The Body of Christ
(The Church established by Jesus Christ.)
Vs.
The Body of the State
(The church established by the state.)
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20)
In America, there has been a separation of Church and State. Exactly what that separation means can be debated. What cannot be debated is what is written in the Constitution of the United States, also known as the Bill of Rights. Article One of that Constitution states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
That statement was not made to create rights in a government, a government assumedly created by the Constitution of the united States. That article was made to make it clear that no right or privilege was granted to government to make laws respecting an establishment of or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
“Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that [is] among them.” (Le 15:31)
All religions and churches should be exempt from government influence. As we look out into America, can we say that this is still true or does it appear that government today both establishes religion and prohibits religion and churches? Are churches subject to strict operational restrictions by government authority?
“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:” (Mt. 25:32)
Who is supposed to establish a church and when is it established?
I have been told more times than I care to recall that all churches must file 1023 forms and become tax-exempt as a 501c(3) church. People have quoted Paul’s letter to the Romans over and over again. They declare that we are required to apply for tax-exempt status as a 501c(3) church because “it is the law.”
Is it the LAW? Is it required by law or statute or regulation or rule that a church must apply to the state or be established by the state as a corporation of the State? What is required to become exempt?
The Internal Revenue states that, “The following organizations will be considered tax exempt under section 501c(3) even if they do not file Form 1023: (a) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches,…”
“Some organizations are not required to file form 1023. These include: Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or association of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group.”
“These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501c(3). However, if the organization wants to establish its exemption with the Internal Revenue Service and receive a ruling or determination letter recognizing its exempt status, it should file Form 1023 with the key District Director.”
By this, we can see that churches are ‘automatically exempt and are not required to file’. The publication does go on to say that “these organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements”. Two questions should be asked:
First, what are those requirements?
Second, what is included in the classification of “organization”? Note that the publication does not say that ‘churches’ are exempt if they meet the requirements, but only that ‘organizations are exempt.’
The same Section of 557 states,
“If Organizations that have a statutory requirement to apply for recognition do not comply with the requirements relating to exemption applications, deductions for charitable contributions will not be allowed for any gifts or bequests made to those organizations.”
Again, note the use of the words, “organizations” and “statutory requirement to apply.” None of this refers to churches which are not required to file, nor does it refer to true church organizations.
All churches are organizations, but not all organizations are churches. Is the word, “religious” used merely as a descriptive word to describe a type of organization or the source of its authority that established it?
Are there any regulations, rules, or statutes that determine approval if you do decide to apply to be religiously exempt as a CHURCH?
Department of Revenue and the I.R.S. state:
“In order to determine whether recognition of exemption should appropriately be extended to an organization seeking to meet the religious purposes test of section 501c(3), the Internal Revenue Service maintains two basic guidelines:
1) That the particular religious beliefs of the organization are truly and sincerely held, and
2) That the practices and rituals associated with the organization’s religious belief or creed are not illegal or contrary to clearly defined public policy.”
On the same page of that publication, we see phrases like, “If you are organized to operate a home for the aged, the following information must be submitted:” Or if you are a scientific organization, “You must show…” etc. But for religious organizations, there are only ‘two basic guidelines’ which are merely ‘maintained’ by the Internal Revenue Service. These mere guidelines are maintained only ‘to determine whether recognition of exemption should appropriately be extended to an organization seeking to meet the religious purposes test.’
Are there actual statutory regulations defining churches or their requirements to apply?
The I.R.S. rules and codes are not statutes and have no authority of law in themselves. They are based upon the USCS, but the I.R.S. makes no mention of statutory requirement for churches. “The regulations do not define the term ‘church’ and Congress has given no guidance in this area.” Regulations do not exist for religions or churches because there is no power granted to government to regulate or establish religions.
What statutes do exist that allow the I.R.S. to establish a 501c(3) church? The regulations do not define the term ‘church’ and Congress has given no guidance in this area but in 508c(1) of the United States Codes, Title 26 we see:
Title 26 USCS §508 Special rules with respect to 501c(3) organizations.
(a) New organizations must notify the secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501c(3) status Except as provided in subsection c....
(b) Presumption that organizations are private foundations. Except as provided in subsection c. …
c Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions, Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to ---
(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches....
Or: Title 26 USCS § 508 - 1 Notices
(a) New organizations must notify the Commissioner that they are applying for recognition of section 501c(3) status --- (1) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph…
(3) Exceptions from notice. (1) Paragraph (a) (1) and (2) of this section are inapplicable to the following organizations.
(a) churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches,....
Or: Title 26 USCS § 6033 Returns by exempt organizations.
(a) Organizations required to file (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (2)…
(2) Exceptions from filing. (A) Mandatory exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
(i) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches,....
Or: Title 26 CFR Ch. 1(4-1-96 Edition) Internal Revenue Service, Treasury § 1.508 - 1
(7) Exceptions from notice. Subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph are inapplicable to the following organizations:
-
Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group…
The USCS § 508, § 6033 and the CFR’s do not include churches. All the statutes make mandatory exceptions in the case of churches.
Many have told me that, if you are not a 501c(3) church, you can not deduct your contributions. For those who believe that to be true, they should know that,
“Although a church, its integrated auxiliaries, or a convention or association of churches is not required to file Form 1023 to be exempt from federal income tax or to receive tax deductible contributions, such an organization may find it advantageous to obtain recognition of exemption.”
So, contributions are deductible, if you do not file. Yet, many churches do file. Why? What are the advantages that they may find under a 501c(3) status?
“Advantages and Disadvantages of Exemption Under Section 501c(3).”
“The main advantage to classification under §501c(3) is that the organization is generally spared federal taxation of its income.”
The use of the words “generally spared” should make it clear that any “organization” granted or permitted exemption under § 501c(3) is spared, not because of its nature or right, but because of its “classification.” Probably the most important words to note are the words ‘under’ or the word ‘income,’ as opposed to “contribution.”
“Even if these organizations are not required to file form 1023 to be tax-exempt, they may wish to file form 1023 and receive a determination letter of IRS recognition of their section 501c(3) status to obtain certain incidental benefits such as public recognition of their tax exempt status; exemptions from certain state taxes; advance assurance to donors of deductibility of contributions; exemption from certain Federal excise taxes; nonprofit mailing privileges, etc.”
How is it an advantage to exchange a God-given mandatory exception as Christ’s Holy Church for a classification as an organization which is only generally spared taxation under an authority to obtain privileges?
So, what are the disadvantages?
“The disadvantages of exemption under §501c(3) stem from the strict operational restrictions.”
A church or a religion is exempt, in the sense that it is not taxed or regulated, because the government has no power, granted by the document that created it [government], to make rules to the contrary. Do you want to be merely “spared a tax”, although your operations will be ‘strictly restricted’ under the administrative rule of 501c(3) regulations and authority?
It is true, “There is not a shadow of right in the general government to inter meddle in religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation.” Voluntary surrender of rights by those claiming to be the Church established by Jesus Christ is not an usurpation by government, but a breach, violation, and betrayal of the liberty of Christ by the ignorant or by an apostate and, therefore, usurper of the true Church.
What is a church?
Congress does not define what a Church is, but the legal dictionary does consistently.
“Church. In its most general sense, the religious society founded and established by Jesus Christ, to receive, preserve, and propagate his doctrines and ordinances.”
“A body or community of Christians, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith, and the observance of the same rituals and ceremonies.”
“The Supreme court has held that tax exemptions are a matter of legislative grace.” Is this true with all tax exemptions or just the ones granted by the legislative power over institutions that fall under or go under their jurisdictional control?
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Tit 3:7 )
One exemption is by the grace of the government of men. The other exemption is by the grace of Jesus Christ, the Savior of God’s kingdom on earth.
“Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2Ti 1:9)
If, by the grace of God, you have been granted a mandatory exemption from the prohibitions and regulations by man’s governments, why would you desire an exemption by the grace of the legislator who only generally spares taxation and already designates the Church as an mandatory exception to their authority?
“The exemption from taxation of money or property devoted to charitable and other purposes is based upon the theory that the government is compensated for loss of revenue by its relief from financial burden which would otherwise have to be met by appropriations from public funds, and by benefits resulting from the promotion of the general welfare.”
Is your Church “established by Jesus Christ and united under one government to receive, preserve, and propagate his doctrines and ordinances” or is it doing the work of the state governments of men, established by men for the personal benefit of men? If your church is actually a creation of the state, then who is collecting and receiving the tithes you contribute? Where is its authority from? Who owns the church?
“The IRS, for many years has had the right to examine church records, because churches have been collecting taxes for many years for the government. The churches, therefore, hold in trust that which belongs to the government. We have a right to examine church records to see if the churches are handling government funds properly.”
Is your church a Church of Jesus Christ, established by Him, or is it an organization of the State, created by its corporate powers for their purposes and under that State which established it?
Have you been deceived into granting dominion over the Church and your congregation to a foreign authority who is an adversary to the doctrines of Christ?
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]. To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:8, 11)
Why would you put the strict operational restrictions imposed by the arbitrary and human rule of the legislators over the Church instead of the loving and benevolent and eternal restrictions of Jesus?
“Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man’s] conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?” (1 Cor. 10:29-30)
If a church is “a body or community of Christians, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith,” why does it want to go under another form of authority and government from which it already is mandatorily excepted ? If a Church is a body or a community “established by the authority of Jesus Christ’ then why would it want to become a body politic established under the authority of a democratic community of unbelievers with ‘strict operational restrictions”?
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2Co 6:14)
Should the church want to be “considered tax exempt under section 501c(3)” by a restricting permission? We have seen the advantages and disadvantages. To be considered under the statute is to be considered under the authority of the men who made it. Neither men nor their government, have, by themselves, any power to establish or prohibit the Church, founded and established by Jesus Christ.
If the Church is “mandatorially” excepted from regulation, should it go under the power and authority of man-made statutes?
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1Co 6:12)
Is the Church, that was founded and established by Jesus Christ, autonomous?
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common [unclean, unholy] salvation [thing that keeps you safe and healthy], it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” (Jude 1:3, 5)
Do not be a participant in the unclean salvation with its wantonness, denying the Lord God, but seek out the LORD and be a part of His body under the Lord Jesus Christ, lest you be destroyed with those that believe not. Stand fast in the faith of the Lord Jesus, Yahshua, the Christ, our King whose kingdom was not of this world. Should a church be incorporated by the State?
“Incorporate. To create a corporation; to confer a corporate franchise upon determinate persons.”
Isn’t the Church already created by Jesus Christ, according to the legal definition of a church? If Jesus was a king and He established his church under that one form of government with His doctrines and ordinances, then his church is already incorporated as His corporate franchise upon the earth.
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Ro 12:4, 5)
“Corporation (Latin corpus, a body). An artificial being created by law and composed of individuals who subsist as a body politic under a special denomination.”
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.. But now [are they] many members, yet but one body.” (1 Co 2:12, 20)
“Corporation. An Artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state. An association of persons created by statute as a legal entity.”
A corporation is a legal entity created by a state.
“Establish …To found, to create, to regulate.” “Legal… Created by law.”
A corporation is an entity of the state and its statutes.
“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7)
“Corporation. All corporation, of whatever kind, are molded and controlled, both as to what they may do and the manner in which they may do it, by their charters or acts of incorporation, which to them are the laws of their being, which they can neither dispense with nor alter.”
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed , he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (Joh 19:30)
“Charter. An instrument emanating from the sovereign power, in the nature of a grant, either to the whole nation, or to a class or portion of the people, to a corporation, or to a colony or a dependency, assuring them of certain rights, liberties, or powers… is granted by the sovereign…”
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, it], Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Romans 9:20, 21)
What is the act of incorporation of the Church established by Jesus Christ? Was it not the act of His sacrifice upon the cross and the shedding of His blood? Jesus, as Soter and Sovereign, incorporated the Church.
“And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;” Luke 22:29
Is God not the sovereign power of his church? Was His Son’s sacrifice not enough? Is the holy writings of his servants not the charter of His Church? Can we add to it with a new charter of a foreign authority? Should we?
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18, 19)
What is the character of the church, of the body of Christ and from where is it derived?
“The character of the corporation and the purpose for which it was organized must be ascertained by reference to the terms of the charter, and the right of the corporation to its exemption must be determined like wise given by the powers given in its charter.”
“Men will surrender to the spirit of the age. They will say that if they had lived in our day, faith would be simple and easy. But in their day, they will say, things are complex; the Church must be brought up to date and made meaningful to the day’s problems. When the Church and the world are one, then those days are at hand.”
If the Holy Bible is the charter of the Church given to us by the power of God and the church is the body of Christ or His holy corporation, then it is the character of Christ and His purpose that shall be ascertained from His Word. Therefore, also it is His power, given in His charter, that determines His Church’s status.
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,” (Ro 16:25)
Has the body stood fast in faith in Christ as we were warned?
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1Co 16:13)
Have they worshiped and called upon the name of another?
“Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (Jas 2:7)
Have we been blinded by our own pride and vanity?
“Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.” (Ro 11:10)
Do we continuously call upon the name of the Lord throughout the earth?
“But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to [the image of] Baal.” (Ro 11:4)
Have we taken pride in our own creation and bowed down to it worshiping, trusting, and putting our faith in the institutions of men?
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; “(Php 2:10)
Are we bowing our knee in the wrong direction?
“For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Ro 14:11)
Have we given authority over what is God’s to a man appointed authority like unto Caesar?
“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?” (Col. 2:18, 22)
If the state, created by man, establishes the corporation then the state is founder and creator of the corporate church.
“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;… for by faith ye stand.” (2 Corinthians 1:21, 24)
Upon State incorporation, the church, once established by Jesus Christ, the King, is reestablished by a new State. The Church has been converted and changed. It has been reborn as a church organization under the authority of a new father.
“RECONVERSION, noun change, change over… readjustment, rebirth… re-establishment, … return, reversal, reversion, shift, transformation…”
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Re 21:9)
Jesus Christ is not the Father of the Church, but the husband, for the Church is the bride of Christ. Incorporation with the state by a Church, established by Christ, is like fornicating with another groom, another governing power and authority.
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph 5:23)
If the Church is the bride of Christ and His Holy Body one with Him, then how can it let another authority rule over it? Is this relationship established, not because it is the Law, but because it grants gifts or payment? If the church enters into a relationship with the state by its own desire, which was reserved for its husband, has it committed fornication?
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” (Rev. 17:4)
Those ministers and priests, who continue to hide their eyes and put no difference between the holy and the profane and conspire to cause the faithful to stumble and go under the authority of those who are not of Christ, must repent and turn about into His Holy way.
“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou [art] the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. [There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel 22:23, 26)
Can there be any doubt that Christ’s Church is exempt and excepted without application?
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1Co 6:20)
Can you justify giving to Caesar what Christ has bought?
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” (1Co 7:23)
Can there be any doubt that, if you request an exemption that is already mandatory, you are going under a strict regulatory power that claims ownership of your church and your tithes?
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2Pe 2:1)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” (2 Thess 3:6)
To sum up:
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” (Deut. 30:19)
The God that created man and set the world into motion has an inalienable right to judge man. He has granted man free will to obey His judgment or go it alone, or turn to lesser gods. Men bind themselves together with other men to gain or to sustain themselves or others. The nature of these bonds enslave nations or set them free.
Men desire to believe they are blessed of God or are servants of God, but many are workers of iniquity. In the quest for power, men may covet their neighbors' goods, their neighbors rights, both corporeal and incorporeal. The bonds, covenants, contracts, and constitutions, and the corresponding allegiance they often require, enslaves men to the will of others. The bonds of faith, hope, and charity, and the perfect law of liberty, sets men free.
When man steals he rejects the way of God even if he steals from men like Cain who separate from God. They may become answerable to those men and the gods they have chosen for themselves. When man steals from a servant or a child of the living God, that man is answerable to the LORD God, Creator of life.
The words translated “covenant” show up some 300 times in the Bible. A covenant is nothing more than an agreement between two or more parties. “… thou shalt make no covenant with the them…” (De 7:2)
We are not to make covenants with their gods either. All the word “god” means here is “ruling judges.”
“Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their judges.” (Ex 23:32)
Covenants are also treaties and alliances and we should not make contracts, leagues, and agreements with men who can make treaties and alliances for us. We should not strike hands, sign agreements, and become a surety for the debts which will bring us under the authority of ungodly men who do contrary to the will of God. Nor should we covet our neighbor's goods through the exercising authority of men who call themselves benefactors. God wants us to live in righteousness as free souls under Him.
We become subject to Caesar because we strike hands, through application, and by oaths.
We should not go under the authority of any, but if we go under the authority of man-made institutions or governments, we must obey and keep our word and be redeemed from that alien power in righteousness, not rebellion. It is not enough to be free of the authority of men, we must be free of the character of men who do contrary to the Character of God.
Men have desired the gifts, gratuities, and benefits of men, the “dainties of rulers” and the welfare provided by systems of men who offer those benefits at our neighbors' expense. By so doing they have sold themselves into the service of false gods. Like Joseph’s brothers, they have coveted their neighbors’ goods and, through democratic ambuscade, and delivered themselves into servitude. Trusting in liars, we have been delivered into bondage and, through covetousness, we are bought and sold as merchandise, human resources.
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2Pe 2:3)
It is not the tyrants who sit at the tops of governments who oppress the people but the tyranny written in the hearts of the people who do not have the ears to hear the warnings of God. There are many crafts of state, systems of society, and methods of men that may be used to evidence your consent and subjection, but none is more dangerous than our own mouth, slothful hand and covetous heart. The merchants of the earth have bought a full stock including the souls of men. Men have eaten at the tables of the wicked, and collected the use of their brother’s sweat and blood, to the condemnation of their very own souls. They have blindly eating to their fill and have been snared.
What is the Remedy?
It is not by the knowledge of men, nor by the information found in these pages, that men and women are saved from the delusions and illusions offered from a world that has turned away from the sanity of the LORD. It is by the knowledge of our Holy Father in Heaven, engraved in our hearts and mind. Through that knowing of Him, His identity, His Name, His character, we may began to trust in His will. It is by our faithful obedience to His will, as trusting doers of His word, that we are made one with Him who made us.
Yeshua, Jesus the Christ, has won for us the opportunity to be grafted into the Kingdom of God, established by Him on earth, which was, and is still, at hand. By the grace of the princely Lamb, who overcame the beast of man’s ordered world of Satan, the adversary. Now, we can find salvation in His princely station and appointment. Again, we can be grafted to the Tree of Life with our status as His subject. As we repent from the vanity of the knowledge of good and evil and return like obedient servants to do our Father's will, He embraces us as His true children that were lost and now are found.
We must forgive the vanity, judgment, and transgressions of others against ourselves, so that we may be forgiven of our personal iniquity, arrogance, and pride. In our humility, we will be led back to the ways of Him Who created us. All but a few have been deceived and even they would have been lost, except by the grace of the Most High.
Shall we awake?
Are we to sleep forever? Is there a time to awake? What time is it? All have not chosen for a season to live in the comforts of this strong delusion, but have rejected such false security to seek in the obedience to the Father, in order that the grace and inheritance promised of ancient times might be manifest upon God’s earth.
“... Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Eph 5:14)
Should we on awakening, continue to participate and remain in a covenant of iniquity? Should we not seek a better way though we may have to make bricks without straw and glean in the fields at night like Israel in the land of Egypt? Should we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and set His table for all to eat?
… Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:..5)
Has God the Father made us so that we in bondage should serve men? Should we have sold the inheritance of our Father in Heaven for a bowl of porridge and the benefits of a king who rules over the people?
The kingdom of Heaven is not for liars, and rebells. It is for those who care about the rights of others as much as their own. We must seek those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and the desire and industry to do the will of the Father in conformity to Christ rather than merely rebelling against men.
“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.”
“O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction:they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”
“Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God.”
“I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, [and] the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, [and] burst the bonds.”
“Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.”
“How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.” (Jeremiah 5:1, 7)
God knows that liberty is good for the soul. The right to choose is the blood of repentance. We are forgiven as we forgive others. The world of men does not commonly forgive as Christ. We must choose to set others free from our own desire, wantonness and even our true needs. We must choose the righteous way of charity and hope with daily exercise of faith. The liberty of others is essential to the growth of virtue in our own hearts; and to choose another way brings its own condemnation and punishment.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Ga 5:1)
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:”
“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:6, 12).
Audio files
Chapter 15 of
The Covenants of the gods
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