A foundational “truth” that is “known” by those in the Institutional Church is that being “in” and “one with” the Godhead is simply a matter of being “active in church.” The problem with this theology is that the “church” being referred to is any one of Satan’s churches, and being “active” in it simply means that one attends that church regularly and obeys its doctrines which are based on heathen beliefs and customs which God calls “sin.” Concerning those beliefs and customs, we are commanded by Him: “Do not learn the ways of the heathen … for the ways of the heathen are vain” (Jer. 10:2,3).  Church doctrines identify and give names to various sins. See the Introduction to this website for a few examples. Obeying church (Catholic/Protestant) doctrines–practicing heathenism–separates the parishioner from the Almighty (Isa. 59:2). Love for God leads the true saint to avoid Catholicism/Protestantism at all cost. This is the “cost” we are required to “count” before embracing God and His Truth (Lk. 14:28). See Persecution. Those in these heathen (church) organizations who learn the Truth are commanded to “come out of her (the church) and be separate, touch not that unclean thing.” Then, and only then, will God accept the believer as His child and will be his God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). This passage is of utmost importance in the church person’s conversion. As is stated by the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church, one must separate himself totally from Satan and his people by leaving them and embracing God and His people, provided there are any in the area, which is unlikely. God said that only a “few” would “find” the way to His strait gate (His church), “strive” to enter it and, having done so, will then walk His narrow (Law obeying) path to salvation (Mat. 7:13,14). It is for this reason that the Lord said: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mat. 18:20). God described His church–the Kingdom of Heaven–to a tiny mustard seed and Satan’s church to the tree his false prophets would make of it. Note that birds would build their nests in the tree (“join the church”)–Matthew 13:31,32.  We all know what birds do to trees. Today, those birds number in the billions world-wide as Satan’s tree continues to encompass the earth and his false (perverted-Gal. 1:6) gospel continues to be put forth as God’s Word.

As stated earlier, LOVE is the key to the saint’s relationship with the Lord. The saint’s “one-ness” and “in-ness” (my words) with the Lord are made possible only by loving Him, which he must prove by believing and obeying His Word. This is brought out in John 14:15,23 where Jesus says to His disciples: “IF you love Me, keep My commandments” (15), and “IF a man love me he will keep My Words” (23). Now notice what happens if “YOU” (the disciples) or “A MAN” (anyone) loves Jesus and proves it by obeying His COMMANDMENTS/WORDS: “… My Father will (then) love him, and WE will come to him and MAKE OUR ABODE with him”– will live “in” and at “one with” him” in the form of Their Holy Spirit. In John 15:10 Jesus told the disciples that in order for them to abide in God’s love (by being “in” and “one with” Him) they must obey His commandments/Word just as He (Jesus) had to obey God’s Truth in order to abide in His love. What was required of Jesus and His disciples then is required of His disciples today–belief in and obedience to the Holy Scriptures. If we meet God’s requirements, as did the man Jesus, we will do everything He did and even greater things (Jn. 14:12). In the following postings we will study some of the things Jesus, the apostles and the Old Testament prophets did. Nothing has changed. What was true then is true now. L.J.