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Title: The Character of Christ's Church
Source:
http://gracegems.org/Smith4/character_of_christs_church.htm
URL Source: http://gracegems.org/Smith4/character_of_christs_church.htm
Published: Apr 2, 2011
Author: James Smith
Post Date: 2011-04-02 22:14:04 by Don
Keywords: Church, Religion, Christian
Views: 4862
Comments: 8
The Character of Christ's Church James Smith, 1860 There is a good — a glorious time coming. The Lord shall be King over all the earth. Jesus will be personally present with his people. The curse will be completely rolled away from the world, and the effects of that curse will cease. Creation will be in harmony and be happy. The Church will be like Christ, as well as with Christ. Then shall be fulfilled the Lord's precious promise, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9. This promise must be made good, and a glorious time it will be when it is. But the former part of the verse represents what a Church of Christ should be now, and how a Church of Christ should appear at present. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain." God's Church is represented by a MOUNTAIN. A mountain is composed of common earth — for there is no difference between the Lord's people and others by nature. All are alike corrupt, depraved, and sinful. A mountain is created by divine power. The hand that scooped out the ocean, leveled the plains, and spread out the valleys — piled up the mountains. It is the power of God, working with the Word, that makes the Christian. And a company of such Christians, bound and banded together constitute a Church. A mountain is clothed with verdure and rendered visible. So the Church is clothed with holiness, and appears as Christ made visible. All the graces of the Holy Spirit deck and adorn the Lord's people, and they are manifestly declared to be the sons of God, the people of the Lord. A mountain invites the traveler to ascend, inhale the breeze, and enjoy the prospect. So the true Church invites us to come, and with her receive the sweet and delightful influences of the Spirit, to see the king in his beauty, and catch a glimpse of the heavenly glory. It s a holy mountain. Separated from the world, set apart for God, and consecrated to his praise and glory. Its author is holy, for it is the Church of God. Chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Its source is holy, for it flows from the free, sovereign, and distinguishing grace of God. The purpose, the plan, and the production of the Church was entirely of grace. The instrument by which it is produced, is holy. For the Word of God is the instrument which the Holy Spirit employs in the regeneration, sanctification, and edification of the Church of God. The design of it is holy. It is God's residence. It is the Savior's spouse. It is the Spirit's temple. It is intended to exhibit the excellency of the divine character, purposes, and plans. In every view of it, the Church of God is holy, not perfectly at present — but is preparing to be so ultimately. The prediction is, "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain." The opposite is implied — that LOVE shall reign. The Lord's people are principally remarkable for their love. They are taught of God to love one another; and let a man have what he may, if he has not love — he is not a genuine Christian. LIBERTY shall triumph. The Church of Christ is the home of liberty. There should be liberty to think, to act, and in some things to differ. The Church was to be characterized by unity — but not by uniformity. It is a mountain, not a dead level. TENDERNESS shall be displayed. They shall not hurt with tongue, pen, or sword; in mind, body, or estate. They shall not destroy — life shall be held sacred, and therefore be safe. The Church of Christ should be a loving family — a circle of friends — a company of equals. Distinctions there must be, as in every family; but a degree of equality there should be, as in every well-regulated family. No Church is perfectly what it ought to be, or perfectly what God requires it to be — except it can be said of it and its members, that they neither hurt nor destroy in all that holy mountain. Compare this with POPERY. Who can say that they never hurt nor destroy in that Church. Compare this with many religious establishments, which fine, imprison, and put its members to death. As soon as ever a Church becomes a persecuting body — it loses its right to be called a Church of Christ. See the dignity, the duty, and the destiny of the Church of God, like some lofty mountain it is to stand out in bold relief from the world! Like a mountain whose sides are clothed with green and pleasant verdure, it is to be lovely and attractive to the traveler's eye. And like a mountain inhabited by some loving family — all the members of the Church are to be full of love, sympathy, and kindness. Let every professed Christian seek to be like his Lord, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Church discipline should be attended to — but only in order to the purity, peace, and prosperity of the body. We are not to allow sin in a brother — nor to walk in fellowship, or join in company with wicked people. As we are not of the world — we are to be distinct from the world. As redeemed from among men — we are to be unlike men, that is, superior to men. Let not the sinner then be prejudiced against religion by anything he sees in professors, or in Churches; the only standard of true religion is the Bible; the only model is the Lord Jesus; and only as we answer to the descriptions of God's Word, and walk as Jesus walked — are we entitled to be considered his disciples, or looked upon as his Church. Lord, in your mercy, so pour out your holy, loving, gentle Spirit upon us, that it may be literally true, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain."
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#1. To: Don (#0)
Amen.
This sounds like something my aunt would post if she could figure out how to use the internet. Poor gal must have kept God angry with this stuff because he has visited almost every calamity on her.
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
The difference between a child of God and a child of Satan is God will punish the child of Satan and there is no life within that person. God will correct and discipline His people for their own good and that person has eternal life.
But I'm sure I have read we are all God's children and were made in his image. It's too bad the Bible can't keep it's stories straight. But I don't blame you for not reading it beforehand, it's too confusing and sort of perverted in places. It's hard to read it and abide by the ten commandments at the same time.
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
Rek, I get it that you are completely hostile to Scripture and obviously God. In a physical sense, God has created all life. Satan cannot create life, he can only attack those who don't belong to him. Christ did tell some religous leaders that they are of their father, the Devil. In a spiritual sense, those who don't belong to Christ belong to Satan. i.e. Satan is their father. You have read that verse, right? (John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.) You, and I am talking straight to you, belong to Christ or you belong to Satan. You need to decide where you want to spend eternity. Choose Wisely.
I find it impossible to believe such a tight sales pitch that is so self serving is not a formula men wrote up to enhance revenues and political power by increasing church membership. I'm happy for you feeling you get something out of your faith. But looking at the history of how fear is such a strong component to sell the Christian faith and how Christianity -- and Islam too -- suppressed other religions and cultures with torture, death and theft I want none of it.
You're a silly person Mike.
Salvation is by faith, not by attending Church. There are many Christians who don't attend a church in these days when so many churches are apostate. I'm not saying that Christians shouldn't attend a church when they find a good one, but the true Church is not a physical one, it is the body of believers. It is probably true that there are churches that are full of trappings, grandiose buildings, are lustful for power and money, and all of the other bad things that go along with whatever man is involved. I also think that Satan has a great deal to do with those churches. It is also true that Christians themselves are not yet perfected in the things of God as they still have man's sinful nature. Perfection lies in the future, but they have good things in their future whereas the lost have only bad things. Which people do you think are blessed when one group is looking forward to eternal life with Christ or eternal life in a place of torment and damnation?
#2. To: Don (#0)
(Edited)
Lord, in your mercy, so pour out your holy, loving, gentle Spirit upon us, that it may be literally true, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain."
#3. To: Rek (#2)
Poor gal must have kept God angry with this stuff because he has visited almost every calamity on her.
#4. To: Don (#3)
(Edited)
The difference between a child of God and a child of Satan is God will punish the child of Satan and there is no life within that person. God will correct and discipline His people for their own good and that person has eternal life.
#5. To: Rek (#4)
#6. To: Don (#5)
#7. To: Ferret Mike (#6)
#8. To: Ferret Mike (#6)
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