"Created in Christ Jesus unto good works"!

Since we know God knows what He is doing and always is totally consistent and practical, and since we know God is calling us to repentance today, then it follows that our understanding of grace is incorrect. Voila!

I probably have said this twenty-five times in the short time we have been on the Internet and may state it five thousand more times before I'm finished (God granting health and strength): Divine grace is not, as currently presented, an alternative to righteous behavior. If it is the new covenant is inferior to the old, which at least required righteous behavior.

Divine grace is God in Christ enabling us to fulfill the will of God.

Divine grace is not an alternative, it is an enablement.

We have been saved by grace. This means, from Paul's point of view, we no longer are required to keep the Law of Moses.

We have been saved, according to Paul and all the other writers, that we may serve God in righteousness and holiness all the days of our life.

We have been forgiven by the blood atonement that we may be able to bring forth a new creation of which all things are of God. Since all things are of God our behavior will be righteous, holy, and obedient to God.

If any man be in Christ there is a new creation. If there is no new creation we are not in Christ. Make sense?

The present generation of Christians in America is not giving a good testimony, in many instances. Much ministry is going forth but its effect is ruined by the testimony given by the behavior of the Christian people. They are little different from the people of the world.

I started off talking about the appearing of the Ark of the Covenant at the time of the resurrection and ascension of God's witnesses, and now I have drifted back to my chief burden, which is the behavior of God's Evangelical people.

Is there a connection between the two thoughts? Yes, there is. If we are to be raised in the first resurrection, the resurrection described symbolically by the two witnesses standing on their feet, we must be dressed for the occasion. We must be ready to be revealed with Christ.

To be dressed for the occasion we must have gained the victory over worldliness. Many American Christians are very worldly, being occupied with lust, the pursuit of money, the love of entertainment, violence, and some form of witchcraft. I mentioned before that Evangelical Christians sit in their churches listening to the Super Bowl on their transistor radios. This is an abomination to put it mildly. It is not what is called redeeming the time.

It is painful to think of a Christian elder out playing golf while at the same time his Christian brothers and sisters are screaming in pain at the hands of the Muslims and Communists. Doesn't it seem to you to not be appropriate? It does to me!

I am not a fanatic. I understand well that people need rest and relaxation. I have had my very own anxiety crisis and heart attack and earned every minute of them.

I am just suggesting that maybe we don't need as much relaxation and entertainment as we think we do. God will lead if we get serious with Him.

To be continued.