FOLLOWING THE WAY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAY 2, 2024

 FOLLOWING THE WAY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAY 2, 2024

God’s best blessings to all the Saints around the world,

A little change in the title of this week’s article. I’m sure many Saints and other Christians are familiar with John 14:6, or at least have heard it before, where Jesus plainly told Thomas that HE (JESUS) WAS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, AND NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME. We sometimes want to chastise the first apostles because of some of their actions, etc., however, we must keep in mind that before Jesus was crucified and resurrected, they did not have the “Rest of the story.” We do. It was not until after Jesus proved his power over sin, death, the grave, and Satan that they knew of his total power. That is why they were able to go forth and do the mighty deeds they did. They followed the WAY, Jesus.

When Jesus first called some of the apostles it says in Matthew 4:19 “And they believing on his words, left their nets, and straightway followed him.” Straightway is a power word of action meaning immediately with no delay or hesitation or excuses. And they were faithful to their commitment though faltering, at times. In the early church, following the day of Pentecost, the Saints were known as “Followers of the WAY, meaning followers of Jesus Christ. In Acts 9 we read that Saul was going to Damascus with the intent to find “Any of the way” and take them to Jerusalem. He was seeking to destroy those who were following Jesus.

If we feel that we are living in the kingdom of God, then we must be true followers of THE WAY, JESUS. Not just in talk, but in action, in our daily living. We have been commissioned by the words of Jesus to seek first, to build up his kingdom and establish his righteousness. We cannot do that unless we are true followers of the WAY. We cannot be following THE WAY, if we are going some other way.

Perhaps it is time for all of us to drop all the pretentions about who is, who isn’t and get back on the pathway with Jesus. There is only one Church of Jesus Christ. It therefore is the One He said He would build, not some variation of man. Whether you believe the message given at Kirtland in September of 2022 is divine or not, we have five months to prepare. E.W. Bullinger, in his book “Numbers in Scripture” says the number five stands for grace. The grace of God, which He says is sufficient for us.

We continue to hear about and see the destructive results of many “natural disasters.” God has said He would use these forces to bring about a purified people. Many years ago, Brother Roy Weldon gave a divine message at a reunion. Remember it? TIME IS RUNNING OUT! The message said time is running out for those who continue to disobey God’s commands, but time is not running out for those who are true followers of THE WAY.

This Sunday is May 5. We have another opportunity to come clean before the Lord Our God, to put aside all our human desires for what we want, and finally surrender all to Jesus and accomplish wants He wants. As always, the choice is ours.

ALSO REMEMBER THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 IS USA NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.

PRAY FERVENTLY AND EFFECTUALLY FOR THIS NATION AND THE WORLD.

God Bless

Paul Gage