be a death penalty offense, Geller noted.

She said pressure from Islamic interests ultimately pressed the hotel to cancel her address to tea party members who had set up the event.

Members of CAIR are frequent visitors to the White House and some of them are members of the President’s administration. Just recently another American hotel was threatened into submission (the meaning of Islam) and cancellation of a conference on Sharia law.

Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn - Steve Eckley, senior vice president of hotels for Amerimar Enterprises in Denver – the Hutton Hotel’s managing corporation – told WND (World Net Daily)it was his decision to cancel the event.

Eckley said he “wasn’t exactly sure what the content of the program was,” but he explained that he canceled it because of the threat of physical harm to people at the hotel.

“They were veiled threats that there were going to be protests that could easily erupt into violence,” he told WND in a telephone interview.

Sessions planned for the conference include “The European Experience” with Shariah, “Religious Persecution Under Shariah,” “The Dehumanization and Diminishment of Women in the West Under Shariah,” “The Muslim Brotherhood In America” and “Fighting Islamist Propaganda in the Media.”

These are just a few of the footprints of radical Islam emerging here in America. I know that not all Muslim Americans believe this way but many of the Islamist that this present administration associates with do. They are even dictating what references our law enforcement and Homeland Security communities can say about Islam and terrorism. Deputy U.S. Attorney General James Cole confirmed that the Obama administration was pulling back all training materials used for the law enforcement and national security communities, in order to eliminate all references to Islam.

“The move comes after complaints from advocacy organizations including the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and others identified as Muslim Brotherhood front groups in the 2004 Holy Land Foundation terror fundraising trial.

In a Wednesday Los Angeles Times op-ed, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) president Salam al-Marayati threatened the FBI with a total cutoff of cooperation between American Muslims and law enforcement if the agency failed to revise its law enforcement training materials.” – Vision to America, Oct. 21, 2011

It doesn’t matter that over 90% of all terrorism is committed by people of Islamic background or that the Muslim Brotherhood is a co-conspirator in a terrorism trial currently being conducted.

Now, news is unveiled that the Obama White house will not be celebrating Christmas this year, instead calling it simply a Holiday. There will be no Christmas tree but only a Holiday tree. Artists who create ornaments to hang on the tree were told not call them Christmas ornaments or to use any religious themes on their ornaments.

Even using the name of Jesus has been ruled “unconstitutional” by a liberal Court of Appeals.

Furthermore, wrote Judge James Harvie Wilkinson III in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals majority opinion, legislative invocations offered in Jesus’ name are inherently “sectarian” and thus should be censored lest they make some attendees feel “uncomfortable, unwelcome and unwilling to participate in … public affairs.” – World Net Daily, Oct. 28, 2011

We cannot be silent any longer! If we want America to remain what it was and if we do not want to surrender our Christian values to those of Sharia law, which already being allowed in some American courts we must oppose the liberal mindset that is currently entrenched in our government.

Valley of Discision

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta “SCOLDs ISRAEL FOR GETTING MORE ISOLATED”

“Turkey to hold military exercise on Syrian border. Assad threatens to destroy Tel Aviv if attacked”

As Turkey carves out a section of northern Syria for the rebels fighting Assad, Syria’s Assad responds with threats to wipe out Tel Aviv, Israel. He knows no Muslim government would dare to attack him if he were fighting Israel. They would have to join in, or at least verbally support him even if they really want to get rid of him. Of course, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and the Palestinian Hamas would gladly support him and are spurring him on. Of course, Israel responded with the statement, “If one missile lands in Tel Aviv, Damascus will feel the response.”

Into this hotbed of intrigue flies Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense and what are his profound words of wisdom? He scolds Israel for becoming too isolated! Maybe he thinks Israel is the one shooting thousands of missiles into Gaza, or that they are ones threatening to invade Lebanon and Syria, or that they are the ones that broke the military treaty they had with Turkey? Maybe Panetta can explain how you negotiate with people who refuse to acknowledge you exist? Or how you can get out of your bomb shelter long enough to sit at a peace table with someone who is daily shooting missiles at you? But, I forget – he and his boss were the ones telling us that the anti-Mubarak riots in Egypt were “just democracy at work”. Now that the radical Muslim Brotherhood has taken over in Egypt and that Christians are being killed, they are strangely silent. I am really glad he and his crowd were not in control during World War II, they would probably have blamed Churchill for being too isolated and for not negotiating with Hitler!

As the Palestinian statehood issue is being debated in the UN, only one more vote is needed in the Security Council to pass the motion for statehood. If that happens, the United States will be faced with the choice to veto the motion and face Muslim condemnation and wrath around the world or allow the motion to pass and be faced with the very real possibility of war in the Middle East. Either way, the seeds for World War III are being sown. How will a government that has no understanding of Biblical prophecy react?

I urge you to pray earnestly that our government makes the right choice, as we will all bear the consequences of it.

Pastor Charles Cooley

What Is the Church, 2nd issue

I wrote an article three years ago that highlights what the true Church is not and what were some of the basics principles that true Christians need to operate under. I titled the article Divide and Destroy, which is Satan’s game plan. Not much has changed since then so I’ll just reprint it to remind you.

Divide and Destroy
Pastor Charles Cooley
3/4/08

Jesus taught that a house divided could not stand (Mark 3:24), yet, the church today finds itself in that position. A recent article highlighted this problem for me.

Catholic League spokeswoman Kiera McCaffrey says Hagee is a "larger problem" than Farrakhan because Farrakhan is "small potatoes and old news" compared to Hagee and his huge following. McCaffrey says her group is calling on McCain to repudiate Hagee, a Christian leader spokeswoman McCaffrey claims has a long history of "anti-Catholic bigotry." - Jim Brown - Catholic League: Hagee's endorsement worse than Farrakhan's- OneNewsNow - 3/3/2008
 

Let me see if I have this right: John Hagee professes belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior - Farrakhan does not; Hagee believes the Bible is the word of God - Farrakhan believes the Koran is; Hagee believes the Jews are God's chosen people - Farrakhan believes they are pigs; Hagee believes God is not finished with Israel and is making them a nation once again - Farrakhan wants to cast them all into the sea! While Hagee is not perfect, no man is, or woman either for that matter, I'm having a hard time seeing how Hagee is a "larger problem" for true Christians then Farrakhan is.

I personally know many fine Catholics who are Christians. Are they all Christians? I don't think so, and neither do many of the Catholics that I know. But, I could say the same thing about Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, etc. It takes more than belonging to a particular church denomination to qualify for being a Christian. The key issue is whether Jesus is Lord in your life and whether you keep His word. He said "If you love me, keep My word." not "If you love Me, go to church!" We are living at a time in the United States when the true Church of Jesus Christ is languishing, needing a fresh vision of our purpose and calling in God. Not a time for partisan bickering and name calling.

This article highlights an issue that I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking plainly about in our day - Denominations are not of God! The very word means "to divide and name" but, Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that His followers, the ones God gave to Him, would be one even as He and the Father were one. I include in this problem all of the early confessions as well as the later denominations that have formed since the Reformation. There is only one "divide and name" process that God is going to do and that is the separation of the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32) when Jesus returns.

How does one get into the "sheep" group? A few thoughts come to mind: 1) Know the truth, because that alone can set you free and Jesus said "My word is truth" - not church tradition but, My word. 2) Act and live as Jesus did. He said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." (Matthew 25:40). 3) Work for the Jews to come into the true Church, not as Gentile "wild olive' branches but, as the "natural branch" grafted back in through faith in Jesus. After all, this is why Jesus died on the cross, to make "one new man" and break down the barrier between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-18). 4) Humble yourself and repent whenever "the truth" illuminates your sin. We all have sinned and continue to sin, because we are not perfected yet. But, if we are willing to bow to the sword of the Spirit, which is the illuminating, piercing, convicting word of God, God will finish in us the good work He began (Philippians 1:6).

There are many other points that could be made, finer points of truth that are necessary for healthy growth in the Lord, but, if we begin with these four, the Holy Spirit will direct our education to include what we need, when we need it. To all those, like the Catholic League, who feel they have to defend their position and their church, I would remind you of the words of our great leader - "I will build My church" - Jesus. Don't get all bent out of shape arguing whether Peter was the rock or whether Peter's confession was the rock, just know that Jesus is going to work it all out if we just follow Him. Meanwhile, the fields are white unto harvest and the Lord is looking for those who will go into the fields and harvest. Not for your church but, for His Church!

Now I know that there are differences that caused rifts in the body of Christ and led to separations, and I know and believe that not all are as interested in the truth of God’s word as they are in their own pride and denominational structures. But I also know it is not my position to judge (condemn to hellfire) another man’s servants and some of those in different church bodies are servants of Jesus Christ! It is my responsibility to know and live in the truth of God’s word as He reveals it to me and pray for all my brothers and sisters in the faith to come to the same knowledge of the truth. They may wish to disassociate from me but it is still my responsibility to love and pray for them.

I am not calling for some sort of ‘ecumenical’ movement. The Holy Spirit never asks us to forsake truth for the sake of fellowship. We are however to be ‘watchmen’ that reach out to all believers and help them to be free of entanglements and snares of the devil. Will that cause some of them to separate from us? Yes, but the separation will not be our fault if we tell them the truth in love.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. – 1 John 2:18, 19

In these last days there will be many in the ‘apostate church’ that will fall away from the truth (1 Thessalonians 2:3) but our policy should be to love the truth of God’s word and love our brothers and sisters in the faith. To those in churches that do not follow the truth we should encourage them to –

1.   Know the truth
2.  Act and live as Jesus did
3.  Work for the Jews to come into the true Church
4.  Walk in humility and repentance

If we do these things, we will be ready when Jesus comes back.