The Line Of Demarcation

I once heard my son, Apostle Mike, preach a message that insisted that there has been a merger of the church and the world. This merger has been so successful, until it is very difficult to identify the Body of Christ. But what does the Word of God have to say about this merger?

1 John 4:6 (KJV)

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

This line of demarcation separates the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error. It is a border that surrounds the Faith of Christ and separates it from the world. The line of demarcation is a very fine or thin line. It is only as wide as the blade of the two-edged sword that formed it. It can best be described as Paul said, …whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23).

Though this mind of God is very straight forward, the true severity of its meaning is rejected by many in the Body of Christ, especially its leaders. Allowances of all types have been made to facilitate sin in the household faith.

St. Luke 18:8

…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

This is a very pertinent question seeing as how there has been such a great falling away from the truth. We are the light of this world. But if the light that is in us be dark, oh, how great is that darkness (Matt. 6:23). If there is indeed a merger of the church and the world, it is because the saints of God initiated it. The world is the same as it has always been. It has the same attributes today as it had five thousand years ago. It is the saints of God who have changed. It is the church that has sought after the ways of the world and installed them in the household of faith.

Our Father is faithful to reveal to us every aspect of every disposition of His people. Jesus warned us two thousand years ago of this day.

St. Luke 11:34-36 (KJV)

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

35 Take heed therefore that the light, which is in thee be not darkness.

36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

I think this to be very straightforward. The light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ is contained in our body by the disposition of the eyes. The eye is the gate through which the light of truth is contained or allowed to escape. Jesus also said, Light has come, but men love darkness. The darkness is of the world. Therefore, we would have to look into the darkness of this world, determine that which we want from it and embrace our determination to obtain it. It is then that the whole body is filled with darkness. Note the scripture declares the whole body to be full of light if and only if no part is dark. Therefore, if you are not in 100% agreement with the will of God for your life, then you will embrace the pursuit of the things of this world.

But how did the church come to yield so completely over to the way of the world?

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (KJV)

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;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

My dear brothers and sisters, the Body of Christ has departed from the faith that was handed down to the apostles of old. Much of what I am about to say came not from my diligent study of the Word, but rather from the mouth of Jesus, our Master.

“My house has been defiled and my people have followed after the ways of Balaam, the son of Bosor. But I have spoken in times past of false Christs and false prophets who shall rise and shall seduce if it were possible the very elect, (Mk.13:22). Though many have perverted my gospel, there remain a few who are holding fast to the truth I have delivered unto them.”

I asked the Lord wherein had we erred? There was no carefulness in His response. The word He spoke to me was, “As I am, so are you to be in this world today.” He said. “My church is not like me. They do not think with my mind, nor do they embrace my purpose. You have studied my Word, but you have not comprehended me. You are my body, but you have not embraced your election. Instead you have corrupted yourselves with the mind of the world. Therefore, you war against me and strive in those things I hate. My purpose for my people has not changed. You are in this world, but you are not of this world. Why do you seek after those things that will perish? Are you justified because you say, ‘I am in need.” Do you not trust the sayings of my Word? My ways will not change, for they are established by the words of my Father.”

I could feel fear grip my soul as I continued to write the words I heard in my spirit.

THE WAY OF BALAAM, THE SON OF BOSOR

Balaam was hired by Balak to curse the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt into the land of Moab.

Numbers 22:7-21 (KJV)

7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Those who would speak the oracles of God are not for hire. They are not hirelings who do the work of the Lord for the rewards of men. That which the Lord gives us is given to us freely; and freely are we to give it to those who inquire of him.

8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.

19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more.

20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

Balaam knew he could not curse the Children of Israel, God had told him as much. However, he went with the men in hopes that he could collect the money they offered.

MISSIONARY JOURNEYS HAVE BECOME SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Ministers in the house of faith today are even as Balaam. They have prostituted the gift God has given them and made mockery of the glorious gospel. Contracts are made that demand outrageous amounts of money before a minister will agree to come to a local church or conference.

There are so many ministers who have obtained fame on television but will not even entertain the idea of coming to small out of the way churches that cannot afford their contract fee. The day of consulting with the Lord as to where we are to minister is over. Preachers are for sale to the highest bidder.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP BELONGS TO GOD

I settled into meditation seeking to drift off into some much needed sleep. But it was not to be. I heard a rumbling in my spirit. I felt the rise of anger and wrath, then sorrow and sadness. I was experiencing the disposition of the Holy Ghost Then I heard a voice come from the depths of my being.

“There is no such thing as gospel entertainment.”

Immediately, He made me understand His words. “All that is done in the gospel is ministry. It is not done for entertainment; and ministry is not for sale. The psalmist does not entertain my people; he leads them into praise and worship of my name. I demanded praise and worship but you have sold my praise to bring glory to your own name. The psalmist is my minister, but you have taken my ministry and created an industry for personal gain.”

As I listened to the Lord, I knew in my heart that this was going to be a hard message for some in the Body of Christ. The gospel music industry is worth billions of dollars. Many are wealthy and famous because of it. But the way of the industry is not the way of God. It is not the mind of Christ to refuse any type of ministry because the money is not right.

And this is the commandment of the Lord: “Sanctify your mouth; utter no vanities in my name. What is this strange sound that comes from my house? Is it not even as the strange fire presumptuous and vain men of old offered upon my holy altars? I abhorred the scent of the flesh they laid upon the coals. There was no incense to destroy the stench of their burning. What is this strange noise coming from the gatherings of my people? Is it not a song purchased with a reward? I am not flattered. Instead you have scorned me. You sing to entertain my people, haven't you been paid to do so? I am no longer the subject of your work; your profession is the pride of your life. With it you seek to glorify your own name.

When the praise belonged to me, the strongholds of the enemies of my people were destroyed. When the praise was set to exalt my name, the walls of great cities were toppled. When praise went before the troop, did I not give instruction to my host?

Bring the praise and the worship back to me. It is not an instrument to entertain my people, neither is it a commodity to be negotiated. Is this not the way of Balaam and the spirit of error? It is manifest that you have not trusted me, and your soul has become dark with greediness. Are you not wanton and lay unrighteous burdens on my people? At what price are they to pay that you might open your mouth unto them? Are they not led to be a partaker of this conspiracy against me? Do they seek to enter into my gates with praise, or have you trained them to be entertained by you? You have made them guilty as well in this unholy industry.

The Spirit of truth is against you, for the way of righteousness has been forsaken. The gift I gave you is used to serve the mammon of this world. The mammon has corrupted you and will continue to eat upon you as a canker to utterly destroy your service to me. Be not deceived, you say that you serve me because you sing the songs of Zion, but have they not been bartered in the day. Did I instruct you? Have I not been replaced with managers who will not allow you to be a blessing to those I would send you to? Would I not heal sickness and save the lost if you would but bring them to praise me with a pure heart. But you cannot do this thing, for your heart is no longer pure. You are there even as Balaam. This is the spirit of error.”

Needless to say I was taken back by some of the words spoken here. But then I asked myself, truly what would Jesus do were He placed in such a situation. It is only hard to understand and grasp what God is saying to the Body of Christ if the spirit of error has been accepted as the way of righteousness and the heart is closed to correction.

Concerts: True gospel concerts would be opened to all who desired to worship and praise Him in the song and dance. No one would be forbidden to partake of the gifts God has given to the Body simply because they do not have the cover charge. But we have justified these ways because of the costs involved. But God is saying to us; we institute these costs because we covet the mammon and are trying to imitate the world’s way of getting it. Thus we have corrupted the way of holiness. The thinking is that God is not able to bless the psalmist who is determined to glorify Him without the trappings of the world. This is not true. Ask Carman, who has never charged for a concert, God having spoken to him saying not to sell the gift to the children.

Albums: This admonition is not about albums that are sold to the people of God. These are artifacts that one may choose to purchase to bring home and enjoy. God is not dealing with the sale of manufactured goods; He is concerned with the sale of His gifts; the gifts that were given to us freely. Albums and books are things that we paid to have manufactured. However, my heart has instructed me to make my books and study guides available to places where that is the only method I have of getting the Word in. The truth is, God has not said any more to me concerning this matter, if He does speak concerning this issue I will indeed say so.

Conferences: His mind is the same when dealing with conferences in which people desire to hear the Word of God. Many are denied God’s truths because of the registration fees required just to enter the doors. The gospel is free and will indeed remain so in this ministry.

Gospel Plays: All that is done in the gospel is ministry, not entertainment. The purpose must be the same. Gospel plays are platforms to preach the gospel in a matter to which all can relate. It is the anointing that will destroy the yokes and set captives free. This is the work of the Holy Ghost. It should not be for sale.

SAVED OR LOST

There is controversy in the Body of Christ as to who is saved and who is not. Well in any case it is the Lord who knows. Romans 8:9 states if we do not have the Spirit of Christ, we are none of His. This I think we have come to understand. It simply reiterates the fact that we must be born again. But what about the way we live after having received salvation? Can we say we are saved and heaven bound if we choose to cross the line of demarcation?

1 John 5:19-20 (KJV)

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Now these verses declare that we are in Christ. But they also declare that Christ is true and that we are in Him that is true. This means that we are born of the Spirit of Truth. It is in us and that in itself leaves us without excuse when we follow after the way of error.

Ephesians 5:5-11 (KJV)

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

We cannot escape the truth here. God has done a complete work in us. We are truly His workmanship. There is no controversy in the work He has done. Right now we are light in the Lord. God has placed us in His Spirit to only produce fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth. That is the only way to prove that which is acceptable unto the Lord. This is not just something Paul decided to write. This is the commandment of the Father. He is not mocked. He has done a work in us that can indeed produce His righteousness and He will have a people who will obey. The choice is yours. You can chose to walk on the other side of the line of demarcation. You can choose to walk outside the boundaries of the faith. But we are instructed to have no fellowship with darkness. The Lord is very adamant concerning this matter.

1 John 1:6 (KJV)

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

If we walk in darkness we have no fellowship with the Father. Does this mean we are alienated from God even while we go about our daily routines; or does this refer to a coming judgment? Although the saints of God refuse to accept the truth, I think the scriptures are quite clear on this issue.

1 John 2:9,11 (KJV)

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. …

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

According to the above, those who walk in any iniquity are in darkness even right now. We also know that it is impossible for those who walk in the dark to enter into the Kingdom of God at the coming of our Lord. Why is it so hard to face the truth that condemns sin? Why is it so hard for saints to admit that God is not making allowances for any darkness to abide in the sons? He will disown us. He will not know us in the Day of Judgment.

Beloved, be not deceived by the doctrines of men that are contrary to this. You are only secure in Christ if you continue in the Truth. If you cross the line of demarcation you will be lost.

Consider your ways and cleave to the Lord with your whole heart. Be not of those who draw back unto perdition. Go forward, and press to enter in at the strait gate.