Sunday Morning thoughts

  Too funny.  Yesterday morning just before I woke up I had a bit of an odd dream.  I was going to Church with my folks in their van.  Just as I saw the pious people, dressed in their Sunday bests and carrying their Bibles and just like a spray on tan, they had their veneer of holiness sprayed onto their faces and hands... 

  I lept out of the van, running away.  My dad called after me and I tore the tie off my throat and yelled over my shoulder "I'm never going to church again!!!" some religious lady started walking towards me in her dowdy, yellow flower dress hoping to snag her brainwashing ways into me, instead, I ran away from her as well, jumped in the sky and flew away... and woke up.

Reaching for what we've Already Been Given

  One of the craziest things the human race does is not taking God at his word.  I mean... he's God.  If he says it, well then it must be true.  Unfortunately, it's been the pattern since Genesis for mankind to not take God at his word.

Genesis 1:27

27 So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them.

  Right after this the very first lie Adam and Eve fell for;

Genesis 3:4-5

4 But the serpent said to the woman: Not to die shall you be dying; 

5 for Elohim knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be unclosed, and you will become like Elohim, knowing good and evil.

  Isn't that unbelievable?  They were already LIKE GOD! But that wasn't enough, Satan spread doubt in them and they had to achieve what God has already given.

  Then a little while later in Gensis 11;

Genesis 11:4

4 And they said: Grant attention! Let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with it's top in the heavens.  Let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over the surface of the entire earth.  

Again, mankind sought to usurp God, or at the very least, be like him.  This has been the pattern of mankind down through the ages.  Regardless of religion, or culture.

  It is also significant, every time men seek to contest God and either usurp him or be like him, they build high places.  The Israelites did it during their times of rebellion.  Continuously, their prophets had to destroy the high places and burn them.  The Egyptians built high places of their pyramids.  The Celts did it with their stone works, Stonehenge as an example.

  The Aztecs did it with their temples, and I'm sure if you continue to look through history there are always high places when it comes to religion.  Look at Islam, Mormonism and even Christianity with their high steeples and beliefs that seek to force open the gates of heaven by their own righteousness, and power.

  Guess what people?  God has already opened the gates of heaven to you.

  In fact, we are still doing the same thing Adam and Eve did, attempting to achieve for ourselves what GOD has already given us.

2 Corinthians 5:19

19 how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation.

Let's stop trying to achieve what God has already done and rest in his grace.

Counting Heads - The Gentile Way

  One thing that drove me absolutely batshit when I was in the ICOC was their obsession with numbers. 

How many did you reach out to this week?

How many Bible studies are you doing?

How many did you baptize/How fruitful are you?

  In the religious world numbers are the measure of how true your gospel is.  The more true your gospel must be.

  It is contradictory to note, God has operated completely the opposite in principle though.  When he created mankind, he began with TWO people.  Not group of 10s or 100s.

  When the world was deluged in the flood, he saved Noah's family.  Out of 8 billion (possibly) people in the world, he saved 8.

  When Gideon went up against the middianites, he faced a countless army with only 300 men.

  When David took down Goliath, he sent one lonely little boy to face down a giant and his army.

  When Jesus came to save the world, he sent one lone savior to a cross, deserted by all his friends.  Only his mother and a whore at the foot of the cross mourning his death.  Rather than an army overthrowing the world by storm and demanding obeisance.

  In every situation, and in every case, God has worked against the metrics of humanity and used the few, the weak, and insignificant.

  And we measure the accuracy of our religion by the multitude, the wise and the esteemed?

  How backwards.

  The ICOC, and others in Christendom point out how THOUSANDs were baptised in the early days of Christianity, as the apostles preached.  

  Two numbers in particular are quoted 

Acts 2:41

41 Those indeed, then, who welcome his word, are baptized, and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 4:4

4 Now many of those who hear the word, believe, and the number of men became about five thousand.

  Indeed this seems miraculous.  However, when you stop to consider, they were preaching to the entire nation of Israel as present in Jerusalem at that time.  A nation that needed to repent, and only a few thousand did?

  Consider - Canada alone has a population of 34.48 million, and Calgary one of it's major Cities has a population of just over a million.

  An entire nation and only 3,000-5,000 repented?  The number becomes a shaming indictment against a nation that eagerly awaited it's messiah.

Travis

The Body Christ - Our Identity

  So I got my root canal, and my tooth is much better.  It was a 3 hour appointment, the pain was the worst on the first hour but now... siiiigh.  I can sleep soundly now and not wake up with a migraine.  Yay!

Yesterday was a packed day.  I got this Blog post started but was unable to finish it...

Who Are You?

  I want to make sure I'm clear after yesterday's blogs.  Many traditional Churches today are now breaking themselves away from "tradition" to form what is commonly known as "house churches" or even "cell churches".  This is not what I'm talking about.  It has the appearance of breaking away from tradition, as it's no longer in a big building, and reduced itself to a smaller building.

  If you're still thinking in terms of;

"We're going to church on Sunday"

"We're late for Church"

"What church are you a part of?"

"When is Church?"

  You are still thinking in terms of tradition and not in terms of the God ordained body of Christ.

1 Cor 12:12-13
12 For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, thus also is the Christ.
13 For in one spirit also we all are baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and all are made to imbibe one spirit.

Romans 12:5

5 thus we, who are many, are one body in Christ, yet individually members of one another.

  The Church is not a place we go to, it is not a place that exists on a set schedule.  The Church is who you ARE, belonging to each other in the body of Christ.

  I can guarantee you, if the Church you are a part of is recognized by the government then it is not the body of Christ.

   So why does Paul refer so often to the Church and the Houses and households?

  Think of it like this; if I go to your house.  We are not having "Travis" anymore than if you come to my house and we are having "Bob".  Yet those who use the "house church" model call their meetings "having church"  Church has become a verb, an act, and thing to DO rather than we we are, a noun, a person we ARE.

  I am in the Body of Christ, therefore I am the church.  I am Church 24/7, every day, all day.  Everywhere I go, I am being the Church.  Everytime I meet someone, I am the Church, there are no "service" other than acts of  service, there are no board of directors, mission statements, creeds, etc. etc.  All the things the government requires to recognize one as being a Church.  Instead, this is defined by the Holy Spirit and is expressed by the Holy Spirit.

  If we are to understand the Church as taught by Paul and divinely created through Christ by God, we need to get this concept deeply rooted into our soul.  This is not an issue of semantics, this is a deeply important issue of understanding how the Body functions.

  It's every bit as important as heart surgery is to a surgeon, to a believer it is absolutely necessary to understand the Body of Christ; therein exists our HOPE and EXPECTATION.

1 Timothy 3:15-16

15 yet, if I should be tardy, that you may be perceiving how one must behave in God's house, which is the ecclesia of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.
16 And avowedly great is the secret of devoutness, which was manifested in flesh, justified in spirit, seen by messengers, heralded among the nations, believed in the world, taken up in glory.

Travis

Progression Towards Maturity - Martin Zender

PROGRESSION TOWARD MATURITY
“So that we, from now on, are acquainted with no one according to flesh. Yet even if we have known Christ according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him so no longer” (II Corinthians 5:16).

I believe that being acquainted with no one according to the flesh includes ourselves. There comes a time in the life of a believer when he or she is to stop thinking of the Savior as the dusty Nazarene and consider Him as He is now, glorified at the right hand of God. This accompanies progression toward maturity. Likewise, mature believers also come to stop considering themselves after the flesh, and concentrate instead on how God sees them: justified in Christ, flawless in His sight. Let’s graduate from immaturity to maturity. Let’s graduate from putting our lives up on graphs and monitoring our progress toward perfection. Instead, let’s walk by faith and focus on what Christ has done for our spirits.

Martin Zender
How to Be Free From Sin While Smoking a Cigarette
Pages 68-69

Home Sweet Home - The Body of Christ

  I've got a root canal today.  Ugh.  At least now the pain in my jaw will recede.  Thank God for small favors.

  I've been enjoying this study on the Body of Christ, and there's so much I could share.  Unfortunately due to lack of space, and time I will only share the parts that make the greatest impression on me.  I encourage you to study this out on your own however.

The Domestic Ecclesia

  Growing up in the religious system, I've always noticed the big contrast between how Christianity worships today from the way Paul did in his time.

  Today we have a "mission field" and "Church plantings".  Today we have a "board of members" a "creed" and "charitable status" with the government.  

  Where once the Church was completely organic and domestic in nature, it is now as structured and organized as any human organization.  In this, it is no different from the pagan temples of Babylon and Roman mythology.  It has a sanctuary, an altar, and religious hierarchy.  It esteems men to be as great, if not greater than God in the hearts of those who worship.

   Consider;

 From Acts to Revelations, the House is mentioned 66 times.  They worshiped in the house, they ministered in houses, they met in houses.  Some might argue it was because the church was young and just starting out.  Consider this then; Paul was raised in religion, he understood temple worship.  He understood the human desire for organized religion.  It would have been far easier to win Jewish converts with a temple system.  Also far easier to win gentile converts who previously worshipped pagan gods in their temples with a similar organized system.

  He didn't, he understood that the Body of Christ was unique and divinely formed.  It cannot and would not be institutionalized.

1 Cor 1:10-13

10 Now I am entreating you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all may be saying the same thing, and there may be no schisms among you, but you may be attuned to the same mind and to the same opinion.
11 For it was made evident to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe, that there are strifes among you.
12 Now I am saying this, that each of you is saying, "I, indeed, am of Paul," yet "I of Apollos," yet "I of Cephas," yet "I of Christ."
13 Christ is parted! Not Paul was crucified for your sakes! Or into the name of Paul are you baptized?

  As soon as an institution is formed even if it should be named "The Church of Christ" we have come out from within God's divinely formed body and set up something in opposition to God.  

---

  Meeting in the homes was God's ideal.  It was to be as a family, it was to be a safe haven.  There is a reason "Home is where the heart is" is a cliche.

  Paul frequently referred to those in the ecclesia as "Brothers, Sisters, sons and daughters" and other family terms.

1 Cor 4:15-16

15 For if you should be having ten thousand escorts in Christ, nevertheless not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus, through the evangel, I beget you.
16 I am entreating you, then, become imitators of me.

Romans 1:13

13 Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that often I purposed to come to you (and was prevented hitherto) that I should be having some fruit among you also, according as among the rest of the nations.

Romans 7:1

1 Or are you ignorant, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know law), that the law is lording it over a man for as much time as he is living?

etc. etc.

  If your conscience is prodding you, and you are aware of the system you are trapped in, i beseech you.  Leave the system, find your freedom in the body of Christ.

Galatians 3:27-28

27 For whoever are baptized into Christ, put on Christ,
28 in Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus.

2 Cor 4:2

2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of Go

and finally

2 Cor 6:14-7:1

14 Do not become diversely yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what communion has light with darkness?
15 Now what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever?
16 Now what concurrence has a temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, according as God said, that I will be making My home and will be walking in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Wherefore, Come out of their midst and be severed, the Lord is saying. And touch not the unclean, and I will admit you,
18 and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.

1 Having, then, these promises, beloved, we should be cleansing ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, completing holiness in the fear of God.

Amen,

Travis

The Body of Christ

  Last night I finally got time to sit down and really read.  I've been reading through Clyde Pilkington's book "Outsiders: The Called Out Ones" which is a study in the body of Christ.

   Much of what we traditonally believe constitutes the body of Christ has all been perverted by tradition.  Clyde's book is an examination of what scripture actually teaches the Body of Christ to be.  There are so many things to teach and learn in this miraculous living organism that the Holy Spirit joins together into Christ's literal Body.

  It is more than just a theological, or mental exercise.  We are literally a part of Christ, sharing in his sufferings, and also eventually sharing in his glory

Colossians 3:4

4 Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory.

  The Body itself is hidden at this time, and only God knows who each individual is, however the day that Christ appears in glory, so also shall each member of the body be glorified and in that moment we are no longer hidden.  Wow!  What a promise.

2 Thess 2:7-8

7 For the secret of lawlessness is already operating. Only when the present detainer may be coming to be out of the midst,
8 then will be unveiled the lawless one (whom the Lord Jesus will despatch with the spirit of His mouth and will discard by the advent of His presence),

  The body of Christ detains the lawless one, until the Body of Christ is snatched away will he be revealed.  Who no doubt is the anti-christ himself.

  It is so essential to realize, however, that the Body of Christ is organized by the Spirit, and is itself thus defined.  Should we attempt to institutionalize it, or "enhance" it with tradition, we interfere, and even nullify that Spirit's work in us.  

Mark 7:13

13 invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you give over.

Colossians 2:8-9

8 Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ,

9 for in Him the entire complement of the Deity is dwelling bodily. 

  I will write more on this as I continue, but I wanted to share some of the more salient points as I'm studying this.  It's exciting stuff, and if you want to learn as well - I encourage you to go to;

www.studyshelf.com and order his book "The Outsiders: The Called out Ones"

Travis

Talking Crazy

  Things are a little crazy around here lately so I won't have time to get deep into theology right now.  I did want to talk about one thing though.

  I had a few conversations with family this weekend about my blog and the topics on it.  I got a chance to explain things in greater depth.  Apparently, verbalizing things seems to make it easier for some people to grasp what I'm talking about.  When before they thought I was a nutjob, after talking and explaining precisely the context and meaning of my doctrine - they realize I'm not so insane after all.

   So, if you have any questions, or need any clarification on anything I've written.  Please don't be afraid to ask questions.  I realize that some of these things are difficult to understand.  In fact a King accused Paul of being insane once;

Acts 26:24
24 Now, as he is making this defense, Festus is averring with a loud voice, "You are mad, Paul! Much scripture is deranging you to madness!"

And Peter himself even warned the first century church;

2 Peter 3:15-16
15 And be deeming the patience of our Lord salvation, according as our beloved brother Paul also writes to you, according to the wisdom given to him,
16 as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, in which are some things hard to apprehend, which the unlearned and unstable are twisting, as the rest of the scriptures also, to their own destruction.

These things ARE hard to understand at first, but once grasped yield a flood of peace and glory.

Travis

Something to think about

Things are a little nuts around here right now with all the floods in Calgary going on.  So I won't be writing very much today.

I do want to leave you something to think about that I will expound more on later.

2 Thess 2:6-12
6 And now you are aware what is detaining, for him to be unveiled in his own era.
7 For the secret of lawlessness is already operating. Only when the present detainer may be coming to be out of the midst,
8 then will be unveiled the lawless one (whom the Lord Jesus will despatch with the spirit of His mouth and will discard by the advent of His presence),
9 whose presence is in accord with the operation of Satan, with all power and signs and false miracles
10 and with every seduction of injustice among those who are perishing, because they do not receive the love of the truth for their salvation.
11 And therefore God will be sending them an operation of deception, for them to believe the falsehood,
12 that all may be judged who do not believe the truth, but delight in injustice.

Satan's Magic Trick

THE LORD OF THIS EON

  So many people seem to think Satan operates today in the realm of "sin".  Are you a homosexual?  Satan's got his thumb on you.  Are you a smoker?  He's got you by the tail.  Are you a horny sexually crazed individual? (welcome to the human race) Satan's got you by the 'nads!

  This seems to be the "gospel" that is focused on by the Churches today.  They preach constantly against the "wiles" of Satan.  However Paul says;

Colossians 2:20-21

20 If, then, you died together with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, are you subject to decrees:
21 "You should not be touching, nor yet tasting, nor yet coming into contact,"
22 (which things are all for corruption from use), in accord with the directions and teachings of men? --
23 which are (having, indeed, an expression of wisdom in a willful ritual and humility and asceticism) not of any value toward the surfeiting of the flesh.

  These are simply the teachings of men, and have nothing to do with the Gospel that Christ gave to Paul to be preached.

  In fact, we need to be clear where Satan operates.  What was Satan's first action against mankind?  We read in Genesis 3:1 he calls into question what we understand about God.

  Let me be even more explicit.  The realm which Satan operates in, has not changed since the time of Genesis 3:1.  He operates in realm of Religion.  He ALWAYS calls into question what God actually said, and influences our decision from that false understanding.

Proverbs 6:16-19

16 These are six things Yahweh hates,

Even seven that are an abhorrence to His soul:

17 Exalted eyes, a false tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood;

18 A heart engrossed with lawless devisings,

Feet that make haste to run to evil,

19 A false witness who breathes out lies,

And one who instigates quarrels among brothers.

  Notice, most of the "sins" Christianity and most major religions focus on are not in that list.  But I can guarantee you can find every single one of these things in a Church.  Almost certainly in the man behind the pulpit.

  He, Satan, would rather have you looking at these "sins" than where he's really operating.  Which is the religious institutions we revere and see as "Holy".

  What a devilishly good magic trick.

Travis

A Renewal

  Another busy night was had.  I had a brutal freaking migraine yesterday, got home and lay down for a while, and after my wife left for work I got some things done around the house and played with my little girl.  I love spending time with my daughter and am looking forward to our vacation when we will all get to spend a little more time as a family and get away for a bit.

  Maybe even catch up on some sleep.  God willing.

The Renewal of Reason

Romans 12:2 writes;

2 and not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect.

  One of the greatest reasons I believe all organized religions are cults is simply this.  To be organized, you can not allow yourself or anyone else to have questions.  The moment questions are raised about your organization, you threaten the unity of that organization.  Any questions regarding inconsistency or conflict must be immediately dealt with by either humiliating the member, disciplining the member or ousting the member from the organization.

   This is not so with the Body of Christ (And I exclude Christianity and all forms of organized Christian religion from this Body). 

  The moment anyone tells you "Oh it's a mystery.  We can't understand it." Warning flags should be raised.

  It is true God conceals himself and hides himself, but no more so than a lover.  She conceals her beauty, both inward and outward and delights to have her lover discover herself.  God is no less so than this.  When you discover the depth of his grace, the delight in both his Spirit and yours is no less short of overwhelming.  The more we discover of his character, methods and motives, the more we learn about his history, plans and undertakings... The more we revel in his glory.

  Ask questions.  Constantly.  Test the will of God.  In so doing, your mind will be renewed.

  We cannot help but be transformed when we discover the secrets of God.  The more we realize how perfectly in control he is, the more we rest in his peace.  The more discover of his plans for the future, the more content we are to wait in gleeful anticipation.

   And as these things take hold in our hearts and minds, we will find ourselves holding more and more loosely to the present era, and looking forward to the celestial glories we have in Jesus Christ.

Amen,

Travis

It's been busy

  Summer's nearly here and I've hit a bit of a mental block.  Things have been very busy around my house and we're looking forward to vacation time.  Jana's been working alot of hours, Cassidy has been having a harder time getting to sleep at night because of the longer days, and I've been getting a little less reading done than I'd like.

   Unfortunately that means I don't have much to write on right now.

  I will share this though, this has been on my mind alot lately;

Galatians 5:22-26
22 Now the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law.
24 Now those of Christ Jesus crucify the flesh together with its passions, and lusts.
25 If we may be living in spirit, in spirit we may be observing the elements also.
26 We may not become vainglorious, challenging one another, envying one another.

  I know alot of religious folks, Christians especially, like to work at achieving these chracter qualities in themselves and then get so frustrated and beat themselves up when they can't achieve this kind of perfection. Here's a hint; it's called fruit of the spirit so no matter how hard you work in your flesh you are NOT going to achieve this kind of thing.

  I don't know if you're quite understanding me.

  Let me make it really simple.

  These qualities are a gift of the spirit.  Live in grace, embrace grace.  Love God, Love Jesus, and the spirit will bless you with these qualities as time comes.  You can't make it happen.  So just relax.

  Really, you're allowed to.

  God wants you to.  He'll give you the gifts he thinks you need.  Not the ones you think you deserve or worked hard enough for.

  You're still trapped in flesh folks, so until the day of our vivification - you are not yet living in the spirit. 

Travis

No profound thoughts today friends

So - I've had a migraine since last night when we went out for Father's day dinner.  Calgary's weather has been bonkers, and I'm so frakking tired too. So I'm perfectly suited for a migraine at the moment.

Anyways, weekend was mad crazy,  busy.  Hung out with some friends til 1am on Friday night, which I've discovered is not a good idea for me anymore.  I'm still tired from that night.  Although I did learn how to solder and work with the innards of electronics.

Saturday I was busy putting 5 computers together to install in my parent's afterschool.  As well as driving around the city with my daughter.  Who also woke me up dang early on Sunday to wish me a happy father's day. LOL

So I got up with the family and my wife made a wonderful breakfast for all of us.  Then she had to work, so I got those 5 computers together and took em down to the afterschool and installed them.  That took a couple hours, and then Cassidy and I went swimming together.

So it has NOT been a restful weekend, and I'm still freaking tired and a little out of it with this migraine.  So I have no great insights for anyone today.

I'm listening to Martin Zender's newest podcast and the most profound thing I have to offer you is; I wonder how good the wine was that Jesus made.  I mean this is the guy that brought all creation into being.  John 1:3, Col 1:16.  So he must have made some DAMN good wine.  Even the wedding guests were talking about how good it was.

Being that I love wine and love making it... I really wish there was some of that vintage somewhere.  Guess I'll have to wait a while before we can enjoy it at another date... I really hope there's wine when we get resurrected, cuz frankly - that's awesome stuff and it'd be a shame not to have it anymore.

There - my profound thought for the day.  Have a good one! :)

Travis

Flying in the Face of Social and Religious "Mores"

Good morning!  Today I read such an excellent essay by Clyde Pilkington Jr. I have to share it.  I think I'll lay my pen down for the day and allow you to read this and think on it.  I hope Clyde will forgive me if I copy this to my blog, it is simply such an excellent email that he sent out.

God bless you all, and have a fantastic weekend.

---------

Flying in the Face of Social and Religious “Mores”

There are many customs or “mores”[1] that press people into bondage. Jesus Christ strongly opposed the traditions of His day.

In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9).

Making the Word of God of no effect through your traditions (Mark 7:13).

An example of such a tradition was the Jewish custom of ceremoniously washing their hands before they ate. This washing was not a sanitary action, for health reasons. This was a “moral” ritual – a “baptism” – that was socially recognized by all of that day. It was said that “all the Jews” practiced this“tradition of the elders” (Mark 7:3).

Well, all but the disciples of Jesus Christ. As His followers they had been taught and led into the truth regarding religious traditions and mores. Since “all the Jews” observed this, their eating with “morally” defiled hands was an extremely intentional act. For them not to ceremonially wash their hands was quite bold and deliberate. This flew in the face of social and religious mores.It spoke loudly, and the Pharisees heard it. They addressed Christ directly concerning the actions of His followers.

Why aren’t your disciples walking according to the tradition of the elders, but are eating bread with unwashed hands? (:5).

The stage was now perfectly set. Christ does not apologize for the offensive action of His followers, nor does He make any attempt to soothe the moral sensitivities of His objectors. Instead, He uses the uncouth actions of disciples to brashly confront the evils of the religious and social traditions of His times. Listen to His astonishingly powerful words:

Rightly prophesies Isaiah concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, that “This people with their lips is honoring Me, Yet their heart is far away from Me. Yet in vain are they worshiping Me, teaching for teachings the directions of men.” For, leaving the precept of God, you are holding the tradition of men of the baptism of pots and cups. And many such like things you are doing. Rightly are you repudiating the precept of God, that you should be keeping your tradition? (:6-9).

Christ rightly called them “hypocrites.” He said that they honored God with their lips, but that their hearts were far from Him. He said their worship was vain. He said that they had left and repudiated the precept of God.

We take too lightly the customs, mores and traditions of men. We wrongly view them as harmless. They are extremely dangerous. They are one of the greatest foes of truth.

Yet be forewarned, the pathway against such tradition will not be easy. The religious will oppose a life free from the bondage of religious tradition. Most of the hostility will likely come from your closest friends and family members who are blinded by these very traditions of men, traditions from which you seek and have found freedom.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.

Paul, God's Chosen Herald

Paul The Dispenser

  Most people do not seem to be aware that there are two gospels in the New Testament.  Peter's Gospel given to the Jews and Paul's gospel given to the nations.

In Galatians 2:7-8 Paul contrasts the gospel he is given against the one Peter was given

7 But, on the contrary, perceiving that I have been entrusted with the evangel of the Uncircumcision,

8 according as Peter of the Circumcision (for He Who operates in Peter for the apostleship of the Circumcision operates in me also for the nations),

  Everytime he refers to the evangel of the Uncircumcision, he is referring to a gospel that is given on the basis of grace to the nations.  Whereas Peter's evangel is the evangel of circumcision to the 12 tribes of Israel who's gospel is based on the fulfillment of the law of Moses.

  See the difference?  The Evangel of Uncircumcision is based on grace apart from the law.

Romans 11:13-14

13 Now to you am I saying, to the nations, in as much as, indeed, then, I am the apostle of the nations, I am glorifying my dispensation,

14 if somehow I should be provoking those of my flesh to jealousy and should be saving some of them.

  Again, Paul refers to himself as an Apostle to the nation.  What is this dispensation he talks about?

Hebrews 1:1-2

1 By many portions and many modes, of old, God, speaking to the fathers in the prophets,
2 in the last of these days speaks to us in a Son

  In simply speaking, the author of Hebrews is saying "God operates different ways, at different times".

  Beginning in Genesis; God operated in an era of innocence with Adam.  That changed after the garden of Eden ended with the first sin.

  When the earth was filled with wickedness and God tolerated it no longer, God appointed Noah as his dispenser when he built the ark and only 8 people in the world were saved.

  Again, later when God appointed Abraham as the head of nations and his chosen people, Abraham was his dispenser.

  Then, when Moses came on the scene and brought forth the law, Moses was God's dispenser.

  When Jesus Christ came and died on the cross, he chose Peter as his dispenser.

  Finally, when the Jewish nation rejected Christ as the messiah in their generation, God chose Paul as his dispenser to the nations.

  God always remains the same, yet his plans change according to the era.  God uses men to dispense his plans.

  What is a dispenser?  Just look at the picture of the Pez toy up there.  What does a Pez do?  It dispenses a candy every time you press on it.

  It's the same thing with the men that God has chosen to dispense is plans and operations.  They "pop" out a message every time you "press" on them.

  Here is the key thing with understanding how God works with his dispensation.  It is dependant on the era that it operates in.  No one would build an ark and expect to be saved from a flood today.  That era is passed.

  Yet some people today still look to Moses' dispensation expecting to be saved; that era has long past.  What dispensation are we in today?  For the nations; it is the dispensation of Paul, for the Israelite; it is the dispensation of Peter.

  Christ has come, and it's a new era folks.  We don't gather at a temple, or a tabernacle anymore.  We no longer sacrifice sheeps and goats on an altar.  So why do we still act like Moses it the big shot?  So many Christians point to the ten commandments today.  They want them on our walls, in our homes, and courts.  

  It's so contradictory, Christmas, we worship baby Jesus, Easter we worship crucified Jesus, and then the rest of the year we put Christ away and look at Moses.  Wake up people - it's era of Christ, grace, and the apostles - NOT MOSES.

Those Who love Injustice

Religion's Great Injustice

 Romans :18-19

18 For God's indignation is being revealed from heaven on all the irreverence and injustice of men who are retaining the truth in injustice,
19 because that which is known of God is apparent among them, for God manifests it to them.

  One of the greatest lies Religion teaches men is the threat of Hell.

  Plato was the originator of the idea of hell.  It was he who originally came up with the idea of a place of eternal torment.  Dante, writing his "Divine Comedy" embellished on the idea and painted the scenes of hell.

  The early Catholic church latched onto this and it became accepted doctrine and has remained so throughout the years.

  Don't believe me?  Ask yourself - if Hell is real, why didn't God reveal this earlier in the Old Testament?  In fact, a good time to reveal it would have been shortly after Cain murdered Abel.  Yet no such threat was made.

  Even when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments, that also would have been a great time to level the threat of hell on humankind.

  No such thing happened.

  "But Travis!" You'll say, "Jesus preached more on hell than any other subject!"

  Actually. No he didn't.

Matthew 5:22 - NIV translates;

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

However a more correct translation from the CLNT reads;

Yet I am saying to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judging. Yet whoever may be saying to his brother, 'Raka!' shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. Yet whoever may be saying, 'Stupid!' shall be liable to the Gehenna of fire.

  Gehenna is actually a garbage pit outside of Jerusalem.  It currently exists and you can walk through it today.  It's quite a nice little place, reminds me a little of wine country.

  During Jesus' Kingdom however, it will be the location where capital punishment will be carried out and executions will be performed.  So... Hell?  Not quite.

2 Peter 2:4 - NIV Translates;

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment;

A more correct translation from CLNT reads;

4 For if God spares not sinning messengers, but thrusting them into the gloomy caverns of Tartarus, gives them up to be kept for chastening judging;

  Tartarus is the prison where angels are kept until judgment.  The Bible describes it as a place, underground.  Caverns...Hell?  Not quite.

Matthew 11:23 - KJV Translates;

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

And the NIV Translates;

23 And you, Capernaum,will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

CLNT reads;

23 "And you, Capernaum! Not to heaven shall you be exalted! To the unseen shall you subside, for, if the powerful deeds which are occurring in you had occurred in Sodom, it might remain unto today.

  Here it is the unseen.  If I put my hand in my pocket and you don't see it... it's now in hades.  If I close a closet door on my child and I can't see her; she's now in hades.  So... Unseen = Hell?  Not quite.

  The Translators that believe in this disgusting doctrine of hell have mistranslated 3 words to mean one demonic thing.  Which nowhere in scripture does God speak of hell as this eternal chamber of torment.

  "What about the Lake of Fire?" you might ask.

Revelations 20:14-15
14 And death and the unseen were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death-the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

What is the lake of fire?  It's the second death.  

Death.  What is death?  The cessation of being.  Are you conscious when you're dead?  No, you're dead.  Can you be tormented when you're dead?  Uh... No.  Try doing that to a cadaver.  Do they writhe and scream?  No... They're dead.  That's what death is.  Dead.

  Please - Study these things out.  Hell is an evil evil doctrine.  It is the basis for so many lies that come from it.  If you turn this doctrine over, you will see the worm of so many lies squirming in it's darkness.

This is what I wrote last night to someone in regards to this doctrine;

If the age of accountability were true we are better off murdering all our children to guarantee a ticket to heaven. That's how ludicrous it is. 

If our will is all it takes to stop God from saving us. We have just said we are effectively more powerful than Jesus. 

If Hell exists it means God is powerless over the domain of evil and Satan has some sovereignty. 

If Hell exists and God is willing to toss people in there who have never even so much as had an inkling that his son exists then we have declared God to be an unjust God. Incapable of controlling mankind, the universe and has created an imperfect heaven. 

If you can sleep at night believing that. You are truly insane.

---

  Please, study the correctly translated word of God, and free yourself from these evil traditions.

With love and peace,

Travis