A common denominator among those that begin their own branch of Christianity such as and specifically the Mormons founded by Joseph Smith, and the Seventh Day Adventist founded by Ellen White. They had both become disheartened with the church of the day regardless of denomination and decided to begin their own church and as they deemed the “true church”. What is also consistent among such founded organizations is the emphasis on the effort of the individual. It seems to me that they have discarded if you will the work of Christ and are now (as Paul warned the Galatians) trying to attain their goal by human effort. Although they talk about Jesus and claim salvation in Him the emphasis quickly becomes “effort”.
This has always been the issue with man and human nature has not changed. Man has always attempted to do things on his own. Adam and Eve chose the tree of knowledge rather than the tree of life; the Ten Commandments of God were not enough for the Israelites they had to continue to add to them. It’s interesting to me to see how we cannot simply receive the gift that God provided through Christ. His death and “finished work” on the cross, His resurrection, has given us hope of an eternal life that he made the way for. However whether pride, selfishness, arrogance, whatever we have a difficult time simply accepting this gift and reassuming the effort and it unfortunately will never be enough.
Although I see these things and understand that they happen, I simply am confounded that they are serious in their futile efforts. To have a sense of commitment to the Ten Commandments, and a sense of conviction to Sunday as the “Sabbath” is one thing but to see them a means of salvation is another entirely. These are the efforts the Israelites made that could never bring righteousness or salvation, what has changed about that? If these are the means then what was the purpose of Jesus coming and suffering the agonizing death that he endured? The scripture tells us in Heb 12:2 “for the joy set before him he endured the cross”. Would God send His son to endure such pain and agony to simply say, this really doesn’t mean anything, you’re still going have to live by the Law and Prophets? I simply don’t believe that.
More scripture:
Col 2:16-18; 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. NIV
Heb 8:7-9; 7 for if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. NIV
Heb 9:15; 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. NIV
Heb 10:19-22; 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. NIV
No comments:
Post a Comment