The Difference

Dear Brethren,

What is the difference between the world’s Catholic and Protestant Christians, and the true Christians within the Church of God?  The question becomes more difficult for some when asked the difference between good Christians in the world and weak Christians in God’s Church?  There is a great difference between those who are converted and those who are not.  The apostle Paul warns Timothy to look out for those who do not have knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7).

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  (2 Timothy 3:5)

How can we tell the difference between true Christians and those who are not?  The answer has to do with God’s Spirit and things spiritual.  When we speak of the “spiritual” realm, let’s understand that the spiritual transcends this earthly world of ours.  So much of what we deal with in religion has to do with concepts that are not physical, but spiritual.  If we are to understand the will of God, it is imperative that we distinguish the difference between the things of this present evil world and the things of God.  That is spiritual discernment.  Those without spiritual discernment deny that it even exists.  It is there – but those of the world cannot see it.

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul had to explain that it was necessary for true Christians to differentiate between the two concepts – physical and spiritual.  He described how the spiritual domain of God the Father and Jesus Christ superseded the physical things of this world.  Paul had to enlighten the brethren of the fact that the spiritual presence of God is more real than the visible world that human beings live in.

When called by God into the Church, Christians are to grow from their initial unconverted carnal state to the point of having greater spiritual discernment as their conversion increases.  They are to grow in grace and knowledge.

 Just before He died, Jesus explained how it was that Christians would be able to begin to have spiritual discernment by having God’s Holy Spirit dwelling in them.  Jesus said, “Even the Spirit of truth; [God’s Holy Spirit] which the world cannot receive, because it cannot see it, neither knows of it: but ye know it; for it dwells with you, and shall be in you.”  (John 14:17)

We receive letters from time to time that we like to share:

Dear ZZ’s

There are many people in God’s church that are thankful that brethren like yourself are allowing God to direct your lives and to be used in part of His work.  It is apparent that God is now awakening some of the brethren.  Please know that you are greatly appreciated by a great many out here in the church of God.  As you have stated before, the church of God is a spiritual organism and not a corporation.  So many [ministers] today seem to be very guarded on what they say as not to offend and thus risk losing income… at the expense of watering down the word of God…

In this time of the last era of God’s church as prophesied, the majority, it seems are unaware of the critical state the church is in…

I and many like me are praying for you daily.  You may not feel that people are listening but there are many out here that are beginning to wake up and it is people like you and Sharon who are allowing yourselves to be humbled before God and to allow His Son to do a part of His work through the gifts He has given you.  It appears that God is starting to wake the ten virgins up and the sifting of the wheat has begun.  God has been inspiring many in several groups of the greater churches of God for the past few years to give wake up warnings and inspiring messages that paint a clear picture when they are put together…

I just wanted to give you and Sharon encouragement and to thank the both of you for allowing God to direct your lives in feeding the starving and scattered sheep of His church.

I am looking forward to this coming feast of Tabernacles when we can visit together again in person and inspire one another as iron sharpens iron in the presence of God at His feast through His Holy Spirit…

Thank you so much for allowing God to direct your and Sharon’s lives and having the faith to step out and allow Christ to work through you.

Your Brother in Christ,

USA

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Sermon:  "The Difference"


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