The Oppression of Unbelief!

Hello to All:

We have come a long way in our journey to: "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." A significant amount of foundational material has been presented; but, many are finding it difficult to get this material, these foundational truths, from their heads into their hearts. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ directs me to take some time; and examine why, so many, are stuck in: "entry level discipleship."

Let it boldly be proclaimed, as the Holy Ghost compels me to do so, that the principal and most challenging obstacle to "victorious discipleship," is: Unbelief! I am compelled to capitalize Unbelief, because it has become, principally in the west, a demonic stronghold that holds many, who are truly Christian, in a bondage that is powerful, controlling and deceiving. This stronghold has become so powerful, that the church in the west, has, for the most part, been reduced to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on a purely academic and philosophical level. We have been robbed of the power and authority, that Jesus Christ has won for us; and is ready to pour into us; if we would only believe. But, rather then believing Jesus and His Word, we have embraced unbelief; while, all the while, thinking that we know what the truth really is; but, in reality, we have embraced the precepts and commandments of men; rather then: "The Truth" that will set us free.

To properly examine this deception: will take some time. But, to get us started: let us look to a definition of what constitutes "unbelief." Since Jesus Christ is first in all things; and above all things; and has authority over all things; and is the creator of all things; and the sustainer of all things; and we could go on and on about Jesus Christ and who He is and what He has done and what He will do; but, this should serve to get us focused and enable us to begin to understand the meaning of unbelief.

Unbelief - rightly understood - is: the acceptance of (as truth), any precepts, commandments or teachngs (that cannot be confirmed as truth by the King's Book), of a person or persons, of an organization, of a local church group, of a home church group, of a regional or national or international church structure or organization (such as a specific sectarian or denominational perspective); that claims to be an authority that must be submitted to; and proclaims that it knows the truth better then anyone else.

Such claims, are often indirectly made. They take the form of membership documents, doctrinal statements, pledges of obedience and a host of other things that require our allegiance. The entities that make such claims, are usurpers and pretenders - they have chosen to stand, in the place, where only Jesus Christ can rightly and legitimately stand! They have chosen to take the place of Jesus as the head of the church and the sole mediator between God and men. It is this choice that has made them, not only the usurpers and pretenders that they are; but, it is also that choice that has made a way for the demonic stronghold, that has it's oppressive grip on the church in the west. The Oppression of Unbelief has taken hold; and it will not easily be overcome!

Join with me, in the weeks ahead, as we seek to grow in our understanding of this stronghold and how we can overcome; so that we can truly be victorious disciples in Jesus Christ.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Jesus Christ, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus