The Holy Spirit THE MARKS OF GOD'S CHURCH
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12.
Which church is it that has the two distinguishing marks spoken of in our scripture for today? It isn't church that simply talks about the commandments of God, and believes in them. It's a church that keeps them. This church doesn't simply think that the faith of Jesus is a good thing, and important--it has the faith of Jesus. It doesn't rely on the fact that the forefathers and pioneers in the church kept all the commandments of God and had faith in Jesus. Whenever you look at the remnant, through whom you can expect the mighty working of God's power, you're looking at a group that has both. You cannot expect the mighty outpouring of God's Spirit and a revival of primitive godliness among people who place great emphasis on the commandments but who don't know Jesus, anymore than you can expect it among people who put a lot of emphasis on knowing Jesus but who don't pay much attention to the commandments. Both are equally important.
Some years ago God gave a direct message to our church, describing why it is that some people go off looking for special experiences in a holiness or pentecostal meeting. It was written in the book Evangelism, pages 598, 599: "We as a people have fallen into...error. We acknowledge the claims of God's law, and teach the people the duty of rendering obedience." (Notice the word duty.) But "we fail to have that trust, that faith, which keeps the soul abiding in Christ....Through a lack of faith, many who seek to obey the commandments of God have little peace and joy....They are not anchored in Christ. Many feel a lack in their experience; they desire something which they have not; and thus some are led to attend holiness meetings, and are charmed with the sentiments of those who break the law of God."
As God leads individuals to the place of both keeping His commandments and having the faith of Jesus, His purpose is that His church will finally have both as well. If you resist either necessity, you will lose out in the end. But for those who seek the faith relationship with Jesus day by day, and by beholding His matchless charms are molded into His image and led to obedience, there is safety from the storm that is breaking around us.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12.
Which church is it that has the two distinguishing marks spoken of in our scripture for today? It isn't church that simply talks about the commandments of God, and believes in them. It's a church that keeps them. This church doesn't simply think that the faith of Jesus is a good thing, and important--it has the faith of Jesus. It doesn't rely on the fact that the forefathers and pioneers in the church kept all the commandments of God and had faith in Jesus. Whenever you look at the remnant, through whom you can expect the mighty working of God's power, you're looking at a group that has both. You cannot expect the mighty outpouring of God's Spirit and a revival of primitive godliness among people who place great emphasis on the commandments but who don't know Jesus, anymore than you can expect it among people who put a lot of emphasis on knowing Jesus but who don't pay much attention to the commandments. Both are equally important.
Some years ago God gave a direct message to our church, describing why it is that some people go off looking for special experiences in a holiness or pentecostal meeting. It was written in the book Evangelism, pages 598, 599: "We as a people have fallen into...error. We acknowledge the claims of God's law, and teach the people the duty of rendering obedience." (Notice the word duty.) But "we fail to have that trust, that faith, which keeps the soul abiding in Christ....Through a lack of faith, many who seek to obey the commandments of God have little peace and joy....They are not anchored in Christ. Many feel a lack in their experience; they desire something which they have not; and thus some are led to attend holiness meetings, and are charmed with the sentiments of those who break the law of God."
As God leads individuals to the place of both keeping His commandments and having the faith of Jesus, His purpose is that His church will finally have both as well. If you resist either necessity, you will lose out in the end. But for those who seek the faith relationship with Jesus day by day, and by beholding His matchless charms are molded into His image and led to obedience, there is safety from the storm that is breaking around us.
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