The greatness of love

WHEN THE PHARISEES asked our Lord Jesus Christ which the great commandment in the law is, He answered that the first and great commandment is that man shall love the Lord God and the second is that he shall love his neighbor as himself (Matt. 22:36-39).

This is clear proof of the greatness of love. In fact, in the absence of love, anything that man does for his neighbor, and especially for the Lord God and Lord Jesus Christ is in vain – however great the deed may be. The Apostle Paul says, “… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (I Cor. 13:13, New King James Version)

The emphasis placed on the superiority of love over faith and hope is not meant to diminish the importance of faith or of great works. According to the Apostle Paul, faith is important and valuable to our Lord Jesus Christ – if it is “faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6, Ibid.).

Thus a person who does not have love is nothing even if by all his faith he is able to remove mountains. The Bible explicitly states: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (I Cor. 13:1-3, Ibid.).

Therefore, the person who is worthy in the sight of God is he who genuinely loves Him. If anyone wishes his service and worship to be valued and accepted by God, he must make sure that he does it out of love, and not on account of selfish motive.

The Bible teaches that we, human beings, have been the ones chosen by God since the beginning to accord Him everlasting love. Even before the foundation of the world God had already chosen man to be holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph. 1:4).

The Bible also teaches how man will be able to accomplish this or how he should love God who created him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3, NKJV). Hence, man need not invent ways to express and manifest his love for God, for He has already made known through His words written in the Bible what He wants: We should prove our love for Him by keeping His commandments. Whoever refuses to obey God’s commands does not truly love Him.

“Let love be without hypocrisy,” says the Apostle Paul (Rom. 12:9, Ibid.) The love that is without hypocrisy is “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (I Tim. 1:5, Ibid.). A person whose love is hypocritical, pretentious or insincere may be able to cheat his fellowman but he will never be able to deceive God, for He knows everything, even what is in man’s heart and mind. He thus knows well whether our love for Him comes from a pure heart or is hypocritical.

For this reason, those who purport to serve God but actually only pursue their own gain, those whose service does not stem from sincere love but merely seeks to satisfy themselves, do not please God but commit a terrible sin. And they will not be able to hide this from Him. God says through the prophet Ezekiel: “So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain” (Ezek. 33:31, Ibid.)

Here God reproves people who come to Him, but whose purported love for Him does not come form their heart, because they are obviously only after their own gain. Such people in our time are those whose only and real motive in joining a religion is so that God will help them succeed in their business, make progress in their profession, recover from illness, and other similar gains. And although apparently they desire to serve God, they nevertheless refuse to do His bidding, reasoning out that man will not be justified by works for, allegedly, faith alone is what really matters.

The proof that man who merely professes faith but does not demonstrate it by works will not become acceptable to God is Christ’s warning on what will happen on Judgment Day to those who do not do the will of God in heaven: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:21:23, Ibid.)

Obedience to God’s command is an essential characteristics of a man who truly loves Him. But man whom God created is weak (Matt. 26:41) such that even though he aspires to do good, which is God’s command, yet he finds that by himself he is incapable of doing it, and instead what he does is the contrary – the evil that he does not wish to do (Rom. 7:12, 18-20).

Thus, before God created man, He predestined him to adoption as a son by the Lord Jesus Christ to Himself (Eph. 1:5) so that through man’s relationship with Christ His purpose can be achieved: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, NKJV). Therefore, on his own, man will not be able to live up to God’s purpose that he be holy and without blame before Him in love because he sins. Man needs to be created in Christ and this is by means of being part of the one new man, which Christ created in Himself, as recorded in the Scripture: “having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandmentscontained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Eph. 2:15, Ibid.). The one new man is composed of one head and one body. Christ is the head and the Church is His body (Col. 1:18).

Therefore, in order for man to fulfill God’s purpose in creating him he needs to join the true Church whom Christ recognizes as His own body. It is in this Church where man can prove his genuine love for God, which is manifested by his obedience to His commands.

Moreover, inside the true Church man will receive God’s perfect love, as taught in the Bible: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:10,NKJV). Because of God’s great love for us, “ even when we were dead in trespasses, [He] made us alive together with Christ …” (Eph. 2:4-5, Ibid.). How was it that we were considered dead and because of that we need to be made alive? When we sinned we were placed under God’s judgment, the second death in the lake of fire, and hence we were then counted as dead. But on account of God’s great love, we were made alive, The Bible says: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5:8-9, Ibid.).

God sent His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. It is by this that God’s great love for man was made manifest because through this we have been justified and as a consequence we shall be saved from His wrath on Christ’s Second Advent.

We are certain that it is the Church of Christ which received God’s perfect love since it is the one justified by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

What was also proven to us when the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself up to us? He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, NKJV). Did not Christ do the greatest deed for the Church by making the supreme sacrifice for it? Thus, it is only just that we love the Lord God above all and the Lord Jesus Christ by being faithfully obedient to them for they accorded us the greatest love of all.

Many other gods? (Psalms 82:1, 6)

Juancho Corpuz Wrote:

IF THE FATHER is the only God as you claim, then why is it written in Psalms 82:l, 6 that "He - judges among the gods'' and "you are gods'?  And besides, what difference does it make if there are many true gods? Wouldn't it be better if there would be many gods? As the old adage goes, "the more the merrier?

Editor's reply:

     In response to your question, let us begin by quoting Psalms 82:1 and 6 in their entirety:

     “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.  
     “I said, ‘you are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High’.” (New King James   Version)

     The word “gods” in these verses refers to those whom God had placed as judges and leaders in the ancient nation of Israel. During the time of ancient Israel, the judges were called “gods’ although they were men. They were called “gods” not because they were truly gods by nature, but because they were appointed to execute God’s judgment in His nation. An example of this is mentioned in Exodus 21:6:

     “Then his master shall bring him to GOD, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for life.” (Revised Standard Version, emphasis ours)

     The same verses rendered in the New International Version of the Bible says:

     “Then his master must take him before the JUDGES. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.” (emphasis ours)

     Notice that the word “god” in the verse was used in reference to the judges. In the same manner, the “congregation of the mighty” mentioned in psalms 82:1 and 6 refers to the judges in ancient Israel-and not to many gods as if there were more than one God. Another proof that the word “gods” in Psalms 82:1 and 6 refers to the judges is the fact that they were condemned by the true God to die like mere men:

     “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
     “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” (Ps. 82:2, 7, NIV)

     “Gods” in Psalms 82:1 and 6 must not be used to support the claim of plurality of gods. The belief in many other gods contradicts the teaching of the Bible that there is only one God, the Father in heaven (I Cor. 8:6), who Himself said, “…there is no God besides Me” (Is. 45:5, NKJV).

     It is very important for one to have the right knowledge about God. According to Jesus Christ, to know and believe that the Father is the only true God is to gain eternal life (Jn. 17:1, 3). On the other hand, those who do not know the true God will be condemned (II Thess. 1:8-9). Regarding the belief in the true God, the adage “the more the merrier” does not apply at all.  

___________________

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. 

Ang Itinuturo ng Biblia na Paraan sa Ikaliligtas

“Ito ang sinasabi ng PANGINOON: ‘Tumindig kayo sa mga sangandaan at magmasid. Magtanong kayo tungkol sa mga dating landas. Itanong ninyo kung saan ang mabuting daan, at siya ninyong lakaran’…”
Jeremias 6:16, New Pilipino Version

Kung pare-parehong sa Diyos ang lahat ng relihiyon, hindi na ipahahanap pa ng Diyos ang mabuting daan. Ngunit hindi lamang Niya ipinahahanap ito kundi pinalalakaran pa ito sa tao.

SA PANANAW NG MARAMI, ang pangangailangan ng tao sa kaligtasan ay isang paksang hindi na dapat pagtalunan. Ang kontrobersya ay nasa pagkakaiba-iba ng mga paraan na itinuturo ng iba’t ibang tagapangaral ng relihiyon sa ikapagtatamo ng kaligtasan. Upang hindi magkamali ang tao sa susunding kaparaanan ay dapat niyang piliin ang pamamaraang itinuturo ng Diyos at ito’y mababasa sa Biblia. Kapag ang sinunod ng tao ay ang sarili niyang pamamaraan, hindi siya makararating sa pagpapawalang-sala na kaloob ng Diyos, anupa’t hindi siya maliligtas kahit taos-puso ang pagsisikap niyang maging kalugod-lugod sa Diyos, kung mali ang kaniyang batayan. Ganito ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo:

“Mapatutunayan kong sila’y nagsisikap na maging kalugod-lugod sa Diyos, subalit mali ang kanilang batayan. Sapagkat hindi nila nakilala ang pagpapawalang-sala na kaloob ng Diyos, at nagsikap silang magtayo ng sarili nilang pamamaraan sa halip na sundin ang pamamaraan ng Diyos.” (Roma 10:2-3, Magandang Balita Biblia)

Ang paraan ng kaligtasan sa panahon ni Noe
Sa mula’t mula pa, ang Diyos ay nagturo na ng paraan sa ikaliligtas ng tao sa hatol. Ang tao na sumunod sa paraang yaon ang nagligtas. Narito ang isang katibayan:

“Dahil sa pananalig sa Diyos, pinakinggan ni Noe ang babala ng Diyos tungkol sa mga bagay na mangyayari na hindi pa niya nakikita. Gumawa siya ng isang daong upang siya at ang kanyang sambahayan ay maligtas. Sa pamamagitan nito’y hinatulan niya ang sanlibutan, a siya’y ibinilang na matuwid ng Diyos dahil sa kanyang pananalig.” (Heb. 11:7, Ibid.)

Sa panahon ni Noe ay ipinasiya ng Diyos na lipulin sa pamamagitan ng malaking baha ang sanlibutan dahil sa kasamaan ng mga tao. Apatnapung araw at apatnapung gabi na bumuhos ang ulan at pagkatapos ay matagal na hindi humupa ang tubig. Ngunit bago nilipol ng Diyos ang sanlibutan noon, itinuro muna Niya kay Noe ang paraan ng kaligtasan. Inutusan Niya si Noe na gumawa ng isang daong.

Ano ang iniutos ng Diyos kay Noe at sa kaniyang sambahayan noong magawa na ang daong? Inutusan Niya sila na lumulan o pumasok doon:

“Datapuwa’t pagtitibayin ko ang aking tipan sa iyo; at ikaw ay lululan sa sasakyan, ikaw, at ang iyong mga anak na lalake, at ang iyong asawa, at ang mga asawa ng iyong mga anak na kasama mo.” (Gen. 6:18)

“At sinasabi ng Panginoon kay Noe, Lumulan ka at ang iyong buong sangbahayan sa sasakyan; sapagka’t ikaw ay aking nakitang matuwid sa harap ko sa panahong ito.” (Gen. 7:1)

Ang pagsunod ng wawalong tao sa paraang itinuro ng Diyos noon ay nagbunga sa kanila ng kaligtasan:

“At ang dating sanglibutan ay hindi pinatawad, datapuwa’t iningatan ni Noe na tagapangaral ng katuwiran na kasama ng ibang pito pa, noong dalhin ang pagkagunaw sa sanglibutan ng masasama.” (II Ped. 2:5)

Sa kabilang dako, ang mga hindi sumunod ay pawing nangapahamak:

“Sila ang hindi sumunod nang sila’y matiyagang hinintay ng Dios noong panahon ni Noe, samantalang ginagawa nito ang daong. Ilan lamang tao, walo lamang ang naligtas sa pamamagitan ng tubig.” (I Ped. 3:20, New Pilipino Version)

Ang may kaligtasan sa panahon ng mga propeta
Ngunit ang lahi ni Noe ay hindi nakapagpatuloy sa pagsunod sa Diyos. Subalit may sumunod na lahi na pinangakuan ng kaligtasan:

“Nguni’t ang Israel ay ililigtas ng Panginoon ng walang hanggang kaligtasan. …” (Isa. 45:17)

Pinatutunayan din ng Biblia na noon ay “walang Diyos sa buong lupa, kundi sa Israel” (II Hari 5:15). “Sila’y mga Israelita at itinuturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya. … Sa kanila nakipagtipan ang Diyos; sa kanila rin ibinigay ang Kautusan, ang tunay na pagsamba, at ang mga pangako” (Roma 9:4, MB). Kaya noon ay walang karapatang dumiyos sa Diyos ang “hindi kabilang sa Israel.” Ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo tungkol sa kanila: “… Wala kayong bahagi sa tipan at pangako ng Dios sa kanila. Wala kayong Dios o pag-asa sa kaligtasan” (Efe. 2:12, Salita ng Buhay).

Ang matandang Israel ay nagkaroon ng karapatan sa kaligtasan dahil sa tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham, na isinalin sa anak niyang si Isaac, na isinalin naman kay Jacob at sa kaniyang angkan (Awit 105:6, 8-10). Kaya, ang bayang Israel noon ang “pinili” ng Diyos upang maging Kaniya “na higit sa lahat ng mga bayan na nasa ibabaw ng balat ng lupa” (Deut. 7:6). Subalit, dumating ang panahon na ang Israel ay hindi nanatili sa pagsunod sa Diyos – sila ay tumalikod sa Kaniya at dahil dito ay nasumpa sila (Dan. 9:11).

Nagpatuloy ang Diyos sa pagtuturo ng paraan sa kaligtasan
Ang Diyos, palibhasa’y pag-ibig, ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng pagkakataon, at nagtuturo ng paraan sa ikaliligtas ng tao:

“Ito ang sinasabi ng PANGINOON: ‘Tumindig kayo sa mga sangandaan at magmasid. Magtanong kayo tungkol sa mga dating landas. Itanong ninyo kung saan ang mabuting daan, at siya ninyong lakaran, at doon ninyo masusumpungan ang kapahingahan ng inyong mga kaluluwa. Ngunit sinasabi ninyo, ‘Hindi kami lalakad doon’.

“Makinig ka, O daigdig: Ang baying ito ay padadalhan ko ng kapahamakan, ang bunga ng kanilang mga pakana, pagkat hindi sila nakinig sa aking mga salita at tinanggihan nila ang aking kautusan.” (Jer. 6:16, 19, NPV)

Kung pare-parehong sa Diyos ang lahat ng relihiyon, hindi na ipahahanap pa ng Diyos ang mabuting daan. Ngunit hindi lamang Niya ipinahahanap ito kundi pinalalakaran pa ito sa tao. Nangako ang Diyos sa mga nasa mabuting daan na sila ang makasusumpong ng kapahingahan ng kaluluwa. Ito ang kaligtasan at ang ipinangakong buhay na walang hanggan sa Bayang Banal sa piling ng Diyos (Apoc. 21:1-4). Subalit ang sabi ng iba, “hindi kami lalakad doon.” Kaya ang pasiya ng Diyos sa mga ayaw sa paraang itinuturo at ipinag-uutos Niya ay: “Padadalhan Ko [sila] ng kapahamakan, … pagkat hindi sila nakinig sa Aking mga salita at tinanggihan nila ang Aking kautusan.”

Sa panahong Cristiano, ang mabuting daan na dapat lakaran ng tao ay ang Panginoong Jesucristo:

“Sinabi sa kaniya ni Jesus, Ako ang daan, at ang katotohanan, at ang buhay: sinoman ay di makaparoroon sa Ama, kundi sa pamamagitan ko.

“Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Jesus, ‘Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa.

“Ako ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas. …” (Juan 14:6; 10:7, 9 MB)

Ang Panginoong Jesucristo ang pintuang dinaraanan – hindi sinasampalatayanan lamang – ng mga tupa. Ang sinumang daraan at papasok sa pamamagitan Niya ay maliligtas. Ang nasusulat na “sinuman,” kaya hindi nagtatangi ng tao ang Panginoong Jesucristo; ang itinatangi ay ang paraan: dapat dumaan o pumasok sa pamamagitan Niya. Tandaan natin na Siya ay nagturo ng mga aral at utos ng Diyos. Ang sabi Niya, “ang turo ko ay hindi akin, kundi doon sa nagsugo sa akin” (Juan 7:16). Kaya, ang itinuro ng Panginoong Jesucristo ay paraan ng Diyos:

“Magsipasok kayo sa kaniyang mga pintuang-daan na may pagpapasalamat, At sa kaniyang looban na may pagpupuri: Mangagpasalamat kayo sa kaniya, at purihin ninyo ang kaniyang pangalan.” (Awit 100:4)

Ang mga magpupuri o sasamba at magpapasalamat sa Diyos sa tamang paraan ay pinapapasok sa pintuang-daan at sila ay makararating sa looban. Ang katumbas ng “pintuang daan” sa Juan 10:1 ay “pintuan ng kulungan ng mga tupa” o “pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa” (Juan 10:7, MB). Ang katumbas naman ng “looban” sa Awit 100:4 ay “kulungan ng mga tupa.” Doon pumaloob ang mga tao na pumasok sa Panginoong Jesucristo. Kaya saRevised English Bible ay ganito ang pagkakasalin:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …” [Ako ang pintuan; sinumang pumasok sa loob ng kawan sa pamamagitan ko ay magiging ligtas. …] (John 10:9)

Ang “kawan” ay sheep pen sa John 10:9 ng saling God’s Word. Ito ang katumbas ng “kulungan ng mga tupa.” Kaya ang paraan tungo sa kaligtasan na itinuturo ng Diyos at ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo sa panahong Cristiano ay ang pagpasok sa pintuan na ang tinutukoy ay ang Panginoong Jesucristo o pagdaan sa Kaniya upang makarating sa loob ng kawan. Ang tutupad sa paraang ito ang pinangakuan ng kaligtasan sa ating panahon.

Ang kawan na tinutukoy ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo, na doon makakabilang ang mga taong tunay na pumasok sa Kaniya, ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo:

“… All the flock … the church of Chirst which he has purchased with his blood.” [… Ang buong kawan … ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo.] (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Ang katibayan pa na ang aral tungkol sa kaligtasan na itinuro ng Panginoong Jesucristo ay hindi Niya sariling pamamaraan kundi pamamaraan ng Diyos ay ito:

“Now glory be to God … because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.” [Ngayon ay luwalhatiin nawa ang Diyos … dahil sa kaniyang pangunahing panukala ng kaligtasan para sa iglesia sa pamamagitan ni Jesucristo.] (Eph. 3:20-21, Living Bible)

Kaya kung tayo’y nasa tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kaligtasan ay para sa atin. Ito ay sapagkat pangunahing panukala ng Diyos na ang kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo ay para sa Iglesia. Ito rin ang “bayan ng Dios” (I Ped. 2:10) ngayon. Tandaan din natin na nasa Iglesiang binili o tinubos ng dugo ng Panginoong Jesucristo ang pagpapawalang-sala at tiyak na kaligtasan (Roma 5:8-9, MB)

Kaya, ang tao na susunod sa paraang itinuturo ng Diyos ay tiyak na maliligtas at magmamana ng kaharian ng langit.

. The teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasizing that those who love their parents more than they love Him will not be worthy of Him, does not mean that they should not love or obey our parents, rather, their love for the Lord Jesus and for the Lord God must be greater than their love for anybody else.

Between God's will and parents wish

Jackie Lou Militante Wrote:

I AM A17-year-old Catholic who been reading PASUGO and inquiring about the Iglesia ni Cristo for almost half a year now.  I have learned a lot of things by reading your articles but I know that I still have a lot more to learn.  And the only way I can learn is by studying your doctrines.

I have decided to undergo Bible study on doctrines but my mother won't allow me to. She thinks I have other reasons for joining your Church. But the fact is, I no longer believe in Catholic teachings.  I can't possibly go to a Catholic Church and expect myself to understand their teachings; nor can I set aside religion or forget I've ever come across such problem and go on with my life. I don't want to be a pagan either.

I really want to study the doctrines of your Church but I won't be able to do this without my parents permission, if I keep it from their knowledge, I won't be able attend the worship services. And If I decide to receive instructions on doctrines in spite of their objections, I will disobey them and sin against God for He ordered us to obey our parents, as written Ephesians 6:1-3.

I know that the second coming of Christ is near. And I don't want myself and my family to be endangered.

How can I convince my parents to allow me to study your Church's doctrines? They keep on saying that becoming a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo won't change anything and that as long as one is doing no evil to his fellowmen, he will be saved. Should I disobey my parents and yet do what is right?

Editor's reply:

It is heartening to note that, at your young age, you have already developed a great interest to search for the truth.

As regards your dilemma, the Bible teaches that we must respect or honor our parents for this is the first commandment with a promise (cf. Eph. 6:2). We must listen to and obey their advice knowing that their intentions are good. But there is a limit as to how far children ought to obey their parents. The Lord Jesus Christ clarified this to His disciples:

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt. 10:37, New International Version)

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that those who love their parents more than they do love Him will not be worthy of Him. This does not mean that we should not love or obey our parents, rather, our love for the Savior and for the Lord God must be greater than our love for anybody else.

If our parents would coerce us into following or believing doctrines and practices which are against the will and commandments of the Lord, we would have to sacrifice obedience to parents for obedience to Christ and to God. Obedience to God must precede obedience to parents. God Himself stated, thus:

“I said to their children in the desert, ‘Do not follow the statues of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezek. 20:18-19, Ibid.)

The choice you have to make may not be an easy one. You have to carefully weigh everything, knowing that your decision will have far-reaching consequences.

We pray that God bless and help you decide properly.

___________________

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com

The Name of the Church

Letter from Romeo Estores:

I WOULD LIKE to know why you call your Church Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ—you use Christ's name in the name of your religion—when you believe that Jesus is not God?  Also, shouldn't the Church be called "Church of God" as stated by Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:13, I Corinthians 10:32 and II Thessalonians 1:4?

Philippines

Editor's reply:

     The Church of Christ upholds to belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is a human and is not God. Jesus Himself attested to this (Jn. 8:40). It was also who He introduced the Father in heaven – and not Himself – as the only true God whom people should recognize (Jn. 17:1, 3).

     Regardless of His state of being, however, Christ is the founder of the Church. This justifies the fact that the Church was called after His name – Church of Christ. In Matthew 16:18, the Lord declared that He would build his Church when He said, “…I will build My church” (New King James Version). Since He called it “My church,” it is biblically sound that the Church be named after Him.

     Moreover, Apostle Paul gave emphasis on the relationship existing between the Church and its founder, Christ:

     “The mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church.” (Eph. 5:32, Amplified Bible)

     Since Christ is the head of the Church, which is His body (Col. 1:18, 24), it is logical to call that body after its head – body of Christ, Church of Christ. Apostle James further taught that true Christians are called by the name of Christ (Js. 2:7, Amplified Bible). Thus, when Apostle Paul greeted the early Christians, he addressed them as “churches of Christ” (Rom.16:16), referring not to many churches but to the many members of the Church.

     When Apostle Paul called the Gentile Christians as “church of God” in Galatians 1:13;  I Corinthians 10:32, and II Thessalonians 1:4, it was to emphasize among the Gentile converts.

     Remember that the Gentiles, prior to their conversion in Christianity, were pagans who used to be “carried away from these dumb idols” (I Cor, 12:2, NKJV). They did not have the right to worship or deify the true God then and, hence, were described in that earlier state as “without hope and without God” (Eph. 2:11-12, Today’s English Version). But when they received the gospel and became members of Christ’s Church, the Gentiles were already recognized by God as His people (Rom. 9:24-26, NKJV) who belonged to the Church ofChrist (Rom. 16:4, 16).

     Thus, by addressing them as “church of God,” Apostle Paul wanted the Gentiles to realize that they no longer belong to the worship of dumb idols, but to the Almighty God. Moreover, in using the designation “church of God” for the members of the Church of Christ, Apostle Paul was merely emphasizing that those who are of Christ are also of God. Rightly so, for this what Jesus Himself testified:

     “I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me … I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but those you gave me, for they belong to you. All I have is yours, and you all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them.” (Jn. 17:6, 9-10, TEV)

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com

To find meaning in a passing world

LIFE ON EARTH is not meant to last forever. Nothing here is permanent, thus, the paradox that says the only thing that remains constant is change. School ends, work begins. We make new friends, we lose old ones. Either we move to different places or the neighborhood itself undergoes changes. Loss and gain alike touch us with sadness, reminding us that nothing in this world is really permanent.

With these incessant changes around us, this is what the Holy Scriptures advises us all to realize when we reflect on life:

“Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. My life is no longer than my hand! My whole lifetime is but a moment to you. Proud man! Frail as breath! A shadow! And all his busy rushing ends in nothing. He heaps up riches for someone else to spend.” (Ps. 39:4-6, The Living Bible)

Not even we ourselves will remain. Children are born, the elderly pass away, and eventually one generation gives way to another.

Amidst a fast-changing world, the desperate pursuit of the basic necessities for survival has the ironic effect of sometimes making us forget the inevitability of death. But even if we forget about death, if only for a little while, this is the kind of life we all experience in this world:

“HOW MANKIND MUST struggle. A man’s life is long and hard, like that of a slave.” (Job 7:1, Ibid.)

Life in this world is a constant struggle: making ends meet, supporting a family, supporting oneself, among others. Other than brief moments of rest and even briefer interludes of happiness, man’s life is filled with labor and toil, day in and day out, year in and year out, until the day he dies.

Meaning and contentment

“God has given to some men very great wealth and honor, so that they can have everything they want, but he doesn’t give them the health to enjoy it, and they die and others get it all! This is absurd, a hollow mockery, and a serious fault.

“Even if a man has a hundred sons and as many daughters and lives to be very old, but leaves so little money at his death that his children can’t even give him a decent burial – I say that he would be better off born dead. For though his birth would then be futile and end in darkness, without even a name, never seeing the sun or even knowing its existence, yet that is better than to be an old, unhappy man. Though a man lives a thousand years twice over, but doesn’t find contentment – well, what’s the use?” (Eccl. 6:2-6, Ibid.)

No matter how long or materially prosperous a person’s life in this world may be, all it amounts to, without contentment, is nothing. Without true peace, that person’s entire existence is considered less valuable than that of a stillborn baby.

If we want this life in such a wretched world to have any meaning at all, the Bible advises us to ponder this question:

“For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?” (Eccl. 6:12, New International Version)

In order to find meaning and value in our very existence, we must recognize the One who knows what is good for us. Some people have asked this question and found their answer in certain leaders or political ideologies, devoting their very lives for a particular cause.

Can those who place their hope on man or any human invention find true peace and contentment? Should we seek what is good for us from man or any man-made ideas?

Ironically, the great things man has accomplished only lay bare his limitations. The rapid advancements in science and technology have been truly wondrous. However, one of the greatest wonders in all of these achievements is that man’s condition seems only to worsen. Wars have become more devastating, crimes committed more abominable, the numbers of poor and hungry increasing, and even the natural environment itself continuously declining in irreparable decay. And the biggest problem that man can never overcome by himself is death.

How about the man-made philosophies masquerading as religions, claiming to bring people to a higher level of spirituality or even back to God? The Bible curtly depicts their utter uselessness:

“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Prov. 14:12, New King James Version)

If any belief or religion claims to bring people back to God and what the people are doing there seems right or good, but what are taught are only man-made ideas, this would only bring its members to a futile end in deep pain and despair. The final end, for those who follow such ways is an eternal torment so horrible that it is called the second death (Rev. 20:14).

We humans are not the ones who know what is good for us and what we must do for our good. It is God, our merciful Creator, who knows:

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Rom. 12:2, Today’s English Version)

The will of God – His secret plan

The Bible teaches us the will of God we should all recognize, the good work that we must fulfill for our own good:

“God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

“All things are done according to God’s plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning.” (Eph. 1:9-11, Ibid.)

In order to follow God’s will we must be in union with our Lord Jesus Christ, with Christ Himself being our head. Once we have followed this, this is how God will consider us in relation to Christ:

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” (Eph. 2:15, NKJV)

God considers His Son, Jesus, and all those in union with His Son as one new man. The Church that is in union with Christ as Christ’s own body – and therefore has Christ as its head – is the Church that all people must join to fulfill God’s will. This Church is the Church of Christ (Col. 1:18, Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Whether we deem the present situation in this world to be happy and fulfilled or gloomy and miserable, we must all do this. Following God’s will – His call to enter the Church of Christ – will give our life meaning and true peace. The Bible tells us why:

“I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people.” (Eph. 1:18, TEV)

Hope gives meaning and value to our life in this impermanent world. Those who listened to and obeyed God’s call by joining the Church of Christ have found true hope. They can hope in God’s wonderful blessings that He has promised to all who would become His people. That hope all Church of Christ members can carry is the certainty of attaining the true life that never ends:

“A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” (Titus 1:2, NIV)

Despite the sadness and the changes which we are all destined to experience here on earth, God, our merciful Father, gives us all the opportunity to join the Church of Christ. Through His words written in the Holy Scriptures, He reminds us that even though this world is filled with more pains than joy, time is nearing when He, our loving Creator and Great Provider, will always be with us to take away all the pains and make our joy complete. He will give us true and everlasting life. God’s promise to His people were seen in a vision by Apostle John. He recounts:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away and no longer was there any sea. I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city coming down from God, out of heaven, adorned as a bride prepared for her husband. A loud voice came from the throne, ‘Here is the dwelling of God among men: He will pitch his tent among them and they will be his people. God will be with them and wipe every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the world that was has passed away’.” (Rev. 21:1-4, Christian Community Bible)

Even though we all may feel pain in this world – even though all people, regardless of personal wealth or social position, experience loss – this will all pass away. We still have the chance to return to God and join Him in the true home intended for us. By joining the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo and serving the Lord until the end, we can fulfill the purpose of our existence and find true meaning, joy, and peace.

If it were true that the Father is the only true God, why then did Jesus declare in John 10:34-35 "God said you are gods"? Doesn't this mean that there exist other gods aside from the Father?

"God said, 'You are gods'"
(John 10:34-35)

Ralph Cyril Quevedo Wrote:

I UNDERSTAND THAT in the Church of Christ you believe that the Father is the "only" true God (emphasis on the word "only"). You publicly declare this in your sermons, magazines, and even  in  your television programs. If it were true that the Father is the only true God, why then did Jesus declare in John 10:34-35 (Good News Bible), "God said you are gods"? Doesn't this mean that there exist other gods aside from the Father?

Stockton, California, U.S.A.

Editor's reply:

     To answer your question, let us first quote in full John 10:34-35 from the Today’s English Version, otherwise known as the Good News Bible:

     “Jesus answered, ‘It is written in your own Law that God said, “You are gods”. We know that what the scripture says is true forever; and God called those people gods, the people to whom his message was given.”

     This pronouncement that was made by our Lord Jesus Christ before the Pharisees who questioned His words is an allusion to some verses in the Old Testament, Psalm 82:1 and 6, which reads:

     “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. … I said, ‘You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High’.” (New King James Version)

     The word “gods” in these verses was used metaphorically of those whom God had placed as judges in the nation of ancient Israel. This is similar to what is written in Exodus 21:6. The Amplified Bible renders it, thus:

     “Then his master shall bring him to God [the judges as His agents]; he shall bring him to the door or doorpost and shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him for life.”

     Another proof that those referred to as “gods” in Psalms 82:1 and 6 are not of the same nature as the God Almighty is that they were to die like “mere men”:

     “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? ...    “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” (Ps. 82:2, 7, New International Version)

     Going back to John 10:34-35, our Lord Jesus Christ alluded to Psalms 82:1 and 6 in order to stress a point to the Pharisees who took offense at His statement that He is the Son of God. In the succeeding verse, John 10:36, Christ was pointing out to His detractors that if they were to accept that those from whom God’s word came are called “gods,” then why should they accuse Christ of blaspheming when He introduced Himself as the Son of God:

     “As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that I blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God?” (TEV)

     But, even as there really are “so-called gods” as mentioned in the Bible, this should not lead us to believe in and worship other gods aside from the only true God, the Father, as stated by Apostle Paul:

     “Even if there are so-called ‘gods’, whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these ‘gods’ and ‘lords’, yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live …” (I Cor. 8:5-6, Ibid.)

     The belief that there is more than one true God other than the Father is erroneous and is biblically untenable. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself made it quite clear when He declared that the Father is the only true God:

     “After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you. … And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent’.” (John 17:1, 3, Ibid.)

     It is very important for one to have the right knowledge about God. According to Jesus Christ, to know and believe that the Father is the only true God and to know Jesus Christ whom He sent is to gain eternal life.                  

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.