Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord.
For me t write the same
things to you is not tedious,
but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware
of evil workers,
beware of the mutilations!
Philippians 3:1-2
Workers for Jesus Christ have the same mind of Paul, and that is, to not be tired to repeat over and over again the Gospel for they are the words of life. Repeating the Gospel over and over is to bring safety to everyone who hears for they face the trials and tribulations, the negative circumstances of this life and can, if they do not continually hear and read the word, to become doubters and fall from grace. Christianity had as its beginning Jews who converted to Jesus Christ and yet still had one foot in the old Hebrew religious system. Those who were of the Pharisee theology and all its rules for life would find it hard at times to leave all that behind, even going so far to attempt to bring into the new Christian Church some of the past, especially, circumcision. After all, was this act not a sign of the covenant made by God with Abraham and for his progeny? Yes! Jesus changed that original covenant by fulfilling it on the cross, and those words: "It is finished" (John 19:30), was more than just His work as the payment for the justice of God (John 12:27), it was finishing all that had been written about Him in the past. A new covenant was set forth (Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you" Luke 22:20), that now included all people not just the Hebrews or those who would convert to the God of the Jews. The old covenant now fulfilled and the establishment of a permanent covenant, one that will never pass away and removing the old sacrifices that were pictorial for the coming of the Savior, are no longer needed. The permanent Savior fulfilled all the requirements and the only sacraments that He left behind were Communion, and Baptism, both to remind us of Who He is, what He has done on the cross for us, and that He sits at the right hand of the Father making eternal intercession for His bride.
Paul makes this fact clear in regards to those Judaizers that were demanding circumcision to be a true Authentic Christian: "For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else things he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ" (Philippians 3:3-7).
In this present day there are those who demand to for Christians to follow some practice: i.e., don't eat meat, only vegetables, speak in some unintelligible "gibberish" supposedly spiritual tongue, to follow some creed and while they are good they are not a true sign of Authentic Christianity, or to sing only certain hymns, while good, there are times for other music. For some it means wearing a certain type of religious clothing with collars turned backwards, and only black suits, or as in the Roman Catholic Church, for the Pope, the Cardinals, and priests to wear clothing that is supposed to represent piety. Demands to do, to do some kind of work are in many Churches today and yet, as Paul, Authentic Christians count them all loss for Jesus Christ. Am I throwing it all away? No! But if those things are making you feel godly, throw it away, turn to Jesus Christ and live for Him in your daily life, in your secular work, at school, and in you actions, speaking, and do not try to impress others that you are Christian. BE CHRISTIAN! Read your Bible, pray to God often, spend time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Paul gave up all for Jesus Christ and he is not above us, other than having been appointed directly by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he is the same as you, and you too have been appointed by God, through the Holy Spirit, God drawing you to Him, calling you, enabling you. Therefore, in this temporary life, you have eternal life. So, live as you are, eternally the bride of Jesus Christ, saved by Him, for Him. Don't worry about blessings, God will supply your needs, for you are eternally blessed in heaven where you are now legally seated with Jesus Christ. Praise God!
Then I said:
"Wisdom is better than strength.
Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised,
and his words are not heard.
Words of the wise, spoken quietly,
should be heard rather than the shout
of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than
weapons of war; but one sinner
destroys much good."
Ecclesiastes 9:16-18
Put away evil from your heart
Richard L. Crumb
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