Before reading this study I would if I were you clear my mind of everything worldly, meditate on the word for half an hour read John 14, then read this study otherwise you may not get all you could from this study.
I have wondered what the Lord thinks about the world today.
There are Muslims, Hindu's, Jew's, non believers, and then those claiming to be Christian.
In Christianity there are so many different beliefs it hard to count them all.
Basically the problem is that every time someone disagreed with the religion they were a member of they searched for a different religion or formed their own.
Originally it was the "Way" first century and then in time the Catholic church formed and after about 1100 years others formed from it Lutheran's, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, so on and so forth.
Each with a unique outlook on the word of God and a new interpretation.
The problem is that nowhere in the Bible does it state to interpret the Bible but it does state we need to understand it.
Understanding and interpretation are as different as day and night.
Over the years from the children of Israel in the Old Testament to present day we find that most need to follow a man.
When Israel was released from Egypt the children of Israel
where told God would speak to them but their response was no they wanted one
man to reply all God said to them and they would obey.
Well we know how that went for thousands of years the children of Israel
(except for a few) would fall away and become more of the world and less of
God.
Then Jesus came with a way back to the Father, and again over time the ones claiming to be believers wanted a man not God to speak to them.
In John 14:26 and I John :27 we are told we are to be taught by the Holy Spirit (anointing is the Holy Spirit) would teach us all things not man but by the anointing alone.
In Matthew Jesus told us if we followed two commandments we were full filling all of law and prophets.
Matthew 22:35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him:
Matthew 22:36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
Matthew 22:37 And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:38 This is the great and first commandment.
Matthew 22:39 And a second like [unto it] is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments the whole law is fullfilled, and the prophets.
Jesus came with a message and way for us out of this world, away from sin and back on the correct path.
Matthew 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess
before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
who is in heaven.
We are to confess Jesus before mankind, believe in our heart (Spirit) that He was raised from the dead and love God and our fellow man and that was about it.
Man then started turning different things He said and did into traditions of man:
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their
hands when they eat bread.
Matthew 15:3 And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment
of God because of your tradition?
Matthew 15:4 For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father
or mother, let him die the death.
Matthew 15:5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou
mightest have been profited by me is given [to God];
Matthew 15:6 he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of
your tradition.
Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
Matthew 15:8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching [as their] doctrines the precepts of men.
Matthew 15:10 And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Matthew 15:11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth
out of the mouth, this defileth the man.
Jesus did address this day and age and the present churches in the book of Revelation.
After the seven letters to the seven churches there are 4 verses that are very important.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
In verse 19 above "As many as I love" John 3:16 tells us that is the entire world, "I reprove" basically that is point out the error of our ways some will say convict us of our sins, "and chasten" this is to teach a new way, a way of love and truth. Then "be zealous" this is to have a new heart towards the Lord, "and repent" to do a 180 change from where we were in our life in the world.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
In John 14:26, I John 2:27 and if you go back to Genesis and read through to Revelation one thing is the same those of God hear from God, and that many are on the path to destruction because instead of listening to God they are listening to man.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
Matthew 7:14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are
they that find it.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are
ravening wolves.
Communion the word is actually when fully translated to have an intimate
relationship with the Lord. But let's say it is in all we do as the Lord told
us we are to have communion in all we do not just once a month or once a
quarter and not a waver and juice or wine but something a lot more intimate and
deeper. See this is where traditions of man mislead so many another is in
baptism, which do you think means more baptism in water or the Holy Spirit. If
you said the Holy Spirit you agree with John the Baptist, John came before Jesus
to prepare the way and he baptized in water, but Jesus came to baptize in the
Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and
[in] fire:
Revelation 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also
overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.
We are to overcome the things of this world, how we do this is first ask is this something I would still do if the Lord was physically present if it is it should be fine if not then do not do it. Of course you could seek via the Holy Spirit the answer as well.
Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
The problem today is so many claim to be of Christ and that is between them and the Lord, the problem is that so many state they believe and then do all kinds of things that go against Christ and the unbelievers are then turned away, the other religions use it against the faith.
Most important thing a believer can do is not attend church, not go on mission works, but to reflect the love of the Lord unto all and from the love then do the works.
Works without faith is empty, faith without works are dead.
The path to Hell is paved with good intentions, a lot of people give and out of them some do some really horrific acts.
We have to spend time with the Lord daily, reflect His love and to do this we have to know Him, we start with a belief in God, then in His Son and then we seek the Spirit and a connection between us and Him via the Holy Spirit and we let His love show through us. Then we will do more works than ever before, based on his love and not just good intentions.
I struggle with certain areas of my life, I am not perfect, none of us are and other than two people throughout all of history Enoch in Genesis 5 and Elijah in 2 Kings 2 were found to be perfect enough or sin free enough to leave this earth before death, not Moses, not Abraham, not Peter or Paul. The point is we are not perfect as long as we are of the flesh we will struggle with sin and the world. That is why we are told to be in but not of the world.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh
2 Corinthians 10:4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to
the casting down of strongholds),
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the
knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
Cast down thoughts (imaginations) that are not of God based in our knowledge of God. Then taking what is left into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Christ or Christos is translated anoint or anointing.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the
poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To
set at liberty them that are bruised,
"Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me" When we are of Christ we are saying we are of the anointing and that anointing to be of the Lord is of the Spirit.
I need to address one last thing, where in the world did we get the idea we need any other prayers than the Lord's Prayer especially when Jesus told us when we pray to do it in private not public and to pray the Lord's Prayer, He never said pray like this or somewhat like this, He said "pray ye"
Matthew 6:5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray
in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto
you, They have received their reward.
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy
door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
Matthew 6:7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they
shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need
of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.