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Why the Church |
Dear Brethren,
Why did Jesus Christ create
the Church? What is its purpose? What is the Church?
Almost no one knows what the true Church of God is. The Church is not
a building with a steeple, spire, or cross on top. Even many of the
people in God’s Church do not have a clear understanding of what the Church
is.
First of all, let's
answer the question, "What is the Church?" The “Church of God” is
not a corporate organization, but it is the body (group) of true
believers that God the Father has called to the spiritual “Body of
Christ.” Therefore, the Church is not a physical entity – but a
spiritual entity – each member being led by the Spirit of God. The Church
brethren are scattered all over the face of the earth. The Church
is made up of those who endeavor to keep God's Commandments in the
same way, and to the same extent that Jesus did.
Church brethren are
to develop Godly character so as to reign and rule with Jesus Christ
at His return. The Church is also to preach and publish the Good
News of the Kingdom of God to the world, and be a witness to mankind
(Matthew 28:19-20). The word "church" comes from the Greek,
'ekklesia,' meaning "called out ones." It is a word similar to
our word, "assembly." But God has a very special purpose for His
true Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, and His life
is a Christian's example of how to live.
The Church lives
according to the rules, customs and ways of life of the Kingdom of
God – even now. The true ministry of Jesus Christ has an obligation
to warn the brethren of all things that war against the truth of
God. The New Testament Church of God believes and follows the
doctrine of Jesus Christ, the apostles and the old Testament
prophets (Acts 2:42, Ephesians 2:20).
Jesus Christ
established the Church for the purpose of training up and qualifying
a people to have spiritual knowledge and Godly character that will
reign and rule with Him in the Millennium. In order for those in
the Church to be able to overcome Satan, they are empowered with a
measure of God’s Spirit. God's Spirit helps the individual Church
brethren to see and perceive things – not like those in the world –
but as God does.
The True Church was
founded for the purpose of providing a nurturing home in which
Christians would be able to develop, “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” (Ephesians 4:13) And, the Church provides the
opportunity wherein we are able to, “…consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)
What is the Church
to teach? How are we to let our light shine? The answer to these
two questions is encompassed by the total life of Christ. What kind
of a man was He? What did He do? How did He live His life? What
kind of relationship did He have with His Father in heaven? The
answer to those questions is what the Church of God teaches, and
that is how the Church is to live. “Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)
There is a
dangerous trend developing today. The Church of God is becoming too
much like this present evil world. Jesus warned that it would
happen in the end-time. Does the Church of God – speaking of the
members specifically – possess the individual ability to discern
what is of God and what is not
of God? Christians are not to bury their
heads in the sand, but we are to come out of the world and be
separate (2Corinthians 6:16). How does the Church become equipped
to deal with the difficult issues of the day – like, for example,
where our nation is headed?
What should a
Christian Church member understand about this rapidly changing world
in which we live? Which political party is better, Republican or
Democrat? Is a Democracy the best form of government? A
Republic? Which
economic model is best, Capitalism or Socialism?
How do individual Church members conduct themselves with regard to these matters?
Church brethren do
not get involved in political elections by voting, nor do Church
brethren fight in wars because it is God who sets up leaders of
nations and gives the victories. "The powers that be are
ordained of God." (Romans 13:1) "The Lord shall fight for
you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:14). It would
be sin to impose our desires over the will of God. What should the
brethren understand about Capitalism or Socialism?
The answer has to do with the soon demise of our nation and the fulfillment of prophecy.
Under the system of
Capitalism, we have come to a serious time in our
nation's economy. The greed in Capitalism
brings abuses. Men in positions of trust have violated moral and
ethical principles for easy and quick financial gain. It is
happening in Congress, Wall Street, the banks and right down to the
used-car lots. Every special interest group has its hand in the
pot. With every pork barrel project, unqualified sub-prime loan,
and tax evasion incident, the honest citizen is burdened, and our
financial system is moved closer to the breaking point.
God allowed America
to utilize the Capitalistic system to grow to become the world's
richest nation. But, let's understand that any form of government
or financial system that man utilizes will be subject to violations
and abuses – because man's human nature is contrary to God’s way.
Capitalism has had its offenders. How much abuse can a system
endure before it breaks? Winston Churchill once said, "Democracy is
the worst form of Government... except for all the rest!" We could
say that the same is true of Capitalism: "It is a flawed system, but
the others are so much worse."
By Capitalism, we
mean a financial system in which one works hard, competes,
sacrifices to develop beneficial new products, and is entitled to be
rewarded financially. Capitalism rewards hard work, and utilization
of available resources. God says of Capitalism: "The Lord
has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." (Psalm
35:27) God instructs those who have prospered and become rich to
watch their attitude and not forget the less-fortunate: "Charge
them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us
richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute [to the needy], willing to
communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
(1Timothy 6:17-19)
Under Capitalism,
America as a nation has prospered immensely: Peace, education,
prosperity, health, longevity, travel, nutrition, technology,
resource development... and we were the most powerful nation on
earth, and the bread basket of the world. But, just think of how
much more we would have achieved had we not been burden with the
cost of wars, prisons, crime, corruption, drugs, and waste? What
kind of nation would we have become if everyone had done their part
– no crooked politicians, no cooked books like Arthur Anderson did
for some of its clients, no Bernie Madoff Ponzi schemes taking
advantage of the gullible, no shop lifters, no insurance scams… And,
with all that – still – under Capitalism, God has blessed America
beyond any nation that has ever existed.
If Socialism is
defined as a system whereby the poor, disabled and less-fortunate
have the means to find their rightful way in society, as God
designed it, it is a good thing. "When you cut
down your harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the
field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for
the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that
the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands."
(Deuteronomy 24:19)
But, if by
Socialism, we mean to take from those who have
worked hard all their lives, sacrificed for their families, saved to
build a future for their children, paid their taxes, helped the
poor, and honestly contributed to society, and to give
it to those who do not have the character to do so, then it is
wrong. Socialism, as it is generally practiced today may very well
be the tool that God is using to bring the final curses and
destruction on modern Israel, i.e., the USA and British peoples.
Read Leviticus 26 to see exactly how accurate God has predicted what
is happening to America.
What is a Christian
to do when the Government becomes anti-God and anti-Christian? No
man can entirely disassociate himself from the Government and
society in which he lives and is a part of. True Christians are not
a part of this world – but we should be able to answer questions
like that. Now we fear that our nation is moving towards
Socialism. All those who have never put into the system will drain
it dry in short order, while those who worked, saved, and
contributed to the system will find little there in time of need.
Today, there is a
big movement towards Socialism – and its proponents say it is fair
and good because it cares for the poor and downtrodden. Should the
government take the improved resources and financial gain away from
the developer and business man, and give it to those who are
unwilling to contribute to the development of America? God says,
“You shall not steal.” Socialism is stealing from others.
Socialism is lusting for what others have achieved. "Neither
shalt thou desire ... any thing that is thy neighbour's."
(Deuteronomy 5:21)
Is a Socialistic
welfare state more Godly because it claims to care for the needs of
the little man? Is a Socialistic state more Godly because it wishes
to redistribute the wealth of the people? Is a Socialist
Government more Godly because it says that all the resources belong
to all the people? History has proven that the leaders in
Socialistic regimes are horribly corrupt and always lack compassion
for their people. Brethren, it takes the development of Godly
wisdom and character to walk in a Godly way in this evil world.
Socialism, by its
very nature wars against production. I have tried to get inside the
socialist's mind to understand what it is that they think they know
– because some are sincere. They are sincerely wrong, because a
Socialist is one who thinks he is still in an economy like God
produced within the Garden of Eden – where there is an endless
cornucopia of food, wealth, produce, etc., and it was there for the
picking.
The
Socialist thinks that all you have to is dress and keep it,
and just help yourself to everything (Genesis 2:15). It was God
who created the Garden of Eden and did all the work and provided
everything for all to partake of. A Socialist does not understand
how production and wealth are created.
That is the mistake
the Socialistic United States is turning to – it wants the
government to be "daddy" and feed it. But, understand this, we are
no longer in the Garden of Eden – we have been kicked out! God is
no longer producing everything for us so that we might help
ourselves to it. Now it requires labor. By the sweat of you
brow... mankind now has to work for a living (Genesis 3:19).
In today’s economy
– someone has to provide the productive labor to develop
the resources. America is so
terribly rich that it is not immediately noticeable to some that the
tide has turned. More is coming out of our abundance than is going
into it – we are a bankrupt nation. And the economic policy of
rewarding those who are the greediest – is only hastening our
demise.
No system of man’s
governance or economy will ever bring about what will soon come to
fruition in the Kingdom of God. Because of man’s shortcomings and
sins right now – all government and economic policy will come
short. Because of the excesses in the systems, neither Socialism,
nor Capitalism can bring the deliverance from the ways of this world
that man truly needs. At this time – because Satan is the God of
this world – and because man is ruled by his carnal nature, the
lust, which is an inherent part of Socialism, will bring control of
our latent production, manufacturing and services into the hands of
the state and corrupt government officials – leading to shortages,
poverty, hyper-inflation, and deep depression.
In the Kingdom of
God, we will have God’s perfect government and economic system. Man
will be able to expand his talents and resources beyond today’s
wildest imaginations. And at the same time all the needs of
children and elderly will be more than filled so that the children
might thrive, and the elderly be respected role models.
Brethren, there may
not always be a true minister to ask. Let’s become a mature Church
capable of discerning the times and situations according to the Word
of God. And, let's remember to pray, "Father, thy Kingdom
Come."
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"Why the Church"
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