Let God Be True -- Not Church-anity - PART 50

As we continue to discuss 'separating the wheat from the tares' we compare the dialogue and examples of today with scriptural references from the Bible. Certainly, the idea of using "good works" or "adherence to religious rules" as the priority over love, grace and mercy needs to be addressed. While works may be the result of our walk with God, there needs to be a recognition that God's plan of salvation starts and ends with God.

Indeed, when we consider the critical importance of love, grace and mercy, we also need to recognize that all of these ingredients are elements of the new covenant. This is especially important when one realizes that circumcision was a sign, a promise of things yet to come. But when the event takes place then there is no further need of a sign because the event has already occurred. It is akin to the saying we often use -- put the old covenant on the shelf because the new promised covenant is established.

One cannot straddle the fence either. We remind ourselves that Moses of the Old Testament was faithful to God. But his relationship with God did not start and stop there. Moses was instrumental in the plan of God. Moses played his part as a servant as we know from the scriptures.

But when Jesus appeared on the scene, He did not bring to men and women a repeat of the old covenant. Instead, Jesus brought His new covenant. A new covenant with God Himself delivering this plan of salvation personally. For Jesus is the author and the finisher of this covenant. Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the old covenant, to the extent that he crossed the “T's" and He dotted the I’s. In so doing, He is the sole administrator of the New covenant.

Beside all this, the law was added 430 years after Abraham received the promise that God Himself would provide a Saviour. And God surely did, by providing a sacrificial lamb. And as the point is made in the scriptures, that sacrificial lamb was none other than God Himself as a son. The child Jesus who was conceived in the womb of Mary. She being the surrogate mother to the holy child Jesus.

If one reads the Old Testament scriptures, we find that the law was added because of transgressions. But the law was never intended to be the end all. The law was added because of transgressions only UNTIL the seed should come to whom the promise spoke of. That seed was Christ, the seed of God’s holy spirit. Jesus is not part of the house. Jesus is indeed the "builder" of the house. Every house is erected by some person but this house, the house that God build, the house that God is still erecting, is built on a solid rock foundation. That rock is Christ.

As the scriptures state, no man can lay any other foundation. The scriptures declare that men and women must be born again. Acts chapter 2 elaborates on this point. Further, we need to remember that we are not the seed of Abraham or for that matter, any other person of Adam’s fallen race. There is neither Jew nor Gentile in God’s plan. There is neither male nor female, neither slave nor freeman in God's plan of salvation.

Why? Because we are all made as one in Christ Jesus. He alone was and is the Promised seed. As a consequence, we are the seed of Christ. Because of this, God has circumcised our hearts so that we too can become a new creation (a new covenant). A covenant not like the old where we put the old on the shelf. We have become anew through God's plan of salvation -- when Jesus died on the cross.

In terms of separating the wheat from the tares, we need to look at what is happening today. There are those was who administer infant baptism. I ask, but on what authority? It isn't scriptural. Are they endeavouring to soothe the uncircumcised heart of those who oppose the doctrine of Christ? Would they rather please men than be a servant of Christ? Remember Jesus said to let little children come to Him and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus also said that except you be converted and become as little children also, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Little children are obedient to their parents. So, if we confess God as our heavenly Father, why would we not show Him reverence and obedience by continuing in His word? The scriptures that tell parents to dedicate their children to the Lord while you endeavour to bring them to maturity under the care nurture and admonishment of the Lord.

But instead, we have these religious leaders who would rather sprinkle water on a baby than listen to the words of Jesus. Do they not realize that they are making void the word of God?  Overriding the written word of God in order to fulfill their man made traditions. The early believers continued steadfastly in the instructions of the apostles, who received their instructions from the ghost writer who is none other than the spirit of our Great God and only Saviour the Lord Jesus the Christ.

But then, to top things off they use descriptive titles to baptize these infants. They talk about God as if He were three distinct persons. There is only one God, and it is this one God who brought His plan of salvation to humankind. If you think otherwise, it is time to re-examine oneself and re-align oneself with the scriptures to see if you are indeed in the faith that was delivered to mankind by God Himself.

In other words, are you the wheat or are you a tare? Does following the traditions of men trump God's message? I think not! Let God be true. Peace to all those who love Jesus and are willing to adhere to the scriptural truths. Stand in the offering plate.