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NASB | Matthew 15:9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 15:9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, FOR THEY TEACH AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" [Is 29:13] |
Subject: Offices today? |
Bible Note: Dear Sir, No apologies are necessary, my friend. My point (my bent) is that it seems that more focus is made these days on the religious, institutional aspects of office, rather than the simple, Biblical aspect of servitude. Indeed, huge religious organizations have done great works, but I consider these minor in comparison to the work of the Holy Spirit through humble individuals to God-seeking individuals. Mega-churches, power-evangelism, super-revival, universities and hospitals cannot hold a candle to faith and ministry. The sin of the Pharisees is subtle, and may have a beautiful facade, but Jesus never once spoke of 'power-in-size or numbers.' He never once endorsed institutionalized religion, but admonished us to beware of it time and again. To say that the modern version of ministry is 'such and such' frightens me. I would prefer the original, unadulterated version. I am certain that the Holy Spirit is capable of giving us the same spirit of the early church, today, if we allow Him to do so. But, for the most part, present -day religion is so organized (into complete confusion, by the way!) that there is little room for the Spirit to work in our lives. My proof is in the state of the church. Though we 'enjoy' all of these institutional 'blessings' and trappings, the simple faith in God is at an all-time low. Our enemy is not stupid! He is aware that the best offense is side-tracking us with bits and pieces of outward 'blessing.' And much of the church is swallowing it, hook, line, and sinker. The present-day church is obviously polarized into the comfortable, (humanly) organized religious persons, and the emotionally-starved experience-seekers, BOTH devoid of the Spirit, while claiming to be filled by Him. The church is in need of repentance, to return to Christ, away from the uninspired religion of this age. I must say that I have never seen a true 'large number of people are working together for the same goal.' I agree that we must have a church, the local church and the universal church. But the government of His church must rest upon His shoulders, not our divided misinterpretation of His Word. Our sin is that if something works once or twice, we say that it is God's will, and close the doors for the Spirit to do something different in the future. We call this 'organization.' Truly, God loves order, but He demands the right to lead things! This is what is missing, balance. The balance of order and dependence on the Spirit of God. The Word of God is *active,* not predictable. When we 'extrapolate' our faith, it is no longer faith, but religion. That is why we need ministers, not administrators; Spirit-sensitive servants, not officials. Indeed, Christ alone holds 'office' since His resurrection. We should relenquish these things to the Holy Spirit, and be blessed thereby. Forgive the 'ranting,' a.k.a. preaching. :-) In Jesus' name, charis |