Ye Which Are Spiritual (Part 1)

Beloved, the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ has given me a new theme entitled, “You which are Spiritual”. Job declared that “(God) is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman (judge or umpire) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both” (Job 9:32-33). In other words, Beloved, Job is sharing with us that no one can instruct God or counsel Him to do anything! I am afraid that some today have forgotten that. Many today are making the same error that Israel made when God said, “thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove (correct) thee, and set them (my commandments) in order (sequence) before thine eyes” (Psalm 50:21). We can get an audience with each other because we are all men who dwell on the same plane, but how can you get an audience with God if He chooses not to hear you? Beloved, “(we) which are spiritual” should readily understand that if we hear from God, it is only because of His grace and mercy. We, therefore, should be extremely grateful just to hear His voice. Consider what we are taught in the book of Isaiah - “Behold (look), the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither (is) his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (But it is possible that) your iniquities (can) separate (you from) your God, and your sins (can) hid(e) his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Precious Ones, we must conclude thus far that if “we are spiritual”, it is only by an act of God. We should never take that relationship for granted. Let us never “think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think” (Romans 12:3). Solomon, who was considered not only a wise man but a “preacher”, asserts that “most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful (trustworthy) man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). You will find, in viewing the writings of Paul, that not even that great apostle was exempt from this attitude. For example, Paul wrote to Timothy thus, “the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others” (II Timothy 2:2). Beloved, there have always been faithful (reliable) men and women among God’s people, today as in the time of Paul. How cynical (self righteous) it is to believe that there are no faithful men, or few faithful men, who have the ability to make a difference in this world.

Chosen Ones, “ye which are spiritual” should be led by the Spirit to remain humble. Remember, Peter taught us to “humble (our)selves...under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt (us) in due time” (I Peter 5:6).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much!

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Consider Thyself (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Consider Thyself” - when Eli (the High Priest of Judah) was old, his sons made themselves vile, and Eli was no longer able to restrain them. They lay carnally with “women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” (I Samuel 2:22). By law, when any man brought a sacrificial animal, the priest’s servants were supposed to reach into the seething pot with “a fleshhook of three teeth” (I Samuel 2:13), and give whatever they brought up to the priest. However, Eli’s sons were not satisfied with the lawful portion that was given to them for their service. The servants demanded larger portions from the people. They would say, “give (us) the flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden (boiled) flesh (from) thee, but raw” (I Samuel 2:15). If the person who brought the sacrifice contended that the sacrifice should be burned before the Lord to satisfy the demands of the Law, the servants would reply that if the flesh was not handed over, it would be taken by force (see I Samuel 2:16).

Precious Ones, Hophni and Phinehas (Eli’s sons) broke all of these laws. Can you imagine how the children of Israel must have felt about going to church during this time? They could not bring their sacrifices to these “fellas” to atone for their sin, because they knew that Eli’s dishonest sons would consume the sacrifices themselves, thus destroying the efficaciousness of the sacrifice. Yet, the people could not be their own priests. By law, they were not allowed to offer their own sacrifices. They never knew what they would have to face when they walked through the door of the tabernacle. Would they find the supposed priests committing fornication when they arrived? Would they have to wait until another day until these sinful priests had time to purify themselves? Could these ungodly priests actually reach God on behalf of the people? Would their sacrifice be honored by God?

Chosen Ones, let us “consider ourselves”. Wouldn’t you agree that we are blessed to be able to get an audience with God at any time, without having to depend on the integrity of men? Even when we commit sins “ourselves”, scripture tells us that “if any man sin, we (the saints) have an advocate (intercessor) with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous” (I John 2:1). Beloved, let us be truly grateful for this. I will write more on this subject next week.

I love you all SO very much!
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Consider Thyself (conclusion)

Beloved, in conclusion of our theme, “Consider Thyself” - it is not surprising that “the sin of the young men (Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were supposed to live as righteous priests) was (so) very great before the Lord...(that) men abhorred (were disgusted by) the offering of the Lord” (I Samuel 2:17). Because of the type of life these boys lived, the children of Israel came to despise the very plan of God for their atonement (their reconciliation to God). As a result, they turned from His plan and desired their own plan for salvation. Today, we Christians need to “consider” that others can come to resent God because of the way we represent Him in our lives. In the time of Eli, the Law dictated that only death could remove these priests from their office. This is why God intervened and put a stop to these hypocritical priests and the effect that they were having on his children. Hence, when Eli was 98 years old, he received word of Israel’s battle against the Philistines, in which both his sons were slain, and the ark of God was taken (see I Samuel 4:14-18). Beloved, we must “consider ourselves” when we represent God, otherwise we will be punished for misleading others. First, we will suffer personal loss, and second, if we do not repent, we will eventually lose our very lives. Remember, when Eli heard that the ark of God had been stolen, he “fell off from the seat backward...and his neck (broke), and he died” (I Samuel 4:18).

Precious Ones, I’m so glad that God is merciful to us today, and that He has ended the Aaronic order of the priesthood through the coming of Jesus Christ as our High Priest. Now, Beloved, we have become the under-priests. We are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood...(to) show forth the praises of him who hath called (us) out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

Chosen Ones, knowing this, let us reverence our calling with fear. If we do not “consider ourselves” and if we do not continually praise God for giving us the mercy and strength to resist temptation, then we can be moved! When other Christians do not properly conduct themselves, this does not give us a reason or excuse to turn from God’s plan. When you are constantly mindful of the grace and mercy God has shown you, “consider yourself” to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Let God’s way continue to be observed by all who are honest in heart. “Consider thyself” to be a loyal servant of Jesus Christ!

Next week, I will write from a new theme. I pray that this theme was a blessing to you.

I love you all SO very much!
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy