Rugged individualism is the most
prevailing characteristic that would have been found among those
who founded this nation. The concept of individual accountability
and self-reliance was the very basis upon which our Constitution
was believed to rest. No one should expect the government
to curtail their individual freedoms, and no one should desire that
the government would provide for their needs. There is much
benefit to be had in this carnal world by having such an attitude,
since this fits well with the fleshly nature of men. Sadly,
though, man, because of that same innate sinful nature, quickly
developed the understanding that by the manipulation of governments,
that they could feed their own individualistic desire for gain
by framing laws which gave them unfair advantages in one way
or another. The very self-centered attitude
that framed the Constitution ultimately led to its weakening
until the present day where most depend on the government in some
form or other and gladly relinquish individual freedoms for the promise
of security of one type or another. The Kingdom of God, which is
manifested in the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ
in the earth, is built upon the exact opposite principle. The
Lord established this principle when he declared, But he that
is greatest among you shall be your servant, and whosoever shall
exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted. The Lord demonstrated this very
principle when he gave himself as an offering for the sin of
those whom he loved with an everlasting love. It is commonly conceived
by the natural religious bent of men that the manner in which
the world might bear witness to the manifestation of Christ's
people in the earth is by the establishment of distinctive
doctrinal creeds and denominations. Thus many who have claimed to
be His followers have set about to wrangle and war with one another
over various distinctive points of doctrine which they each are
convinced will prove them to be the true followers of Christ.
Yet of all the things which the Lord could have said to define
the manner in which He would bear witness to the world of
those who are His disciples, He said this, A new commandment
I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved
you. that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another. While anyone can learn doctrines
and follow after patterns of various practices and ordinances,
it is only by the operation of the Spirit of God in men that
they can truly love one another as brethren in the fashion which
the Lord is pleased to describe in his word. God is the epitome
of love, and all true love must be spiritually given. This true
love is not that which is demonstrated in the carnal desires and natural
relations of mankind. The love of a man for his family
is noble, even as the love of men for their fellow man in general.
Yet this love of which the Lord spoke is a supernatural love
which cannot be attributed to any natural inclination. yet
one which is stronger than any which might arise from such a
natural bent. The relationship which the Lord
is pleased to demonstrate in those whom he is not ashamed
to call his brethren is after the same pattern which he has
manifested in laying down his own life for theirs. Thus the
Apostle Paul speaks of the saints as being knit together in love. The church is the body of Christ,
and this body has its earthly manifestation in the local assemblies
where his people are gathered together to remember his death
until he comes, and to strengthen one another in the most holy
faith. It is the manifestations of love, one for the other, that
is the bond or glue that holds the sons of God together in the
local church. The body of Christ is not knit
together by preaching, however true and faithful to sound doctrine
it may be. Rather, it is the body ministering
to one another, with every joint supplying that which the body
is in need of. This is that compacting or kneading
together which is only performed as the Spirit of God is pleased
to manifest His power as He walks among the candlesticks. This
is a rare sight in our day. May the Lord visit us is our
prayer. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, Email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.