JESUS' DIVINE MISSION FROM GOD
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19
This passage which Jesus read to the people of His home town in the synagogue of Nazareth, is a prophecy concerning Himself, the Messiah, from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-2. If you look at this prophecy concerning Him, you will notice that God sent Jesus to bring hope, healing for wounds, and deliverances of different kinds. When we look at the life of Jesus we see all kinds of healings and miracles which this prophecy did not speak of directly. The healings and miracles in themselves were not addressing His primary purpose, they were an added benefit or rather a consequential benefit of the task God sent Him to do - liberate us from slavery, oppression, and victimization, the by-products of the darkness/sins of this world, our own, or that of others. When we see all the wonderful works that He did we gain a beautiful insight to the heart of God our Heavenly Father for us. He is seriously concerned about our hardships and sufferings. The term "the acceptable year of the Lord' is referring to what was called the year of Jubilee under the Old Testament. At the year of Jubilee, which was every fifty years, there was a declaration to release all debts. Every Israelite who had a debt to anyone was released from his debt. Now, under the New Testament, Jesus Christ has brought God's Jubilee, releasing us from our debt of sin. How exciting is this!? Jesus told the Jews, "...Truly, truly, I say to you, 'Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin...If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.'" John 8:34,36
In retrospect, the wounds, the deliverances (including the blindness) that God was sending Jesus the Messiah to free us from, were and are the consequences of the sin defiled world, and the works of the devil. But not only the consequences of sin in general which bruise, enslave, or make victims of people, but also the consequences of our own sins. Jesus told one man after He healed him, "Behold , you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you." John 5:14.
PLEASE NOTE – Not all afflictions are the results of our sins.
Please be careful not to falsely accuse people. (Job, John 9)
Concerning the sin which blinds us, Jesus told the religious leaders, "If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now that you say, 'We see.' your sin remains.'" John 9:41
I will repeat it again, everything that is bad in this world, death, pain, sickness and disease, are all the result of sin and the curse of sin that entered the world through Adam. We are therefore vulnerable to afflictions even if we are not guilty of certain particulars. Then, of course, there are all the terrible things that happen as a result of man's evil behavior. These were not a part of God's original design, nor are they a part of His plan of redemption and our salvation. But the SIN had to be removed first, and that was the primary mission of Jesus Christ the Son of God. When the sin is removed (appropriated by faith in Jesus as each individual turns to Him), the wonders of God's grace are and will be lavished upon us "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 7. Come on, People, this is BEAUTIFUL!!!
One may ask, "Why are people still suffering and dying?" During this life the battle against sin/evil, and death, will rage on until Jesus Christ returns. God's plan of redemption is not completed until everyone world- wide has had opportunity to be saved and all the prophesies are fulfilled. Only then will He return . The last enemy of mankind to be put under His feet is death" 1 Corinthians 15:26. However, even now, healings are available through faith in Jesus Christ, and can be obtained by our faith in Him. Our physical death will be overcome at our resurrection when He returns, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Thus His mission will be complete when death is completely removed.
THE CROSS OF CHRIST - NARROW GATE INTO THE PLAIN OF GRACE
"Jesus said to him, 'I Am the Way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by Me.'" John 14:6
One may ask, "Why is that? What about other religions?" Religions can not cleanse us of our sins, only the blood of Jesus can cleanse anyone of their sins. REMEMBER - It is our sins that separate us from God, and the only sacrifice that can wash away our sins before God is the Sacrifice that His Son offered - His very life for all mankind for all time
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JESUS CHRIST DID NOT COME TO CHANGE CULTURES, HE CAME TO CHANGE PEOPLE!!! For examples, look at the lives of Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene. What about your own life. As people are changed by the grace and love of Jesus, sinful cultural practices will automatically change, and the God-given beauty of each culture will shine forth to His glory.
If you will notice, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ whereby everyone must be saved, does not come in a package laden down with rituals, traditions, rules, and regulations. Instead we all have to enter the narrow gate of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The rituals, rules, traditions, and so on, (most of which are the design of man) can only be 'somewhat kept' in a society that can conform its people to the demands. But all our religious activity can never eradicate sensual indulgence nor cleanse us of our sins Colossians 2:23 Even the religious laws and statutes of the Old Testament which were ordained by God, the people were unable to keep ("Now therefore why tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" Acts 15:10). Instead, through the Gospel (Good News) of the New Covenant, by the which God provided for each person to be cleansed from their sins is, "repentance towards God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts20:21. To this anyone and everyone qualifies and can grasp, regardless of nationality, culture, time, location, gender, and age. Now how wonderful is that!!!
This key of faith in Jesus Christ places every person on an equal plain and enables them to be completely accessible to His eternal salvation. Subsequently not everyone has to learn Hebrew, or English, or wear western clothing, nor Jewish clothing. We are not called to follow a list of traditions, rules, and regulations to be saved. We do not even have to change our diet, or run away from science and technology. Rather we can embrace everything that isn't ungodly to the glory of God! God is the One Who made the nations, languages, and designed the 'Healthy' variations that are suitable to the environments, climates, and their corresponding demands. And especially when in Christ Jesus, all are for His glory.
THE UNCOMPROMISING CROSS OF CHRIST
Oh, but it also means that you have to drop everything at the Cross of Christ that will hinder you from receiving His salvation and grace, and that will keep you from entering the Kingdom of God. This would not only mean any sinful practices; pride, selfish ambition, hate, idolatry, lusts, greed, violence, and so on, but also religious practices that are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If the practices or beliefs in our culture allow for any of these, and whatever else is contrary to the doctrines of godliness in the Scriptures of the Bible (in every culture there are certain ungodly practices which they allow and even endorce), all of these the believer has to break away from. There is a beautiful book/video by a missionary, Otto Koning, called "THE PINEAPPLE STORY". As a missionary couple, Otto and his wife were posted at a village where thieving was the practice of the culture. As the brother relates the events you will laugh to tears. He explained how the Lord had to first deal with him and his attitude before He was able to deal with the people. It is a beautiful and amazing story of the Holy Spirit's convicting power, the unchanging truth of His Word, and grace of God in Christ Jesus. But the point is, is that even though thieving was an accepted cultural activity in that particular society, and actually taught, they were still sinning in the eyes of God. As with everyone else, they had to repent of it and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to be saved from their sins. Remember, BREAKING GOD'S LAWS WILL HURT SOMEONE (even if it is just yourself), regardless of time, culture, belief or any other excuse.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - THE LEVELING FOR MANKIND
"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together..." Isaiah 39:4-5
"God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind." Romans 11:32 Jerusalem Bible
It is wonderful to see the amazing justice and counsel of God. Through the laws of God and the truth of the Gospel, God has placed everyone on the level ground of 'guilty as sinners' and the need to be saved, regardless of who they are, when and where they are from, and what they have or have not done. There are countless situations that are so varying that judgment by behavioral comparison would be nigh impossible for us to judge, and definitely not justly, which is one reason why judgment belongs to God alone. Let us compare someone who was born in a good home, stable family, with a wholesome godly upbringing, who had never committed a major crime. Then look at the life of another who was raised in the slums of a big city without proper parental upbringing, who stole, lied, and what not, to survive. If they were judged by our comparative behavior it would not be fair. God judges the heart and not only our actions. That is why He revealed grace and truth through His Son Jesus Christ. John 1:17 Then He transforms both into a child of God. The cross of Christ puts them both on the same plain as sinners needing to be saved. Both are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose blood washes away the sins of both. Isn't that so fantastic!
So faith in the sacrifice of Christ Who paid for our sins, puts the entire human race on the same level plain. I was listening to a Christian radio broadcast that was requesting prayer for some terrorists who gave their lives to Jesus. Their greatest struggles at the time was the huge burden of guilt for the terrible things that they had done to their victims. The grace of God in Christ is more than sufficient to cleanse us from our horrible crimes. But we even need His healing grace to enable us to endure the consequential grief and shame for our actions after gaining the revelation of how terrible our sins are.
We may feel that it isn't fair that God equally forgives someone who has done terrible deeds the same as He forgives those who have done comparably less (at least by our standards). But God's heart and perspective is not ours. Jesus left us the parable of a vineyard owner who hired workers to labor in his vineyard for a day's wages. Then he hired others three hours later, six hours later, nine hours later, and finally eleven hours later. At the end of the day he paid them all a day's wages. Those who were hired first were resentful because they received the same wages as those who only worked one hour "'...and you have made them equal to us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I have done you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a penny(day's wages)...Is your eye evil because I am good?'" Matthew 20:1-15 We all like the level plain until we feel that we are better and deserve more than those we are looking down on.
THE GIFT OF SALVATION
JESUS CHRIST PAID FOR OUR SINS IN FULL AT THE CROSS. THE GIFT IS RECEIVED BY FAITH AND IS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF OUR GOOD BEHAVIOR. NOT ONLY ARE OUR SINS FORGIVEN, BUT IN CHRIST, GOD PROVIDES THE GRACE WE NEED TO OVERCOME OUR SINFUL BEHAVIOR AND TO LIVE THE LIFE OF HOLINESS HE HAD CALLED US TO. MUCH MORE THAN THAT, HE ALSO HAS ENABLED US TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF HIS CHILDREN. NOTHING CAN BE ADDED TO THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF SALVATION TO IMPROVE IT, NOR CAN ANYTHING BE TAKEN AWAY FROM IT. "For by ONE offering He has PERFECTED FOREVER them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
The holy and righteous demands of God's laws are met in Christ Jesus completely independent of all our works. There is no room for boasting, pride, or self-righteousness on our part, but rather the giving of thanks.
BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS AND WAYS?
Outside of Christ, when we are still in our sins, our religious traditions and customs no matter how dedicated and earnest, do not remove the sin that separates us from God our Creator. Only the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ will remove our sins in the eyes of God, "...and without the shedding of blood, there is not remission/forgiveness" Hebrews 9:22. However, when we approach God through faith in Christ Jesus, then our works of faith come alive. What I am saying here is that going to church or whatever religious meeting place, praying, helping the poor and any other good work or religious activity, may make you a better citizen and person in this world, but they will not bring you to God while you are outside of Christ. However, when we surrender our lives to Christ in faith, our sins are paid for and we are cleansed in the eyes of God. Then all these activities become alive and have real value at every level due to our contact with God through His Holy Spirit Who now resides in those who believe. They do not make us more righteous, but they can testify of His works and ways (if they comply to His Word), others are blessed and He gets the glory!
OUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISES AND THEIR VALUE, AND OUR GOOD WORKS AND THEIR VALUE
Prayer, Bible Study, worship, helping the poor and our neighbor become critical and extremely important activities and are the fruit of a new life in Christ. Listen, we need to pray if we are to maintain our relationship with our God, and to intercede for others. We worship Him because He is worthy and it is an expression of our adoration to Him. We fellowship and attend church because the Bible admonishes us to. We are under the commandment to love one another, so how can we not help others and care for the poor and needy, especially since His Holy Spirit is now in us and desires to do so? We read the Bible so as to learn His ways and know Him better. It is also a great means of communicating with Him.
If, however, we attempt to make these works as our justification before God without first having our sin removed in Christ, or instead of, is like trying to put the cart before the horse, or trying to get into a country without a passport. Furthermore, if we feel that by doing all these good things (and they are good things), that they will make us more pure in the eyes of God and erase our sins, we are affronting the perfect gift of His salvation and grace that He purchased for us on His cross. However, if we offer them as an expression of faith and love, they make a beautiful offering to God, and a great benefit to the recipients.
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
"And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." Titus 3:14
UNDERSTANDING THE SACRIFICES AND THE DEATH PENALTY
The penalty for sin is death, and we all have a multitude of sins. For our part, self-redemption is impossible. We can only die once, and even that will not bring us back to God. Under the Old Testament, God allowed the use of animals for some of their sin offerings; however, it took more than one animal to bring the offender back into relationship with God. First they had to sacrifice an animal (typically a lamb or a goat) for the sin offering. Then the life of another for a burnt offering which was a rededication to God, and this was for every time someone sinned. Jesus became our Sin Offering, our Burnt Offering, our Peace Offering, our Guilt Offering, and whatever else that the Laws of God required with regards to offerings and sacrifices. At the cross, it is our life in exchange for His. Therefore in Christ Jesus all payments and offerings were fulfilled with regards to our salvation. This gives us a glimpse of how much He loves us and what our salvation required and cost. Furthermore, as mentioned before, there were no animal sacrifices that could atone for any violations of the first seven commandments. Only through the Blood of Jesus can we be totally cleansed from any of these sins - "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39 NIV. In fact, the blood of animals could not really cleanse us from sin "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4.
Can you see how impossible and vain all our good works are before God outside the cross of Christ? The Bible says that, "All our righteousness are as filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6
"Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain lifestyle received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." 1 Peter 1:18-20
DID JESUS REQUIRE ANY RITES FOR OUR FAITH?
Now that God has established the Door for our salvation (John 10:9) = faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He did leave us to fulfill our part through THE COVENANT SIGNATURES - OUR CONFESSION AND BAPTISM
These are the initial outward declarations of our faith and conversion.
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10
"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be dammed." Mark 16:16
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'" Acts 2:38
Our confession is our initial expression, but it is also to be ongoing when opportunities present themselves. "And I say to you, 'Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that denies Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.'" Luke 12:8-9
Baptism, on the other hand, is a one-time act once a person believes. Jesus did not make it a ceremonial fanfare. Instead, we are to follow His example. He did not give us any details or ritual demands other than the examples that are left in the Bible. But be assured, these acts of faith run far deeper and are far more significant than they may initially appear. Consider the sometimes severe persecution some believers have suffered when they made their confession, and or when they got baptized. Many have been martyred in so doing. (I covered baptism in more detail in the topic 'Water Baptism').
THE LORD'S SUPPER/HOLY COMMUNION (Also covered in another writing)
Another rite that He indicated before He returned to the Father is what we call 'The Lord 's Supper', or Holy Communion.' Again, Jesus left no specific commandment regarding observing this other than whenever we do partake of the Lord's Supper we are to do so in earnest remembrance of Him. So we simply follow the examples left in the Scriptures as best as we can regardless of our diverse situations.
"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread : and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is My body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of Me.' After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
By leaving detail commands out, the Lord is enabling us to honor Him by principle rather by specifics. In this way we are able conduct our fellowships according to the diversities and necessities that our situations demand.
WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER 'CHURCH' ACTIVITIES?
True, for various reasons there are multiple Church activities and perhaps an even larger diversity of Churches and Fellowships. The diversity is testimony of our liberties in the Gospel of our salvation. So to be a disciple of Jesus and have our sins forgiven, it is not according to the Church we go to, the type of services we have, the way we serve Communion, or any other outward thing. Again it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Any genuine believer has to recognize his brother in Christ, regardless of the differences. The Lord will sort out our differences. So if I pray standing, or kneeling; if I take communion with real wine, or just grape juice; if I attend services on a day other than Sunday, or rarely attend anytime; or if I wear my work clothes to church instead of a suit and tie, what difference does that make to God? Nothing in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ demands any of these things to be saved from my sins or to be acceptable to God. If I, while worshiping Him, am trusting the price Jesus paid for my righteousness and my salvation, and I am loving Him with all my heart, and following Him by faith, am I not accepted of Him? How can my expressions of faith add to or take away from the gift of salvation that He has provided for me, unless, of course, I am walking in rebellion? Instead I am glorifying Him hopefully to the best of my ability.
Now on this same note, how can I condemn or judge my brother who is an upright, godly person and loves Jesus, yet who does everything different than I?
"One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not , ad the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred that another, another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God." Romans 14:2-8 NIV
Can you see the flexibility that God has allowed in the New Testament which we are under? I was so blessed one Christmas (and not all Christians celebrate Christmas) while living in the Yukon. There I saw a Nativity display outside a church on which all the characters were First Nations clothed in their traditional winter garb, and the animals were a moose, bear, and what not. Have you ever noticed that almost every artistic depiction of the man Jesus here in the west is basically a European and not a Middle Easterner, which the man Jesus was? This is in complete agreement with Colossians 3:11 which says, "...Christ is all, and in all." So to me He is a westerner, or oriental, or African, or..., even though He wasn't, yet He is.
WHAT ABOUT THE LAWS OF GOD?
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS:
1 -You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 - You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3 - You shall not take the name of the Lord you God in vain.
4 - Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5- Honor your father and your mother.
6 - You shall not murder.
7 - You shall not commit adultery.
8 - You shall not steal.
9 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 - You shall not covet. (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5)
"Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith." Galatians 3:23 NAS
Although in Christ we are not under the law ("...whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4) because our right standing with God was accomplished by Jesus' sinless life, death on the cross, and His concluding resurrection; nevertheless, in Jesus the righteous standards of the law are upheld even though we are not trying to follow them. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin tin the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:3-4.
` The 10 Commandments transcend time and location and are applicable to every society. It is so important for every believer to know the Laws of God. They are the perimeter of God's moral standards, they reveal the deserved consequences, and our need for the Savior. As the Scriptures says, "Moreover by them is Your servant warned: and in keeping them there is great reward. " Psalm 19:11
Idolatry is idolatry as soon as the True and Living God is made known. Blasphemy is blasphemy for the same reason. Honoring your father and mother is no different, everyone has one. It is the same with murder, adultery, stealing, lying, coveting, and all the associated sins of any of these. People are people, sin is sin, and sin hurts, kills, and destroys. "Do we make void the law through faith? GOD FORBID! Yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31
In other words, as we abide in Christ we will not practice any of these violations no matter who or where we are, nor does God's grace make allowances for us to practice them. Anyone living in and abiding by the Spirit of Christ will NOT be breaking the Laws of God.
With regards to not breaking these laws, there is no reason for us to boast, especially if we claim to be abiding in Christ. We had better not be breaking them. In the Gospels we have the example of a well-behaved rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked Him what good thing he needed to do to get to heaven. Jesus told him that he needed to keep the commandments of God. At that point the young man stated that he had done all these from his youth (but he knew something was still lacking). Jesus then told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then take up his cross and follow Him. The rich young ruler turned away in sorrow because of Jesus' answer. Mark 10:17-27. To attain salvation for himself was no easier than for a criminal. In fact, perhaps harder. From what we see in the story, he knew that his righteousness by the law was not sufficient, yet he did not seem to have a problem following Jesus. Nonetheless, giving up his wealth was his barrier between him, God, and his Salvation (ETERNAL LIFE) Which commandment addresses that?
WHAT ABOUT THE SABBATH?
The Sabbath principle was first ordained by God on Day Seven following creation. Under the Law of Moses it became a commandment with a death penalty if broken because it was also a law for righteousness to the people of Israel; however, Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly and has become our Sabbath Rest "For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His." Hebrews 4:10
This is not a license to disregard this wonderful principle of life which God has provided for all mankind. But neither is observing it a basis for our righteousness before God since Christ has fulfilled it for us. To those of us who are able to observe it, it is a great blessing and healthy enjoyment, especially if we make it an opportunity to worship. Not everyone is able though, and in our changing world, the road may narrow. Thankfully we have the grace of Christ Who is our righteousness and our Sabbath Rest. Remember, Jesus said that, "...The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27
So if our situation in life does not allow us to observe the Sabbath, the righteousness of Christ has already covered/fulfilled it.
MORAL LAWS VS RELIGIOUS LAWS
There is a huge difference between God's Moral laws (the Ten Commandments), and religious laws. The religious laws I am referring to are typically rites and rituals that the believers are suppose to follow in order to please the demands of our particular religion and presumably their God. Often they are man-made, have no eternal benefit outside of our what Jesus had accomplished for us, and no relevance for survival in our day to day life. That is why religion can be burdensome. Jesus said, "Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
God is keenly aware of how hard our lives can be, and it is not His intention at all to make it worst. Jesus constantly showed compassion for the burdens, struggles, hardships, and illnesses of the people. That is why He performed all the miracles, healings, and deliverances. The miracle of Him feeding the five thousand with the five loaves and two fish was recorded by all four of the writers of the Gospels. Now that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all the moral and religious demands of God the Father for us, we no longer need to be burdened by them as we walk with Him by faith and love. Instead, if we so choose, we get to practice the religious expressions of our faith for our benefit as we see fit.
THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
I have no intention of shooting down all religious practices. Many or even most are fine. When exercised by faith in Jesus, they can play a very important roll in our faith. - REMEMBER - WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS , AND HEALTHY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A WHOLESOME AND BALANCED LIFE in this natural world.
There is a huge value in our Church activities, and the Scriptures admonish us "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
Our 'Public Gatherings' should not be the center and focal point of our walk of faith in Jesus, but a part of the overflow: however, regardless of how they are carried out they coordinate fellowship, worship, prayer, Bible teaching, spiritual and natural nurturing of various kinds. These are so critical for the building up, strengthening, encouraging of the believers everywhere. Again, there are no set Biblical commands on how or where they should be carried out, but certainly should be according to the need. Guess what, Jesus can work within the parameters of our designs if we allow Him. Our religious activities are meant to help us carry out our faith in our natural world.
WHAT ABOUT RELIGIOUS/WORSHIP TRADITIONS THAT ARE NOT TYPICALLY LIKE THE STANDARD WESTERN CHRISTIAN MODEL?
It is important to point out here, that Christianity is not a 'WESTERN' Religion, but from the Middle East, Israel to be exact.
Years ago I read an article where Messianic Jews were being persecuted by the non Jewish believers because, after their conversion they continued worshiping Jesus in the Jewish way of worship, and not in the typical Western standard of Christian worship. The author pointed out that it was a complete reversal of debate from Acts 15. Now it is the Non Jewish believers had to allow the Christian Jewish believers to worship Jesus and the Father in their traditional way. In every culture and people group there are forms of worship that are completely out of line with Biblical teaching, but for any that are not, perhaps we had better not touch it and let them glorify God through their own faith in Jesus. If it is not in violation to His work on the cross and the grace of God in Christ, what should we say? If someone is trusting Jesus Christ alone for their salvation and not their works, let God be their judge. We do have the Scriptures of the Bible to confirm or to caution us with regards to our activities. One concern we must be keenly aware of, even as the apostle John stated in 1 John 5:21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
THE LIFE OF FAITH IN JESUS AND HIS INCREDIBLE FREEDOM
The end product of Jesus' Sacrifice for us is a day-to-day intimate walk with God through His Holy Spirit, similar to what Adam and Eve had with Him in the Garden of Eden. It is a relationship not based on hard labor, rigorous demands, or strict controls, but simply a relationship based on faith and love. Furthermore, through the matchless liberty He has provided us, we are free to serve and enjoy Him and the life He has given us regardless of the situation or environment we are placed in. He is Truly WONDERFUL and PERFECT!!!
CONCLUSION
I doubt that we can ever, in this life, even scratch the surface of all the treasures of God 's grace that Jesus has purchased for us through the Cross. Regardless of who your are, where your are, or what you have done, available to you right now are His Love, Joy, Peace, power, His incredible freedom, and eternal life. In all this freedom we can live holy and godly lives in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. This amazing gift of salvation is available for all people for all time, and that means you too!!! JESUS LOVES YOU! Believe on Him today!
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