WHEN People claim that they love you, what does this really mean? When people claim they love God, what does this really mean? When people claim they are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, what does this really mean? Since I have more experience with Christianity, I will use this as a subject for why it is important to study. Christian, by definition in every dictionary I have come across means 1) One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. 2) One who is Christ-like. The base of the meaning of the word, Christian is Christ. The definition of Christ is, the Messiah, an ideal type of humanity; Jesus. John Chapter one describes John the Baptists experience in baptizing Jesus and the revealing of Jesus as the Messiah. Verse 41 is the specific verse in John Chapter 1 which reveals Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. Fortunately, the teachings of Jesus have been documented, authenticated and justified in history as well as in the manuscripts that compose the King James Bible. There are other versions of the King James Bible which makes it easier for the reader to understand what the Bible verses are saying. There are even cassette tapes, video tapes, and audio CDs that are now available for people to use as study aids. Yet, many people dont study to know about the teachings of Jesus as documented by many writings, including the King James Bible. WHY dont people study for themselves? People need to study to have a relationship with God for themselves, otherwise they revert back to the mis-teachings of the Pharisees and scribes from the days of Jesus, the Christ. WHAT Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:14) Matthew 23:15 speaks of what the danger is of not studying the teachings of Jesus for yourself. Jesus stated, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. This scripture is especially important because: 1.) Jesus is the teacher. 2.) Jesus is making a statement to the religious rulers and leaders of that time, the scribes and Pharisees. 3.) Jesus is telling the scribes and the Pharisees that they are hypocrites! 4.) Jesus is telling them why they are hypocrites. 5.) Jesus is making a stark distinction between what the religious leaders have been teaching and the TRUTH. Jesus came to uncover the TRUTH that had been hidden from the people by the religious leaders and rulers. The religious rulers and leaders had hidden the truth from the masses because they lusted after power and money. Jesus wanted every person to know the TRUTH so that it would set them free. The book of John Chapter 8:31-32 says, Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. WHY It is necessary for individuals to study the art or discipline they wish to perfect so as not to be a novice at it. Anyone can claim to be anything; however, the claim does not mean they are what they claim to be! This is why you cannot claim you are a doctor or lawyer or mayor or city council person without actually being given that title legally. If this is true with municipal principalities and with professions that govern a persons life and well being, then it should also be true with our spiritual well-being. Knowing the truth is the greatest equalizer there is when it comes to spirituality. We know the enemy attacks the mind and the goal is to get you to think that what God says is not the truth. The perfect example of this for me is when Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, went into the wilderness and fasted 40 days and was tempted of the devil 40 days. The devil tried to get Jesus to accept a lie, but Jesus was able to quote the Word of God to the devil each time he was tempted and the Holy Ghost remained his guide. How was Jesus able to quote the scriptures inspired by God at the time of being tempted? Jesus was able to quote the scriptures because he studied the scriptures and was full of the Holy Ghost, which led and guided him into all righteousness. This is the same Holy Ghost that God has sent for us; all we have to do is receive it. CONCLUSION All in all, in the King James Bible, the word Christian is mentioned only three (3) times: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1st Peter 4:16. The title of Christian was given by those outside the group of followers of Jesus to describe what they knew about the story of The Christ from Jewish writings regarding the Messiah and the Christ. Jesus never used the term, the Apostles did not refer to themselves as Christians and Peter even elucidated on the point that if you are persecuted as a Christian dont be ashamed, but glorify God in it (1st Peter 4:16). During this time in history, the people who actually followed the teachings of Jesus were being persecuted by both the Roman church and the Jewish Synagogue leaders. Both the Roman church and the Jewish Synagogues possessed economic and political power over the people through religious beliefs and they did not want to lose that power. This is why they persecuted those that practiced the teachings of Jesus it caused a power shift. The dominant religious political groups were losing power over the people who began to know the truth by truly studying the Old Testament writings held by the Jews and the New Testament writings about what Jesus taught. Jesus never taught any denomination. Jesus never alienated anyone or any group. Jesus simply said REPENT. Romans 9:16 says, So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. When will it be understood that only God will determine who makes it to salvation and who does not? Your name tag does not mean a thing, when it comes down to it. What matters is the TRUTH and the Holy Spirit of God being able to dwell in you. What kind of life are you living? Do you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? Can you accept the truth to renew your mind and spirit? Or have you reached the point of no return believing that you know all the TRUTH and there is no need to learn anything else? The power struggle continues today with those religious organizations globally who call themselves Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, etc. This is why it is crucial for each person to have a personal relationship with God through knowing and understanding the truth that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day to full fill prophecy so that many would believe in the TRUTH. Then a comforter was sent to those who believe in Jesus to lead and guide them into all righteousness. Lets face it. Even the devil believes in God and knows his commandments. Believing in God and knowing his commandments is not the only thing that needs to be done though. We have to also keep Gods commandments and worship God in spirit and in truth. The truth is we will never be able to be perfect while we are living in our flesh. The truth is because of our human imperfection God sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to die on the cross and rise up after three (3) days to blow our minds so that we had no choice but to accept that there is a God, and we need to have a relationship with Him instead of having a relationship with ourselves. Read John chapter 15:24-25. The truth is the enemy is the inner me and only the Holy Ghost (Spirit) can overcome this inner me that is sinful. The truth is God wants all to know the truth and to be saved from sin. In the book of Revelation, chapters two (2) through four (4) the writer wrote about seven (7) types of churches. The Loveless Church
The Persecuted Church
The Lenient Church
The Compromising Church
The Lifeless Church
The Obedient Church
The Lukewarm Church God was only pleased with two (2) of these churches: The Persecuted Church and the Obedient Church. However, He gave the other five (5) churches instruction on how to repent and get things right so they could over come the faults they possessed. This is important for us, the believers in Jesus and his teachings to understand. We must take the appropriate steps to study Gods Word and be doers of it as well. Dont be blind and accept a lie, know the truth and act accordingly. Read John chapter 15:5-6. |
