SPIRITUAL ADULTERY: A DANGER TO THOSE WHO MISHANDLED AND MIXED UP THE TRUTH OF TODAY

By: Bishop Albert Gran

Romans 7:1-6

King James Version (KJV)

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

This study was conceived as a matter of giving emphasis and consideration to the present reality which have had happened in the realm of Christianity of which majority are united in the stand of LIVING and ABIDING in the law of flesh, serving the flesh after the law which is the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER (Galatians 2:16).

It's interesting to note however that any believer of Christ had to recognize the power of God working in us today with the might brought by the gospel of Christ whereby we were made in Christ as His new creatures who had the strength to live, used the power of God and His might by the Spirit's tool which is the Word of God. Interestingly, it was expressed in accordance to the revelation of the mystery ( Eph. 2:10; Eph. 1:18-20; Eph 3:1-5; Eph 3:16).

Not just a thought but based on divine perspective in view of the revelation of the mystery, Paul from his pen through the Spirit gave us two major and distinct ways of living in this world. These two living way principles indeed were such realities obvious in the faith of every person regardless of his or her religion and denominational affiliation ( Romans 2:16). What are these two ways? Now, let's consider this fact.

A. LAW VS. GRACE

Romans 6:14

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not UNDER THE LAW, but under GRACE.

B. FAITH VS. WORKS OF THE LAW

Romans 9:31-33

King James Version (KJV)

³¹ But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

³² Wherefore? Because they sought it NOT BY FAITH, but as it were by the WORKS OFTHE LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

³³ As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

C. WORKS VS. GRACE

Romans 11:5-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

⁶ And IF BY GRACE, then is it NO MORE OF WORKS: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Although these are three sets of passages presented here, but in summary there were just two-fold distinct operation in matters of every persons kind of living which not only possibly but definitely working and operating in his life.

This study will pose self evaluation to determine what kind of spirit being you are who's living in this world of vanity, devastation, and or corruption. Are you craving towards meritorious act of self reliance to gain salvation and favor from God with that condemnation of hell, establishing own righteousness to gain men's approval only? Haven't not faith to the free gift of salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ has offered from the eternal condemnation of hell and such made you obtained the position as one NEW MAN in Christ with life classified as all triumphant and victorious in spite sufferings?

OUR LIVING IN GRACE IS FREEDOM

Our relationship with Christ in this dispensation of grace allegorically compared with the relationship of husband and wife.

Clearly, Paul addressed this instruction to those who KNOW THE LAW. Without doubt these are those who had given the law, specifically the people of Israel who were avid teachers and doers of the Law God preached by Moses for their obedience. Accordingly, we clearly understood the benefits which were gained and profited by Israelites in terms of THE LAW.

Romans 9

King James Version (KJV)

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of THE LAW, and the service of God, and the promises;

⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

In time past, God clearly mandated those covenanted people, the people of Israel who had received THE LAW. This is that which have had DOMINION AND RULE OVER THEM. The body of human flesh had no choice to oppose and ignore it. They had to live consistently to the mandate of God's COMMANDMENTS so anyone, being a Jew or Gentile proselyte could have had peaceful relationship with God and received fleshly blessings from the fruit of their labor and in the land as God caused them to do it in condition of one's performing action and obedience to it.

Another featuring account of God's dealing in time past is that those who will not live and abide by THE LAW were subjected to corresponding curses knowing it's a total missing the mark  (sin) of not submitting God's word because the LAW is the truth of God in time past.

In other words, this is a way to challenge God's justice and establish righteousness brought by His statutes and laws, thus made him execute his punishment and immediate judgement which is visible in the flesh.

Joshua 8:33-35

King James Version (KJV)

³³ And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

³⁴ And afterward he READ ALL THE WORDS OF THE LAW, THE BLESSINGS AND CURSINGS, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

³⁵ There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

Clearly, it's evident that to be in subjection under the law, there had been much significance in matters of CONDITIONAL DEALINGS which God himself instructed to His people through the mouth of His prophets.

Bible believers often thought these instructions in accord to the law seems the WAY or the SAME WAY God has dealt the church the Body of Christ with Paul as our apostle and minister in our time. Unknowingly, many remarkable attempts done by lots of preachers and church ministers today had viewed their services in application of the Mosaic law. Recent doctrines about the physical and fleshly manifestation of God in view of the conditions stated above were such thoughts believed to be the same principles operating in this dispensation of grace. However we found that those were just cliches and viewed traditional doctrines in accordance to the law. Those were things Paul says which are something corresponding the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER.

The OT LAW which was continued in the NT so-called four gospels correspond to the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER which Paul in the context the members of the Body of Christ are being delivered (verse 6).

WHY SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?

Please notice these verses:

Romans 7:1-6

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

As I wrote above, recipients of these verses speaks about the people of Israel that know the law, except those Gentiles today who believed they're called "SPIRITUAL JEWS" and became MOSAIC LAW ABIDERS. It's a fact nowadays that many Gentiles who were Christians held the doctrines in the Jewish religion, establishing righteousness which is of the law, doing services in accordance to the law.

 
DISPENSATIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN THIS ALLEGORICAL MARRIAGE TYPE RELATIONSHIP

Folks, there is deeper wisdom in light with this passage that the Lord through Paul would want us to convey.

Many verses in Scriptures helped us understand that Christ 's relationship to Israel is a type of marriage bond and or husband-wife relationship. I believed he used an allegorical illustration for the church the Body of Christ in these set of passages found in Romans 7.

I perceived that Christ through Paul had in mind about his dealings in comparison between them who knew the law (the people of Israel in time past) and WE(v.6) who were DELIVERED FROM THE LAW AND SERVED IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP IN THE DISPENSATION OF LAW

In time past account, God gave the law to Moses to be His words for the people of Israel to obey. He indeed established conditions of SET BLESSINGS in physical nature and CURSINGS in view of physical afflictions such as plagues, nature disaster which God Himself caused against evil doers may it His own people who disobeyed Him.

God's dealing to the people of Israel is purely a commonwealth of Israel whereby the WORD OF GOD AND THE TRUTH were big issues FOUND IN THE LAW ( Eph. 2:11-12). THE LAW is a view type of relationship in the allegorical marriage of God to the NATION ISRAEL.

The people of Israel had to stick to be obedient to the law of her husband as long as he lives. This is the clear indication of which a MAN WHO IS CALLED A JEW should keep and observe THE LAW because this is the condition current in the time wherein her husband (speaking of Israel) was yet alive. Even the time prior Christ's death, the ACCOUNT OF THE LAW was still in view to be established when someone wants to find the truth about the God of Israel.

OLD TESTAMENT

Proverbs 3:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

1 My son, FORGET NOT MY LAW; but let thine heart KEEP MY COMANDMENTS:

² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

NEW TESTAMENT

John 14:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁵ If ye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

In these verses in view of comparison, THE LAW and COMMANDMENT KEEPERS have to implore in based on THE LAW. Even in the truths and doctrines communicated by John and the 12 apostles, such were truths in view of the law and the commandments. Every man who is called JEW must show love to God and render services to Him in view of KEEPING COMMANDMENTS.

To sum it up, it's the condition in the so-called four gospel account how a man implore the commandments pertinent to the kingdom and about the kingdom to be established ON EARTH in consonance TO THE MOSAIC LAW.

It's observable therefore how God in time past prior the ushering of this dispensation of grace became deeply jealous when His people associated another god or gods for worship of which instant punishment was executed among the violators. Along this notion is the verdict to call his people an adulteress or someone committed a SPRITUAL ADULTERY due to recognizing small gods in behalf of the ALMIGHTY GOD IN HEAVEN. In other words, that's an ultimate violation of the moral law which is: "Thou shall not have other gods before me".

Exodus 20:4-6

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ THOU SHALL NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a JEALOUS GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

A SUDDEN DEATH OF HER HUSBAND

This is today's current allegorical relationship with Christ and of God TO SERVE IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT under the dispensation of grace. This relationship has to be preserved and not to be stained again with THE YOKE OF BONDAGE, THE LAW for doing such is an indication of committing SPIRITUAL ADULTERY when going back to the law.

Christ had already put an end OF THE LAW at the cross of Calvary ( Romans 10:4, Col. 2:13-15). Now, Paul proclaimed that our justification should not be by the law but by the faith of Christ's blood (Rom. 3:24-25). It's His offering of grace which made us enjoy the assurance of salvation and fellowship with one another in the fellowship of the mystery (Tit. 2:11, Eph. 3:9).

An allegory of the BOC's current marriage relationship is something must not BE ADULTERATED BY LIVING UNDER THE LAW AND MIXING DOCTRINES WITH THAT OF THE REVIVED MOSAIC LAW as in the case of the churches of Galatia wherein many perverted the gospel of Christ and went back to establish works for righteousness ( Romans 6:14, 2 Cor. 4:2).

A CALL TO LIVE BY GRACE

Romans 7:4-5

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Romans 6:6-10

King James Version (KJV)

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

After knowing the Church's present relationship, our services to God must be akin to SERVE IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER. What if many today served the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER instead having services in THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT?

 
Paul was very emphatic by saying that "ye also are BECOME DEAD TO LAW BY THE BODY OF CHRIST" ( Romans 7:4). So why revived the law in our present service in the dispensation of grace? Would you like to commit a spiritual adultery after knowing your standing in the present relationship you had with Christ?

Since we were already dead to the law what does it imply? It implies to LIVE IN ACCORDANCE TO GRACE .

Folks, don't ever wish for yourself to LIVE UNDER THE LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL after knowing that the present relationship with Jesus Christ to the Church, the Body of Christ is the WAY OF GRACE when THE LAW WAS PUT TO DEATH ON THAT CROSS AND NO LESS THE KIND OF SERVICE WE HAVE TO MANIFEST BEFORE HIM.

If you want to commit spiritual adultery then preach and teach MIXED UP TRUTHS.

Grace and Peace,

                    

PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN SINGING ONLY: THE MOST MISUSED IDEA

PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN SINGING MISUNDERSTOOD SONGS VS. PRAISE AND WORSHIP THROUGH BIBLE STUDY RIGHTLY DIVIDING

By: Bishop Albert B. Gran

2 Chronicles 7:2-4

2 And the priest could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.

3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they BOWED THEMSELVES with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and WORSHIPPED, and PRAISED the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord

This Old Testament citation is a proof to tell adherents of PRAISE AND WORSHIP that such is not only and can only be understood IN SINGING OR IN VIEW OF MUSIC.  

At the onset, we found that the priest BOWED THEMSELVES when they worshipped and praise the Lord God.

HOW DID YOU PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD TODAY?

This article was designed to warn today's  Christian youth  regarding the issue of "Praise and Worship"  which majority  thought  a sole activity and manifestation in the  pouring out of melodious voices to the Lord accompanied by the rhythmic banging of musical instruments . In the long run it is thereby associated like what had happened to those believers in time of Paul who spoke in tongues and yet they became like Barbarians unto the unbelieving hearers.

MUSIC AND SATAN

^{Ezekiel 28:11-18}

¹¹ Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

 

¹² Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

 

¹³ Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, theemerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

 

¹⁴ Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

 

¹⁵ Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was

found in thee.

 

¹⁶ By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

 

¹⁷ Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

 

¹⁸ Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

 

The Lord God gave a word to prophet Ezekiel concerning the  king of Tyrus who in the context ascribed the anointed cherub and described in v.11 as someone who accounted the sum of angels and thus,  sealest the sum for he was known as the "son of the morning" as it read: Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, SON OF THE MORNING! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

It's good to understand the fact about the origin of Satan before he became an adversary of God connecting the sense when Ezekiel wrote about him. Lucifer, the anointed cherub of God led the angels in heaven of which in scriptures they were called morning stars. Lucifer had possessed the title as "SON OF THE MORNING", and a very special creation of God who was perfect in beauty.

 

How does this set of verses relate to Lucifer as a musician? It's clear in verse 14 and I quote: Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: THE WORKMANSHIP OF THY TABRETS AND OF THY PIPES WAS PREPARED IN THEE IN THE DAY THAT THOU WAST CREATED.

Music was already an innate passion of Lucifer and it's plain to believe how he was skillful in tabret, a tabor or small tambourine and a pipe player. It made me believed how he was chosen as a lead conductor when the morning stars (host of angels) sing to the Lord of host, our God Almighty.   

 

^{Job 38: 7} When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy........

 

The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. It's very plain according to the word of God through Job how angels were accustomed to do their activity in heaven who were singing and shouted for joy such like having praise and worship.

If angels shouted for joy to the Lord in heaven why can't we as men don't do it? We should! As those adherents of praise and worship through singing emphasized like our Pentecostal friends and other charismatic evangelicals.

 

THE RHYTHM SATAN PLAYED AGAINST GOD'S WORD
 

 

Mind you, Lucifer's activity before he became Satan the adversary played a vital role to exalt the majestic name of God as the most High God, the creator of heaven and earth. He came to the point of becoming like THE MOST HIGH through pride, envy and jealousness and thus, he was lifted up with P-R-I-D-E. And because of this, God cast him down and his PRIDE made him SATAN the ADVERSARY, and THE DEVIL.

 

As music was part of his innate passion, Satan who was known as Lucifer would certainly use it as a scheme to sway all people in the world even to the point of penetrating to God's people SO THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HOLD ON TO SATAN'S MUSICAL SCHEME   using songs about God but void of understanding and had the least approach of grace and in contrast, the law still. If Satan can quote God's word in scriptures, he can cause worshippers to sing songs about God but certainly singing without understanding and his instruments were measures to cover the heart of God's people as the rhythms banging in the chambers of their hearts in a 100% wavelength AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD UNHEARD AND MISUNDERSTOOD.   

Let not this article be misunderstood  but the real intent of the author will simply give you a consideration  to think that the devil had used this element or scheme to sway many believers who rendered much praise and worship IN SOLE SINGING instead having PRAISE AND WORSHIP THROUGH BIBLE STUDY RIGHTLY DIVIDING. As the Pentecostal system emerged which popularly used  singing as the sole element of worshipping and praising the Lord,  many teens and even elderly worshippers declined the time spent  for self-edification and enhancement from the real source which is THE WORD OF GOD. The reality speaks wise even in Christian churches how much singing lessens the quality time spent for Bible study. It's very notable that PRAISE AND WORSHIP SINGING hampers the essentiality in  giving attendance to reading and exhortation to gain power and might from the Lord AND HIS WORDS.

 

It's obvious then that lapses and undisciplined Pentecostal application may turn out to be for the occasion of the flesh which is no longer evident to worship the Lord most especially when the song being sang was not dispensationally in context  as pretty obvious like SINGING  VOID OF UNDERSTANDING. 

THE ELEMENTS OF GRACE SONGS:

1. GRACE SONGS WERE SERVED TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER

Colossians 3: 16 

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

2. GRACE SONGS WERE MEANS TO SPEAK ONE ANOTHER

 

3. GRACE SONGS WERE BASIS TO MAKE MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD

      Ephesians 5:18-19

     King James Version (KJV)

      ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

      ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and 

       making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 Note: The issue about which one is a true type of praise and worship between DRY SINGING AND JOLLY SINGING is a childish issue in the church. To make melody IN ONE'S INDIVIDUAL HEART TO THE LORD can be done WITH or WITHOUT musical instruments. Paul made it plain how in singing THE GRACE OF GOD AND HIS WAYS IN THIS AGE OF GRACE can be promoted to anyone. The fact is: THERE IS A DOCTRINAL IMPLICATION IN VIEW OF    RIGHTLY  DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH IF YOU WANT TO QUALIFY YOUR SINGING AS WE KNEW ITS PURPOSE IS TO TEACH, ADMONISH, AND SPEAK FOR ONE ANOTHER ASIDE FROM MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD.

Not all Christian songs in our times are savored and seasoned with GRACE in view of right division  FOR UNDERSTANDING SAKE as the instruction calls for. Hear ye beloved of God that "When ye sing, sing with understanding" and "singing with GRACE and make melody in your heart to the Lord" ( Psa. 47:7; 1 Cor. 14:15; Col. 3:16). Although in all  songs and singing renditions melody was present yet the foremost thing failed is GRACE AND UNDERSTANDING. This means that singing has to be associated with DOCTRINAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRACE AND THE GRACE OF GOD which promote and introduced who our  God is in the present dispensation of grace where we are  fitted in.  It's not a presupposed notion but a sensible and honest recognition if you do things pleasant before God in the area of singing. While the elements of singing (GRACE AND UNDERSTANDING) are gone because the emphasis were set to melodic instruments, worshippers unknowingly separates themselves to listen  God's voice from the printed copies available in KJV for English for they turn much  of their lips praising God as they claimed  things not in view of His dealings under grace due lack of understanding about GOD'S MYSTERY IN CHRIST TO PROVIDE UNTO US FULL AND COMPLETE PACKAGE OF RICHES, GLORY AND HEAVENLY BLESSINGS IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE.

 

1 Corinthians 14:15

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

IF YOU INTEND GOD WON'T SNUB YOUR SONG THEN SING WITH UNDERSTANDING. HOWEVER PEOPLE WILL SNUB YOUR SONG IF YOU SING OUT OF TUNE.  

MOST PEOPLE LIKED THE SONG'S TUNE THE MOST EVEN IF THE SONG'S WORDS ARE UNCLEAR BUT THEY NEVER LIKE THE SONG WHEN THE TUNE IS OUT.

Grace and peace to you.     

CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST: THE

PRAISE OF HIS GLORY 

By: Bishop Albert Gran

Ephesians 1

King James Version (KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Members of the church which is His body or the church the body of Christ has purely set by God in our times as the focal assembly wherein  fellowship of the mystery shall be made known unto all the world concerning the riches of God's grace, unto the glory of all those who believe on Him to life everlasting with that unfathomable grace of God which He made known to all lost sinners.  

Let everyone who knew Christ be refreshed once again such tremendous attempt of God to inform all human kind about the greatness of His love toward us, with the love you never experience in this world. Human love is demonstrated conditionally but the love of God was presented to all without condition of doing something, except to be responded BY FAITH and be accepted and claimed as yours and a means of His GIFT for you.    

A DISTINCT CHURCH

The wisdom of God was no less hidden throughout world history except for the truth in our current time by which it was described as HIDDEN, KEPT SECRET or the MYSTERY which is now revealed through Paul. From ages to ages,  God communed to people from the past to make known His wisest counsel and prudence so that people shall not be deficit of His knowledge and wisdom. He used diverse means how He could revealed His perfect plan to the seed of humanity. He preserved His words  through copies just to make it more beneficial to those who ideally make  use the light of His revelation. It takes an utmost love and passion to succumb the idea how important is the sole reliance of that given revelation whereby God shared His heavenly blessings, wise dealings, long-time decision, life everlasting, and our blessedness in this dispensation of grace. Through the church, the Body of Christ which was purchased by His own blood, by which you became part of it, God convey His wisdom, so that through your instrumentality many would see the glorious light of the gospel effectually working in you that believe. It's always amazing to delight the wondrous love of God which was shed abroad in our hearts as if you see the glorious image of God shining in you and within you.

The church, the Body of Christ made so much and greatest significance to prove the reason in spite of nothingness and deep poverty, leaving the highest state of God when He took the form of a servant, and out of deep sacrifices gave Himself for the church so you can be exalted today, with the position based on your standing before God as His heir and fellow-heir with Christ until the judgment seat when you receive the  things done in your body.

Our church was not inherited from the tradition of men whereby many thought it was directly given to Peter who holds the keys and had given the charge to loose and bound or in view of the man-made church after Peter's to be the vicar of Christ with the succession of leadership centering the Vatican city. Along with this notion is the man-made protestant denominational groups authored by some of its founders by which their ministers called for allegiance defending their founded church in spite of being far from the truth and not giving importance to that which was designed by God before the foundation of the world. Many ministers nowadays had not properly understood that the local church or the assembly can be a bridge to convey the truth of God's wisest counsel regarding God's plan of redemption to all lost sinners. It's not the building that conveys the message but the people who were worshipping God in that building. Many were hailing for the titles and names of their own church so as making it more popular, the strongest group or organization so to speak,  and  even more powerful than the other, however,  not made realize what forms of doctrines  these churches are founded upon especially in the doctrine of salvation for many established works instead of faith in the grace of God as our precious GIFT . Mostly, local churches tend to be legalistic and establishing set of rules and putting yoke to every member applying the if-then principles that calls for their management. This unspoken attempt is a popular actions done in both unbelieving and believing organizations though appearing to be preaching Christ which for me adhere the same principle in the name of  HUMAN TRADITION.

Let the wonderful story of God's plan for the church, the Body of Christ shall become part in your life today. Know through revelation what's this Body of Christ about for your GLORY and GLORIFICATION. I'm not against tradition but I adhere to good tradition which is the tradition of God, not the man-made tradition of founding churches which is for and emphasis about local buildings or place of worship, however a church in light with the glorious image of His Son brought by the gospel with the true church ordained by God before the foundation of the world by which in wise ways talks about the nurtured men and women who had been established by the grace of God and the doctrines of the mystery of God towards us Gentiles today. This is the church which was purchased by Christ's own precious blood. The church or churches many who would want to be part of had not brought the sole gospel of salvation and eternal life presentation on the basis of Christ's precious blood alone.  

 The Biblical church of God ordained to Peter frankly speaking  is about the kingdom which shall be on earth in view of the gospel presentation that the KINGDOM IS AT HAND. This is the kingdom of David promised to be for everlasting and Jesus Christ is the heir of David's throne by which He shall reign, reigning the people with rod and iron. Again the emphasis is "THY KINGDOM COME". The term come should not be understood to be in heaven for the spatial location had its source to COME which had its vicinity to mean down or below and therefore the emphasis is ON EARTH. Opposite to what we desire after the dissolution of our vile body to be present with the Lord which we all knew the place where Paul has been brought in his vision seeing things cannot be uttered by words. That's the ABODE OF GOD the place we called HEAVEN and not the conjectured and presumed heaven to mean symbolically a life classified with pleasures and merriment in this world.   

The church the body of Christ has nothing to do with Christ reigning with rod and iron knowing that every saint shall be considered rulers casting judgments based on the wise counsel of God in accordance to truth and righteousness judging angels in the heavenly realm. The heavenly seats have to be vacated by the church members in the heavenly glory. Yours has the church to be IN or OUT of this long promised church ever had in the mind of Christ which is something revealed in the "BUT NOW".          

Let me share to you this position that all of these plans of God set for today had been shared by God through revelation as something available in the church distinct from the past age or time's past and it's available in Paul's "MY GOSPEL". It's a good thing to know how that God created this special unique organization for you to be accounted  and function in accordance to the measure of your faith and love in Christ Jesus.   

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT  BELIEVERS BEFORE THE OFFERING OF REDEMPTION THROUGH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY AND EVEN UNDER THE LAW?

Although the plan of redemption was set for the kingdom church in the new covenant as type of the blood of animals  and sacrifices under the Old Covenant, the manifestation of Christ's first advent was purely a drive looking forward to the kingdom church having had its precepts in view of the new covenant with the same presentation of Christ's blood to find perfect rest and remission of sins to those who believe. However, the resumption of prophetic law was still in view of the kingdom church by which God Himself will cause His word to be written in their hearts.       

Certainly, there were two Biblical churches whose foundation was built by God and Christ Himself alone namely: the kingdom church promised to Peter and the church the Body of Christ which for many centuries past our very own apostle, the apostle Paul had called you to be part of it.

God's desires in us is to embrace and stand firmly to the true church which God Himself organized and not to what was presumed by many as though ordained by Christ and yet not in our current times. Let's be astute in the firm foundation of our faith developing the soundness of truth trumpeting to every one's heart telling them IF YOUR NOT FOR GOD then by far YOU'RE FOR MEN.

Our task as agent of rightly dividing the word of truth soundly harmonizes God's simple plan for the ages simply similar as when He divides heaven and earth. Because he had a plan in heaven, it's logically sensible to say there's a church or collected assembly for HEAVEN to be blissfully occupied by the members of the church, the saints in the Body of Christ. And the fact that He also had plans on earth, God set the nation Israel, containing 12 tribes  through which the Son of Man was promised to be the legal heir of David's throne, to be introduced by someone preaching in the wilderness in the person of John the Baptist along with repentance and baptism for the kingdom of heaven is at hand , who also represented by the 12 apostles with Peter as the leader of the kingdom church which is ON EARTH and thus, the ushering the New Jerusalem in the New Heaven and New Earth  as the old heaven and earth will be vanished.    

Review the words of God stated above and you'll definitely see the amazing glory of God's grace through the CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Simply consider the pure grace alternatives and perspectives affecting the CHURCH WHERE YOU THINK YOU ARE IN.

Grace and peace!