What we are all soon going to have is the opportunity to stand upon our convictions and our beliefs. It matters not if you are devoutly religious or an atheist, we all believe in something, and that something is going to be tried in the fires of Almighty God's wrath.

It is sad but true, that a vast majority of those who call themselves 'Christian,' do not really want an up-close and intimate relationship with God. They don't want to go to hell, they want to make heaven their eternal home, but at the same time they are not willing to pay the required price for reaching spiritual maturity. There are many who like things just the way they are... who find it very offensive that anyone would speak disparagingly about the way they have chosen to practice their religion. I have heard of people who have come right out and said 'that they want to have their fun now, and that before they die they will repent and make heaven their home.' How do they know that they will have an opportunity before they die? They don't. They could have a heart attack in their sleep, or be broadsided in an intersection, and never have the chance to repent. What they are really saying is, 'they love the world and the things of the world, more than they love God.'

We have many alive today who would be content to make it in at the last minute, as did the thief on the cross next to Christ... Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Many would be content to just make it in by the skin of their teeth so to speak. And indeed, that would be far greater than the only other alternative. But isn't it sad that we are so lackadaisical (which by the way means without much enthusiasm, energy or effort) when it comes to where we will spend eternity? Isn't it sad that we think so little of the price our LORD paid for our redemption... that we practically have to be goaded or shamed into seriously considering where we really are spiritually speaking?

In the 12th Chapter of Romans, Paul exhorted believers on what it means to be Christians, part of Christ's Body...

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Notice if you will, that he is telling us how we are to conduct ourselves, both with other believers as well as unbelievers; what our approach to the Christ-like walk should be. The above passage contains both encouragements and warnings.

He expounds further in his letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 12:12-31...

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

These are all things that the natural man is capable of. Being kind to our fellow human beings is not beyond man's reach with or without God. Today the new religion is pretty much Humanism. Exalting man, elevating self, humanistic good works are applauded around the globe. We have to admit that many people who belong to religions that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord, exhibit more Christian virtues than do people who claim to know Christ. Christianity here in the West has become so man-centered, that right within the church is where some of the most un-Christ-like conduct is exhibited. People will practically come to blows over doctrinal differences. It is hard to find a group of people today that are actually walking in 'love of the brethren' 24/7.

After Paul summed up how we as 'members' of Christ's body should function, he sums it up with "and yet show I unto you a more excellent way."

1 Corinthians 13th Chapter...

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

This should be a sobering wake-up call to all of us. If we are not walking in love, no matter what we are doing, it is meaningless.

This pertains to those who have come out of the organized Church. What I have seen happening in recent months grieves my heart. It goes without saying, that it is one thing to come out of the Church, while it is quite another to get the Church (mentality and way of thinking) out of you. We are commanded to follow Christ, to live by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk by faith. These are requirements, not suggestions, if we would know God.

We are out-of-the-church because the Spirit has pulled us out, not because we decided of our own volition. We still yearn to share the fellowship of other believers. We have all been beaten-over-the-head with Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Some have even been told that if they left the 'Church'... they were going to hell. The Spirit of God is doing a separating work in this hour. The tares are being gathered together into bundles. The sheep are being separated from the goats. It is a work of the Spirit of God, not the mind of man. We are often left wondering and dazed by events that are taking place in our lives. How can this be? Yet it is happening, and we are incapable of stopping it. We need to exhort and encourage one another... more every day.

What I have witnessed is brothers and sisters that have a ministry, that are actively trying to do what the Lord has lain upon their hearts, and for a time they do an admirable job. They are a blessing to others, and the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified. Yet they make the same mistake that we are all far too prone of making... the very things Paul warned us about.

As they find others of 'like faith' to fellowship and share with... these thirsty souls praise and thank them for their work... and they begin "to think of himself more highly than he ought to think." This is one of the most subtle of ploys in the enemy's arsenal, and has worked like a charm throughout the centuries... because we are not as dead to our flesh as we thought we were.

I see Christian brother turn against Christian brother, over petty differences in doctrine and teachings. This is not turning the other cheek, walking in love, putting others before ourselves... this is setting ourselves up as being an authority. This is further dividing the already splintered body of Christ. And then we compound our error by finding scriptures to substantiate our actions.

It is my observation, that this most often occurs when an individual

1.) begins to believe the acclaim that they are receiving from others and start to think that they really are something special; that they have a gift above others; that they have an inside track with God.

And 2.) they make the mistake of not being content to operate in the area that God has revealed to them.

We are so accustomed to having a one-man show, one man who does it all, has all the answers, is in control of everyone under them. This is the way of the western Church in this the end of the age... we have all been programmed that you have to 'know it all' to be a leader. What happens when we step outside of where God has placed us, and start teaching/preaching on things that the Holy Spirit has not given us direct revelation on, we inevitably fall back on man's interpretations. And when it comes to man's interpretations there are multitudes of erroneous, conflicting, ideas, all claiming to be the right one.

This is the direct opposite of everything we just read on the body of Christ. We are not content with the revelation we have received, we want to know it all. We are not satisfied to stay within the scope of our calling, we want to expand and branch out. This is how we can get into areas where we have no business trying to operate. Whatever we do in our own strength is wood, hay and stubble and will be burned up at the appearing of the Lord.

We are parts... let us be satisfied with our part. Let us endeavor to do whatever job the Lord has given us to the very best of our ability, humbly and as 'unto the Lord.'

It is not pleasing to God, nor edifying to fellow believers, when one week we sing a brothers praises, and a few weeks later we are bad-mouthing and putting him down. Most often, this happens over a difference of opinion, over what is going to happen pertaining to the last days or the work of the ministry. For centuries theologians have claimed to have it all figured out. There are as many differing opinions and interpretations as there are denominations.

1 Corinthians 2:7-11 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God--[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. [Isa. 64:4; 65:17.]

Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny].

For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

We need to come to the knowledge of Christ, by the power of His Spirit. And when we do receive understanding, we are not free to then beat others over the head with it, just because it has not yet been revealed to them.

A good test of how much we are actually walking in the Spirit is fully demonstrated in how we treat other believers. If we find it necessary to put someone else down in order to lift ourselves up or justify our position, then we need to re-examine our position and our motives. When we act in this manner, we are demonstrating are own ignorance and lack of understanding of spiritual things. We see in Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If we must come and reason together with the Lord, how much more then should we be able to come and reason together with one another, as individual members of the Lord's Body?

We are living in the Last Days. Except the Spirit of God give us the revelation, how all these things will come to pass is still hidden in mystery. There are as many opinions and theories as there are people. I believe that we will all be continually amazed as things continue to unfold. I also believe that we need to learn to accept that we now see and know in part... and stop trying to interpret spiritual things by use of our reasoning mind. We have been offered the opportunity to know God. That alone should be enough to humble us. The work is the LORD's, and He does not need our help to bring His purposes to pass. He does however, require our absolute obedience if we would be overcomers. Isaiah continues on with...

Isaiah 1:19-28 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become a harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

We are parts of Christ's body... HE ALONE IS THE HEAD. Let us stop justifying our errors, and seek His face. How we conduct ourselves will determine whether or not we receive the crown of righteousness. Whether we are counted among the faithful or the sinners. I pray that we will all consider what it means to be a part of the body of Christ, and conduct ourselves accordingly.