RETURN TO THE SOURCE IV

FOUNDED & ESTABLISHED BY JESUS

When God met with Moses on Mount Sinai He was establishing His Kingdom.  He saw the Israelites, these slaves that He released from Egypt’s rule as His treasured possession, as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that would look to Him as their God, would obey His voice and keep the covenant He would make with them.  God remained true to His vision of these people and the covenant He made with them.  The people failed again and again throughout the coming generations.  Prophets came as messengers from God and they went unheeded by the people who continued to fail to live into and up to their part of the covenant.  Finally He sent His Son to renew the covenant He had made with the Israelites and to invite all people to be included into the kingdom of priests and a holy nation that would look to Him as their God, would obey His voice, and keep the covenant God made with them.

Jesus did not organize God’s treasured possession into tribes and denominations.  He was an organic living being offering himself to be in relationship with him, with God, and with one another.  Jesus did not establish God’s people into institutions.  He expects us to establish our hearts by looking to him as the founder and perfecter of our faith.  Men and women can be founders of groups and institutions, gathering, organizing, and establishing those who follow them.  Only Jesus can perfect our faith by strengthening our hearts by grace and establishing our hearts in God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The organized or intuitional Church must never replace or remove the organic relationship God has with His people through the work of Jesus Christ.  Religion must always remain a living and organic relationship with God.  Jesus must never be replaced or removed as being the True founder of our faith.  As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen!