A Call to Unity and the Pursuit of Truth 2

Continuing with the last post, with the help of Romans Chapter 14 and other Scriptures, I want to explain some of the reasons there are many arguments about doctrines and denominations as well as the need we have to refrain from judging our brothers and sisters. Only God can determine who will stand and who will fall before Him and God calls us to not quarrel over opinions or look down on those who are weak in faith (Romans 14:1).

Romans 14:4 says, Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ESV

One example is observed in Romans 14:5-9. It says that while one person may esteem one day above others, another may esteem all days alike. Therefore, in everything we do, we should be fully convinced in our own mind that what we do and what we believe honors the Lord and we are thankful to Him. For we do not live to ourselves, but to the Lord.

Romans 14:10-12 admonishes, 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. ESV
There are more admonishments from this chapter that are important for us to understand that arguments and judgments of one denomination against another is not the will of God for us.

Verse 13 exhort us to refrain from passing judgment on one another and from becoming stumbling blocks that hinder the way of our brothers and sisters. It explains, 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. ESV

Because the Lord gives us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) that we are required to grow and develop by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), and by seeking first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), those that have received revelations at one level of faith and have not grown to other levels, should not be stumbling blocks to those who come to drink from the water of the word and the wine of the Spirit and thus receive revelations at higher levels because to whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). On the other hand, those that attain higher levels of revelations should not look down on those who operate at lower levels of faith (Romans 12:3). Please see my blog posts titled “The Extravagant Drink” 1 and 2 published in May of 2012 to go even further in this explanation.

Unfortunately, many who started strong in their walk with God and pursuit of truth, became deceived by other doctrines that were indeed demonic and humanistic. That is why Revelations chapters 2 and 3 give us examples of these doctrines of demons and the deception of many who were called to lead God's people, and of others who took it upon themselves to teach out of their abominable, deceptive, and lying influence. It is important for us to continue to obey God's word to pursue truth because on judgment day we will be held accountable for the truth we knew and obeyed as explained in the last post. Galatians 6:7 also warns, Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ESV

One important reason for us to pursue truth and unity in the body of Christ is explained in Galatians 6:1-4, 10. It says that those of us who are spiritual should help restore those that are overtaken in any trespass, but this should be done in a spirit of gentleness and meekness lest we are tempted. We are to bear one another's burdens and this way fulfill the law of Christ (which is the law of love). Otherwise we are deceived if we think of ourselves to be more than we really are. Instead, we should examine our own work and rejoice in doing good to all, especially those of the household of faith.

As it is mentioned in Ephesians 4:13 the goal that we need to aim for individually as well as corporately is to help each other till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; NKJV

Romans 14:16-19 confirms it this way, 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. NKJV

Joshua 12:24 adds what we are to do to fulfill our calling to help each other come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (whose main objective is to serve God and his brethren to fulfill the law of Christ—the law of loving God and his neighbor as himself) that we may attain the full measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (as kings that fight against any anti-Christ influence and remove the government of Satan to expand and defend the establishment of the Kingdom of heaven in our circumstances and as priests that extend mercy and grace to the lost of the world and the fallen in the house of God), It says, Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! NKJV

Colossians 1:28-29 also ratifies the importance of becoming spiritually mature in Christ, so we can teach others the same, 28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ. 29 To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life.

Thus, this way we will help others behold and partake of the reward of the glory of the Lord that transforms our lives. Just as we did in the last post, we will use 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 to explain that what God has planned and purposed for His people is for them to be transformed by His glory and experience freedom in Christ. It says, 12 We are so sure of this hope that we can speak very openly. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a covering over his face. He covered his face so that the people of Israel would not see it. The glory was disappearing, and Moses did not want them to see it end. 14 But their minds were closed. And even today, when those people read the writings of the old agreement, that same covering hides the meaning. That covering has not been removed for them. It is taken away only through Christ. 15 Yes, even today, when they read the Law of Moses, there is a covering over their minds. 16 But when someone changes and follows the Lord, that covering is taken away. 17 The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ERV

To Him alone be all the glory.■

A Call to Unity and the Pursuit of Truth 1

After a rather intense 365 days of consecration, I have been spending some time with my family in my native Panama. I came here with an expectation that God put in my heart and watched on Television the changing of the guards in government with the new President, Juan Carlos Varela, a man after God's own heart, being sworn into office at the beginning of this month. This time marks a new season in which those who have been prepared by the Lord to occupy positions and offices for such a time as this will begin to occupy them. This is also a representation of the establishment of the Kingdom of God through those He's raising up as standards that remove Satan and his government in places where he once ruled (See the post "Meaning of the Four Blood Moons for the Body of Christ").

For this reason, while I'm here watching how God is moving in this country, one of the things I have witnessed is evangelism that is taking place which is making people aware of their need of the Son of God whose coming is approaching. Even this past weekend, the Lord put in my heart to pray and take authority over the atmosphere in the public place where I was for the salvation of souls in that area, and while the words were still in my mouth I watched some people starting to evangelize right before my eyes. But some of this evangelism turned into a debate about doctrinal differences. For example: I heard some argue that Jehovah's witnesses believe only in the Father, and not in the Son nor the Holy Spirit, and that they see Jesus as one more of the prophets that came to earth. Also that Mormons believe in the Lord Jesus, but do not acknowledge the Father as God the head. There were also discussions about the many laws and rules of the Catholic Church, and the doctrines of the Evangelical Church. Others debated that all we have to do is be a good person to be accepted by God. This is happening in many places around the world as well.

This is not a post to bash the different doctrines in the Church world wide, but it is a call to heed the command for unity that God is giving to His body. Nevertheless, one of the things we are required as members of the body of Christ is to pursue truth and peace. This will bring healing to His body and the manifestations of His Spirit that He's longing to perform among us. 

Jeremiah 33:6 says, Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. NKJV

We have a great need to come together and ask the Lord to reveal to us by His Spirit of truth (John 16:13), the things that the devil has kept us from knowing and seeing, and that He would remove the veil the enemy placed in our eyes. This should be a daily prayer for we are judged for whether or not we walk knowing and obeying God's truth. Romans 2:2,8 says, 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, NKJV

Zechariah 8:16 adds how we should do this, These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; NKJV

This is why the Lord is raising His sons and daughters in this hour that have been prepared to reveal the truth of who He is and of the ways of His Kingdom which will help us unite despite of doctrinal differences and remove the works of the devil in our spheres of influence as well as help us work together for the Commission given to the Church to raise disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Many can raise converts, but what we need to do is raise disciples that will learn to be true worshipers that worship the Father in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Thus, it is imperative that we cry out to God to lead us to the path of His truth that will set us free to fulfill His commands in unity that transcends denominational boundaries.

Moreover, these sons and daughters of God that have not bowed their knees to the spirit of this world are coming forth with boldness to remove the blinding veil that was torn when our Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross and made a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. Jesus did that so we could have a meaningful relationship of communion with the Father through Him. The deception of the enemy through the veil that blinded men, turned many into agents of division and strife (the works of anti-Christ) instead of vessels of unity, but now Christ is doing away with what was coming between Him and His Bride and had made her a body with spots and wrinkles due to the influence of the enemy of His Lordship and headship over her.

John 14:1, 5-6 acknowledges, 1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJV

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 also explains, 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 discloses what removes the doctrinal errors, 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. NKJV

That which is perfect is the love of God for us and those He's calling to become part of His family of believers because they were chosen from the foundations of the world and among the races that have not heard the Gospel of the Kingdom and are receiving with gladness the work of the Cross done on their behalf. They will be turned into mature sons and daughters that will spread in their spheres of influence that which is given to them. One important reason this is already happening is because the Lord is making the knowledge of His glory to be spread throughout the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14) and is causing a transcending of denominational boundaries. There will also be an acceleration of the manifestations of the Spirit of God that demonstrate the Gospel of the Kingdom in these end-times to prepare His people for the coming of His Son.

This has been a preparation of different generations of forerunners that pioneered the work of spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and helped prepare those God is using in this hour and have passed the baton to them to raise these end-time disciples. Some of them were hidden treasures of God, kept until this hour to manifest the riches of the Kingdom to a dying world. Therefore the laborers that are called to harvest these new disciples will experience the swift making of the same who will also run for the reward of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord doing great exploits with signs, wonders, and miracles for the glory of God alone. This is seen in the parable of the workers in the vineyard which says in Matthew 20:1-7,

1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ NKJV. To Him alone be all the glory. ■

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