“the sign for the substance, the end for the means”
He was referring to the Jews at the time of Christ’s life on earth, but it is frighteningly descriptive of all of the world’s religions, including the professed followers of Christ. This same pioneer also said - “Many accursed one has gone out substituting an empty sign for reality; the shell of the nut without the kernel counted for more than the kernel without the shell.”
Ever since Christ stated that His followers should “…”,
they know all too well what has been said, and that they must…
Do it!
But, in so doing they make the thing that they are doing everything, and “it” becomes the substance of their religion. Everything is twisted to the opposite of how it should occur - “doing it” (i.e. “doing” seemingly righteous acts to prove that they are a Christian), which always ends in egotistical, self-righteous behaviour, and then the inevitable “comparing themselves among themselves”. It’s amazing how “good” one can look when one does that! It is not very hard to find someone that you are “better than.”
Let us just take one example:
Christ said “…”
So, people begin to do “…” because they know that this is a way of proving that they are real believers in their brand of religion. Society even picks up on it and begins to pressurise corporations, businesses, and individuals to comply. Foundations, societies, leagues, unions and associations are formed. Churches also begin to have a charitable branch to be seen as covering the perceived responsibility that they have and that they are doing something about it; to be able to show to all who should question their belief system - look at our _____________ arm and all that it has done for those affected by the particular issue that it professes to be addressing.
Nowhere in all of this is the correct order that Christ was referring to ever even thought of or mentioned. “I am the light of the world”, then, “Ye are the light of the world” - how can that be?
As He lives in us as the Light, His character shines out and others will “see your good works and glorify” God, not the doer taking glory to self, through any publicity, public relations officer or marketing department.
There is only One way to fulfil Christ’s words.
Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent. John 6:28,29
Which is Christ in you. Colossians 1:27
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
Let us abide in Him and not fall back into the trap of trying to fulfil His commands the opposite way to that in which He meant them to be fulfilled.
As Christ lives His life in and through each one of us it is He that is doing the works. He is the Substance and He is the Means!
