In the previous article, (God, Horses and Green Slime) we looked at Gen. 1:26 where God says to God, "Let us make man in our image and in our likeness let us make them."  We noted that it is difficult to think of human life as "slime or descended from monkeys" when we see that we came from the heart of God, who valued Adam (humanity) enough to declare that Adam was the best of all HIS creation.  After all, man (Adam)(insert your own name) was created in the image and likeness of God.

However, there was another being in the garden that wasn't nearly so happy with the new revelation of man.  This being was or would be cast out of heaven for pride, insubordination and citing rebellion among God's angels.  This original rebel would get back at God by corrupting the image that God had cast in clay and filled with HIS life... God's Adam.

God is spirit, so we don't know whether Adam looked like God.  We do know that Adam had the attributes of God.  HIS personality, HIS character, HIS heart of compassion, HIS righteousness, HIS creativity, etc.   These were the "image and likeness of God" that were placed in Adam when God breathed HIS life (spirit) into Adam.  But the serpent had other ideas...

New Testament scripture always points toward the fact that there is ONE church ... one universal church on the earth and one local church in each city.  The local "churches" are all a part of the universal church.  Just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, all of the "churches" also are one according to scripture. 

I'd like to develop the point that there are actually TWO churches (or at least two things that we call "the church")  that are entwined together.  One is the real church which consists of the people of God (the ecclesia) who are walking in HIS Spirit and focused on HIM (the one described above in Ephesians 4), and another which is the religious order which we often call the "church."   This order is part of the "world systems."   You can see it in operation when people are more concerned with liturgies, religious order, money,  admiration of men, etc.  When their love is for the things of the world.  Understanding the difference can free God's people to better represent Jesus as they utilize some of the worldly assets of the "church" (buildings, leaders, finances, etc.) but remain focused on "life in the Spirit" and free of having those "things" become their main priority.

Matt. 11:28  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  30  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

This scripture expresses the heart of Jesus to His followers.  It has brought comfort and solace to countless pilgrims throughout history, and continues to inspire and help those in need.  Normally, we look at the fact that Jesus was offering us rest and relief from our burdens.  But I'd like to concentrate on another part of the scripture having to do with the yoke or being yoked with Jesus.  To do that, I need to tell you a story ---.