Post by Bo/CCPU Founder on Nov 6, 2015 14:54:25 GMT -6
Howard King@ www.churchatthecrossofchrist.com/site/cs/Index.asp
In grace my friends,
I am a people watcher. I observe people, wherever I go! Recently Robin and I was in San Francisco, at fishermen's wharf. As I was observing people around us, I could see all the different religions showing through them! People want you to know they are religious! People want you to know from their appearance and their works what ever that may be, that they have a great God! By certain beliefs and works and traditions, they are religious! And if religious then right and righteous!
Seeking attention, acceptance, affection, approval, and affirmation! They may not say they are, but that is what they are doing!
Take Israel for instance. This is how Israel was and is! Traditions!
Their dietary customs, feast, washings (baptisms), sabbath days...! WOW!
IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MODERN DAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH!
This is how we, the Christian church have become! If we hold to
certain ordinances, certain looks, certain traditions, certain ceremonies,
we too will be "righteous"!
OH NO! CHURCH!
THEY ARE THE SHADOW OF CHRIST BUT NOT CHRIST!
THEY DO NOTHING AGAINST PRIDE, LUST, AND FALSE HUMILITY!!! THEY DO NOTHING FOR OUR SINFUL FLESH!
IN FACT THEY CAN BUILD IT!!
This is why Christians should not look out of the ordinary!
We should not look for attention, (by our dress, tattoos, hair...)!
We should not seek appreciation, and acceptance from man!
Our power, Our righteousness, IS CHRIST!
Therefore we serve, we give, and our works are genuine!
Out of the overflow of Christ and for others, we love without trying to act religious!
Let us not get caught up in ceremonies, traditions, clothes, things that bring attention to ourselves!
These are only a shadow, a resemblance, but...
THE TRUE SUBSTANCE IS IN CHRIST!
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 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, 19 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. 20 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, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
In grace my friends,
I am a people watcher. I observe people, wherever I go! Recently Robin and I was in San Francisco, at fishermen's wharf. As I was observing people around us, I could see all the different religions showing through them! People want you to know they are religious! People want you to know from their appearance and their works what ever that may be, that they have a great God! By certain beliefs and works and traditions, they are religious! And if religious then right and righteous!
Seeking attention, acceptance, affection, approval, and affirmation! They may not say they are, but that is what they are doing!
Take Israel for instance. This is how Israel was and is! Traditions!
Their dietary customs, feast, washings (baptisms), sabbath days...! WOW!
IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MODERN DAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH!
This is how we, the Christian church have become! If we hold to
certain ordinances, certain looks, certain traditions, certain ceremonies,
we too will be "righteous"!
OH NO! CHURCH!
THEY ARE THE SHADOW OF CHRIST BUT NOT CHRIST!
THEY DO NOTHING AGAINST PRIDE, LUST, AND FALSE HUMILITY!!! THEY DO NOTHING FOR OUR SINFUL FLESH!
IN FACT THEY CAN BUILD IT!!
This is why Christians should not look out of the ordinary!
We should not look for attention, (by our dress, tattoos, hair...)!
We should not seek appreciation, and acceptance from man!
Our power, Our righteousness, IS CHRIST!
Therefore we serve, we give, and our works are genuine!
Out of the overflow of Christ and for others, we love without trying to act religious!
Let us not get caught up in ceremonies, traditions, clothes, things that bring attention to ourselves!
These are only a shadow, a resemblance, but...
THE TRUE SUBSTANCE IS IN CHRIST!
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 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, 19 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. 20 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, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.