by Bill Goff I’d like to start my message today by taking a look at a very important instruction that Jesus gave to His disciples. He gave this particular instruction back when He began teaching them and telling them, that they are the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” He gave them the important instruction that I want to turn to and take a look at today at the same time that He gave each and everyone of them bright lights. Yes, bright lights, and told them that they were to shine those lights unto men, so that their good works might glorify the Father in heaven. He gave them the important instruction that I want to turn to and take a look at today, back when He was speaking to them about their conduct, yes, about their behavior, about their daily walk on this earth, and how it had to be different from their previous walk, different from the ways of this world. How they were to control their anger, and love their enemies, how they were to bless them that cursed them and do good to them that hated them. And how sin, yes sin, begins in the heart. I
t was back when Christ was instructing His disciples with all these tall orders, like how they were to rejoice, when men would persecute them, and say all manner of evil against them falsely, and that they would have a great reward, awaiting them in heaven, that He gave them the important instruction that I want to look at, and it’s found in Mathew chapter 5.
Mathew chapter 5 begins with the sermon on the mount, the beatitudes. The beatitudes taught by Christ, have to do with virtue, and how a believer can achieve that virtue, and walk this earth upright, and blessed. (That’s what the word beatitudes means, blessed.)
Well after stating the beatitudes, and after telling them all these things concerning how they are to conduct their lives , Jesus kind of summarized all of it, by giving them the very important instruction that I’ve been eluding to, and that instruction is found in verse 48 of Mat 5: Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Perfection
Well today, I’d like to talk a little about this “Perfection” that Jesus instructed His disciples to achieve. This is an important subject brethren, especially as we near the final stages of the building of the church of God, and the return of Christ. We need to have a good understanding of just how “Perfect” our Creator expect us to be, as we ready ourselves to leave this earth, and meet Christ in the air.
Be Ye Therefore Ready
Lets go to Mat 24 for a moment, and notice a verse concerning being ready for the return of Christ. After the disciples came to Jesus, asking Him what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age, and after Jesus outlined all that would transpire, leading up to His return, (the wars, the rumor of wars, the famine & earthquakes, the pestilence, the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness) After telling them all the things that would transpire, and after telling them the parable of the fig tree, and how when its branch is tender and putteth forth leaves, that summer is nigh or close, and how when we see all the things happening in the world, (like we do today) that His return is close, He ended all that by telling them that no one would know of the exact day or hour of His return, but that they needed to be readyfor His return, and that they needed to be ready in advance, so they would not be taken by surprise.
Mt:24:44: Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Jesus told His disciples (and of course this includes us, His church today) to be ready for His return, and in advance, because it would come at an hour that they wouldn’t expect it.
Well what exactly does this mean to be ready, and does this being ready, have anything to do with this perfection that He also instructed His disciples to achieve? This word ready used here is talking about fitness, being fit, being in good condition, and being prepared. Being ready for something normally involves action and a lot of hard work. A prize fighter works hard at getting his body in shape, especially his physical body, same with any athlete. But the emphasis that Christ is referring to here, concerning us being ready, has to do with conduct, how we are conducting our lives. It has to do with our behavior, having our minds, and our actions in proper shape.
A Glorious Church at Christ’s Return
Christ wants His church perfect when He returns, and He doesn’t keep that fact a secret. Let’s go to Eph 5:27 and take a look at the condition of the church at the return of Christ. After speaking about how husbands & wives are to treat each other, (that’s what the church is preparing for, a marriage) And after speaking of how Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it, Paul stated the condition that the church should be in at Christ’s return:
Eph:5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
According to the Scriptures, the church that Christ is building is eventually going to be perfect, without spot or blemish, not even a wrinkle.Now many men teach & preach that this perfection spoken of here, is something that is not achievable as long as we are still flesh & blood. O, they all agree that Jesus was perfect, but they say that it is impossible for others to achieving that kind of perfection, as long as they are still flesh & blood human beings. But is that teaching, that it is impossible for us humans to be perfect until our change over from flesh to spirit correct? Is it sound doctrine? Or is it another one of the many fables, that are being taught throughout the church of God today?
They Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine
Lets remember that we are living at the end of the age brethren, the time when Paul also told Timothy that men, even many in the church of God, would not endure sound doctrine any more. But according to their own desires, because of their own lusts, because of their worldly lifestyles, and their love of this present, untoward, or blemished world, that they would have itching ears, and would heap up for themselves teachers that would satisfy those itching ears. Teachers that would turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables, like we’re told in 2nd Tim 4. (lets turn there please) I know this is another one of those Scriptures that we hear over & over, but I don’t know if we really comprehend the importance or the magnitude, of what is being said here?
2 Tim 4:1: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. (lusts, in the Greek means = a longing for what is forbidden.)
God’s Word Translation states it the best, states it like this: “A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear.”
Could we be amongst them brethren? Could we be amongst the majority, going along with the flow, wanting to hear smooth things and fables? Could we be amongst those who are not even trying for “perfection” because they have been told that it is not within their reach? Did Christ instruct His disciples to do something that was impossible for them to accomplish when He told them to become perfect, even as the Father is perfect?
Lets take a look at this word “perfect” used here. maybe its definition will shed a little light on whether or not it is achievable while still in the flesh. This word “perfect” used in Mt. 5:48, is “Teleios” in the Greek, and it comes from the word “Telos” which means: complete in growth, complete in mental and moral character, full grown. (Kind of ready for picking.)
Some word studies state that Teleios means = One who has attained his moral end, the goal in which he was intended, namely, to be a man obedient to The Creator. (To be a man walking the walk, and not just talking the talk.)
Teleios is the church member who is converted. He not only learns the Scriptures, but he also continues to change his ways, and walk in truth. He’s a person who’s focus is not on this present untoward, or blemished world, but on a different word. He’s looking for and yearning for that City built without hands, the Kingdom of God, the City that is not here yet, but is currently on the horizon. Teleos, is the member who has conquered, the lusts of the eyes. The lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life. This is the perfection that God is looking for in us, its the goal, the purpose, that He wants each and everyone of us to achieve. And He has given us the power, the help to reach that goal, His Holy Spirit.
The Magic Wand Fable
Now many pulpits teach & preach that perfection will not be achieved until our change over from flesh to spirit. Many will tell you that you can’t be perfect, until the resurrection. They seem to think that God has some kind of magic-wand that He’s going to wave over our heads at the resurrection. A magic wand that will instantaneously change our sinful natures and our hearts of stone, into those holy righteous characters, with hearts of flesh. Could that be brethren, could there be some kind of magic wand at the end of the tunnel, that will make us become perfect as our father in heaven is perfect?
The Rock Quarry
We need to take a little trip today, down to the rock quarry of the church of God. Yes the rock quarry, where the church is being formed, where the church is being prepared, where the stones (us) are being cut and chiseled and shaped, and being made ready to be erected into that Spiritual temple, on the other side at Christ’s return. We need to see if there is any magic wand being used down there in the development of that holy righteous character that the builder (God) is trying to develop in each and every one of us.
Let us always remember, that God gives us the physical, so we can better understand the spiritual. God had Solomon build a physical temple, but every thing about that physical temple, right down to its most minute detail, has spiritual significance. Let’s take a look in the tool shed down there at the rock quarry, and see if there’s any “magic wand“ in there. (Lets go to 1 Kings 6:7) We need to know if this magic wand really exists. We need to know if God is going to change our natures, change our characters, change our walk, and change our hearts at the resurrection, or if that is something that is required to be achieved now?
1Kgs:6:7 And the house (that’s the church) when it was in building, was built of stone (that’s us) made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
Notice it says: “made ready before it was brought thither” that word thither means the other side. Yes, made ready before one’s changeover from flesh to spirit.
Brethren, there’s no “Magic Wand” down there at the construction sight. That smooth transition from flesh to spirit was offered back in the Garden of Eden, when the tree of life was readily available. But man rejected that route, and requested the rough road.
Axe
There’s no magic wand in the tool shed for the building of the church of God. Although there is another tool down there, a tool that is rarely spoken of in this end time age of fables, smooth talking, and itching ears. There is an axe, we just read it in 1 Kings 6:7. I’ve worked my whole life with many different kinds of tool, and when it comes to an axe, there is only one purpose for that tool, destruction. Axe’s are not used to build up, but to tear down. Axes split things in two.
Fruit
Let’s go to Luke 13 please. We have a God who means what He says, and says what He means, and He repeatedly tells us, that He‘s no respecter of persons. This “Holy Righteous Character” that the Father is trying to create in each and every one of us, takes time to develop, time to grow. He’s called us to perfection, to maturity (full growth). And He checks up on us from time to time, to see how we are doing. Once a plant reaches maturity, (full growth) it produces fruit, and that’s what the Father is looking for in each and every one of us, fruit. The proof is always in the pudding. If there is no fruit, it’s because the plant stopped growing, and never reached maturity.
Lk. 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree (This fig tree represents us, the called of God) planted in his vineyard; and He came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7: Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumber-eth it the ground?
That word “cumber-eth” means: render entirely idle (or worthless) were going to see that used word again, in another scripture shortly. Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumber-eth it the ground? 8: And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Do you ever wonder why sometimes, things just don’t seem to be going to well in you life, how sometimes life can be just one trial after another? Brethren, that’s all part of the digging & dunging. That’s all part of Christ trying to get our attention, trying to get us to begin walking properly on this earth, and producing good fruit that will be pleasing to our Father in heaven. Brethren, if we are not producing fruit, we are in trouble, because without fruit, the plant, the tree, (us) is worthless to our Creator.
Full Growth Equals Perfection
Being ready for the return of Christ involves full growth, and its called perfection. And full growth – perfection, is what produces good fruit, which the Father is looking for in each and every one of us. And good fruit can only come from good trees. Bad fruit can only come from bad trees. Let us not be fooled by fables and false doctrines, bad trees have that axe leaning up against their root, not a magic wand.
Mt:7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Brethren, It doesn’t say that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit will be magic waded at the end of the day. If it did, then God would also have to magic-wand Satan and his demons at the end of the day being He is no respecter of persons.
Make The Tree Good
Brethren, God will not allow any bad trees to enter into His Kingdom. That’s why the Father is looking for our fruit, He needs to know what kind of tree we are. If our tree (us) is a corrupt tree, and not producing good fruit, then we better take action now to correct it, to change it, while there is still time to do so.
Mt:12:33: Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
John the Baptist, the one who spoke in the wilderness of Judea, calling men to repentance also speaks of that axe that we saw back at the tool shed.
Mat 3:1: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (drop down to)5: Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6: And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10: And now also the axe (yes, there is an axe brethren.) Is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: 12: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor (1 word in the Greek and it means: to cleanse perfectly) and He will thoroughly purge His floor and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Brethren, are we wheat, on our way to the Kingdom of God, prepared and ready to meet Christ in the air? Or are we chaff, headed for the fire? The chaff is the waste, the part you throw out, (do away with).
Perfection is not an impossibility for the members of the church of God brethren, perfection is within our reach. But perfection will not come from the waving of any magic wand at the end of our lives. Perfection is to be achieved now, and knowing what to do to achieve it, is not to difficult to discover.
Be Compassionate and Give Alms
Luke, the church physician, tells us what to do if the axe is leaning up against our tree, us. After the multitude heard what John the Baptist told them, concerning the axe that is leaning up against every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, they asked him what they should do.
Lk 3:10: And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11: He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12: Then came also publicans (tax-collectors) to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13: And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14: And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Upright
Brethren, contrary to what is being taught from many of the pulpits out there, the Scriptures teach mankind to walk this earth “uprightly” And all the more when it comes to the COG, the first fruits, us. The builder of this church, the building of this Temple, is Jesus The Christ Himself, He is our chief corner stone, He is the one that we are to conform to. And He is just like His Father, Perfect, Holy and upright in Character, Just like He was when He walked this earth 2,000 yrs ago. And the Scriptures tells us to become just like Him.
1Ptr 2:21: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. …
So why, with so many Scriptures telling us that we must stop practicing sin, stop being workers of iniquity, and walk this earth upright like Jesus did, why are there so many pulpits telling us that it is impossible? Its because there’s a spirit out there brethren, a spirit that has infiltrated the church of God.
The Spirit of Antichrist
We need to focus in now, on something that has been bombarding the pillar & ground of truth, the church, for a long time. Its something that began attacking the church of God all the way back in the Apostle John’s time. It’s something that those with itching ears, love to hear. And its called: “The Spirit of Antichrist” Its the spirit of antichrist that teaches and preaches the magic wand theory. It’s the spirit that says that Jesus did not come to this earth in the flesh, that He was not a mere man like you and me, capable of transgressing the law, but that He had a bit more God in Him than any of us could acquire while walking around in this flesh & blood body.
1Jn:4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
That spirit of antichrist says that one cannot stop sinning while he is still flesh & blood human. They feel that Christ could do it because He wasn’t totally flesh like we are flesh. That spirit says that we will not have our sinful natures changed until we are changed from these mortal bodies. But that spirit is a lying spirit brethren. Our sinful natures need to be changed now, while we are still in the flesh, and the time allotted for changing our sinful natures, is rapidly running out brethren.
The smooth talkers in the pulpits in the COG today like to tell their listeners that there the church, their the saints, there the ones who will be there in the millennium, helping to rule this earth with Christ. They make it sound like once you get yourself baptized, your in, with nothing to concern yourself about, as long as you continue to pledge your allegiance to them.
But the Scriptures clarify who is in the church (pillar and ground of truth) and who is not. The Scriptures clarify who will be receiving those crowns, and who will not. The Scriptures clarify who are saints, and who are not.
Clarifying has to do with Purifying
The word saint means pure, holy, unblemished, unspotted. If we’re still blemished, if we’re unholy, then we don’t really qualify as a saint. Paul used the word “becometh” saints, a number of times. Let’s go to Eph:5:3 for a moment and notice that word ‘becometh“.
Eph. 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
That word becometh means “to tower up” You tower up by praying, fasting, studying God word, changing from your sinful ways, filling up on God’s holy spirit and allowing it to lead you. Gal 5:16 says: “If you walk in the spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”
The Scriptures also clarify who will be there ruling with Christ and who will not. Christ told the church at Laodicea (the current state that the Church of God is in, lukewarm) that one has to conquer sin in order to rule with Christ.
Rv. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Notice that it does not say to him who is only trying to overcome, but to him who overecometh, one who succeeds)
Brethren, if we want to be there, if we want to fulfill our calling and be granted to sit in Christ’ throne with Him, we have to qualify, we have to be conquerors of our sinful way, and overcome our sinful habits. Don’t believe that “spirit of antichrist” Jesus did come in the flesh, and He did walk this earth uprightly. And the reason He didn’t sin, was because He chose not to sin. And He succeeded, He succeeded because He stayed close to His Father and was full of that powerful holy spirit which gave Him the strength to overcome temptation. Yes, He used His Fathers powerful holy spirit to overcome. The same powerful holy spirit that we have been given, and need to be filling up on, so we will walk this earth as He walked, upright. Are we using that powerful holy spirit that we were given at baptism & hands? Or are we too involved with the care of this world to fire up that spirit, and change our wayward walk? We need to go to Mat 11:12 for a moment.
The Violent Take it by Force
Did you ever drive up to a mountain, and drive right through it? Via a tunnel of course. Think about all the force that had to be used to boor a hole through that earth, even being assisted with dynamite. Mathew 11:12 talks about another human task that requires a lot of force.
Mt:11:12: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
That verse is talking about a fight, a struggle, and a lot of endurance. No one floats into the Kingdom of God. O, it’s a free gift alright, but God makes it quite clear that He is not going to give that free gift to any one who won’t repent of their sinful ways, and change from their sinful walk. And the only ingredient powerful enough to change our sinful natures, is God’s holy spirit. And only If we use it, and only if we become filled with it can that be accomplished. (You can verify that later in Mat 13:33) And that spirit is alive, and needs to be moving, it needs to be active and not quenched. Its like a fire, if you don’t stroke it and poke and stir it up from time to time. It will eventually go out. (A good stroking & poking time is on the Sabbath.) God is not a liar. He says what He means and He means what He says.
1Cor:6:9: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.
Which category of sin were we walking in brethren, before we were called? The list continues in Gal 5:19, lets go there please.
Gal. 5:19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultry, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness, (Loves all pleasure, and exercises no restraints), 20: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now it matters not where we were on this list in the past, when we were first called by God the Father Himself. We were all sinners back then, but we were called to repentance brethren. We were told to “go and sin no more” And we made a commitment at baptism, that we were going to do just that. When we came up out of that watery grave, our commitment to God was that we were going to change from our previous ways, change, from our previous walk. What matters now is that, that long list of unrighteousness of the workers of iniquity, doesn’t include us.
The Blood of Christ Cleanseth Usfrom all sin, if we walk in the light
We need to stay on the straight & narrow path that leads to life, because the wide path, that the many are taking does leads to destruction. (like we’re told in Mathew 7:13) Those who possess the spirit of Antichrist likes to tell us that we have been cleansed from our sins by the blood of Christ, and this is true, but this also needs a little clarification. Clarification that can produce purification.
1Jn 1:5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7: But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Yes brethren, the blood of Christ does cleanse us from ALL sin, If we walk in the light as He is in the light. No magic wand at end of tunnel, only that bright light
There is no magic wand at the end of the tunnel. O there is a bright light all right, but that bright light needs to be shining now. It needs to be shining now, by each and every member of the body of Christ, and atop a lamp stand.
In my last message I asked a question, I asked “where is Satan?” Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the cares of this world, that we neglect to realize the dangerous times in which we are living brethren. And I’m not talking about theorists, or bandits, our physical lives are trivial. We need to be concerned about our spiritual eternal lives, that are currently in danger.
Satan to be cast down to Earth
Let us refresh our memory, Satan is still up in heaven, He’s still busy accusing the brethren before God day and night Rv:12:10 But that verse also says that he (Satan) is going to be cast down to the earth. And he’s going to be very angry when he arrives in our neighborhood according to Rev 12:12 where it says: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Brethren, do we realize what is ahead for those walking down the wide & broad path? Those who don’t believe God, and don’t want to change from their ungodly ways? And all the more for those who have been given the gift of God’s holy spirit to succeed at overcoming, when they made that commitment to do so, at baptism & hands. We think there are problems on this earth now? What is coming is the culmination of all the evil, cruelty, injustice, and bloodshed that this earth has ever seen.
Let’s ask another question here, “where is Christ?” I’m sure most would say, (and rightly so) that He is up in heaven at the right hand of God the Father. But what is He doing up there? why hasn’t He returned yet to set this world straight and relieve it from all the suffering? If you check the statistics, only 25% of the inhabitants of the entire earth live relatively good, like the Americans, but 75% are suffering, and many, are suffering horrendously.
Why hasn’t Christ returned yet, to set this world straight, and relieve it from all the suffering? Do we realize the answer to that question brethren? We should, because it has everything to do with today’s message. It has everything to do with our current behavior, and our eternal lives. You see, our current behavior is determining whether or not we will be granted the gift of eternal life, or whether we will perish (get the axe) It’s something that we take much too lightly brethren, but God doesn’t. Our loving Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, want us to receive that gift, but do we want that gift of eternal life? Do we want the positions of ruler ship under Jesus Christ that He has promised to give to those who the Father has called? Could we be holding up the return of Christ, and the establishing of His Kingdom on this earth?
2Pt:3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Brethren, we need to walk the walk now, we need to be upright now. We need to be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, now. Salt is good: but in Mark 9:50 it says: “if the salt have lost his salt-ness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Brethren, are we the salt of the earth, or have we lost our savour? Are we the light of the world, shining atop a lamp stand? Or have we buried our light in the sand?
Two Chruch Groups
Let us not be deceived by all the confusion and division caused by the many false leaders who have “quenched the spirit of God” and have lead many in the church astray, and divided the church into hundreds of so-called splinter groups. Because in reality, (in God’s eyes) there are only “two” groups our there that comprise the church of God at the end of this age. Yes, only two groups, the “wise” virgins and the “foolish” virgins. The wise virgins will be in a good position at the return of our Lord and Savior, when the “midnight cry” goes out, announcing the return of Christ. The wise virgins will be found “still so doing” His work at His return. The wise virgins will love His appearing, and will enter into the marriage, where the door will be shut, like we are told in Mathew 25:10. We better go there for a moment, in case anyone doesn’t know that the door to the marriage is going to be shut. That scripture is seldom mentioned in these latter days of smooth talking fables.
(lets start in V 6) Mat 25: 6: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8: And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9: But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Does He know us brethren? Lets hope He does, lets hope were wise, because the foolish virgins will be found wanting on that day. The foolish virgins, will not only not participate in the marriage of the Lamb, but according to the Scriptures, the foolish virgins will taste of the tribulation that is coming upon all of mankind, to try them according to what we just read in Mt. 25:9.
When Christ returns, He’s going to present to Himself: “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without blemish” Sounds kind of like perfection if you ask me. Are we going to be on the inside or on the outside when the door is shut? A bride has to prepare herself for her wedding. And if she is not prepared for the wedding, she won’t be wed. We read earlier in Mat 24:44 where Christ instructed His bride to be ready for His return. “Be Ye therefore ready” Now lets go to Rev 19:7 and see if His church did what He said.
Rv:19:7: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
The Father who has called us, has been telling His people for a long time, that His Banquet, the wedding that we have been called to, is ready. He tells those which are bidden, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. Matt. 22:2-4” The question is, are we ready?Or are we still too involved with the cares of this world, with the cares of this present physical life, to prepare ourselves for eternal life, in the Kingdom of God? 1
Jn 2:15: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17: And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The will of God brethren is for us (His children) to shoot for perfection. By ourselves, it is humanly impossible. But we are not by ourselves, if the spirit that enabled Christ to overcome, liveth in us, then we can overcome, just like He overcame. We are nearing the end of the church age brethren. The wise virgins, the ones who don’t take their high calling lightly, will soon come to perfection. But those who are in part, those who have not continued to grow, and mature to perfection “spiritual maturity” producing good fruit, will be done away.
(Let’s read that Scripture 1st Cor. 13:10) Paul is speaking about the brethren here, all the brethren, both groups, The “Wise” & The “Foolish”.
1Cor:13:10: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Translated: when that which has grown to maturity, to perfection, to full grown in mental and moral character producing good fruit, is come, (When they arrive on the scene) “Then that which is in part shall be done away” In part meaning: that which hasn’t continued to grow, hasn’t maturity in mental & moral character, doesn‘t have any fruits to show, we‘ve all hear of him, the one who hid his talent, in the sand ) will be done away.
And that word : “done away” used here, is the same word used by the Father in Lk:13:7: “Cumber-eth” “Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumber-eth it the ground?”
“Cumbereth” – “done away” same word =2673 “to render entirely idle” useless, worthless, abolish, destroy, vanish away.
Not a good time to be a “foolish virgin“ neglecting to fill his vessel with the precious oil of the word of God, Brethren. The Father has already come 3 times looking for fruit “And found none” He’s only coming to look one more time.
(Lets conclude in 2nd Tim 3:16) God wants us to be ready for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And He’s looking for perfection in each and every one of His children. He want us mature, and fully grown to perfection, His perfection. He wants to see Himself, when He looks at us. And its quite achievable for us to become like Him, because He has given us the power of His holy spirit, and His instruction book, to accomplish the mission.
Yes, His instruction book for doctrine, for proof, for reproof, for correction and for perfection. II Timothy 3:16-17. The Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, yes, perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
This present physical age is just a school room brethren, and mankind chose the bumpy road back in the Garden of Eden. (And relatively speaking it’s a 7,000 yr short course, compared to eternity.) God is concerned about our eternal lives. He wants His Kingdom inhabited. That’s why He created man is His own image, because if they grow good, and mature into a good fruit producing beings, He going to keep them, and bring them into His Kingdom. But if they don’t mature into something good, but only in part, He going to have them done away.
Perfection, full spiritual maturity is within our reach brethren, don’t believe those who say it is not. Let us move on to perfection, while we still have the opportunity and the time and the power to do so.