Our God Is Not Limited!

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please find the below article for your encouragement!

May God Bless your week!  JR

OUR GOD IS NOT LIMITED!

The Samaritan woman with whom Jesus conversed at Jacob's well asked Him about the right place to worship (John 4).

The Samaritans considered Gerizim to be a holy place. God had already commanded Moses that when the people of Israel came to the land of Canaan, they should put the blessing on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11: 29).

THE JEWS HAD THEIR TEMPLE in Jerusalem. Therefore, the woman said: Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship (John 4:20).  Jesus answered: Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (v.21-24).

From these words, we understand that God is not bound to any particular earthly place. Although Jesus said this to the Samaritan woman, it is also a teaching for us wherever we are or dwell. Nevertheless, there has always been this trait among those who confess to be Christians—something that seems to follow us—that we want to confine the right Christianity to certain places or areas.

We often think: Do they belong to us? Are they with us?  Yes, the disciples of Jesus also said: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part (Mark 9:38-40).

This does not mean that all who speak of Jesus are with Him, but it does mean that we should not limit the activity and power of Jesus to our person and nearest area of acquaintance. Those to whom Jesus has given His power to drive out devils are not against us, but for us, and above all else, are for Jesus.

The Catholic Church has its earthly headquarters and papal throne in Rome. They consider the pope to be Christ's vicar (substitute) here on earth. The historian tells us that this church has excommunicated and persecuted faithful servants of Christ. This should be a reminder to us that we would not allow ourselves to be led into spiritual delusion. We should not limit the activity of the Holy Spirit—that is God's work. The Holy Spirit works at all times and in all places where God is present by His Spirit, His Word and His Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that God's congregation at Corinth was holy (called to be saints and sanctified)— not only there in Corinth, but in every place they call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:2).

The Samaritans also waited for the Messiah. This woman met Him, and she spoke of Him to the people in the city. Many believed on Him because of her word.

We have also heard the Gospel of Christ, and God has given us faith to believe that which we have heard. This is the gift of God. It is the power of the Gospel. Therefore, we shall not boast in the presence of men or think that we ourselves have been able to comprehend faith. God is the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is not in the power of any person to give faith or to take it away. Many dangers are found that can harm us in our lives of faith.

We see that already at the time of the apostles—when Christianity should have been the purest and uncontaminated by wrong doctrine—when John wrote to the seven congregations, there were only two of them which were not admonished to repent and correct their failures. Those who were the most self-confident had fallen the deepest. The two congregations which were pleasing to God were those who felt themselves to be poor and weak. It is a great grace of God that He has sent us His Word and given us faith in our hearts. It is only through the Spirit of God continuing to enlighten us with the knowledge of sin that we can also preserve the knowledge of grace in our hearts.

Those who will one day, by God's grace, reach home in heaven will see that the limitations or boundaries imposed by man and his judgment are not honored in heaven. There the saved multitude is gathered from the north and from the south, from east and west—yes, from all nations, people and tongues.

The keys of death and hell have not been entrusted to you or to me. These keys are retained in the possession of Him who knows each person's heart and see all of our works. As poor sinners and children of dust, we have no other refuge than the mercy seat and the throne of grace. God's grace is sufficient for salvation to all repentant sinners—yes, even the greatest sinner.

In this life our faith is tried in adversity and tribulation. Even if some would condemn us, no one can take us out of God's hand. We will hold firmly to Jesus, our salvation's solid rock and foundation, and say with Peter: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Amen. ~