Live by the Spirit

 Those who have the light brought by Jesus from God, when we meet we find we have a spirit, a drive, among us, to do what is right and walk in this light brought from God the Father by Jesus the Son. The Law of Moses written on stone and paper is no match for this life force. It is a spirit propelling us towards life. It is courage. It is willingness. It is the drive towards noble living. Knowing the truth by having believed in Jesus, we are being set free to let this spirit in our sails drive us towards right ways of doing things, which give life to others around and to ourselves. This is what makes us want to perfect righteousness in each part of our lives. The crucified Jesus died in righteousness and we tend to believe the good news that is was for us he died, and that God has raised him from the dead such that he now lives forever. The Holy Spirit ministers among us, manifesting grace from God, and in the wake of this Spirit, our spirits are alive, to produce this life in us and among us. Let us live by this. This is the Way of the Covenant with God Jesus bought for us with his crucifixion. God raised him from the dead to lead us in this way, help us in this way, and teach us this way. God sends the Holy Spirit to bring this help from Jesus to us, in our meetings together in Jesus Christ’s name, and in our individual devotional times. Renew within us, O God, this right spirit, and let us learn to live by it, led as Your Sons by the Holy Spirit you send us. Amen.

Continuing Revelation

 The Book of Revelation came decades after the main rise of Gospel teaching, and shows that revelation is an ongoing process, proceeding continually from the Father, through the Son by spirit given to apostles and even ordinary disciples. If people were think scripture and revelation were closed, they would have assumed that closing off of revelation worth recording as scripture would have happened after the full gospel message was given to Paul. Yet Revelation came later on. So it might be wrong to assume it all stopped there. Books such as Clement and the Shepherd of Hermas came later. Books held by many to be scriptural prophetic writings such as The Apocalypse of Peter. Montanists regarded prophetic writings as a continuation of the prophetic ministry and Tertullian was a proponent of this, although the Roman-powered ecclesiastical system rejected this stance. The prophecies we find given today have huge influence on many. Some gain traction in movies and in speeches by political leaders. Take, for example, the prophetic vision telling how surveillance signified in symbols such as the large bird, sometimes shown as a white-eyed large dark-coloured bird, hovering overhead is an indication of coming judgment and represents the consequences of major sin happening on ground below. It is seen in various movies and TV series, plus it’s symbolic power is taken up in speeches of politicians when there manifestations of this imagery in real life. God does not stop communicating just to fit in with the ecclesiastical system. Jesus showed us this very plainly. Jesus shows us what God is like, by his stances on such things. He refused to stop testifying about himself when the establishment threatened to imprison those who spoke openly about him. His apostles boldly, by the Spirit, insisted human commands could not be obeyed more than God, and they would keep testifying despite official censorship. God does not let human power silence His testimony of prophecy. 

Let us not remain isolated

 Throughout history, whenever individuals have tried to follow Scripture with sincerity and without filtering it through established traditions, they have often encountered resistance from religious institutions. This tension is not limited to any one part of the Bible; it reflects a long-standing pattern in which institutions tend to guard stability, authority, and inherited interpretations, while genuine spiritual insight frequently challenges those very structures. Revelation highlights this conflict vividly because it exposes how easily systems of power—both political and religious—can drift from God, but the underlying issue is far broader and woven throughout the entire biblical story.

This dynamic often leaves earnest believers feeling isolated, as though their commitment to truth has pushed them out onto a limb. Many prophets, reformers, and faithful individuals experienced this same sense of standing apart when the communities around them had grown complacent or compromised. Yet their isolation did not mean they were alone in reality; Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s preservation of a faithful minority even when the majority has lost its way. The experience of being marginalized for the sake of truth is therefore not a sign of error but a recurring feature of spiritual life.

In modern times, the problem is intensified by the wide fragmentation of doctrines and denominations. Each group clings to its own theological framework, often defending it as if it were the whole of truth. In such an environment, it becomes difficult for any single church to fully align with the spiritual insights of every individual who seeks to follow Scripture earnestly. As a result, many people find themselves spiritually homeless, unable to fit comfortably within any particular structure. Yet this scattered condition reflects a familiar biblical pattern: a dispersed, faithful remnant who remain committed to truth even when institutions falter. The challenge is not to withdraw into isolation, but to hold fast with humility, recognizing that others on the same path do exist and may eventually find one another.

Stephen D Green, worded with AI 

The Temple

 Within the peace between the troubles, as apocalyptic troubles worsen, there is time to be redeemed. The Prince of Peace is using it to continue to build the Temple for the Father. This Messiah Prince, anointed for this work by the Father, is fulfilling the promise of the Father to King David long ago, as recorded in scripture. He reaps the rewards of peace which come from the righteousness he fosters in the world. The Temple is for peace, not war. To build it, he must be a man of peace, not war, as the Father warned King David. David could not build it because he had too much war on his hands. Jesus the Messiah Son sends his servants to build this Temple for him, with him, the Father working with them too. The tasks assigned them need effort to complete, and spiritual gifting from the Holy Spirit, even like the Temple built by David’s peace-loving Son King Solomon. Others pretend to build, and build a Temple of the work of man’s philosophies, along Platonic lines, for worldly power and prestige. But this, though it hinders the real Temple work, cannot stop it, as God blesses the real work with the promised Holy Spirit poured out in ordinary sons and daughters. When Jesus returns, will he find faith on the earth?

“Jesus first” Really?

 ‘They like to say “Jesus first,” which sounds inspiring—like the ultimate VIP has finally arrived at the front of the line. But in practice, it’s more like Jesus shows up, flashes a radiant smile, and then politely steps aside while a committee consults a rulebook to see if He qualifies under their membership guidelines, doctrinal checklists, and pre-approved teaching topics. He can still talk, but only if He remembers to couch every word in their approved theological vocabulary. In the end, “Jesus first” really means “Jesus, after we’ve ticked all the boxes—maybe, if He agrees to our terms.”’

—AI-worded

Principles of Jesus for Staying in Fellowship with Him

 Here’s a careful AI-crafted outline of how Jesus’ principle—refusing to build bridges between human traditions and calling people into direct fellowship with Himself—applies today for believers navigating churches, denominations, and traditions:

1. Prioritize obedience to Jesus over allegiance to institutions

• Jesus’ call is personal: “Follow me” (Matt 4:19).
• Church structures, denominations, and traditions are tools, not masters.
• Practical application: Evaluate teachings, practices, and leadership against the words and example of Christ, not simply against denominational authority or popular opinion.

2. Recognize that human systems can pull you away

• Paul’s letters repeatedly warn of divisions caused by human wisdom, eloquent teachers, and philosophical systems (1 Cor 1:10–13, 2:5–6).
• Today, this may include:
• Theological trends or labels that obscure Jesus’ words
• Pressure to conform to denominational consensus
• Philosophical interpretations that elevate human reasoning over Scripture
• Practical application: Ask, “Does this lead me closer to Jesus’ teaching and example, or farther away?”

3. Fellowship with Jesus is experiential, not theoretical

• True union with Christ happens through prayer, obedience, moral transformation, and humility, not through mastering doctrines or reconciling disagreements.
• Practical application: Focus on cultivating a daily, lived relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and acts of love, rather than debating theological nuances to prove correctness.

4. Expect tension and possible opposition

• Just as Paul faced misunderstanding from fellow believers, standing with Jesus’ plain teaching may create friction (Galatians 1:6–9, 2 Corinthians 11:24–28).
• Practical application: Don’t avoid tension by compromising; be prepared to face resistance gracefully, without bitterness, keeping loyalty to Christ first.

5. Use discernment, not rebellion

• Remaining faithful doesn’t mean rejecting all fellowship or community—Jesus Himself valued community among disciples.
• Practical application:
• Stay in communities that encourage obedience to Christ’s words
• Avoid being pulled into patterns that glorify human wisdom over His teaching
• Be ready to step back respectfully from teachings or practices that obscure or contradict Jesus’ words

6. Unity with Jesus, not unity with human traditions

• Jesus never prioritized ecumenical harmony over faithfulness.
• True unity is measured by alignment with His teachings and character, not by consensus or compromise.
• Practical application: Measure your spiritual community by its faithfulness to Christ, not its size, respectability, or doctrinal pedigree.

Summary Principle:

“Remain in me, and my words remain in you” (John 8:31).
Fellowship with Jesus is practical, relational, and experiential.
Traditions, philosophies, and denominational pressures are secondary—tools, not masters.
Obedience, loyalty, prayer, humility, and moral transformation are the marks of genuine unity with Christ, even if it puts you at odds with human systems.

By Stephen D Green using AI to craft the structure and wording

Practical Guide to Staying in Fellowship with Father and Son

 Here’s a concise, practical guide based on Christ’s principles, designed to help believers navigate churches, denominations, and traditions while remaining in fellowship with Jesus:

Staying With Jesus When Traditions Pull Away: A Practical Guide

1. Put Jesus First, Not Institutions

• Your first allegiance is to Christ, not any denomination or human tradition.
• Ask daily: “Does this teaching, practice, or community bring me closer to Jesus’ words and example?”
• Institutions can guide, but they are not the measure of truth—Jesus is.

2. Watch for Human Wisdom That Pulls You Away

• Be alert to philosophies, eloquent speakers, or trends that overshadow Christ.
• Evaluate everything—doctrines, teachings, and leadership—through the lens of Jesus’ words, not human respectability.
• Practical check: If it contradicts or complicates obedience to Christ, it is a distraction.

3. Experience Fellowship, Don’t Just Theorize It

• True union with Jesus comes through obedience, prayer, humility, and moral transformation.
• Studying doctrines is useful, but it is secondary to living under His yoke.
• Cultivate daily practices that deepen personal fellowship: Scripture reading, prayer, acts of love, and reflection on His teachings.

4. Expect Tension and Stand Firm

• Paul faced resistance from believers who thought they knew better. You may too.
• Remaining faithful may create friction—but loyalty to Christ is more important than human approval.
• Stand firm, gently and humbly, when others pull toward human systems rather than Christ.

5. Use Discernment, Not Rebellion

• Fellowship with Christ does not require abandoning all community.
• Seek out churches and groups that encourage obedience to Jesus’ words.
• Step back respectfully from teachings, practices, or philosophies that obscure or contradict Him.

6. Measure Unity by Christ, Not Consensus

• True unity is measured by alignment with Jesus’ teaching and character, not by the agreement of traditions, councils, or majority opinion.
• Harmonizing with human traditions is secondary; obedience and faithfulness to Christ are primary.

Bottom Line

“Remain in me, and my words remain in you.” —John 8:31
Fellowship with Jesus is relational, experiential, and lived.
Traditions, philosophies, and denominational pressures are tools, not masters.
Loyalty, obedience, prayer, humility, and moral transformation are the marks of true fellowship with Him.

This guide is short, practical, and emphasizes living in Christ above all else, without condemning others, but giving clear principles for discernment and faithful obedience.

Stephen D Green, AI-generated

Staying with Jesus Christ

 Staying With Jesus When Others Pull Away: A Biblical Pattern

In every generation, those who choose to remain in Jesus’ own teachings face pressures — sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce — from religious communities that have drifted from the simplicity of Christ. This is not new. It is exactly what Paul faced.

1. Paul’s call: fellowship with Christ, not human systems

Paul opens 1 Corinthians by reminding believers that they were called into fellowship with God’s Son (1 Cor 1:9). Fellowship is not built on accepting the most impressive theology or the most respected teachers, but on cleaving to Christ Himself.

This matches Jesus’ own call: “Remain in me, and my words remain in you.”
That is the heart of discipleship.

2. Opposition arose within the churches — just as it does today

Paul’s most painful struggles came not from pagans, but from Christians:

• Corinth questioned his legitimacy.
• Galatia accused him of preaching the wrong gospel.
• Asia turned away from him.
• Some preached Christ out of envy to “add pressure” to Paul (Phil 1:15–17).

People who sincerely believed they were right opposed him.
He knew the ache of being misunderstood by brothers and sisters who preferred different teachers, different philosophies, or different versions of “wisdom.”

This is the same kind of tension believers experience today when they cling to the plain words of Jesus rather than follow theological trends or philosophical constructions.

3. Paul warned that the church drifts when it leaves the simplicity in Christ

In 1 Corinthians 1–3 Paul sees believers being pulled off-center by human wisdom — by eloquent speakers, philosophical categories, and personalities that overshadow Christ.

He insists:

• Christ is not divided (1:13).
• Faith must rest on the power of God, not the wisdom of men (2:5).
• Believers must have “the mind of Christ,” not the reasoning of worldly systems (2:16).

This speaks directly to the issue you raised: the danger of replacing Jesus’ own teaching with systems of thought shaped by later philosophical influences. When we stop looking to the Master Himself and start attaching ourselves to admired teachers — even well-trained ones — we drift.

4. Only Christ is the foundation — no matter who stands against you

Paul concludes the entire section with a razor-sharp statement:

“No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11)

This was Paul’s anchor when churches resisted him.
And it is still the anchor for those who want to see Jesus the way Hesees Himself.

Christ’s identity, Christ’s words, Christ’s relationship with the Father — these must remain our reference point, not inherited systems, not philosophical categories, not the pressure of groups who believe their conclusions should carry the day.

5. True fellowship with Jesus is lived, not theorized

Paul didn’t find fellowship with Christ by aligning with the majority or adopting the most sophisticated theology of his day. He found it by obeying Christ, suffering with Him, and letting Christ’s mind shape his own.

In the same way, true fellowship today is experienced through loyalty to Jesus’ teachings, humility, prayer, and moral obedience — not through mastering abstract formulations.

This is why remaining in Jesus’ own words keeps believers grounded and united with Him even when human communities pull in other directions.

Wording by AI

True Fellowship with Jesus Christ

 The Apostle Paul’s experience shows that remaining in Jesus’ own teachings has always brought tension, and often the deepest pressure comes not from the world but from within the believing community. In 1 Corinthians he reminds the church that they were called into fellowship with God’s Son, not into allegiance to human systems or admired teachers. Fellowship is centered on Christ himself, just as Jesus said when he urged his disciples to remain in him and let his words remain in them. That simple, direct relationship is the core of discipleship.

Yet, as in Paul’s time, those who cling to that simplicity often meet resistance. Corinth questioned his authority and preferred eloquent teachers; Galatia suspected his gospel; and entire regions turned away from him. His most painful wounds came from believers who sincerely thought they were right, but who had drifted into other loyalties. This makes his letters feel very contemporary. Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus’ teachings straightforwardly rather than embrace the weight of inherited theological or philosophical structures can find themselves in the same position—faithful to Christ but at odds with communities that have adopted different foundations.

This is why Paul warns that minds can be led away from the simplicity and purity that belong to Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1–3 he sees believers becoming enamored with human wisdom, polished speech, and systems of thought that sound deep but overshadow the plain message of Christ. He keeps calling them back to the center: Christ is not divided; faith must rest on God’s power rather than human sophistication; and believers must learn to think with the mind of Christ rather than through the lens of worldly systems. His concern is not that thinking is bad, but that any kind of wisdom—religious or philosophical—that shifts attention away from Christ’s own teaching creates confusion and division.

For Paul, the antidote is simple and radical: only Christ is the foundation. No teacher, tradition, or philosophy can replace him. This conviction sustained Paul when churches rejected or misunderstood him. It is the same conviction that sustains anyone who wants to understand Jesus the way Jesus understood himself, and to treat the Father as Jesus treated Him. Fidelity to Christ is found not in the approval of groups but in listening to the Master and doing what he says.

In the end, fellowship with Jesus is lived, not theorized. Paul didn’t gain fellowship by aligning with the most respected schools of thought but by obeying Christ, sharing in his sufferings, and letting his mind shape every decision. Today, too, true fellowship is experienced by remaining in Jesus’ teachings even when others move in different directions. That is why returning to Jesus’ own words remains the safest and most faithful path, just as it was for Paul.

AI with Stephen D Green 

The Gospel first given to Jews was then given to all

 The sayings of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John, as well as the teachings rooted in Jesus and expressed in John’s epistles, contain a profound gospel message. But they also leave one element unstated—an element that Jesus reserved for later revelation through Paul.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke within a Jewish contextand primarily to Jews. Nothing He said ever implied that His promises applied only to Jews; Jesus nowhere restricts His gospel to Israel. Yet the way His teaching is framed—delivered in Jewish settings, to Jewish hearers, assuming familiarity with the Law—left room for some to conclude that His promises might apply specificallyor exclusively to Torah-keeping Jews.

That is, Jesus:

• did not say that His words were only for Jews,
• but He also did not explicitly say that Gentiles were equal recipients of His gospel promises apart from the Law of Moses.

Because of this lack of explicit clarification, the earliest disciples did not immediately understand that Gentiles could enter the blessings of Christ without first becoming Jews.

Therefore, Jesus commissioned Paul with a further revelation—a clarification especially vital for the Gentile world. Paul insists that the gospel he preached came “through a revelation of Jesus Christ”(Gal. 1:12). Central to that revealed gospel was this truth:

Gentiles who believe in Christ are full heirs of the promises and are not required to keep the Law of Moses or undergo circumcision.

This is the key clarification Jesus entrusted to Paul.

Through this revelation, it becomes unmistakably clear that the gospel promises announced by Jesus—including those in John—apply to Gentiles without the covenantal requirements of Judaism. So when Jesus says in John 8 that:

• those who believe in Him,
• and who hold to His teaching,
• “are truly my disciples,”
• and “the truth will set you free,”

we now know—through Paul’s revealed apostolic gospel—that these promises apply equally and directly to Gentiles who have never kept the Law of Moses.

Paul teaches that any “other gospel” contradicting this revelation is accursed (Gal. 1:8–9). Only the gospel as revealed to Paul—the gospel of Jew and Gentile equality in Christ apart from the Law—is the blessed and authentic gospel of Jesus.

In this light, Paul’s teaching does not contradict Jesus or the other apostles. Rather:

• Paul clarifies the universal scope that Jesus intended but did not yet articulate,
• the other apostles ultimately affirm Paul’s gospel (Acts 15; 2 Pet. 3:15–16),
• and the promises and teachings of Jesus recorded by John are recognized as applying fully to Gentiles without Torah obligations.

Thus Jesus’ gospel, once clarified through Paul’s revelation, is seen to extend freely to all nations—Jews and Gentiles alike—with salvation offered apart from the Law of Moses.

By Stephen D Green. Wording improved by AI.