Chronicles of a Fisher of men: The True Body of Christ

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The True Body of Christ - The Bride Is Persecuted

Greetings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ -- may our Lord God Almighty keep us passionately and faithfully sharing the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified in 2009 and beyond until He returns to judge the world in righteousness.

During the holiday break Tammy and I experienced that some of our family members might have thought we had lost the plot. Maybe they thought I am a heretic, because I shared with them that we as a family -- my wife Tammy, son Chad and our fostered grandson Cee-Jay -- would not "celebrate Christmas the way the world celebrates it." This year we did not put up decorations or hand out and receive presents. We were to deny ourselves even more and focus our thankfulness and praise in the work of Jesus Christ -- what He did for us. He died for our evil, wicked and self-centred sins committed against a Holy and Righteous God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. I shared with my brother that we do not celebrate the birth of Christ once a year with Santa Claus -- everyday we are thankful for the birth of Jesus and everyday we celebrate His victories in our lives and we are commanded to partake in the Lord's Supper in remembrance of His death until He come (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

Now, why did I mention the above? -- while we are clarifying doctrine surrounding whether to celebrate Christmas or not to celebrate Christmas the true work of the Church is being neglected. I believe we all should adhere to the five Solas --

* Sola Scriptura: The Scripture Alone is the Standard

* Soli Deo Gloria: For the Glory of God Alone

* Solo Christo: By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved

* Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone

* Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone

and be equipped Biblically to follow the Great Commission without deviating to follow after our own selfish ambitions. We are not Christians if we do not walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. It reads in 1 Peter 2:21-23 --

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: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (my emphasis added throughout hereafter)

Persecution will take place if we are preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace and people will want to kill soldiers of Christ when we preach the Truth and tell sinners and idolaters that without the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ they will perish eternally in hell.

The following YouTube videos were found under a blog posted by Cameron Buettel (read at the link provided). So where does this put Christians when it comes to putting self-respect aside and Glorifying God?

For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. ~ 1 Peter 4:1-6

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ~ 1 Peter 4:12-19

MISSION

The mission of this blog is to encourage Christians to be obedient to The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8) given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ and to Glorify our God by proclaiming the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the unsaved.

This blog is to give all praise and glory to the One and only True and Living God Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

I hope to be faithful "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15b) in recording sound biblical doctrine and theology and that the posts are not to solicit personal praise, but to give rightful honour and glorious praise to all the victories belonging to our Lord and Saviour - King Jesus.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock, and to the Greeks foolishness; But to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
~ Matthew 4:19

Let Down Your Nets
There is no exclusion put upon any tribe or clan, no classes are laid under ban, no individuals are exempted. Therefore, Church of Christ, by the love you bear to your crucified Master, by His wounds and death for you, and by His living love to you, seek out the lost and gather together the outcasts. You fishers of men, launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. You sowers of holy seed, go abroad, and sow the untrodden wastes. You consecrated builders, break away from old foundations, and lay fresh groundwork for a larger temple for your God and King. Surely the Spirit of love in a church will suggest this.
Spurgeon Gold