What God wants from each INC member

Q: What is the covenant of God?

A: "Listen to the terms of the covenant. Tell the people of Judah and of Jerusalem that I, the Lord God of Israel, have placed a curse on everyone who does not obey the terms of this covenant. It is the covenant I made with their ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, the land that was like a blazing furnace to them, I told them to obey me and to do everything that I had commanded. I told them that if they obeyed, they would be my people and I would be their God. Then I would keep the promise I made to their ancestors that I would give them the rich and fertile land which they now have." I said, "Yes, Lord." -Jer. 11:2-5 Today's English Version

Q: Did the nation of Israel complied with the covenant with God to obey Him?

A: "When I brought their ancestors out of Egypt, I solemnly warned them to obey me, and I have kept on warning the people until this day. But they did not listen or obey. Instead, everyone continued to be as stubborn and evil as ever. I had commanded them to keep the covenant, but they refused. So I brought on them all the punishments described in it." -Jer. 11:7-8 TEV

Therefore, Israel was punished for not keeping the covenant to obey God.

Q: What punishment did God gave Israel for their disobedience?

A: "The Lord says, "The people I love are doing evil things. What right do they have to be in my Temple? Do they think they can prevent disaster by making promises and by offering animal sacrifices? Will they then rejoice? I once called them a leafy olive tree, full of beautiful fruit; but now, with a roar like thunder I will set its leaves on fire and break its branches. I, the Lord Almighty, planted Israel and Judah; but now I threaten them with disaster. They have brought this on themselves because they have done wrong; they have made me angry by offering sacrifices to Baal." -Jer. 11:15-17 TEV

Q: Did the policy of God to choose His people stopped when Israel violated their covenant?

A: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." -Jn. 14:21,23 New King James Version

Therefore, the first century Church of Christ established by Christ replaced Israel as the people of God.

Q: Did the first century Church of Christ obeyed or kept the commandments of Christ and God?

A: "The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them." -Acts 20:30 TEV

Therefore, the first century Church of Christ were seduced into believing lies.

Q: Which are the lies introduced to the first century Church of Christ?

A: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." -1 Tim. 4:1-3 NKJV

Therefore, the first century Church of Christ disappeared when doctrines of the demons were introduced to them. The faithfuls were killed. The first century Church of Christ became the Roman Catholic Church. It is the Roman Catholic Church that has the two doctrine of demons, viz: Priests are forbidden to marry and Catholics are commanded not to eat meat on Lent season.

Q: What became of the church that turned away from God and possessing the doctrines of demons?

A: "And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and morning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her." -Rev. 18:2,8 NKJV

Therefore that church became the habitation of demons.

Q: Did God chose a new group of people when the first century Church of Christ disappeared?

A: "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim his praise in the islands." -Isa. 42:9-10, 12 New International Version

Therefore, God continued to chose his people. This new group will come from the time of ends of the earth which is marked by the First World War that happened in July 27, 1914. The Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) had also been registered in July 27, 1914. The prophecy is fulfilled. It is the Church of Christ that became the new people of God.

Q: How does God recognize those who don't belong to Him?

A: "The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants. Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth. And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left." -Isa. 24:5-6 NKJV

Therefore, God is punishing people of the earth for they have defiled and transgressed God's laws for they are not God's people.

Q: How did these people defiled the earth?

A: "The people have defiled the earth by breaking God's laws and by violating the covenant he made to last forever. So God has pronounced a curse on earth. Its people are paying for what they have done. Fewer and fewer remain alive." -Isa. 24:5-6 TEV

Q: How do we members of the Church of Christ, chosen by God, give glory to the Lord?

A: "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love, If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." -Jn. 15:8-10 NKJV

Therefore, Church of Christ members can give glory to God by bearing fruits or being instrumental for the conversion of non members by inviting people in our bible expositions or grand evangelical missions. Likewise, in order to abide with God's love, we must keep or follow or obey all of God's commandments.

Q: What is one of God's commands that we should obey?

A: "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." -Ps. 29:2 NKJV

Therefore, we must always attend our worship services because it is the command of God.

Q: Aside from attending our worship services, what else is required of us to maintain our covenant with God?

A: "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." -Ps. 50:23 NIV

Therefore, though it is still three months away from our year end thanksgiving, we must be sure that we are already prepared for this responsibility.

Q: Besides bearing fruits, besides attending our regular worship services, besides preparing for our year end thanksgivings, what else is the instructions from God to us?

A: "So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father." -Eph. 5:15-16, 19-20 TEV

Therefore, we should also change our lifestyles.If we are not active before, we must be active now in all the activities of the church.

Q: Are we at the losing end if we comply or obey all the commands of God?

A: "But for those who honor the Lord, his love lasts forever, and his goodness endures for all generations of those who are true to his covenant and who faithfully obey his commands." -Ps. 103:17-18 TEV

Therefore, those who are faithfully obeying the commands of God will receive the goodness from God forever and for all our generations.

Q: What do we expect from God if we faithfully obey His commands?

A: "If you live according to my laws and obey my commands, I will live among you in my sacred Tent, and I will never turn away from you. I will be with you; I will be your God, and you will be my people." -Lev. 26:3,11-12 TEV

Therefore, God will not turn away from us and He will live with us and we shall be His people if we live according to His laws and obey all His commands.

PREPARED BY

ERANO G. MANALO