We see and hear about much happening in the lives of the saints; some positive and some negative. In many cases this has resulted in the attention of the saints being fixed on survival or maintaining balance in the situations and circumstances of their lives. If we do not walk after the Spirit, we will find ourselves caught in a web of deception. I used the term deception, because it is evident that much of the Body of Christ has been deceived by the world. I have been ministering to the Body for over thirty years and I have seen a constant and systematic seduction of the Church by the ideologies of the world.
The intent or purpose of God has been compromised, and in some cases exchanged, for the aspirations of flesh. The fact that the saints of God are truly new creatures, even a new race on earth, is beginning to sound like something out of a science fiction movie to the saints themselves. The Body of Christ has listened to error, half truths, doctrines and philosophies of men so long that it has moved from the first principles of the Faith to the wantonness and lusts of men. However, this is not just a happenstance. When the Word of God is compromised, it is impossible to produce a true Son of God who walks in the character and purpose of Christ. We received the Holy Ghost and with Him came all that God is. We were born into the purpose of God. But what does that mean to this new generation of saints? It now seems that purpose is always associated with money and possessions. The acquisition of the “things of this world” has become the focus of many sermons and is most certainly the focal point of the Christian lifestyle.
Who believes it is the intent of the Father for us to be just like Jesus?Who believes we are actually free from sin and have overcome the world andthe lusts thereof? To many, these are mere metaphors. They have no real meaning in the majority of Christendom. The truth is, the ancient message of salvation and living in the kingdom of God has gotten lost in the pursuit of earthly treasures. Faith is taught as a key that unlocks the door to great wealth and prestige. There are very few who continue to teach the “take no thought” message or “the truth about suffering.” Often, the word preached from the pulpits has driven the saints of God back into the world to get the things they are being told God has promised them. These doctrines have pointed the people of God to themselves and not to the purpose of God for their lives.
Many are no longer ambassadors for Christ. They no longer represent the kingdom of God, neither are they satisfied with living in the kingdom. There is a tremendous difference between the mindset of the early church and that of the church today. But God is faithful to promote and maintain His vision of a Son. He is also careful to retain unto Himself those who will be faithful to go and tell the vision. In doing so, we will not waiver or compromise. We will not lessen the evil in sin nor will we accept of ourselves anything less than Christ. It is the purpose of God for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The church Jesus is coming back for will be one that is unified in the faith, having the knowledge of the son of God. This knowledge does not come by preaching, teaching and learning alone, this knowledge comes by experience. The knowledge of Christ is obtained by a walk in the Spirit. Thus, the true sons of God will walk in the power of the Spirit, not loving or coveting the things of this world.
You need to stop and think for a moment. If the scripture above is true, then doesn’t it stand to reason that there must be a drastic change in the definitions given to Salvation, Faith and Church? New Age, false doctrines and the philosophies of men, have redefined what it means to be a Christian. We also need to consider the absurdity of God writing and acting out an entire New Testament, just so the saints of God could have the material things others receive merely through their professions or just plain old honest hard work? It is ludicrous to think that Jesus died just so that we could believe on Him enough to receive a new car, house, more credit cards or the good life this world has to offer. Is that it? Is that the reason we all received the Holy Spirit and were left here on planet earth; just so that we could manifest our salvation by the multitude of our possessions? Did Jesus have to die just so that I could be as wealthy as those who do not know Christ? Is this the vision God has for us? I think not.
