THE CHURCH OF GOD – IT’S BEYOND WALLS: IT’S THE ONLY UNIFYING BOND OF THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES [GREEKS] – IN REDEMPTION!
“Give NONE offence, NEITHER to THE JEWS, nor to THE GENTILES, nor to THE CHURCH OF GOD” 1 Corinthians 10:32.
“And herein do I EXERCISE myself, to have always a CONSCIENCE void of offence TOWARD God, and TOWARD men” Acts 24:16.
The scriptures of the New Testament are grossly fielded with matters of the JEWS and GENTILES – which sometimes the context of the GENTILE in reference is applicable to the GREEKS indicating they are same.
People in the New Testament CONTEXT are classified into TWO and the THIRD groups of people. The FIRST group are THE JEWS, who are the custodian of THE LAW under Moses and depicted as the NATURAL OFFSPRING of Abraham, while the SECOND group are THE GENTILES, often depict as the GREEK, which together are summed to represent all people (called unbelievers) irrespective, who are not the Jews and having no law of God as the natural Jews, thereby are seen to reason in their ways outside the law or commandments of God as given through Moses with the BLESSEDNESS of Abraham [Ephesians 2:1-22; Philippians 3:1-16; Galatians 3:6-9, 13-14, 26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:32-33; Romans 2:17-29].
Most times in the scriptural context, the natural JEWS are classed as those of the CIRCUMCISION, while the GENTILES [GREEKS] are classed as the UNCIRCUMCISION. When either of The Jews – the CIRCUMCISION and The Gentiles [Greeks] – UNCIRCUMCISION gets BORN AGAIN [BORN OF GOD] into Christ Jesus, they form the basis for the THIRD groups called – THE CHURCH OF GOD. It thus means that the Jews and Gentiles are UNIFIED and BONDED only in Christ Jesus – in the REDEMPTION – the REDEMPTION of God in Christ Jesus stead, for all mankind irrespective. Hence, the once term Gentile and Jew are UNIFIED and BONDED by REDEMPTION and have now become together – the spiritual Jews [these are New Creation – having the law of God written in their hearts and with the written word available to them], which CIRCUMCISION is of the HEART and not of the FLESH as written:
“For the name of God is blasphemed among the GENTILES through you, as it is written. 25 For CIRCUMCISION verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy CIRCUMCISION is made UNCIRCUMCISION. 26 Therefore if the UNCIRCUMCISION keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his UNCIRCUMCISION be counted for CIRCUMCISION? 27 And shall not UNCIRCUMCISION which is BY NATURE, if it FULFIL THE LAW, judge thee, who by the letter and CIRCUMCISION dost transgress the law? 28 For he is Not A Jew, which is one OUTWARDLY; neither is that CIRCUMCISION, which is OUTWARD in the FLESH: 29 but he is a JEW, which is one INWARDLY; and CIRCUMCISION is that of the HEART, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” Romans 2:24-29.
It’s on the basis of the REDEMPTION in Christ Jesus, that formulated the principle that makes up of the “JEWS” and the “Gentiles” to become ascribed as “THE CHURCH OF GOD”. This gives both the basis to sing a common new sung instead of their respective old sung of difference that gives no wholesome stands and access to God’s BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus stead. The song that binds together the redeemed from every kindred, tongue, people and nation as it’s written:
“And they SUNG A NEW SONG, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to OPEN THE SEALS thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast REDEEMED us to God by thy blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION; 10 and hast MADE us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall REIGN on the earth” Revelation 5:9-10.
Today, the redeemed – born of God Jews and Gentiles that have been bonded to become the Church of God, can now together, without sentiments, prejudice, and dissimulation (hypocrisy), have a STAND by GRACE to ACCESS by FAITH and ENJOY their REDEMPTION RIGHTS and Privileges, in Christ Jesus. For “THE CHURCH OF GOD” that consist of both the REDEEMED Jews and Gentiles – is God’s physical enabling on earth that guarantees the ensuring of the rights and privileges into His BLESSEDNESS to ‘POSSESSING OUR POSSESSION’ in Christ Jesus stead. AMEN.
The CHURCH OF GOD, which is the CITY of God, the EMBASSY of God, the TEMPLE of God, the HOUSEHOLD of FAITH, the BODY of Christ, the AMBASSADOR of Christ and the MOUNT ZION and such like – is you, the redeemed (born of God) Jews and Gentiles. And knowingly and unknowingly, your being by redemption, is having the DNA of God in Christ Jesus to POSSESS God’s BLESSEDNESS, and in POSSESSING your Possessions as inheritance, in the kingdom of our God in Christ Jesus stead. For there’s an INHERITANCE for ALL in the kingdom as we soar and thrive in grace as Christ has made us BECOME in REDEMPTION both THE JEWS and THE GENTILES – THE CHURCH OF GOD.
In Possessing your Kingdom PRIVILEGED and RIGHTFUL possession in Christ Jesus, your best place to start, is to get along WITH – THE CHURCH OF GOD – the ASSEMBLY or INGATHERING of God’s precious and redeemed people. For as goes THE CHURCH OF GOD in a physical assembly – so goes YOU and THE NATION at large, otherwise it’s catastrophic when this order is overlooked and misappropriated for any selfish and disgruntled reasons. For in any ingathering the Holy Writ thus indicates the heavenly are equally present as it’s written:
“But ye are come unto MOUNT SION (Zion), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general ASSEMBLY and CHURCH of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the MEDIATOR of the NEW COVENANT, and to the blood of sprinkling, that SPEAKETH better things than that of Abel” Hebrews 12:22-24 (Emphasis Mine).
For the above PRINCIPLE and UNDERSTANDING to ENSURE God’s BLESSEDNESS, you must as a matter of RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY, endeavour to BELIEVE, BELONG in the local assembly Church of the Body of Christ Jesus, in order to BECOME a part to FUNCTION effectually and efficiently. There’s no room for a lone person outside the body that’s perfectly meant to be joined together – Ephesians 4:7-16. The reason been, the Church which is you and the Churches of Christ, which is the mount Zion of God – the Church of God, are assured of three things when this order of grace is followed accordingly – by coming together, for the ingathering. The principal order of grace enables one and all, to access and receive these but not limited:
* DELIVERANCE from all sorts (you name it).
* HOLINESS – God’s nature, accessible to all in order to obtain God’s grace and blessings.
* POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSIONS – all that Christ had obtained for you in REDEMPTION made Possible with the ease of His grace.
Your POSSIBILITIES can start now. However, envision yourself with a great start to possess your possessions in Christ Jesus by being in HIS CHURCH not as an OBSERVER – that is – but as one that has intentionally BELIEVE, BELONG to BECOME as in God’s REDEMPTION plan, purpose and pursuit as it’s written in the Holy Writ:
“But upon MOUNT ZION shall be DELIVERANCE, and there shall be HOLINESS; and the house of Jacob shall POSSESS THEIR POSSESSIONS” Obadiah 1:17 (Emphasis Mine).
Therefore, we can now be emboldened to say, declare, announce, proclaim that our DOMINION IN REDEMPTION is beyond walls – and it’s the UNIFYING BOND of the JEWS and the GENTILES (GREEKS) in becoming –
THE CHURCH OF GOD in Christ Jesus. Amen.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 GIVE NONE OFFENCE, NEITHER TO THE JEWS, NOR TO THE GENTILES, NOR TO THE CHURCH OF GOD: 33 even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” 1 Corinthians 10:30-33.
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH. 6 For IN Jesus Christ neither CIRCUMCISION availeth any thing, nor UNCIRCUMCISION; but FAITH which worketh by love . . . 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach CIRCUMCISION, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the OFFENCE of the cross ceased” Galatians 5:5-6, 11.
“For Christ is the END of the LAW FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS to every one that believeth . . . 11 For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE GREEK: for the same Lord over all is RICH unto ALL that CALL upon him. 13 For WHOSOEVER shall CALL upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED” Romans 10:4-6, 11-13.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For IN CHRIST JESUS NEITHER CIRCUMCISION AVAILETH ANY THING, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, BUT A NEW CREATURE. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” Galatians 6:13-16.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are PASSED AWAY; behold, all things are BECOME new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath RECONCILED US to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath GIVEN TO US the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, RECONCILING the world unto himself, not IMPUTING their trespasses unto them; and hath COMMITTED unto us THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. 20 Now then we ARE AMBASSADORS for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath MADE him to BE sin for us, who KNEW NO sin; that we might be MADE the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
“Even as Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was ACCOUNTED to him for RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Know ye therefore that they which ARE of faith, the SAME are the CHILDREN of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, FORESEEING that God would JUSTIFY the HEATHEN through FAITH, PREACHED before the GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall ALL NATIONS be BLESSED. 9 So then they which BE of faith ARE blessed with faithful Abraham . . .13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that THE BLESSING of Abraham might come on the GENTILES through Jesus Christ; that we might RECEIVE the PROMISE of the Spirit through FAITH . . . 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither JEW nor GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then ARE ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:6-9, 13-14, 26-29.
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to PREACH THE GOSPEL: not with WISDOM of WORDS, lest the CROSS of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the PREACHING of the CROSS is to them that PERISH FOOLISHNESS; but unto us which ARE SAVED it is the POWER of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the JEWS require a SIGN, and the GREEKS seek after WISDOM: 23 but we PREACH Christ CRUCIFIED, unto the JEWS a STUMBLINGBLOCK, and unto the GREEKS FOOLISHNESS; 24 but unto them which are called, BOTH JEWS AND GREEKS, CHRIST THE POWER OF GOD, AND THE WISDOM OF GOD . . .30 But of him ARE ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is MADE unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and REDEMPTION: 31 that, according as it is written, He that GLORIETH, let him GLORY in the Lord” 1 Corinthians 1:17-24, 30-31.
“And they SUNG A NEW SONG, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to OPEN THE SEALS thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast REDEEMED us to God by thy blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION; 10 and hast MADE us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall REIGN on the earth” Revelation 5:9-10.
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and WASHED us from our sins in his own blood, 6 and hath MADE us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and DOMINION for ever and ever. Amen” Revelation 1:5-6.
“For whom he did FOREKNOW, he also did PREDESTINATE to be CONFORMED to the image of his Son, that he might be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN. 30 Moreover whom he did PREDESTINATE, them he also CALLED: and whom he CALLED, them he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he JUSTIFIED, them he also glorified” Romans 8:29-30.
“For God is not UNRIGHTEOUS to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 that ye BE NOT SLOTHFUL, but FOLLOWERS of them who through FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES” Hebrews 6:10-12 (Emphasis Mine).
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto CALLED, that ye should INHERIT a BLESSING” 1 Peter 3:8-9 (Emphasis Mine).
“And now, brethren, I COMMEND you to God, and to the WORD of his GRACE, which is ABLE to BUILD you up, and to GIVE you an INHERITANCE among all them which are SANCTIFIED” Acts 20:32.
“But ye are come unto MOUNT SION (Zion), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general ASSEMBLY and CHURCH of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the MEDIATOR of the NEW COVENANT, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” Hebrews 12:22-24 (Emphasis Mine).
Further Scriptural Reading Text: Ephesians 2:1-22; Philippians 3:1-16; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Galatians 3:6-9, 13-14, 26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:32-33; Romans 2:17-29).
REV. CHUKIE MORSI