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Article By: Pastor
Will Matherly
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The Prophet Malachi spoke to
a wayward people, that were in a state of self-righteous denial. They just couldn't understand their own transgressions when
GOD Spoke to them trough the Prophet.
Its easy to see the parallels between the People of Malachi’s day, and many of the people of our day. The
modern attitude is: (“WE” are Christians .. Oh Yes, “WE” have Arrived), it’s the proud, I have
all I need, I am saved attitude that Sits down at the Foot of the cross, rather than Continuing to “Follow” Christ.
(Christ is not on the Cross anymore) He has risen, and Moved Forward, and “WE” must do the same.
The Implication and Act of Taking up ones cross, instructs one
in the Action of Forward Movement, to the death of the Flesh, and the Renewal of life in the Spirit.
These are the acts of JESUS, who bore our sins, in his own Body on the Cross, dyeing to Flesh, to be Raised in
and By the Spirit of the Living GOD. By this act, JESUS not only washed us clean from Sin, But also became the Example of
How, the Child of GOD is to live, and conduct their lives. (Yes, “WE” are without excuse)
Self-denial, has no kinship with Self-Righteousness, there is
NO Justification apart from Christ. The example JESUS left, says We are to “BE” Christians, and the very word
its self, Implies to “Be Like Christ”, and follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21)
Our Destiny ?
To
accept the Gift of Salvation and Correction through the Water of the WORD of Christ JESUS, and Become the Restored Sons of
GOD
(John 1:12)
Our Purpose ?
To teach others, to do the same by living the
life, and making disciples of those around us
(Matthew 28:19-20)
Our End ?
To
be presented, as a Glorious Church/Ekklesia/Body/Called out Children
(Ephesians
5:27)
How will we be found, at his
Coming ?
Spotless and Complete through the Perfection of Christ, (1 John
4:4)
or Lacking, through the Legality of Religion. (Luke 18:10-14)
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee,
and the other a publican.
The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much
as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather
than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(Luke 18:10-14)
Revelation
3:19 sums it up quite nicely, As spoken to the "Churches" Ekklesia/Called out People of GOD.
The Spirit of the LORD said (As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent)
These calls were made to the Ekklesia/Church/People of GOD, and
those calls haven’t changed today.
Children of GOD, we haven't arrived at our Destination, were merely at the Station, awaiting to Depart at
the Arrival of JESUS.
Let us
Humble ourselves under the Mighty hand of GOD, and when he arrives, he will assuredly lift us up.
(1 Peter 5:1-11)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who
am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed
with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand
of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
With Much Hope and Love,
Pastor Will
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