The Great Gulf

Many in the Body of Christ believe it is glamorous to be a pastor. But there are many sorrows that come with this great responsibility. It is not easy to lead those who rebel against the very core principles of our faith. It is sad to watch them move away from the gospel into their own vain desires.

Romans 9:1-5

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Here we see the desperation of the Apostle Paul. He is concerned about many of his countrymen whom he knows will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven simply because they have rejected their Messiah. This nation had received the promise of adoption, and the promise to be glorified with the Father and the Son. They received the covenants, the giving of the law, the servitude of the priesthood in the temple and all the promises. Nevertheless, they will not make it in because they did not receive the Lamb of God as the final sacrifice for sin.

The story and history of Israel is given to us as a schoolmaster. We must remember that all Scripture is for our learning. When we look into the history of Israel and its natural estate, we can see the mind of God relative to the church.

Romans 9:6-9

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

This is a powerful teaching. Paul states that it is not that the Word of God is of none effect; but rather that not everyone born into the nation of Israel is considered an Israelite. He further reiterates this in the seventh verse when he says even those who were born of the seed of Abraham were not the children of God or of the promise. This is very important because the same is true regarding the Kingdom of God today. The truth is there are many who are born into the Kingdom of God who will find themselves in a very bad situation at the judgment. They will not enter into the Kingdom of Christ at His return. Though it is a sad truth, it is the truth.

The Lord is desperately trying to show us this through the eyes of the Old Covenant. Abraham had found favor with God and God promised him a righteous seed. However, he said the promise would be fulfilled in Isaac, the son of Sarah. Though Ishmael was the seed of Abraham, he was born by the will of the flesh; not the power of the promise. You may ask, how does this relate to the church? Well, it is very simple; many in the Body of Christ walk after the flesh and not after the Spirit. They are not abiding in Christ as the Scriptures has commanded. Some have strayed so far until the Scriptures declare that they have forgotten they were once purged of their old sins. The children of the promise were accounted for the seed of Abraham. The same is true with Christ. It is those who abide in the Word, which is the seed of God, who are the children of the Kingdom.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11).

Let’s go a little further. In this scripture he is very specific about this matter:

1John 3: 9-10

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The Scriptures will not be denied. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin. He cannot sin because the Word of God remains in him. This is so very important. This is a description of a true son. He does not commit sin. He abides in the Word and the Word abides in him. This is something the Body of Christ must come to embrace. There are many who have been born into the Kingdom of God, but only those who regard the Word of God shall endure to the end. The sons of God must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Many years ago, the Lord said to me that in order to understand salvation we must first understand the parable of the Sower. I have taught this parable many times in the past. However, in writing this study guide the Lord spoke to me specifically concerning its meaning and intent. This parable is an explanation and description of the great gulfs that separate the sons of God.

Luke 8:11-12

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

These are the only people in this parable who are not saved. They heard the Word of God by the wayside but they did not believe and they never received salvation.

Luke 8:13

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

It is obvious those characterized as having received the Word with joy, yet have no root, are saved. We know this by the fact that when temptation or trying and testing comes, they fall away. This word “fall away” simply means to depart from, to withdraw, to back away, to refrain, and to desert. In order to fall away, they must first be in the faith.

Luke 8:14

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Jesus said, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”(Matt.7:19). This scripture implies that the tree was able to bring forth fruit. However, for whatever reason, it did not. Therefore, it is cast down and thrown into the fire. This judgment is visited upon the sons of God who do not walk in the Spirit, have corrupted themselves, and are not able to produce the character of Christ. These are the saints whose eyes are not single. They are in hot pursuit of the pleasures of this life. They break the laws of God in order to obtain the wealth of this world. In many cases they never do obtain it, but that does not change the fact that they are continuously in pursuit of it. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters.” This is so true; either you will hate the one and love the other, or despise the one and cleave to the other. The bottom line is that these saints are not able to walk in the character of Christ. They never come to perfection; which simply means to obey God in all things at all times. The cares of this life distract them. This is sad because they have forfeited a place in the Kingdom, which is a far better reward than what this world has to offer today.

Luke 8:15

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Finally, we come to those who are walking in their salvation. These saints of God regard the Word in their hearts. They keep it, cherish it and live by it. They will endure to the end. They are a true manifestation of the sons of God. For the first time, we are able to see the Kingdom of God or rather the Body of Christ through the eyes of the Father. This parable is also confirmed in the book of Romans where it talks about the fact that in a great house there are vessels of honor, as well as vessels of dishonor. This is the great divide in the Body of Christ: those who walk in the Spirit and those who do not. According to the book of Galatians, Paul says these two factions will war one with the other making it hard to do the things we would do.

So what is the bottom line? According to the Scriptures there are four types of people attending our churches.

1. Those who heard the Word, but didn’t believe. They are not saved, yet they come to the church.

2. Then we have those who did hear the Word, but they hardened their hearts and it could not take root.

They are on a course set for Hell.

3. We also have those who love the world and the things of the world and are in hot pursuit for these

things. What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?

4. Lastly, are those who keep the Word in their hearts and manifest Christ. These will glorify the Father on the earth by walking in the life of the Son.

For many years now we have asked ourselves, “Why is the church so divided?” Our explanation has been that there are so many different doctrines being taught in the Body of Christ that have led to so many different belief systems. This is true. However, it is also true that even in the church where all of the saints are hearing the same thing, there is a great gulf between the sons of God. With these four different types of people dwelling in the household of faith, there can be nothing but a great divide. How do we fix this? What are we going to do about it? It is time for the sons of God to take their heads up out of the sand and realize that the Father desires to be glorified in the sons. That will never happen as long as we are divided. That division can only be breached when the saints of God all speak and believe the same thing. Nevertheless, it is the intent of the Father to bring us to the unity of the faith. What that means is with or without our cooperation, He will do so.

The Lord will have Himself a church. It will be spotless and without blemish. It will be holy, sinless and very Christ. It will glorify the Father because it will be a manifestation of Jesus Christ on earth. Don’t forget our starting point in this lesson. The sons of God do not sin. The seed or the Word of God remains in them. They hide the Word deep in their heart. They cherish it. They know that it is their life. Because the seed remains in them, they cannot sin. This is where all of us must come. We must respect the Word of God, cherish, love and hold it precious. Then, and only then, will we be able to walk in the Spirit, manifesting a sinless life before God and man.

And now to the leaders in the church, let this word relieve you of your frustration in dealing with the people of God. There are some in the household of faith who are vessels of dishonor. They will not conform to the Word, they will not submit to righteousness, and they will never walk in the unity of the faith. These are facts pastors must be willing to accept. Jesus laid out these four factions in the household of faith. Three of these make up the Body of Christ. They will not agree and there will always be a great divide and a great gulf that cannot be crossed unless everyone submits to the Word of God. Therefore, let us continue to move forward with those who obey the Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to deal with those who do not. He knows how to chasten through the Word of God as well as through circumstances. But do not hinder those who reverence God and are glad to obey Him. Be diligent; keep the watchmen on the walls.