Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
If God sends someone to His people, and that person is faithful, he does not just sit around and talk about anything when he comes, or even express his own opinions, for “he whom God has sent speaks the words of God” (Jn. 3:34; 1Pet. 4:11). This is true even about Jesus. He himself said, “The words that I am saying to you, I’m not saying on my own . . . but the Father who sent me, He gave me a commandment what I should speak” (Jn. 14:10; 12:49). And on another occasion, Jesus testified, “My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me” (Jn. 7:16). Anyone who has truly heard from God can say the same thing. For example, the apostle Paul declared that his doctrine was not taught him by any man, but came by revelation from God. Then, Paul proceeded to utter a curse upon anyone, even an angel from heaven, who taught a gospel different from the one he preached (Gal. 1:8–9). Paul did not make such a stern statement because he was arrogant or feared competition for the hearts of believers. He made that statement because God had given him what he was teaching, and he knew that anyone who taught contrary to that gospel would be cursed by God, whose message it was.
For those blessed people to whom God condescends to send a messenger, fellowship with the Father and the Son is predicated upon receiving that messenger. Jesus told his disciples, “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the One who sent me” (Mt. 10:40). With these words, Jesus was telling his disciples that no person or group can please God or draw close to Him if they reject the men God anoints and sends to them.
There is no fellowship with God apart from fellowship with His servants who have fellowship with Him. This unalterable fact of spiritual life is demonstrated in the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, and it is confirmed by events in our own lives if God will give us the eyes to see it.