2 Cor 3:15 -18But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Unfortunately, that is the purpose and direction the church has lost today. Let us examine ourselves and change wherever necessary to do the will of God.
Introduction
We are called to be transformed into the same image of Jesus, from glory to glory. Let us look into the word and find out what it takes to be Christ like. There is an argument by prosperity oriented church leaders that Christ likeness is a wrong teaching. They would say Satan deceived Eve by saying they can be like God if they ate the forbidden fruit. The deception there was Satan’s saying that they would be like (position) God. The Christ likeness Paul talks about and that we discuss here is the character and NOT the position of Christ. The deception of such churches and its people by Satan is a situation in which they would never even desire Christ likeness. Then how does victory become possible? Let us not be deceived. Let us seek Christ likeness from this moment.
Most of the people who read this are probably Christians. Some are on the way to be. I thought I was one from birth, having been born into a traditional ‘Christian’ family. But an encounter with God at the age of 35 changed my views completely. I realized I was not a Christian according to the word of God. Followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in the early church period.
Jesus never intended to establish a religion. It is a way of life set by the truth, Jesus Christ Himself. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. We need to follow Him if we believe He is the way and believe in Him if we know He is the truth. When we believe and follow Him, we are given eternal life, which is the life mentioned here. It will only be a natural outcome.
John 7:37, 38 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
Hope we are clear that Christianity is a way of life, following Jesus and NOT practicing religious rituals. It is not being a part of the best church in the area. It is not being a ‘good’ Christian, accepted by the church and pastor. It is not ‘serving’ God full time or part time. It is FOLLOWING JESUS.
Many take that lightly for lack of heavenly wisdom. Most of the believers do not want to come to a stage where they ALLOW the Spirit manage them completely. We do not want to change much but just white wash certain areas and live an ‘acceptable’ life in the society. Even after coming to faith, such people think and decide based on worldly wisdom which is, demonic according to the word. We need to learn to live in front of God. Let us humble ourselves in the presence of God.
James 3: 13-18. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
We hear as many teachings as there are churches. Most of the churches try to be different in some area, advocate that difference strongly and spend the rest of their lives justifying their stand and views. In this process of self centered religious work, very often the most important aspect of spirituality is lost. This is to live a life in Jesus, pleasing Him and walking with Him the journey that starts here and continues in eternity. God is pleased when we look up to Him and live according to His teachings. So for the sake of being ready to receive and to bear fruits, let us forget all non scriptural teachings and keep our hearts ready for the Lord. To make sure that this article also does not add to the already strange and non scriptural teachings, I would try to stick on to the word of God to the best.
The ultimate command from our Lord, the one verse that has to be the basis of all our efforts is the following.
Mark 12:33 AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE’S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
There are three parties to this, God, others and the self. There has to be a balance in spiritual life in these three areas. Let us look into these areas and examine ourselves. The best point to start examining is the Self. Let us see how best we are looking into ourselves in the light of the word of God and responding to it.
I could make this list easily as I have been struggling with many of them for years. God has given me victory in some of them which means, I am still struggling in some areas. Let us be honest and humble enough to admit that. Whom do we fear more, men or God?
you may continue reading the full article in www.maninchrist.org) I am not posting the whole article here as it will be a bit too long. If there anyone feels encouraged by the article, I may post the remaining portion also here. It is my earnest desire not to post just for the sake of posting but only for a spiritual purpose. Please continue reading the article in the website and let me know your responses. God bless you all.