For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
We finished the last post with this verse. The Gospel is the real power behind the Church. It is the power of God that will change the world.
The Gospel is the power behind the Church. It has been watered down and largely been made inert through religious tradition.
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mark 7:13
The Word of God is the Gospel. It is the power of God but it is rendered ineffective through religious tradition.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
Satan will not show up with a pitchfork and horns wearing red tights. He is very subtle. Paul tells us that there are many “ministers of righteousness” who have allowed themselves to become his tools. This does not mean they willingly mislead God’s people.
Many denominational leaders have unwittingly become tools in the enemies hand. They teach religious tradition that has robbed the Church of her ability to reach the world.
Our society is in a downward trend morally because the Church is not being salt and light. It is often difficult to tell the difference between a Christian and sinner from an outward appearance. Both suffer from lack and often live paycheck to paycheck. Both suffer from the same sicknesses and diseases. It is no wonder the sinner has no desire to convert!
The Gospel is the power of God. If we speak the truth and let our light shine before our coworkers and family we will have an effect.
I have heard people question the condition of our government. I’ve heard ministers talk about the need of Christians to become more involved in the political process. We have a duty as citizens to vote. Some of us will be called to serve in the political arena.
Our involvement in the political arena will have an impact. This is true in any country. It will have an impact but it will not bring about permanent change. Governments will only change when the people running them change. We will not see this if we are not taking the Gospel to them to enable a heart change.
I believe the power of the Church is found in the Gospel. Paul tells us this in Romans 1:16. We have a responsibility to take it to the world. The Word of God is powerless sitting on a bookshelf unopened.
God has a plan for each of our lives. He has a plan but it will not be accomplished without our participation.
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Psalms 78:41
We limit God. Religion tells us something opposite of this. He is limited by our unbelief but many ministers will say God is the source of our unbelief.
I truthfully believe that sovereignty has been used by many ministers as a crutch. People will look to them for an answer to why something happened. Pride blocks them from admitting they do not know.
“God’s ways are a mystery we will never understand.”
I’ve heard ministers make comments like this. They forget the words of John:
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”
(1 John 2:20)
That unction is the anointing. The anointing is the Holy Spirit who takes up residence in the spirit of a person when they become a Christian. He is inside of us and He is the source of all knowledge.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Psalms 78:41
I have heard people say that nothing can happen in our lives without God allowing it. If this is true then how could Israel have limited God?
God is limitless. He can do anything but He has bound Himself to His Word.
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Psalms 138:2
God has bound Himself to His Word. The Psalmist tells us that He has even magnified His Word above His name!
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Here we see that God upholds all things with His Word. This is the same Word He magnifies above His very name. What would happen to creation if He violated that Word?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:6-7
Let’s examine James words in light of our study. We see that God provides grace to the humble. The humble submit themselves to God. From that place of submission they resist the devil and then the devil flees from them. Notice that this verse does not say God will resist the devil. He has delegated that responsibility to us.
The word resist indicates there must be action. It means we will have to actively fight against the devils schemes in our lives.
God has bound Himself to His Word. This means He cannot resist the devil for us. Why? Because He has told us to resist the devil. He is bound by this Word to leaving this responsibility to us!
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