Let’s move on to the next one. I was glad when they said, “Let us go into the house of the Lord”. So lets put this in context also. First understand that if you’re not glad when you go to church, then you shouldn’t go at all. Again, it’s a heart thing, not a requirement that must be met under compulsion or fear. Going to church should be a happy, joyous event. Here it is from Psalms 122:1-5 in the Easy to Read version.
1 I was happy when the people said, “Let us go to the Lord’s Temple.” 2 Here we are, standing at the gates of Jerusalem. 3 This is New Jerusalem! The city has been rebuilt as one united city. 4 This is where the tribes come, the tribes who belong to the Lord. The people of Israel come here to praise the Lord’s name. 5 The kings from David’s family put their thrones here. They set up their thrones to judge the people.
So first I want you to notice that it said “Let us go”. I’m happy also that we can go to church. We are not prohibited from going to church under threat of death by beheading as in other countries. That does not equate to God saying “there is one day when I want your undivided attention. So, if you want Me to bless the rest of your week, you need to give Me your undivided attention on Sunday”.
Then I notice who the audience is. It’s the tribes who belong to the Lord. Besides, the phrase uses the “Lord’s Temple”. The Jewish people understood that. Also, it’s where David set up thrones to judge the people. God sits upon the throne and no longer judges us. It just doesn’t fit to make the hard point that God demands one day for undivided attention. Besides, we ought to be in constant fellowship and relationship with Him.
I said this in a previous post. Any interpretation that is applied to the New Covenant based on the Old Covenant is invalid. It is not proper to take an Old Testament scripture and use it as a New Testament law or rule. You cannot overlay the New Testament with Old Testament commands. We must view the Old Testament law through the eyes of grace, not view New Testament grace through the eyes of law.
Okay. Finally. The fourth of the ten commandments given by Moses. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”. What I just said above applies directly to this command. Given by Moses to the Jews during the dispensation of Mosaic law.
John 1:17 says in the Easy To Read version – “That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
You see that the law was given, which speaks of distance, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Grace and Truth are always together. Jesus came to us with grace and truth, he didn’t give it to us by sending it. He’s still alive so grace and truth continue to come to us. Moses is dead and so is the old Mosaic law. So unless you can find a living Moses, He is no longer capable of giving us the law. Woo Hoo!!!
So, I believe we’ve brought truth to the error that “there is one day when God wants our undivided attention. So, if you want God to bless the rest of your week, you need to give him your undivided attention on Sunday”. Lets move on to the next portion of error.
Once again. A favorite of pulpit preachers who try to manage the flock through fear and intimidation love to use this scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Here it is in the Easy To Read again.
“and if my people who are called by my name become humble and pray, and look for me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
This verse wreaks of legalism, religion and performance based Christianity. After reading this verse, the speaker goes on to say “This verse is a call to repentance and has conditions for God to move. He’s sitting on his throne from heaven waiting for his people to call for revival in the land”. Wrong Wrong Wrong.
John Sheasby says in one of his teachings that he saw a sign on a lawn that said “pray for our country” (2 Chronicles 7:14). His response was “how’s that working for you”? It doesn’t apply to us today. It doesn’t work anymore. It was an old covenant given to Israel by God from the book of Deuteronomy.
He doesn’t give us revival based on humbling ourselves, praying, turning from our wicked ways and seeking his face. He gives us revival based on faith in his promises (Galatians 3:2-11).
Whenever you start to operate under the law you’ve got the wrong priesthood in operation. Let me say it again. You need to go find yourself some animal sacrifices, because Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and complete once for all time.
I kept hearing the speaker pounding the message about having to read your bible. READING, READING, READING. It’s not about reading the bible, it’s about studying the bible. Nowhere in scripture can I find where God commands us to read the bible when we are alone. He does say study the bible to show yourselves approved, and meditate therein.
After pounding this point over and over the speaker said. The reason you “have to” read this book is “When you read the bible it reads you. It tells you what you need to change in your life”. REALLY??? The reading of the bible tells you how to change your life. You’re doing the changing? I thought scripture said in Philippians 2:13 that it was God who was at work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure?
Now again, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I think studying the bible is a wonderful privilege and powerful weapon for finding truth. It will, no doubt, lead you in your life’s journey on God’s perfect plan for you. The deeper truths will invade your life and root out error and poor behavior. However, it is God the Holy Spirit who is at work in you and not your dogged persistence that will change you. It is Christ in you the hope of glory.
When you feel pressured or compelled to read the bible based on some performance indicator or edict from a “leader”, you’ll feel a sense of pride if you do, but you’ll feel guilt if you don’t. Besides, it’s not that you read, it’s what you read. Ask the Holy Spirit. If He says read three chapters in Galatians, so be it. But if you begin to read and get three words out of one scripture and He stops you, then you ought to stay right there until He gives you a revelation that lets you move on.
Forget about quantity. Rhema revelation of the Word is not found in volume but in validity. Yielding to the Holy Spirit and forgetting your performance will bring about deep truths of the mysteries of God, hidden for you in scripture and not hidden from you.
Just remember, going to church every Sunday will not win you any points with God, but it may help point you to God. Reading your bible every day will not make God love you more, but it may help you love God more. It’s all for your benefit, not God’s. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Study Romans 8:35-39 and see if what I’ve just said is not Truth.
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