The Sixth Epistle.
DATELINE: Sunday, December 3, 2000.

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See God.

By Rev. James R. Bingham

Special to corndancer.com
POSTED FROM Memphis, Tennessee

I John 3:2-3

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe he is the son of The Living God?

If you believe a certain thing, it becomes a part of you. Our beliefs guide us to rely on knowledge. As our knowledge supports our belief, we are able to live in this world without constantly having to figure out what to do next.

After a while, knowledge and belief become a basis for faith. The continued increase of knowledge provides more evidence for our belief. Eventually, because we believe strongly enough, we come to rely on it without even having to give it a second thought. That, my friends, is faith.

Faith (trusting in what you believe to be true) is the evidence of things not seen (that evidence is the proof in your mind of what you believe). Faith is the substance of things hoped for (while that which you hope for may not be a reality, faith serves as a substitute).

If you are able to say, "everything is going to be all right," then you are expressing faith in what you believe. If you believe in God, you believe because he has proven, time and time again, that he is able to provide your every need, and that he does it every time, on time.

God Makes Everything
Work Out Right.

You are saying, "I believe that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to his purpose." God makes everything work out right for those who love Him and do that which is pleasing in his sight.

Who, or what, is God?

God is love. He is merciful and full of grace. He sent his only begotten Son to manifest himself before us so that we might be able to see him, touch him, hear him, and know him.

Now, for all who believe, he gives them power to be called the children of God. We see God as the Father and the Protector, yet he is meek and mild. When he was on earth, he was a healer, a teacher, and a miracle worker. But did you know that sometimes what you see is not what you see.

Let me tell you about a dog in the neighborhood. To my understanding, this dog is ferocious, yet he will cuddle and play with my neighbors. When he comes around to my yard, this same dog will bark and bark, and bear his teeth, and growl a deep throaty growl. Obviously what my neighbors see as their dog is different from what I see as their dog.

Two Sides to Every Story.

It is not surprising, then, that one man's truth is taunted as a lie by his enemies. What one spectator says happened in a fight can be totally different from what another spectator says happened in the same fight. There are two sides to every story.

If you are secure in your belief, it matters little what others say. Sooner or later, however, the truth of all must be seen according to its nature. We must be of one accord, of one mind. If we believe in the same thing, we are one. Jesus and God the Father are one.

Look at Jesus. Hear his words.

John 10:1
Verily, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Here Jesus is saying if you try to come in among the sheepfold (those who believe in him) by any way other than the right way, then you are a thief and a robber. No ifs, ands, or buts. There is only one way. Those of us who love peace want nothing to do with liars, robbers, and thieves. Remember, there are two sides to every story.

Let's continue. Hear the words of the Lord.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Here Jesus tells us why a thief and a robber should not be allowed to enter. They come to violate. However, Jesus says that if he comes, it is not to violate, but to give life, and to give it abundantly.

Confusion, Disorder,
Havoc, Hate, Division.

Do you consider life to be a world of confusion? A place where disorder, foolishness and disruption are the order of the day? Well, Jesus is saying, any who come among you, for reasons other than magnifying and glorifying the Father, will bring you confusion, havoc, foolishness, hate, and division. They cannot bring life, but rather death to the spirit of life!

Life to the woman and man of faith is built on peace, success, happiness, growth, and positive development. People who receive this holy flavor of life are genuine and firmly planted. They are willing to express love to one another. They exhibit brotherly or sisterly kindness and godliness. They seek a clean heart, a pure heart.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Jesus tells us the exact nature of our reward for becoming pure in heart. The reward for receiving Christ is to see God. We sing, "O, I want to see Him, look upon his face." When you see Jesus, when you see and understand what Jesus teaches, then you also see God, because they are one.

Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Jesus is come to bring us joy, but he confirms that he comes to fulfill all that has been written of him. He came to die for a sin-sick world, for men and women who were lost to sin, and even some who thought they knew, but had no idea what the law really said. Reassured, we rejoice and speak as Job did in his suffering.

Job 19:26-29
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job speaks of the One to come, the One to be persecuted for the sins of the world. And so he says,
28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

Even Job, while under heavy affliction, pain, and suffering, sees another side of things that reveals an aspect of God we may have trouble accepting. Job reflects that while we often relax into the assurance of how good it is that Jesus was persecuted for our sake, we have not escaped punishment. This punishment comes for not speaking up "...Why persecute we him?"... and for accepting our weakness to the flesh, "...seeing the root of the matter is found in me?" Though we are the root of the problem, Jesus serves as a substitute, the perfect propitiation. With his substitution comes peace, justification, and reconciliation before the Father. Ah-h, sweet peace.

Hold on. Remember, I said there are two sides to a story.

Matthew 10:34-36
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

But Jesus said, I come to bring you life that you may have life more abundantly. In our perception, the life Jesus speaks about is one of peace, and joy in the time of sorrow. It is a life where trouble doesn't last and joy comes in the morning. Yet here the Lord speaks of not coming to bring peace, but to bring a sword.

And he says,
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Why? For God's sake, why? I'll tell you why. As it was then, it is today. We believe in the wrong things. We don't believe in Jesus' teachings. We believe in man's teachings and man's way of life. We believe in survival of the fittest. We subscribe to the principle of self-preservation. We smile at the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but when the rubber hits the road, we act as if we've got to get them before they get us.

Without Love, Trust Is Destroyed.

Jesus said love your neighbor, but we believe we can't trust anyone. Yes, I said it. It's sad, but we don't love those we can't trust. As a result of being nurtured and taught this view of life, black people don't trust white people; white people don't trust black people. Therefore, love is covered, blocked, shielded from view. This is not a Christian lifestyle. Christians love because we should show love one to another.

People outside of Christianity ascribe to the principle of living life as it comes, or just leaving it alone if it appears to be too much of a bother. Christians believe they don't need to do anything, that God will do every thing for them. Both kinds of thinking reflect the way of the world.

You can't see God because you are looking at yourself. "But my mother lived this way, and we've always lived this way," you say to me. Praise the Lord, Jesus has said it's not your mother's way. There is only one way. If your mother's way brings confusion, then it is worthy of the sword and must be cut off.

If you brother leads his family into a dungeon of foolishness, poverty, ruin, and personal destruction, then he is living the kind of worldly life that is worthy of the sword -- and must be cut off.

Do You Embrace
The Ways of the World?

If you can find no reason to thank God for deliverance, or for a healing, or for the path he paves for you through the wilderness, then you are living a life according to the ways of the world. Your life, then, is worthy of the sword and must be cut off!

If your lifestyle has led you to depression and low self-esteem, cut it off. You can't see God. Give it up. Then you can see what Jesus has to offer.

Do you realize that treachery roams the land? Can't you see the great flood of confusion everywhere about us? Fear not. This sword is not for you. This sword is the spear of the world, which pierced him in the side so that his spiritual blood could flow freely for you and for me. The blood of Jesus covers us. It gives us strength in our faith. Christians, the blood empowers us.

Christian, those among you who seek a clean heart, a pure heart: Know that the blood protects us from the sword of the world. We are able to say that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Herein is the source of your peace, your joy. Jesus opens the door to life eternal.

So what if we are caught in the struggle, placed in the middle of battle? So what if demons come and demons go? They cannot harm you under the covering of His blood. The true Christian is happy, excited, and unashamed to acknowledge that the Joy of the Lord is his strength and his salvation. Whom shall I fear? Through him, we are more than conquerors; we are children of the most high king. We are children of God.

He walks with me and he talks with me. He and I are one. Greater is He who is in me than the liar who is in the world.

Peace Everlasting for the Righteous.

If the Lord dwells in you, you can face tomorrow with a sense of peace. If the Lord abides in you, you are protected from the evil tongues of men. Even though they talk about you, even though they call you out of your name - and you must know that they are going to talk about you -- fret not. They may try to make your troubles seem worse than they are, but remember, that because they are evil doers, they shall soon be cut, they shall soon be cut off, and the righteous shall have peace everlasting.

John 14:27-29
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Our mission, then, is to see God.

Get Ready! He Is Coming!

What do I mean? See not only the truth before you eyes, but also the truth that is not immediately visible. See God for who He really is. When you read scripture, whether for comfort or insight, consider the nature of your search. Listen: You should search for God in those scriptures. How will you know when you see Him? When you come to understand His goodness and what he has done for you and me, you'll see how He loves you no matter what. You'll see how one day this old, deceitful order of things will be swept away by the Spirit.

A change is gonna come, and it won't be too long comin'. The signs of the times dictate that the end is near. Get ready, it's coming. Get ready, He's coming. Get ready, the King is coming and His reward is with Him. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!

Give God Some Praise!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Rev. Bingham
can be reached by E-mail at
jamesrbingham@juno.com.
His phone number in Memphis is
901.785.5691.