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outwardly," "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek." "Beware of the dogs -- the evil workers -- the concision." The Judaizers are still alive today.
Solomon, the wisest of all, had it all and ended an idolater. The sins of the fathers linger on.
Let us not wing our prayers up to heaven, moving out ahead of the Lord, with our answers landing somewhere behind us. Satan can, and will, open doors of prosperity, security, comfort and ease, as long as it will lead us away from the narrow path of discipleship.
Christ began His ministry being tempted by Satan to sell out -- how many successful businessmen, politicians, and clergymen, have taken the devil's bait? The Apostolic legacy is a legacy of death, poverty and persecution, leading from earthly disgrace to heavenly triumph.
Paul was sent by the Holy Spirit to die in Jerusalem. Many of the brethren tried to dissuade him. Had he taken their advice, he might never have died a martyr, and we might never have received his letters from prison, which make up so much of our New Testament.
Christ chose His disciples from the unlearned working class -- not from the Rabbinical seminaries of His day. The religious legalists detested Him, as they still do in our day.
Jesus spent 30 years of His life virtually unknown-- so unbecoming were those years that He would later be recognized only as Joseph's son. So how long should we wait upon our ministry? Christ is returning for a church
"without spot, wrinkle, or blemish." Spots are the sins which so easily beset us; wrinkles are the natural dishevelment that our garments evoke through contact with the world. Blemishes are defects in the garments themselves.
It is possible to be born again (for even a very long time) and still live a life contrary to God's perfect will, while walking in what appears to be moral uprightness; "The carnal mind is at enmity with God." "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft;" "obedience (to the Spirit of God) is better than sacrifice." (or works) Many substitute works and sacrifices for relationship and obedience.
Paul himself feared the possibility that he might become a "castaway" after having preached to so many. How much more should we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." Either we'll shatter our religious illusions here and now, or Christ will forcibly shatter them at his return.
The Bible is a solemn, serious testament, declaring unto men the destiny of their souls. It is almost completely devoid of humor; why then do God's ministers turn such proclamations into jest -- entertaining men by watering down God's holy word?
The church today has degenerated into an exclusive social club -- a counterculture, retreating into her liturgy. Her agenda and Christ's have slowly drifted apart, until alas, we have locked Him out and He is desperately knocking trying to get our attention-- but we're too busy doing the work of God to hear His voice.
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