“…Now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

I grew up in a religion that believed in teaching and training a child, when they reached the age of reason (about six), the beliefs and practices of that religion. The teaching was grounded in this central point: They were the true church, and they were the interpreters and teachers of all truth. Any teaching outside of the church was false and heresy, and would send you to hell.

As a young child, I had a fear of going to hell laid on me that wouldn’t quit. The church laid upon me many rules and regulations, that if I broke them, I would surely go to hell, unless I could get to the priest and confess them. I left that religion when I was thirty, and joined a protestant denominational church, which was altogether different, but in only some ways.

This particular church taught that they were the true church, and they were the interpreters and teachers of the truth. The big difference was this: the first church based their truth on tradition handed down through the centuries by men, while the second church based their teachings supposedly on the Bible. But in a different way, they laid down rules and regulations that, if not followed, would also send you to hell. Both churches imposed fear and guilt on their followers.

The good news of Jesus Christ is very simple, and it is for all. It is God’s message from heaven that says, “If you will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, He will wash away your sins, and set you free from the slavery of fear, guilt and condemnation.”

The true church of God is simply the corporate body of those who believe in Jesus. It is not an organization or institution with some earthly head; the true church of Jesus Christ is His body, of which He is the Head. It is through the working of the Holy Spirit in the believers that Christ leads, guides and directs His church. And what is the main work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives?

The work of the Holy Spirit in believers is to form them into the image of Christ, according to the will of God. Jesus Christ is the full expression of God’s glory. And so, the Holy Spirit works in us that the fullness of the glory of God revealed in His Son, may also be seen in us. The Holy Spirit also bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God.

God has made Himself our Father; He has birthed us, giving to us a new heart and a new nature. As His children, we no longer live under the law of sin and death; no more fear of condemnation and going to hell. His children have been set free from all of that. When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized into His death—we are dead to this world, and this world is dead to us.

When we were baptized into Christ, we were raise to a newness of life; a life that seeks to live for Him, serve Him and ever to please Him. The Bible is so clear on what pleases our Father: “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

The only sure path in this life for a child of God to please God is to trust Him, read His word and obey Him.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net