“…when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a [smoky] mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1Cor 13:10-12, ESV2011)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ: (Eph 4:13-15, KJ2000)
Recently, I found out why a brother that I had communicated with often had dropped out of sight. He had been taken captive by the teachings of some “Torah observant Christians.” What an oxymoron! Anyone with spiritual light who has read the New Testament, especially Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews should see the contradiction here. He finally met a brother who had been set free of this teaching who was able to set him free once again.
(Please pause for a moment and meditate on these two passages quoted above.)
We come into our belief in Christ as spiritual infants, but we are not called to remain that way. The New Testament refers to us as infant children (Grk. nepios – not yet able to speak), as adolescent children (Grk. teknon ) and as mature sons (Grk. huios). Our maturity begins when we receive the Holy Spirit, but too many Christians today have not yet received the Holy Spirit, much like the believers in Ephesus (see Acts 19:1-7). This is why they can sit every Sunday feeding on the milk of a salvation message over and over from the pulpit with no hunger to go any further.
The writer of Hebrews addressed this saying,
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Heb 5:11-14, ESV2011)
The more we grow IN Christ, the easier it is to see with our developing spiritual sight. And the more we see from a heavenly perspective, the more obvious it becomes that the things that many Christians believe are either incomplete or are bound by deception. Humans, for the most part, are blinded by the Prince of this world. Even when they set out to see and understand the things of God, there is still a double vision problem–one eye is set on heavenly things and the other on the world and its concerns. At best there is a seeing like looking into a smoke covered mirror. The worst smoke screen of all is the one that comes closest to being the truth… man made religion.
The first thing we need to understand is the depths of what Jesus told Pilate at His trial, “My kingdom is NOT of this world!” All religions of men ARE of this world and are concerned with the things of this world, whether it is “touch not, taste not, handle not,” the observation of feast days and Sabbath ceremonies or tithing so they can support church facilities and the paid staff. Almost everything that church leaders are concerned with and teach has to do with things perceived by five human senses. We start out with His heavenly calling upon us, “come up here and I will show you things,” and are soon dragged down into the rudimentary elements of this world through religion. Jesus was and is other worldly and He calls those who would be His disciples to join Him in His heavenly vision of His Father’s kingdom.
George Davis and I wrote an article about this deception of the enemy and how it works,
In Ephesians 4:13-15, Paul sets forth a contrast of truth and deception. Truth is represented by the following words, “…[that] you may grow up into him in all things.” Deception is described by the words, “…tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.” The words, “by which they lie in wait to deceive” take on [a deeper meaning in the original Greek]… Ephesians 4:14 would more correctly read, “so that we may no longer be minors, tossed to and fro and being carried about by every wind of teaching, by human caprice, by craftiness with a view to the systematizing of the deception [does ‘systematized theology’ ring a bell?].”
Darby translates this passage similarly.
…in order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of *that* teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled cunning with a view to systematized error. (Ephesians 4:14 Darby) (1)
The religions of men are not something that just grew willy-nilly into what we have today. Where once there was One Faith, now there are over 41,000 different Christian denominations and sect. Once they got their eyes off of Christ they were destined to deceive (see 2 Tim 3:13)! Paul contrasts these systematized deceptions which men fall into with what it really means to follow Christ saying, “But speaking the truth in love, [you] may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ.” We who are Christ’s do not grow up spiritually by becoming adept in some theological teaching or even our adherence to Old Testament law or church dogma. All these things pull our focus away from Christ and our fellowship with Him in heavenly places and down into the things of this world and its deceiving systems (see Ephesians 1:3 and 2:6). We do not grow up by amassing religious knowledge or even by memorizing the Bible, but by growing up INTO HIM in ALL things! The following quote by T. A. Sparks says it quite well,
John wrote for the last hour, “Little children, it is the last hour…” (1 John 2:18) and he brought the beginning up to the last hour: “That which was from the beginning…” (1 John 1:1). But while John has these time marks, he is concerned with what is timeless: and so we see between the reference to the beginning and the reference to the last hour the mention is made of that which abides for ever: “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives [abides] for ever” (1 John 2:17). So here we have the beginning, the last hour, and the “forever”.
(…)
You only need to read John [John’s letters] to see how unattached everything is, how everything is lifted clean out of this world, and everything is bound up with the fact that Christ is in heaven, and that the Lord’s people are here, but not here; here, but not known; in the world, but not of it; a mystery people in this world so far as the world is concerned… unrecognized, unknown. And yet by that very means and for that very reason, the most potent force that this universe knows: the spiritual, hidden, secret people of God in this earth.
To take hold of Christianity and mold it, and shape it, and systematize it, and crystallize it, and make it some mighty movement here; with its roots here, with all its associations such as man can see, appreciate and approve; to register itself upon the ordinary consciousness of this world as being something; all of that is contrary to the Word of God and is contrary to spiritual life and spiritual power. Christ is in heaven, and we are lifted out, translated, seated together with Him in the heavenlies. Our present purpose in this world is testimony only, by which others will be taken out of the nations, a people for His name. (2)
As long as we manifest that we are of this world with our church buildings, Christian corporations, offices and worldly mindset, there is no witness of the kingdom of God. This is what Jesus meant when He prayed for us at the end of His earthly sojourn.
That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; (John 17:21-23, KJ2000)
The trouble with carnal church leaders handling a passage like this is they want to apply its deep spiritual reality to life in the hereafter. He did not pray, “that they may be with me where I am going,” but “that they may be where I AM.” Jesus was and is ONE with the Father in His presence even while on earth and so should we be.
“Dear Father, show us what it means to be one with your and Jesus and draw our hearts up into your heavenly kingdom and out of the clutches of this world. Amen.”
A Wilderness Voice 
I have learned a lot from this happening in my life. This is more than likely about me. You had mentioned the book of Hebrews. The torah observent people love using that book. Especially in a translation that supports the doctrine that they hold. It is a translation I suggest people stay away from. It is called the Cepher. It has things worded in such a way that supports the Torah keeping movement. It didn’t help when I tried to correct them as that lead to debates and them always coming up with a reply which caused more and more confusion on my part. I was not able to hold my ground and they were pulling me in. If it was not for Buck, Johnathan and others I would have had trouble getting back out. Also Mike from On point Prepardness whom was fighting against this movement help a lot of us. I shared one of his videos agaisnt this whole thing on my site. I plan on making a page on my site with resourses to help others out of this type thing. I may include your post here as well. I feel I need to do this to help others not fall into the same trap. I don’t know if it is what GOD wants, I do not feel he is agianst it as it may be way I went though it any way.
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Dear Fred,
Thank you for your reply. These are times where the Prince of Lies will do anything he can to drag God’s people away from their blood bought freedom into deep bondage. I myself have been involved in two Christian cults. The first one lasted for seven years and the second for about a year before the Lord opened my eyes and set me free. The second time He had to go much deeper into my heart with much suffering to remove the thing in me that made me vulnerable to these lies — desiring the approval and fellowship of men more than that of my Father in heaven. As I wrote in this article, we are not supposed to be of this world, but of a divine fellowship with the Father and the Son. The problem is that many of us who get sucked into these cults are seeking what our earthly fathers did not give us, love and affirmation. Cults are filled with such people. It is these experiences that have taught me why Jesus said, “Call no man Father for one is your Father and He is in heaven.” To “call” is to invite another into that place. By the way, Jesus also said, “Call no man teacher for one is your teacher, even Christ.” Fred, I hope you are growing into that place where His Spirit is your teacher, for we are in a time that is filled with false teachers and false prophets. Jesus said,
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” (John 16:13-14, KJ2000)
God bless you as you listen to the Spirit and obey.
Michael
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It is hard these days to know who to trust. Yes, I have found many false teachers but I will admit for years out of fear of the unforgivable sin I dared not call anyone that. Especially if you take that verse or the verses about it at face value. I had to go deeper and on that one, I was taught by GOD and I have what I found on my site. The fear is not as bad as it once was after that teaching however it is still there in the back of my mind.
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BTW, I watched that video you linked to on your blog and it was spot on!
Thanks for sharing it. If you are interested on more on this subject, George Davis and I wrote on this subject on our website here:
http://awildernessvoice.com/NewCreationRule-Chapt11.html
It is good to see you are making progress, though by trial and error at times. For some of us experience is our only teacher, especially when those experiences come from the disciplining hand of our Heavenly Father, that is until we become mature sons and daughters with spiritual ears with which to hear.
Love you my brother!
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[…] We Are Not of this World […]
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Thanks for the ping backs, Fred. It looks like your site has a lot of great information regarding those who wish to put the burden of the law on those who trust in Christ. Bless you my brother!
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You are welcome, I may need to correct a few spelling errors on that post.
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Michael, a really big appreciation for remaining true to what the Spirit is speaking. You wrote in the post, “…… Even when they set out to see and understand the things of God, there is still a double vision problem–one eye is set on heavenly things and the other on the world and its concerns….”
Which brings to mind the scripture in 1Kings 18:21
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
This I’ve lately been sensing as the Spirit nudging me and I believe all saints to make a clean break from the world, and be single minded about following Jesus.
The Lord helps us.
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I fear most days I am double-minded, I have even been accused of that.
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It is hard to break old habits. This is why God has to take stark measures with some of us and send us to His “wood shed.” a period of dying in His wilderness. It was a minor thing to get the people out of Egypt, but it took 40 years of suffering and dying to get Egypt out of His people. Just know that all His ways are just and good and just what we need to bring forth many sons unto His glory.
Love you, my brother!
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Yes, this is a common problem. Even some of Paul’s brethren left him for the world.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.
Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me…. (2Tim 4:9-11, ESV2011)
We all are being brought to the place where God demands our obedience for our own good. His way is the cross, the world’s way seems right to a man, but it ends in spiritual death.
Patrick, I know that your heart belongs to Him. Keep listening to His voice and following His nudges,
Michael
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Most days my prayer is asking for Mercy and not much else. I feel like I fulfill what Paul did in Roman’s chapter 7.
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I know that feeling. I went through that “war in my members” until He weakened me so that I could not come down on the side of my flesh any longer. As Paul wrote, “When I am weak, then am I strong.”
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Patrick, I know how shallow the Christian message has been in Africa. So many false teachers from America have been adhered to because America speaks of prosperity and success and your masses of poor people want it, but spiritual success comes from heaven, not America. The following verse came to mind as I read the cry of your heart,
“For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom 8:19-21, KJ2000)
There is hope, my brother. This “creation” spoken of here includes many of our fellow Christians, who are still walking in the vanity of their minds, but that vanity does not have the final word. God will prevail and our part in that happens as we who are His sons and daughters start manifesting His glory through the light and life of Jesus Christ within us as well as the glorious liberty we have as the sons and daughers of God. Brother, we are their example. Spiritual infants learn by the example of their elders.The problem in the churches is that most of them are being led by other spiritual infants. Even pastor who are sincere need what Father has been giving unto us in Christ.
I pray that Father gives you one person who is spiritually hungry that you might be used by Him to raise them up into the glorious liberty that belongs to the sons of God.
Your brother IN Christ,
Michael
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The church needs to hear this. Sadly, there are few listening, Michael. ❤
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I agree, Anna. What is needed is the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God in this dark hour.
Father, please give your people ears to hear what is on your heart and send them messengers that manifest your light. Amen.
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Meditando en esta enseñanza, el Señor me regaló esta mañana Juan 5, acerca del paralítico de Betesda. Cuando Jesús lo sanó, dice que lo encontró en el Templo y le dijo que ya era sano, que no pecara más, para que no le viniera algo peor.
El Señor no lo encontró en algún lugar de perdición, no lo encontró robando o con prostitutas, dicen Las Escrituras que lo encontró en el Templo. Me preguntaba ¿porqué el Señor le dijo que no pecara más? Porque cuando regresamos a la ley, a la religión vacía sin Cristo, pecamos. Fuera de Cristo no tenemos nada, sin Cristo no hay vida y todo es vacío.
Dice Gálatas 5:1, 4: Estad, pues, firmes en la libertad en que Cristo nos hizo libres, y no volváis otra vez a estar presos en el yugo de servidumbre. Vacíos sois del Cristo los que por la ley os justificáis; de la gracia habéis caído.
Hace unos años, después que el Señor me sacó del sistema religioso, comencé a reunirme con unos hermanos en la fe para compartir de las cosas del Señor, pero una noche tuve un sueño y vi como esos hermanos querían delegarme ciertas actividades que yo no quería asumir porque sentía que eso no era lo que Dios quería para mí y escucho una voz muy fuerte en el sueño, sabía que era la voz del Señor que me dijo: ” YO TE HE DADO LIBERTAD, PORQUÉ QUIERES VOLVER A ESCLAVIZARTE” y ahí desperté.
Un abrazo mi hermano.
—
Patricia wrote:
Meditating on this teaching, the Lord gave me this morning John 5, about the paralytic of Bethesda. When Jesus healed him, he says that he found him in the Temple and told him that he was healthy, that he would not sin anymore, so that something worse would not come.
The Lord did not find him in some place of perdition, he did not find him stealing or with prostitutes, say the Scriptures that found him in the Temple. I was wondering why the Lord told him not to sin anymore? Because when we return to the law, to empty religion without Christ, we sin. Outside of Christ we have nothing, without Christ there is no life and everything is empty.
Galatians 5: 1, 4 says: Stand firm, therefore, in the freedom in which Christ has made us free, and do not become prisoners again under the yoke of servitude. You are empty of the Christ who by law justify yourselves; of grace you have fallen.
A few years ago, after the Lord took me out of the religious system, I began to meet with some brothers in the faith to share the things of the Lord, but one night I had a dream and saw how those brothers wanted to delegate certain activities that I did not want take it because I felt that this was not what God wanted for me and I hear a very strong voice in the dream, I knew it was the voice of the Lord who said to me: “I GAVE YOU FREEDOM, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME SLAVE AGAIN” and there I woke up .
A hug my brother.
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You bring up a great point! I never saw that in John 5 from that perspective before. ⭐ Yes, Paul makes it very clear that to return to the law is to walk away from the grace of Christ and the sacrifice of the cross in our lives. What gets me is how many Christians think they can keep only a small portion of the law like Sabbath keeping or tithing and be under grace as well. The scripture in both the Old and New covenant says, “Cursed is he who does not keep the WHOLE LAW!” We are Gentiles saved by faith and His grace alone. The law was given to the Jews from the time of Moses until Christ came. I wish people would just read Hebrew ch. 8 which comes from Jeremiah 31. It makes it clear that the old covenant has been done away with, TOTALLY! We all are under a NEW Covenant in which GOD does it all through His Spirit as we yield to His grace by faith in Christ alone.
I am so glad you are free in Him, my sister. You are a blessing!
Michael
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Great observations, Patricia!! ⭐
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Amén, tú también eres una dulce bendición. Cuando era niña en la escuela dominical me enseñaron esta canción, pero es ahora cuando ha cobrado vida:
Libre, tú me hiciste, tú me hiciste libre, libre Señor
Rotas fueron las cadenas que estaban atando mi corazón.
Incluyendo las cadenas religiosas, GLORIA A DIOS!!!!
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