The Daily Word of Righteousness

Seven Steps to the Rest of God, #7

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. (John 10:37,38)

If Jesus had preached and lived a holy life, but had not healed the sick and cast out demons, He would be regarded as just another conscientious rabbi. The authority of Jesus' Word was validated by the manifestations of supernatural power that accompanied His commands.

The Christian churches are not to be just another group of philosophical or educational institutions. Rather the churches are the golden lampstands, the prophets of God among men. God will support with power the statements of the churches if they will learn to abide in Christ and move only in His Spirit.

Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration represent the Law and the Prophets, the holiness and power of the Kingdom of God.

The new covenant promises us power (John 14:12) and also commands us to live righteous, holy, and obedient lives in the Presence of the Lord Jesus (Philippians 2:15).

A second aspect of the two loaves of the Jewish feast of Pentecost is the fact that God uses two witnesses: Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, Elijah and Elisha; for example. The number two, in Scripture symbolism, speaks of the authority and power to bear witness. Jesus sent out His disciples two by two.

Jesus did not bear witness alone, the Father bore witness with Him:

It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. (John 8:17,18)

The Apostles of Christ did not bear witness alone, the Holy Spirit bore witness along with them:

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32)

In the Great Commission the Lord Jesus commanded us to go forth and make disciples of all the nations of the earth. In many instances we have focused our attention on preaching forgiveness and building churches rather than building disciples.

Because we are not working with the Lord and the Lord with us we have changed the Great Commission from building disciples to building churches and denominations. We are not teaching the believers to keep Christ's commandments but informing them that since they are under "grace" they are not obligated to keep His commandments.

Go ye therefore, and teach [make disciples of] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19,20)

We do not see many believers living in the discipline of the Lord, obeying His commandments. Why has the Christian Church failed to make disciples of the people of the nations? Why have forgiveness and justification been preached to the point that the building of the new creation has been given only token attention? Why are we not teaching the believers to turn away from their own life, take up their cross, and follow the Lord?

To be continued.