Letters to Christ's Beloved Church

One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

As we, who believe in Christ, ready ourselves for the day when we meet Him – whether through our physical death as we pass through the veil, or through His return when He comes in glory to Judge the living and the dead – we should fear God (2 Cor. 5:11) and not fall into pride or the devil’s trap (1 Tim. 3:6-7) so prevalent in the western world Christian churches and communities.

There are many errors that have crept into the church over time, and even in the time of the apostles they had to come against lies and error,  but all lies and error regarding God’s truth come from one of two places — either adding to the Word of God or taking away from it. 

The most important thing is the foundation, which is Christ Himself, our cornerstone. Then the the teachings of the apostles which we read in Scripture.  (Eph. 2:20) But ALL of the Word of God is useful for training in righteousness. (2 Tim.  3:16-17) And so when we speak, especially priests, pastors and leaders, we MUST be careful what comes out of our mouths (or fingers), for we will be judged more severely. (James 3:1)

If we are busy condemning people or countries for their obvious wrong, (just ask us…) we are in danger of God’s righteous judgements and wrath of WE do not EQUALLY judge ourselves with that same law of God. 

Judgement and Justice sometimes agree, but often are at odds, for justice equally judges the person in the mirror and our own side and team with the same force and law it judges our opponent,  but judgement has a tendency to condemn anyone BUT the person in the mirror.

One deception and trap of the devil is to keep us busy accusing others so we don’t see the equally desparate need of repentance of the person in the mirror.

What about Israel? Many judgements have been thrown against her, some just, many not even close to justice, but I have exciting news!  There will be a day when every wrong that has been done by the people comprising the Country of Israel will be PERFECTLY judged and there WILL be TRUE lasting JUSTICE !!

Romans 2:1-16 NIV
[1] You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. [2] Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. [3] So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? [4] Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. [9] There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; [10] but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism. [12] All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. [13] For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. [14] (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) [16] This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.2.1-16.NIV

Be sure to read Paul’s conclusion to the above passage,  for it takes quite a twist.

So regarding Israel and Christianity, what does the Scripture say?

Romans 11:1-36 NIV
[1] I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? [4] And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. [6] And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. [7] What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, [8] as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” [9] And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. [10] May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” [11] Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. [12] But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! [13] I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry [14] in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. [15] For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? [16] If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. [17] If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, [18] do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” [20] Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. [22] Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. [23] And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. [24] After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! [25] I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. [33] Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! [34] “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” [35] “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” [36] For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.11.1-36.NIV

So what should every Christian priest, pastor and leader, plus lay people be doing in this hour?

Getting down on our knees for as many hours and days as it takes and plead with the Creator to give US ears to hear and eyes to see and hearts to TURN to God and REPENT of our evil, damnable greed and pride.  (“Oh, well, you know, everybody sins…”🤮🤮)

Stop. Here. Now. YOU AND I NEED TO REPENT!! To change direction and STOP ignoring our own evil, evil sin and ask God to give us hearts of first.

I mean it. Beloved for whom Christ died! This is NOT the time to point fingers.  Do we fear God? Do we love Him? Then let us shake off the chains of deception that the devil has bound us with and look honestly at ourselves through Scripture. What has Christ taught us?

Matthew 7:1-5 NIV
[1]  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

[2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

[3]  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.7.1-5.NIV

Christ is Lord of His church. PRIDE is an ABOMINATION to God. It is NOT some little sin we can ignore in ourselves while foolishly judging the sins of others.  GREED is revolting to God. God’s children are busy doing the Father’s work,  which from Genesis to Revelation includes being KIND and CARING FOR THE POOR.

We cannot ignore the pride, greed and lack of love as defined by Scripture in our churches and lives while condemning others of immorality, abortion, etc.

Isreal is not perfect and yes, God will judge those who have done wrong, but do not be deceived, our pride, greed, lies about God and His love, grace and truth, are JUST as horrific in heaven’s eyes as the atrocities we see done.

Yet, at the cross our sins are forgiven.

It. Is. Finished.

So, yes wisdom in dealing with Israel and every other country.

Yes, truth. Truth. Truth. And GRACE. Dividing accurately the threads.

But WE – you and I – MUST humble ourselves before the Living God and pray WE be set free from OUR blindness.

Psalms 19:12-13 NIV
[12] But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.19.12-13.NIV

And if we find we are bound as slaves, to our own sin, there is hope. For Christ Jesus died to save wicked sinners such as we.

And THAT is news worth sharing, with Isreal, the person in the mirror, or community and the world.

Here are practical steps WE can take to restore our relationship with God and begin to make the change necessary so that WE will not find ourselves under the same judgements we are so willing to put on others:

1. Get on our knees, literally.  Alone.  In our bedroom, our car (bow as best we can),  the church or a closet. Confess out loud our sins to God.  Confess we have exalted the sins of others while hugely minimizing our even completely ignoring our own damnable sins.  Hear the nails. He was CRUCIFIED for every blasphemy we have uttered in the Name of God, for every unloving word we have spoken. Confess. Cry. Turn to God for Help. And do not stop until our eyes are opened and we see truly how our sins have hurt God and hurt others.
2. If we are leaders, publically admit WE WERE WRONG.  Use the Word of God to point out our own sins and then tell the sheep we are truly sorry for the loss we have spoken.   SHOW purple how to repent by leading by example.
3. Study how the Bible in the New Covenant teaches people how to live. Evaluate our lives and ask God’s to help us implement change. Write a one year plan, not of how we are going to just READ,  MEMORIZE,  OR QUOTE the BIBLE,  but, by God’s grace, how we are going to LIVE it.
4. Evaluate our TEMR. Time. Energy. Money. Resources.  How can we give our all to Christ?
5. Be humble and as we are able, continue daily to pray,  seek fellowship with other believers and learn to find our enjoyment in Christ.
6. Be grateful for all God’s done and in obediece to His Word, PRAY for the peace of Israel, and this wheels.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …