CLARION CALL

“GET BACK TO THE BIBLE”

Many of us who are Christians have heard this many times in church.

“God is going to do a new thing!”

The delusion is that many believe this.

“God does not do new things, out of left field!”

“Out of left field.” is American slang meaning “unexpectedly”, “odd” or “strange”.

“He does not want his people to walk in fear of not being accepted, or a fear of the lack of provision or a fear of a powerless life.”

“He wants you to know His will!”

“If you are DELUDED it is not your fault!” the answer is, “YES” if you have not read and studied your Bible.

Remember in our last post we mentioned Carte blanche Theology which was a combination of cherry-picking certain Scriptures and then with cafeteria Christianity attitude to exclude parts of a Scripture or other Scriptures that do not fit with the perspective you want to present.

We said, “A carte blanche theory has very little scholastic investigation that produces views which are very narrow and limited in understanding to the whole view of Scripture. We would call them a heresy of doctrine.”

“NOW,” we have a Carte Blanche Prophecy in the Church today. Namely that, “God is going to do a new thing!”

Carte Blanche Prophecy

Failing to follow proper rules will produce a phoney “cherry-picking, cafeteria Christian philosophy,” which results in Carte Blanche theology and Carte Blanche Prophecy.

Prophetic pedigree should be the endeavour to maintain the view of Scripture and allow history to prove that the words spoken have a Biblical synergy. The prophet’s pedigree is portrayed in the use of Biblical themes, verified by historical events and the qualities of his or her trained life.

The rules to interpret the Bible

We must look at any revelation in its historical setting.

It is to be read in context of the whole passage.

This revelation needs to have Old and New Testament Synergistic Scriptural support and that the Scripture does not contradict another Scripture.

On the other hand, you may want say it in another way, that being, “when the whole teaching of the Bible is considered, it is found to be consistent without contradiction.”

When the whole teaching of the Bible is considered, it has to be consistent!

A New Thing

A prophet of God must be a student of God’s Word; as a basic requirement; so that the prophets would prophecy according to the Word of God. Thus we then would see a balanced approach and a church that is not prone to extravagant behaviour as a result of false prophecies. Prophecy comes from and by the Word of God.

2Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture came into being of its own private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit. (MKJV)

Example of an almost correct prophecy

A saying that we frequently hear is, “God is going to do a new thing”, or “God is doing a new thing”. I have been around long enough to know that this is not totally correct. We need to understand the two new things God has said, He would do, one has already happened and the second one is after Jesus’ return.

Quickly as we look at the second new thing, first. It is yet in the future. In Revelation 21:1-27 “Behold I make all things new”. There are seven new things spoken of in Revelation; the New Heaven, New Earth, New People, New Jerusalem, New Temple, New Light and a New Paradise.

The first is second in our explanation and that is salvation will be through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 43:19). They are a new heart, a new spirit, His Holy Spirit, His Word in our hearts, the Mind of Christ and He has given us a new name. The living life of God has comes into the believer in the form of the Holy Spirit who gives us Zao living active life which brings about six major changes. This is the first miraculous thing mentioned in our Bible.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall sprout; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (MKJV)

The Book of Isaiah portrays the nature of the Messiah the life of Jesus, as an unchanging God by saying four descriptive things about God.  He is The Saviour-Redeemer, Maker-Creator, and the Holy One.

Our God is stable, changeless, perpetual, never changing or varying; unchangeable, He is not susceptible to change or does He lie.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (KJV)

Because He permanently exists in eternity, He shows no partiality. His Word or the judgments are set for an eternity. He is a just God. Don’t expect Him to be fair if you are acting outside of Christ and saying His grace will cover your sins as you a Christian.

Hebrews 6:17 In this way desiring to declare more fully to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, God interposed by an oath, 18  so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, (MKJV)

Immutable does not mean that God doesn’t have free volition, He does but He has chosen to never change the dynamics of His kingdom because He is unchangeable.

Therefore when we hear so called prophets saying, “God is going to do a new thing!” we can say this is a contradiction as He changes not.

The danger comes in when people want to reorganize the way in which we have Church. In other words they want to bring in something to the Church that they think is good and in most cases it’s not Biblically acceptable.

The safe way to prophesy is by Scripture but outside of that it must come to pass for a prophet to be recognised as a prophet.

Anyone prophesying or interpreting prophecy has to know the Word of God and understand the rules involved to be able to understand the evidence presented so that a true interpretation will unfold. God gets His prophets to write down their visions for all to see (Isaiah 8:1, 16; 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2; Revelation 1:19; 14:13; 21:5). Rule one – by faith a prophet believes what God has revealed to him, and then he must pronounce, record and publish it so all may see and assess it as it unfolds. The evidence of the prophecy is that it will come to pass.

Prophecy is not the will of man but the Spirit of God who brings inspiration through HIS Word on to man to utter God’s words.

2Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture came into being of its own private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit. (MKJV)

We cannot say, “I think or feel it means this or it means that!” We need to see that it does not conflict with the Word of God. We need to investigate any prophecy to see that it matches the Word of God, thus not allowing us to colour the prophecy with our own pre-conceptions.

1Peter 1:11 searching for what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ made clear within them, testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow. (MKJV)

Be careful when you hear this, “God is doing anything new” someone may try to trick you.

God is not doing anything new; He is doing the same old thing. The new thing that is happening in the Church is in us who are coming to the new revelation of what is in God’s Word. The encouraging factors that we see today are the development of theology based on sound study and hermeneutical rules without the fear of death.

When the whole teaching of the Bible is considered, it has to be consistent!

Let us get back to the Bible and stop chasing after what is not in the Bible.

CLARION CALL

“GET BACK TO THE BIBLE”

A “cherry-picking, cafeteria Christian” is a person who picks and chooses making a personal selection of few favoured Scriptures and develops or disregards other Scriptures that contradict his position.

A “cherry-picking, cafeteria Christian” is a person who picks and chooses making a personal selection of few favoured Scriptures and develops or disregards other Scriptures that contradict his position.

“Carte blanche” is French for a blank or white card. It may refer to: unlimited discretionary power to act; unrestricted authority. It could be described as a signed blank cheque, made out to you; and then you insert the monetary value!

Carte blanche Theology is a combination of cherry-picking certain Scriptures and then with cafeteria Christianity excluding parts of a Scripture or other Scriptures that do not fit with your premises.

A carte blanche theory has very little scholastic investigation that produces views which are very narrow and limited in understanding to the whole view of Scripture. We would call them a heresy of doctrine.

Failing to follow proper rules will produce a phoney “cherry-picking, cafeteria Christian philosophy,” which results in Carte Blanche theology.

The rules to interpret the Bible

We must look at any revelation in its historical setting.

It is to be read in context of the whole passage.

This revelation needs to have Old and New Testament Synergistic Scriptural support and that the Scripture does not contradict another Scripture.

On the other hand, you may want say it in another way, that being, “when the whole teaching of the Bible is considered, it is found to be consistent without contradiction.”

Doctrine change

Doctrine should be viewed and reviewed in the light of new understanding or revelation which must be supported by synergistic study. Any new proposition or revelation needs to have a synergetic Biblical foundation and be proven by Biblical research to remove any apparent contradictions.

Biblical doctrine research should follow hermeneutical rules and be consistent with exegetical investigation. Doctrine is open to change as our little or narrow minds come to a new understanding through revelation of God’s Word released by God to the believer.

The words of the Bible in their intent are not open to change.

The Teacher

The Law of the Old Testament is a teacher that pushes us towards Christ so that we will seek Him through repentance and receive grace. It is through the faith in His salvation, which has the elements of unmerited grace received by the act of repentance, atonement as a full payment and removal of sins, whereas in the Old Testament atonement was to just a covering of sins. Jesus thus fulfils the law.

The Old Testament or the Law of Moses was a forerunner of the new Christian Theology where the synergistic dynamics of Old and New Testament Scriptures should be used in the Church today, one as a teacher and the newer as a reward. A well based church will be based in the Old Testament and New Testament.

All who practice lawlessness have knowledge of the Law of God at some level, but still persist with the delusion and leading others into delusion too.

If you have two perspectives that seem to be in conflict we could say we have two camps of thought, one right and one wrong. Perhaps they are both wrong.

The question I would ask; Would God want exclude some people by having conflicting Scriptures? “NO, He has not.”

People exclude themselves by going against the whole counsel of God.

You should listen if the Scriptures, Old and New Testament that say to not do something for the sake of your spiritual or physical health. Then if you add to this the dynamics of medical evidence that shows that such behaviours cause medical problems in the area of physical, emotional and psychological sickness; then we must conclude that we are not to do certain things. The Bible will be verified by good investigated science.

People in the church are gambling with injecting poisonous inks through tattoos and saying it is fashionable, when the Bible and the medical profession say we ought not to do so.

TV stations in Britain warn people of flashing images in case some suffer from fits while some parts of the Church embrace this exclusive behaviour with flashing lights. Some people suffer from breathing problems while some churches are filling the place with smoke to try and get atmosphere.

Some parts of the Church we know today reject the teaching of the whole counsel of the Bible and sciences to develop accommodating feel good Theology for an atmosphere. Jesus will say to many on that day in the Church of today, “Away from Me I know you not (Matthew 25:12).” Then we will hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42). The wailing and gnashing of teeth is the compromising Christian saying. “It’s not fair.” It may not seem fair for some, but it will be just for all.

When the whole teaching of the Bible is considered, it has to be consistent!

CLARION CALL

“GET BACK TO THE BIBLE”

“If you are DELUDED it is not your fault!” Is that statement true or false? You just don’t know; do you?

Well you may have been misinformed, but how do you know you have been misinformed? Somebody else may tell you so. True, but how can you tell whether the person who tells you is right or wrong? The person who tells you that you are deluded may himself be in error and you were right after all! But if they are correct then it’s your choice to continue in the delusion or change. True.

How do you identify a delusion? You will not be able to do so without help from another source or sources and most likely an advisor. For the Christian we have the Bible.

Should you hire the best lawyer you can to defend your delusion? Yes

Should you read up on the subject? Yes

Is there such a thing as ignorance of the law? Yes, and No

Can I claim ignorance of the Law? “Not completely”

We have been told that: Ignorance of the law is no excuse. This means that when an individual violates the law, it doesn’t matter whether or not they knew the law. BUT ignorance in certain limited circumstances may provide a viable defence to a criminal charge; based on the fact that you cannot have secret criminal laws and then be prosecuted for it.

Is the Bible available? Yes

So it’s not a secret? Correct

Whose responsibility is it to read the Bible? We are all responsible.

Wilfulness

Wilfulness relates only to a person’s state of mind during the act.

Some poor misguided Christians say when a Christian falls into sin, “God knows your heart and everything will be OK.” Well, that is partly true; God does indeed know your heart, BUT the judgement on sin is still the same as it has been throughout the Bible. Eventually without repentance it will lead to eternal separation.

What if your adviser (Pastor, teacher or leader) is wrong? What if you hire a lawyer and he gives you the wrong advice and you lose; does he go to gaol or do you? YOU do!

Is a delusion a sin? Yes, and no! If you are informed that it may lead you into sin, and then you have a choice; either remain in the delusion or repent.

To determine what a delusion/sin are you must first have a guide to measure them by. The Bible is a good place to start. In fact, the Bible is the ONLY place to start!

The Bible will not say something is a sin in one part and that it is OK in another part. For God does not change.

Order of first mention

• How long has the delusion/sin in my case been in the Book?
• Has my delusion/sin been removed from the Book?
• Is my delusion/sin lawful in other places in the Book?
• Is there an amendment to that Law somewhere else in the Book?
• Does the delusion/sin involve me fully understanding the whole Book?
• Does my wilfulness to stay in the delusion/sin cause a problem when it conflicts with the Book?
• What is the oldest recorded of this delusion/sin in the Book?

Moses is regarded as the first writer of Scripture around 1400 year BC.

Moses decided to have his scribes record the oral history into a tangible form namely the scrolls. Thus we have the beginning of the written form of the Word of God.

Moses by recording the Law or Torah set in place practical measures to maintain order with approximately two and half million people to in the camp. Additionally, he knew that one day he would pass on the leadership therefore the law would help to maintain continuity.

God utters the truth in His Old and New Testaments in the complete Bible; then everything stands on this point as God does not change His mind. If God says in His Word, that something is a sin then that is the way it is whether you like to admit it or not.

The order of first mention is the first writing of the law by Moses some three and half thousand years ago. The laws in the form of the commandments were inspired by God to show man what sin is. Another purpose for the commandments is to show man what he cannot do in his own strength. All sin has a penalty of death which is eternity without God. This penalty for breaking the law is consistent to all but it can be overturned by a confession of faith through repentance and the application of Jesus’ blood.

Condemnation applies

Christian may say that we are believers in Christ and therefore our spirit is in heavenly places with Jesus. Paul said, “That in his flesh is where sin resides, and that his flesh is weak”. Paul in Romans 8 explains the victory, “There is no condemnation to those in Jesus”. We have been set free from sin and eternal separation. BUT be sure your actions are in Christ. That is to say our actions need to be in line with the WHOLE WORD of God, Old and New Testament the sum total of God’s knowledge. If your action is outside the whole Word of God; then you are outside of Jesus and condemnation applies.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (NIV)

If we look back to the Garden when Adam ate the fruit it was to gratify the flesh. Jesus said the same thing to His disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane when He left them to pray. On His return Jesus found them sleeping He then went on to say, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”. (Mark 14: 38)

Mark 14: 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (NIV)

All of mankind is in the fallen state. Their soul and body are outside the Garden of Eden and under the curse of sin. Therefore, we have a sinful nature. On the other hand, the born-again Christian has a regenerated spirit (a new spirit) that is seated in heaven with his soul and body still on this earth. His or her thinking should come from another position, a position of a spiritually-alive nature and if he or she sins, it is not from the spirit but from the flesh. If the flesh has rule, then you can certainly place yourself outside of Christ.

A harmonised synergistic understanding of the Bible requires three points.

One. To know that the Bible is God’s Word.

Two. To know that the Bible is settled whether I understand it, experience it or even believe it.

Three. To know I am blessed because I believe it and follow its direction for my life.

The Word of God was and has always been. It was settled by God in the beginning, we need to come to a resolve when we encounter it.

I am not trying to “reinvent the wheel”, so I have used part of the introduction from Leo Harris’s book, “Church Government – Biblical or Babylonian” in my introduction.

Pastor Leo Harris 1920-1977 was the founder and President of the Christian Revival Crusade in Australia.

In the introduction of Leo Harris’ book Church Government – Babylonian or Biblical[1] he makes these profound statements.

“In these momentous, age-ending days we witness the grim fulfilment of the prophetic statement: : “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heavens”. And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are (or may be) shaken, as things that are made (i.e. Man-made) that those things which cannot be shaken remain” (Hebrews 12:26-27). Thus all human systems are being cast into the crucible of divine judgement and only that which is ordained of God will prove unshakable, and will remain. We see this shaking process in every phase of human activity; it is the only explanation for the anarchy prevailing in the political, industrial, economic and social life of our nation and, indeed the entire world.

Is there a way out of this chaos and confusion? Yes; thank God there is! Not only has the Bible foretold these conditions, but it has also revealed the remedy and the way into the better order – which will be nothing less than the Kingdom of God on earth. The tragedy of the hour is, however, that the organised church is unable to give the leadership required of it, for the simple reason that our religious systems are, themselves, being thrown into the melting pot, being shaken and judged, and confusion prevails in the ecclesiastical life of our nations as well.

It is for this reason that we give forth the clarion call, BACK TO THE BIBLE!” the church as well as well as the nation must return to the Bible-pattern. The Word of God is the measuring-rod; it is our only guide.

Students of Bible prophecy are aware that we witness today the winding up of the great Babylonian succession foretold in Daniel and the Revelation. This Babylonian principle operates in every phase of life, and the church is no exception. It is characterised by centralisation, dictatorship, totalitarianism and confusion. Babylon is being judged, is falling, that upon its ruin may be raised the glorious structure of Christ’s millennial Kingdom.

In these pages we desire to draw a comparison between the various human systems that have been introduced into church government and fellowship and the divine pattern as set out for us in the New Testament. Particularly in the Pentecostal circles has church government become a much-debated subject during recent years. There are those who believe in the oversight of a church by a central body, while others advocate the democratic, congregational control of churches. Between these two extremes of totalitarianism and democracy there are many different systems, methods and shades of opinion. It is not our purpose in this booklet to introduce a new system of government, or to choose which out of the existing methods is the best, rather do we plan to make a direct, if somewhat unique, approach to the Word of God itself. While the message of this booklet applies to all branches of the Christian church, it is published primarily for the perusal of members of those Full Gospel (or Pentecostal) movements in our land.” By Pastor Leo Harris

We could not go past this introduction and reiterate its sentiments and relevance for today’s Church. It was relevant in his day and it is fair to say it is more relevant today. Pastor Leo Harris’, primarily focus was for the members of the Full Gospel (or Pentecostal) movements in Australia prior to his death in 1977. This prophet of God was warning the Church about the extremes of governance that could come into a movement of churches or the Church in general and I would go as far to say it still applies in the traditionalism of Pentecostal churches today.

Pastor Leo Harris started with this point, “In these momentous, age-ending days we witness the grim fulfilment of the prophetic statement: “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heavens”. It is clear that this is taking place right now but God is not finished with His Church and that a refreshing is coming upon the Church. It will not be a new thing from God, but a development of our understanding of what God has done.

In the Pentecostal churches today, we stress a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit which is great on many fronts, but on the other hand it can have some negative effects. Some claim that they hear from the Holy Spirit but are led to do things which are not Biblical. My answer to this is, “Where do you find this in the Bible?” If they cannot find it in the Bible, then their claim to be Spirit-led can be dangerous and deceitful.

In this book we will look at the Church governance structure as laid out in Scripture and finally view an Ecclesiastical approach to having church meetings. We will not hold back on pointing out what is not Biblical. We hope that Babylon will fall as many walk away from the Babylonian structure and into a Biblical structure. We will also give forth the clarion call, BACK TO THE BIBLE!

Dr. Ian Traill

From our new book “Babylon must fall!: “The New Testament Ecclesiastical Management Structure for Successful Growth”

Buy the ebook here https://books.google.com/books?id=d3YkDwAAQBAJ&dq=babylon+must+fall!+by+dr+ian+traill&source=gbs_navlinks_s

[1] Leo Harris – Church Government – Babylonian or Biblical. Page 1&2 – but on the Pdf of this book page 7&8. https://traillblazer.com/about/enrolment/leadership-training/certificate-of-leadership-training/

“Worship in the light!”

I worked in Night clubs and Pubs as a bouncer on the doors, where the walls were black, lights flashing and smoke. It is in this type of atmosphere that the truth of the persons identity is clouded. The resistance to sin is reduced and deeds of darkness took place in corners of darkness.

Now to see this in churches, the walls painted black or darkened, the house lights off, with lights flashing and smoke machines is a terrible thing. It is true the church that does this to get people to come and feel comfortable is in error. The sin of profane worship is upon us. Churches like this have not much to offer. The sin of unbelief by having entrainment centric churches where the Gospel is watered down and Jesus is just a footnote. The sin of unbelief in that the Gospel is not the power of God to bring about salvation but trusting in gimmicks is.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (NKJV)

The world is lost and looking for a light. Jesus is the light, but we are meant to be little lights, the Bible that people read. If we are not offering Holiness how can we attract people into the Kingdom of God?

Should we be looking at the atmosphere or gimmicks to get people into the Church or the presence of God?

Light has no shadow! The Bible says, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

One time I had considered a job of being a pastor at a church in Australia and in the process of finding out about the job the person from that church said they were looking for a younger man to attract young people, but he felt I should still apply. I said, “Thank you” and proceeded to not go any further. You may ask the question, “Why?”. The simple fact it’s not about my age, IT ABOUT JESUS in my life and His presence in the church. The average age in our church in China is less than 25 see it’s not about me.

Eli was priest and judge in Israel, divinely chosen to hold these positions. He was a father of two sons Hophni and Phinehas, whom he did not control, and he was at crossed purposes with his role as Judge in Israel. His sons had no respect for God and the sanctuary and its service. They had lost all sense of holiness and significance of service to God.

As Eli before him had done, Samuel appointed his sons Joel, and Abijah; as judges in Beersheba. Neither of his sons walked in his ways and chased after dishonest gain. They took bribes, and perverted justice. There is no ‘dynasty of godliness’; each generation must make its own commitment to God. The elders of Israel came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

Questions could be asked, “Did Samuel do something wrong?” “What was the problem with these sons?” “Did the elders of Israel do something wrong too?”

Yes. Firstly, Samuel had broken the accepted tradition by appointing his sons to be judges because judges were selected by God and not by man. They were not to have a succession or dynastic mantle to follow.

Secondly, the elders of Israel were wise and right to say they did not want Joel and Abijah because of the evil those young men did.

Thirdly, Samuel was wrong to overlook his son’s indiscretions.

Finally, it was the elders’ request that were wrong too, even though it had been prophesied many years before that Israel would have a king. It was their motivation that was wrong; “to be like all the nations”. They wanted to be like the world.

David instructed his son, Solomon to follow the architectural and operational plan for the building of the temple (I Chronicles 28:11). In each case, when they followed the pattern, the glory of God was manifested and God’s purposes were fulfilled.

Much of Western Church growth is church migration and methodologies following their own patterns, but often lacking the blueprint of God. The Scriptures present patterns for worship and patterns for prayer. Most germane to our study, patterns can be found, beginning in the Old Testament, for building God’s Kingdom in the earth. The nation of Israel was always moving away from this and the question could be asked today, “Are we also moving away by trying to be like the world?”

The book of Exodus has tremendous spiritual significance as God outlines, through Moses, His system of Law, His Priestly structure and institutional worship for the nation. He established the Israelites as a nation of free people under Him (Exodus 19:3-6). It depicts the return of man to the Garden of Eden, where God will dwell as the Ark and Tabernacle in their midst (Exodus 25-31, 35-40).

In Psalm 99:5 it tells us to exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool, thus alluding to coming to a place where God sits.

Is God sitting in darkness or does He shine with Glory?
Should we bring darkness into His presence? If we do does He not shine on it to remove it from us?
Are we to manifest the darkness or the light?

The Holy Place was a place of worship and duty for the priests. Here they would fill with oil the Candlestick replace the Showbread and burn incense on the altar which represents a further period of formation and submission for and to the journey ahead. The Holy Place is a place of separation and a place of prayer on behalf of the nation (Genesis 1: 9- 13). Candlestick or oil lamp light. LIGHT

The Holy of Holies was God’s dwelling place was in the Old Testament and was filled by His brilliant glory which is BRIGHT LIGHT.

We have a different dispensation with the Holy Spirit living in us. We can enter by a new and living way found in and through Jesus (Hebrews 10:20). We may enter boldly to the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16) but it must be remembered that we can only do that in a certain humble way as mentioned above.

Read about King Hezekiah found in 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; 30:1-27; 31:1-21. He sets out the order.

We need to follow certain practical Biblical steps of faith, as King Hezekiah did. Putting it simply, it means a renewal of obedience to God, according to the Word of God. If we read the Word of God we will find many instructions, and if we follow them they may bring blessings, but then if we are reading them and God speaks to our heart there will a greater blessing.

2Chronicles 29:1-5 Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled twenty-nine years from Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. : 2 Hezekiah obeyed the LORD by doing right, just as his ancestor David had done. : 3 In the first month of the first year of Hezekiah’s rule, he unlocked the doors to the LORD’s temple and had them repaired. :4 Then he called the priests and Levites to the east courtyard of the temple :5 and said: It’s time to purify the temple of the LORD God of our ancestors. You Levites must first go through the ceremony to make yourselves clean, then go into the temple and bring out everything that is unclean and unacceptable to the LORD. (CEV)

Ø Verse 1/ Hezekiah had a position of responsibility to God and the people.
Ø Verse 2/ Hezekiah in obedience to God followed the precepts of his ancestor King David.
Ø Verse 3/ Hezekiah opened and repaired the door of the temple.
Ø Verse 4/ Hezekiah set things in motion by calling the priests to assemble.
Ø Verse 5/ Hezekiah gave two directives.

o Sanctify yourselves
o Remove that which is unclean and unacceptable

We as Christian know that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), in Him all that is visible and the invisible, were created (Colossians 1:16-17). If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1John 1:7). We also know that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12) and that we the sons of light and the sons of the day too. We are not of the night, or of darkness (1Thessalonians 5:4-5) and that we have been sent to the world as a light to share about salvation (Acts 13:47) found in Jesus.

People who want to be like the world with tattoos and body piercing to get people to church are falling into the sin of unbelief. Do you notice how many song leaders are getting tattoos on their forearms so when they hold the mic people can see them; drawing attention away from Jesus to the flesh. I am not talking about people who had them before they got saved.
God is looking for people who have a life of worship and churches that reflect that too.
We are children of the light, not the dark!

I know that I may not get invited to many churches but I would rather be on the door of the house of the Lord than anywhere else. Repentance is needed in the House of the Lord.

Dr . Ian Traill