"If any man be in Christ he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold all things are new" 2 Cor. 5:17.
In the first thirty to fifty or so years of the Church of Jesus Christ the primary goal of the Epistle writers, as inspired by God, was to explain the new age which was upon them to the Church. An age of Spirit and of a heavenly status for Gods people. "I long to know Christ and the power of His Resurrection" Phil 3:10. A mystery never before thought of. "The mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and His Church" Eph.5:32.
This new dispensation was marked by the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. Which alone, if taken to heart, should be proof enough of a change for man and his relationship to God taking place right before his eyes. He was presented upon the earth as the Son of man, a human in the flesh. He obviously changed to something more in Resurrection! The main problem encountered especially for the Jewish Christians as well as the gentile [all others] was the firm self centered earth bound world view held by the population at that time. For the Jewish Christian, they were steeped in the hope of a returning Messiah and his rule upon the earth, relieving them of Roman oppression and a return to prominence. The final status upon Christ's return, of the Jew, God's chosen people fulfilled. Just as the prophets had recorded in the old Testament which will someday [the millennium] take place. For the gentile Christian the difficulty of spiritual apprehension was simply attachment to the things of the world.
The gentile population were hedonistic and many had been idol worshipers with no concept of a transfer from the earthly worldly mode to a holy heavenly position for the Church and it's believers. So the Apostles had there work cut out for them, as the records attest. Both the Jews and the gentiles constantly returned to their previous old world thinking. As Adam's kin it was genetic for them to think all things were explained by a self consciousnesses, centered in personal experience. Some of the original writers of God's word were around for many years after the Ascension always struggling to convince the believers there was a entirely new way, and it was not found in self. The Church struggled with its identity for the next four hundred years. Until that is, the Roman Government intervened and establish power over Christian thought, in a attempt to control the Christian population and insure their loyalty. The rest is history.
"The old life is neither to be recycled nor reformed. We are all-new creations in the all-new Man, Christ Jesus" J. B. Stoney. There is a illustration used by Mr Stoney of a man who was drafted in the army and because of fear or his busy station in life he finds a substitute, to stand in his stead. He did not become the man he was destined to be. This is not the new creation of the Gospels new life, creation is creation, not change or exchange, but unfortunately this is often the case for believers. The Gospel is that we were under judgement of death, and the Lord Jesus bore that judgement. "I find therefore the law of my [Paul a Christian man] nature [old Adam] to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush [my sin nature] for me" Rom. 7:21. "For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me [in mind/spirit] in Christ Jesus from the law of [natural sin nature] sin and death" Rom. 8:2.
Jesus Christ did not die so we might re-work the old Adam personality and conscience, the natural man who is still under judgement: but that we should become completely severed from him in our born again experience. Without any earthly religion whatever. And that we eventually understand the freedom of a new nature we have in spirit, given us by Christ; which we now possess by grace and in faith. This new heavenly/spirit life will be seen and known in the acknowledgement of our co-death with Jesus upon the cross and becoming aware that we are made new, having received a new mind by His Spirit, in resurrection life "hidden in Christ" gaining a faith in the facts of a new creation. "Partakers of the divine nature,[now in Spirit] having escaped [by being in Him] the corruption [natural self in the flesh] that is in the world" 2 Pet. 1:4.
Yet the old man lives on in our flesh, we who are still on the earth. He occupies our mind, it is our human Adamic nature, making us self centered beings. This will always be the case. But the new creation new Adam, renewed Spirit mind, lives as a new life. It is known and lived by a biblical factual awareness, moving the old aside as a controlling force, by faith of the position we hold in Christ before the Father in Spirit. This is our actual Christian life. We have two natures, as revealed by God's Word! "Has made us alive[the new creation] together with Christ" Eph. 2:5. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these oppose each other, so that you would not do [the struggle of the two natures] what you desire. Gal. 5:17.
We simply cannot be saved by Him and keep the life of the old Adam conscience/identity we have as a natural man or woman. It must be overcome. This is a place of great confusion in the Church. If we have a true apprehension of the work of the Lord on the cross....that he bore the judgment on man: that mankind, who has offended against God would be Judicially removed [the old human "sin is in the flesh" nature continues in our mind/body as a present reality] to the Fathers infinite satisfaction, by His Son's sacrifice. "He died unto [the realm of] the flesh" and that, by that act, those who recognized this as true will be completed and find that He who saved them from death has become their new life. A life only seen and found in faith of Christ's representative resurrected/heavenly nature applied to our new spirit and renewed mind by His Holy Spirit. If this were more apprehend as a true realization of Christianity the current church atmosphere would be very different indeed. "For me to live is Christ" Phil.. 1:21.
This lack is perhaps why much of the Church has become victims of a life and are attracted to a atmosphere, which so often finds it necessary to use the modern marketing techniques of man and the world to fill the pews; which appeals most to that old flesh man we still have. And therefore applies Christianity to human accomplishment. Paul warned against this to the Corinthian Church long ago when he said "My speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom" 1 Cor. 2:4.
The art of human persuasion produces much, even decisions for Christ, so all can be used of God yes. But does it produce a Holy Spirit induced re-birth which leads to a mature growth, the discovery of the new nature of a Spirit defined life? Christ as our life: our mind in apprehension of the new creation we are; positioned in Him. Not simply looking to Jesus as a object or warmed by experiencing Him or attending a service for fulfillment: but entering into Him as our very present definition of life in faith; knowing we are mingled with Him. He lives in us. "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him" 1Cor. 6:17.
Of course the question always is what are we to do? How can we, the little ones, make our way? Should not the leaders under the bright lights show the correct way for us to go? Are we on on own, with only The Holy Spirit to guide? Can it be possible that we as individuals have a Christian responsibility to discover that our one true life is only found in the inner man? Having discovered there, by the word of God, that by abandoning the existing human flesh and sin nature as a identity will be where we find Him as life itself. "Your life is hidden with Christ in God" Col. 3:3. Perhaps a brief history lesson is in order to help us discern the biblical God given intended path and also the impediments we confront, for us to know the new heavenly creation. Which by Spirit we have become in Christ."Partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" Col. 1:12.
For one thousand or so years the Christian movement, previously, called The Way, was under the yoke of Roman Catholic government control. Yes there were many true Christian living under this system, but the ones who followed the rules set up by their leaders came to define their christian virtues even their faith according to mans often heretical vision. As we might know, those who did not follow as good sheep were horribly persecuted by the Roman government and later it's church. Which at that time [prior to Vatican II] and according to Catholic tenets and doctrines taught it, the Roman Church, was exclusively God's own single religious order which results in a heavenly destiny and that it was the only representative of God upon the earth.
Now that has changed under the new Pope Frances and Vatican II, opening a hope for a recognized spiritual brotherhood among all believers, which is very positive indeed. But he [the Pope] also recently has presented goodness as a commandment from God, which is a earth bound legal concept; stressing that all men are called to do good on earth. Sounds right. But we know that every man, even a atheist, is fully capable of doing good. So is the non-believer following God's command? It seem evident doing good is something even the evilest specimen of human is capable of. Doing good is commendable yes and we should do good: but under which conscience, unbelief, the flesh, duty and law conscience, or the Spirit of oneness with Christ conscience? The bible make clear the Fathers wish; the spirit under which good is performed is the paramount issue to the Lord. "Put on [mental/spiritual acquiescence] the [Jesus Christ] New Man" Eph. 4:24
The bibles is also clear, no man under the influence and identity of the self centered old Adam flesh nature including a Christian, has any creditable goodness that is recognized by the Father. As the improvement of the things on the earth are not lasting, or really of no value to a life of Spirit. "That you put off [mentally] as regards to your former manner of life the old man [us regarding ourselves as natural flesh in Christian identity] which is corrupted according to the lust of the deceit [still under Satan's lie and its permanent affect upon all of mankind] and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind" Eph. 4:22,23. Finding Jesus Christ as the motivation by a new identity of mind, and a new taste for life redirects our goodness as only coming from Him by His Spirit working in us. This is the platform God intended for us all to live and do good upon! We simply must get beyond ourselves!
Yes the Roman church was eventually greatly modified under the influence of Vatican II and also, I believe, under pressure from the system we are now currently so influenced by; the Reformed Church, [Reformed: to change to a better form or condition; impart by alteration of that which already exists] that broke away from the Pope's heavy hand in the fifteen hundreds. It then birthed, by that separation, the forming of the Protestant Church; which most of us probably consider ourselves members of. It should be also noted the original reformers never intended to break away from the Roman Catholic Church, merely to change it.
Of course we all know the old Roman system murdered many of the early founders of that rebellious movement, most famously Martin Luther and currently holds millions under its sway; although in a much more user friendly and less offensive format. And hopefully it has made room for many true Christian among its members: Although to be quite frank I cannot understand how that could be true. Or at least understand why a true Christian would submit themselves to such un- biblical teachings; Mary worship, Papal infallibility, the holiness of the Pope, etc. as found in the Roman doctrines and teachings; albeit admittedly they are co-mingled with true Christian biblical teachings and I believe and sincerely hope that many Christian are never the less among its priesthood and membership; thanks to God. using all things for His will to be done!
Luther's main modification "salvation by faith" of the old system was considered a vicious imposition by the Catholic leaders, who were steeped in a legal works based and a earthly world view. Thank God for the reintroduction of this, the most basic tenant of biblical Christianity and God bless Luther and others for their bravery for proclaiming it!
We must remember however that virtually all of these brave reformed Christian founders were still under heavy influence of the old Catholic church traditions. Their world view was steeped in the formality of grand temples, flowing robes and a moral sanctimonious ceremony, legalism and the improvement of men on the earth. Not to mention and most importantly, a old Adam Catholic/ reformed non-dispensational [specific time periods for God's economy and will to be done, i.e. Jewish law period, Christian grace Church period] earthly religious approach. Diversions made by man. Never giving acquiescence to the Church age, a heavenly positional dispensation or period of time, assigned by God, as taught by Paul, referred to as Pauline dispensationalism or the Church age.
"Now to Him who is able to establish in you according to my gospel, that is the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation [Paul's encounter directly with the Glorified Christ] of the mystery [the Church unknown in times under the old law] which has been kept in silence in time of the ages [old Jewish dispensation]" Rom. 16:25. "For I make it know to you, concerning the gospel announced by me, that it was not according to man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation by Jesus Christ" Gal.1:12. This is proof of a new generation and system [dispensation], completely different [grace] and separated from Jewish law and tradition; based on faith and a heavenly/spiritual position as identity and nothing more!
The Apostle did not make room in his Gospel for the corruption of grace with the Old Testaments law as a guiding principal in obedience to the Law as proclaimed in the Westminster protestant confession. Or carry forward the covenant promises from God to the Jews of old testament times, as having been fulfilled in the Church, as much of the current Church views it also is in this day. A product of reformed thought. The early reformers and much of today's clergy still carry this heavy load of the law, in the form of the necessity of obedience, as passed down by the Pope's of old. But Paul taught a new vision, freedom by grace and a heavenly Church. "That you may be filled with a clear knowledge of His will accompanied by thorough wisdom and discernment in spiritual things" Col. 1:9. "And raised us [co-ascension] together with Him and seated us together [position/identification] with Him in heaven, in [by His representation] Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:6. All of which can only take place as Spirit condition.
The new reformed minded teachers still retained a ministry of objective facts from the bible, but lacked a teaching or a understanding of a subjective personal... positional...fellowship with Christ, the new life of the inner man co-joined and positioned with Christ in His heavenly spiritual Church. "And to the church of the first born, who are enrolled in heaven; and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of righteous men [no man can be considered righteous in his flesh] who have been [completed in Christ] made perfect" Heb. 12:23. The only place for His [Jesus'] new creation believers to reside in a completed and mature spiritual awareness of themselves as heavenly beings. "The fellowship of His sufferings [His blood shed for remission of our sin's] being made conformable [take the attitude in faith of His substitutionary death as own old flesh/ mind/identity having died] unto His death" Phil. 3:10.
The reformers relegated all their attention on a moral upright performance assigning the Saviours work on the cross to a improved, re-made and forgiven therefore more moral old flesh man to make things better; doing God's work on the earth in the flesh. With no awareness of a heavenly spiritual identity and assignment. Again. "For your life is hidden with Christ in God" Col. 3:3.
This reformed philosophy still carries the day for many current reformed influenced minds. And most protestants quiet frankly, do not know the difference. Or that the word of God declares quite loudly a old sin nature man, as well as a newly created man, both occupying the same body. "So it is written, The First man Adam, became a living soul; the Last Adam [Jesus] became a life giving Spirit but the spiritual is not first but the soulish [natural flesh] then the spiritual, the first man is out of the earth [all humans] the second is out of heaven, as the earthly is [reformed influenced] such are they that are earthly and as heavenly is [Christ's Church, His new creation] such are they also that are heavenly" 1 Cor 15: 45,46,47,48.Which one will be your conscious choice and ultimately lived nature, is the question all Saint's must ask themselves? The gift of choosing a life defined in informed biblical Christian identity, positioned in Christ is freedom from the world.
As we move forward in history we have these same reformed influenced Christians fanning out and arriving in the new world. Producing much to find offensive to be sure [strict legalism, church and government intermingled, Salem witch trial etc.] as history tells and which was the fruit of their self centered natural objective mind set. But never the less the influence of Christianity produced many great godly men and our early leaders and under Christian influence our constitution and form of government. As well as a fairly sound moral tradition. Which we can all be thankful for and God did work His Spirit among us despite mans religious diversions.
But the reformers influence left much to be desired, by the early eighteen hundreds denominationalism held [currently we have hundreds] sway. The infighting over salvation's definition and under who's doctrines a true relationship with Christ could be determined caused much trouble and confusion among these groups. Again there was little thought of a unified Church in Spirit positioned in Christ heavenly focused, as clearly taught by Paul in the Word. This lead to dissatisfaction with the Baptist, Presbyterians, Methodists etc. A open door was made for infighting and cult groups such as the Mormons, spiritism, religious shams and various religious charlatans arose. Many still in this day occupying our airways nightly. All casting a poor light on Christianity; that carries a negative mark upon the Church for many to this day.
History does not lie, the results were failure after failure to correct the world. The reformers man made, old Adam centered objectives have not brought us any closer to a man centered peaceful prosperous environment. In fact on that score things on the earth are infinitely worse. But the reformed minded do not give up even to this day, persisting in their attempt to make man the christian ideal by performance, assigning all that we are to the conscience and betterment of the old nature. The entire workings of God in man to be done by natural human motivation helped by God; a spirit inspired old Adam. With good intent of course. Perhaps much like their temple dwelling Catholic priests/reformed fathers of old.
Now however it takes the form of programs and special meetings lead by handsome experts and of course, books, books, and more books; all provided by well meaning Christians to re-make us into better, happier, well suited for self satisfaction, reformed performers of the faith.
It is vital for us to understand the main theological motivation behind reformed and the reformed influenced, which prevails in most churches today.
The prominent teaching holding the reformed mind to the earth is that upon the cross mans sin in the form he now lives old man, flesh, natural mans conscience were forgiven and set aside completely. A new spiritualized Adam if you will. Yes our "sin's" were forgiven by His blood, just not sin itself, which man will always struggle with in his identity, if not held in death by a renewed mind. In the crucified identity of Christ."The life giving power of the Spirit...has set us free [in spirit, not flesh] from the power [by a new identity] of sin and death" Rom. 8:2.
This sin free Adam nature working for God on earth sounds good but we must realize if true then that means we should be able to make the world the place for God [just the impression trying to be made] by our action and performance. As we must by that teaching have power within our own old Adam, being now by that reckoning, relieved of original sin in our human flesh or soul. If this were true we would be nearing perfection by now.
There is little biblical teaching by much of today's theological minds as to our separation/sanctification pronounced in Judaical terms only by the Father. And that God's sanctification process is in Spirit, where our new life is found, as heavenly/spirit in Christ by faith. Yes life and works on earth are effected by that spiritual separation and new life, but there can be no value heavenly or Godly sanctification for acts done in the old flesh identity! "And those who are in the flesh [mind/identity of the old Adam] cannot please God" Rom. 8:8. Paul is not referring to non-believers here.
Please hear this, God cannot forgive the sin of our flesh, "sin is in the flesh" our sin's yes. "In whom [Jesus] we have redemption [forgiveness of our sin's] through His blood the forgiveness of sin's, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:7. The Father found it necessary to kill the flesh in the representative Judicial form of His Son. We humans however still carry a sin nature from the Old Adam. And if not checked by the word in faith of a completely new life, we will always act in the motivation and under the auspiciousness of the old sin nature. Which is a affront to the grace of God in no uncertain terms.
We sin is proof enough! Our perfect sin free nature is only found and lived in faith of Jesus Christ; His presences in heaven in our stead, a living intersession! However by reformed thought, we are earth bound as a Church not heavenly/spiritual, which is not biblical. "For our commonwealth [citizenship] exists in heaven, from which [past tense, we are already there in Christ in spirit, as defined by the Father] from which we eagerly await [future transfiguration] a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil 3:20.
As we came into the modern era the reformed influenced church gathered even more institutional momentum. Resulting in a social roll for religion, organized to do good on earth, not necessarily a bad thing, but still not approaching the heavenly biblical vision. A natural consequence of the reformed earthly held man. A sorry lack of biblical spiritual perspective which Paul rejected when he said; "I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which Christ Jesus has called me upward [heavenly/spiritual realization]" Phil. 3:14.
Organizations like the world council of churches, fed by a reformed mindset, arose in attempt to bring all those who recognizes a god, any god, together, called ecumenicalism. Oh yes there were many true Christians thankfully among these Churches. They were just never taught of their new creation status, the difference between the old Adam and The New Adam.... which is held by faith in a positioned identity with Christ in heaven, as a viable living alternative to man made works and experiences. "Not by works that no one should boast" Eph. 2:9.
Unfortunately the retained formality and man centered teaching of the reformed, under the influence of the institutional Catholic government movement of old still holds much of the church in it's grip. This should seem so obvious to all thinking Christians. This is again a direct affront to the Lord, and quite frankly a victory for the evil one; whose main goal is to keep Christianity earth bound in his domain.
That brings us to the current atmosphere of what some call the post-modern era. This period has ushered in the charismatic movement, a emotional based form of worship, designed to bring God to man by extroverted experience. This approach gave way to the free movement or non- denominationalism which adopted experience/emotionalism as a sign from God also, just a somewhat more reserved form. But this new group spurned the formalism of the establishment reformed Churches in a attempt to encourage commitment and evangelicalism to the moderns. Who are influenced much by worldly commercialism, for attraction, leaving them as stunted warmed and happy self satisfied milk feed Christians.
This form of outreach became perceived as necessary to please the new culture. So entertainment, family functions, fun, organized service expeditions and community projects etc. became a all important ingredient. Again not all a bad thing, in fact a lot better than the old, Christ was held up, many are saved, but the reformed and old Adam approach was still the basis for many of these new pulpit orators mental/spiritual views and Church teaching. Thus holding much of the flock in immaturity, permanently earth bound.We will make ourselves better and others will see the fruit was their cry. Again not all bad just not biblical!
Here my friends are the sad statistical results of a man centered reformed religion handed down by the so-called church fathers and the fruit of the current modern moral majority of reformed influenced leaders and their followers. As you read them please be honest and ask yourself if perhaps a new way should be sought?
According to Christianity Today 32% of the worlds population are Christians. In America 79% of the population self identify as Christian. Of course many of them are not bible believing and most are surely biblical ignorant to say the least.The number one group is the Roman Catholic for the World Christian population followed by those labeling themselves as Protestant. Three of every ten Christians in America are self identified as born again or evangelicals, which is the preferred term.
Only around 19% of regular Church goers, including evangelicals, admit to reading the bible daily, while 61% say they have read a book on spirituality in the past year. According to crossexamined.org 70-75% of all Christian youth leave the Church after High School. The Christian seminary ministry also claims most youth are not being taught even a basic theistic world view by their Churches and are in no way equipped to resist anti-Christian arguments in a higher educational environment.
According to Christianity.com bible illiteracy in America is at a all time high. Gallop shows most Americans revere the bible, but by in large do not read it; while claiming about half of church goers cannot even name the four Gospels. 81% of born again Christian polled agree with the statement "God helps them that help themselves". A most decidedly self centered old Adam, earthly statement indeed. And most think the bibles main purpose is to teach them to take good care of their family. Studies show that bible teaching occupies a diminishing fraction of most congregants time and affection. Hence the plaque of bible ignorance as a general pattern, is rampant! Biola university's beginning bible professors report a decidedly ever increasing dumbed down freshman class each year. Could we have a problem?
Without beating to death the obvious, one more personal statement. Could it be possible that a Christian world view which has overseen the Two hundred year tragic downfall of American Christianity and morals that these statistics point out. Not to mention the most obvious destruction of respect for anything that could be considered Christian values in this country not be more clear?
I will spare you the disgusting list of tragic value erosion and crimes of the Holocaust taking place with ever increasing acceptance by the so called christian community. Our consciences' are seared and evil is simply ignored. Please my brothers and sisters look around you and be the judge. Has the reformed/catholic/earthly/protestant/evangelical doctrines and teaching served to the advantage of the Christian Churches in "overcoming the world" by them taking the broad way? Has it glorified God, making the way for it's members; by clear teaching to overcome the world, by developing a lasting mentally mature Christian identity as it's emphasis? If you answer is no, as it hopefully is, then do not recycle your Christian life any longer, recover it. Discover a new way to think of yourself. Find the narrow way, positioned and identified in one Spirit in Jesus Christ as life. Your life and freedom in Christ and the life of your children's freedom depend upon it!
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