Not too bad! But once again spelled out as a very detailed process and sequence of events with the "messenger" playing the usual integral role.
Monday | 26 June 2017
True religion
The apostle Paul had one important question for the Galatian believers. He wrote, ‘This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?’ True religion begins when a person receives the Spirit. They are born to see when the faith of God is given to them. This faith comes to them through an illumination. As Christ is portrayed before a hearer through the preaching of the cross, the light of illumination comes to them from Christ’s crucified, marred face. A spirit of grace and supplication causes a person to look upon Christ and mourn. As they mourn, they begin to receive the spirit of their sonship from the Father. They enter the kingdom when the Holy Spirit, the Son and the Father, come and dwell within them.
Receiving the Spirit of God in Christ is the only thing that is necessary for true religion. A person, whether they are a Jew or a Gentile, can only receive the Spirit of God by the hearing of faith. They receive the capacity to hear the word of God, and receive the faith that comes by hearing, through the word that is preached by Christ’s messengers. A messenger is a member of the body of Christ in whom Christ is speaking, by the Holy Spirit, according to who they are being sanctified to become as a son of God.
The Spirit is ministered to a person by members of the body of Christ who are a gift of the Holy Spirit. How does a member of the body of Christ become a gift of the Spirit to others? It is by receiving the Holy Spirit. When a member of the body of Christ is filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit becomes the expression of their name; that is, their sanctification as a son of God is revealed as they are ministering the life of Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Seems though that the "messenger" notion is progressively getting watered down to not just the esteemed ones but maybe even the common folk of the body of Christ. No apology or retraction for the error of historic "star messenger" heresy though.....mmmnnnn.
Oh and while we are talking about "true religion" and "gifts" let's not forget
True religion is....... James 1:27 - seems odd that this goodie not be quoted as a reference on the subject of true religion. Perhaps not???
And gifts ... well we are encouraged that the greatest of gifts is the gifts is...... 1 Cor 13:13. No it's not prophecy or tongues or messengers or hope or faith it's L.O.V.E. Love
Bless the Lord Jesus Christ for that great gift. Help me Lord to unwrap that present first!!!
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