have been thinking much about Bible teaching available to the body of Christ. I find there are some excellent Bible teachers but only a few Major Leaguers. I live in Minnesota and there are three levels of baseball played in this state. The first is what I call Miesville baseball. It is made of a part time amateur players who play because they love the game. The second level are those I call minor league. It is made up of the St. Paul Saints. The game is played at Midway Stadium. It is fun to watch but exciting at times but not much substance beyond the present. The third level is the Minnesota Twins. A major league baseball team. Though at times it may seem minor league in the end the team is usually in contention. You can go to the Metrodome and watch the Yankees or Red Sox play.

In the same way there are different levels of Bible teaching. Let me say I have no fault with anyone on any of these levels. The great majority of teachers are like the team in Miesville, fun to watch but amateurish and lack substance. They do it because they want to teach. I am not using as a marker the number of students or were a teacher is teaching. These students teach the denominations teaching. These teachers never move beyond what they started with. I find this the saddest thing of all, getting locked into one subject and spending your days because that is all the teacher knows.

The minor league Bible teachers can be seen on television or listened to on radio. This group is off teaching there own thing without being help accountable by anyone. They too have a message they will continually pound on. Like the amateurs from Miesville growth is very limited. Though you may feel you are growing. You really don't.

The last group are the major league Bible teachers. In baseball teams have scouts to go out and find these players. Like baseball each believer needs to be a scout. These teachers are not easy to find without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These teachers are the diamond in the ruff. Hold these teachers in high esteem. What do these teachers teach? The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the Cross of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-4 1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ, aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Paul says in Galatians 2:20a That I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me…

You are dead. You died with Christ on the Cross. Rejoice because you are dead in Christ. Now what, the Christ-life (who is our life). Christ in now your life.

In 2 Timothy the Apostle was writing his goodbye to Timothy he talks about all the churches having forsaken him. What happened? The churches turned their backs on the Christ-life (Christ in you the hope of glory Colossians 1:27) to move into some form of legalism (works religion). The farther the church as moved away from the Grace of Christ Jesus the more legalistic is becomes. Liberal churches have abandoned Christ Jesus altogether thus I no longer consider them Christian thus no longer an aspect of the Church. The Gospel is about a relationship with Father God. It is not about me doing anything but God doing it all. What do I do in this relationship? TRUST!! (A learning process involved here folks)

The United States, as a nation, as it has moved further away from Jesus Christ has moved into greater forms of legalism. Laws controlling every aspect of life has been created to control the masses. This is the essence of the culture war being faught within our borders. Only in Christ is true freedom (liberty) to be found.