infuse - The Church of God

The Church of God
By Rory Ries

My question for you today is, are you where you need to be? You’re probably wondering, “What is he talking about, are you where you need to be?” Actually, the question is directed at those who may be attending church and for those who may be seeking a church where they can attend.

There are so many different religions in the world and then, there are many different churches in the world. All of them claim to be God’s church and millions of people claim they are Christians. How do you know where to attend and how can you be sure they are following Christ? It may not matter to you but it does matter to God where you attend church and what you do as you walk with Jesus Christ.

A Christian is simply someone who believes in the doctrines of Jesus. Believing is a word that means there is action. Believing is entrusting your whole being to Jesus (Matthew 22:37-38). Giving up yourself and allowing Jesus Christ to live in you is what a Christian is called to do (John 3:16).

Once someone takes on the responsibility of being a Christian, it is up to that individual to continue to prove all things and know what is expected of him or her (1 Thessalonians 5:21, and 1 John 4:1-3). We see it is possible to be deceived if we allow ourselves to be deceived. On the other hand, we can discern what is of God and what is not of God (John 7:16-18).

How then can we know where God’s true church and His people are today? Is there a guide we can look to, to make sure we are where we need to be? Yes, there is a guide and, yes, we can know if a church or its people are truly following Jesus Christ.

First of all, Jesus Christ is our guide. He speaks to us through his word. In his word are signs that lead us to where we need to be and these signs will lead us into the Promised Land (Luke 8:21, Revelations 7:13-17, 1 John 2:14).

What are these signs that we can look for that will tell us we are where we need to be as we walk with Christ along our journey in this life? There are many, but today we are just going to cover the ones that separate the true believers from the rest of the worldly religions.

God has set aside a chosen people whom He calls a royal priesthood. He has done this so these special people can proclaim praises of the Eternal God (1 Peter 2:9-10). God did the same thing with Ancient Israel in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). What signs can you look for to prove you are with God’s people today?

BAPTISM

First of all, God does the calling into His church (John 6:43-45). “A person is set aside by God” and it is God who leads an individual to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). That individual then has to repent and become baptized. The laying on of hands allows the Holy Spirit to enter into that individual (Acts 2:36-39). One sign is the teaching of repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands (Hebrews 6:1-2).

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Another sign is, who is keeping all of the 10 Commandments? There are many out there who will tell you the 10 Commandments have been nailed to the cross or they have been fulfilled and you no longer have to keep them. There are also those who teach Sunday is the day of worship. What does Christ say about keeping all of the 10 Commandments?

If we do not keep the 10 Commandments, John says the truth is not in us (1 John 2:3-6). John also said we are to walk just as Jesus walked if we abide in Him. That’s simple enough and this was written long after Christ had died. Christ, himself, taught his followers to keep the Commandments and if anyone taught something differently, they would be considered the least in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:17-19).

THE SABBATH

God says there will be a sign between Him and His people and that sign is the Sabbath (Ex 31:12-17). Those who are keeping the Seventh Day Sabbath are obeying what God has put in place many years ago. The Sabbath, along with the Holy Days, are a shadow of things to come and as we keep these days we grow in the grace and knowledge of God’s great plan for all of mankind (Colossians 2:16-17).

Included in keeping the Holy Days is the command to keep Passover. We’re not talking about Easter, which is a holiday created by man. When we partake of the Passover we are being given life through the body and blood of Jesus Christ (John 6:53-58). Those who keep the Passover according to Christ’s instructions, which includes the foot-washing ceremony, do abide in Jesus Christ. Anything else that is different from Christ’s instructions is a counterfeit or a false doctrine.

LOVE

On the night Jesus was betrayed he gave us a sign so we would know who his true disciples are and that sign is, the love they have for one another (John 13:35). Wherever you attend church, there must be love. Love for God, which is shown by obeying His commandments, and love for the brethren, which is shown by esteeming one higher than one’s self (Phillip. 2:3).

These are just a few signs we have to show us where we need to be and whom we need to be with on our walk with Jesus Christ.

God has chosen a special people to do His will. Those who claim to follow Christ must walk as he walked. Anything outside of what God has instructed man to do is a deception. We have the guide to show us where we need to go and what it is we are to do and He will lead us every step of the way until we do come into that Promised Land.