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Re: Glorying in the Flesh
Yes indeed. The traditions of men is what Christ came against the whole time He ministered here on earth. It was the traditions of the Pharisees that caused Him so much grief, and eventually His death on the cross.
Indeed, the standards set forth and created by any church are simply a way to draw people under your power, and convictions, and pastors do these things ... building their own kingdoms... indeed they are glorying in how many attend the church, how much money they make a year, what kind of car they drive, and how many in their church give love offerings so they can take fancy vacations....
And it is not just the UPC pastors doing this, you can find this in many other denominations as well...
Jabez, your words are true.... too many are "glorying" in the fact that "x" number of people in their church look like cookie cutter Christians, pay their tithes and significant offerings, attend every single church function, and on the list goes.
Man wants to look on the outward appearance in order to be able to judge, but God deals with our heart.
That is why I say, the fruit produced in one's life is the only way to truly see and know if they have a relationship with God, and have picked up the cross, and are following Christ.
Works of the flesh will never produce fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the spirit, will produce fruit, and works manifesting the life of Christ within one's heart.
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