Category: Christian Faith

Christian Love, Part 1

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We are instructed in Scripture to examine ourselves, to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). How can one know if “Jesus Christ is in” himself, or herself? Is there a measuring stick we can use for this purpose? Is it how often we attend church services, or church activities? Is it what church we belong to? Is it Bible knowledge? Or something else?

Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Matthew 22:37-39). We are instructed to “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2). John wrote, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (I John 4:8). We are to strive to become like God (Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:45).

Scripture says, “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (I John 4:16). But merely professing to love God or our neighbors is not enough. We are to love “in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).

But what is love? How is love defined? Are there specific items we can examine to test how we measure up, and how we can improve? Find answers in this message, as these questions are addressed in some detail, so we may follow the admonitions we are given, and with God’s help, improve our standing before him in terms of love.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Is Heaven the Reward of the Saved?

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A common idea among professing Christians who believe in an afterlife is that when a believer dies, he “goes to heaven,” that is, his “immortal soul” goes to heaven.

Where did that idea come from? And does it stand up to what the Bible actually teaches? Does the Bible teach that when a faithful person dies, he doesn’t really die, but instead “goes to heaven”?

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Who is a Messenger of God?

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In the Bible we read of patriarchs, prophets, prophetesses, priests, even kings like David, apostles, evangelists, and others, people who were righteous, who obeyed God, who’s deeds and exploits are recorded in Scripture, and who were in many cases used to write down and preserve messages given them directly by God or through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. These were used of God to deliver his word to us, and were hence messengers of God.

At the same time we read in Bible times of idolatrous priests, of false prophets who spoke in the name of God, of false ministers and false apostles, who were deceivers and only pretended to be God’s messengers.

Others have followed over the centuries, claiming offices such as priests, apostles, evangelists, ministers, pastors, claiming to speak in the name of God or Christ, and hence acting as his messengers. How can we tell the difference between genuine messengers of God and those who are false?

In “Who is a Messenger of God?” Rod Reynolds addresses the question on the basis of what the Scriptures reveal in answer to it. This is vital knowledge that every Christian, and everyone who would be a Christian, needs to have and understand, and be reminded of often.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Worship of the Dead

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Heathen cultures and religions in many parts of the world involve some form of worship directed toward dead heroes or ancestors.

Religious observances such as Hallowmas, which begins on the evening of October 31, or Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve), preserve to one extent or another, depending on the region, widespread ancient customs and superstitions directly associated with the worship of the dead. As does the “secular” observance of Halloween itself.

Does God’s Word have anything to say about customs involving worship of the dead? Should Christians participate in the Halloween custom, or similar customs? It’s important to consider the Bible’s answers to these questions.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Why Booths?

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Why did God command the Israelites to dwell in booths? What spiritual lessons can we learn from their example?

Actually, there are deep lessons we can learn from this example about the transitoriness of our physical lives, and how that should influence how we view life in the flesh and our relationship to God, and the prospect of being granted the gift of eternal life in his kingdom.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63