Who's The Thief?

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 life more abundantly.

John 10:10

Jesus tells us here that the function of the thief is threefold. He has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. First we must agree that the thief to whom Jesus was referring was the Pharisaical system, not the devil, as many are taught today. (This is proven by keeping the passage in context.)

In this passage a thief is the word klepto, which is defined as a filch, or one who steals by way of stealth type procedures. This particular brand of thief would not be the obvious suspect, but instead, the one last suspected by authorities.

This is why it is so hard to break free from religious bondage today. The system may appear to be correct, when in fact, it is the main cause of spiritual death and those who propagate it today are just as much thieves as the Pharisees that Jesus confronted. And they are just as unaware that it is them being spoken of as the Pharisees were... even after Jesus told them that it was them!

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. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go

in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:1, 8&9

Next, we must see that the word kill used here is the word thuo. Thuo is defined as to breath hard, to blow, to smoke. It's implied meaning is to sacrifice something by way of fire. It is the New Testament word that is used to describe an animal that is slaughtered for sacrifice or celebration. It is used in the New Covenant 13 times, and each time it is in reference to an animal being slain. The one and only time it is applied to the death of a man is when in reference to Jesus being our Passover Lamb. It is never used to describe the death of an ordinary man.

Purge out therefor the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump,

as ye are unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover, is

sacrificed (thuo) for us.

1 Corinthians 5:7

So, HOW do they kill? Surely they don't slaughter animals on an alter. But, since the sacrifice of the animals was nothing more than a symbolic display of a relationship with God; in essence they still DO sacrifice! Since it was symbolic, no internal change was required; therefore no eternal benefit was gained. Doing this is no different than using "bodies" to fulfill a pastoral or corporate vision today. How often do we see someone placed into a ministerial position for the sole purpose of having that position filled, regardless of the persons calling, capabilities or preparation?

There is no difference between the Pharisees sacrificing an animal 2000 years ago and a pastor putting an incapable someone into ministery today just to fill a void in their business plan. God takes no pleasure in our business plans.

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Hebrews 10:1-6

Burnt offerings (or ministerial service) are man's natural response to God's spiritual requirements. The current ministerial services, required or perceived, will not bring anyone to perfection. Any service that we do unto God, must be done unto God alone and must be based upon His spiritual leadings rather than the plans of a controlling overseer....No matter how right it may appear!

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:11-12

Paul tells us hear that the purpose of the functioning gifts is for the perfecting of the saints. The word perfecting is the word katartizo which describes something that is completed thoughroughly for the purpose of accurate joining. It is in this accurate joining that the ministry work builds the body. Notice that in Hebrews 10:5, the Father did not require burnt offerings and sacrifices, but was seeking a prepared "body" and Paul is giving us the necessary guidlines for the building of that prepared body.

The issue with many of the current ministery services is that they are based upon a flawed vision of evangelism. It is taught that if we provide a service to those outside they will be drawn into our congregations. The building of the "body" is based upon an externally viewed numerical quotient rather than an internally manifest heart change. It is much safer to deal with those we do not know than it is to deal with our own flaws and personal issues. It is very common in the current evangelically focused system to provide for those outside of the camp while totally neglecting those whom we are supposed to be "brothers and sisters" with. While feeding the hungry might appear to be accurate and right, doing so while your own "family" starves is not a picture of accurate body based ministery.

Yes, we are each called to do good works. We are each called to minister to those that God places in our path; but, we are called as God calls us. We are not called to fulfill someone else's vision unless we have been joined by God to that vision.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16

That word compacted is sumbibazo and means to force, to drive together, to unite in association or affection, to knit together. The word effectual means to be effective, to be efficient.

As seen here, we are to speak truth in love, one to another, that we may each, individually and corporately, grow up in Christ. We are to be tightly fit together, (there's that pressure), each of us supplying to another the needs of that part, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part .... AND THIS makes the increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.

A whole lot of one-anothering, loving your brother AS yourself, baring one anothers burdens, BRINGING EQUALITY among the brethren and not just having love for a brother, but actually giving and showing that love in everyday life is what those on the outside will see and seek and yearn to be a part of. Seeing others who are living loved regardless of their circumstances is thee most effectual evangelism.

To Be Continued....

So we were saying,

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of

the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

We are commanded to do good unto all, but especially unto those whom are of like precious faith. The word especially is the word malista and means : most (as in greatest degree), or particularly, chiefly. Paul is placing a priority on our good works (unto all), but chiefly unto those of the household of faith. This pattern has been lost in the current system of seeking the lost! The household of faith has become nothing more than a tool to achieve an end, rather than the goal of the entire gospel message.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

John 17:20-23

Paul's letter to the Galatians was focused upon warning the newly formed churches of the infiltration of the "Judasizers" into their midst. Judasizers were semi-Christians in that they were recent converts to the new covenant, but insisted upon the fulfillment of the Law in order to be saved. This perversion of the gospel message was Paul's entire purpose in writing this letter. Paul understood that this polluted concept was contrary to the one of liberty that Christ died to bring to the church.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 2:20-21

Notice that Paul states that attempting to bring the Law to fulfillment "frustrates" the grace of God. The word frustrate is the word atheteo and describes the setting aside of something; the disesteeming and outright violation of something, and in this case, the grace of God.

As we have discussed at length previously, grace is defined as the divine influence upon the heart and the reflection of that divine influence within the life and that is of God. If we replace the word grace with its definition in the above passage and personalize it, clarity is received.

{21} I do not set aside the divine influence upon my heart and the reflection of that divine influence within my life and that is of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

When we allow ourselves to be coerced into religious positions, whether through vain service or rote programs, we violate the spirit of grace and cast aside the free gift. When this occurs, the crucifixtion, death and resurrection of Christ become absolutely meaningless. He did it for nothing; He died in vain. And this is a choice that we make!

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in

your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Colossians 2:11-19

What were the ordinances that were against us; the religious positions that had been developed from the Law. Paul even goes as far as saying that these religious positions are our adversary by the use of the word contrary. Hupenantios is a word that not only means something that is contrary or opposed to us, but that this opposition is one that is covert in nature, meaning that it may not appear as such.

In Christ's overcoming at the cross, He not only freed us from the Law of sin and death, but He also spoiled the principalities and powers. A principality is not only some unseen demonic force encamped over a person or region, but also (and more often) the consequences resulting from the principles a person chooses to live by. When Paul stated that the principalities had been spoiled, he was saying that the operational principals, the foundational religious positions that those under the Law had been forced to endure, were now stripped of their authority. The powers he speaks of are the religious leadership that enforced those positions. That is why he continues, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the sabbath days". These are nothing more than religious positions that man tries to bring us into bondage with.