THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 319

The stone which the builders rejected has become the head cornerstone. For other foundations can no man lay other than that foundation which is laid already -- the foundation being none other than the LORD JESUS the Christ. The foundation upon which this building is being constructed being the Word of God, which is now being spoken by the Apostles and prophets afore chosen of God to be His witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Yes, we speak of this glorious temple which even today remains under construction. The temple to which we refer is God’s building. The building that God designed and God furnishes. God Himself being the mastermind - the creator! Indeed, God does all things according to the purpose of His own will. This glorious temple is the spiritual body of JESUS the Christ.

As it is written -- you and I are the body of Christ, chosen of God being jointly and fitly framed together as a body while constantly increasing in number -- until the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ is attained!

Inside this glorious temple of the Holy Spirit, there are no spots or wrinkles or in fact any blemishes. Further, within this temple the Spirit of God is praised by the redeemed members who have been filled (Spirit baptism) with the same Spirit that was in the man JESUS. The promised Holy Spirit being received by them after repenting and being baptized into the name of JESUS for the remission of all their sins - likewise then did JESUS breath upon them His spiritual breath.

The other good news is that this spiritual temple requires no man made cleansing. For what God has cleansed, let no man call common or unclean. As it is written, the blood of JESUS the Christ - God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. This is the God in whom we trust.

Unfortunately, many church institutions have abandoned the original God-given faith and scriptural teachings that were once delivered to believers. Some might even suggest that we have forsaken the fountain of life! Instead, the church fathers have rejected the capping stone in 300/400 AD, even as the Jews had previously. In the case of the latter, the Jews had said, "We will not have this man (JESUS) rule over us."

So God cut them off and the Gentiles were grafted in. Even today, there are Jews who still do not understand that they crucified the Lord of glory. This misunderstanding even though God provided ample opportunity to the Jews to receive God’s forgiveness. But rather than repent, the scriptures state that the Jews hardened their heart, becoming uncircumcised in their hearts in the days and centuries that followed.

What was the issue? Well, the church fathers of AD 300/400 started their own religion in Rome. This particular religion continued until the time of the reformation where the rays of the light of the glorious gospel of God as seen in the face of JESUS the Christ arose in lives as a morning star.

Reviewing historical insights into the Reformation period, we learn that John Wycliffe had written the Bible in the English tongue - in a period that was to become similar to the dawning of a better day.

Heaven and earth may pass away but the Word of the Lord abides forever. As such Lord, you are the author of this faith. Open our hearts to receive your engrafted Word with meekness.