TESTING BY EXPERIENCE ROSS SMITH

TESTING BY EXPERIENCE                                                                                          ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES ARE FROM THE AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED)

We all have ambitions to undertake certain “EXPERIENCES”, the world calls it their “bucket list”, a string of unlikely thrills and spills, whether climbing Everest, or meeting the Queen, everyone tends to dream.

 Some people never learn by experience, they repeat the same mistake over and over and still expect a different result. The experience oftimes needs to be painful to penetrate, like putting your hand on a hot stove, we carry the reminder for several days of that experience.

 The Apostle Paul in writing to the churches has some definite ideas on this matter and spells them out clearly in two scriptures in particular. I have included different versions for clarity sake. Importantly the object of Paul’s exhortations is not the self satisfaction of a “bucket list” but a far greater ambition, that ambition referred to in “SINCERITY,” an ambition fuelled by ambition and crowned with achievement”.

 Ephesians  5:10  (AMP)                  And TRY TO LEARN [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him

Ephesians 5:10 (ISV)                       DETERMINE what pleases the Lord,

Ephesians 5:10 (BBE)                      TESTING BY EXPERIENCE what is well-pleasing to the Lord;

 The BBE translation introduces a factor whereby when we are unsure of the path of progress, that as we proceed our sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit will align our progress to that which is pleasing to the Lord. The “experience“ of this realignment, or the “PROCESS” should then prove our ambition to please the Lord, we should however never need to have that same experience again because ISV version, SO THAT BY EXPERIENCE, or in other words, “ Find Out”

 Rom 12:2  (ISV)                 And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, SO THAT BY EXPERIENCE you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and COMPLETE purpose of God.

 Rom 12:2  (AMP)              Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [ENTIRE] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], SO THAT YOU MAY PROVE [FOR YOURSELVES] what is the GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (This is specifying that we have a unique function, and it is according to Fathers design …   comments mine)

Note these three words, “GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT”, because I see further down that there are similar intentions using different words, all with similar inference.

See Ephesians 5:9-10      For the FRUIT (the EFFECT, the PRODUCT) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly GOODNESS, UPRIGHTNESS OF HEART, AND TRUENESS OF LIFE. And try to learn [IN YOUR EXPERIENCE] WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD [let your lives be constant PROOFS OF WHAT IS MOST ACCEPTABLE TO HIM]. (in other words, “FRUITFUL EXPERIENCES”)

Hebrews 5:13                    For everyone who continues to feed on milk is OBVIOUSLY INEXPERIENCED  (This means that everyone can see that we have no fruit, how embarrassing is that?  …   comments mine)and unskilled in the doctrine of  righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in PURPOSE, THOUGHT, AND ACTION), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]

The expansion of Ephesians 5:9-10 through the benefit of Strong’s Concordance reads like this:-

GOOD  (NESS)                   G18                    A primary word; “good” (in any sense, often as noun): – benefit, good (-s, things), well

G19        goodness, that is, virtue or beneficence: – goodness.

RIGHTEOUSNESS/ACCEPTABLE/PLEASING

G1343   equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: – righteousness.

G2101   fully agreeable: – acceptable (-ted), well pleasing.

TRUTH/PERFECT

G225            truth: – true, X truly, truth, verity.

G 5046      complete (in various applications of labour, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: – of full age, man, perfect.

Of consequence here is that by having these “EXPERIENCES” we achieve two things, firstly, we satisfy the Lord, and secondly we “prove these things for ourselves”.

Only by careful “TESTING”, and proving and experiencing, will Christians know whether a thing is pleasing to God or not, whether it belongs to darkness or light. The directions are clearly set out in God’s Word as to how we should approach our experiences.When David as a young man was called upon to defeat Goliath, he made a very salient point.

1 Samuel 17:39 (ASV)    And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; FOR I HAVE NOT PROVED THEM. And David put them off him.

David found the armour would only encumber him, and would be a burden rather than a defence, and so he says to Saul “I have to get these things off, “I cannot go with these, for I have not proved them, that is, “I have never been accustomed to such accoutrements as these and so I do not know if they work or not, I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS REGARD.

Although David was living in the Old Testament era, he was living proof and an example of the New Testament era, as Paul succinctly expresses in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (paraphrase).” Don’t go to war with your own ideas, get rid of the arguments and theories and reasonings, don’t depend on what you can see, and all those other things that would distract us from the matters that please the Lord, and lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ”.

2 Corinthians  10:4-5       For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of STRONGHOLDS,  (some of the strongholds we have to destroy are our habits, traits, preferences, those things that we assert and have failed as yet to deal with  …  comments mine)  [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

 1 Thessalonians 5:21       BUT TEST AND PROVE ALL THINGS [until you can RECOGNIZE] what is good; [TO THAT] (“experience”) HOLD FAST.

It is noteworthy that the more we practice this principle of “PLEASING THE LORD” that we will obviously become more adept at recognising the way to walk. And it applies to “ALL THINGS”, not just to those things we consider proper or advantageous, not things that we might like to put on a “bucket list”. It reinforces Proverbs 3:6 where we are encouraged to acknowledge Him in ALL our ways.

“Pleasing the Lord” will often be the very opposite to “pleasing ourselves”, thinks like, “I can’t fit study in, I’m too tired to go to church, I have things I want/need to do, I am happy with the way I am and I can’t change”. The test can often be referred back to that identification of self interest, “I, my, me, mine, want, wish, wallow”.

It is one thing to realise we have to “PROVE ALL THINGS” but another to know how to do it. Well the general rule is BY USE OR PRACTICE”. We need to apply every day those keys and principles we have learned so that they become part of us, and not just left on the shelf as a theory.

David had never used the armour, Peter had never walked on the water or fished from the wrong side of the boat, but by “EXPERIENCE”, the use of their faith, the fact that they were “LIGHT” (Ephesians 5:8) they were able to “PROVE AND PLEASE GOD”, by “EXPERIENCING” events/expectations/conventions which to the natural mind were too obscure.

“EXPERIENCE” is something that children lack, it is the accumulation of those “TRIALS AND VICTORIES” that constitute our reliance on the Lord that enable us to conform to His intention, to reflect His “image and likeness”, but we are identified by our “EXPERIENCE”, and become OBVIOUS as Hebrews 5:13 says,  as either kids or disciples

Some people are averse to “EXPERIENCE”, that is, they are lazy or neglectful or averse to change in applying the principles they have either heard preached, or read themselves, or have been proffered the opportunity by Father to engage in His plan and purpose and so their stunted growth is as Hebrews says is OBVIOUS, their behaviour and their communications belie their profession.

Hebrews 5:13                    For everyone who continues to feed on milk is OBVIOUSLY inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and ACTION), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

When we “conform” He will “transform”. By the way, people who have a lot to say do not always qualify as being adult!!!

I think it is important here to reinforce the principle of intense study and meditation on God’s Word, for Hebrews points up that just having a reading plan, or a casual relationship with the Lord, a hit and miss approach, an “insincerity” that lacks “AMBITION”, that does not explore the deep and consequential requirements of our Father, this constitutes a lack of “EXPERIENCE”, and therefore in light of Ephesians 5:10, an inability to “please the Lord”.

This is incredibly consequential, for we not only have at the present time, those with whom we are not popular or acceptable, but in days to come, when there is “A famine for the hearing of the Word” (Amos 8:11) we will be faced with opposition that cannot be coped with unless we have “EXPERIENCED AND PROVED” Gods faithfulness in every matter and circumstance.

But we do well to remind ourselves of Luke 6:26,

“Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly and handsomely of you and praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets”.

Proverbs 16:7                    WHEN A MAN’S WAYS PLEASE THE LORD, (or when we are “EXPERIENCED” ..   comments mine) He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

But we need to embrace the context of this study, and that is found in EPHESIANS 5:8-9

Ephesians 5:8-9                 For once you were darkness, BUT NOW YOU ARE LIGHT in the Lord; WALK as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. FOR THE FRUIT (THE EFFECT, THE PRODUCT) OF THE LIGHT or the Spirit [consists] in every form (NOTICE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE FORM OF THESE ATTRIBUTES …   comments mine) of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

If we think we are able to evidence, say, the fruit of “goodness”, do not be lulled into complacency, because you may have only “one form”.

The word used in the above scripture, “CONSISTS” really means “IT’S FOR REAL”.

Fruit doesn’t grow in the dark, but mushrooms do, the “soil” mushrooms grow in is of questionable origin, not like the fruit of righteousness which is sown in the soil of “peace” (James 3:18).

 So Ephesians spells out the intentions for “fruitfulness”. It is hard to do “dark” things when the flood lights are on, it is easier to see the way ahead when the lights are on, and it is easier to grow fruit when the light is on, and so we should be the “reflection” of God’s nature, the source of the “LIGHT”, and to “PROVE” that fruit grows in the light, that “goodness and righteousness and truth”.

Notice that we don’t get to decide on the fruit we produce, and even more interesting is that we are “hybrid” for there is more than one fruit growing on our “EXPERIENCE”.

How long have we been familiar with the verse in Ephesians 5:11, and longed for the results to be obvious, that the fruit of our “EXPERIENCE” would produce the results that we have pondered for so long, and so we have a benchmark of self determination to see if we are “SINCERE”, if there is “no light, no fruit, no thanks”, meaning we are participating in the enterprises of darkness.

Ephesians 5:11                   Take NO PART in and have no FELLOWSHIP (not only don’t participate, DON’T EVEN FRATERNISE,  .. comments mine) with the FRUITLESS deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose (Proving by Experience) and reprove and convict them.

John 3:20-21                       For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, (or refuses to be obedient to the Word of the teaching they have been exposed to  ..  comments mine) and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved. (This is really saying that he is embarrassed because he has no fruit and no sincerity …  comments mine) But he who PRACTICES truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works (Or his “FRUIT”, not his mushrooms   …   comments mine) may be plainly shown to be what they are (FRUIT, not mushrooms  ..  comments mine) –wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him]. (Or in other words, this man’s experience has been of Fathers directions being obeyed, demonstrated, and evidenced as his faith or “dependence”.)

 “PROVING BY EXPERIENCE” will mean that WE WILL BE, OR ARE DIFFERENT, and this is a hard concept for some people to grasp or adopt, because they want to “fit in “not to “stand out”, and a tree that is in full fruit is difficult to ignore or appreciate, or want to taste, it is recognisable fruit, not just leaves.

1 Peter 4:3-4                      FOR THE TIME THAT IS PAST already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do–living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, revelling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries.  They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, AND THEY ABUSE [YOU].

 Dare I suggest that this “EXPERIENCE” awaits us, so if you want to win the popularity poll with your peers or associates, if you want to be comfortable in your “EXPERIENCE”, if you do not want to be known as “SINCERE”, if you do not regard walking in the “LIGHT” as important, then you won’t have to endure Peter’s warning, but we should be “FUELLED WITH AMBITION AND CROWNED WITH ACHIEVEMENT”, bearing much fruit, expanding our experience, obtaining God’s favour.

But remember “THE TIME THAT IS ALREADY PAST”.

SELAH!!!!

1 John 4:16  And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.

PATTERNS ROSS SMITH

PATTERNS                                                                                         ROSS SMITH  011216

 (ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS SPECIFIED)

 1 Thessalonians  1:7                        SO THAT (refer to verse 6, the need to be imitators  ..  comments mine)  you [thus] became a PATTERN to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus) in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece).

 Ephesians  5:1                                    THEREFORE  (remember what it is “therefore”, and refer to chapter 5 for behaviour patterns  .. comments mine) BE IMITATORS OF GOD [copy Him and follow HIS EXAMPLE], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

 Imitation is a practical duty, not an academic hypothesis, imitators are more than and admirers. It requires that we adopt the “PATTERNS” that are set before us pragmatically in scripture.  (James 1:22 and 24)

 To “love” is to adore

To “obey” is to praise

To “ACT” is to worship, and this is the principle involved here.

“PATTERN” (AMP )  or  “ENSAMPLE” (KJV)     too’-pos

 From G5180; “TOOPOS”  a die (as struck), that is, (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy a shape, that is, a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (“type”), that is, a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): – en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.

 I think we often gloss over verses like this as Paul was speaking to those in Asia, and so we despatch or ignore the truth because the context relates to Asia, and the lesson is lost because we fail to recognise and apply the principle, and therefore miss the accrued benefits.

 A “Pattern” can be described as an example, a blue print, a design or model. A pattern is intended as a guide for making something else, a model that is worthy of imitation, whilst “imitation” is considered the greatest form of flattery”.  A die is used to produce multiple copies.

 Father has set patterns right throughout the Word, not just for our interest sake, or to see how it was done in antiquity, but for us to follow and apply, exactly and meticulously.

 John 8:47                                             Whoever is of God listens (heeds)  to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because (A) you do not belong to God and (B) are not of God or in harmony with Him.

 He sets up the criteria in Corinthians, and assumes we have the knowledge of what is required by making a simple statement:-

 1 Corinthians 14:40                          But all things should be done with regard to decency and propriety and in an orderly fashion.

 An “orderly fashion” means an established trend, an example that has been tested and proven.

 “ORDERLINESS”                                                “The quality of appreciating method and system, a condition of regular or proper arrangement”. This description is basically identifying that there is a pattern to follow, with a result that is both practical and desirable.

 We have recently seen that there is a command for us to follow as found in Philippians 1:10, and part of the challenge is not only to sense the vitality of the matter, but also apply the vitality of the matter.

 Philippians  1:10                                So that you may surely LEARN to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].

 Four ways to learn,    1. Visual,   2. Auditory,   3. Tactile,   4. Kinaesthetic

 If we stumble, others stumble, they follow our pattern. ONE STUMBLE IS ENOUGH TO DEFACE THE CHARACTER OF AN HONOURABLE LIFE.

 We are fortunate that we have great examples and patterns set out throughout scripture, but   if we are like those who refuse to recognise God and His patterns, we are “without excuse”.   (Romans 1:20) Even when we go far back into antiquity we find that Father was quite adamant that the designs He had conceived before ever time began were precise and complete in every respect. Moses was commissioned to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness but was given no latitude as to the colour schemes, the furniture, the dimensions, the materials   or any other aspect.

 Exodus 25:40                                      And see to it that you COPY [EXACTLY] THEIR PATTERN which was shown you on the mountain.

 Hebrews 8:5                                       [But these (the OT Priests …   comments mine) offer] service [merely] as a PATTERN and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, SEE TO IT THAT YOU MAKE IT ALL [EXACTLY] ACCORDING TO THE COPY (THE MODEL) WHICH WAS SHOWN TO YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.

(See Exodus 25:40 & Acts 7:44, Hebrews 9:23, Colossians 2:17)

 There is also a parallel in the construction of Solomon’s Temple, the Divine Architect had laid down plans and specifications that were to be strictly adhered to

 1 Chronicles  28:19                           All this the Lord made me (David) understand by the writing by His hand upon me, all the work to be done ACCORDING TO THE PLAN.

 So the reinforcement of the principle was carried through and repeated as a New Testament example in Hebrews, and the Bible is replete with examples for us to follow and adhere to. The instructions to Joshua way back, are as relevant today to those who would call themselves “Christian” and there is a prescription for us to follow.

 Joshua 1:8                                           This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, THAT YOU MAY OBSERVE AND DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN IT. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

 Joshua 11:15                                      As the Lord had commanded Moses His servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; HE LEFT NOTHING UNDONE of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

 In other words, “DO IT EXACTLY”. The plans and specifications for our behaviour and life style are detailed, they are concise, they are logically laid out, they are not “adjustable”, they need nothing added or removed, they are of the same order as given to Moses, “DO IT EXACTLY LIKE I SHOWED YOU”, absolute precision is required.

 God’s purpose is carried out when His pattern is followed. If I don’t follow God’s pattern, then I failed to carry out His purpose. Acts 2:42 says “continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine”.

 Jeremiah 33:25                                  Thus says the Lord: If My covenant with day and night does not stand, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of the heavens and the earth [the whole order of nature],

 God’s “patterns” are reflected in creation on every hand, the absolute co-ordination and synchronisation and maintenance of the universe is part of Gods covenant, His design, His exactness, impeccable precision, and we take it for granted.

 The enormity of the design that Paul espouses in 1 Thessalonians 1:7, is not just that we should follow his example, even though we are inclined to hold up Paul as the epitome of Christian behaviour, but in verse 6 he extends the solemnity of the charge when he says:-

 “And you [SET YOURSELVES to] (in other words, make a commitment, abandon divided loyalties, get rid of idols  ..  comments mine)   become IMITATORS of us AND [THROUGH US] OF THE LORD HIMSELF”.

 Here the Apostle is explaining that he and the other Apostles were not only setting a good example, but they were actually representing the Lord Himself in the manner that they conducted themselves, and thereby eliminates any potential for deviation away from the purity of the Gospel and the Architect of the pattern. He is so convinced of his relationship to the Lord that he expounds this further in:-

 1 Corinthians 4:16                            So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1                            PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my EXAMPLE], as I IMITATE and follow Christ (the Messiah).

 Paul not only identified and taught such doctrine as they were to BELIEVE, but led such a life as they were to EMULATE AND DEMONSTRATE. Whilst we may be accused of being presumptuous if we made such a similar statement at the moment, the potential lies within each of us, the design or pattern is inherent, so that others can “copy” our evidence of the original design. So what is the pattern that Paul is speaking of, let us take some examples, and see if we can match the specifications. It is called “a life of contrast”   (Ephesians 5:11)  (Genesis 1:26  In His likeness and image)

 Philippians  2:4-8                              Let each of you ESTEEM and look upon and be CONCERNED for not [merely] his own INTERESTS, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same ATTITUDE and PURPOSE and [HUMBLE] MIND be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, BUT STRIPPED HIMSELF [OF ALL PRIVILEGES AND RIGHTFUL DIGNITY],(This seems to be  good start for each one of us, it takes away the pursuit of preference and replaces it with the practice of patterns  ..  comments mine)   so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, HE ABASED AND HUMBLED HIMSELF [STILL FURTHER] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

 This is humility in the ultimate, “He humbled Himself STILL FURTHER.”

 Now we have not been called to endure crucifixion as Jesus underwent, but we are certainly obliged to carry out a crucifixion of self, that “Dying to Self” which enables us to “PATTERN” ourselves after God. Even if we take and apply and demonstrate just the first example of Philippians 2:4, “esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others”, we will be well on the way to pursuing Paul’s example and his injunction, and progressing to being able to issue a similar invitation to “IMITATE”.

 The concerns we have for our own esteem, our credibility, our rights, our say so, our opinion, the list continues, is a direct and contradictory pattern of behaviour to that prescribed above. No doubt it is a pattern that we would like to see in other people, they would be much easier to live with, to communicate with, in fact we would probably view them as being somewhat Christlike!!!

 If we would be “CHRISTLIKE” it is imperative that we become “IMITATORS”.

 Ephesians 5:1                     THEREFORE BE IMITATORS OF GOD [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]

 Whilst the world may view “Imitation as the sincerest form of flattery” I think I would be elated to be charged with imitation in line with Ephesians 5:1

 The first question is “How can we imitate if we don’t know the person or the subject?”  The second question is “what does it mean to “imitate.”” Can we use other words that will clarify for us the intention of that which the Apostle recommended.

IMITATE        to make or do something the same way as (something else) (follow the pattern)

  to do the same thing as (someone) else (follow the pattern

  to copy (someone’s or something’s behaviour, sound, appearance, etc.(to follow the pattern)

Hebrews  6:12                                   In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, BUT IMITATORS, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.

It is not possible, in the natural, other than via some genetics we inherited, to imitate our biological fathers “likeness”, although there is always a large degree of genetic influence.  The only way we can truly “imitate” our father is in our “behaviour.” Now to some that would be considered a disaster, for the example or character some fathers display/ed is one we would hasten to distance ourselves from.  Things like domestic violence, child abuse, drug taking, disrespect, laziness, appetite for the mundane etc.

 We are required not only to think about God, that is, time spent in contemplation and meditation, for often we will feel that we have adequately met our obligations for the day, if we have read for a while, if we have prayed for a while, if we have sat still for a while, did a bit of study.  NO, we have to replicate that which we see in our study. We need to imitate the character of God, that “Wisdom from Above”.

What are the things that come to mind when we think about imitating our God? Some things we would rather ignore because they would run counter to our preferences, of which we should have already dispensed, others we would chose to avoid because it would demean my persona, some we would like to see in other people but they really don’t fit with who I see myself as, we want them to change before I will change!!!

 Then there are others that we definitely would like to portray, things like all the characteristics of the Wisdom from above, and just in case we have forgotten let me fresh our memory from James 3:17.

• Pure
• Peaceable
• Gentle
• Easy to be entreated See “Factor of Eight Study”
• Full of mercy
• Full of good fruits
• Without partiality
• Without hypocrisy.

 Does not that sound like a good place to start to “IMITATE” God, how attractive we would be as an ambassador for Christ if we were able to “IMITATE” and evidence the full spectrum of “moral excellence” that these traits carry. And remember, they are all available to us, we just have to ask (James 1:5) and the Bible says it will be given to us. We just have to remember that it comes at a cost (Proverbs 5:1)and we will be given ample opportunity to show the Lord we have adopted the characteristics above by the way we respond to the circumstance and answer the challenge.

 Genesis 1:26                      God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] MAKE MANKIND IN OUR IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

The reason we don’t look “Christlike” is because we are still becoming “Christlike on the inside, only then it gets to the outside.

This verse is telling because the intention was “MAKE MANKIND IN OUR IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS”, so it covers both our nature and our appearance.

 “IMAGE AND LIKENESS” means to both LOOK ALIKE AND ACT ALIKE

This was the original purpose and creation of God, He made us to be like Him, but the Garden of Eden proved to be the undoing of that original plan and so God the Father had to arrange for His prize creation to be brought back from the pit of corruption. And so, if we are inclined to be called “Christian” then we should be inclined to become “original”, and that involves a whole lot of replication or imitation, commonly called “a new creation”. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God has very attractive characteristic that we would not only do well to imitate but in fact we are commanded to imitate, the Bible says “GOD IS LOVE.” If we are to faintly reflect the God we own, then it will start with this injunction, and without this “LOVE” then we have no claim to be His disciples.

John 13:35                           By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, (A “Disciple” is one who follows the discipline of the leader, or “imitates” the leader  ..  comments mine) IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

 DEFINITION OF “IMITATE”

• to follow or endeavour to follow as a model or example:
• to imitate an author’s style; to imitate an older brother.
• to mimic; impersonate:
• to make a copy of; reproduce closely.
• to have or assume the appearance of; simulate; resemble.

To                    copy is to duplicate an original as precisely as possible:

To                    mimic is to make a close imitation, often to ridicule:
To                    ape is to follow another’s lead, often with an absurd result:
To                    parody is either to imitate comically or to attempt a serious                                imitation and fail:

To                    simulate is to replicate something’s appearance or character:

 No matter how many descriptions and definitions we accumulate, we will still conceive in our own mind what it means to “IMITATE”, and so we really need to explore scripture to create a model on which we can base our behaviour patterns, to identify the nature of God, no matter how confronting or how desirable, we do not have the prerogative to choose which ones we will adopt and which ones we will ignore.

 “GOD IS”

 Before we go into extensive lists of the attributes of our God, there is one that should take our real focus, and that is He is the “FORGIVER.” That is the only reason you and I are here today, and that is the first attribute we should copy, for it is the first act of “LOVE” and Jesus demonstrated this, so it is a characteristic for us to imitate. Love, Humility and Forgiveness all go hand in hand, a blue print for our life.

 Just a sample of His attributes we should imitate/copy/emulate        (SEE THE LISTING AT THE END OF THE STUDY)

 It is one thing to provide a list, it is another to actually look at the verses and see the rich intentions of the descriptions of the One we should imitate, so these verses will set us on a course of identifying the characteristic we should manifest.

 Mark 12:29                          Jesus answered, The first and principal one of all commands is: Hear, O Israel, THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;  . (And His intentions that we should be “ONE” and also form “ONE BODY”)

John 3:33                             Whoever receives His testimony has set his seal of approval to this: GOD IS TRUE. [That man has definitely certified, acknowledged, declared once and for all, and is himself assured that it is divine truth that God cannot lie].

John 4:24                             GOD IS A SPIRIT (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

 John 8:47                             WHOEVER IS OF GOD LISTENS TO GOD. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or IN HARMONY WITH HIM.

Acts 8:37                              And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that JESUS IS THE MESSIAH AND ACCEPT HIM AS THE AUTHOR OF YOUR SALVATION in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.

 Acts 10:34                            And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY AND IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS,

Romans 2:11                      FOR GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].

1Corinthians 1:9                GOD IS FAITHFUL (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Corinthians 1:24             But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), CHRIST [IS] THE POWER OF GOD AND THE WISDOM OF GOD.

Exodus 15:26                      Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, FOR I AM THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU.

From the examples above we must identify those characteristics we can most readily apply, then conscientiously and sincerely work at all the other attributes that make up the nature and behaviour of God.

 This may sound an impossible task, but it is in the persistent and consistent and meticulous application of those directions we see in God’s Word that will bring us to the standard, the pattern, the blue print, that Father originally intended and will again reach completion in Eternity.

 SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION —— AND IMPLEMENTATION!!!

 

Love	1 John  4:16
Spirit	John 4:24
The Holy One	Psalm 16:10
The I Am	John 8:58
God Almighty	Exodus 6:3
A Miracle Working God	Galatians 3:5
The Creator of the World	John 1:3
All Powerful	Jeremiah 32:17, 27
All Knowing	1 John 3:20
Ever Present	Psalm 139:1, 13
Unchangeable	Numbers 23:19
The Way, Truth & Life	John 14:6
The Prince of Peace	Isaiah 9:6
The King of Kings & Lord of Lords	Revelation 17:14
The Bright & Morning Star	Revelation 22:16
The Way, Truth & Life	John 14:6
The Prince of Peace	Isaiah 9:6
The King of Kings & Lord of Lords	Revelation 17:14
The Lamb of God	Revelation 5:6
The Bread of Life	John 6:48-58
The Bright & Morning Star	Revelation 22:16
The Light of the World	John 8:12
Immanuel	Isaiah 7:14
Wonderful Counsellor	Isaiah 9:6

DOCTRINE OF GOOD INTENTIONS ROSS SMITH

DOCTRINE OF GOOD INTENTIONS                                                                ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION  UNLESS NOTED)

James  1:2-4                       Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, SO THAT YOU MAY BE [PEOPLE] PERFECTLY AND FULLY DEVELOPED [WITH NO DEFECTS], LACKING IN NOTHING.

This whole concept spawns a new doctrine, one you won’t find in all your ecclesiastical books, probably unrecognised as a doctrine, but a well practiced form of religious behaviour.

 I have called this new doctrine “THE DOCTRINE OF GOOD INTENTIONS”. The modern church is full of admirers of this form of service, ask anyone what they intend to do to improve their relationship with the Lord and the answers are readily forthcoming, and generally relevant, but sadly, devoid of any application.

 Let me support the principle from scripture, for it is adequately addressed, using terms that are not obscure, but obviously do not register as important or current.

 Matthew 26:40-41           And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.

 This is a well worn cliché that is now used in everyday situations when we are called upon to do a task, that we know we need to do but just can’t find either the time, the energy or the enthusiasm, we have such “GOOD INTENTIONS” but the fragility of our commitment to the task is nowhere to be found.

 Colossians 1:12                   Giving thanks to the Father, WHO HAS QUALIFIED AND MADE US FIT TO SHARE the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

It is the Father Who has qualified us and made us fit, I’d like to stop that verse right there.

Father has qualified me and made me fit!  Leaving the next couple of words “TO SHARE”, for further down in this study, this statement carries enormous import, tremendous potential and humungous responsibility. It has nothing to do with the local gym or exercise class, or Jenny Craig, but has everything to do with being shaped or moulded, or pruned, or chastened, all procedures that suggest an uncomfortable ride.

What has He made me for, other than “To Share”?

This aspect further enhances the “To Share” part, because He has made me TO FIT INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST. He has established a role and a function for me, but because I have fallen into the doctrinal trap of “GOOD INTENTIONS”, or as we have frequently described it, “mental assent”, then I languish in my paucity of fruit.

Ephesians 4:16                  For because of Him the whole body (Pardon me whilst I digress, notice this is a “WHOLE” body  .. comments mine) (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and FIRMLY KNIT TOGETHER (“MADE TO FIT”  ..  comments mine) by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

A couple of words there are significant, they are “IS WORKING”. Working is different to “GOOD INTENTIONS”

It would be nice to cut the verse off there and luxuriate in a provision that God has given that elevates me out of my shortcomings and failures without my having to do a thing.  God has qualified me, but this qualification has requirements.

King James Version says to be “PARTAKERS.”  It is important to recognize this qualification that God has given us, because this qualification comes with responsibility, not with authority. Some people want all the authority without any of the responsibility.  This qualification comes with responsibility, how many have just bailed out?

Unger’s Dictionary says that to be a Christian requires:-

“A DEFINITE ACTION WITH SIGNIFICANT RESULTS”

We often excuse our shortcomings as a weakness of the flesh, or a fragility of our nature. The term “Christian Fragility” should not exist. Christians should be the most resilient of God’s creation, because “We were made in His image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26)  and we can see from the position in God’s Word that this was not an afterthought but was the original intention of the Godhead.

Now if that is the case, then we should be exhibiting those characteristics that would identify us with the most stable, capable, enduring, powerful, unchangeable and absolute source of strength.

What is the opposite to “fragility?”  So let me make up another word, you may not find it in scripture but I will identify it by character. The opposite to fragility is “reversefragility,” reversefragility  is characterised by unforeseen, random events causing  exponentially more benefit to the individual, and it becomes more obvious the stronger the event is, and conversely the same rule applies but negatively, and can make us like pussy cats when He is The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

 Why is it that we are not embarrassed  by our disobedience to the truth and the promises of God. Even the most basic requirements are either ignored or given passing acknowledgement, just tangential contact with the circle of his love, but no real ambition or hunger for greater things.

 We like, or may even love, God’s promises, but neglect to apply the premises upon which they are conditioned, THE KEYS REMAIN UNUSED.

It has been stated, “The path to hell is paved with good intentions”. Whilst this is not a scriptural statement, it certainly holds true because it is indicative of lacklustre love for the Lord, and consequently constitutes DISOBEDIENCE.

GOOD INTENTIONS ARE LEGLESS, THEY ARE GOING NOWHERE

James 4:13-17                    Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.”  You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live—and do this or that.” But you boast about your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. THEREFORE, ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT IS RIGHT BUT FAILS TO DO IT IS GUILTY OF SIN.

 Whilst this spurious doctrine may not be recorded as such in God’s Word, it is adequately described by the Apostle Paul, but he does not provide excuse for this condition, but provides the remedy.

Romans 7:15                      I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I want to do, but instead do what I hate.

Verse 27                                Thank God through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, because with my mind I myself can serve the Law of God, even while with my human nature I serve the law of sin.

A good heart will naturally produce good intentions, which are the immediate, natural cause, of good actions and thus the wholeheartedness with which we approach matters is evidenced by the fruit of our labours.

Matthew 12:35                 The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.

Ignorance is the result of “ignoring”, and when we are unable to put legs on our intentions then the result is often “ignorance”, because we have not experienced the deep and satisfying rewards that unquestioned obedience harvests from Fathers hand.

Solomon was rather generous when he penned the words of Proverbs 3:28, for what he was really saying was, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you need to do today”.

Proverbs 3:28                    Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it–when you have it with you.

The “Doctrine of Good Intentions” can become so embedded in our nature that we are seemingly comatose and paralysed, and reach the stage where even thinking about our commitments brings us out in a sweat. In a previous study of “HABITUAL VERSUS RITUAL” we saw that “HABITUAL” is something we do as a determined commitment, with an objective in mind that supersedes any mindless engagement. It has a component to it that suggest that there is a goal established by the awareness that we have a supreme purpose to fulfil, and everything else become secondary, and we become addicted to receiving that freshness that comes from hearing God’s voice.

“GOOD INTENTIONS” can degenerate into “INDIFFERENCE” and this progresses to insensitivity, a continuing, escalating downward spiral.

Romans 11:7                      What then [shall we conclude]? Israel failed to obtain what it sought [God’s favor by obedience to the Law]. Only the elect (those chosen few) obtained it, while the rest of them became callously indifferent (blinded, hardened, and made insensible to it).

2 Chronicles 15:2              And he went out to meet Asa and said to him, Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, craving Him as your soul’s first necessity], He will be found by you; but if you [become indifferent and] forsake Him, He will forsake you.

 THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN INCOMPLETE STUDY, BUT HAS ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO EXTEND ITS RANGE AND SCOPE SO THAT WE DO NOT MISS THE MARK AND FAIL TO SATISFY GOD’S HEART

oOo

MORE NOTES ON WISDOM ROSS SMITH

(PDF Version: more-notes-on-wisdom)

MORE NOTES ON WISDOM (OR THE FACTOR OF EIGHT)                      ROSS SMITH

 THE NEED OF PATIENCE

 My contemplation on the subject of “WISDOM” continues to throw up land mines and grenades of truth aimed at destroying preconceptions and misconceptions of firstly what Wisdom is, and secondly, how to obtain Wisdom.

 Initially I was quite comfortable in accepting the apostle James recommendation that if I asked for Wisdom of the “Giving God” then it was simply a matter of being handed my certification from Father wherein I evidenced this enviable characteristic to all and sundry!!!

 You will have noted from the study “FACTOR OF EIGHT” that my misconceptions in this matter clearly declared my naiveté. And so I set about to engage those Christlike characteristics which formulate “WISDOM”. It was only then that I found that when Father gives me wisdom He needs to be sure that he has not wasted this precious commodity and so he makes many opportunities for me to evidence that the Wisdom he has given me is being “gainfully employed”.

 Let me quickly refresh our minds of the ubiquitous “Factor of Eight” virtues that constitute “the wisdom from above”.

 Pure

Peaceable

Gentle

Accommodating (or easily entreated)

Full of mercy                                                        

Good fruit

Impartial

Not hypocritical

 You will, as I have, experienced the “pricks and goad’s” that Father uses to identify the improvements in my nature brought about by his deposition of Wisdom with which I have been “liberally and ungrudgingly” endowed.

 It was then I began to discover that there were some qualifications which I obviously lacked, for as each little test arose I found myself failing miserably and the disappointment at times was almost palpable. It was then that the apostle Paul confronted me in his letter to the Hebrews that there was a personality trait in need a little fine tuning. So that you don’t feel left out let me insert the Scripture here to clarify what the deficiency consisted of.

Hebrews 10:36                                                  For YOU HAVE NEED OF STEADFAST PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE, SO THAT (Without steadfast this patient endurance there is no “SO THAT”  ..  comments mine) you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. (In this case, “Wisdom from Above”)

 It is a well-known fact that patience is a characteristic of the male species!!!!! And therefore I find it quite confronting that the Apostle should be so outspoken as to suggest that there could be some lack of this characteristic in me, but in reflection, I find that there is much promised in God’s Word that I obviously have not yet “received and carried away and enjoy to the full”. Because Paul continues to say “what is promised” requires me to explore further the implications of “STEADFAST PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE.”

 I found it therefore not the least bit comfortable in my consultation with the Apostle James where he suggests the necessity for “TRIAL AND PROVING OF YOUR FAITH.” His recommendations in chapter 1-3 are not just suggestions, they are adamant.

 James 1:3-5                                                        Be assured and understand that THE TRIAL AND PROVING OF YOUR FAITH BRING OUT ENDURANCE AND STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, SO THAT you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

 James is equally as audacious as his Apostolic colleague Paul, and hastens to suggest that this unpalatable roadmap will lead me to the acquisition of “ENDURANCE, STEADFASTNESS, and PATIENCE.”

 It was then, and equally as confronting when Paul explained to the Romans, that there were consequences in the pursuit of patience.

 Romans 5:3-4                                                     Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

 Romans 8:25                                                      But if we hope for what is still unseen by us,  WE WAIT FOR IT WITH PATIENCE AND COMPOSURE.

So firstly I needed a better understanding of patience, and the Greek used in the New Testament indicates that it is the characteristics of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. “Patience” includes endurance, constancy, perseverance.

 It seems that the church at Thessalonica was reasonably well acquainted with the process as the apostle Paul applauds them and also recommends the evidence they provide, “in the midst of persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions”

 2 Thessalonians 1:4                                         And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride among the churches (assemblies) of God for your steadfastness (YOUR UNFLINCHING ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE) and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up.

 So then we need to balance that with the understanding of “Tribulation” and although the Greek is clear it is not comforting. Strong’s concordance says tribulation consists of “pressure, and oppression, affliction, trouble”.

 As a consequence of my ambition to qualify as James suggests, be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing I had to step back and try to reconcile how I could qualify. As is the case with most of us I began to look for the easy way out. This consisted of my exploring some  behaviour patterns which appeared natural to me, but obviously are contrary to the personality Father would like me to evidence. It was then I remembered what the Lord said to Ezekiel, and I have taken the liberty of inserting in red the words which make this verse pertinent to my condition.

 Ezekiel 11:19                                                      And I will give them one heart (attitude)[a new heart (attitude)] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart (attitude) out of their flesh, and will give them a heart (attitude) of flesh [SENSITIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE TOUCH OF THEIR GOD],  (repeated in Ezekiel 36:26)

 Patience is the ability to tolerate waiting, delay, or frustration without becoming agitated or upset. It’s the ability to be able to control your emotions or impulses and proceed calmly when faced with difficulties. It comes from the Latin word “pati” which means to suffer, to endure, to bear. Needless to say, patience does not come easily to most of us and it’s probably harder now to be patient than historically it has ever been.

The instantaneous nature of so many aspects of modern society is empowering, and also a great convenience. It’s so easy, in fact, that we take a lot of it for granted. Travel has never been faster. Communicating has never been easier. Watching “On Demand” entertainment and enjoying other forms of media is not only affordable, but requires as little as a click of the mouse or a television remote control. Unfortunately, the instantaneous aspect of so many facets of our lives has its drawbacks.

When we text message someone and don’t receive a response back for several hours, we debate and ponder the “meaning” of the delay” — as if any postponement is an insult, a display of disinterest, or a subtle message that requires a deep interpretation.      WE ARE IMPATIENT!!!!

Not only has Peter prescribed in 2 Peter 1 a route to being successfully “patient”, (see scripture further down) he is supported by Paul’s injunction to the Galatians, and it is worth noting that the fruit of the spirit incorporates several of the characteristics that form “THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE”, and it is also interesting to note that the letter to the Galatians turns around the order from 2 Peter 1 by starting off with the virtue of “love” whereas Peter concludes with the virtue of love.

Galatians 5:22-24                                              But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, PATIENCE (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), SELF-CONTROL (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. (And dare I include “their impatience!)

 The thought still hovered in the back of my mind that maybe I could be excused in some respects and took the unusual route of asking the experts. They explained to me that I was either and A, B, C or D type personality and that was how I was hardwired for action. The only problem was I evidenced traits from all four categories and therefore risk becoming schizophrenic.

 It is suggested that an impatient person is predisposed to perceive virtually all situations as threatening, not to their survival, but to their goals. And so “IMPATIENCE” again becomes a “self-centred” behaviour pattern, not a “God centred” trait.

 The next expert went on to explain that there are four different temperaments:-

  Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic. This only served to confuse me further, it did not provide the excuses I was looking for and so I have to concede that the advice of the Apostles was a much more promising route to traverse. It is far more secure to rely on the word of God and His directions, for not only are His directions accurate but also preserving, they will keep us from being idle and unfruitful as nominated in 2 Peter 1 : 8 but also successful, proven by Joshua’s experience.

 Joshua 9:14                                                         So the [Israelite] men partook of their food and DID NOT CONSULT THE LORD.  (is this not a classical example of “impatience??)

 You will recall this is after the Israelis had conducted some very successful incursions into enemy territory and eliminated hordes of the enemy under God’s direction.

 So I return to the premise that Paul addressed to the Hebrews, paraphrase, “You have need of patience”. This precious commodity is not like Wisdom, you just can’t ask for it and get a bucket load, it follows a very precise path that we explored previously, as follows:-

 2 Peter 1:5-7                                                      For this very reason, (what is the reason …..”become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature”) adding your diligence [to the divine promises], EMPLOY EVERY EFFORT in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.

 A revision of this study will probably assist me in enhancing my “knowledge” which is a precursor of “self-control” which is the precursor of “PATIENCE”. The challenge which is found here centres on firstly my developing “self-control”, and as Peter does not nominate any particular circumstance in which I have to evidence self-control, I have to take him to mean that self-control is to be applied in every avenue of my life.

 Proverbs 5:1                                                       MY SON, be attentive to my Wisdom [GODLY WISDOM LEARNED BY ACTUAL AND COSTLY EXPERIENCE], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you],

 It would seem that there is no alternative for me if I want to attain to what Father offers in His Word, the dilemma is that you will be watching to see if I have “learned anything” and that I don’t get impatient with my progress but get serious about my complying.

 James 1:6                                                            Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.

 If we think we are “patient” maybe we need to evaluate if it is ambivalence, indecision, vacillation, neglect, double mindedness or even hesitancy. We should not only recall but evidence what James has said NO WAVERING, NO HESITATING, NO DOUBTING, the outward display of our “personality traits” will obviously betray our compliance.

 Hebrews 10:36                                                  For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.

 

oOo

IRON CHARIOTS ROSS SMITH

IRON CHARIOTS                                                                                              ROSS SMITH  101116

(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED BIBLE EXCEPT WHERE NOTED)

Judges  1:19                                        The Lord was with Judah, and [Judah] drove out the inhabitants of the hill country, but he could not drive out those inhabiting the [difficult] valley basin BECAUSE THEY HAD CHARIOTS OF IRON.  (Read, “because they were afraid and disobedient”  ..  comments mine) (See also Joshua 17:16 & 18)

There are “IRON CHARIOTS” in our life that we need to be rid of …..  things that take up valuable territory, such as habits, hurts, disappointments, all things that are like above, “difficult to deal with”.

Isaiah  30:16-17                                 And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! THEREFORE will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that]   one thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill.

Basically “left as a spectacle”, not a pretty sight!!

Can I premise the following study by making a statement:- “Horses and Chariots” metaphorically,  either CREATE FEAR, as above,  or are looked upon to “DELIVER FROM FEAR”. (Isaiah 31:1) And because “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18) then fear must have its origins in the pit.

Anything that detracts from, or is interposed between us and  God is metaphorically, an “IDOL”, a “horse and chariot”, and I trust that as we proceed we will be able to identify this fact, and make the necessary reprisals.

At first glance this verse in Judges 1:19 seems to be contradiction of the authority and Omnipotence of our God, but when read this in context with the behaviour of the Israelites the reason becomes very obvious, if any turn their back on God, either deliberately or by neglect then we cannot expect His intervention, protection or provision. We must not look to or for something other than the Lord to protect our frailty, whether in body, soul or spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:9                         For they themselves volunteer testimony concerning us, telling what an entrance we had among you, and how YOU TURNED TO GOD from [your] idols to serve a God Who is alive and true and genuine,

The Old Prophet Joel nailed it when he recorded,

Joel  2:13                                              Rend your hearts and not your garments (“Garments” represent our outward display of piety  ..  comments mine) and RETURN to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [WHEN HIS CONDITIONS ARE MET].

And so “idols” are something we look to to protect our frailty. The idol of “FEAR”, the thing that is interposed between us and God’s love,  is nothing more or less than a sense of “INADEQUACY”,  which manifests itself in a myriad of ways, and because this “idol” has been of long standing in many cases, it has shaped our whole heart or attitude so that it seems normal, but it is in fact crippling, and in the terms of our study, “CHARIOTS OF IRON IN DIFFICULT VALLEYS” or inadequacies we have not dealt with.

FAITH is the opposite of FEAR, where:-

FEAR is inadequacy and,

FAITH is “The leaning of the entire personality on God” (Colossians 1:4)

Jesus said “My peace I leave with you” so where there is fear, or a sense of inadequacy then that God given peace is absent. John 14:27 is compulsory reading in this instance.

1 John 4:18                          There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].

“Inadequacy” is not from God, because He equips us for every contingency, but we need to recognise that fact and not claim any ability of ourselves outside of His provision.

2 Corinthians  3:4 -5                         Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God. Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.

The idolatrous “fears” that plague us so often, such as fear about, or of people, fear of personal failure, fear of the future, hurts, habits, disappointments etc, and the list can go on, but none of these fears or phobias has any place in the life of God’s chosen children, just like the “IRON CHARIOTS” were supposed to be eliminated before Israel.

Because we are natural we will often feel inadequate from time to time, but those feelings should impel us towards dependence on the Lord to make us competent.

The Israelites obviously had not met the conditions, it was not because the IRON CHARIOTS were too strong for God’s Omnipotence, or because He refused to help them; but because their courage and faith failed when they saw them, as they had turned away from God, seeing themselves as “INADEQUATE” to evict the Canaanites as had been promised. These Canaanites were a curse as far as God was concerned and had no place in the mist of the Israelites, and Joshua had already summed this up in,

Joshua 7:12                                         That is why the Israelites could not stand before their enemies, but fled before them; they are accursed and have become devoted [for destruction]. I will cease to be with you UNLESS you destroy the accursed [devoted] things among you.  (or get rid of the idols, the things that interfere  ..  comments mine)

 

Nothing has changed, we need to “destroy the accursed things” and in this case I want to explore those idols, or “CHARIOTS” particularly the “IRON” ones, that are what we consider, or retain, as part of our improperly perceived survival process, those aberrations of our heart or mind that interfere with our intimate relationship to the Lord.

“FEARS EVIDENCE AS A SENSE OF INADEQUACY”, or an inability to handle or control a circumstance, a failure to recognise our destiny in God, and can be unconscious, conscious or imposed. They are “an accursed thing” because their origin is not couched in the peace God gives, but in the fears satan imposes.

There is a very good reason why I have referred to this particular incident. We will recall that the Israelites were wont to rely on the horses and chariots of Egypt rather than wholly trust God, and as such became an impediment in their midst.

Isaiah 31:1                                           Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots BECAUSE THEY ARE MANY and in horsemen because they are very strong, BUT THEY LOOK NOT TO THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, NOR SEEK AND CONSULT THE LORD!     (how precise is that statement, and do we have “MANY” things that are inhibiting our progress?  ..  comments mine)

Isaiah 36:9                                           How then can you repulse the attack of a single captain of the least of my master’s servants, when you put your reliance on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

Let me digress for a moment, it is in this same sort of context that we are warned that when we come to the Table of the Lord that we deal with improper attitudes because if we don’t then there are repercussions that may not only affect us, but may also have deleterious effects of the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:30)

This dependence by Israel on Egypt and their facilities, their horses and chariots, is in essence both an idolatrous act, and an act of treason. And so we can parallel this principle that anything we choose/prefer/rely/substitute for the reality of God in our lives constitutes idolatry. If we are honest with ourselves we will find there are things that are attractive, or plaguing, or important to us, and we place our reliance, maybe just a little, , but we place our reliance on those things. Some of those things are formidable, like “IRON CHARIOTS”.

Maybe it will help to identify some “horses and chariots” that initiate and perpetrate this form of idolatry, there are surely more.

• Resentment                    )
• Pride                                  )
• Natural talent                 )
• Intellect                            )
• Work                                  )                          ALL HORSES AND CHARIOTS
• Play                                     )                         OR IDOLS. All contain an element
• Entertainment                )                         of fear or inadequacy
• Gluttony                            )
• Double mindedness       )
• SELF            A MAJOR IDOL!!!!!

Colossians 3:5 (B)     “for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God)”.

In every case, we either retreat or hide behind what we conceive as the protective vehicle of the chariot to aid us in combating the challenge brought to us, or rely on the horses and chariots instead of relying on God to conduct a war against what we see as a threat. These things are idols or refuges, apart from the resources of God, unreliable weapons evidenced as inappropriate behaviour or attitudes.

“EGYPT” metaphorically, is well resourced to provide insurance when we feel vulnerable, and if we didn’t feel vulnerable we would not need Egypt’s help. The remedy is not to ignore the problem, it is to deal with the problem. We need to eliminate those needless fears.

Isaiah 51:12-13                                  I, even I, am He Who comforts you. Who are you, that you should be afraid of man, who shall die, and of a son of man, who shall be made [as destructible] as grass, that you should forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and fear continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he makes ready to destroy or even though he did so? And where is the fury of the oppressor?

So looking at the situation in Judges 1:19 the “CHARIOTS” have now become more formidable, they are “IRON” and there are 900 of them, like Isaiah 31:1, “because they are many”.

Iron in Scripture is co-related to bondage and you will recall from Daniel 2:31–34  there is a description of the image whose legs were of iron and feet of both iron and  clay, and this represented the Roman kingdom. Rome was the iron kingdom and iron represented the bondage Rome was to impose and subdue and subjugate all the nations and peoples under Rome.

So the “CHARIOTS OF IRON” come to represent idols that create bondage. We may not necessarily feel we are under bondage to our attitudes, but Paul in speaking to the Corinthians identifies the subversive influences or idols which we either refuse or neglect to confront, and with it comes bondage.

1 Corinthians 6:12                            Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.  (not even those hurts and habits and disappointments, fears etc  ..  comments mine)

The flesh, as identified in the previous list, is an impediment to the apprehension and comprehension of the Truth, highlighting the need to “die to self”.

Romans  6:16                                     Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, (Including our own will, fears, phobias  ..  comments mine) you are the slaves of him whom you obey, (or “succumb”  comments mine) whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?

In the context of the two scriptures above, we can see that whatever we submit to, or repeatedly engage in, either consciously or unconsciously, whether it be any one of those things on the previous list, or character traits we employ to get our own way, we are participating in idolatrous behaviour, relying on “horses and chariots” rather than surrendering to God.

Romans  6:19                                     I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [AND FACULTIES] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification.

“FACULTIES” include all of our senses, thoughts and actions. The slave under the greatest bondage is the one who is subservient to the sensual appetites of life.

Psalm 20:7                                           Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, BUT WE WILL TRUST IN AND BOAST OF THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD.  

“IRON CHARIOTS” in the “difficult valley”, figuratively speaking, are things that we don’t want to deal with, we are happy to have the hill top experiences, where we feel God’s presence and breath the fresh unpolluted air, but get down in the “difficult valley” it gets harder to deal with, so we don’t try to drive out the “Canaanites” of intrusion, because if we don’t disturb them then we don’t have to deal with them. 

IRON represents “strength, inflexible rule, crushing”, so some of these “IRON CHARIOTS” in our lives are ruling or dominating our circumstance, occupying our rightful territory in God and God in us, thumbing their nose at our acknowledged weakness or sense of inadequacy because we have let them become features of our nature. And so they reside in our midst, occupying valuable space in our rightful inheritance. We like to feel God’s presence, but by our actions we are not so keen to feel His control. The Israelites didn’t confront the “IRON CHARIOTS” in the valley, just like we allow unchallenged patterns to co-exist in our lives.

“IRON CHARIOTS” weren’t the real issue for the Israelites,  the real issue was unbelief, distrust, fear and disobeying God. The LORD was with Judah and enabled them to take possession of the hill country, and promised the plain, but they could not drive out the people who were living in the valley and their excuse was because those people had “IRON CHARIOTS” and so they used this excuse for doing nothing, it was all too hard.

Already, so soon into the conquest of the Promised Land, Israel had defaulted on their end of the covenant with God. They had failed to worship God alone, and had failed to drive out the inhabitants of previous regions – but rather let them stay and establish their own settlements just outside of town. And so we are like Judah, able to possess the hill country, but fail in our efforts because of neglect, to go the whole way to eradicate those idolatrous factors of fear and inadequacy.

The IRON CHARIOTS were representative of the weaponry of the Canaanites but in fact were representative of the devil, or those things that opposes God’s will in us. Judah was in bondage for 20 years, bound simply by the fact that Sisera had 900 iron chariots.

Judges  4:2 -3                                     So the Lord sold them into the hand of JABIN king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth-hagoiim [fortress or city of the nations]. Then the Israelites cried to the Lord, for [Jabin had 900 chariots of iron and had severely oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.]     (The name “JABIN” means “intellect” and so we see that our head is where much conflict lies ..  comments mine)

So the oppressive nature of the “IRON CHARIOTS” was so all pervading and overwhelming that even the tourist trade in Judah had vanished, it sapped the very life out of the nation, it affected trade, it meant that the highways were not safe. When 900 Iron Chariots thundered down the highway, imagine how frightening that could be,

Judges 5:6                                           After the days of Shamgar son of Anath, after the days of Jael [meaning here Ehud] the caravans ceased, travelers walked through byways.  (The people were afraid to use the highways, so they used the detours!!! ..   Comments mine)

We are meant for more, we are meant to live fully in the rich blessings, the total expanse and liberty of Christ. But because we compromise by allowing the iron chariots of the enemy to coexist with us in the plains of our lives, we cannot maximize our potential in God. Notice the iron chariots of our enemy love to dwell in the plain or the valley of our lives.

The “plain or valley” is really the daily routine of our lives. Our service to God, our ministry, time spent with the Lord is our living in the hill country. But the PLAINS, those things that constitute our daily living,  are there for conquering. Romans 8:7 says “we are more than conquerors”.

Joshua had already addressed these issues way back, when the tribe first complained, he had declared to them the way to proceed and how to take control of their heritage and destiny. We have been similarly challenged both by God’s written Word and by the declaration of the Word by preaching we have been favoured with.  “Drive out the Canaanites” is the same as “Dispense with your Idols”, get rid of those symbols of idolatry or the means by which the enemy snares us, occupy the plains and consequently free ourselves of bondage.

Joshua  17:18                                     But the hill country shall be yours; though it is a forest, you shall clear and possess it to its farthest borders; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, THOUGH THEY HAVE IRON CHARIOTS AND ARE STRONG.

It is worth considering the continuing story, for it also has strategic lessons for us. Along comes Deborah, a woman dedicated to the service of God, learning in her times spent in meditation and contemplation, under a palm tree, but still in the hill country, learning how to gain the victory over the “IRON CHARIOTS” . Similarly we have been urged to adopt the truth of Psalm 46:10, to “Be still and Know”, an instruction to us as to how we should live, to really know God. She began to share and declare that holiness and repentance were required, doesn’t that sound familiar. She stated how it was, without embellishment.

Judges 4:4-7                                       Now DEBORAH, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth,  (“Lappidoth” means “flame or torches” and the inference here is that Deborah was a “fiery lady”  ..  comments mine)  judged Israel at that time. She sat under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel IN THE HILL COUNTRY (This was no doubt where Deborah spent time in the Lord’s presence)  of Ephraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded [you], Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun?  And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand?

Notice how clear was the instruction, God’s orders to Barak, and how reassuring when Deborah confirmed it, have we also sufficient advice from the Word and from teaching? Has not the Lord commanded us as His people, to act in a similar fashion?

The message began to resonate, it was not just the army that responded but ALL the people began to take notice and the change was universal, not just those who had some vested interest, but the whole demographic.

Judges  5:6-14                         After the days of Shamgar son of Anath, after the days of Jael [meaning here Ehud] the caravans ceased, travelers walked through byways. The villages were unoccupied and rulers ceased in Israel until you arose–you, Deborah, arose–a mother in Israel.  FORMERLY] THEY CHOSE NEW GODS; (or in other words they resorted to idols  ..  comments mine) then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among 40,000 in Israel? My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord! Tell of it–you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way. Far from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even the righteous acts toward His villagers in Israel. (When we take notice of God, then enthusiasm is awakened and His ways are adopted  ..  comments mine)      THEN the people of the Lord went down to the gates. Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam. Then down marched the remnant of the nobles, the people of the Lord marched down for Me against the mighty. Out of Ephraim they came down whose root is in Amalek, after you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen. Out of Machir came down commanders and lawgivers, and out of Zebulun  those who handle the pen or stylus of the writer.

 Notice how the mobilisation took place, right across the populace, whether idly rich, the middle class, the worker or even those sedentary scribes who lifted nothing heavier than a pen.

• The rich people                                             On white donkey and carpet
• Blue collar workers                                      Those who had to walk
• The poorer people,                                       Their job to draw water
• The Scribes Used a pen or stylus              Desk jobs

The war was won under the palm tree, in the hill country, where Deborah sat with and sought the Lord, the events that ensued, that is, the conquest of the plains, were the result of the intercession of Deborah who brought the Word of the Lord, a word which would see the overthrow of the “IRON CHARIOTS”. Deborah was shut in with the Lord, FINDING HIS WAY to fight the battle, she gave “KEYS” of truth to the leaders, she knew when and how to move, and with that insight and discernment the “IRON CHARIOTS” were literally just junk.

It would be unfair to finish the story there, because we often wonder how the Lord can deal with the “IRON CHARIOTS” in our lives, what sort of war has to be waged to rid us of the idols of bondage that prevent us from “Ascending into the hill of the Lord”. (Psalm 24:3-4) So let’s see what happened.

Judges 4:15                                         And the Lord confused and terrified Sisera and all his chariot drivers    (there were 900 chariots, some of which carried 10 men  ..  comments mine) and all his army before Barak with the sword. And Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled on foot.       (Just shows he was a wimp really, an imagined threat  .. comments mine)

So the bravery and intimidation that Sisera had so grossly imposed and evidenced by basically shutting down Judah suddenly eludes him, he is CONFUSED BY GOD , or in other words, CONFOUNDED. And just see how it happened!

Judges 5:20-22                                                  From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The torrent Kishon swept [the foe] away, the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength! Then the horses’ hoofs beat loudly because of the galloping of [fleeing] valiant riders.

 

This is so interesting, firstly there was torrential rain so heavy that the winding river “Kishon” added to the confusion, “an onrushing torrent”that carried the foe away. Secondly, can you imagine how IRON CHARIOTS would have fared in conditions such as this, the land became a quagmire from all the water, and the traffic of 900 IRON CHARIOTS and at least 1800 horses, they would become immobilised and useless, totally disabled because of the inclement weather, AT THE HAND AND INTERVENTION OF GOD.

 BUT IT GETS BETTER, and the KJV is graphic in verse 22, “Then were the horse hoofs broken by the means of the prancing, the prancing of their mighty ones.

 

It seems that in their haste to flee the horses were scared by the battle and the storm so that they attempted to flee but the rocky terrain that they chose to “prance” on, or make their escape, damaged their hoofs, so they would be lame. Horses in those areas were never shod like they are today, and so such a simple frailty disabled the perambulation for the chariots as the horses succumbed to the conditions.

 Those seemingly impossible weapons of and against  our nature that we cling to because we are not brave enough to go down on the plain where IRON CHARIOTS are stabled, they have been defeated by God, and when we do we run into the chariots at every turn, they can be similarly routed and disenfranchised by our drawing close to the Lord as the Word of God clearly shows. When we do, what an expansion of our territory takes place, or in the context we are reviewing, OUR INFLUENCE, the enemy is both confused and kicked out.

 Does it sound all too easy, or maybe too difficult, well the Prophet puts it into the same context as established by Deborah, and attained by Judah when he said.

Joel 2:13                                   Rend your hearts and not your garments and RETURN TO THE LORD, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of EVIL [WHEN HIS CONDITIONS ARE MET].

 oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #17 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #17                                                                            ROSS SMITH

 I want to continue again along the line of what we have been studying in these past weeks and that is WALKING AND LIVING IN THE SPIRIT, and as I thought about it this week, I found that there were some practical aspects to it that we need to come to grips with.  As I contemplated, I found that we have been very well acquainted with the spiritual demands but then there are practical aspects which I think, we also need to understand.

 I don’t know if you heard the news this morning of that which is taking place in the USSR.  (May 1990) The Soviet president determined that the nation will revert to a free market economy, which means to say that people will be able to buy and sell their produce at the markets without the restrictions of what has previously been a Socialist ideal.  But coupled with that, he has announced that unless a person can prove that they are a resident, a naturalized resident of the nation, they will not be able to buy and sell.

 My mind immediately began to do gymnastics because that is the very contingent that will attend the arising of the antichrist; that those without the mark of the beast will not be able to buy or sell, and already, we see the conditioning taking place just this weekend in Russia.  Unless you can produce evidence that you are a recognized citizen of the Soviet nation, then you cannot buy or sell.  We live in perilous times.

 Much of our concentration over the past weeks has been on LIVING AND WALKING IN THE SPIRIT to look at the potential that is inherent within us, installed there by God Almighty.  However, I think it is pertinent this morning that we consider our current situation so that we are conversant with what is taking place and how it should affect and develop us.  We often know how it affects us but we sometimes fail to see how it should develop us.

  There are several aspects that are particularly relevant and we will attempt to navigate a route through the Word of God which will enable us safely to come to that destination of LIVING AND WALKING IN THE SPIRIT despite all those dangerous shoals of daily exigencies which would seek to make shipwreck of our profession.  Each day we face them, and we know what they consist of.

 The first area that I would like to look at is that area of the PROBATIONARY LIFE.

 Not only are we on probation, but so is the whole of creation.  In,

1 John 3:1                            See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

1 John 3:2                            Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

John says, at the present time we are called children of God, and we don’t understand what we will be, but when we see him we will be like Him. But when we go to:-

Romans 8:19                      For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].

 John says we are children of God; Paul says to the Roman church, Creation waits to see the revelation of the SONS OF GOD – the maturity of the children.

Romans 8:20                      For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it—

IT IS ON PROBATION.

[yet] with the hope

Romans 8:21                      That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

Romans 8:22                      We know that the whole creation [of irrational creatures] has been moaning together in the pains of labour until now.

 There is a glorious event awaiting each and every one of us.  Just recently, my nephew in New South Wales was promoted from being a Probationary Constable to a Constable.  To qualify or to be eligible to be called a probationary Constable, he underwent a training programme at the Police Academy in New South Wales, which took him through not only the more obvious aspects of a policeman’s life, that is how to conduct traffic, how to write a ticket, and how to walk, look and talk like a policeman, he underwent training in many, many areas BEFORE he was called a Probationary Constable. At that time he was called a CADET.

 Probation is a period or a procedure designed to test qualifications or character, it is the act of proving.  Today, many competent men are sitting in the pews of churches, being proven so that they can be thrust into areas of ministry.  Unfortunately, there are also men that are

 sitting in pews today that have failed their probation and have to go through some part of the course again before God can reassign them.   We are on probation, but there has to be a reason for that probation.

 In Genesis 2:15-17, we go back and find that probation is a foundational principle of the nature and creation of God.

Genesis 2:15                      And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.

 That’s important.  We’ll come to that in a moment.

Genesis 2:16                      And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

Genesis 2:17                      But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

 Firstly, Eden was a paradise, but even though it was paradise, although idyllic, its tenants were not permitted to be idle, they were to work and to take care of it.  Incidentally, they didn’t have to weed it because at that point in time, weeds weren’t a problem.

Reliability in our work habits happens to be a part of our probation.  When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, he said I want you to work it and take care of it and this is part of the probation that Adam was placed on.

You see, none of us have been sent into the world to be idle, it is a part of our probation to see if we will be reliable in the requirements

of God’s Word and therefore be suitable for heaven.  If we can’t qualify in this dimension, then we certainly can’t qualify in the eternal dimension.  We have bodies and souls to work with, we have this earth for habitation to work on and the Bible tells me in Philippians 2:12 that we have to WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION.

Philippians 2:12                 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

When we come to Christ, when we accept Jesus as our Lord, we don’t just sit back and say, O well, this is my utopia, now I can relax.

The Bible says WORK OUT OUR SALVATION…

If we do not look well to our business, we are then unworthy of this being that God has given us and also of God’s maintenance of us.

Adam’s work was in addition to the pleasures of Eden, he could not be happy and be idle, and the principle still holds.  Today, that is why our nation in so many areas is in turmoil and distress, because too much of the populace is idle, and all it creates is dissent and discontent and problems.  Adam was busy in paradise and he had to be busy to be happy.

2 Thessalonians 3:10       (a verse we are well acquainted with) For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

I wonder how the government would go today, if they were confronted with some authority in God, a prophetic ministry who stands before the government and says, “The rule of the law of God is THOSE WHO WON’T WORK, DON’T EAT.”  There would be anarchy in our nation.  Why?  Because we have reverted from that which God intended.  God has got good work for every person in the Body of

Christ.  There is no need for anyone within the confines of God’s economy to be out of work.

Proverbs 27:23                  Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds;

You see, this is part of the proving that God is putting us through, to see whether we are faithful and reliable in the things that fall to us to do day in and day out.  When we become reliable stewards in the natural, then we can be elevated in the spiritual.

The book says that “promotion doesn’t come from the east or west or the south, promotion comes from the Lord, He puts down one and sets up another.”  That’s God’s work, as we prove ourselves, even in the workplace, God will promote us, not just in the area of our work but in every dimension.

Adam’s probation was a test of his obedience, and if he failed his probation, he forfeited all the happiness of Eden.  Now that in itself was bad, but the implications of it are far worse.

• He loses his happiness.
• He loses his Maker’s favour.
• He incurs the displeasure of Almighty God, and the Bible says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.
• He becomes liable to pain and to disease.
• He experiences all the torment of temptation.
• (This rule still applies today). He becomes the object or the subject of God’s vengeance.

He could have eaten of the tree of life and he would have lived forever, and as a consequence, he would have qualified to become like His God, but he failed his probation.

I found a second example which is quite interesting, of God placing men on probation.  The story of Abraham’s confrontation with God is a record of a unique relationship which God instigated (with Abraham) and then he perpetuated it down through Abraham’s descendants.

Genesis 15:13                    And [God] said to Abram, Know positively that your descendants will be strangers dwelling as temporary residents in a land that is not theirs [Egypt], and they will be slaves there and will be afflicted and oppressed for 400 years.

As I thought about that, I thought 400+ years isn’t very temporary to me, but in God’s economy, 400 years is but a vapour. As we are familiar with the details of the fulfilment of Genesis 15: 14, where the Hebrews had been prisoners in Egypt and then they were released in the subsequent deliverance in Exodus.

Just as an interesting sideline, all this was taking place in fulfilment of Noah’s prophetic foresight.  You remember when Noah was getting old and he had this unfortunate incident where his younger son came in and he saw Noah naked in his tent.  He obviously went outside and made a big joke of it because his other two sons Shem and Japheth came in backwards with a rug and covered Noah.  As a result, Noah placed a curse on Ham, and through that curse, came the Canaanites, but on the line of Shem he placed a blessing, which was the line of the Hebrews.

We see that Abraham was taken from his home country and placed in Canaan as an alien or stranger.  The Bible says when God called Abraham out, “he went out not knowing where he was going,” but he went in faith.  This was before Jacob went down into Egypt and the nation became a prisoner and they served their probation in Egypt for 430 long painful years.  But then, we come into the Book of Joshua in

Joshua 24:8                         I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived on the other side of the Jordan; they fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you possessed their land, and I destroyed them before you.

And we see that God restores the nation into its rightful position.  He brings them into the land of the Amorites which was prophesied in

Gen 15:16                            And in the fourth generation they [your descendants] shall come back here [to Canaan] again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full and complete.

Joshua now shows the fulfilment of it, but it is still not complete, the reason that God left this situation was to test the nation, to prove the nation, THEY WERE STILL ON PROBATION.  God was using the conditions of the Amorites to prove or test or put the probationary period on the Israelites.  And today, God is using the condition of some people who are still under the curse, people who are unsaved,

whether they be spouses, whether they be bosses or government authorities – God is using the condition of people who are still under the curse as a proving or a probation for us.

Deuteronomy 8:2            And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Deuteronomy 8:3            And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

When you go through experiences, when you go through those vicissitudes of the day that seem to bring you down to the very earth, when you feel so humbled, when you feel so wretched, understand that God allows these things many times to test your heart.

You see the period of probation for the Israelites was to see what was in their hearts.  When we go to

Judges 3:1                           Now these are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not previously experienced war in Canaan;

Judges 3:2                           It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it.

Judges 3:3                           The remaining nations are: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath.

Judges 3:4                           They were for the testing and proving of Israel to know whether Israel would listen and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He commanded their fathers by Moses.

And so all those things that have overtaken you and me in the last week and months and years, if I can but look with the eyes of the Spirit and see what God is doing – proving my heart – then I will handle those situations much more comfortably.

But the probationary experiences of our lives are not all tests, tests, tests, that gets boring, for if we meet the particular criteria of the event that’s nominated – we all know and we face these events on a daily basis, don’t we, we know what those tests are and we know how often we muff it.  If we can face these tests and meet the criteria then God will honour our progress.

Solomon was an object of God’s promise in this respect.  You will recall in 1 Kings,  Solomon was promised that he could have anything he wanted because he had evidenced and demonstrated a love for God even in the midst of an idolatrous people.  Solomon was very wise in his request and you will remember that he asked for wisdom and understanding.  And so the Lord said to him after he had made his request (paraphrased) Okay Solomon, now you are on probation.  If you qualify, then I will reciprocate.  You say, “How do you get that Ross?”

1 Kings 3:14                         And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.

God deals in the “IF” and “THEN” manner frequently, so see if we are genuine in our commitment.

Solomon was on probation!  God said, Fine, you can have the wisdom and understanding above what any man ever had or will have but along with that, if you will obey my commands, I will lengthen your days.

The condition:  “If you walk, I will give.”  The same applies to us today, He didn’t offer Solomon an extended duration of his lifespan there and then without any conditions, Solomon was placed on probation.

Now we might say, Yes that’s fine.  They’re good examples but they are all Old Testament, but do the same conditions exist for us today?

 When we go to the book of Luke, we see that Jesus shared a very interesting parable, He talks about a man who has a fig tree planted in his vineyard.  How long the fig tree had been there has not been stated, and whether or not it was there when he bought it we cannot determine.  However the tree was obviously old enough to bear fruit but maybe it was not mature enough.  The owner of the vineyard said to the vinedresser, I’ve come here three years running now and that fig tree hasn’t had any fruit on it.  So he expected fruit!  Dare I say this morning, I wonder how many times the Lord has come and looked at us, his vineyard and says “I have come to this vineyard now “x” times, and there’s not much fruit”.  God forbid that that should be the expression of God about this people this morning.

The owner said to the vinedresser, “Look, get rid of it. Why should it take up valuable space and use up the nutrients of the soil when it is not producing any fruit.  Get rid of it”.  But the vinedresser said, “Let’s put it on probation.  Let me dig around it and put some fertilizer around it”.  Let me read it to you.

Luke 13:6                             And He told them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any].

Luke 13:7                             So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?

Luke 13:8                             But he replied to him, Leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil].

Luke 13:9                             Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.

You see, the tree got three year’s probation, but the sentence upon it would be revoked for good behaviour.  The impact of this reached the core of my spirit as I reflected on that which the Lord said to us many, many years ago now, from

Joel  2:13                              Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [WHEN HIS CONDITIONS ARE MET].

This morning, this nation no longer is called Christian, it has been cut off the list of nations that were identified as Christian because we don’t evidence the characteristics that would enable us to call Australia “Christian”, but the Lord says in the book, He will revoke the sentence if we meet the conditions.  We are on probation.

Now the parable was very important, but I thought we needed to have something which is directed more precisely at our hearts.  When I went into John 6v3-6, I found something beautiful, it says

John 6:3                               And Jesus walked up the mountainside and sat down there with His disciples.

John 6:4                               Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was approaching.

John 6:5                               Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat?

We are speaking here of disciples.  John said Jesus went up on the mountain side and sat down with His disciples, they were not some obscure “maybes”, they were true disciples – much like you and I.  People keen to satisfy the heart and demand of their God, without regard to personal cost or comfort, prepared to step out in faith and in trust and do exploits for God, as long as it seems reasonable!!!!

Now Jesus’ question in verse 5 of John 6 was “where do we buy bread to feed this crowd?”  He didn’t say, “How much bread do we need Philip, or how much will it cost?”  His question was “WHERE WILL WE GET IT?”  Now Philip does something that we would never do.  Having been confronted with the question, Philip quickly does some mental arithmetic.  There are 5,000 men and most of them have got their wives and kids with them.

John 6:7                               Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little.

Philip had done the calculation, but that was not the question that he had been asked?  The question was “WHERE are we going to get it?” not “how much is it going to cost?”

John 6:6                               But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do.

The word means to pierce through, across or beyond to the other side, and it is used in its used form to mean objectively test or to scrutinize, to assay, examine, prove or try.

What Jesus was doing here was not trying to find the local hot bread kitchen, He was testing the heart of Philip, Philip was on probation, Philip was the evangelist to be.

Let me find out where his heart is?  Jesus’ question was not intended so much to receive an answer, but he wanted to provoke a response to pierce through, to see the condition of Philip’s heart.  Jesus already knew what he was going to do, and it is comforting to note here.

That little word DO used in this context is a special word, that word DO means “that which is done repeatedly and habitually”, and as such it differs from other DO words, the other words basically mean a single act.  Here we see the character, the nature, the personality, the love of God coming through in a little word like DO.  This was His nature.  He repeatedly and habitually did this.  He knew what He was going to DO.  Why? Because that was the character of our God! God

knows what He is trying to do with us, and He repeatedly and habitually draws us into His presence because He wants to test our heart.  He wants to pierce through the mentality we exhibit and see what the condition of our heart is and see whether we are passing the test of probation.

I know you’ve been sitting there wondering if I’m going to use that Scripture in 1 Timothy 3v10.  You know it talks about the deacons.

1 Timothy 3:10                   And let them also be tried and investigated and proved first; then, if they turn out to be above reproach, let them serve [as deacons].

It would have been much easier to say first, “Look, put those guys on probation, and if they pass then make deacons out of them”. The book says Let them be TRIED AND INVESTIGATED AND PROVED FIRST.

So often that Scripture in 1 Corinthians 4v2

1 Corinthians 4:2               Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [PROVING HIMSELF WORTHY OF TRUST].

That’s the probation that we are going through.  And so the deacons are put on probation, but again, that is probation only for earthly service, earthly but in the confines of the church.  The life that we now lead is on probation for heavenly service.  A far greater and more glorious dimension awaits us but in the process we have to pass through the proving.  Part of that proving is how we can walk and live in the Spirit.  Do we qualify or do we fail?  If we fail, we forfeit.

James 1:2                            Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren,

What do I consider pure joy?  Let me tell you what it is.

“whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations”.

James 1:3                            Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

Whenever you face trials of many kinds, you know that it is for the testing of your faith, and  develops perseverance.  How much pure joy have you had this week?  Every time, whatever it was confronted you and the gastric juices started stirring and you reacted instead of responding – the book says DON’T DO THAT – you fail your probation.  It says, Let it be pure joy, when that thing which annoys you so badly and gets right up your nostrils, then you’re to stand and say “This is glorious”.  You’re thinking “You’re a mug.  I want to get my two bobs worth at the same time”.  No beloved, we can’t do that.

There is a saying that says, “Don’t get made, get even”, but that is a worldly expression and it cuts right across the principle of the Word of God.  The book says “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay”.

So when you encounter trials of many kinds…. You say, “Well some of them I can handle!”  It didn’t say the little ones or those of a particular kind.  We’re to count it pure joy when we encounter many trials.  You say, ‘well, that’s alright for the days when I’m feeling okay, but some days, I just don’t have the resilience that is necessary to handle it…YOU’RE ON PROBATION!

Galatians 6:9                      And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in

due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

So many times we go part way, so many times we go half way, so many times we almost get there, and we give up.  The book says we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Proverbs 24:10                  If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

We need to expect that things will come against us.  When we went back earlier in 1 John 3:2

1 John 3:2                            Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

How great is the love that Father has lavished upon us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  If Jesus was persecuted and crucified and suffered immeasurably, if we are to be his disciples, we then can be expected to encounter trials.

Some people have painted the Christian life as a bed of roses.  Get saved and all your problems are solved.  Not so.  The problems are still there but God gives us the ability to go through them.  There is no temptation that has overtaken you which is beyond your endurance.  The Bible says that with the temptation God will make a way of escape whereby you may be able to bear it, not escape it but to bear it.

But we are on probation – not that we might be elevated from Probationary Constable to some dimension of earthly recognition, we are on probation to see whether we can rule and reign with Christ.  We’ve only got a short span in which to do it.

The Bible says our lives are but a vapour, a wisp of smoke.  That span that we have to live out our lives is just infinitesimal in the economy of God and eternity, but it is used to prove us so that we can rule and reign.

Are you going to pass your probation or are you going to forfeit all that which God has for you.  We can live and walk in the Spirit, and exhibit that characteristic of Christ which develops the patience endurance which brings to us the satisfaction and indeed the success that God intends.

oOo

SELF AWARENESS ROSS SMITH

SELF AWARENESS                                                        ROSS SMITH  111016        

Have you ever stopped to contemplate the torment Jesus must have endured for the entirety of His life.  He knew at a very young age what He was here for, at the age of twelve He was debating with the spiritual teachers in the Temple and was amazing them.  (Luke 2:46-48)

“And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies”.

Jesus “SELF AWARENESS” was not WHO HE WAS,  but WHAT WAS HIS DESTINY, our challenge likewise is not “WHO WE ARE BUT WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR”, to know and appreciate our destiny.

But Jesus, when chastened by His worried parents in verse 49, He made an incisive and profound insight into what was obviously continuing to revolve in His mind. Although Joseph and Mary knew their son was a special child, they obviously had no concept of how deep and extensive was His daily contemplation, His “SELF AWARENESS”.

Verse 49                                              “And He said to them, HOW IS IT that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that IT IS NECESSARY [AS A DUTY] FOR ME TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE AND [OCCUPIED] ABOUT MY FATHER’S BUSINESS”.

Jesus knew what was required of Him from at least 12 years of age, if not earlier, and carried this awareness until He was 33, or at least another 21 years until the fulfilment of His commission, to face what He knew was inevitable. Jesus knew what He was here for, and so I ask myself, do I have any real appreciation of what “I AM HERE FOR?’

The only way I can even begin to understand is to reflect on my mental state when facing events that are either objectionable or odious to me. If I have a dental appointment for maybe a  month  down the track, my mind suddenly become cinematic, , I can visualise the clinic rooms, almost feel the slippery and shiny surface of the chair that will recline me for my treatment and pain, to anticipate what the dentist may have in mind to do to me, and so I generally try to avoid these “futuristic” events.

 But Jesus knew for at least 21 years the “PROCESS” He was called upon to pass through and He never wavered. The closest He ever came to revealing how  traumatic  was His journey, when the hour of culmination approached was when He said in Matthew 26:39, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me”, for in verse 38 He had disclosed to His disciples how pressured He was.

Matthew  26:38                                Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.

On numerous times Jesus intimated that He was on a mission that no one really knew about and certainly didn’t understand, and here are some of those instances.

On His way to Jerusalem                          Matthew 20:18-19 Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes; and they will sentence Him to death  And deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and whipped and crucified, and He will be raised [to life] on the third day.

What an awareness of that which awaited Him in Jerusalem, a consciousness that was with Him every moment of the day

When Salome, the mother of James and John asked a favour   Matthew 20:22  But Jesus replied, You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized ?

No explanation of the trauma that awaited Him, but the nature of Salome and her sons was to be totally oblivious to Jesus destiny.

After establishing the communion with the disciples.   Matthew  26:31-32  Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

When His mother enquired about the wine at the feast                                      John 2:4    Jesus said to her, [Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? [What do we have in common? Leave it to Me.] My time (hour to act) has not yet come

 Jesus also endured vicious assaults against His person in the form of plots and slanders and all sorts of derogatory insults, all the while knowing that there was a complete lack of recognition of who and what the people were addressing, but they were a constant reminder of what He faced..

In Matthew 13:55 the people show total disregards for His character, they denigrate Him, “Is not this the carpenter’s son”? It is true he was reputed to be so, and there should be no disgrace to be the son of an honest tradesman; they should have respected him the more because he was one of themselves, but therefore they despised him. Even in Old Testament times the Priests had to make sacrifice for the “Sins of ignorance an thoughtlessness”. (Hebrews 9:7)

Even when His whole commission was the redemption of mankind, those for whom He was to suffer and die, and to carry the anticipation of that even, John says in 1:11, “He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own–His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him”.

How devastating it is to us when we are sometimes not accepted in a group, or a committee, or even by one we thought was a friend, but those to who Jesus came “they who were His own” but they turned Him down to His face.

There is another telling example when Jesus was with His disciples, a time I am sure He cherished because at least they had some affinity with Him, even in their ignorance. How poignant that He should try and educate them into what He knew was an unavoidable experience, and how compassionate to alert them so they could be ready for it.

Mar 8:31-33                                        And HE BEGAN TO TEACH THEM that the Son of Man must of necessity suffer many things and be tested and disapproved and rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be put to death, and after three days rise again [from death].  And He said this freely (frankly, plainly, and explicitly, MAKING IT UNMISTAKABLE). (There is absolutely no ambiguity in Jesus teaching, either then or now, He make is “UNMISTAKABLE  ..  comments mine)And Peter took Him by the hand and led Him aside and then [facing Him] began to rebuke Him. (The audacious Peter at his best  ..  comments mine) But turning around [His back to Peter] and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind Me, Satan! For YOU DO NOT HAVE A MIND INTENT ON PROMOTING WHAT GOD WILLS, but what pleases men [you are not on God’s side, but that of men].

Here we have one of the Lord’s closest friends and disciples being upbraided because having made the situation patently clear, in fact “UNMISTAKABLE”, Peter still doesn’t get it, his mind was not focused on what Jesus had just told them, he had another agenda.

I would suggest that we have also been similarly educated in what is required of us, “unambiguously”, in terms that are clear and concise, and we too frequently fail to grasp the significance of what Gods Word is saying to us because our “agenda” does not properly represent what is the object of our life.

In John 2:4 Jesus notes “My hour is not yet come”, as well as in John, 7:6-8, 8:20,  He knew of plots against Him, John 5:13-16, In John 12:23 Then He knew His hour had come, and I find in almost incomprehensible for Jesus to be so calm as in:-

John 18:4                                             Then Jesus, KNOWING ALL THAT WAS ABOUT TO BEFALL HIM, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?]

All His life Jesus knew the purpose and outcome of what He was to be and do, His destiny, He came with the understanding that there was only suffering and rejection, pain and anguish, contempt and hate, bitterness and disappointment, and Mark sums it up so concisely when he penned so briefly, but oh so profoundly:-

Mark 10:45                                          For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered to Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (instead of) many.

So the question now is posed to us, DO WE HAVE ANY REAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR, THE ROUTE WE ARE TO TRAVERSE, THE EXPERIENCES WE SHOULD BE EXPECTING, OR ARE WE BLISSFULLY UNAWARE, IGNORANT AND DISOBEDIENT BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW OUR TRUE DESTINY IN GOD.

Ephesians 5:10                                  And TRY TO LEARN [IN YOUR EXPERIENCE] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].

James 1:23-24                                    For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;  For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and PROMPTLY FORGETS WHAT HE WAS LIKE.

Pauls instructions to the Ephesians was that they should not only “LEARN” but also “LIVE” the truth that had been imparted to them, they should have an awareness of their purpose, and it came through experience and application.

Hebrews 5:9                                       And, [HIS (Jesus) COMPLETED EXPERIENCE] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him

Are we facing any experiences that are intended to produce in us a result that is intended to “Perfectly equip”, to “let our lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him”, are we sufficiently “self aware” that our lives are not our own but have been “purchased” and therefore our expectations before God have similar implications as Jesus life, He came to do the Fathers will, and if we own Jesus as Lord, then we are similarly committed.

Whilst the following verses are ones we are completely familiar with in their theory, they identify that theory is not enough, it has to be by “AWARENESS, EXPERIENCE AND DEMONSTRATION”

1 Corinthians 6:19                            DO YOU NOT KNOW (are you not sufficiently self aware?  ..  comments mine)  that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN,

1 Corinthians 7:23                            YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [BUT CONSIDER YOURSELVES SLAVES TO CHRIST].

1 John2:3                                             AND THIS IS HOW WE MAY DISCERN [DAILY, BY EXPERIENCE] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).

Our “SELF AWARENESS” has to replicate the characteristics that Jesus exemplified, not the self awareness that the world promotes, for that is foreign to the injunctions of scripture. It is not “WHO” we are so much as “WHAT” we are, “WHAT IS OUR REAL DESTINY IN CHRIST”.

The worlds approach to “SELF AWARENESS” is “to listen to yourself, take note of what things are going on in your mind” etc. EMOTIONAL STATES are intensified by self-awareness, however, some people  seek to increase their self-awareness through these outlets. This sort of introspection only serves to elevate or denigrate ourselves and consists of a mind that is not sanctified..

That’s why the church today so often concentrates on “FEELINGS” RATHER THAT “DEALINGS”. The flashing lights, the loud music, the “mood lighting”, serve to contradict what Fathers expectations are.

2 Corinthians  12:20                         For I am fearful that somehow or other I may come and find you not as I desire to find you, and that you may find me too not as you want to find me–that perhaps there may be factions (quarreling), jealousy, temper (wrath, intrigues, rivalry, divided loyalties), selfishness, whispering, gossip, arrogance (self-assertion), and disorder among you.

Colossians  3:2                                   And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

Oh that we could be so obedient in our appreciation and application of the Word that the same evidence would swamp the church today as it was in 2 Chronicles after the priests and the congregation had conducted service.

2 Chronicles 5:14                              So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE HOUSE OF GOD.

People are more likely to align their behaviour with their standards when made self-aware. People will be negatively affected if they don’t live up to their personal standards. But even more destructive can be those who devalue or delude themselves, or value others above themselves. The standard and the gauge must always be the Word of God, not our feelings, or sensations, not what other people tell us, but a conscientious response to the demands of God’s Word that will see us though to “OUR DESTINY”.

2 Corinthians 10:12                          Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, THEY ARE WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING AND BEHAVE UNWISELY.

Romans 8:1                                         There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.  (To those who know and pursue their destiny in Christ  ..  comments mine)

This verse in Corinthians is suggesting, not very subtly, that those who engage in inappropriate self evaluation, using unreliable measurements or dimensions, are seriously immature, but more than that, out of order, whilst Romans sets the parameters whereby we should never condemn ourselves if we are truly identifying with Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians  4:6 (B)                       you may learn [to think of men IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRIPTURE and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another.

Corinthians again counsels us to see what scripture says about our position in Christ, and recognise and rejoice in what Jesus made us, not what we think we have achieved. It has to be “IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRIPTURE”, the only reliable blueprint and pattern that we can trust and aspire to.

Romans  12:3                                     For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

And here is what Paul said to the Ephesians, and while not giving any room for self congratulation or an inflated ego, assures us that we have been made very special. And made special because we have a route established that assures us, neither boasting or denigrating ourselves, but walking just like He planned.

Ephesians 2:10                                  FOR WE ARE GOD’S [OWN] HANDIWORK (HIS WORKMANSHIP), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

We should not be discouraged if we feel that we haven’t made it yet, we are going through a “PROCESS” so that we can make “PROGRESS, and again scripture aids us in arriving at the correct perspective.

Philippians 1:6                                   And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to FULL COMPLETION in you.

Do we understand what “FULL COMPLETION” means, it must become more than a theory that proposes an unreachable destiny, a hope that while it resonates is not yet realised, only because we still see ourselves from a “SELF AWARENESS” perspective and not as God intended or indeed as He views us. Jesus knew His destiny, WE MUST UNDERSTAND AND APPROPRIATE AND DEMONSTRATE WHAT WE ARE IN CHRIST BY OUR UNRELENTING AMBITION AND PURSUIT OF OUR DESTINY.

Colossians 2:10 (A)                          And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature

SELAH

oOo

 

LEARN TO SENSE WHAT IS VITAL ROSS SMITH

LEARN TO SENSE    WHAT IS VITAL                                            ROSS SMITH  270816

(ALL REFERENCES ARE TO THE AMPLIFIED VERSION)

It was during a time where I was asking the Lord for answers to matters on my mind when I felt impressed, “Why do you want answers ahead of time”?  Not a little taken back to think that I may have been presumptuous in trying to be ahead of the game, the same impression stirred my spirit with the statement:-

 “DON’T LOAD YOUR QUIVER WITH UNNECESSARY ARROWS”

So there was sufficient motivation then to start to enquire what and where were  the “Unnecessary arrows” and what were the areas that I need to concentrate on.

Philippians 1:10                                 SO THAT (The term that always is preceded by a condition ..  comments mine) you may surely LEARN TO SENSE what is VITAL, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that (OR “SO THAT” to use the apodosis) you may be ( untainted and pure and unerring and ( blameless [SO THAT with hearts (sincere and certain and unsullied, you (may approach] the day of Christ [not (stumbling nor causing others to (stumble].

It only took this one verse to set me on a course of exploration that would lead to fulfilling the instruction and save me the embarrassment of asking inappropriate questions:-

 “DON’T LOAD YOUR QUIVER WITH UNNECESSARY ARROWS”

 So that I can get the instructions in order I find it necessary to compile them in an order so that each can be properly attended.

• Vital            )

)             SENSE

• Excellent   )

 

•  Real value )

)                APPROVE/ RECOGNISE

• Highest      )

 

• Best                            )

)                 DISTINGUISH

• Moral differences   )

 

BUT VERSE 10 HAS FOUR PARTS

• SENSE
• APPROVE
• RECOGNISE
• DISTINGUISH

Later the scripture launches into the accruals of this learning performance, setting up a file of qualities that are awarded to those who will embrace the instruction.

• submit to the schooling, =             (the learning)
• and develop the sense,                 =             (as an innate spiritual ability)
• be able to approve, =             (so that it is relevant)
• competent to recognise, =             ( right and wrong)
• determine the best,  =            (outcome  required)

Because verse 9 of Philippians 1 starts with the words “SO THAT”, and as I have frequently indicated, there must be something important that precedes and will generally set the context. So before we settle down to the “schooling” of verse 10, we need to see that we have the proper uniform and utensils, and learning aids to be admitted to the class by reviewing the conditions

Philippians 1:9                                   And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [THAT YOUR LOVE MAY DISPLAY ITSELF  (Paul here is making a challenge  ..  comments mine)  in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment].

Notice how love is “displayed”.

• Greater depth of acquaintance
• More comprehensive discernment

This brings squarely into focus the necessity of Psalm 46:10, “BE STILL AND KNOW”, this is acquaintance and discernment.

It doesn’t take much effort to review if we are putting on a DISPLAY OF OUR LOVE, is our relationship to the Lord intensifying by the day, and secondly, are we discerning, or understanding more comprehensively?

Any ministry that we are either afforded or seek for,  has to have the foundation and motivation of love. Too many ministers today seem to use the ministry to enhance their own reputation, pocket, ego, influence, and any other one of a myriad of selfish pursuits. The Apostle leaves us in no doubt in verse 9, that the only basis for proceeding to verse 10 is if we have ABOUNDING AND EXTENSIVE AND OBVIOUS LOVE as verse 9 nominates.

Does “Greater depth of Acquaintance” strike a chord? Getting acquainted means getting to know and we are familiar with the truth from Psalm 46:10. The more we apply the principles of this Psalm the more we will get to know Him.

I can tell how “still” you have been because it shows up according to verse nine. It will also show up by your “DISCERNMENT”, both in the word and in your relationships, in fact in all things. It is called in verse nine “comprehensive discernment”, which is the loosing of the complicated and clearing of the obscure.

But it intensifies in verse nine still further: –

“THE FULLEST DEVELOPMENT OF: –

• Knowledge ) I suggest this refers to the Word,
• Insight ) not to spurious matters.

What a display this will provide! Maybe even our lives will be a contrast, and we can even handle that when LOVE abounds. (Ephesians 5:11)

I can also tell if your Love is abounding, but sometimes it is just “bounding”, or leaping up and down. A good idea is to compare our behaviour with the revised translation or paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 provided by Linda, but let’s just pick a couple of the items listed.

1  CORINTHIANS 13:4-8              (Courtesy Linda Jeanneret)            

 I will be tolerant……  giving you generous respect

I will be patient with you

I will be kind to you

I will not be envious of you, your achievements, what you have

I will not become jealous

I will not  boast of, or exhibit, an exaggerated opinion of my own importance or ability

I will not be conceited or proud or act arrogantly

I will not be rude or act unmannerly towards you

I will not act unbecomingly

I will not insist on my own rights or insist on my own ways, for I will not be selfish

I will not be touchy, fretful or upset

I will not resent anything you do or say

I will take no account and pay no attention to anything you do against me

I will not support you or condone or hold with you in any unrighteous or unjust speaking or doing, but I will rejoice and encourage you when you choose the truth and live uprightly

I will overlook and forgive and cover with silence any and every one of your shortcomings

I will have faith and believe in you

I will pray, hope for, expect and anticipate the very best for you in all circumstances

I will not waiver in my support for you

I will not let you down…..   you can count on me

If this all looks too hard then we need to look back to 2 Peter 1:3 where we are cautioned to “develop” then “exercise”.

 PROGRESS IS ARRESTED WHEN THE PROCESS IS NEGLECTED

 Obviously there is not enough time or space to address the issue and subject of LOVE in this study, so it is contingent upon each of us to engage in the same injunction as that required around The Lord’s Table, “LET A MAN EXAMINE HIMSELF”.

Galatians 5:22 establishes that if we have fruit, borne of the Holy Spirit, then the first of the crop, like that early box of Mangoes,  is “LOVE”, and it is not until this first fruit appears that we can then expect the other fruit to follow and  mature, each in its season, or more precisely, AS REQUIRED!!!

Having satisfied that requirements of verse 9, we are then ready to enrol in the first semester of verse 10.

We need to understand that “LEARNING TO SENSE” is a totally different thing to “COMMON SENSE”, and “common sense” is not that common. The bible warns us against being too confident in our common sense because it has some fragilities.

Romans 8:6                                         Now the MIND OF THE FLESH (or what we know as “common sense”.. comments mine) [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER].

I would like to refer you to the study “Are We Ready” to assist in assessing the “mind of the flesh”.

The academic approach to scripture is often questionable as men have tried to either understand or rationalise the Word of God through their head knowledge rather than their heart knowledge, called “experience”, that experience of God revealing His truths in His Wisdom.

2 Timothy 3:7  (KJV)                        Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Learning is not just books and study, it is far more intense than that, and Ephesians clarifies how we go about it. If you take a verse of scripture, then see what several different commentaries have to say, they almost invariably have a different explanation, and often contradictory. That’s why our intense study and application is irreplaceable.

Ephesians 5:10                                    AND TRY TO LEARN [IN YOUR EXPERIENCE] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].

Experience is a great teacher, have you ever put your hand on a hot plate, will you do it again, have you driven too fast though a speed camera, will you do it again? Some people never learn by experience, they keep repeating the same mistake over and over again and hope they will get a different result.

Some of us learn from the mistakes of others, the rest of us are the others!

Experience means, “The fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through DIRECT observation or participation”.  Does this not alleviate any ambiguity as to what we are to participate in if we are going to “LEARN TO SENSE”. I hear some saying, “I cannot learn things readily, well you can learn CPR, sniffer dogs can “sense” drugs, explosives, dead bodies, criminals, and they are just dogs, so we surely can “LEARN TO SENSE.”

Do you know how to worry, do you know how to assert yourself, do you know how to provoke? How do you know how to do these things? BECAUSE YOU HAVE PRACTICED THEM!!!!!  So you have the ability to “LEARN”, it just requires practice.

Let me give you an example. In most major centres now there is within the hospital system a “Dental Service”. It has a twofold purpose, one is to provide a service to those in need, at no cost, and secondly to give the dental students practice.

I have recently taken advantage of this service and I hesitantly, no, reluctantly, even grudgingly climb into the long shiny plastic covered seat, to evidence my gracious nature and my enduring appreciation (NOT)  with emphasis on “enduring”, and allow the student to PRACTICE.

This is so they can qualify and so I consider my noble submission to the students is my great enduring contribution to mankind!  THEY HAVE TO PRACTICE, AND THEY DO IT ON ME!!!!!

Now that you can identify with this “EXPERIENCE”, the same “PROCESS” applies to us, for us to gain our DOCTORATE IN LOVE, we too have to “PRACTICE”. (1 Timothy 4:15 AMP)

We have people before and around us, supine on shiny seats of need, waiting for us to put our therapeutic fingers in their mouths of need, with the intention of them being able to properly chew over the truth we share and be properly nourished as they ruminate and digest the Word.

Because it is done in love, because the procedure may cause some discomfort, we have to evidence that we are men and women of repute (Acts 6:3) all good students, evidencing promise in our pursuit of Philippians 1:10, then our “LEARNING”  will be recognised by our white coats of LOVE.

The dentist “DIAGNOSES” but we “DISCERN”, one is head knowledge the other heart knowledge. My “REPUTE” will not be as a result of my writing, but as a result of my example. Neither the diagnosis or the discernment are of any value unless acted upon.

OUR PRIORITIES DETERMINE OUR CHARACTER.

As we continue, I cannot stress strenuously enough, that the things that occur in our day, whether they be enjoyable or repulsive, have the touch of Gods hand upon them. We are often the perpetrators of actions that are not “VITAL” as we will see, but are “CONSEQUENTIAL” due to either our stupidity, presumption, or ignorance, which even the law says is “no plea”, and then we fail to consider that the “EXPERIENCE” we went through in this event, was really an experience to try and make us “LEARN”.

An appreciation of the scripture that says “Whom He loves He chastens” is better understood when we realise that the word “Chastens” is the outcome of Fathers concern for our schooling and our qualifying. The word really means “Teaching or Training”.

Excuse me for labouring the point, but there are too many people who  claim to be Christian that when things are not just as they require, they refuse to learn from that EXPERIENCE, (Ephesians 5:10) they continue in their error and clearly show that they have not learned the necessity for love in the context of 1 Corinthians 12, a chapter worth reviewing on a regular basis. The original root for the word “hypocrite” is “actor”.

The “LEARN TO SENSE”, or K JV says “choose”, relates to discernment – we have no trouble in knowing right from wrong but we need to be able to select what is the very best.

“PROVING”  from G1381               These are the words used in the original meaning:- TEST, APPROVE, ALLOW, DISCERN, EXAMINE, TRY.  But to do so requires our having qualified in the learning process and emerged with a doctorate in love. But to qualify we need to practice. With that in mind we can begin to look at what we need to explore the “SO THAT” of Philippians 1:10. We may only get to look at this first requirement here.

Vital

The following aspects will be an advantageous study.

• Excellent
• Real value
• Highest
• Best
• Moral differences

We will restrict this study to the first quality for brevity sake, as I suggest the other virtues will then follow.

“VITAL” is a vital word!!! Amplified Translation carries much more emphasis that the KJV, when it says “VITAL”, but in referring to the Lexicon where KJV is using “APPROVE”, it spreads the meaning further.

The word “VITAL” is followed by other terms, one of which is “APPROVE.”  “To differ, to test, prove, the good things that differ  —   to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful, to approve of things that excel, to differ from one  —  to excel, surpass one”.

This word “APPROVE” is inserted here so that we understand that we not only are required to know “ABOUT” something, we need to know if it is OK or not.

Depending on your preferred translation, the word is translated in different versions:-

“vital”                    AMP

“Excellent”          ASV

“best things”      BBE

“important”        ERV

“best”                   ISV

“excellent”         KJV

This now places a great degree of responsibility on our shoulders, we cannot ignore the rest of the qualities because we have to “LEARN” in more than one area. The good and evil bit should not be too hard, but in “things that differ” would seem to indicate that we have to be fully cognisant of those areas of doctrine and principle that tend to creep into the church if we are not completely on our guard.

1 Thessalonians 5:21                       But test and prove all things [UNTIL YOU CAN RECOGNIZE] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

This is real “DISCERNMENT” and is generally an awareness at the time of the event. I think Father works on a “need to know” basis, rather than “I want to know” basis. That said, it does not preclude His alerting us to events or matters yet to occur.

The Greek meaning for VITAL that we looked at now looks like this:-

TEST, APPROVE, ALLOW, DISCERN, EXAMINE, TRY. All of these abilities come under the first heading of “VITAL”, there are still other “school subjects “ in this course to master, and so we have a steep learning curve and an admirable qualification awaiting us as we get past the mental or academic acceptance of God’s Word and reach that practiced skill of:-

”LEARN TO SENSE”  (PHILIPPIANS 1:10)

Titus 1:1                                               PAUL, A bond servant of God and an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) TO STIMULATE AND PROMOTE THE FAITH OF GOD’S CHOSEN ONES AND TO LEAD THEM ON TO ACCURATE DISCERNMENT AND RECOGNITION OF AND ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE TRUTH WHICH BELONGS TO AND HARMONIZES WITH AND TENDS TO GODLINESS,

But as the list progresses, the demand becomes more onerous, “Approve things that  excel”, a step up from the earlier requirement, “the good things that differ”.

Continued study of the other “qualifications” is highly recommended.

 

oOo

AVERSION TO IDOLS ROSS SMITH

 AVERSION TO IDOLS                                                                          ROSS SMITH 230915

Before I commence today I would like you to record that you should read 2 PETER 3 every day for a week, and if it has not settled in your spirit by then, then keep reading that chapter.

My departure point for today’s study seems quite obscure from an initial perspective, but if we take the time to explore Zephaniah we will find that there are significant lessons contained in this book for our generation, so the initial concentration is on Chapter 1,  verse six,  prior to that  we will refer to verse two for the context.

Zephaniah 1:2                    By taking away I will make an end and I will utterly consume and sweep away all things from the face of the earth, says the Lord.

2 Peter 3:7                          But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.

Whilst this scripture in Zephaniah relates more directly to the Nation of Israel, it relates to us as Spiritual Israel. And we have seen how prophesies relating to the Jews have been fulfilled unerringly, so why should we expect to bypass the truth that Father would share with us?

If you would allow me to paraphrase 2 Peter 3:1 it would say, “WE SHOULD REMEMBER PAST WORDS ABOUT THE FUTURE”

The prophecy is generally concerned with Israel and their behaviour but on reflection there are direct parallels that identify us and the church at large today. Let us start with the crux of this excursion, there are 5 CONDITIONS identified:-

Zephaniah 1:6                    And those who have

(1)   DRAWN BACK from following the Lord and those who have

(2)    NOT SOUGHT the Lord nor

(3)    INQUIRED FOR,

(4)    INQUIRED OF, and

(5)    REQUIRED the Lord [as their first necessity].

Do you think God must get disgusted with the mickey mouse Christians who use His name but not His resources?  (M and M’s!!!)

Psalm 14:2                           The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].

There are 2 different types of people here, the “drawn back” ones and then the “disinterested ones”, those who have never put the effort in that is required, that is, TO PUT THE LORD IN FIRST PLACE. There is another word for IMPORTANCE and that is “GOD FIRST”. See what happens”-

Zephaniah 1:2                    By taking away I will make an end and I will utterly consume and sweep away all things from the face of the earth, says the Lord.

Just some background as to what has brought this situation in Israel to a head. This is a sad revelation of the moral condition of Jerusalem in the days of the prophet. Such corruption amongst a people who had such religious privileges, and in the very scene where the temple stood, it shows the wonderful forbearance of God and the terrible perversity of the human heart! It also reveals the condition of our own age, that is, we are a fallen people.

The corruption of Israel is no different in the outcome to that which applies to verse two. The “Lukewarm” person – – who can hardly be called “Christian” which means “Christlike”, will cause God a fit of the vomitus.

To identify the sequence of Zephaniah will be helpful: –

1              Verse 1 – 3                          God will destroy sin from the earth

2              Verse 4 a                             God will destroy the people of Jerusalem

3              Verse 4B – 6                       God will destroy all idols

If you want to see how degenerate Judah was at that time a quick read of 2 Kings 21 provides a commentary that under Manasseh’s rule they had deteriorated beyond belief. In fact, Manasseh came to his senses to some degree in:-

2 Chronicles 33:10-20                      “THE LORD SPOKE TO MANASSEH AND TO HIS PEOPLE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT HEARKEN. So the Lord brought against them the commanders of the host of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks and in fetters and brought him to Babylon. When he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God (does this not remind you of Jonah, who cried out in his distress in the belly of the fish?  .. comments mine) and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.   He prayed to Him, and God, entreated by him, heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. THEN MANASSEH KNEW THAT THE LORD IS GOD. (We have been given an easier route at the moment as we reflect on Psalm 46:10, but do we have to endure affliction because, like Manasseh and his people, “we would not hearken” ….  Comments mine) And he built an outer wall to the City of David west of Gihon in the valley, to the entrance of the Fish Gate, and ran it around Ophel, raising it to a very great height; and he put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities of Judah. And he took away the foreign gods and the idol out of the house of the Lord and all the altars that he had built on the mount of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem; and he cast them out of the city. And he restored the Lord’s altar (in OT times the altar was the celebration of sacrifice – it restored God’s people from their digressions  — so do we need to “repair our altars, our hearts?   …. Comments mine) and sacrificed on it offerings of peace and of thanksgiving; and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. YET THE PEOPLE STILL SACRIFICED IN THE HIGH PLACES, but only to the Lord their God. (Manasseh could not carry the reformation so far as he had carried the corruption … comments mine

It is strange to see how madly this people ran after the lying vanities of the Gentiles, after they had received such manifold and undeniable proofs of the power, wisdom, and goodness of a living God, who was present with them; after so many laws enacted against idolatry, so many signal judgments inflicted on them for falling into this sin, such a hedge set about them to keep them from mingling with other nations, in case they should learn their ways.

Idolatry is a not just a matter of graven images or icons, it is also heart pride, self-centeredness, greed gluttony, the love of possessions, defiance, etc. etc. all of which is rebellion against God. (Rebellion against God is actually idolatry – – “other gods before Him” – – He is not “First Necessity”.) All forms of modern idolatry have one thing as their core, and that is SELF. Does this have anything to do with APPLE naming their products “iPhone” and “iPad”?  “I, My, Me, Mine, Want, Wish, Wallow” are all indications that “SELF” wants to dominate.

Everything we have has built in obsolescence, homes, finance, family, friends, foes, all have their “use by date”.  Pride is another idol and this often takes the form of obsession with jobs and careers, families, houses, cars, ALL ARE IDOLS WHEN TOO MUCH IMPORTANCE IS ATTACHED, and so why do they occupy so much of our time when they have inbuilt obsolescence? They are not “FIRST NECESSITY”, nothing has changed from the injunction of scripture that says:

Matthew 6:33                                    BUT SEEK (AIM AT AND STRIVE AFTER) FIRST OF ALL His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Ecclesiastes 2:21-23                         For here is a man whose labor is with WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE and SKILL; yet to a man who has NOT TOILED FOR IT (in the vernacular he is a “bludger” … comments mine) he must leave it all as his portion. (he leaves it, probably not very willingly … comments mine) This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility) and a great evil! For what has a man left from all his labor and from the striving and vexation of his heart in which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are but pain and sorrow, and his work is a vexation and grief; his mind takes no rest even at night. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

So let us come back now to the present time for an example and its relation to Zephaniah. Much is made today both in the political arena and the conservation movement of the doctrine of “Climate Change”. This concentration and fixation about changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, holes in the ozone, carbon emissions et cetera et cetera have become an idolatrous obsession in some quarters. Mr. Rudd (a previous Australian Prime Minister) failed at his attempt to perpetuate this matter in Copenhagen, now we are to have another shot at it in Paris shortly. (See the article by Jonathan Pearlman, Tony Abbot’s business advisory chairman at this web address the <www. Telegraph.co.uk/news/australiaandthepacific/Australia/11591193/Australia-PM-advisor-says-climate-change-a-UN-led-ruse.html>

What men don’t recognise is that GOD IS GOING TO DESTROY THE EARTH, He doesn’t need man’s assistance, nor would He accept it, He is quite able to destroy that which He has made, “His glory he will not share with another.” In the meantime He has control over every star, every breath we breathe, and on a more mundane level, He has even told the sea that it cannot cross the barriers in the sand that He has set.

Jeremiah 5:22                    Do you not fear and reverence Me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before Me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go? And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purpose]; though [the billows] roar, yet they cannot pass over that [barrier]. [Is not such a God to be reverently feared and worshiped?]  (This is not realised or recognised by man, otherwise he would “Fear, Tremble before the God of the universe, and not be concerned with the climate but the “Climate Controller”!!!) I would reinforce that God doesn’t need any help, He holds the universe in His hands, and us in His sights.

I raise this point to show the certainty of Zephaniah’s prophecy.

Isaiah 42:8                           I am the Lord; that is My name! And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AVERSION TO IDOLS NO MATTER WHAT THEY CONSIST OF. And so Zephaniah goes on to bring the message of pending judgment upon all the world, and upon Judah in particular, and as we proceed, for those in this generation who come under the scrutiny of God’s all-consuming eye.  So Zephaniah says:-

Zephaniah 1:2                                    By taking away I will make an end and I will utterly consume and sweep away all things from the face of the earth, says the Lord.

Sounds like pretty serious climate change is on Father’s agenda!! Micah takes up a similar theme.

Micah 7:13                                          Yet shall the earth be desolate because of those who dwell in it, for the fruit of their doings.  (Their “doings” become their “undoing’s” .. comments mine)

Our focus should not be on worshipping any environment, whether it be the ecological environment, or our own little sphere, or any other created or manufactured thing, OUR CONCENTRATION SHOULD BE ON LIVING HOLY LIVES, so that our expectation is not constrained by earthly things but we should be launching ourselves with fervent propulsion to reach for that heavenly grandeur, and do it in the midst of the day to day turmoil.

2 Peter 3:11                                        Since all these things are thus IN THE PROCESS (in other words, God is still about His business, His plans are still being implemented, His purpose can never be aborted, despite my remonstrations or objections  ….  comments mine) of being dissolved, WHAT KIND OF PERSON OUGHT [EACH OF] YOU TO BE [in the MEANWHILE] (or during the “PROCESS   … comments mine) in consecrated and holy behaviour and devout and godly qualities, (some of that “DISSOLVING” is the expenditure of our life, no matter how young or old we are, your life is “melting away” so we need to check “What kind of person we ought to be”  … comments mine)

(Old Testament)

Lamentations 3:40                           Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD

(New Testament)

2 Peter 3:14                                        So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, BE EAGER (this is different to “be bothered” … comments mine) to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

Zephaniah goes on to describe an event with which we have some insight, and now have archeological proof of the occurrence and proof of the prophecy. Recently I have been looking at Jonah and the manner in which he behaved and also the manner in which he was delivered, and so when I read this verse in Zephaniah it became more interesting still.

Zephaniah 2:13                                 And [the Lord] will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria AND WILL MAKE NINEVEH A DESOLATION, dry as the desert. (Has this not happened?)

So let me give you some background on Nineveh so that when we come back to Zephaniah 1:6 we can see the seriousness of the charges laid in that verse for today and if we want to evidence our “Aversion to Idols”.

The historical city of Nineveh is just across the Tigris River from a city now called “Mosul”. This city has been in the news regularly of late due to the fact that the Islamic group ISIS has been rampaging through this region over the last 12 months or so and Mosul was considered a critical city.

Nineveh now consists of two mounds, but these mounds covered such significant and numerous historical relics. In fact Nineveh was so laid waste that it was considered a total myth of the Bible throughout most of the recent centuries, that is until it was discovered by Sir Austen Layard in the nineteenth century. The site of ancient Nineveh was extensively excavated and its occupational levels reach far back to the beginning of civilization, in fact to 6000 BC.

The discoveries at the site of ancient Nineveh were breathtaking. Austen Henry Layard excavated the Kuyunjik Mound (Nineveh) in 1847, unearthing the magnificent royal residence of King Sennacherib in 1849 with its 71 rooms and the incredible sculptured walls. He also unearthed the palace and famous library of Ashurbanipal with its 22,000 inscribed clay tablets.

The population was “120,000 children who couldn’t tell their right hand from the left”, so this 120,000 were the tiny tots, and an estimate has been made of the population that it was 6 million. Jonah indicates that it took 3 days to walk around the city, it had a wall that was 16 metres high, and 15 metres wide at the top, and 3 chariots could drive along side by side on the top of the wall …. Some city of consequence.

Now why do I give you this background, well let us proceed to:-

Zephaniah 2:13                                 And [the Lord] will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria and will make Nineveh a desolation, dry as the desert.

If we today, can stand on the site of Nineveh, and see that the prophecy of Zephaniah came true, and even more so now, because in February 2015, the ISIS group went in and destroyed the excavations and historical relics, so that the destruction was not just historical but continual, then we must be alarmed at the content of Zephaniah 1:6, and this is where the crunch comes, this is the challenge.

Zephaniah 1:6                                    And those who have drawn back from following the Lord and those who have not sought the Lord nor inquired for, inquired of, and required the Lord [AS THEIR FIRST NECESSITY]. (The context here is that the Lord is going to destroy everything, that is everything that is not identified with Him   … comments mine) The BBE version says, “And those who are turned back from going after the Lord, and those who have not made prayer to the Lord or got directions from him. “

“Turned back” These are people now who are half-hearted, and to be half-hearted infers that we are double minded, so that we do not serve God in entirety. And double mindedness leads to total instability, and that instability pervades everything, not just our relationship to the Lord, but EVERYTHING

James 1:14-16                                    But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, (or turned back … comments mine) enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). (or turned back … comments mine) Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.

“Those who don’t seek the Lord” These are people who do not totally reject the Lord or engage in gross sin or neglect —  they like to think they are on good terms with the Lord, but live a blasé life, offering but lip service to their profession of faith —- they have that warmth that makes God spew, they sort of have their preferences, which is really nice word for idols, they rely on the horses and chariots of Egypt when they need help, instead of relying on the Lord.

Whatever happened to the people of 2 Peter 1, those “expending every effort”, being diligent et cetera, those who know to “Strive to enter the straight gate”?

2 Peter 1:5                                  For this very reason, (What is the reason?  “so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay”, this is what happened to Israel, they developed “moral decay”, or were rotten) adding your diligence [to the divine promises] (in more mundane terms, “Pull our weight in the relationship … comments mine)  EMPLOY EVERY EFFORT in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),

“Or Get His directions”. (BBE Version) On a mundane level, I don’t go anywhere without my Tomtom GPS, Qantas flights never take off before they have an established flight plan, ships captains always have their charts in front of them, if you visit a new town or new shopping centre you visit the information centre, if you build a house you get advice from the architect et cetera.

But there are those who call themselves “Followers of Christ” but they never consult with him as to where He is going, even though He has incited us to “come and keep on coming”. If we “hang back” like those in category (B) we may find that God moves too fast for us. There is a cliché that says, “Time waits for no man”, so why should God, but thankfully he does.

Isaiah 30:18(A)                                  And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits (maybe even “ANXIOUSLY WAITS” ) [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you  (But the Word never says how long He will wait, so we should not test His patience  … comments mine) 

BUT:-

 Genesis 6:3                                         Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years. This comment is recorded back in Genesis, so do we have much left of God’s patience?

James 4:14                                          Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]. (or in the “PROCESS OF DISSOLVING”   2 Peter 3:11  … comments mine)

The directions, when sought, may come from many sources, but the initial, intermediate and final test of ANY direction is “Does it line up with the Word of God?” In Old Testament times we saw the office of the “foretelling prophet”, how often we read “and the word of the Lord came to”.

A great example is found in 2 Kings 6:8 – 12, as follows:-

2 Kings 6:8-12                                     When the king of Syria was warring against Israel, after counselling with his servants, he said, In such and such a place shall be my camp. Then the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that you pass not such a place, for the Syrians are coming down there. Then the king of Israel sent to the place of which [Elisha] told and warned him; and thus he protected and SAVED HIMSELF THERE REPEATEDLY. Therefore the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing. He called his servants and said, Will you show me who of us is for the king of Israel? (or in other words, who is leaking the information, who is dobbing on us?)  One of his servants said, None, my lord O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.

The story goes on to describe how Elisha WENT OUT EARLY, setting a good pattern for us, and he could see the horses and chariots roundabout but his servants couldn’t, so he is prayer was “open their eyes”.

But that era has passed and we now look forward the “Forth telling Prophet”, the expounder of God’s Word. I am not sure how the church will handle things when the Word is delivered “like a fire and a hammer” (Jeremiah 23:29) by those both preaching the Word and the individual reading of the Word, because there has been inadequate preparation for the journey, that is, “they failed to get directions” as described in Zephaniah 1:6

1 Chronicles 10:13-14                                      So Saul died for his trespass against the Lord [in sparing Amalek], for his unfaithfulness in not keeping God’s word, and also for consulting [a medium with] a spirit of the dead to inquire pleadingly of it, And inquired not so of the Lord [in earnest penitence]. Therefore the Lord slew him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. [I Sam. 28:6.]

Do you keep a “journal”, or as I like to call it “A KEY RING”, if so, so you go back and reflect on the little “gems” or “keys” that Father gives us as direction.

Just to provide an example, I am sure that Psalm 46:10 is a significant “key” that has been afforded us, and it should not just be left on the keyring, but needs to be used to open the door to the resources offered therein.

This week I was prompted to read 1 Chronicles and plowed through several chapters of genealogies, just to come to this verse I think: –

1 Chronicles 9:27 (NET)                  They (the gatekeepers) would spend the night in their posts (or “in their place”  … comments mine) all around God’s sanctuary, for they were assigned to guard it and would OPEN IT WITH THE KEY EVERY MORNING

OTHER SCRIPTURES OF INTEREST

Ezekiel 24:14                                      I the Lord have spoken it; it shall come to pass and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I relent; according to your ways and according to your doings shall they judge and punish you, says the Lord God

Joshua 23:14                                      And  behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. Know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one thing of them has failed.

1 Samuel 7:3                                       Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth [female deities] from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Daniel 3:28                                          Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

2 Peter 1:21                                        For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so–it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

 

oOo

LIFE OF CONTRAST ROSS SMITH

LIFE OF CONTRAST, or COMMUNICATION                   ROSS SMITH 050816

Ephesians 5:11  (AMP)                   Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [LET YOUR LIVES BE SO IN CONTRAST as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

A ”CONTRAST” generally consists of BLACK AND WHITE, and so the Bible is saying we need to be white, not black. In our study on “LIGHT” we referenced the following:-

Ephesians 5:8                     For once you were darkness, but NOW YOU ARE LIGHT in the Lord; WALK as CHILDREN OF LIGHT [lead the lives OF THOSE NATIVE-BORN TO THE LIGHT].

So we have opposite ends of the spectrum if we are to have a “LIFE OF CONTRAST”. It is of note that there are no shades or hues, no dark black or white white, unless you make washing machine powder! Any variation in between may indicate that although we are serious, we are inconsistent, which almost suggests an oxymoron,” seriously inconsistent”!!!

We can also consider that a “LIFE OF CONTRAST” is a life of “COMMUNICATION”, for it is by the way we live that we will communicate the difference. The way we act often speaks more loudly and clearly than what we say.

Another interesting statement in Ephesians exhorts us to (a) take no part and (b) have no fellowship with fruitlessness”. Is this another test we can apply to see if we are walking in the light, for fruit is only produced where there is light, a formidable evidence of our contrast.

There is more than one way of communicating, and in this day and age we are being exposed to a much wider range of techniques and technologies than has ever been available before. Letter writing has fallen by the wayside due to email, phone calls declining due to social media and sms, telegrams and telex long gone, and even the faithful old fax machine is relegated to occasional usage, face to face has been replaced by Face book. But the need to communicate seems to be greater than ever.

In looking at Ephesians 5 the means of communication again has different facets, and all of them are not as obvious as it would seem. We are prone to communicate in ways we have become accustomed to over generations, mainly using our mouth instead of our demeanour, and it may be necessary to integrate both, but what does scripture say?

In this verse there were several components that attracted my attention. Not the least of these was the principle that we have discussed, that of “APODOSIS”, or where there is a proposal with a consequence, the “IF’S AND THENS”.

So we can rewrite the verse like this “IF you take no part in darkness, THEN your life will be a contrast”. So the proposition does not seem so difficult and the results seem quite attractive. But if we extend this example, where the “THEN” seems to be lacking CONTRAST, we must go back to the “IF” department to evaluate where there are any “tints”.

The proposal of Ephesians 5 looked attractive, that is, until I looked more closely at what the terms “EXPOSE, REPROVE AND CONVICT” really meant, and how do we put these characteristics to good effect. With this in mind, words used today may not reflect the true meaning of scripture, and we need to determine what scripture intended originally.

So firstly we need to look at the dictionary definitions of these three terms and then identify what scripture means by them.

“EXPOSE”         to leave (something) without covering or protection

to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something

to reveal (something hidden, dishonest, etc.)

“REPROVE”         to criticize or correct (someone) usually in a gentle way (this is not just an expression of our disapproval)

“CONVICT”         to find or prove to be guilty, to convince of error or sinfulness,  to find a defendant guilty. (Only a vague acknowledgement of this is given by the church today as there is little discernment)

So now we should really explore the scriptural meanings to see if they are the same as today’s usage, because we need to know what we will face when we meet the conditions and evidence the result, that BLACK AND WHITE, keeping in mind that there is more than one way of accomplishing this. The KJV uses only one word where Amplified uses three, but the word in KJV, which is “REPROVE” carries the full spectrum of meaning as follows:-

G1651                   “REPROVE  —  Confute, Admonish, Convict, Convince, Tell a fault, Rebuke, Reprove.”

Part of our exploration of this subject should be to evaluate the meaning of each of the above words so that we are living in accordance with the directions of God’s Word.

So my ambition to have a life of contrast suddenly has implications that on first glance would not be what I would choose. The responsibilities are quite onerous, the results debatable and not the least of which is found in,

Hebrews  10:24                              And let us consider and give ATTENTIVE, CONTINUOUS care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and NOBLE ACTIVITIES,  (these “activities” are the direct opposite to the “fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness”)

This sort of behaviour is not greatly appreciated in most quarters because it is confrontational and also seemingly repetitious, for Paul says “attentive and continuous care”, and who likes to be regarded as nagging on a subject, and more particularly if we intrinsically know that some trait within us is not really God glorifying and   we know we need to deal with it. When we embark on this journey, the “attentive continuous” is not random, not just when we feel like it. YOUR CONTRAST IS MEANT TO SHOW ME UP!

Also we need to know what means or methods are to be employed so that God is glorified and the person is not destroyed, not just for our satisfaction.

I can equate this sort of personality, that “LIFE OF CONTRAST”, with that of the Dentist, I have no fond and enduring appreciation of the Dentist. They have always been the sort of professional I avoided, but his task is to do me good, to preserve my teeth and improve my ability to eat, and smile, but I continue to avoid him assiduously as I do not like his “ministry”, he doesn’t make me feel good, and we should have the same effect on those who are spiritually “unhealthy”.

When we can comply with Ephesians 5 I would suggest that we may find people try to avoid us, inferring that we “bang on” about the same theme or matter, but it seems that we need to be reminded of those things that are important so that we do not miss out on hearing Father say, “Well done” (Matthew 25:23)

But let us explore the other injunctions of Ephesians 5 as spelled out in the Amplified version, as they add other greater responsibility and greater promise than seen at first glance.

”EXPOSE”            Much direction is given in God’s Word with regard to those things that are not as they seem. As a consequence we are exhorted to practice “DISCERNMENT” so that we are not trapped by devious or spurious doctrine or behaviour patterns.  The Bible states that “The devil goes around as a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8), and in those cases he is not too difficult to unmask, but is still potentially lethal.

But the Word goes further to state

Matthew 7:15                                    Beware of false prophets, who come to you DRESSED AS SHEEP, but inside they are devouring wolves.

(Also  John 1:7-11)

The well worn saying, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck”, but doesn’t say “if it LOOKS like a duck, looks can be deceiving, and Matthew confirms this, the devil only looks like a sheep. A persons “walk” as well as their “talk” is frequently the best way to inspect their fruit, it “EXPOSES” them, despite what they would look like.

The occasion and promotion of false doctrine can be expected to increase in this day and age because the devil knows that time is drawing to a close, he is very aware of the prophetic word and is very capable of discerning and distorting the state of the world. Therefore we must be able to EXPOSE” those defects and distractions that would detour God’s people and we need to become the “salt” that is a preservative in spiritual matters.

I don’t think that “EXPOSE” means to “EMBARRASS”, at least not in the first instance, that is not the nature of our Father, but there are procedures that scripture puts in place here.

TheMatthew 18:15                                 If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him PRIVATELY. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.

I would think that if our life is a ”CONTRAST” then the necessity for this approach would be minimised, because our example would address the issue before it reached such a need to raise the matter with the person.

(Also see Galatians 6:1 and 2 Thessalonians 3:15)

Acts 23:19                                            The commandant took him  (the son of Paul’s sister) by the hand, and going aside with him, ASKED PRIVATELY, What is it that you have to report to me?

This may not always be the case however, if there is a person who is not amenable to correction then there is a different remedy, for his fault is to be considered by the church, his misdemeanour is to be “EXPOSED”.

1 Timothy 5:20                                   As for those who are guilty and persist in sin, (this is probably after we have given the “attentive and continuous care of Hebrews 10) rebuke and admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear.  (This is not “scary fear” but is intense reverence)

Matthew 18:15-17                           If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him PRIVATELY. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.

A word of caution, the “one or two others” need to have and exhibit the impartiality as recorded in James 3:17, that impartiality that is part of “THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE”. The “EXPOSING” in such a case is after considerable effort has been expended in trying to recover the individual, but if there is no positive response then the consequences are dire.

There are other more subtle ways however to expose sin and distress. And this is the way that Ephesians 5:11 is recommending. It takes a decisive dedication and complete obedience to be able to manifest this trait.

1 Timothy 4:12                                   Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, BUT BE AN EXAMPLE (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Here are five (5) traits that need to be cultivated, so need to be identified as to their characteristics, BUT NOTICE WHICH ONE COMES FIRST —- SPEECH!

1 Peter 2:21                                        For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [HIS PERSONAL] EXAMPLE, SO THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.

It may be difficult under some circumstances to set a positive example, like if we have perverse in-laws, or rebellions children, or aberrant spouses, but that shouldn’t stop us trying, setting the example is where our backbone shows. If we have character, if our character has integrity, that ethos of the “Wisdom from Above”–that is, if who we are on the outside is lined up with who we are on the inside–it will accomplish far more than  might be imagined.

This “process” may not be visible to us in the results in those we are “Exampling”, the exposing may only be necessary “to and for” the individual to internally recognise how different and attractive or confronting our character is, and so adapt their life and character to reflect the integrity of a Christian profession, or example.

The Apostle Paul was well aware of this principle and he used the example of his own life for the people of Corinth to follow

1 Corinthians 2:4               And my language (can be replaced by “SPEECH  ..  comments mine) and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in DEMONSTRATION of the [Holy] Spirit and power [A PROOF by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and THUS PERSUADING THEM],

The “operation” is “ON” me and “IN” them, meaning that the function for me is to be obvious, so that people observing may be able to see the Life of Christ manifest, with the consequence that the “CONTRAST” works IN their life, for good.

“REPROVE”

We have seen from the Greek word used in KJV what a spread of actions this covers, but it may be helpful for our purposes if we condense this into terms that apply today, but in accordance with scripture, not just in accordance with our concepts. We are inclined to use our standards or concepts to try and bring others to our way of thinking and acting, but the basis for all “REPROOF” must be soundly based in scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16-17                            EVERY SCRIPTURE is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and PROFITABLE for instruction, FOR REPROOF and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), SO THAT the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is convenient here to make a list of those results that scripture can produce in our life, so that we are “enabled” to be a “CONTRAST”.

• Instruction
• Reproof
• Conviction
• Correction
• Discipline
• Training
• Holy Living
• Conformity

When we can accept, embrace, employ, demonstrate these 8 characteristics we can join with the song writer who wrote “THE WORD IS WORKING MIGHTILY IN ME”, and we can have the “SO THAT” which is the fruit of practice.

I like the word used in this verse where it says “PROFITABLE”, because that infers that there was a good result. When we offer reproof from our own minds, the consequences are not always profitable, and the results not always beneficial, and so the necessity for great discernment is required when this remedy is required.

And I like it even further because God is true to His Word, and so where the matter addressed is based on and supported scripturally and produces a “PROFIT”, then I can be sure Father is at work in this situation and the individual is embarked on the route of being “complete, proficient, well fitted, thoroughly equipped”, a comprehensive compendium of qualifications for further study.

It is not always someone else that needs reproof however if we are going to attain to that elevated position in God where we have a life of “CONTRAST.” Even in this case we can find direction that is directly posed to us, that we might gain the qualification.

Proverbs 15:32                                  He who refuses and ignores instruction AND correction despises himself, BUT HE WHO HEEDS REPROOF GETS UNDERSTANDING.

Basically this means, “TO GET IT RIGHT”, the instruction part is the “how to” and the correction part is the “how do”.  We can be given instruction but fail to implement the correction.

It is worth noting that we not just to “HEAR” the reproof but that we “HEED” the reproof. Scripture abounds in examples of where people were addressed by the Prophets of old with directions straight from the throne room, but to their discredit, they would not listen. Has anything changed today, is that why there are so few that can claim to have a “LIFE OF CONTRAST”, does it apply to the New Testament era?

John 9:27                                             He answered, I already told you and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Can it be that you wish to become His disciples also?

1 Corinthians 14:21                          It is written in the Law, By men of strange languages and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me, says the Lord

If we would be “heedful” (this is “hear and do”) of what the Word requires of us in respect of “REPROOF” we only need to read the book of Proverbs where the word is used 14 times in the Amplified version and spells out concisely the benefits and alternatively, the penalties of either heeding or ignoring reproof. Let me give you a list for further study

Proverbs 1:23 and 25, 1:30, 3:11, 5:12, 10:17, 12:1, 13:18, 15:5 and 10, 15:31 and 32, 17:10,  29:15

An example from this list is found in the following:-

Proverbs 15:31 -32                           The ear that listens to the REPROOF [that leads to or gives]  (This is called “THE PROCESS”  ..  comments mine) life will remain among the wise. He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction DESPISES HIMSELF, BUT HE WHO HEEDS REPROOF GETS UNDERSTANDING.

“CONVICT”

The day in which we live seems to be devoid of any sense of shame or embarrassment, the behaviour patterns exhibited in our society are replicating those that existed in the days of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Even our magistrates are slow to “convict” felons today, even when they have been caught in the act.

Micah 7:3                                             Both their hands are put forth and are upon what is evil to do it diligently; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire. Thus they twist between them [the course of justice].

Luke 17:26-30                                    And [just] AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, so will it be in the time of the Son of Man.  [People] ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, (maybe there was even same sex marriage because the days were so evil  ..  comments mine) right up to the day when Noah went into the ark, (120 years later  ..  comments mine) and the flood came and destroyed them all.  SO ALSO [IT WAS THE SAME] AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT. [People] ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; But on the [very] day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed [them] all.  THAT IS THE WAY IT WILL BE ON THE DAY THAT THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED.

Isaiah 1:9                                             EXCEPT the Lord of hosts had left us a VERY SMALL REMNANT [OF SURVIVORS], we should have been like Sodom, and we should have been like Gomorrah

The occasion of “CONVICTION” is the consequence of “JUDGEMENT”, for this result is due to the exhibition of God’s light in our life, it illuminates the dark corners of an individual so that they can see their need, and even more rewarding is the fact that we don’t have to do or say anything, because it is OUR LIFE THAT CAUSES THE CONVICTION, not our comment.

Titus 2:6                                               In a similar way, urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to BEHAVE PRUDENTLY [taking life seriously].

1 Timothy 4:12                                   Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, BUT BE AN EXAMPLE (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

So having explored some of the negative aspects of a “LIFE OF CONTRAST”, is it still a goal worth pursuing? What a silly question!!!

Ephesians 2:7                                     HE DID THIS (He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ)  that He might CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

(See Philippians 3:8 and Ephesians 1:19)

NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO “DEMONSTRATE” HIS LOVE BY OUR CONTRAST

 

oOo

EDIBLE AND DIGESTIBLE ROSS SMITH

EDIBLE AND  DIGESTIBLE                                                                                  ROSS SMITH

There are things which are “Edible”, but they are not “Digestible”, they are “swallowable to the gullible” but “intolerable to the meaningful” that is, until the gut establishes its proper colonisation of correct and appropriate bacteria, or, in the spiritual sense, the spirit is in tune with the provider of heavenly enrichment. The stomach has two kinds of bacteria, one is just bad bugs, the other is friendly bacteria which I like to think is “sound doctrine”, maintaining the overall health of the body.

It is the same with the Word of God, many people can only handle milk, their ability to digest is limited, but they will often accept teaching and principles that are questionable as they have not progressed to the “meatiness” of God’s Word and find it indigestible.

The exposure to different and stronger food means that digestion is developed, but reliance on milk or bland foods means digestion remains underdeveloped and as a consequence they are spiritually malnourished.

This “starvation” shows up under the scrutiny of scripture, where aberrations of character and unsanctified behaviour become apparent to the observer but often are unnoticed by the perpetrator. Let me list some of these traits:-

James 1:8                            Double minded

Hebrews 5:15                    Obviously unskilled

Mark 4:17                            Easily offended

2 Peter 1:8                          Unfruitful

1 Corinthians 13:5            Self centred

James 1:25                          Heedless listener

Ephesians 4:14                  Wavering in doctrine

John 7:24                             Sincere in judgement

1 Corinthians  4:2              Reliability

Colossians 1:10                  Failure to grow

Romans 12:11                    Lacking in enthusiasm

Matthew 5:6                      No hunger

Psalm 50:17                        Reject correction

1 Corinthians 8:9               Improper choices

The list can continue to expose those areas of immaturity that so frequently attends those who have “poor digestion”.

Nourishment does not depend on the volume of food, but on its quality or richness, viz, “But solid food is for full-grown men” (Hebrews 5:14) and “O taste and see that the LORD is good,” (Psalm34:8) or in other words, develop your spiritual digestion.

But how?  Many folk are content to READ the Word, some consistently but not intensely, but this does not adequately stimulate digestion, it is only as we apply ourselves to STUDY, digesting, understanding and assimilating the real nourishment of the Word, then our strength and endurance is enhanced, until we are approved.

2 Timothy 2:15                    Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial)

Jesus, when giving instructions to Peter, instructed him firstly to “feed My lambs” but then also said “feed My sheep”. (John 21) He was identifying that sheep and lambs have two different diets according to their digestive function, lambs are content with milk, sheep need grass. Some foods have an “acquired taste”, as a child I hated pumpkin  but was made to eat it, despite my protest, but for its nutritional value, but now I love pumpkin.

A banquet does not cater for kids, but caters for “gourmets”, and a buffet, where you pick and choose is for “gluttons”, those more interested in quantity rather than quality, for convenience rather than value.

How relevant is this in the church of today, where the services are adjusted so that people are not made to feel uncomfortable and  consequently they do not know how to behave in the House of the Lord, where the sermon is bland and superficial, where coffee is served to your seat, so “fast food” is their regular spiritual diet and made obvious by stunted growth.

Do you realise our feast is spread, 66 books full of food, but have you developed your digestion? There was an old practice where people had a “Promise Box” full of little paper rolls, each with a scripture on it,  and every morning they would pick a promise, and that was their spiritual food for the day. Even now, some folk rely on “Daily Readings” that arrive in their email inbox each morning, no continuity of thought and nothing to focus their attention on growth and spiritual health, just a “touchy feely” salve for their conscience.

We can make it either a “de-gustation” or a “dis-gustation”, the result is determined by our appreciation of the menu of God’s offering, where, one is a banquet, the other, a buffet. Without food, the body quickly collapses; without spiritual food, the soul atrophies, it really is as simple as that.

Deuteronomy  8:2-3        And YOU SHALL [EARNESTLY] REMEMBER all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.  And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ONLY, BUT MAN LIVES BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LORD.

Jesus was quite clear in encouraging the disciples in their pursuit of proper goals, while they had their eyes on the natural requirements. Because Jesus wasn’t hungry they thought He had access to some other “larder” when He declared,

John  4:32-34                      But He assured them, I have food (nourishment) to eat of which you know nothing and have no idea.  So the disciples said one to another, Has someone brought Him something to eat?  Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.

“DIGESTIBILITY” is a result of appropriate food, sufficient mastication (meditation) and efficient “absorption”,(understanding) and Jesus here was saying that there were better things than temporal meat, and that would surpass what they could conceive. It would nourish in a way that they had no idea, and was comprised both the “KNOWING AND THE DOING.” Jesus goes on to say,

John 6:35                             Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

Our personal pursuit of things to satisfy our temporal ambition will end in disaster, we may attain some degree of financial stability, some academic qualification, a position of recognition, be a world traveller, an accomplished artist or architect of invention, but in the light of eternity, the richness of God’s blessing here and now, is forfeited.

Isaiah  55:1-2                      WAIT AND LISTEN, (too little time is spent by many Christians in waiting and listening to the Lord, not enough time spent enjoying a spiritual meal  ..  comments mine) everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? HEARKEN DILIGENTLY TO ME, AND EAT WHAT IS GOOD, and LET YOUR SOUL DELIGHT ITSELF IN FATNESS [THE PROFUSENESS OF SPIRITUAL JOY].

Notice that the above promise includes “FATNESS” and as we have seen previously, “fatness” comes from the root in Hebrew “Deshen” (H1880) and is aligned with the number “8”, which throughout scripture identifies numerous qualities to which we should aspire (see study “FACTOR OF EIGHT)

EIGHT:  sh’moneh in Hebrew, from the root shah’meyn “TO MAKE FAT” OR “TO COVER WITH FAT” which means to super-abound. , As a participle it means “one who abounds in strength,” etc. As a noun it is “superabundant fertility,” “oil,” etc. So that as a numeral it is the superabundant number.

Success most often depends on application, champions are not born, they are made. It’s not in their DNA, or gene pool that makes them achieve – but it’s through discipline, training, practice and devotion, and more particularly to THEIR DIET.

In spiritual terms the same principles apply, to be fit and active we have to be able to adopt those same principles in the spiritual realm,

• Discipline – that is meeting the demands of the Word that are clearly spelled out to us, and adopting the “KEYS” that Father proposes so that we might be “healthy”
• Training – We have seen that bodily exercise is of very little benefit, but spiritual exercise is beneficial in EVERY WAY (1 Timothy 4:8)
• Practice – Hebrews tells us that it is necessary to have a good diet, spiritually strong meat, but requires constant “PRACTICE” to be able to become proficient

Hebrews 5:14                    But SOLID FOOD is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are TRAINED BY PRACTICE to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

• Devotion – We have recently looked at the subject of “SINCERITY” and the principle, “SINCERITY MUST BECOME SACRIFICE, FOR SINCERITY WITHOUT SACRIFICE IS ONLY AN INTENTION TO BE SINCERE.”

If we are going to walk in Righteousness we have to have sustenance for the effort required. Milk is not enough, we have to have meat.

I would like to refer back to an incident with a very high profile Prophet in the Old Testament, who was exposed to a situation that describes quite acutely the very scenario that we face even today. We will visit Ezekiel in Chapter 3.

Ezekiel 3:1-3                                       HE SAID to me, Son of man, eat what you find [in this book]; eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat the scroll. And He said to me, Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Firstly the proposition that Father put to Ezekiel was that he should eat a scroll, not a very appetizing invitation, scrolls in those days were frequently written on animal skin that had been tanned and all the hair removed so that it was quite thin, but still “animal skin.” Called “VELLUM” it was fine parchment prepared from the skin of a young animal e.g. a calf or lamb.

How would we react if the instruction to us from Father was that we needed to eat the newspaper this morning? It would not be any stranger than the instruction Ezekiel received, and then I have to ask myself, would I be as “willing” as Ezekiel?

OLD SCROLL SAMPLE

Notice that Ezekiel did not leap to the task with any great enthusiasm or relish, because he plainly admits “He CAUSED me to eat the scroll.” The scroll did not look too tasty either as it was written on both sides, with lamentations and mourning and woe, which didn’t auger well for a tasty snack. His willingness however was displayed by the fact that “So I opened my mouth,” an obvious indication that he was willing to comply, without too much zeal, but without question.

Also it is interesting how agreeably surprised Ezekiel was, despite the victual appearing to be somewhat unpalatable, when he had partaken, it tasted terrific, just like honey. This is not an unusual sensation when we sincerely and consistently imbibe the Word of God, it becomes exciting and interesting and “sweet”.

Sometimes when we approach the Word of God, it seems quite unpalatable because we lack the appreciation of the benefits that are bound up in that living Word. Do we avoid some chapters, or even books of the bible because they “are not to my taste.”

Father had said to Ezekiel in verse 1 “EAT what you FIND in this BOOK.” This is suggestive that every word in the Bible contains some form of nourishment that we must “DIGEST”, and so mastication and meditation are clones, that chewing over the Word of God is where the benefit accrues, where the appreciation of the “meat” become a compelling diet and a spiritual banquet.

Acts 10:19                            And while Peter was earnestly REVOLVING the vision in his mind and MEDITATING on it, the [Holy] Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you!

Also Ezekiel had to eat what he “FOUND” in the book, and this suggests there is a requirement for “LOOKING”, if we don’t “look” we will never “find”.

We may well ask the question, how often do we take food on a daily basis, generally at least three times, and of sufficient quantity to satisfy our hunger, and should we find it convenient, we may partake on even more occasions. If the food is appropriate we end up strong and healthy, but if it is junk, the result is obesity, or a state defined as “more than average fatness”.

Ezekiel, in his obedience to the instructions he received was a foreshadowing of the expression Jesus made to His disciples,  because Ezekiel didn’t argue, despite his obvious reluctance, for it is recorded “So I opened my mouth.”

It would be remiss of me if I did not draw our attention to the fact that we too often “open our mouth”, but with the wrong result, simply because we did not have the overwhelming sense of Fathers control and direction and sovereignty that attends proper obedience.

John 4:34                                             Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.

It is only after Ezekiel has “eaten” that he finds the taste like honey, and is then presented with the task of speaking to the house of Israel, and it is only after we have soaked ourselves in the Word of God, giving adequate time and thought and meditation, digesting an ruminating on the “meat” provided so richly, that we are then equipped to “speak” and enjoy the sweetness of His communion.

Digressing for a moment, there was a similar incident involving the Apostle Peter, in his vision he saw things that were not acceptable to him, and he initially deferred to comply, .

Acts 10:13-15                     And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.

There is quite a contradiction here, because we cannot say “NO” to the Lord and have Him still be Lord, our submission has to be entire and complete. Even after the vision occurred three times, the bible says,

Acts 10:17A                                         Now Peter was still inwardly perplexed and doubted as to what the vision which he had seen could mean

Peter was being prepared to go and SPEAK with a Centurion of the Italian Regiment, a man of status and influence, but at this stage Peter was unaware of the program in process. But after having “EATEN” in the sense we are discussing, and as confirmed by

Act 10:19                              And while Peter was earnestly revolving the vision in his mind and meditating on it,  (This is the masticating and digesting of that which Peter was addressed by the same Holy Spirit)  the [Holy] Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you!

While Peter was receiving his vision as described, the Centurion was also receiving his vision. The first was to prepare Peter to “SPEAK”, the second for the Centurion to “RECEIVE”, both result from sincerity to the purpose of God.

This inspiration is what is lacking in the general ministry of the Church today, no “fire and hammer” because there has been little, or no “earnestly revolving and meditating”, the message is either out of the book, like, “100 Sermons for Busy Pastors”, or is simply academic research or intellectual speculation.

Returning to Ezekiel, the instruction was not just to eat the scroll, but:-

Ezekiel 3:3                                           And He said to me, Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and FILL YOUR STOMACH WITH IT. Then I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Superficiality is not in God’s vocabulary, nor in His economy, when He gives us material for study, then we have to “consume” the whole matter. Ezekiel may have felt justified if he had eaten just the end off the scroll, but no, Father said “EAT TILL YOU ARE FULL”, fill your stomach, even if at first glance the “meal” seems unpalatable, we cannot stop until the scroll is eaten, or the subject has been fully explored, and our spirit sated.

But notice the end of this verse, what a pleasant surprise, when Ezekiel had eaten his fill, the scroll tasted lovely, like honey in his mouth, and this has been the experience of several people in The Word.

Jeremiah 15:16                                  YOUR WORDS WERE FOUND, AND I ATE THEM; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.

Revelation 10:9                                  So I went up to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. And he said to me, Take it and eat it. It will embitter your stomach, though in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey

The whole purpose of the “EATING AND DIGESTING” of God’s Word is twofold, firstly that we as individuals might be nourished and strengthened and grow spiritually fat, and secondly that we might be equipped to fulfil the injunction of scripture.

We first “COMPLY” then that leads to “OBEY”, where “compliance” is the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another, and “obeisance” is “the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behaviour with respect to another person”.

The Bible says we have to “study to show yourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), that is where we have to be sated with our feasting on the meat of the Word, it finds its result in the fatness so eloquently described in:-

Isaiah 55:2                                           Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? HEARKEN DILIGENTLY TO ME, AND EAT WHAT IS GOOD, and LET YOUR SOUL DELIGHT ITSELF IN FATNESS [THE PROFUSENESS OF SPIRITUAL JOY].

Secondly, we are instructed to go into all the world and preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15). But before we get all paranoid because we are not “preachers”, the best way to preach is by example, and it will be more readily received when we evidence our excellence of dietary preference, with a life that is reflective of Ezekiel’s obedience.

Obviously, there is great import in this matter to those who would occupy places where the Word of God is to be preached or taught, or even shared in group bible study, for this is a vehicle of significant capacity to bring the food to the table around which bible study is conducted.

There is one last thing to this short passage of Ezekiel. The whole point of the experience of Ezekiel to this point was preparation, or “PROCESS”, and we know that there is no “PROGRESS” without “PROCESS”. And so we must recognise that our indulgence in the Word of God is both “Enjoyable” and Employable”, for after having eaten and enjoyed, Ezekiel was given his commission.

Ezekiel 3:10-11                                  MOREOVER, He said to me, Son of man, all My words that I shall speak to you, receive in your heart and hear with your ears. And go, get you to the [Jewish] captives [in Babylon], to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, Thus says the Lord God, whether they will hear or refuse to hear.

Do not be afraid of the consequences of obedience, Father said to Ezekiel that the people might “hear”, but they also might “refuse”. The whole purpose of God’s dealings with Ezekiel was that opportunity might be afforded those who were in need of spiritual intervention, and the task continues to this day.

 

oOo

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #5 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #5                                                               ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION)

Today we will look further at the means of walking in the Spirit. We stated previously that to walk in the spirit is not a popular choice and there are many reasons for that. Let me give you several of them and see if you can identify with them.

1              To walk in the Spirit is a rare phenomenon. And it seems that it becomes more pressing yet rarer as the days go by as yet our heart after God is interfered with by many other ambitions.

2              When we walk and live in the Spirit, we can no longer be one of the mob, it makes us stand apart.

3              It demands commitment. Now not too many people are real sure that they want the degree of commitment that is required to walk and live in the Spirit. It means that Hebrews 10v25 which is one of the basic instructions of Scripture, it being “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the habit of some is but so much more as you see the day approaching”. So that is the very lowest level of commitment.

4              It carries great responsibility without much authority. Now we in our human nature like to have it the other way around – plenty of authority but not much responsibility. To walk and live in the Spirit changes that, it places great responsibility on us because we are accountable to God before His people, but it doesn’t give us much authority.

5              Lastly, and probably one of the most difficult areas to handle, it brings us into direct conflict with spiritual forces. When we live and walk in the Spirit, we will be confronted on every hand by spiritual forces of darkness. In the spiritual realm we can either walk in THE Spirit or we can walk in A spirit. There is a difference. You see there are many people today who walk in A spirit. On the very opposite end of the scale, we have the clairvoyant, the medium, the stargazer and the necromancer – all those who are involved in occult activities. But then Romans 8v6 says that SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DEATH and so there is a man who walks in the spirit of his mind but is not living and walking in the Spirit.

Micah 2:11                            If a man walking in a spirit [of vanity] and in falsehood should lie and say, I will prophesy to you of wine and strong drink, O Israel, he would even be the acceptable prophet of this people!

That is the popular choice – to tell us what we want to hear.

When we come into New Testament times in

2 Thessalonians 2:9              The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels–[all of them] lying wonders–

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,

2 Thessalonians 2:12             In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

This is why the Word is so important to us, we must come to grips and grasp and love the Word. You see the pursuit of supernatural guidance is not something that is unique to the Twentieth century. Back in Old Testament times, men used to read the entrails of chickens, looking for ways to be superior to the run-of-the-mill citizen.

Ezekiel 21:21a                         For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork of the two ways, to use divination.

(I see that this relates to James 1v8 where is says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, in what he thinks and what he feels.)

The king of Babylon will stop at the fork of the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen, to look for guidance, to look for guidance, to see some supernatural indication of what he should do. It says

NIV        He will cast lots with the arrows. He will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.

AMP      He shakes the arrows to and fro, he consults the teraphim (household gods), he looks at the liver.

This is where they disemboweled an animal, and lay it out before the priest, and the priest would peer into the liver and depending on how it was marked and the colour, this gave them guidance – well, some sort of guidance!

But in the same perverted sense today, men are using drugs to expand their minds, to lead them into realms of fantasy which then becomes a playground for forces of evil. Those involved in horrific crimes have often been involved with drugs. They have opened themselves to the forces of evil. Man has always been keen to get out beyond the realms of their minds. Much of the reason why we’re not able to walk and live in the Spirit today consists in the four propositions that I gave you last time and I will reiterate them because I think they are important.

1              We will get nothing unless we go after it. We will never achieve anything unless we pursue it.

2              We can have as much as we insist upon having.

3              We will have a little as we are satisfied with.

4              We now have as much as we REALLY want. If we were hungry and thirsting for righteousness, we would be filled, and so it describes in detail what the state of the church is.

But also combined with this is the necessity to know where we are going and how to get there. We can have, as James 3 puts it, “the wisdom that comes from above or the wisdom that is earthly”. Now both of these are supernatural. The Bible says

James 3:15                         This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).

That is the wisdom from below, but the book says that we can have the wisdom from above:

James 3:17                         But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

This is the same degree of wisdom that God wants to impart today. So, we can have wisdom from one of two sources.

We have the choice though and you will recall we shared from Hebrews 11v25

Heb 11:25                           Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.

Which says that if we want to reflect on the things of the past, those things from out of which we came, we will find ample opportunity to return to it. We make the choice, we can choose to live in the Spirit or we can choose to live in the natural. If we can’t get a hold of the fact that we can live and walk in the Spirit, from here to the day we die, we are going to be second rate, ineffective, Mickey Mouse Christians. If we choose to live and walk in the Spirit, God has promised us all that we need.

John 16:13                          But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

We don’t have to look at chicken livers; we don’t have to blow our mind on drugs, all we have to do is yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and begin to tune in on the frequency of heaven and He will show us of things to come.

Now many are scared of this provision because it cuts across their ability to grasp it with their minds. They cannot comprehend how this could be, but if we come to understand what the word says in

Isaiah 55:8                          For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:9                          For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

But if we are going to walk and to live in the Spirit, our thoughts and His thoughts need to coincide, not collide.

1 Corinthians 1:25              [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.

Even at our very best we can’t compete with the weakest thing of God, and so there is no problem with us submitting to the direction and control of the Spirit.

On that basis then, I should not be too ambitious to demonstrate my cerebral ability, for I will always be seen to be totally inadequate in comparison to the mind and the methods of God. I can depend upon Him to lead me in the routes and paths which will always be superior to that which I can choose, and I am not suggesting that we turn off our heads and become zombies. That’s what they do in transcendental meditation. They get on to a mantra and they use this word over and over until they can disengage their mind, then their mind becomes a playground for the enemy. I am not suggesting for one moment that we turn off our heads. I am suggesting that we turn them over to the control of the Holy Spirit. The book says in

Proverbs 16:3                   Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

We can expect that when we commit our works on a continuing basis to the Lord, to have our thought patterns adjusted, ad we can sure do with that.

Not only do we have that help by the Holy Spirit, but we also have His Word which will give us a plethora of instruction which will enable us to walk and to live in the Spirit. As yet we are not demonstrating that ability to take the Word and put it into effect, but we have to determine the means. I want to make a qualification here. When I say means, I’m not suggesting methods, that means that to live and walk in the Spirit are not methods. With regard to God’s word, we obviously have to accept it as truth. It is undiluted, unembellished, and complete in itself and all we require from the Word of God is the illumination of the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and grasp it.

John 8:31                            So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.

John 8:32                            And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

So we have the truth of God’s Word to guide us.

Much of the dilemma of folk today is they are not too sure of the source of their guidance. They are not sure that the voice they hear is God’s voice or whether it is a counterfeit voice.

Romans 12:2                     Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

How do we do it?

1 Peter 1:13 AMP             So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favour) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 NIV               Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.

We have got to get our minds on things which are above.

We know that that guidance or direction that we seek, that ability to walk and live in the Spirit has to come from above, but there is that type that comes from other sources.

1              There is that wisdom that comes from below. James 3v15

2              There is that guidance that comes from our own mind running riot.

3              There is the area of dreams and visions that are induced not by the Spirit, but by many other means.

4              Circumstances are misinterpreted, too many people are looking for signs.

Matthew 16:1                   Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].

Matthew 16:2                   He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,

Matthew 16:3                   And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

The book describes the era in which we live, we don’t need signs or fleeces, that was an era of Old Testament. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will guide you into all truth. These things have been done away with just as the legal system has been done away with.

We need to take care however, because,

1 John 4:1                             Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit,

Why am I labouring this point? When we live and walk in the Spirit, we are going to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and we are going to find that there are counterfeit spirits. We need to be able to demonstrate the contrast, we need to be able to discern.

but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

This is why we need to know the Word. One sure test for knowing that we are living and walking in God’s ways is that it is attended by peace. This is one of the real tests of whether we are walking and living in the Spirit. I’m talking about peace, not complacency.

John 14:27                            Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

We live in peace if we live and walk in the Spirit, if this guidance we receive is not of God, you can rest assured that it will be confusing.

1 Corinthians 14:33           For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

God’s Word gives us clarity, that’s why we need to be thoroughly acquainted with it in all its directions and its counsels and its patterns for life, even though many times it doesn’t suit what we would prefer.

Colossians 3:15                   And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

(A Scripture in isolation can become a stumbling block, you have to take the pattern of the Word from cover to cover. The promises of God are always attached to conditions, God has given us promises but they have to be put into context.)

Colossians 3:16                 Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

Now we can see how to walk and live in the Spirit. When we can be thankful, when we can be appreciative, when we can give thanks to God always, then we can admonish and train one another, with all insight and intelligence and wisdom in spiritual things. Do you realize that it is difficult to do those things at the same time as you are complaining?

If we can get a hold of the principles of God’s word that says we need to live in this peaceful state, we need to be thankful, be appreciative and praise and then we will enter into that realm where we can train, encourage and admonish one another in all spiritual wisdom and intelligence, and then we’ll overflow with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

People fail to line up what they think God tells them with the Word of God, it maybe is diametrically opposed yet they don’t check it out. Others think that the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit is not for us today, they forget,

2 Timothy 2:15                  Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

The Book is full of instructions so that we can walk the route God has planned for us. Some think that to live in the natural with God’s Word and common sense to guide them is the safest way. It will be safe, and satisfactory to your mind, but they will miss out on the ecstasy of living and walking in the Spirit, guided by His presence, qualifying as a Son of God. What we become is a careful failure.

PETER WALKING ON THE WATER

The first thing Peter did was call out, “Is that You Lord?” He sought for confirmation. He said, “If so, call me over to you”.

There is a principle here that we need to get a hold of. When we hear the voice of the Lord, or when we experience something we think is God or of God, let’s get the confirmation.

You will notice that Peter got out and started to walk on the water but then he messed it up. He looked down and then he went down. He eventually stood on the water with Jesus. There were eleven others who were careful failures, they didn’t even try. This is exactly what the church is doing today., they know God is calling and yet they still sit in the boat, unprepared to throw their legs over the edge and say “I’m going to launch out in Jesus and I know He will never let me fail”.

To talk and live in the Spirit, we need to realize some things.

1              It doesn’t happen automatically. You can wish for it all you want, but if you want to do it, you have to launch out in God.

2              We have to learn to live and to walk in the Spirit. We do this by applying the things which we hear, which we think come from God and WHICH ARE SCRIPTURALLY SOUND, AND WHEN THEY DON’T AFFECT ANYONE ELSE, learn to get instructions which are personal, and don’t affect anybody else. Once we become skilled in walking in the Spirit, and knowing and understanding the voice of God, skilled at receiving confirmation, knowing that that is the direction, then we can start sharing with others. There are too many people running around the church with a Word from the Lord for someone else whilst their own credibility is not established.

Ephesians 5:10                 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].

3              To walk in the Spirit is not a method, but a principle. If it was a method all we would need to do is get a list and follow it. But because it is a principle of the Word of God, it has to be implemented and carried through by faith.

4              To walk and live in the Spirit is a unique experience for each unique individual. It comes out of our intimate relationship with the Lord and then it comes out of His confidence in my reliability.

INSURANCE AGAINST ERROR

As we begin to seek the Lord for the ability to walk and live in the Spirit, we must be willing to submit the impressions that we receive to the test, God’s word must be the final judge. God’s Word must take precedence over our emotions, feelings, impressions and surrounding circumstances, all those signs and coincidences that seem to line up with what we need. All leadings of the Spirit need to line up with the Word of God, God’s Word has to take precedence over our subjective confidence if God has spoken to us in some personal revelations, IT MUST LINE UP WITH THE WORD.

Romans 8:14     For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

But to be a son we have to submit to His discipline and His training so that we become sensitive to His Spirit.

Hebrews 12:11                 For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness–in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

oOo

VITALITY OF STUDY ROSS SMITH

VITALITY OF STUDY                                                                ROSS  SMITH  070716

2 Timothy 2:15                                   STUDY and be EAGER and do your UTMOST to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, CORRECTLY ANALYSING AND ACCURATELY DIVIDING [RIGHTLY HANDLING AND SKILFULLY TEACHING] THE WORD OF TRUTH.

Part of the motivation for looking into this subject is the warning issued by the Prophet Amos when he penned the words:-

Amos 8:11                                           Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, BUT [A FAMINE] FOR HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD.

IF WE ARE NOT IN THE WORD, THE WORD WILL NOT BE IN US

The principle and need of “STUDY” of which we are well aware, has created some discussion and distress amongst many folk, some saying that they are not able to study, others that study is too onerous for them, others that they don’t have time, others that they don’t need to study, some that they prefer to do other things, and in light of the instructions of scripture, there are no excuses that hold water.

But we need to go even further in this instruction, and the Amplified Bible comes to our assistance and broadens the intention so that it becomes unavoidable.

STUDY

A Dictionary Definition   —  “Consider in detail, and subject to an analysis, in order to discover essential features or meaning; think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes; applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading); a state of deep mental absorption.”

I would like to expand upon this area because we sometimes fail to properly identify the PROCESS, even with the dictionary explanations. But before we get to “study,” we need to see what is the  lead up, and that’s where Mark 4 comes to our assistance.

Mark 4:24                                            And He said to them, BE CAREFUL what you are hearing. THE MEASURE [OF THOUGHT AND STUDY] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Scriptural study involves research, but scriptural study is not just research. Study has to include revelation, which is not necessarily some world shattering insight but the opening and understanding of scripture previously obscure or unclear in its meaning or potential.

Notice that before we get to “STUDY” as set out in Mark 4, there is the process of “CAREFUL THOUGHT.”  This is where we engage in contemplation and meditation, where the matter under consideration is revolving in our minds in a constant manner, and using the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Some folk have the misconception that the “THOUGHT” part, that it is  just the theme or topic or subject for the study, but no, that is simply an “IDEA”, a “seed.” The “THOUGHT” requires much more revolving mentally, contemplating and meditating so that the “IDEA” becomes a “THOUGHT”.

But more than that, an “IDEA” needs to be committed to paper, because we are so inclined to forget what the “IDEA” was, and the prompts that brought  us to that point are lost or obscured by our other commitments. You no doubt have experienced when some idea has dropped into your mind, maybe in the middle of the night, or in the midst of a task, only to forget what it was when you wanted to think about it because you had not written it down.

Even more than that, as we maintain the “THOUGHT” we will then often find that as we proceed throughout the day, there are other components of the thought that arise in our mind, and they then also need to be recorded on paper. Even further, when we have been contemplating and meditating, then we often will find that during the night hours we will have further expansion of the subject.

Back in Old Testament times this principle was inculcated to the people when Joshua said:-

Joshua 1:8                                           This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT, that you may OBSERVE AND DO according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

There is a component of this verse that we tend to overlook and that is, not only “OBSERVE” but then we have to “DO.” Out of the “DOING” will emerge the “virtue” that is promised in Mark 4:24

People may seek to be excused because they have a job which requires all their mental agility, and that is understood, but we are not just limited to our ability to think laterally, or outside of the box, but it is our spirit that is in tune with His spirit, and out of that union we capture the truth. If that was not the case the Word would have been irrelevant in suggesting that we meditate day and night.

Mark said that it is the “MEASURE” of “THOUGHT”, which further expands on the principle that an “IDEA” is just a seed, while THOUGHT IS THE GERMINATION, THE GROWTH AND MATURITY.  How often have you been pondering some idea or aspect of a matter when suddenly there comes in a flood of information that is so very pertinent.

Whilst there is some legitimacy to the debate on how much time is spent, or not spent, in study, I think the “MEASURE” referred to here in Mark 4 is not confined to “time” but to “MEDITATION,” for it is meditation that leads to ministry, not “time.” It is the germinating of the thought that is the parallel of the natural seed, which has to be planted, then watered, then illuminated, and suddenly the life of the seed becomes obvious. But we still have to put in the “TIME”, and often this requires that we forgo “I, My, Me, Mine, Want, Wish, Wallow”

IT IS NOT THE DURATION OF THE STUDY THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT THE RESULT OF THE STUDY.

DURATION IS OFTEN REQUIRED, BUT INTENSITY IS THE GREATER ATTRIBUTE, THAT IS, THE “MEASURE OF THOUGHT”

MEDITATION means “Continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature, contemplation of spiritual matters.” MEDITATION IS MEANT TO BE MEMORABLE

Psalm 104:34                                      May my meditation be sweet to Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 63:6                                           When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.

One of the signs of real sincerity is when we  begin to find pleasure and enjoy  thinking about God, when our thoughts, instead of being unpleasant , become pleasant, when we no longer revert to our circumstances, and we harbour  an ardent desire to cherish the thought of God, and to know more of Him.

Psalm 119:127                                    THEREFORE (Go to the previous verse to see why there is the “THEREFORE ..  comments mine) I love Your commandments more than [resplendent] gold, yes, more than [perfectly] refined gold.

Meditation is the reflective dwelling or pondering of the mind upon a great fact, a scripturally sound fact, till that fact has time to get into our mind and spirit and saturate it with the influence an intention of the Word until it becomes a reality. Meditation is the quiet thinking on spiritual matters, the steady focus of contemplative thought diverting our attention away from other things and concentrated on the truth we see,  and that alone.”

This is the fulfilment of what John said in:-

John 14:26                                           But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU all things, AND BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE all that I said unto you.

Again there are two aspects in this scripture that contain vital promises, firstly HE WILL TEACH US, and any learning experience brought to us by the Holy Spirit is to be cherished, remembered and acted upon. Secondly HE WILL BRING THINGS TO OUR REMEMBRANCE.

The first aspect is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which, when properly meditated upon, is manifest then in the sharing of that truth as the fire and hammer” of the Word, not some academic analysis as a result of research, but “ALIVE AND ACTIVE” (Hebrews 4:12)

Secondly, the “REMEMBRANCE” cannot occur unless the truth has been stored up in our heart, and the Psalmist covered this in his profound descriptions of Psalm 119

Psalm 119:11                                      Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

MEMORY IS REPETITION AND REINFORCEMENT

Notice how the memory component in the graph improves from left to right with repetition. It is not just a technique, but a repeating and reinforcing the information you want to retain in long-term memory is a necessity. Practice, practice, practice is the best way to solidify data you need to keep in your memory and retrieve when needed, just like the Psalmist said.

STUDY

This instruction is accompanied in 2 Timothy 2:15 by the words,  “EAGER and “UTMOST”, which sort of adds some obligation to the way we study. Some folk approach study as an “obligation” that is uncomfortably worn, others resent that they have to set aside time where they could be doing something they want to do, while others find that the study of God’s Word is an absolute delight, and steal every moment available to “THINK AND STUDY” and so they are able to be EAGER and to DO THEIR UTMOST.

The Apostle Paul had some pressures to overcome in his ministry, but he approached it from an angle we may not have considered

1 Corinthians 9:16                            For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, FOR I FEEL COMPELLED OF NECESSITY TO DO IT. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!

If the great Apostle was obedient to the compulsion he felt, and did not try to evade it or dismiss it, then there is a pattern set for us, and Paul said, “imitate me.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) After reading this study I trust you will “FEEL THE NECESSITY TO STUDY.”

WE REQUIRE GODS APPROVAL  

2 Timothy 2:16 (ISV)                        Do your best to present yourself to God as AN APPROVED WORKER who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision.

The result proposed is not the admiration or affection of the congregation, or of one’s superiors, not even success in influencing and winning souls; but that of presenting ourselves to God in such a way as to secure His approval. Some men use the gospel to obtain popular favor rather than the divine approval.

In what form is Gods approval to be shown towards us, and when and if it does, do we recognise it, or do we rather look for plaudits from men? We well know that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6), but there is a character that accompanies that faith evidenced as described by Isaiah.

Isaiah 66:2                                           For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and Of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands

The heightened awareness or sensitivity to God that attends obedience in our compulsion to study will always be accompanied by a deepening of our humility, because we will begin to understand a little more “GOD’S INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS.”

HEIGHTENED AWARENESS REQUIRES DEEPENED HUMILITY

In simple terms, PLEASING GOD OBTAINS HIS APPROVAL, isn’t that simple? So we revert to the Word to find what pleases God and find a plethora of scripture that points us in the right direction. The first of which I would suggest, is following the instructions prior to this “approval process” and that is “STUDY, BE EAGER, DO YOUR UTMOST”

Romans 14:17 -18             [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (THAT STATE WHICH MAKES A PERSON ACCEPTABLE TO GOD) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. HE WHO SERVES CHRIST IN THIS WAY IS ACCEPTABLE AND PLEASING TO GOD AND IS APPROVED BY MEN.

“EAGER” is an interesting word, in part it means “Having a strong or impatient wish to do something, a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something,” but is completely different to “ANXIOUS.” We are to be “Anxious for nothing” (Mat 6:34) but “EAGER” in all things that pertain to the kingdom. The letter to the Hebrews puts it into day to day language

Hebrews 4:11 (ERV)                        So let us TRY AS HARD AS WE CAN to enter God’s place of rest. WE MUST TRY HARD so that none of us will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey God.

“UTMOST” is also very interesting, and means “Of the greatest possible degree, extent or intensity.” What is 2 Timothy speaking about when he uses these two words, it is worth returning to the context as these words, “Eager and Utmost” are the soul mates of “STUDY.”.

2 Timothy 2:15                   STUDY and be EAGER and do your UTMOST to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a WORKMAN who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skilfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

Father hates shoddy workmanship, whether it be in our personal habits, in the home and more particularly when it reflects upon His name when we are sloppy in the workplace where we are on show to the world, and should be presenting a “CONTRAST.” (Ephesians 5:11 AMP) This truth is borne out back in the book of Exodus where Moses had to appoint men to oversee the construction of the Temple, and you will recall that in the book of Exodus the calibre of workmanship was identified.

Exodus 35:30-35               And Moses said to the Israelites, See, the Lord called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;  And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and wisdom, with intelligence and understanding, and with knowledge and all craftsmanship,  To devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,  In cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, for work in every skilled craft.  And God has put in Bezalel’s heart that he may teach, both he and Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with wisdom of heart and ability to do all manner of craftsmanship, of the engraver, of the skilful workman, of the embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet [stuff] and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do or design any skilled work.

If that was the equipping of Old Testament men, and the quality of workmanship demanded of God for the building of the physical temple, how much more is the requirement for us who have been called to be part of “HIS CHURCH”, a building that is not made with hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1) and who have the promised aid of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was quite explicit in regards to proper workmanship, for in Matthew 7 He goes into some length to identify a good tradesman,

• Verse 24 – “A SENSIBLE (PRUDENT, PRACTICAL, WISE) MAN who built his house upon the rock,“ — but then is rather scathing of the sloppy builder,
• Verse 26-27 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a STUPID (FOOLISH) MAN who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell–and great and complete was the fall of it.

This is the calibre of man that Father is looking for in their exploration and explanation of His Word, not just some shanty build on the beach without the foundational truths first being laid, but a rock strong conviction emanating from plumbing the depths of the Word to unearth those gems and promises that are afforded those who are obedient.  (LOOK AT DILIGENCE)

Timothy then gives counsel as to how we should manage our studies giving four areas of concentration:-

• Correctly analysing
• Accurately dividing
• Rightly handling
• Skilfully teaching

CORRECTLY ANALYSING

The first area “CORRECTLY ANALYSING” implies that we have to search the scriptures to reinforce the object of our study from all the resources of the entire bible. There are so any spurious doctrines and interpretations abounding today, and so many naive people, that the influence of improper interpretation of God’s Word causes shipwreck.

It is necessary reading of 2 Timothy 3:1-9 which describes in some detail the conditions and events that attend where there is a lack of attention and detail to the truth, where there is “INCORRECT ANALYSIS” and it is the duty of every believer to refute and deny those spurious teachings that are intended to mislead.

The skill of “ANALYSIS” must become an instrument of continuous application in our studies, but the instruction also carries a warning, it has to be “CORRECTLY analysing.” The responsibility is two way, firstly in the person conducting the study and secondly those who are exposed to the study. The Bereans were astute in this respect, they didn’t just accept everything at face value, they “studied” to find out of it was accurate.

Acts 17:11                                            Now these [Jews] (from Berea) were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, SEARCHING AND EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY TO SEE IF THESE THINGS WERE SO.

We would probably be greatly disappointed if we attended our local Doctor for blood tests or screening for some malady, and found that he used some inferior laboratory to conduct the analysis, and the results were not “ACCURATE.” Just as this is life threatening so is the failure to “CORRECTLY ANALYSE” THE Word of God.

Let us not be negligent in any way in our study and preparation and also in delivery of those things we find in God’s Word.

ACCURATELY DIVIDING

Both the first two instructions are to ensure the purity of the subject, both to be “CORRECT” and now to be “ACCURATE.”  You may recall the study “Living Accurately” and that ACCURACY ACCENTUATES INTEGRITY.

WE CANNOT LIVE ON HEARSAY AND HYPOTHESES, we have to know the truth so that we can live accurately.

Allow me the liberty of listing some of the areas that we need to address in our pursuit of that degree of precision required in our walk

ACCURACY ACCENTUATES INTEGRITY

• AMBIVALENCE CLONES APATHY
• CARELESSNESS CULTIVATES COMPROMISE
• FRUSTRATION FATHERS FAILURE
• LETHARGY LICENCES LAZINESS
• PRECISION PROHIBITS PERJURY
• UNCERTAINTY EQUALS DOUBLE MINDEDNESS

RIGHTLY HANDLING

There is dire penalty for those who would add to or take away from the Word of God, and this is not dissimilar to taking scripture out of context. There is a saying that “A scripture that stands alone will not stand for long”, and that will become more obvious as we adopt the injunction of 2 Timothy 2:15 and apply the principles meticulously in or “foraging for food”.

The Bible says in several places not to add to his words, what it means is that we are not to add our own words to what God gave. Each one is a specific book that was complete that man was not to add or subtract from, if we do we are not “RIGHTLY HANDLING.”

Deuteronomy 4:2                            YOU SHALL NOT ADD TO THE WORD WHICH I COMMAND YOU, NEITHER SHALL YOU DIMINISH IT, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Psalm 119:160                                    THE SUM OF YOUR WORD IS TRUTH [THE TOTAL OF THE FULL MEANING OF ALL YOUR INDIVIDUAL PRECEPTS]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.

There is the belief in “progressive revelation” and it is that which originates from outside the God’s Word. It is dangerous to teach what is not in Scripture as if it is Scripture?  False teachers do not want to submit to the Bibles original intent, so they do not seek what Scripture actually means, instead, they conform it to what they want it to mean.

Proverbs 30:5-6                                Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Add not to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar.

If we look at the context it is saying “EVERY WORD OF GOD.” God is directing not to add to his words. Adding does not only mean additional words, but can also mean changing them to mean what they do not. When we add new words as equal to Scripture we are really taking away from Scripture, THE OPPOSITE TO “RIGHTLY HANDLING.”

The work of the Holy Spirit is to have  evidence:

• it would elevate the truth,
• exalt Christ,
• oppose Satan,
• point people to the Scriptures, and
• result in love for God and others.

Before we turn to other thoughts, to attain these objectives there is a third requirement, another thing of great import,

SKILFULLY TEACHING

Before we become paranoid about the requirement for “TEACHING”, let me allay your fears. Teaching is much more than standing in front of a lectern and orating for “x” length of time. The most effective form of teaching is by EXAMPLE. It is this form of teaching that our children become upright and responsible citizens,

Matthew 13:52                                 He said to them, Therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the kingdom of heaven and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and [treasure that is] old [the fresh as well as the familiar].

Whilst we may resile from the suggestion we are “TEACHERS AND INTERPRETERS”, I think we will readily and enthusiastically  endorse that we have been “INSTRUCTED AND TRAINED” and that we would like to see ourselves as “DISCIPLES.” As stated, our example is the greatest method of teaching, and the Word uses various behaviour patterns to express the truth of God’s Word.

• Men will know we are His disciples when we love one another (John13:35)
• Our lives will be a contrast (Ephesians 5:11)
• We will imitate God, or at least the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 11:1)
• We will be recognised by our obedience (John 14:15)
• Our attire will be spectacular (Isaiah 61:10)

Daniel 12:4                                          But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the Book until the time of the end. [Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and KNOWLEDGE [OF GOD’S PURPOSES AS REVEALED BY HIS PROPHETS] SHALL BE INCREASED AND BECOME GREAT

Often this scripture is misconstrued, people look at the explosion of scientific and medical knowledge, the abundance of educational programs, the concentration on learning, but miss the truth of this verse. It is not “worldly knowledge” it is KNOWLEDGE [OF GOD’S PURPOSES AS REVEALED BY HIS PROPHETS

Christians will look everywhere but scripture for the answers to their lives, and to who Jesus is.  If they believe he is “God” they either aspire to be like him with arrogance and pride, or they say, “He’s God, I can never be like God.”  Knowledge is increasing and  Father is intimate with those who allow Him to be.  He shows Himself to those who, like His son Jesus, listen and obey.

Is there are route that will lead us into this state of obedience to the instructions of 2 Timothy 2:15, well the following verse will set us upon the path to success.

1 Thessalonians 4:11(ASV)           and that ye STUDY TO BE QUIET, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #16 ROSS SMITH

 

WALKING IN THE SPRIT #16                                                ROSS SMITH

I want to continue this morning again on the route that we have been following of WALKING AND LIVING IN THE SPIRIT and as we’ve looked at this subject, it has become patently obvious that there is one component that is vitally important if we are going to be successful.  That component, which comes by many names or descriptions, is reliability, or faithfulness or stability or dependability.

Call it what you may, it is the same characteristic even though the descriptions may vary.  Without that dependability, we will qualify for what James 1:8 calls double-mindedness.  He says that a man who is double-minded is unstable in all his ways – uncertain about everything he thinks and decides.

But we are fortunate in the fact that we have that opportunity to be dependable outside of any great degree of spiritual acumen.  It does not require us to be spiritual giants to be reliable or dependable.  Paul said, however, in

1 Corinthians 4:2               Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].

IT IS ESSENTIALLY REQUIRED THAT WE BE FOUND FAITHFUL

Unfortunately in this day and generation, most tradesmen allegedly carry the stigma of unreliability just as used car salesmen allegedly carry the stigma of dishonesty.  The fact that a few have created this unfortunate condition now infects the whole trade.  Have you ever called for the plumber or the electrician and he gives you a time and a date that he’ll be there but you find that after three or four more phone calls he eventually turns up.

I think that Father must feel the same way about us so often and on many occasions, for we don’t honour God with our dependability or reliability to the degree that He can look upon us and look us squarely in the face and say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.

And if He can’t say that to us in this day and generation and in the circumstances in which we are found, what will happen if tomorrow we stand before Him and He looks upon us.  I wonder if He will be able to declare “Well done thou good and faithful servant” in the heavenlies.

It requires that we EXPEND OUR LIVES.  In the past couple of weeks, we have looked at the EXPANDED LIFE, last week we looked at the EXPOUNDED LIFE and this week I want to look at the EXPENDED LIFE.

When we speak in terms of expenditure, it probably conjures up many different concepts in our minds for the term expenditure is generally used in relation to the disposal of our resources, to our funds, both on things which are necessary and things which are unnecessary, and depending upon the ratio of the expenditure on the necessary to the unnecessary determines our reliability or faithfulness.

Did you hear then, dependent upon the ratio of our expenditure on the necessary to the unnecessary determines the degree of our faithfulness or reliability or our stewardship.

But the expenditure of our lives as we WALK AND LIVE IN THE SPIRIT must not be considered as an expenditure of our resources or an unnecessary expense.  Instead, we must come to see it as an investment, made by Almighty God in human tabernacles of flesh and blood and it is intended by God that He get a dividend or interest on the investment that He has made, and He quite justly deserves and demands it.

1 Corinthians 6:19            Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:20            You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honour God and bring glory to Him in your body.

Gospel according to Ross!!!  You are God’s investment.  He has placed His confidence and resource within you.  It says your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, you are no longer your own,  God has purchased you.  Therefore, Paul says, honour God with your body.

If we use the terms that we are using, we need to expend ourselves.  Honour God with your body means to make every faculty available to Him.  But most often, we would hardly know that we are “not our own, we are bought with a price,” for our striving in most instances is for the gratification of our desires, and we give only cursory consideration to the right and the authority that God has over our lives.

And instead of seeing the expenditure of our lives for God as the greatest privilege that has ever been afforded man, so often we view it as an imposition, as an intrusion, as an invasion of my privacy or my free time or my leisure or my funds.  The Bible says in

Acts 20:35b                         It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.

Now whenever that Scripture is mentioned, we immediately slip into the MONEY mode.  We think that when someone says that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive, they must mean my money.  But there is a principle threaded through Scripture which prescribes that we are to give ourselves, not just our money, but WE are to become a source of strength and comfort and aid to the Body of Christ, and to those who are in need and who God is attempting to draw into the Kingdom.

A person who is not prepared to give – and when I say give, again I want to get away from the mentality that has attached itself to the church for so long – to give effort, love, patience, time, encouragement, and ministry – whatever it is that God has equipped us with.  He has given us ALL THINGS which pertain to life and godliness.  A Person who is not prepared to give, who resents having to help others, most often will be suffering from a malnourished spirit,  spiritual anorexia nervosa.

Proverbs 3:27                    Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

Now that precludes a lot of people from being a benevolent philanthropist and pouring millions of dollars into some underdeveloped situation, but it does not preclude anybody from giving aid and love and comfort and hospitality and ministry.

When it is in your power to do it, do not withhold good.  By the way, it is interesting to note about a person suffering from anorexia nervosa – doctors say that it is a psychological thing and it is because that person is afraid of adulthood or maturity, something within their psychological make-up doesn’t want to let them grow up and accept responsibility.

How relevant that is in spiritual terms.  We still have so many kindergarten Christians because they are not prepared to mature and grow and accept the responsibilities that God wants to place on us to be a living testimony – a life expounded to the world round about, so that they can look on us and say “There goes a man who has been with Jesus”.

Proverbs 11:25                  The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.

What a basis for giving out of ourselves.  Isaiah 58:10 gets much more vigorous.

Isaiah 58:10                         And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday.

Oh what a blessed principle we have found in the Word of God.  If we learn to expend ourselves in the dimensions that we understand – that is in the temporal or the natural arenas – we will find it much more comfortable then when the Lord requires that decisive dedication, which is a sacrifice.

We know from Samuel that obedience is better than sacrifice.  If we can make that decisive dedication, it will be much easier to expend ourselves.  Have you ever found that when you really love somebody, it is not difficult to expend yourself for them?  It is no longer a task.  It is a pleasure to do things for those that you love.

2 Corinthians 9:7               Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

You see, that giving comes out of the heart.  So often, we give out of the mentality, we think “What is the proper thing to do here,  what would be the right thing, we try to work it out.  The book says

Let each man decide in his heart what he should give, and then not give reluctantly or under compulsion.

That is mental giving.

But God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 3:9                       Honour the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labours] and with the first fruits of all your income;

Proverbs 3:10                    So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.

That is in the dimensions of the natural, we can look at these things with the wrong motives.  We think, “He said if I give, He’ll give back to me in good measure, pressed down and running over”, so I’d better give because I need some more next week.

That is the wrong motive, we have been redeemed to glorify God, not to show off how much I can earn or how much I have of those temporal benefits.  We have been redeemed to lift up the Name of Jesus, we have been redeemed to educate the principalities and powers into the many faceted wisdom of God.   God will give you what you need when you do what Matthew 6:33 says

Matthew 6:33                    But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Do you know what the criteria there are:  When we are dependable, when we are faithful, when we are reliable?

The disciples provided an example of what we should do if we are going to walk and live in the Spirit.

Matthew 10:8                    Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give.

Now I hear you say, I’d love to do those things,  I’d love to go through this city to cure the sick, and cast out demons and raise the dead,  I would love to do those things,  I would love to be used by God for the restoration of men’s lives.  Well, you can, but it requires that you expend yourselves.  Let’s see what it involves.

Matthew 10:1                    And Jesus summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.

What a gift!  What a magnificent impartation of His nature,  He gave them this power and authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease, weakness and infirmity.

Now, some would contend that when Jesus did this, He did it as a special dispensation of His power, to a special group of men at a special time in the history of the church.  I thought about it, knowing that there would be that controversy, until, by the Holy Spirit, I recalled that

Mark 16:17                          And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;

Mark 16:18                          They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

“THESE SIGNS SHALL ACCOMPANY THOSE WHO BELIEVE” and He went on to enumerate the same power and the same people.  Who?  The Disciples, the only thing that is changed is the time.  When Jesus did this in Matthew, it was specifically to the disciples, but every Scripture is there for our instruction, our direction, for our encouragement, and when we come up to Mark, He says, now you, as My disciples will do exactly the same thing.  But in Mark 16:15, it says

Mark16:15                           And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to EVERY CREATURE [of the whole human race].

Oh!  Now, we are aware that that which comes first in Scripture is priority, so verse 15 logically comes before Verse 16 and 17, and so, obviously verse 15 takes priority.

When we read Matthew 10:5-6, we see that the disciples had some limitations imposed on them.  When Jesus called them, it says that He sent out the twelve, charging them “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and do not go into any town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Now the disciples haven’t got as big and broad and powerful commission as we have, because Jesus said in Mark 16, I want you now to go into the whole world, and preach the gospel to EVERY CREATURE.

But in that there are two particular requirements that we so often want to overlook or maybe just defer for a while or maybe even ignore.  The first one says

Matthew 10:7                    AND AS YOU GO,

That is the first requirement.  The next thing it says

Matthew 10:7                    And as you go, PREACH,

Oh! Shock! Horror! Distress!

Firstly we have to GO.  Now, I don’t believe that what Matthew was talking about there is that everyone has to give up their jobs, go and find a mission field and there become a 1990 type Willy Burton.

The expression that has been used down through the years, GO MAN GO – we all understand that – and I believe that that is the expression that Matthew is using here.  It doesn’t require any degree from a university or a theological college, it requires that I recognize the priorities of God’s Word, and I put Him first.

How many times have you and I had to please and serve the Lord, by being in service, in prayer or reaching out to somebody who needs help by being hospitable, but so often we pass up the opportunity because, I’ve got something that I’ve got to do  I’ve got something planned for this afternoon,  I’ve got a barby on,  I’ve got to go shopping, I need to visit somebody – somebody I like.

That’s generally the criteria, isn’t it?  Isn’t it difficult to visit somebody you don’t like?  I’ve got to go to bed tonight, but (in the back of our minds) there is a good TV programme on.  And should I add to the compendium, I just don’t feel like it.  I hope Father is never infected with that malaise.

We are all aware of the story here of the man who prepared a wedding feast and he told his servant to go and invite people, and the servant came back and told him:

Luke 14:18                           But they all alike began to make excuses and to beg off. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I have to go out and see it; I beg you, have me excused.

Luke 14:19                           And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused.

Luke 14:20                           And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come.

I think the book is very blunt,  Luke didn’t mince words here, they all began to make excuses and beg off.  The Body of Christ is infected with the same malaise, so often, God gives us opportunity to expend ourselves for Him, and what do we do?  We make excuses and we beg off.

The second thing we have to do is “As you go, PREACH!”  Now already, I can hear that protest,  “I’m not called to preach.”  Have you ever heard anybody say that?

Last week we studied the principle that every component of our life should preach, that expounded life where our lives should expound the truth of the Gospel. So we this morning, whether we say we’re not called to preach or whether we think we are, the book says our lives should be living testimonies read and known by men, we need to preach.

More than that, when we are living and walking in the Spirit, men will enquire of us, “What makes the difference?” and when we go to

1 Peter 3:15                        But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord.

Remember the thrust of the Spirit this morning.  “I will create perfection in you when you establish fellowship with me’.  Here Peter says ‘But in your heart, set apart Christ as Lord.

Always be ready to give a logical defence to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Sometimes, I’d like just to push the words apart in the phrase so that I could put some brackets in, because I need reminding.  What I would have put in here is “NOT ANY OLD ANSWER.”  So often, when we are confronted for the testimony of what we believe, what we trust in and the dependency we have on God, we back up.  The book says “Buy the truth and sell it not”, and when Peter says

Always be ready to give an answer (not any old answer) but to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Now there has to be some reason for us going to these lengths, to expend ourselves like this.  We don’t do it because we are so good natured, we don’t do it because we are motivated by such a compulsion and compassion for the lost – that will come –  but because, when we think like God thinks, we will feel like God feels, and we will act like God acts.

The Body of Christ in days not far hence will have compassion and a compulsion for those that are lost, but for now we have to have a proper reason whilst we lack the compulsion.

Matthew 10:8 spelled it out for us.  It says

Matthew 10:8b                 Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give.

Good enough reason, isn’t it?

I contemplated as we have found such depth of intention and such richness in Romans 12 and in the first 10 to 12 verses.  We are acquainted with the requirements that are attached to ministry, but then as I read down further in that same chapter from verse 13-21, it became much more personal, much more direct.

I just want to share with you the verbs that were used in the next nine verses and you will find again that they don’t require any degrees from Oral Roberts University or from some theological college, but what they require is dependability, reliability and application.

“Contribute, pursue hospitality, bless, share, live in harmony, adjust yourselves, never overestimate yourselves, repay no evil, aim, live at peace, never avenge, feed your enemies, overcome.”

These are all things that you and I can do this morning, these are all things that you and I MUST do this morning, these are all part of the “GO MAN GO.”

What we have to do is pursue hospitality, aim to please, never over-estimate ourselves, share, live in harmony, contribute, feed your enemies, never avenge, overcome.  These are all part of the GO.

1 Corinthians 15:10            But by the grace (the unmerited favour and blessing) of God I am what I am ….

And I can identify with that this morning, it is only by God’s grace that I am what I am.

But he said,                        and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect).

Now I have to take stock and say, Can I still qualify?  Yes I am what I am by the grace of God, but can I stand before this city and say “The grace that God imparted to me when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour has not been fruitless; it has not been to no effect?”  How did he come by that?  Paul went on to say in the same verse

1 Corinthians 15v10b         In fact, I WORKED HARDER than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favour and blessing) of God which was with me.

Paul was no piker,  Paul was no wimp,  Paul didn’t slack on the job.  In fact, when Paul went around he carried his needle and apron with him, and in his spare time, whatever or whenever that was, he made tents.

Sometimes we feel that we are ill-equipped to do what the Lord requires, “O I’m too old brother, or  I’m too young, nobody will take any notice of me.”

The book says in Psalm 103:5, [for those of you this morning who feel like you’ve gone past the prime, who feel like you no longer can generate the fervour and the energy that is required to evidence God in your situation.]

Psalm 103:5                        Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!

I thought I’d get a chorus of amens from those over forty.

1 Timothy 4:12                     Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Young people, this morning, God is not partial,  God doesn’t have any preferences.  He will pick up a man or a woman, a boy or a girl, a pensioner – all those who think they are senile, and if  they’re prepared to move into that dimension of fellowship which we were encouraged to do by the Spirit this morning, He will perfect us.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers – those people that Mark 16 says the signs shall follow.

When you are young, you can still be in the company of men and women with signs following them, who are healing the sick, casting out demons, drinking deadly things and picking up serpents unknowingly, and without it hurting them.  You, as a young person, can be an example to those people.

Do you know what you’ve got, Paul (our youth leader) in that group of young men and women?  Potential apostles that will shake the very foundation of this nation!

Paul said:  Be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, in purity.  If we can put all those components together in one mortal frame, we will have one mighty man, but how far are we prepared to expend our lives?

I want to give you some examples so that we can see what the Word of God says.  In Acts 20:23 Paul says

Acts 20:23                              Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.

If that had been me and the Holy Spirit warned me “Ross, if you go to Sydney this week, they are going to jail you and you will encounter much hardship!”  I’d book a Qantas flight!  Hong Kong!  Anywhere but Sydney!  Who wants to be imprisoned and suffer hardship?

Paul says I know that the Holy Spirit has warned me that in every city I go to, I will encounter the jails and I will encounter hardship, he was prepared to expend himself.

Luke 17:10                             Even so on your part, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants [possessing no merit, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have [merely] done what was our duty to do.

Luke 17:33                             Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve and quicken it.

Let’s put it this way, whoever expends his life for Christ will redeem it.  I thought Stephen was a classic example, in

Acts 7:59                              And while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!

While they were stoning him, Stephen PRAYED!

The word to expend means that which can be expended or sacrificed in order to accomplish an objective.  What is your goal this morning?

There is a song we sing,

To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus,

All I ask is to be like Him. 

All through life’s journey from earth to glory 

All I ask is to be like Him.

Is that your objective, this morning?  The dictionary says that to expend, is that which can be sacrificed in order to obtain an objective.

Paul had some very, very dedicated assistants.

Philippians  2:30                  (Speaking about Epaphroditus) For it was through working for Christ that he came so near death, risking his [very] life to complete the deficiencies in your service to me [which distance prevented you yourselves from rendering].

The Bible says that we have done so much, but we have not yet resisted unto blood.

Epaphroditus worked so hard, he was so faithful, he was so dedicated, he was so reliable and dependable that he almost expended himself to death, he risked his life.

Are you prepared to risk yourself to be in service this week?  To expend means to put yourself out.  There are people within the body of Christ today that need us to expend ourselves, to contribute, to share, to be hospitable, to feed.  We need to put ourselves out, not that we might indulge ourselves in good works, but that we might indeed expend that which God has given to us and come into a closer intimate relationship.

Why must we do it,  I’ll tell you why.  Some are sick this morning,  others are not here this morning – their physical frame is suffering the effects that came by the fall of man.

The Bible says that He has again reinstated us to be in His image and His likeness.  He said, I am going to go away, and because I go away, the works that I do, greater works will you do.  But those signs follow,  don’t look for signs for signs sake.  The miraculous never preserves anybody, but those signs WILL FOLLOW those who believe.

Are you prepared to expend yourselves for Him this morning?  Are you prepared to risk your life to the point of death?  That is what the Lord requires.

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #15 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT # 15                                           ROSS SMITH

THE EXPOUNDED LIFE.

This morning I want to continue again with that thrust of walking and living in the Spirit.  Just a couple of weeks ago we looked at the expanded life and we began to explore that which is the rightful portion of God’s people who walk and live in the Spirit.  But this morning, I want to take another step to bring us to the EXPOUNDED life.

To expound means TO SET FORTH IN DETAIL, TO STATE OR DECLARE, and our lives indeed should be a declaration of Christ within.  When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, he said

2 Corinthians 3:2               [No] you yourselves [that is the Corinthians church] are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.

2 Corinthians 3:3               You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Indeed, Paul was saying to the Corinthian church, “Your lives are to be an EXPOUNDED LIFE, a declaration of the truth not written with pen and paper but inscribed on fleshy tablets of the heart.

A life that is spent living and walking in the Spirit will indeed be an EXPOUNDED LIFE AS WELL AS AN EXPANDED LIFE. (see Walking in the Spirit #14 – “Expanded Life”) It is a lifestyle that we are constantly being directed to by the Holy Spirit, and through the Word.  Even again this morning, the Lord would say to us (through prophecy), “I want to glorify Myself through My people”.  That’s a people who are read and known, who are living epistles, with the Word and the Truth and the experience and personality and character of God engraved on their hearts and showing forth through their every action.

Modern communications are probably one of the most outstanding advances in technology and social interaction that has ever taken place throughout history.  In modern office complexes, they are fitted out with such machinery that simplifies all the procedures of a business, and we are not greatly surprised when we walk into an office complex, and we see great banks of video display units that are connected remotely to some huge computer.

We are not even surprised when we walk into any bank now and they can access our account by pressing a few buttons even if that account is located at an interstate branch.  But more than that when you think that today, we can step into our motor cars and we can still be in touch with the world, it becomes truly remarkable.

When you think about it, an automobile today can have a radio, cassette machine with multi-band AM FM so that you can get reception from right across the world.  You can have a CB radio with up to 120 channels of communication.  When it is on UHF frequencies, the distance is quite enormous.  You can have a scanner which enables you to be privy to thousands of diverse frequencies across the communications band.  You can have a highly sensitive radar detector which keeps you in touch with the local constabulary.  You can have a cellular telephone, that with the touch of a button and without then taking your hands off the steering wheel, you can speak to any place in the world.  And more than that, now they have automotive fax machines, that as you drive along, you can send or receive a printed page from any place in the world, driving along in your motor car!

All these achievements however are wrought by the agility of men’s minds, by the brilliance of their academics, whereas, God has designed for His people to evidence a quality of life which is superior in every respect.  We are to be superior in health, that is a hallmark of a worshipping people, God’s people were never intended to be sick.

God has given us a quality of life which is intended to be superior in every respect, in health in mentality! Go to 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 and you will find there a spiritual man, superior in mentality.

1 Corinthians 2:14            But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

1 Corinthians 2:15            But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].

INTANGIBLE SECURITY!

3 John 1:2                            Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

He says, in the capacity for work and for effort, we are to be superior to our peers, the Apostle Paul said “I worked harder than them all”.  You see, an expounded life is a conspicuous life, and when a man is walking and living in the Spirit, indeed he will be a conspicuous man.

But we need to clarify this, for this conspicuousness is not a prominence that is cultivated by egocentricity, where the individual projects himself and his own personality, but he is conspicuous by virtue of the fact that the Christ-life within has to radiate without.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:12B it makes this statement, “So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD

That is why the Bible says so succinctly that “by their fruits you shall know them”, the character of the man becomes evident.

When you look at somebody, and you see peace in their life, or you see bitterness, or reliability and faithfulness, or self-centredness, that is the very depth of the character of the man coming forth.  But with Christ within, then we should live that life out and it should be evident.  It should be conspicuous.

John 3:30                             He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]

1 Corinthians 1:31            So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.

We are to be conspicuous but the evidence of that nature is not in our own self-satisfaction or self-assurance, it is the life of Christ being evidenced through us.  You see, the Bible promotes this visibility but in terms which clearly define how it is to become obvious.

Matthew 5:14                    You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

That is the degree of visibility that God intends for His people,  He intends that we be the light of the world.  We are intended to be like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, it is intended that we should have a life that expounds the nature and the character of God.

We say   “Sometimes I don’t feel very LIGHT”.

Luke 11:33                           “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

You see, when we are light, we are intended to be lighting the area in which we live and exist, but I want you to note that the book says, when a man lights a light, he puts it on a stand, not on a pedestal.  You understand what I mean?  You must take your stand for right, for truth, for all the principles of the Word of God, but never put yourself or let anybody else put you on a pedestal.  The light is put on a stand that it might illuminate.

If you go to 1 Corinthians 4:9-13,

1 Corinthians 4:9               For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world’s amphitheatre] with both men and angels [as spectators].

1 Corinthians 4:10            We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!

1 Corinthians 4:11            To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we [habitually] wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.

1 Corinthians 4:12            And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it.

1 Corinthians 4:13            When we are slandered and defamed, we [try to] answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world [the off scouring of all things, the scum of the earth].

Paul says “we as apostles have become an exhibition.”  Paul was not embarrassed by the fact, he was to some degree mortified by what he had to go through, but  when we attain to that degree of visibility, that conspicuousness that the Lord requires, with it will come some persecution.  Don’t back up!

We talked earlier of the modern communications phenomena, but the modern communications of the church of today are not in line with what the Word requires.  Use is made by the church of radio and television and newspapers etc, but because we live in a technological age, we should exploit those avenues.

But I fear that much of our media communication today as it relates to things spiritual is not God glorifying nor is it constructive.  You see the media tend mostly to elevate a man or an organisation whereas the Word of God says, “If I be lifted up, I will draw men to Me.”  Our job, when we use the media and communications facilities is to exalt the name of Jesus and we should do it by the example and the demonstration of our lives.  The media should be clamouring to report the supernatural which tags along behind us as our credentials.

Mark 16:17a                       And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe:   ( KJV says “shall FOLLOW them”)

This should be the credential of God’s people today and the media should be following, clamouring to report that which is taking place, whereas today, all they are looking for is the sensational or the ultra-natural, not the supernatural, the carnal!

Indeed they are thriving on stories of men who have failed whereas we should be giving them stories of where the enemy has been foiled.  Amen?

Where does it happen?  Right here in the lives, in the existence, in the workplace, in the schools, the offices of the people of Jesus Christ who will allow Him to be lived out through them and who will glorify their God through their daily activities.  The life of Christ through us is to be that dimension which is expressed in Mark 16.

Mark 16:17                          And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;

Mark 16:18                          They will pick up serpents (unknowingly); and [even] if they drink anything deadly (unknowingly), it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

That is to be the experience of the Body of Christ, not some imported minister, not some demonstrative and spectacular individual, but the Body of Christ at large.

The Bible gives examples of how it should be.  In Acts 2:6-7, the day of Pentecost has taken place and the Bible reports it in this way.

Acts 2:6a                              And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together

You see, when the media, when the advertisement, when the example when the expounded life is demonstrative in this society, the multitude are going to come together because they are attracted by the evidence of God in the midst of the people.

Acts 2:6b                              the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, (confounded)

I like that, for so often today, we have so much scientific and analytical explanation of things which are spiritual and supernatural, trying to wipe away the fact that God is at work.

When God is in the midst of His people, those scientific explanations will be confounded.  Aren’t you convinced?  Let me tell you, with God, nothing is impossible.

I think one day, hopefully soon,  when we have EXPOUNDED LIVES, when we see and say and experience, this place will explode with praise.  We need to glorify God and our lips are sealed so often when God says “Worship Me.  I am looking for a people who will come out of their regression and introversion, and let Me be glorified through them, who will evidence Me through their lives and their nature and part of that is speaking it out, Jesus is Lord”.

Acts 2:6                                And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, (confounded) because each one heard them [the apostles] speaking in his own [particular] dialect.

Acts 2:7                                And they were beside themselves with amazement, saying, Are not all these who are talking Galileans?

Luke 1:65 is the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was about to have a child and they asked her “what are you going to call him?”  Elizabeth answered, “We’re going to call him John”.

They said “No there’s not a history in that, no genealogy, there’s no family trait that you should call him John.  What about it Zachariah?”  Zachariah was dumb because he dared previously to doubt the Lord.  They said, “Give him a pencil and paper”, and he wrote HIS NAME IS JOHN.

What happened?  His tongue was loosed immediately and it says that fear came on all those that dwelt around about and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.

Luke 1:65                             And awe and reverential fear came on all their neighbours; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.

Oh, I tell you, the newspapers such as the Courier Mail, and the Advertiser and the Australian, they won’t have room for their reporters in the hotels of the city when God’s people allow Him to be manifest through them like that.

A LIFE EXPOUNDED is a life that is transparent on one hand but then on the other hand it is carefully enunciated.  We need to have a testimony in the first instance, (that is, that transparency of life), like the Apostle Paul, who said in

Acts 24:16                            Therefore I always EXERCISE myself

Oh I don’t like that word, exercise seems to indicate effort.  If we are going to be what God wants us to be, we have got to put some effort into it.

Acts 24:16b                         Therefore I always EXERCISE and discipline myself to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

So often we work at having a conscience void of offense towards God, and everybody else can drop on their little pointed head.  Paul said I am void of offence toward God and man.  He went on in

Acts 26:5                              They have had knowledge of me for a long time, if they are willing to testify to it, that in accordance with the strictest sect of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.

You see, there are some people who are not quite ready yet to be read and known of men for what they are.  When the acid falls on the tin, then the test is on.  Sometimes, this week probably, because we share this, this morning, you are going to be placed in a situation where you can either stand up for that which you profess or you can hide behind it.  Paul says “Those who knew me from the beginning (tongue in cheek) if they would testify, that after the strictest sect of the Pharisees I lived.

You see Paul was proud of the fact that there was no occasion for offence.  He was there to be exposed before anybody to see his character.

THE EXPOUNDED LIFE is one which evidences convincing credentials.  When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the second letter, in 2 Corinthians 3, he begins with some degree of amazement.  For in verse 1, it seems that there is some inference, that before Paul comes back to share at the Corinthian church, he needs to bring a letter of reference.

It was Paul who led these people to the Lord, and he says “What better reference can I give you than the assurance that you have in your heart, that the truth we brought you is that you have in your heart, that the truth we brought you is from Jesus Christ.  It’s not a letter that we have written with pen on paper.  The book says that it is a letter from Christ.”

2 Corinthians 3:3               You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Paul was saying “I’m just the postman, I didn’t write the letter, I just brought it to you.  But now that letter has been inscribed on the fleshy tablets of your hearts and it is this CORRESPONDENCE which has brought such graphic changes into your life.

Anyone here received a letter from Him?  The fact that we can stand in His presence and say “Jesus, You are my Lord”, indicates that He has sent us a letter.  It says “I want you”, and He’s written it on our hearts because we know that no matter where we go, how we go, what we do or what we get, Ecclesiastes 3 says “He planted eternity in our hearts and nothing under the sun can satisfy it.”

So profound is this letter that is inscribed on the hearts of the Corinthians church that he says “That’s my credentials”.  You see he doesn’t need any affidavit, he doesn’t need any special indenture on fancy papers with gold edges around it with pretty writing and a red seal and a little ribbon stuck on the corner.  The truth and the proof of his profession and his existence is an expounded life.

WHAT THEN IS AN EXPOUNDED LIFE?

• Firstly, it is an example.
• Secondly it’s an exemplary life.
• Thirdly, it is a conspicuous, visible life of fruitfulness. This is where the instructions of the Word come to our help, for to live just like this has to have a meaning.

Matthew 7:20                    Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.

This is why the people of God should never be deceived by those who carelessly handle the truth.

We have three very simple tests.  Remember the three of them.

• Look at their fruits
• Test what they have to say against the Word of God to see that it lines up.
• Try the spirit, try the spirit which motivates the person.

You see, one test is not enough.  Some men are able to disguise their true character in one or even maybe two of the above, but the exciting thing is this.

The expounded life, a life spent living and walking in the Spirit will be so obviously Christ-like in every respect that there will be no possibility of deception.  Isn’t that exciting?  When God’s people get a hold of the truth, when God’s people dedicate and commit themselves absolutely and totally, there will be such an outworking of God in the midst, that if somebody comes in that is of the opposite camp, they will immediately be so exposed because of the Light of God’s people.

There is no opportunity for deception, but we need to reach that place, and reach it quickly, because the Bible says that the devil is going to send men in parading as angels of light when indeed they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

There is a society that exists worldwide, occupied in the main, by Rhodes scholars, the Fabian Society.  Their symbol or logo is a wolf with sheepskin thrown over it, shall I go further?  Our Prime Minister (Bob Hawke) s a member of the Fabian Society.

We need to pray for our Government, we need to evidence a nature and a character and a personality and reliability, that God can say “I want you to confront the Prime Minister and tell him the truth”.  We will only do that as our lives become transparent, so expounded, enunciated with the very character of God oozing from every faculty.

Do we know some of the fruit that we are to look for in an expounded life?  You see, sometimes we think, I wonder what it would be like.  There are some very, very basic characteristics that attend a man whose life is committed to God.

• Obedience.  A man, who lives and moves and has his being in Christ Jesus, has an obedient life.  Obedience is the soil of relationship.
• 2 He will be a reliable or faithful
• 3 He will have his family in order. (Oh that’s a big one.  It is part of the price we pay, did I say “price we pay?”  Part of the benefit we enjoy; by being a servant of God, we can have a family that we can be proud of).
• 4 He will have his finances in order.  Sometimes the devil gets in and molests the finances of God’s people, and we need to move in so close to the Lord.  He says in Malachi, when we bring our tithes into the storehouse, I will rebuke the devourer for your sake.

God’s people should never have that problem, but we go through tests sometimes, we go through times when the Lord tries us out to see whether we can manage our resources and God will never let you down in that time.  But, as you prove yourselves faithful, as you prove yourselves reliable, as your prove yourselves a steward that is worthy of his hire, God will then restore you in abundance.

1 Corinthians 4:2               Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].

Not just saying “I’m trustworthy”.  He said “PROVING himself worthy of trust.”

If you want further guidelines on how to identify a man whose life is an expounded life, go to 1 Timothy 3.  It sets down some good rules for success.  But I hear with my subconscious some rumblings, “ah, all this sounds a bit too strenuous.  I’m not quite up to that.”

Ephesians 5:9                     For the fruit

How do we know them?  By their fruit

Ephesians 5:9                     For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light

We said earlier that it says “We are the light of the world”.  When you light a lamp you put it on a stand so that it can be seen.  Now Ephesians says

Ephesians 5:9                     For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form (not just some varieties but every form) of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

That covers the whole spectrum of our lives.  Kindly goodness; uprightness of heart; trueness of life, but then it goes a little further when we skip down to verse 11.

Ephesians 5:11                  Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be SO IN CONTRAST as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

What is to be the contrast?  My life, not just my communication, not my confrontation, saying, “Listen you can’t do that…but  my life is to be the contrast, so that when men and women look on me they see the Christ likeness within.

What does that involve?

It involves how people see us apply ourselves one hundred percent to our work, it depends on how punctual we are, it depends on how well behaved our kids are, it depends upon how carefully we manage our resources, it depends upon how ready we are to move in and help those that are in need, it depends upon how hospitable our home is, it depends upon how pleasant is our personality, it depends upon how respectful we are to authority, whether we like them or not.

The book requires it.  It depends upon how ready we are to become involved in praise and to become involved in serving God, it depends upon how dependable and faithful I am, it depends upon whether I regard others as better than myself.

The book requires it.  It depends on how disciplined and self-controlled I am, it depends upon how much I love the Word of the Lord, because He said if I do, I will never be offended, it depends upon how much I love my wife, it depends upon how much I honour my husband.  THAT’S FOR STARTERS.

I don’t know whether I can do it!  With God, nothing is impossible, He has made us to be in His image and His likeness,  He has made us to be for His honour and for His glory and He has given us patterns and examples in the Word of God which says it can be done.  Let us look at it.

The world is watching us, the church is watching us.  It is trying to see whether in fact, we can live our lives out in a manner which will advertise the truth that we speak about.  Ephesians puts it this way.

Ephesians  4:15                 Rather, let our lives lovingly express (I’d like to have room to slip in two other words here – expound or to advertise) truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us GROW UP in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

You see, these things have to do with our maturity, our growing up, our no longer being children.  When I was a child, I thought like a child, I acted like a child, but now I am a man.  I still act like a child so often!

No!  Paul said “I’ve put away the childish things.”  Paul says, “Let us grow up in every way and in all things unto Him who is the Head; even Christ the Messiah, the Anointed one.”  But it goes further.

Ephesians 4:25                  Therefore, rejecting all falsity

The book says that there will be those who will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, because they tell them things they want to hear.  We need to hear what the book says, not what man says.

Ephesians 4:25                  Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbour, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.

Being done with all falsity and done NOW WITH IT, (not tomorrow) let everyone express (or expound or advertise) the truth with his neighbour.  Not just the pastor or the officers or the evangelist or some “import” that be bring in because we think that he is going to change the face of our city.  The Book says “LET EVERYONE”.

But there is more.  Ephesians 4:32 says “Become useful”… I don’t like the inference here, it sounds like I’m useless.  Paul, why did you have to say that?  I think he means more useful.

Ephesians 4:32                  And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender hearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

Do you know why he tacked that last bit on the end?  “Forgiving one another freely like God in Christ forgave you.”  Because he wanted to set a benchmark, he wanted to set a measurement of how we are to be useful, and helpful and loving hearted, and kind and compassionate and understanding; by the same degree, dimension and magnitude as God’s forgiveness for my sins.  That’s pretty big.  The Apostle Paul lived a life which was an exposé of Truth.  He said in

Philippians 3:17                 Brethren, together

Paul had a heart for the body, he was not so concerned with individuals per se.   I say that carefully, his concern was for the Body of Christ, and he says in

Philippians 3:17                 Brethren together follow my example

Oh what a statement!  The day that you and I can stand in the pulpit of the church and say “Beloved, I want you to pattern your life on me…”  It’s going to happen, it has to happen.

Philippians 3:17                 Brethren together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.

Paul says “My life is an exposé of how you should live,  I am an advertisement of how you should behave, I am a living testimony to the truth and the glory and honour of the Lord, who proves that man, although he fell in the garden, can be restored into a place where I can say, “Follow my example”.

Philippians 4:9                   Practice

Do you know what practice means?  Practice means doing it over and over and over again consistently, until we become proficient.

Paul sets it down in little digestible size chunks, bite sized pieces.

Philippians 4:9                   Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

Practice what you have learned and received, what you have heard, and some time later, what you have seen,   God is at work.  It says in Philippians 1:6 that He has started a good work in us and He is going to finish it, I’m excited about that.  He says ‘model your way of living on it.”  The result is, the God of peace, of untroubled, undisturbed well-being WILL BE WITH YOU.

Paul says if you do it like I’ve done it, if you follow my example, if you take my life as a pattern, then God will be with you.

Lastly, so that we see that it is not some instruction in isolation, He says in

2 Thessalonians 3:7             For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate our example, for we were not disorderly or shirking of duty when we were with you [we were not idle].

I want to close this morning with one comment because I started off to say today that in this day and generation in which we live, the era of modern communications is unsurpassed, but there is another dimension which attends the social interaction of people in society today and that is there has never been a society that is more dependent upon social handouts and social security than exists in this day and age.  God’s purpose was that we should work and we should eat.  If you don’t work, then He says that you don’t eat.  Now I like to eat, and I think by the look of you, that you also like to eat.  Paul says “we were not idle”.

The society in which we live today cultivates idleness, it cultivates that opportunity for people to bail out of their responsibilities, to take what they can get from the government.  (I’m not decrying the fact that some people do need it).

I want to encourage every person this morning BE OCCUPIED.  The Bible says “Occupy till I come”.  That means in every respect according to the directions and dictates of the Word of God.

And then, the God of peace, and the God of well-being will be with you.  There is no room in God’s economy for shirkers, there is no room in God’s economy for bludgers.

God is looking for a people who will put their whole heart and life and soul and everything they have to what He requires, and what is that?

TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

 

oOo

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #14 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #14                                                   ROSS SMITH

Over the past several weeks as we have spent time in contemplating that provision that God has made that we should live and walk in the Spirit, it has become a very exciting experience to plum the words of God and find indeed that there is a route that we can follow that leads us on and above and beyond that which we already know and experience.

As I contemplated this week, the continuation of that experience, I found that there are three areas that are relevant and although this morning we will only get to one of them, I think they are most important.

If we live and walk in the Spirit, we will have

• An expanded life
• An expounded life and
• An expended life

None of us are under any misapprehension that we are living far below the potential that God has placed within us and has planned for us.  “The life that I now live….,” Paul said in Galatians 2:20.  What an opportunity it is for us to look at our current situation and to compare it with what is in store for those who will embrace the plan and the provision of God for us.

I suppose, as I looked at the subject, I was unsure of what the Bible definition of life really was.  I have some preconceptions like we all do, but Paul, when he speaks in Ephesians 2:20 of LIVING THE GOOD LIFE, I wasn’t sure that I knew really what he had in mind.  I went back to have a look at the encyclopaedia and the dictionary to see if that would give me some clarity and I found that the science of LIFE is called biology.

It was interesting to note the encyclopaedia definition, it says that “Biology is the science that attempts to survey and understand the phenomenon of life itself.”  Initially, to me this was of great comfort, for I thought that if the scientists can only attempt to understand the phenomenon of life, then I can be excused for not being too astute about the subject.

But then, as I sat and contemplated what it was that the Lord would share, I found that ours is not a concern for the SCIENCE OF LIFE, but ours is a concern for the QUALITY OF LIFE.  Our life is to be a sanctified life, our life is to be a quality life.  But even when I found in the Word that we should be sanctified, that sounded a little too ecclesiastical for me, a little bit hard to understand.  So I went back to look at what John penned in

John 17:17                           Sanctify them

That gave me my key, but then he went on to say

John 17:17                           Purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy.

When we live a sanctified life, we are living a separated life, a purified and consecrated life.  How does it happen?

John 17:17                           Sanctify them by the truth.  Your Word is truth.

I want us to hold on to that last part of this Scripture until we come to Hebrews 6 a little further on.

If we can grasp that our life, our Christian life, is to be a LIFE and not just a CREED, then the Word at work in us will produce a quality of life that is intended by Father.  So often, the Christian experience is one only of profession and it doesn’t come through in the nature and the character and the activity of those who would claim to be Christian.  Our profession has to become LIFE, not just a creed.

Wherever God, by His grace, implants good principles, (in other words, the Word of God), into the heart and life of a man, those principles are for the production of good works or of LIFE.

We already understand that when we speak about good works, we are speaking about good works of obedience, when we live in an obedient state,  that  then is the soil of relationship, it brings us into that intimacy with God.

But amongst the greatest factors limiting our attainment in Christ and that holiness, (or wholeheartedness that he requires of us) is our DISOBEDIENCE to the will and Word of God.  Why do we disobey?  Basically because it interferes with my   comfort, it interferes with what I want to do, that is why prayer meetings are neglected.  The Lord has encouraged and provoked and incited us to come to prayer but we resist the directions of the Word and the drawing of the Spirit because it interferes with our comfort.

Let me go on.  All the processes of sanctification, those spelled out in John 17:17, stop, or cease during the period of a harsh word, we don’t like the word REBELLION.  But these processes of sanctification stop during the period of rebellion with the consequence that the life that we now live is inferior to that which God intends.

And let me tell you, that when we live in that state of stubbornness or rebellion, it begins to show.  Firstly to me!  I can identify in myself that coldness, that remoteness, that insensitivity to the drawing of the Spirit of God.  Usually, these areas of stubbornness have to do with what we see as outward happiness and success and comfort but we fail to see what the book says provides the true happiness.

Psalm 16:11                        You will show me the PATH OF LIFE; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

The Psalmist says if we will revert back to His presence, if we will divest ourselves of our stubbornness and disobedience and comply with the directions of the Word of God, we will find not only the path of life, but we will find happiness, success and all the pleasures we need.

Life cannot be produced by us, neither in a test tube or in the fulfilment of its existence.  Many people today don’t live, they just exist.  Without Christ in our life, it is not LIFE at all, it is simply the duration between the cot and the grave where we fill in time.  Jesus said, “I have come that they might have LIFE and have it more abundantly”.

LIFE is presented to us, He is the giver of LIFE, our only prerogative is how we live it out.

Titus 2:11                             For the grace of God (His unmerited favour and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.

If I translate that into terms that I understand, it says that the grace of God has come forward – that means in Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ has appeared that we might live.  Life has been imparted and for those who have responded in faith to that life that Jesus has brought forth, it has been imputed to us.

Imputed?  = Transmitted or transferred, it’s given to us.  That life is a DIVINE LIFE, that life is Godlikeness, that LIFE is holiness.  It is not something to be looked forward to, but it is something to be received right here and now.

So often we think, one day, I’m going to be holy, one day, I’m going to be beautiful and righteous.  This life has come and it is a LIFE that will change us.  It is come to instruct us, to school us, to discipline us, to train us to live godly, that we might ALL become teachers BY EXAMPLE.

How is it outworked?  How is that LIFE EXPANDED?  We’re all familiar with the Scripture and we’ve used it frequently in

John 10:10                           The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Now it is unusual for human nature to be so reticent to take something that is offered to them freely particularly when it is of considerable value.

Sometimes, I have occasion to go down to the Supermarket and they regularly have some particular commodity on special, and when I come down the ramp from the car park, I find that there is a line of people coming out of the door to the Shopping Centre right out into the car park. I go in and wend my way in through the crowd and I find that this line goes right down into the checkout area, and I couldn’t believe my eyes until I found that they were selling sugar and margarine at half price, and the line extended from the supermarket, right out through the shopping centre into the car park.

But God has offered us a commodity far more valuable, far more freely, far more lavish, and there is not line up for it simply because we, as God’s people have not evidenced that life in the way that He intends so that people know the value of it.

What we are offered in Christ Jesus is a LIFE THAT IS EXPANDED.  The Greek word that is used in John 10:10 for abundantly means “superabundant in quantity and superior in quality.”  But the Greek dictionary didn’t stop there, it went on with another long list of descriptive adjectives, superlatives such as exceedingly abundantly above.  These are all the colours, the shades of the one word that we have in John 10:10 that says “You shall have life abundantly”.  It sounds so bland in English, doesn’t it?  When we get back into the original, it says exceedingly abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly very highly, beyond measure, superfluous.  I like the last one, because He gives me life, so much life, such an abundance of life that some of it is even superfluous.

I must ask myself, “Why is it that such an offer is so obviously refused.  You see, a life spent living and walking in the Spirit would seem to be so superlative, that it should be highly sought after by those to whom it is offered.

Paul, when he wrote to the Hebrews, stated it like this. [Remember what we saw in John previously]  Now we come to

Hebrews 6:1                       Therefore let us GO ON

Every time I read that I think that so much of the church of today misinterprets this.  They think it reads “Let us therefore CARRY ON.”  That is not what it says.

Hebrews 6:1                       let us GO ON and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah),

When the book refers to the teachings and doctrines of Christ,  that is talking about the academics.

Let us go on                        advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity.

The teachings and doctrines are the academics, the spiritual maturity is the application, that’s the difference.  Today, we have too much theological knowledge and understanding, but we don’t have the maturity of spiritual character through application.

Hebrews 6:1                       Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God,

The two words that Paul used there that are so important to us this morning in a life that is expanded to COMPLETENESS AND PERFECTION.  This is such an expansion of our present state as to be almost unbelievable.  And Paul suggests that we are not there because of one thing and that one thing is that WE RESIDE IN THE ELEMENTARY.

He said “Let us go on and get past the elementary.”  We’re still in kindergarten.  I think in America they call kindergarten “elementary school”,   let’s get past the kindergarten.  Paul suggests as I said, that we haven’t yet attained to it because we reside in the elementary.

Now when I went back and looked at the word in the early part of Hebrews 6:1 where is says “Let us get past the teachings and DOCTRINES of Christ.

The word DOCTRINES in the Greek is the word LOGOS, and we appreciate that the Logos is the written word of God.  So, Paul is saying that we must progress, expand, intensify our position in God aiming for and growing into that Christ likeness which in so doing will enlarge our lives in every dimension.

John said in 1:17 “Sanctify them by the truth”.  Now that’s what sanctifies us, but so many of us stop there in the elementary.  Paul says “Now, let’s get on past just reading the Word, just appreciating the Word and become spiritually mature.”

We were made holy; we’ve been consecrated by the Truth, but Paul is now saying, “It is not sufficient for you just to be holy, I suggest you be Christlike”.  But I thought holiness was the ultimate! No,  Paul says “I want you now to come to completeness and to perfection – not just to be sanctified; not just to be set apart”, Paul says “Now become Christlike.”

When he says, in that same verse LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATIONS, the intention of this expression is a violent one.  It means a throwing down, a hurling, a deliberate hurling which means that Paul is saying to us here that every so often we’ve got to come back, and because we have been disobedient and stubborn or whatever, we have to hurl down again, that foundation of repentance.  He says “of dead works”.  We have to get past the elementary.  How do we do it?  Peter says in

2 Peter 3:18                        But grow in grace (undeserved favour, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honour, majesty, and splendour) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!

Paul says we should grow in grace, but how do I do that? My mind began to agitate.  So often we take a plant and we put it in a pot in potting mix, we grow it in potting mix,  God’s grace is my potting mix,  He says “My grace is sufficient for you”.  I can reside in the provision of God, His undeserved favour for me, but I grow because of His grace towards me.

If He was vindictive or acrimonious about my activities, then He would not afford me grace and I would be compressed until I would be squeezed to death.  But God says “My grace abounds to you.  Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound”.  He pours in so that I might grow in grace,  “Expand”!  But Peter didn’t stop there, he gave us four distinct areas in this verse.

He said 1              1              Grow in grace

2              Grow in recognition

3              Grow in knowledge

4              Grow in understanding

A first, superficial glance would say “I know what that means”.

To grow in recognition is to grow in awareness of God

To grow in knowledge is to grow in astuteness

To   grow in understanding is to grow in alikeness

When I think like God thinks, then I will feel like God feels, and then I will act like God acts.  The only way I can be like that is when I understand the nature and the character of God, the only way that I am ever going to understand that is to come close to Him.

Grow in grace, grow in awareness, grow in astuteness, grow in alikeness.  In other words, we need to become significant in our capacity for God and our likeness to God and we do so as we go past the elementary.

Now I know that that might offend some people, for there is in this the suggestion that there has not been enough energy or effort or concentration expended.  Some will say “I have been trying to get close to the Lord now for however long.  I have done everything I know.”  I thought about this and asked Father “Why?” and then that Scripture came to me which says

Mark 12:30                          And you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (your life) and out of and with all your mind (with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength. This is the first and principal commandment.

And my only retort this morning, if you are offended because of what Paul says in Hebrews 6:1 is, do you “love the Lord with all your heart, with all your strength, with all your mind and with all your being”, or do you still have some other preferences?  The book puts it in very simple terms. In

1 Corinthians 13:11            When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

Let me go back and ring the spiritual connotation.  When I was a child of God, I thought like a child, I spoke like a child, I acted like a child, but now that I am a SON OF GOD…..

You see there is that degree of maturity that comes through relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:14                  So then, WE MAY NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

Ephesians 4:15                  Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things,

That’s quality, that’s the Word lived out, that’s the Word coming through in my nature and my character.

Ephesians 4:15                  Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].

Then Paul finishes off with a real upper cut.

Enfolded in love, LET US GROW UP [LET US GROW UP!] in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

When we went into Hebrews 6:1, we saw that we get past the elementary and we come to spiritual maturity.  When we are IN HIM – that is the Christ likeness, don’t just be Holy, be Christlike, let us grow up into Him in every way and in all things.

You see some people grow out but they never grow up.  That’s the difficulty in this day and generation, it seems that it is cultivated.  You can tell if a person has never grown up by their behaviour, children want their own way, children are immature, children are generally smaller with all that that infers.

I’m not just talking about size here, I’m talking about understanding, appreciation, intelligence, academic skills, emotional stability.  Children are generally smaller, children need discipline, children are irresponsible, Paul said “Let us grow up”.

God has an ambition for us, God said “Through Jesus Christ, I am come that you might have life and have it more ABUNDANTLY.  He wants us to live and to walk in the Spirit and we only have to look at Ephesians to get some specifications to see what is involved.

Ephesians 4:13b                that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality

(with no aberration – that means all my preferences, all my desires, all my ambitions are submerged in what Jesus Christ wants through my life.  He wants first place.)

Now, here it comes, this is beyond the dimension of holiness, this is beyond the dimension of sanctification.

Ephesians 4:13b                (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Wasn’t Paul graphic?  Wasn’t Paul eloquent as he penned the specifications for the life of those who will accept the abundance of that which Jesus gives us?

The word PERFECTION here by the way, is the same word used in Hebrews 6:1 where it says, LET US COME TO COMPLETENESS AND PERFECTION, the same Greek word is used.

The term STATURE – the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ – means same age as, as big as, until we become just like Jesus Christ, in other words.  He wants me to expand until I’m as big as Jesus Christ, I’m talking in terms spiritual.  The initial pattern for growth started out, as we are well aware in

1 Peter 2:2                          Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

Today, the Word of God is being watered down and compromised and adjusted and bent to fit.  And God said “NO WAY!  I want you to have the pure unadulterated spiritual milk of the Word that you may be nurtured and GROW!

After having the milk then we get on to strong meat.  Paul said “I need to feed you with meat but you still need to be fed with milk, but then he went on in

Hebrews 6:3                       If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].

This advanced teaching of course, only comes through and by the Spirit of God and it only comes to men and women who are large enough to carry the responsibility that God gives.  Today, we need a multitude of men and women who are large enough to carry that responsibility.

You see, every victory expands our life.  You might think “Oh if you only knew what a week I’ve had this week brother, you wouldn’t speak like this,  I have had such a week you wouldn’t want to know about it!”  The book tells me that everything that has happened in this past week, month, year, is intended to enlarge us.

Romans 5 tells me that we come to maturity of character through the trials, the troubles, the responsibilities, the sufferings and the afflictions.  They’re there to expand me, to make me grow.  Just like nature hates a vacuum, so the Holy Spirit rushes in to fill the nature that has been emptied by separating itself from the world.

I close with two references:

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought and indeed are obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly and the love of every one of you each toward the others is increasing and abounds.

How could he tell?  We’ve only got to go back to Mark 16, haven’t we?  These things will happen when our faith is placed squarely and precisely in God. Your faith is growing exceedingly and the love of every one of you each toward the others is increasing and abounds.

I asked the question a minute ago, “Do you still love me?”  I got some silly grins.

The time is coming when we will, indeed be the recipients of such an accolade, when the Spirit of God through a man who will recognize God at work will stand and say, “Because your love towards the others is increasing and abounds…”  It will be obvious.

Can I give you an instruction from Isaiah 54:2, so that you don’t live in straightened places, restricted, constrained, incarcerated.

Isaiah 54:2                           Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes,

Why? God is looking for a people, looking for a company, who will have a capacity which as He pours in of Himself, they will have the ability to replicate the life of Jesus Christ in such a way that the world will look upon it and say “They’ve got LIFE and I want it”.  When I am lifted up, I will draw men and women to me.  How do we do it?  By living the LIFE, an EXPANDED LIFE, by living and walking in the Spirit in a way that will glorify God, will satisfy our hearts and indeed will extend the kingdom.  Do you want to be part of it?

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #13 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #13                                            ROSS SMITH

This morning, I want to come again around the Word and continue on a similar theme to that which we’ve followed now for several weeks and that is “WALKING AND LIVING IN THE SPIRIT” but as I contemplated the Word this week, I began to think upon that aspect that Paul referred to in:-

Galatians 2:20                                    THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE…..

This morning when we sang HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD – how we love that old hymn, we sing it so often – but then I wondered how much sincerity attends the thrust of that song when it really comes to us at the point of contact.  “Have Thine own way Lord, as long as it doesn’t cost me too much or interfere with my comfort or make me do those things which are inappropriate to the way I want to go about it.”

It is an interesting study to look back at the men and women of the Word of God and review what they were and where they came from and how they were able to say in the context of Paul….”THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE”…. Prior to making this statement, many of them had inappropriate backgrounds, and prior to us making that statement, many of us have had inappropriate backgrounds or experiences or hurts, so we would think.

But this morning, I want to explode this myth.   If we took time today to ask and answer the question, ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE LIFE THAT YOU NOW LIVE? we would get many diverse answers.   Some would say “Yes, I’m reasonably happy and content in the way I am”.  Others would say “Well I would be more satisfied with more money or resources”.  Then there would be another group that would say “No I am definitely not satisfied!” because they do not have the authority or the influence that equates with success in the eyes of the world, but thanks be to God that He is bringing together a people who, in a fourth category, would say “Definitely I am NOT satisfied, because I know that God intends me for better things”.

Paul’s acknowledgement in

Galatians 2v20                                   THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE…

This is an acknowledgement that he is now different to what he used to be and he has prescribed to us both the route and the reason.  We are not going to go too deeply into both of those except to look at it.  The route is “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST,” I have shared His crucifixion, Paul says in the book “Be an imitator of me”.

Now not too many of us like to follow that prescribed route, that is,  – “I have been crucified,”  the REASON being, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.  That’s the reason Paul could say “I submit to crucifixion”, because Jesus Christ died, He gave Himself for me, He loved me.

I reviewed some of the people and their occupations and the areas that their occupations before they proceeded in their exploits of faith.  I went back and found that Luke was a doctor, Peter was a fisherman, Paul was a Pharisee and a tentmaker, Matthew was a publican or tax collector, Rahab was a harlot, Moses was a prince and then a murderer, David was a shepherd, Amos was an orchardist, Nehemiah was a wine waiter, they came from many diverse backgrounds.

Our backgrounds, or our occupations are not the governing factor, they present us with no present disadvantage except for the years lost during that time when we could have lived more equitably for the Lord, but even then, though we have wasted years, the Lord can take that time and turn it around and use it for His advantage.

Deuteronomy 23:5                          Nevertheless, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the Lord your God loves you.

Nehemiah 13:2                                 For they met not the Israelites with food and drink but hired Balaam to curse them; yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Don’t think that that which you have gone through down through the years is wasted because if we will allow God to use it, He can turn it around and cause it to become a blessing.

You see, Luke benefitted from his studies in medicine because his writings then, under the inspiration of the Spirit, were so precise.

Peter’s understanding and patience for fishing were of great advantage to him then in his harvesting of men.

Rahab’s background as a prostitute would cause one to think that it would severely restrict her usefulness, society shuns the ladies of the night, but her understanding of human nature pushed her beyond the realm of the flesh and into the dimension that made her a woman of faith.

Nehemiah was a wine waiter but he became a builder of a nation.  Amos was an orchardist and a shepherd and yet God picked up that man and he began to prophesy of the impending doom of the nation of Israel.

Matthew was a publican or a tax collector, and they were one of the most despised classes of people or occupations at that time, and I don’t think a lot has changed in that respect, has it?  These men that were tax collectors were regarded as ceremonially unclean:

1              Because of their extortion;

2              Because of their perpetual contact with the Gentiles; and

3              Because they always had to work on the Sabbath, because much of the time that was the only time and place that they could catch up with those that had to pay their taxes.

Our expectations today of being a people destined to walk and live in the Spirit are not only ambitions that are prescribed to us by the Word of God but they are supported and fuelled by the many examples of men of Scripture.  We know all the principles involved, but up until now, we have only been able to say THE LIFE THAT I NOW SHOULD LIVE…. We know how we should live, so how were these men and women of old able to break that excuse cycle that we still seem to embrace?

Do you ever hear anyone say “Well, I’m trying”?  I hear it often. I think that that is a good start because it indicates that there is awareness that some changes need to take place, but more often than not, it becomes a cop out for our continuing failures.

We blame what we were, we blame our occupations, we blame what we’ve done, we blame our backgrounds, and we use all these things as a vehicle of escape when instead they should be stepping stones into victory.  What has gone before we can use for the glory of God. Moses could well have dodged his commission, and he did try in part, he was born in captivity, he was a slave, he became a ward of the state when Pharaoh’s daughter found him floating down the river, he then became a fugitive after he had dispensed with one of the Egyptians.  He had plenty of background that was inappropriate but the Word of God tells me in:-

Ephesians 2:10                                                  For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus,

Not just fixed, not just refurbished, not just repaired, but:-

RECREATED IN CHRIST JESUS,

That’s exciting!

Ephesians 2:10b                                                That we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time],

Now, I just want to stop here for a moment.  Not predestined back when we were unregenerate, but “predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead to time.” God never intended that we live in degradation and depravity, that wasn’t His plan, that’s not the path that He planned for us, and when people get into the area of predestination and say “I took this route because that’s what God ordered….”  Rhubarb!!!  God made us for His honour and His glory and He expects us to express through every faculty of our being the divine nature and we’re able then, to do those good works which God planned for us.

Paul goes on to say

Ephesians 2:10c                                                living the good life

Back in antiquity, those men of old, Peter when he was fishing, Luke when he was doctoring, Mark when he was doing whatever he was doing, Mathew when he was collecting the taxes, Rahab when she was involved in her activities, that wasn’t the good life.  The book says:-

Ephesians 2v10                                                 [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Jeremiah 29:11                                                  I have a plan for your life, a plan for good and not for evil…..

Moses ended up in a place, but not by choice.  It wasn’t his first preference.

Hebrews 11:25 -26                                           Because he (Moses) preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).

Moses was placed in the palace but it wasn’t his choice.  The interesting thing about it is that this was Moses’ training ground, he could never have afforded nor could he have qualified to get the training he got in Pharaoh’s palace that eventually would equip him to lead the nation of Israel, he got it basically by what we would call “default.”

WHEREVER GOD HAS ALLOWED YOU TO BE BROUGHT UP AND EDUCATED IS HIS PALACE FOR YOU.

You might say “Well, my background and my experience certainly didn’t fit into the palace-type environment, if you knew where I came from it certainly wasn’t much like a palace.”   Let me tell you,  whatever it was, God can still use it as a “palace of preparation” if you will allow the Lord to take that background, and turn it around, and cause you to change for His honour and His glory.

For all his palace training and education, however, Moses still had one area in which he lacked, one vital ingredient, that ingredient was self-control.  You will recall that he saw an Egyptian beating up one of his Israeli countrymen, and so what did Moses do, he took a quick look around, thinking no one was looking, and disposed of him.  He killed him, but this component of Moses’ nature had to be dealt with, and he’s forty years old.

We look at Prince Charles, and see the training, the programming, the brain washing that that man has gone through to prepare him for his potential regal position.  Moses had gone through a similar sort of training for forty years, and now the Lord says to him, “You’re still not through, pack your bags Moses and get to the backside of the desert.”

There he had to live for another forty years, going through God’s training programme, so that when he reached the time and place of leading a nation out of captivity, he would hopefully have that required self-control.  Recognize the pattern?  How many people just turned off?  Who wants to go for another forty years through all this training?

Don’t avoid your burning bush, for too long now, God has been confronting us by His Spirit, with His Word, in circumstance and situation, and if we took it back into Moses’ experience, we have seen the burning bush, but so often we have turned aside.

Don’t avoid your burning bush, by the way, Moses never really did get on top of that and he paid the price so dearly for it, you remember that he argued with God at the burning bush.

Somebody gave me a book recently which commented on this lack of self control and said that Moses said “Here am I Lord, send Aaron” does that sound familiar?

He argued with God at the burning bush, and

• Then when he came down from off the mountain, found that the children of Israel had built a golden calf; he smashed the Ten Commandments on the ground in front of them.
• Then when the children of Israel lacked water, he smote the rock in anger.

He lacked that self-control, that vital ingredient, and he paid the price for it, he was precluded from seeing the Promised Land first hand, because he didn’t have the self-control that was required of a man of God.  You well may ask, “Moses?”

Moses was a man of God, yes, but the pattern, the examples set in Scripture are there for us that we might live and walk in the Spirit in a way that this world has never known.  Jesus said, I’m going to go away from here and the works that I did, you will do greater, because we have been partakers of the divine nature.

(It feels like a library in here, it’s so quiet!!!)

God used a converted murderer to deliver the nation of Israel, He used a converted harlot to deliver the spies, God used a wine waiter to build and rebuild Jerusalem, God used an old orchardist to prophesy the impending doom to the nation, and God used a murderous Pharisee to bring the news of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.

If he did that with those men, what can he do with you and I this morning, because we have all the resources of heaven at our disposal?  The Bible tells me that He has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

I get apprehensive sometimes when I see church notices that someone is going to give testimony of what they used to be and did in their unregenerate state.  They go into all the gory details of their drug addiction or when they were Hell’s Angels and all these sorts of things.

And sure, these experiences can be used for our training and our development so that we can live in a state useful to God now, but it was never what God intended.  Sometimes it is helpful to know that God has redeemed a man out of that depravity but it is a distinct disadvantage to major on the negative.  The Bible says “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me,” He didn’t say “I want you to go and tell them how bad you were, how rotten you were, where you’ve been, that is not convenient, we need to lift up the name of Jesus.

You see, God is not looking for the gifts of the Spirit, God is looking for the fruit of the Spirit, God is the giver of the gifts, we get them because God deposits them within us, but we produce the fruits.

He is looking for that reproduction of the nature and the character of the Lord.  Hindsight is seldom productive, it is often a cause for stumbling, have you ever been walking down the street and thought you saw something interesting over your shoulder, and the next thing, you were almost flat on your face?  It happens also in the Spirit.  The Bible tells me in

Luke 9:62                             Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.

Colossians 2:2                    [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).

Your background, your occupation, where you have come from and what you’ve done is no inhibitor to the Spirit of God and to the glory of God if you will allow Him to take you, right where you are, and transform you so that you can stand before people and say “THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE…”

There is a lovely lament of a king that is recorded in

Isaiah 38:12                         My [fleshly] dwelling is plucked up and is removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life as a weaver [rolls up the finished web]; [the Lord] cuts me free from the loom; from day to night You bring me to an end.

Sound familiar, so often we think “I don’t want to go on with this”.

Isaiah 38:14                         Like a twittering swallow or a crane, so do I chirp and chatter; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary and dim with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; take my side and be my security [as of a debtor being sent to prison].

Now Isaiah 38 comes to verse 17, listen to this!

Isaiah 38:17                         Behold, it was for my peace that I had intense bitterness;

Could I reword the first sentence like this?  “Behold THE FACT that I had intense bitterness was for my peace,” that which Hezekiah had gone through was for his peace.  We think so often that that which we are going through is for our destruction, but God gives us opportunity in the difficulties that arise to glorify His name.  And Hezekiah goes on… Listen to the heart of the man.

but You have loved back my life from the pit of corruption and nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

Our background doesn’t matter because when we are recreated in Christ Jesus, He puts all our sins behind His back, He loves us back from the pit of corruption.

King Hezekiah in this part of Isaiah is well aware of the value of his life now, and that was just his natural life.  How much more should we be acutely, intensely aware of the value of the spirit nature that God has imparted to us.  The life that I now live is not intended to be a waiting game, sitting out the duration of our natural life until Jesus comes again.

2 Corinthians 4:11a            For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake,

Been handed over this week? Paul says we are constantly experiencing being handed over to death.  When we see that sort of experience coming, our Harley Davidson can’t go fast enough,   we’re off!  Who wants this?  Who needs it?  But Paul says

2 Corinthians 4:11b            that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be EVIDENCED THROUGH OUR FLESH which is liable to death.

Are you listening this morning? We are being handed over to death so that the resurrection life of Jesus, that recreation can be evidenced, not through what I say, not through what I know, but through my flesh.  That means that I live it out. THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE!

2 Corinthians 4:12               Thus death is actively at work in us, but [it is in order that our] life [may be actively at work] in you.

There is a purpose to it.  I die to self, my body is being handed over to death so that that life of Jesus Christ can be actively at work in me.

There is a purpose.  Notice that it is that LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE that has to be effective, no longer can we afford just to tell people about it.  The church has done this for generations, they’ve said “This is how it should be; this is how it must be”, but now we must reach the point and say “This is how it is, look at me”, not for any ego or massaging of our personal ambition, but because Jesus Christ is evidenced through the life of our flesh.

We all want the life of Jesus Christ and we all want to be like Him, but the power of God is manifest when others can see in us the character and nature and life of Jesus Christ emerging through our pressures and our trials.  It’s easy to be lovely when everything is going smoothly, but when the pressure comes on, when the difficulties start to happen, that’s when the nature of Jesus Christ should begin to be evidenced.  We should carry it like an aroma, like a redolence of the person of Jesus Christ, not only in the easy times, but in the hard times.  Remember back in

Colossians 1:11                  [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

The last part of the prayer is what we need the “ALL POWER” for in so many cases we ask for “O God give me power so I can go and change the world”.  The book says so that we can exercise every kind of patience and endurance with joy.

So how do we manifest this life of Christ, to show that we are indeed partakers of the divine nature, to be able to live and to walk in the Spirit?  To get to the place where I can say with the heroes of old, and stand beside the Apostle Paul and say THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE, and be sure and guaranteed that it is different to what it was previously.

2 Corinthians 4:10            Always carrying about in the BODY [not in my briefcase] the liability and exposure…

And I like to use or add another word here because it seems so much more relevant – “the liability and exposure” plus THE “VULNERABILITY”.

…to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.

Why should I carry about with me that “vulnerability” so that if some turkey decides he wants to crucify me…?  Why? SO THAT the resurrection life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our body!  In other words, THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE…..

We’ve inherited this ability to live in a new dimension and I so often wonder why I refuse to adopt it.  So firstly, I want to confirm that it is ours and then try to describe why we don’t live in it.

John 11:25                           Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live;

2 Corinthians 4:11            For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

You see, we so often protect and preserve and cosset ourselves in cotton wool so that we don’t come against these things that would interfere with my comfort.  “O God, preserve me, they’re after me”.  The Bible says we are being given over to death for Jesus sake so that the life of Jesus Christ might be revealed in our mortal body.

2 Corinthians 13:4            For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive and strong in [fellowship with] Him by the power of God.

That’s here and now, that’s not off in the never never.

Philippians 1:21                 For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].

Philippians 1:22                 If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose],

Today we are being assaulted on every side by the cult of human potential, seminars on how to do everything from making money to, would you believe it, how to give a word of knowledge.  There are organizations that call themselves Christian, that for a few hundred dollars, they will teach you how to give a word of knowledge!!!

Systems developed to try to tap that fountain of hidden resource that will enable you to develop the confidence and ability to handle life.  Oh, it looks so good on paper!

Galatians 3:3                      Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?

People on every side are flocking to these seminars, and for some it works.  They find some new confidence or some new ability to function in the emotional areas, and they’re able to make impressions on other people, but this is where the whole system breaks down.

The measure of their success is the degree to which they are recognized by someone else, that’s the world’s gauge.  There are even Christian organizations that are taking up versions of this method and they’ll take the words of hymns and of Scripture and they’ll glaze them over and present them to you “This is the way”.

But it is still the same old thing, working out to the glory of the individual, calling him to rely upon his natural resources as the very thing which the cross of Jesus Christ puts to death.  The carnal mind is at enmity with God, we must come to that place where we divest ourselves of dependence upon self and rest upon the willingness of God to work within me.

Philippians 1:6                   And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

He’s begun a good work in you and He’s going to keep it going until Jesus comes.

We have to do it without any exhibition, without any demonstration until we come in quiet and loving ways to see our character change, till we become like Jesus.  And we have to be able to do it in the midst of rejection and in the midst of a lack of recognition.

The human animal thrives on recognition, but we have to prove ourselves to one person and one person alone, and that is to Jesus Christ, and that is where we struggle.  We want the power of God, but we want the recognition for it as well, we want the credit. If God does anything through us, we want to be sure that every Christian publication around gets a copy of the press release.  We have the television cameras and the radio stations come to find out how much time we spent in prayer or how we got to that exalted place.

Let me tell you, Zacchaeus had the same problem.  It says he couldn’t get through for the press!

Galatians 2:6b                    God is not impressed with the positions that men hold and He is not partial and recognizes no external distinctions

We want the life of Jesus but we also want the satisfaction in the flesh.  We want to be serene in our spirits and gentle and compassionate of heart, but we still want the licence to tell people off when they are out of line.  Amen???

We want the kingdom of heaven and we want to insist on our own rights as well but we cannot have both because the new covenant where Paul says “Always bearing about in the body, the dying of Jesus Christ, so that the life of Jesus might be manifest.  Not Ross’ life or Eddy’s life, but the life of Jesus would be manifest.  THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE….

That’s where 2 Corinthians 4:11 helps.

For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

Because it is at that point that God takes over, Paul says, “while we live”, not after we live, so we who live are constantly experiencing being handed over.

If we go back one verse, we have to make that conscious choice where we give up our desires or our ambitions or our excuses, our little barriers – little barriers, some of them are mountains.  We’ve got to relinquish that need for recognition and significance in order that God can elevate.

2 Corinthians 4:11 says that God places us in circumstances where we have to die whether we like it or whether we don’t.  Remember Moses, don’t rely on how you feel, just see that what you are going through complies with the demands of the Word of God. No one feels like being inferior or rejected or second rate but beloved, I have been crucified with Christ and dead men don’t have too many feelings.  When we are partakers of the divine nature in reality, then we will not accommodate those feelings of inferiority.  No doubt, Moses felt isolated and rejected and alone and wasted and hurt and despairing and all those other emotions which attend a man who walks in the carnality of his mind, but if we can recognize, that through these things, Jesus Christ is working out His will in us, that others will be given life because of the death I’m going through, then it will be worth it all.  THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE…. Is it in line with the Word of God, and the nature of God and the purpose of God?

This week as we go about our duties, we can ask ourselves “Can I stand before this congregation and say, THE LIFE THAT I NOW LIVE I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME?”

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #12 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #12                                                                         ROSS SMITH

I have been thinking this week about the necessity to live and walk in the Spirit.  I thought to myself, so often we have come this route to draw close to the Lord and the reasons for doing so have been so obscure or have been non-existent that the principles that we have shared have fallen by the way-side because there has not been that motivation for us to press in on God and to reach in and take that which is rightfully ours.

You see the Doctor might know all the processes to treat a heart attack, but if the patient comes to him without the necessity or reason to do so there is no point.  If the patient doesn’t have heart trouble then the doctor has no reason to treat them for that malaise.

This morning we need to know the reason why we need to live and walk in the Spirit.  If we stop for just a moment this morning, and I asked you, “What are your reasons for wanting to live and to walk in the Spirit?” we would probably get as many reasons as we have  people.

Some would suggest that they want to live and walk in the Spirit to ensure that they reach that eternal destiny that lies before them as their hope.  Some would say, “I want to live and walk in the Spirit to produce ministry or to enhance that ministry that God has given us.”  Others unfortunately, and we have seen it down through the generations want to do it simply for egotistical purposes.  Others would want to do it simply because it seems the right thing to do.

But there has to be practical reasons that have spiritual implications and benefits and so we have to find those scriptural principles to support and confirm the reason for us to live and walk in the Spirit and we need to explore the book to see what it is.

Galatians 2:19                                    For I through the Law [under the operation of the curse of the Law] have [in Christ’s death for me] myself died to the Law and all the Law’s demands upon me, so that I may [henceforth] live to and for God.

Let me take out all of the interposing parts.

Galatians 2v19                                   I myself have died to the Law and all the Law’s demands upon me so that I may henceforth live to and for God.

This is the practical reason.

Galatians 2:20                                    I have been crucified with Christ

Let me stop there for a minute.  Does it show? We have a saying that goes DEAD MEN DON’T REACT.  When Paul says “I have been crucified with Christ”, it means that all the carnal appetites, all those ambitions for us to assert ourselves have been buried, it must show when we have been crucified.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith …

I wish we could stand before this city this morning and with unequivocal assertion say to this town, I live now by faith – not just to say it, but to show it.

“in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. “

That is the reason why we gather together unto Him.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  I have been crucified and I need to let it show.

When we want to improve something in the natural world, we do it according to the methods and processes dictated by convention or sometimes just by the agility of our minds.  We improve cattle by different breeding methods, we improve cars and aeroplanes by streamlining and engineering, we improve our health by diet and vitamins, we improve plants by grafting, we attempt to improve people by education.  Sometimes it works, but this is not God’s way.

When God makes a better man, He makes a new man.  He imparts to us a higher order of life and He sets about to destroy the old and so we have to rid ourselves of our excuses and start walking for that reason.  God has made us new creatures in Christ Jesus,  “Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new”. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

There is one compelling reason for us to adopt this walk and Galatians 2 is confirmed in 1 Corinthians 3:16 and again in 1 Corinthians 6:19.

1 Corinthians 3:16                            Do you not discern and understand

And I think sometimes I have to pencil it in my Bible in brackets – [obviously I don’t]

Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?

1 Corinthians 6:19 reaffirms it but in more strenuous terms.

1 Corinthians 6:19                            Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:20                            You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honour God and bring glory to Him in your body.

That is a good reason to live and walk in the Spirit.  No longer do I have any rights,  no longer do I have any preferences when I am sold out to God to the degree that He requires of me. The teaching of the New Testament is that God Himself inhabits the nature of His children.  Now this is just about as difficult to understand as how my soul inhabits my body, but it doesn’t alter the fact that it does, and the Bible teaches me that God Himself inhabits the nature of His people.

1 Corinthians 6:17                            But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

[Every time this week, when your tongue starts to get disorderly or when you want to get your own way, remember what Peter said]

2 Peter 1:4                                          By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

Glory to God, this morning, we are changed people, that is the reason why I need to live and to walk like Jesus did.  This is the confirmation of the fact, we know the MEANS, we know the DIRECTION now we have to apply the REASON, I am a new creation.  It is a good reason for us to abort all those attitudes, all those comments and preferences which contravene the very character of the divine nature.  We have become partakers of the divine nature.  Again, does it show?

With our old nature, have you ever noticed how easy it is to be critical or to blame someone else, or to make comments which are not constructive?  All these things are contrary to the divine nature.  I hear people say, “But Ross, you don’t understand, I can’t help it, it was out before I thought about it, I did it before I thought.”  Rubbish!  Let me ask you, if the policeman pulls you up on Centenary Highway and says you were doing 110 kph, you are very careful what you say, are you not?

We can control ourselves when it is necessary.  That excuse has long lost its credibility, we know that we stand naked before God when those excuses are trotted out.  Someone has a saying, when someone gives an excuse, “put it on tape”.  When you play it back a little later, it sounds so feeble.  You see, we are without excuse.  You know really why we don’t alter these things.  Let me give you two reasons.

• We really don’t want to. Even though so often we give mental assent to the fact that I want to change, I want to come closer to the Lord, we are more secure when tied in behind our excuses.  But this morning, we are partakers of the divine nature, and for that reason and that reason alone, we need to divest ourselves of all those excuses.

 

• We don’t really understand the reason that we should live and walk in the Spirit.

 

When I stop to think about Peter’s statement which says we have become partakers of the divine nature, it astounds me, it mesmerises me when I think, here is God Almighty reaching down.  What motivation was there that we should become partakers of the divine nature?

And so now we have the capacity and ability within us to fuse with the nature of God, we couldn’t do it in our unregenerate state.  Unlike poles attract it says in magnetic theory, but unlike metals have difficulty mixing.  If you put kerosene and water together, you can shake it from now until eternity, and it will never blend.  When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, and the Holy Spirit came upon me and regenerated me, He fused my nature with His.

If I now stop to consider it, there should be no distinction between Him and us, which is identifiable.  We should replicate the divine nature, we are one spirit, and this is one reason why we must learn to live and walk in the Spirit, we have become partakers of His divine nature.

Let me give you a second reason, and when I get to the end of what I have to say this morning, I will give you several more references, areas of study for you, but there are a multitude of reasons, but we won’t get to over them all.

The second reason why we should walk and live in the Spirit is that we might be worshippers.  Down through the generations, philosophers have tried to identify the characteristic that separates man from beast.  They have postulated that man is the thinking animal, they have postulated that man is an animal with a conscience.

The one thing that truly differentiates man from beast and from other forms of life is that we were made to be worshippers, how about that?  Do you feel like a worshipper?  You were made for that,  God created us in His image and likeness,  He reproduced the life of Christ in us,  He made us partakers of the divine nature so that when we stand and look upon Him, our whole being should be consumed in adoration – not just in praise.

It is an unfortunate fact that man without God is very much like an animal.  Those lower instincts, those impulses and behaviour patterns, they all become so prominent and today we are more aware of it than ever because of the proliferation of media reporting – unashamedly reporting of all the animal instincts of man.

A man however, regenerated by the power of Jesus Christ, has a bent and a capacity for worship.  This is profound, we were made to worship God.  He said this morning, This world doesn’t understand that He came to give them life and that more abundantly, but if we will draw close, if we will allow the Spirit of God to be replicated in us, He will show them life through us.  I can get enthusiastic about that!

When God sends revival, oops,  God doesn’t send revival, He brings it, when God comes into the midst of a congregation such as this, when the Spirit of God moves upon the face of the deep – some of us are so deep sometimes,  (Genesis 1:2),  it is going to take some shifting – things are going to change, but God moves on these areas .

It becomes vital for us to recognize the importance of this distinction, that is, between unregenerate man and a man created to worship his God, for to try to worship,  Father requires that we do so through the daily experience of walking and living in the Spirit.

If we try to worship God without walking and living in the Spirit, it is like trying to swim on sand, we can be all dressed for the occasion in our best Speedos, we can be within feet of the water and see it all happening, the smell of the ocean can pervade our nostrils, but unless we walk into it, we are never going to swim.  We have got to live and walk in the Spirit, then we will have water, not up to the ankles, not up to the knees, but water to swim in.(Ezekiel 47:5)

I recall that John wrote a profound statement in John 4:24 when he said

John 4:24                                             God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

As I sat this morning early I was thinking about this.  I said, “I understand praise, I can so often demonstrate it – my gratitude to you, but I want to be able to worship you in Spirit and in truth”, when suddenly Romans 12:1 came flooding back into my mind.

Romans 12:1                                      I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

That makes me feel uncomfortable! The book says I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me.  This is the reason why the sacrifice of our bodies is to be an absolute pleasure.  It should be our irrepressible  enjoyment to present ourselves as that living sacrifice, so that we can be what He intends us to be – spiritual worshippers.

There is an associated compelling reason spelled out in the previous verse.

John 4:23                                             Yet the time is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Indeed, the Father is looking for people like that to worship him.

‘THE HOUR IS ALREADY HERE”  I like that.  If I thought that the hour was yet to come, I’d have to bide my time,  but John says the hour is already here when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.  Here is the reason why – because “THE FATHER SEEKETH SUCH TO WORHIP HIM.”

That is the reason why I need to, I have to, I want to walk and live in the Spirit.  Both the Old and the New Testaments teach that the essence of true worship is the love of God.

 

Matthew 22:37                                 Jesus told him, “‘You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind (intellect).’

It didn’t leave much over,  He didn’t say He’ll use your FJ Holden or whatever to glorify Himself,  He said “Love Me! Love Me with every faculty you possess”. But Father, I can serve you better if you leave me in business,  I can make lots of money,  I can send missionaries to India and Pakistan.  But He didn’t say that, He said, I want you to love Me with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your being.  Why?  I go down to:-

Matthew 22:40                                 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS

(The second one was to love your neighbour as yourself.  Boy, that’s a toughie, “You don’t know my neighbour.”  You shall love your neighbour also)

THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS SUM UP AND UPON THEM DEPENDS ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS. (Matthew 22:40)

This morning, when we concentrate on this as a priority, the demand of the law and the prophets will be reconciled in our life.  Isn’t that so simple?  Oh, I work so hard to comply with what the book requires of me, I battle week in and week out, I see all those scriptures like

 

Habakkuk 3:19                                   He makes my feet like hind’s feet that I might make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble and suffering and responsibility.

Matthew 5v11                                   He says when men revile you and persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake, rejoice!

If I recognize God with every aspect of my being, then the law and the prophets will be reconciled in my life.  You see, love in the human heart can begin so modestly that sometimes it’s hardly perceptible but it goes on to become a raging torrent that sweeps it’s possessor before it in total helplessness.

Why do you think that there have been such beautiful love songs penned?  Men caught by the passion of a heart that is sold out to some other person.  That is the degree of love that begins to indicate that we are following the reasons that we need to live and walk in the Spirit.  It is impossible to worship God without loving Him.

That puts me behind the eight-ball brother.  “You see I had a very difficult childhood.  My daddy was a drunk, My Mummy ran away and I was brought up by an old spinster aunt……”

That has got nothing to do with it, the Bible tells me that we are joined to God, we become one spirit with Him.   Peter said,  when I have been regenerated, I am a partaker of the divine nature.  Those things that we hide behind and use as an excuse for our inability to relate to God like the Bible says is garbage and rhubarb, and we need to come out from behind it and to walk in the light.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and if that means that we have to put the axe through the television, God help me do it.

It is only the inward operation of the Holy Spirit  which will enable us to offer Him such a poured out fullness of love.  Love like that has a component of mystery to the natural mind, but actually that stems from two reasons.  Let me give them to you.

The reason I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength is through GRATITUDE. Last week we looked at Colossians 1:12 and that aspect of thankfulness.

The second reason, and the one that I want to concentrate on for a couple of minutes this morning is EXCELLENCE.

It has its origins in our striving to be holy.  Let me get away from that ecclesiastical jargon, it has its origins in our striving to be wholehearted, which is the same thing!  Let me take it one step further, it has its origins in our ambition to live and to walk in the Spirit.  Does that sound more comfortable?

When somebody says, The Bible says “Be holy like I am holy” it strikes terror into the hearts of some men and women.  All it means is that we should be wholehearted towards God, it means that we should live and walk in the Spirit, and it is this excellence that takes us out of the realms of praise in which we express gratitude, into the realms of worship where we evidence the divine nature.  I like that.

 

I’m going to say it again. It is this excellence that elevates us out of the realms of praise in which we express gratitude into those dimensions of worship where we evidence the divine nature.

Father seeks this and this is a compelling reason for us today to begin to live and to walk in the Spirit.  You see, the Gospel in our day and generation certainly saves lives, but I’ve not yet seen it produce worshippers.

Worshippers are created by the revelation of the greatness of our God and the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sovereignty and the majesty of the Godhead revealed by the Holy Spirit to His people.  It is the putting off of all our phobias and our prejudices against that life that is lived in the Spirit because it is too demanding.  I have to give up this and that… But let me tell you, God is no man’s debtor.

So often, we think negatively about having to give this up or that, but a life lived walking in the Spirit is a life which is beyond the comprehension of the mortal mind which is not only SATISFYING to the individual but GLORIFYING to God and REDEMPTIVE for this nation of ours.  Righteousness exalts the nation! We need it!

Don’t you know that? God is looking for a people who will stand in the gap today and bring to order that which is destructive in the very core of our nation today.

Worshippers are being created by the revelation of the greatness of God and the beauty of Jesus.  Sometimes we look at the men of history and say “I wonder what made him great?” talking about those saintly men.  Behind those great men of the divine record and of our civilized history was a revelation of God, they knew their God.  How do I know?  Daniel tells me that they that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.(Daniel 11:32)

1 Peter 3:15                                        But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord.

What else occupies the throne of your heart this morning?  You see, sometimes we don’t have a throne in our heart, we have a park bench, so that we can fit several items or idols on it.  God wants a single seat in our heart, a throne, and He wants to be the soul inhabitant of it.  You are not your own, you are bought with a price you are the temple and the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit and there is no room in your heart for park bench accommodation.

1 Peter 3:15                                        But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defence to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Do you understand a little better this morning what God is trying to do?  He is trying to build Himself a nation, not a nation that is bound by sand and sea, but a nation that is encompassed by the Spirit of God, that is girt by the Word of God, that is motivated and directed from the very throne of Glory.  Each one will have stamped upon their forehead the name of their God.  The book tells me so.

I will give you some other reasons if you want to note down these references.  When we come to Wednesday night (Bible Study) we might have to extend the service until midnight so that we can get through.

1 Peter 2:15                                        For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.

1 John 1:3                                            What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

1 John 1:4                                            And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and your joy may be complete].

1 John 1:5                                            And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].

1 John 1:6                                            [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].

Ephesians 1:3                                     May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!

Ephesians 5:8                                     For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].

Ephesians 5:11                                  Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

Ephesians 6:12                                  For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Philippians 3:8                                   Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

Philippians 3:11                                 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

oOo

 

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #11 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #11                                                       ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES FROM THE AMPLIFIED VERSION)

We have been speaking at some length now on living and walking in the Spirit and covering that aspect in Colossians 1 which is so relevant to the place we are at, at the moment.

When we come to verse 12, Paul has said to the Colossian church

Colossians 1:12                  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

In other words, those people who walk and live in the Spirit, but I want to go a little further to confirm the idea from

1 John 1:7                            But if we [REALLY] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

Isn’t that marvellous?  When we come out of the darkness into the Kingdom of Light, we are taken out of that realm, and so when we appropriate and are covered by the provision of the blood of Jesus Christ, it removes us from all sin and guilt, keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations, but we must appropriate it.

These two verses provide enormous food for thought and nourishment and they are demanding of application.  This is why it is so important that we study these truths because so often in our reading of the Word, that superficial perusal, we miss the real GOLD, that truth that is hidden there.  We blithely gloss over the pages in our reading and we pick up something that suits our particular environment or application for that day, and we miss what God is trying to share with us.

We must learn to dig for the GOLD.

Two of the characteristics that are evident in people who live and walk in the Spirit and are evidenced in our experience, they  are identified by Paul in Colossians 1.

1              Fruitfulness

2              Power

But accompanying these two traits or characteristics that are EVIDENT [not just theoretical principles, not just ethereal truths], they come out in the people living and walking in the Spirit], there is a third quality which is a by-product of walking and living in the Spirit and that is GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER.

When we are fruitful, when we are endowed with power from on high, attending those characteristics will be thankfulness to Father.  When we stop to consider how thankful we are, I think we would be grossly disappointed.  If we really want to know how thankful we are all we need to do is to ask our spouse or ask our parents, both will give you an unbiased opinion.

But in this case, Paul says GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER. We are all at least partly familiar I think, with the controversy that attends that principle which has been espoused a long time which is “PRAISE REGARDLESS”.  There have been books written like “The Power of Praise”, it suggested that we praise God both for and in everything.  Whereas I agree that we should be able to praise the Lord IN everything, I find it difficult to endorse the principle that I should praise the Lord FOR everything.  Some of those things that I bring on myself which are inappropriate, I don’t thank God for.

But if we review the extent of thankfulness in the Word of God, it covers an enormous spectrum, and rather than have me  make an extensive excursion into the Word, I would prefer that we conduct our own study in this particular area.  It’s a basic, fundamental, foundational principle, but I’ll give you some guidelines.

Thanksgiving is GRATITUDE EXPRESSED.  It is an activity that is relatively rare in our present society, but one in which the Psalmist was very, very accomplished.  If we are grateful, it is not difficult to express it, just like if your love somebody, it is not difficult to tell them, when you’re grateful, it is easy to express it.  The Psalmist crystallizes this thought in

Psalm 100:2                        Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!

You can always tell if a person is on top of a situation, they go around singing.

Psalm 100:4                        Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!

I believe that if we are not thankful, if we are not grateful, it is a prohibition to us coming into His gates.  Do you like anybody coming into your house when their lips are dragging in the gravel, when they’re wearing their heart on their sleeve?  You’d rather not see them, wouldn’t you?  Come back when you’re feeling better!  I don’t need any more nonsense.  I wonder whether the same principle applies when we come before the Lord and we’re not thankful.

He says “Come into His gates with thanksgiving, come into His courts with praise”.

I saw something more in this verse this week as I studied it.  I’ve always been able to quote “Come into His presence with singing and into His gates with thanksgiving, come into His courts with praise”, but do you know what?  The Amplified says just a little further down, BE THANKFUL AND SAY SO TO HIM. BLESS AND AFFECTIONATELY PRAISE HIS NAME. (Have you ever noticed that?)

If we go back into Old Testament, we find that it is loaded with examples and demonstrations of how people should and did thank the Lord, but I want to restrict our comments this morning to New Testament, and give you these references for study.

Colossians 3:15                  And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Oh we know this verse.  We can quote it.  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts Brother!” But notice at the end it says

     “AND BE THANKFUL (APPRECIATIVE), [GIVING PRAISE TO GOD ALWAYS]. “

You can’t do one without the other!  You see, in this situation, we try to let the peace of Christ rule, but it says AND BE THANKFUL.  Are you thankful this morning, I mean not just superficially so, not that quasi type thankfulness that attends somebody getting you coffee in bed, I mean a heart that bursts with gratitude because we recognize the sovereignty of God in our midst and in our circumstances.  God is in the midst of His people, don’t you know that?  Surprise, surprise! So often we look surprised because the truth of God’s Word suddenly confronts us.  We need to be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18                       Thank [God] IN everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Can you do it? You see, it doesn’t take one turn of a hostile environment or contrary circumstance and suddenly I’m impossible to live with.  [Of course, I’m speaking generally.  That wouldn’t happen in our house!]

“Be thankful in everything for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus.”  This is not just some principle that happened to be dredged up, it’s God’s will, God  is speaking to His people. He wants us to follow His footsteps to take up His will for our lives, and He says “This is My will, be thankful.”

Luke 17:16                             And he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan.

1 Corinthians 15:57            But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

That itself should be sufficient reason for me to burst with gratitude, He’s given us the victory!  Oh you’re a victorious bunch aren’t you?

2 Corinthians 9:15               Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!

There are so many reasons for us to be thankful. Take the following,

Matthew 7:11                      If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

Hebrews 13:15                    Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

But the thankfulness we express in this situation is to the FATHER.  Many people are unsure as to how they should address the Godhead, they don’t know how to address the Godhead in prayer or in petition or in praise, but this is mainly due to our failure to study the Word of God to find the direction that He gives us.  But in this case, the Bible is saying that we address our thanksgiving to Father, and when we put together the scriptural basis for our approach, it is quite plain.

Isaiah 64:8                             Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand.

Psalm 139:14                        I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Who did it? My Father!  My Father!  I think so often when I face a crisis or a situation, I think “What would my Dad have done here?”  We’ve got to learn – He is the potter, we are the clay, we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Matthew 7:11                      If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

Father pours out upon us in abundance because He loves us.

Romans 8:15                         For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

That word Abba is a term, borrowed from childhood language and it is to express that “phileo” or love addressed to God. It’s the terms kids use today,  “Dad!”  Kids adore Dad until they’re five or six anyway, he can do nothing wrong.  When we say “Abba Father”, it’s like the little six year old saying “That’s my Dad”.

Matthew 23:9                      And do not call anyone [in the church] on earth father, for you have one Father, Who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 8:6                 Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist].

Ephesians 4:6                       One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.

Hebrews 12:9                       Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?

It is the Father Who has qualified us and made us fit, I’d like to stop that verse right there.  Father has qualified me and made me fit!  It would be nice to cut the verse off there and luxuriate in a provision that God has given that elevates me out of my shortcomings and failures without my having to do a thing.  God has qualified me, but this qualification has requirements.

The first qualification:

Colossians 1:12                  Giving thanks to the Father, WHO HAS QUALIFIED AND MADE US FIT TO SHARE the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

King James Version says to be “PARTAKERS.”  It is important to recognize this qualification that God has given us, because this qualification comes with responsibility, not with authority. Some people want all the authority without any of the responsibility.  This qualification comes with responsibility, how many have just bailed out?

The same sort of responsibility that is recorded in

Hebrews 10:25                  Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

The day is approaching, “As it was in the days of Noah”, that is what it is going to be like when Jesus returns.

This fellowship, this getting together, this “forsaking not the assembling together” or this sharing…. we must realize the significance of this principle. Let me explain it this way.  We have here the communion table and we all recognize the significance of the symbolism of communion.  We revere this table, not as much as we will soon, for God will open our eyes before too long I’m sure, to the magnificence of this table.  But we still sense deep within just how incredible it is.  In the New Testament, the word COMMUNION is variously translated as follows:

COMMUNION, FELLOWSHIP, COMMUNICATE, PARTAKE, CONTRIBUTION, COMMON.

Now all of these terms have come from the Greek word KOIN.  The fundamental connotation of this word is of SHARING SOMETHING WITH SOMEONE.  Father has qualified and made us fit to share…  But the intention of Colossians 1:12 goes even deeper than this word KOIN, for the word PARTAKER or SHARER in this context is the Greek word MERIS which means in real terms “A PART OR A PORTION OR A DISTRICT OR DIVISION.”

So God has made us fit to share a DISTRICT.  I thought “What is a district?”  I went back to Acts 16v12, Paul refers to Macedonia as a district.  Paul says “He has given us a district”, that is a part of the territory, God has qualified us and made us fit to share a district.  Paul is saying that this is our inheritance, but inherited how?  As we walk and live in the Spirit, remember we read right at the outset this morning.

1 John 1:7                            But if we [REALLY] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

Walking in the Light or as we are learning walking in the Spirit is the same thing.

Colossians 1 called these people the SAINTS.

Colossians 1:12                  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

“God’s holy people in the Light.”  So here we have again the confirmation of terms, but more than that, John now says we have true unbroken fellowship one with another.   In other words, we have communion, the same word!

We are sharers or partakers.  Let me tell you, there are no lone rangers in the economy of God. I often hear people say “Oh I don’t go to any church brother,  I have fellowship at home.”  I think, “Boy, that must be pretty rich, fellowshipping with yourself.”  You know you get all the right answers, that is the satisfactory ones that suit you.  You cannot fellowship on your own, you cannot be in communion on your own, you cannot share on your own, the communion that God refers to is when we share together.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, not  liberty or do your own thing.  To do your own thing, is to say “I’ll stay home on Sunday morning and conduct my own little service, I can finish it when I’m ready.”  I just saw somebody looking at their watch!!!!.

Colossians 1:12                  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is THE INHERITANCE of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

Firstly to have an inheritance, you have to be part of a family.  If you are outside of a family and some rich old lady dies and leaves you part of her will, that is not an inheritance,  that is a bequest, the same value in money – different principle though.

An inheritance is where we are part of the family.  It is important to see how Father has qualified us and made us fit.  It comes from Colossians 1v13 and it should be a continuing motivation and incentive for us to proceed to walk and live in the light.

Behind our entry into this inheritance where God has qualified us and made us fit to share – what are we sharing?  A portion or a district!  God has allocated us territory, both here and in the heavenlies.  We read about this inexpressible, indescribable gift that God has given us.  We’ve no comprehension yet about what it is that God has given us, we’ve no comprehension yet about what it is that God has done.

Behind this entry into our inheritance is a prior deliverance, we have been liberated from bondage and led into a land of liberty.  Now to look at us sometimes, you wouldn’t believe it, would you?  He has given me hind’s feet to make spiritual progress on my high places of trouble, suffering and responsibility. (Hebrews 3:19)  It says when you encounter trials, count it all joy.

The book says that we need to see past the circumstances and see that we’ve been taken out of the land of bondage and into the land of liberty where, whatever transpires, God will use it to bring Himself glory.

I can’t understand why some people want to revert back into that land of bondage, before our deliverance we were in darkness.

Colossians 1:13                  [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

The dominion of darkness, by the way, suggests not only the absence of light, but opposition to the light.  It is a condition of not only being without God but being opposed to God.  In that position, we had no inheritance, we are not partakers of the portion that we have been made fit to share in.

 

AND BE THANKFUL (APPRECIATIVE), [GIVING PRAISE TO GOD ALWAYS].

 

oOo

 

DEAF EARS, BLIND EYES, HARD HEART ROSS SMITH

DEAF EARS, BLIND EYES, HARD HEART, THICK HEAD,              ROSS SMITH 161215

(ALL REFERENCES TAKEN FROM THE AMPLIFIED VERSION)

Mark 8:18                            Having eyes, do you not see [with them], and having ears, do you not hear and perceive and understand (no discernment ) the sense of what is said? And do you not remember?

What an indictment this verse contains, and more particularly if we qualify, and we know if we qualify by the manner of living we engage in as aligned to what the Lord has been saying to us through His word.  I ask the question, Why do these scriptures regarding deafness and blindness continue to surface in many different contexts?  Is it because there is a “disability’ evidenced in our relationship to the Lord, a disability which is not genetic, as in the natural, but a disability through lack of exercise of those spiritual faculties of seeing and hearing.

The Lord has much to say, but few to listen. IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US TO REGARD THE WORD OF GOD AS TRUE, IT HAS TO INFLUENCE OUR BEHAVIOUR.

The faculties of eyes and ears are the organs of learning, the teacher in the schoolroom puts the information on the black/white board and then goes on to explain the subject. In the natural, a defect in one faculty is often made up for by the acuteness of the other. Communication and mobility are the two areas most affected by a loss of sight and hearing, a “knock on effect”.  A person who cannot hear or see is essentially alone, unless someone is in actual physical contact, which creates a feeling of isolation and loneliness.

EYE:  3788 Vision from 3708 to gaze (that is, with wide open eyes, as at something remarkable; G2334, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection             SINGLE: 573 folded together 4120 to twine or braid

How parallel this is to the spiritual experience, without that communication from the throne of Grace, there is such an isolation, a feeling of “aloneness”, made more acute because the Word says:-

Ecclesiastes 3:11               He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a DIVINELY IMPLANTED sense of a purpose working through the ages which NOTHING UNDER THE SUN BUT GOD ALONE CAN SATISFY], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.(notice the “knock on effect here!)

Sight and sound defects also directly affect “mobility”, and it would seem that with spiritual deafness and blind eyes, we go nowhere and face danger, but also incur a penalty, there is a hindrance to spiritual progress. This spiritual deafness and blindness is often due to neglect or ambivalence, and leads to death.

The eye sees only when it receives light, and light has two essential characteristics, “Intensity” (brightness)and “Frequency” (wavelength), and the ears hear only when there is sound, and sound has two characteristics, “amplitude”  (volume) and “frequency” (wavelength).

The science of sound is quite profound.

If there is any deficiency in these faculties, or receptors, then either the light has to be brighter or the sound louder before we can assimilate the information brought to us, but the frequency or wavelength is not a component that can be changed, it is the character and is a constant that makes up the quality of the message (it is the inspiration of the Spirit). The degree of the “deficiency” determines our learning ability, and our learning ability contributes to our opportunity  to participate, or to understand, or change our attitude. A deaf and blind person will sit motionless in a class because they do not have an ability to participate, and so cannot learn, THIS IS THE SAME IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM.

The function of the eye is as an instrument to receive light, it does not create light.  It has to be “single” meaning undivided or “one eyed”. If you are seeing double then there is a problem, and that problem is as bad as being blind. Likewise the ear, it does not create sound but reacts to SOUND PRESSURE, but most of our natural accurate information comes from a visual perception process, but the auditory process contributes a large amount of information. This is also true of God’s Word, as found in

Hebrews 2:1                       SINCE ALL this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift pas[them] and slip away. (See also Acts 8:6 and Luke 8:18 as examples).

Isaiah 6:9-10                       And He said, Go and tell this people, Hear and hear continually, but understand not; and see and see continually, but do not apprehend with your mind. (The sound doesn’t resonate and the light doesn’t penetrate, and we become spiritually illiterate   … comments mine) Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS and turn again and be healed.

Much of the church has only a head knowledge of the Sovereignty of God, and those faculties in their head are obviously defective, for if they were functioning as intended, their hearts would be in rhythm with Father’s heart. Isaiah says we have to understand with our HEART, and it will show in our ATTITUDE.

Matthew 13:13-15           This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because having the power of seeing, (so it is not spiritually genetically impaired  … comments mine) they do not see; and having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and UNDERSTAND. (Notice that “understanding is a critical and important component in this equation  … comments mine) In them indeed is the PROCESS (There is a “PROCESS” involved in “PROGRESS”, and it will continue until we pass away  …   comments mine) of fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive.  For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and PERCEIVE with their eyes, and hear and COMPREHEND the sense with their ears, and GRASP AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, and turn and I should HEAL them. [A repetition of Isaiah. 6:9, 10, and consequently is now New Testament instruction]

 The word “heal”, above, comes from the Greek (G2390) and actually means “free from error”.

The “eyes and ears” are in the head, but the understanding is in the HEART.

There are three components in verse 10 that are required that we might successfully attain to the position we have been called to, firstly there is “PERCEPTION”, which means becoming aware of something by our senses, and also called “DISCERNMENT”, not “gut feeling” but an awareness in the spirit. Then there is “COMPREHENSION”, which is an ability to recognise the importance or meaning of something. But then comes the critical component, we have to GRASP it, that is , take it on board, and then by contemplation, discipline, obedience, begin to “UNDERSTAND”, evidenced by our application of what we have perceived and comprehended.

A Doctor may have the ability to perceive what is wrong with us, he might know about, and recognise all the important symptoms, but if he doesn’t UNDERSTAND  how to treat us for that condition, then we cannot be “healed” by that Doctor. Matthew has stated that with all three components there is spiritual healing.

The fact that Jesus used parables (verse 13)  has its reflection into today’s church, and we can paraphrase this verse as follows:-

“I speak I to them in parables, because, despite having eyes, they can’t see, and they turn a deaf ear. And as a consequence of this general rule, I don’t give more knowledge to this people, because they don’t use that which they have already been given: having all the means of seeing, hearing, and understanding, they don’t use those faculties; they do not effectually see, or hear, or understand anything, THEY HAVE SEVERE HEART TROUBLE, AND DON’T REALLY WANT TO BE HEALED”.

Jeremiah 17:9-10              The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind] (“heart and mind” speaks of “attitude” )  I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, (This is the testing required )even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.(“Search” and “Try” are two different things )

 The fruit of his doings can be his “undoing’s”  …   See how Jeremiah sums it all up, firstly indicating the SEVERE HEART TROUBLE, then looks for the “PERCEPTIVE” individual, a person who “GRASPS AND UNDERSTANDS”, and lastly “COMPREHENDS” the importance of the deficiency.

A thick head is related to a hard heart, but need not be a terminal condition. Although Jeremiah says the heart is “mortally sick” it is not necessarily incurable. Scripture refers to “hardness of heart” as “impenetrable, lacking understanding, deceitful above all things.”  (Jeremiah 17:9) The heart is affected by what it contains, and if we turn our hearts towards God, He will reward accordingly.

 

Ephesians 4:18-24            Their moral UNDERSTANDING is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, SELF-BANISHED) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the WILLFUL BLINDNESS) that is deep-seated in them, due to THEIR HARDNESS OF HEART [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. In their SPIRITUAL APATHY they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand].  But you did not so learn Christ!                 ASSUMING —– that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (Delusion originates in attempted self vindication, and the person deluded is SELF )And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

All is not lost however as the Lord renews His compassions every morning (Lamentations 3) and so the promise of Ezekiel can be embraced by those who will respond, but Paul has told the Ephesians that they also need to “be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind”, so that we can receive the “new compassions” every day.

Ezekiel 11:19                      And I will give them ONE HEART [a new heart] (Father pioneered the “HEART TRANSPLANT” procedure, He is expert in every sense of this new lease on life   …   comments mine)  and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God]

The “ONE HEART” refers to an undivided heart, which is a heart that has no accommodation for idols, a heart that has no double mindedness, is unwavering and stable, a heart that “is sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God.

“And I will take THE STONY heart out of their flesh”. These are hearts hardened by sin, not necessarily blatant sin but often ignorant or complacent and neglectful sin, destitute of sensitivity and responsiveness, stubborn and inflexible, on which no impressions are made by corrections, admonitions, instructions and commands, and so an impenitent heart, A STONY HEART.

 

All these deficiencies originate and are classified under “DEAF EARS AND BLIND EYES”. But Jesus specialised in these conditions, you will recall that the two blind men called out to Jesus, “Have mercy on us” (Matthew 20:30) and He did, and then there was the deaf man with the speech impediment (Mark 7)

Mark 7:32-35                      And they brought to Him a man who was deaf and had difficulty in speaking, (in other words, his deafness had caused him some learning difficulty ..  comments mine) and they begged Jesus to place His hand upon him.  And taking him aside from the crowd [privately], He thrust His fingers into the man’s ears and spat and touched his tongue; (About as unconventional method as one can imagine, a departure from what is/was expected .. comments mine) And looking up to heaven, He sighed as He said, Ephphatha, which means, Be opened!  And his ears were opened, his tongue was loosed, and he began to SPEAK DISTINCTLY and as he should. (the learning difficulty that caused his speech defect was also healed, he didn’t have to learn to speak “distinctly”, it was part of his healing, the same benefit we can accrue when we begin to “HEAR AND LISTEN” ..   comments mine)

The eye sees only when it receives light, and light has two essential characteristics, “Intensity” (brightness) and “Frequency” (wavelength). The ears hear only when there is sound, and sound has two characteristics, “Amplitude” (volume) and “Frequency” (wavelength). A whisper has “frequency” but very little “amplitude” and consequently lacks the timbre of normal sound.

If there is any deficiency in these faculties, or receptors, then either the light has to be brighter, or the sound louder before we can assimilate the information brought to us, but the frequency is not a component that we can change, it is constant quality created by the source, and in spiritual terms it is the “INSPIRATION”.

The degree of deficiency determines our learning ability, and our learning ability contributes to our ability to participate. A DEAF and BLIND person will sit motionless in a class because they do not have the ability to participate, and so they cannot learn, THIS IS THE SAME IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM.

The function of the eye is to receive light, it does not create it. It has to be “single” meaning undivided or “one eyed”. If you are seeing double then there is a problem, and that problem can be almost as bad as being blind. Likewise the ear does not create sound but reacts to SOUND PRESSURE, but most of our natural, accurate information comes from the visual perception process, but the AUDITORY process contributes a large amount of information. It would seem that the SOUND PRESSURE of the spirit does not have sufficient amplitude or volume for some folk to hear, maybe because so many Christian have their head in the sand!!!!

One of the “Thoughts for Today” some many weeks ago was ”CONTEMPLATE YOUR GOD” — TO CONTEMPLATE IS TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT SOMETHING FOR A LONG TIME, OR, TO LOOK AT OR VIEW WITH CONTINUED ATTENTION.”

Proverbs 1:24-33              Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it, And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof, (A sorry tale and description of those who have chosen  poor hearing and poor vision … comments mine) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic– When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. (Sometimes Father has to allow a DISASTER to occur before we will begin to take notice, but not before He has given us every chance to shape up  …   comments mine) Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord, would accept none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and SHALL BE QUIET, without fear or dread of evil.

How characteristic is that of spiritual things, and we have been the objects of the intensity of God’s love, and every day He renews His compassions in an attempt to have us responsive to the stimulus of His light of His Word as in:-

Psalm 119:130                    The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment (we have used the word “perception” previously  …  comments mine) and comprehension) to the simple.

Every day He speaks to us and has said in John 10:27 The sheep that are My own HEAR AND ARE LISTENING to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. (But not from afar off, but stick close to the shepherd   … comments mine)

The expression of the Psalmist brings into focus the criteria of this whole subject, hearing ears and seeing eyes lead to “UNDERSTANDING”. Here are some scriptures to add to your study process, to expand and extend the exploration of the integrity of our spiritual faculties.

Proverbs 1:2                       That people may know skilful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, (Notice that discernment, comprehension ,understanding and insight  are the result of learning, and if we are deaf or blind, then we will never “Know”, and if we never know we will never see, never get that “INSIGHT” . How do we achieve this, the first step is “BE STILL AND KNOW”, (Psalm 46:10) have we learned that lesson?)

Proverbs 1:7                       The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and ITS ESSENCE]; but fools despise skilful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. (It follows that if we do not hear or see, we will be grossly deficient in “KNOWLEDGE”, and we could deduce that the “essence” refers to that sweet smelling aroma”  and Proverbs comes to the conclusion that despisive  people like that are “FOOLS”)

 

Psalm 111:10  Repeats the thrust of Proverbs 1:7, but then goes on to include “a  good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.”

 

Job 28:28                             But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord–that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

 

Jeremiah 6:10                    To whom shall I [Jeremiah] speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised [never brought into covenant with God or consecrated to His service], and they cannot hear or obey. Behold, the word of the Lord has become to them a reproach and the object of their scorn; they have no delight in it.

 

“uncircumcised” — closed against the precepts of God by the foreskin of carnality.

 “They have no delight in the word”, more is implied than is expressed; they have an antipathy to it; it exasperates them, and enrages their corruptions, and they are ready to fly in the face and pull out the eyes of their reprovers.” And how can those expect that the word of the Lord should speak any comfort to them who have no delight in it, but would rather be anywhere than within hearing distance?

 

The study of this subject will continue to expand as you explore the depths of meaning of scripture like those below, and as you add your insight and understanding to the subject.

 

Jeremiah 7:27 (ISV)         “You will tell them all these things, but they won’t listen to you. You will call out to them, but they won’t answer you.

 

Ezekiel 2:7                           You are to tell them whatever I have to say to them, whether they listen or not, since they are rebellious.”

 

Act 20:27                              for I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God.

 

Isa 30:15                               For this is what the LORD GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest you will be saved; in staying calm and trusting will be your strength. But you refused.

 

That is the obvious result of a “hard heart”, or a lack of understanding, a distorted attitude in other words, but Jesus healed deaf ears and blind eyes, but His methods were unusual.

 

Matt. 15:8                           “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me”

 

A definition of “disability” might be that it is a lack or limitation of competence.

 

Psalm 95:8                           Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

 

Philippians 1:9-10              And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].

Psalm 40:6                           Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE CAPACITY TO HEAR and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.

 

oOo

CREDIBILITY ROSS SMITH

CREDIBILITY                                                                                       ROSS SMITH  160316

(ALL REFERENCES ARE FROM AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

Acts 17:31            Because He has fixed a day when He will judge the world righteously (justly) by a Man Whom He has destined and appointed for that task, and HE HAS MADE THIS CREDIBLE AND given conviction and assurance and evidence to everyone BY RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD.

We also have a commission found in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “Qualified ministers”

“CREDIBILITY”   The quality of being convincing or believable

The quality of being believed in and trusted.

The quality or power of inspiring belief

NOTE THE PROGRESSION, WE HAVE TO BE CONVINCING OR BELIEVABLE BEFORE WE CAN BE BELIEVED AND TRUSTED, AND THEN RECOGNISED FOR OUR ABILITY TO INSPIRE BELIEF

Notice that all these definitions identify “CREDIBILITY” as a “QUALITY”. So in Acts 17 we have the assurance of Gods purpose defined clearly, without any ambiguity, in the demonstration of Jesus life, a life of unparalleled QUALITY. Not only does His life provide reason for credibility, but more so does His resurrection, an unquestionable quality, and to such a degree that we have “conviction, assurance, and evidence” of His credibility. Another term is “VALIDITY”.

Inconsistency on the part of Pastors and of the Christian community, between what they say and what they do, between word, and manner of life, is undermining the churches “CREDIBILITY”.

A practical, mundane example of “Credibility” was when we purchased a second-hand caravan. I asked the retailer for some warranty on the van and they declared, “Our reputation is our warranty”. The first week required some repairs to the van but when I went to recover the expense, the retailer refused to pay. They failed to deliver therefore they lost their credibility, and destroyed their reputation.  HAVE WE DELIVERED?

Ecclesiastes 5:5                 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (or say, and not do)

Every action, or perceived action shapes credibility. When you break a promise you lose credibility and when you lose credibility you lose trust.

Should you be uncomfortable with the term “CREDIBILITY”, then include these words as alternatives in your study: – “Integrity, legitimacy, authenticity, sincerity, virtue, validity”. (And remember ACCURACY IMPROVES INTEGRITY)

The apostle Paul had no problem with any of these terms, he was confident of his credibility,  for he stated in 1 Corinthians 11:1 PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah)

We should always test the credibility of a man, or of an incident, in the light of the credibility that is  evidenced, not just face value, but with discernment and insight initiated and energised by the Holy Spirit.

Do we have any “Credibility”?  — The first thing to look for to answer this question is, “where is the fruit”? FRUIT CONFIRMS CREDIBILITY and the first fruit we need is “LOVE”.  This type of fruit is both plain and exotic, it has basic qualities that should be evidenced in our daily walk, and then it has those exotic qualities that can even compel a man to, lay down his life for his friend”.  (John 15:13)

John 13:35  By this shall ALL [MEN] KNOW that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

NICE TODAY AND NASTY TOMORROW!!!!!

This knowledge is universal, no one will be left in any doubt as to the “CREDIBILITY” of the man who has a glut of LOVE, of fruit in abundance. Sometimes we are  recognised within our circle of friends, or within a fellowship, as having a degree of love, but this constitutes “Some men shall know, not ALL men shall know”.

A similar intention is expressed in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 and identifies behaviour patterns which constitute “CREDIBILITY” in the following terms,

“So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honourable and COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD,”

The incidence of “All men know” and the “Command the respect of the outside world” is supported by PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION, not just some ethereal claim or academic achievement. So the initial excursion into “CREDIBILITY” has two simple tests, and I can obtain the answers from within myself and  have no need for prompting. These question are: –

Do I            “Love one another”?

Do I             “Command respect”? (This is different to “DEMAND” respect )

Depending upon our perceptions or misconceptions, we will all come up with different responses, many of which are  intended to vindicate my position or excuse my failures, or to rephrase the question so it is not so pointed. Attempted vindication is attempted delusion, and the only person deluded is SELF. The world is clamoring for more time off, more money, more benefits, more leisure, more of anything else but I do not see too many wanting more of God, for when we do it is a sure sign that we want “CREDIBILITY”.

Some deep introspection is involved in these two simple questions above, because they involve a degree of dedication, commitment, denial of self, things that we are mentally aware of but spiritually devoid of.

What do I need to do to show I have “love one for the other”?

How do I command respect from the outside world

Does my performance match my profession, this is the hard one.

 

2 Timothy 3:5                     For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

 

In the book of John we find many directions which will assist us in attaining the Credibility that Father requires, not the least of which is JOHN 13:34, which is not just a suggestion, BUT AN ORDER

 

John 13:34           I give you a NEW COMMANDMENT: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.

If we disobey that “ORDER” or “NEW COMMANDMENT” then we disqualify ourselves from any “CREDIBILITY”.  This  love that Jesus ordered the disciples to display was their BADGE OF DISCIPLESHIP, and this badge could only be pinned to the “Garb of a Disciple”, that is the garb of OBEDIENCE.

 

This verse  is a reflection of Old Testament instruction written to Israel, and recorded in the book of Leviticus, and was first adopted to indicate that it had for its main subject the duties and functions appertaining to the chief house of the priestly tribe of Levi. As a consequence, we are priests, as described by 1 Peter 2:5, “Come, and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a HOLY (DEDICATED, CONSECRATED) PRIESTHOOD, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ”. This priesthood carries responsibility from way back in the Levitical times

 

Leviticus 19:18                   You shall not take revenge or bear any grudge against the sons of your people, BUT YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF. I am the Lord.

 

So why, if it was ordered in Leviticus in the Old Testament, is there the necessity for a “New Commandment” in the New Testament? It is called “NEW”, not because there was no command before which required people to love their fellow-man, for the Levitical precept of the law was that they should love their neighbour as themselves,  but it was new because it had never before been made that, by which any class or body of people had been KNOWN AND DISTINGUISHED, it was an order that if complied with would ”ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY”.

Matthew intensifies the principle with a dissertation of what this love involves, and the character of love in this context rules out any potential for PARTIALITY, for we have a certain propensity to “pick and choose”. Let me share the details.

 

Matthew 5:43-48             YOU HAVE HEARD (Matthew seems to be deleting or erasing any excuse that we “didn’t know”  … comments mine)  that it was said, You  shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy; (verse 44),  But I tell you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, (verse 45) TO SHOW (or SO THAT ..  comments mine) that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; (or to establish your CREDIBILITY  …   comments mine) for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. (verse 46) For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? (verse 47) And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even THE GENTILES (THE HEATHEN) DO THAT? (verse 48)  You, THEREFORE, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in MIND AND CHARACTER,(or in attitude and behaviour ….  comments mine) having reached the proper height of VIRTUE AND INTEGRITY], (or using today’s terms, “”CREDIBILITY” …   comments mine) as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

2 Peter 1:5                          ………… employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy)

 

You may recall that we identified these two characteristics earlier in this study as component and structural requirements forming our “CREDIBILITY”.  John describes it in 1 John 1:3 as “And [this] fellowship that we have [which is A DISTINGUISHING MARK of Christians.

 

So John 13:34 gives the orders, “A new commandment” and then in the next verse (35) gives the results , “All men shall Know”, or adds the “Credibility, Legitimacy, Validity”.

 

LOVE HAS TO ABOUND …. this has been the MANTRA of the church for generations, but where is the MANIFESTATION? The apostle Paul, in writing to the Philippians, records the parameters with numerous signposts and mileage posts so that we can establish “CREDIBILITY”.

 

Philippians 1:9-10             And  this I pray:   that your LOVE MAY ABOUND yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in KNOWLEDGE and all keen INSIGHT [that your love may display itself in greater depth of ACQUAINTANCE and more COMPREHENSIVE DISCERNMENT], (verse 10)  SO THAT (These two little words always preface or introduce the results or the consequences, where ever we see “SO THAT” it is beneficial to observe what the outcome will be, and in this case they establish the basis for “CREDIBILITY”…  comments mine)   YOU  MAY SURELY LEARN TO SENSE (this constitutes that vital spiritual ability of discernment and  keen insight  … comments  mine)   what is VITAL, and approve and prize what is EXCELLENT and of real VALUE [recognizing the HIGHEST and the BEST, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be UNTAINTED and PURE and UNERRING and BLAMELESS [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].

 

For your future study it may be beneficial to explore the terms used here, “VITAL, EXCELLENT, VALUE, HIGHEST, BEST”,  then go onto the second part, “UNTAINTED, PURE, UNERRING, BLAMELESS”.

 

 

“CREDIBILITY” is a highly visible, easily recognisable, greatly respected and infrequently worn badge, when it is worn, it is “A distinguishing mark”. (John 1:3)

 

The WORD BECOMES VISIBLE, and this becomes more relevant as we see

 

John 1:14                             “And the Word (Christ) became flesh”, this is where the visibility of our credibility begins to align with “All men shall know”

 

But it is not only heard, but seen, (1 John 1:3) there was no loss of faculties in Johns case, no deaf ears or blind eyes (Mark 8:18) but “seen and heard ourselves”, constituting acute spiritual  perception, and because there was obedience to that “New Commandment”, that direct order to “love one another”, they were keen to share the benefits.

 

To some the subject of “CREDIBILITY” is of little consequence, as their focus is not concerned with how they are  perceived, they have no shame or embarrassment in their unreliability, it just seems like it is a state outside their reality. A torpor of indolence.

 

I recall a mother who used to say to her little tot, “what does bad behaviour result in” and the child was so well educated in this respect that the answer was a spontaneous “BAD CONSEQUENCES”.

 

Just because a position is considered “valid” does not mean it is “VALUED”. The fact that we believe there is a God is VALID, but we have to demonstrate our appreciation by how much we VALUE our relationship, or else we erode our CREDIBILITY by our disobedience.

 

How credible was Saul when Samuel came to him and where on this occasion Saul had not waited for Samuel as instructed. His blaming the people for the sheep they had “stolen” completely destroys his credibility.

 

1 Samuel 15:14-15            And Samuel said, What then means this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? Saul said, THEY have brought them from the Amalekites; for THE PEOPLE spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but the rest we have utterly destroyed.

 

The basic hierarchy that Lord is seeking is “LOVE”, in the church, in the family, between couples, and extends to “love your enemies”. How much competency do we evidence here, for it is a stark measure of our “CREDIBILITY”.

 

It is difficult to “command respect” if we intrinsically know we don’t deserve respect. Our credibility is the mirror of the ALIGNMENT OF OUR PROFESSION WITH OUR PERFORMANCE. If I am not “commanding respect” then I need to explore why. What is the hindrance, the contaminant, the evidence that relieves people of the owner’s task of respecting me as God’s representative. It is impossible to fabricate “credibility”, for the Bible says in a Proverbs 23:7, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he”, so the insincerity of a person’s heart always shows up in their character, they are “invalid”, or to extend the word, spiritual invalids, spiritually crippled, socially inept, significantly suspect, suspiciously regarded, scorned.

 

Now to the positive, what does “CREDIBILITY” consist of, from a scriptural basis, and then how is it evidenced in a “CREDIBLE” life. With CREDIBILITY comes REPUTATION, but it is the CREDIBILITY that we work at, not the REPUTATION. Jesus made Himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:7) but He established His CREDIBILITY. But the Apostle Paul sets up parameters that constitute those qualities that attend “CREDIBILITY”.

 

Philippians 2:15-16           THAT  YOU (a similar prefix as “SO THAT”  … comments mine) may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, (verse 16)  Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labour to no purpose. (Or, I had established my credibility   …  comments mine)

 

The church presents in its reality such a contrast to its ideal, when in spite of all the wonders it has done, it has failed to do all that is expected of it. Our call from God is not to make our mark, but to show it, to work at it so that we establish credibility, and that requires humility, and humility springs out of “OBEDIENCE”.

 

Credibility is neither inherited or transferrable. It is created in and by the singular, unique persuasions of the individual. If that individual is convinced that “Jesus Christ is Lord”, then their lifestyle will be constructed to support their convictions, and all aberrations will succumb to the need/desire to evidence that “Jesus Christ is Lord”.

 

Where we attempt to vindicate our shortcomings, we engage in self delusion, we believe our excuses. “LOVE” enables us to share our thoughts and express our fears, not vindictively, but lovingly. And this is why we have “church hoppers”, they don’t have sufficient love to be able to blend with instruction and correction or the fire and hammer of the Word. The love they have is  love of convenience, not true love but infatuation or self gratification and if the atmosphere changes for them, they opt out, they ensure their lack of credibility is made obvious.

 

Our credibility exists in a climate which varies, there should be continuing maturity achieved and this brings new challenges as we come closer to the Lord.

 

“UNRELIABILITY” is the antonym for “CREDIBILITY”

 

Hebrews 13:5                    Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

 

Psalm 115:2                        Why should the nations say, Where is now their God?

 

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #10 ROSS SMITH

We are again discussing walking in the Spirit, to determine the means.  I have read from Colossians 3v12 as a reinforcement of that which Paul said to the Colossian church in

Colossians 1:11b               [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [TO EXERCISE] EVERY KIND OF ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE (PERSEVERANCE AND FORBEARANCE) WITH JOY,

Colossians 3:12                  Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behaviour marked by] tender-hearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].

Note that in both instances, Colossians 1 and 3, that there is the necessity for our exercising, our participating, and our expending some energy.  The power to endure is part of what we looked at last week when we were invigorated and strengthened by the might of His power and so this is what part of that power is for – that we might be able to EXERCISE.  We see in part the reason why it is required and no doubt as we proceed we will find there is a much more acute reason for this power.

The word TO EXERCISE is the same requirement that we have previously seen for walking and living in the Spirit but it indicates that there is a demand for APPLICATION.  At the point in time that the message finally penetrates and we understand that we are required to expend some energy to succeed in matters spiritual and eternal, at that point in time there will occur a spontaneous release of the Spirit of God toward us.   At that point in time when the penny drops that we need to apply ourselves, God will release His Spirit to us in a way that we can’t imagine.  How do I know?  The Bible says in

James 4:8                            Come close to God and He will come close to you.

The Word specifies how energetic we are to be.  Some of us find we have boundless energy, it seems to be restrained so often to children below the age of about five, and then for some reason peters out.

Deuteronomy 6:5            And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.

Now that doesn’t leave a lot of faculties for other activities.  Unfortunately, to many of us, exercise in an unacceptable term, it implies a disruption of my comfort.

There is a cost of some sort in exercise, it might be time, energy or pain or pride.  Exercise is not just physical, but mental and emotional and spiritual, but the same degree and type of discipline is required in all areas.

We understand exercising in some areas, particularly in the area of the physical, we exercise RESTRAINT, CARE, SELF-CONTROL, and LOVE.  All of these things require application but if any of these are not exercised they will deteriorate into a state of unfitness, or unpreparedness, that inadequacy, with the resultant effect that when we are called upon to demonstrate this particular attribute whether it be strength in the physical or the strength of a particular characteristic, then we are shown to be unfit.

Paul said to the Corinthian church in

1 Corinthians 9:27            But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships]

He is talking here about self-control, not about masochism, it is self-control that Paul is referring to.

and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

Paul says I buffet my body, I subdue it, I keep myself under control because if I don’t exercise, then I will become unfit.  Of course there are exercises that are inappropriate and these we need to avoid, and I’m not talking about walking.

Psalm 131:1                        LORD, MY heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me.

The Psalmist says there are some things we should not get involved in.  We should not exercise ourselves in those matters.  Then there is the exercise that so often we overdo, some do it with a knife and fork, fortunately, that trend is reversible.  But the Bible says that there is one area which is difficult to reverse in which we overdo that exercise.

James 3:8                            But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.

Let me tell you, in the majority of people today, the muscle of the tongue is the most exercised muscle in the body, and we need to subdue it.

The Apostle Paul is a classic example of the principle of exercise.  We’ve already seen in 1 Corinthians 9v27 but he also expands upon it in

Acts 24:16                            Therefore I ALWAYS exercise and discipline myself [MORTIFYING my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavouring in ALL respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God AND TOWARD MEN.

Underline those last three words.  It becomes very apparent down the track that this is one of the areas that is so relevant to us exercising endurance and patience and longsuffering and forbearance, void of offence toward God and toward man.  The crystallizing of the thought is recorded in

1 Timothy 4v7b Train yourself toward godliness (piety),

Training involves pain, and effort and energy, and remember Colossians 1v11 says “EXERCISE”

1 Timothy 4v7c  [keeping yourself spiritually fit].

1 Timothy 4:8                     For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way,

You see, I’ve learned the secret, I don’t need to go walking around the block for half an hour every night.  The book tells me in Isaiah 40v31 that if I wait upon the Lord, He will renew my strength,  I will mount up on wings as an eagle and draw close to God.

1 Timothy 4v8b                 for it (godliness) holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

So often we strive because we think, “I’ve got to reach that eternal goal”, and so we have, but the book says that spiritual exercise is also profitable in this life.

Exercise and practice – call it what you may – they are similar actions – and I was interested to note that God practices.

Jeremiah 9:24                    But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

IF ONLY!!!  The church of Jesus Christ today only knows about God, we need to know Him personally and practically.  How do I know Him practically? By putting Him to work in my situation, by saying ‘I want to understand Your ways O God!”  How do I understand them?  By letting God loose in my situation.

I hate this particular part of Scripture because it confronts me fair and square.  So often, it’s much easier to put my sanctification on the shelf for a few moments and deal with the situation.  The book says “Exercise patience and endurance, and do it with joy.  Doing it with joy doesn’t include doing it with clenched teeth.  So often, I can exercise self-restraint like that, but the Book says “with good temper”.  See how consistent the Word of God is.  If we have to do it through clenched teeth, then we’ve got to go back and start to learn the lesson again.

I was in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 9:24                    But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character],

When we do this, we will be worshippers.

that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

He PRACTICES, He APPLIES THEM, He puts them into effect.  Our exercise then is that we might walk and live in the Spirit, and it’s noteworthy, I think, how we should apply it.

Colossians 1:11                  [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

I have never really thought too much about there being more than one kind of endurance, or more than one kind of patience.  I am aware that there are many different forums afforded me to practice each and every kind, but what constitutes every kind?

As I studied, I thought “I’d like to confine this to matters spiritual.  It will be much easier”, but as I got into the Word of God I found that that was not possible.  As I went back and looked at the KJV, it says EXERCISE ALL PATIENCE.  Exercise every kind is just easier for me to understand.

To exercise these qualities is not just a passive acceptance of the inevitable, that “Oh well, mon yana! Tomorrow will be a better day,  I’ll just have to wear it”.  It is not a passive acceptance of the inevitable, but conversely it is an active, unrelenting endeavour even in spite of difficulty and trial.  When the things of the earth come against you, God is trying to refine you.  We say “Make me like You Lord, but just don’t put me through it”, that’s our unspoken request.

The definition, when we go back into the dictionary, is quite extensive.  It covers a fairly broad definition but one that interested me was this…

To subject to forms of exertion, in order to train, to strengthen, to condition.

Let me ask you the question.  How much exertion have you applied this week to becoming like Jesus?  How much exertion have you applied this week to the study and contemplation of the Word?  I don’t mean you have just sat in your rocking chair and read half a dozen chapters., that’s not exertion!!

Mark 4:24                            And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Virtue and knowledge is that excellence in our Christian walk.  We need to apply ourselves vigorously to the pursuit of things eternal, and as we do it, we will find that the natural things will take their proper place.

Matthew 6:33                    But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

If I go into Proverbs 2v4, it tells me “Seek it as hid treasure.”  Dig for it!

Proverbs 2:4                       If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skilful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures,

We have to turn our understanding of the term EXERCISE into practical experience.  What is the “EVERY KIND”?

Remember when I said before that we should become “void of offense toward God and man.”

Mostly the necessity for endurance and patience, for perseverance and forbearance and longsuffering comes about because of the people we come in contact with.  You have heard me say many times “If there were no other people around, I could be perfect”, it’s other people who make me like I am, well, that’s my excuse!

If there were no other people, there would be no need for patience and endurance and forbearance and longsuffering.  I said “Mostly”.  Now obviously there are some other reasons such as the weather or sickness sometimes, where we have to be patient, but if we analyse the prime cause for the need to apply these qualities or these traits, it is people.  Had that experience this week?

We are learning to walk and live in the Spirit, and this is a Christlike lifestyle, and so, we have to understand the foundation.  Let me go back a little. God made people (unfortunately he didn’t make us the way we are), but God made us and consequently, He has a high regard for humanity.  He holds people in high esteem.

As a consequence, we are to emulate that regard for men and women that God has made.  The word tells me in Genesis 1, just where God had created mankind, “and God saw everything that He had made and behold it was very good”.  In all the other five days, when He created all the other things, God saw it was good, but when He created humans, He saw that it was very good.

In Philippians 2v3b we get our instructions

Philippians 2:3b                 Instead, in the true spirit of humility

I think that’s interesting, don’t you, that Paul should couch it in those terms.  So many people have pseudo humility, a quasi humility, so many people indulge in a humility which is not what Paul said, the true spirit of humility.  Where do we get it? By applying and exercising endurance and patience and forbearance and perseverance.

Philippians 2:3b                 Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

That’s a mouthful.  There are some people I don’t have much difficulty doing that with, most people are indeed much better.  But the book says LET EACH REGARD THE OTHERS AS BETTER.  That’s the regard God has for humanity, that’s the pattern that He wants me to emulate, that’s the reason He coerces me to be patient and longsuffering, and I can see that some have already tuned me out this morning, it’s getting too close to home, to close to the bone.

God is dealing with us, because He wants a church without spot and wrinkle, He wants to build a church that the gates of hell can’t prevail against, He wants a bride that is spotless and pure, that’s why he’s dealing with us as he is.

The Word is full of references to patience and longsuffering and forbearance that God has evidenced towards mankind down through the generations.  We only have to go back to the Exodus and see there the tribulations that the children of Israel put God through to see how patient He is.

We come then to Paul’s exhortation to the Roman church and he says there in Romans 2:4-7

Romans 2:4                         Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience?

We do it, week by week by week, we trifle with it.  How do I know? Because if we took the Word of God that has come by His Spirit for months now, and had applied it, we would be evidencing the nature of Christ to a far greater degree, but we trifle with it.

Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?

Remember we learned previously in Colossians 1 that a life that is satisfactory to God is preceded by an understanding of His will.

Romans 2:7                         To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety]

Not springing from some philanthropic ambition.  What is piety?  It’s dedication to our God, that patient persistence which springs from piety

seek [unseen but sure] glory and honour and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.

Notice how the renewing of Isaiah 40 and the knowing of God’s will of Colossians 1 comes together again here in Romans.  I want to cover this point.

The Word prescribes the route that we are to follow for the development of patience.  How many here this morning have oodles of patience?

Romans 5:3                         Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

Glory in tribulation! We glory in tribulation because we know that tribulation works patience.  The only problem in this particular college is that there are too many dropouts.!  When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  I think there is another connotation to that, they pack their little bags and they’re off.  “I’m not getting too far into this brother, I’m not a masochist.”  Who needs tribulation?  I do, Why? Because tribulation works patience and by persistent patience, God will give you eternal life, but I want it – without the tribulation!!!.

James 1:3                            Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

I hear people praying for patience, and when I do I shudder, because I know the route that God takes to give you that patience.  Never ask God for patience, for when you ask for it, you’ll get it – through tribulation.

I found it interesting this week to find that the word patience only occurs in the New Testament.  And  so obviously that Word, that quality, that condition is a condition that we are helped to attain by the Spirit as New Testament people.  Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet.  The book says

Luke 21:19                           By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.

Isn’t that what we’re about?  Isn’t that the ambition of every heart and life?  You see patience perfects the character of a Christian and as we know perfect character equals perfect power.  I know this from

James 1:4                            But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

James could have recorded, Let patience and endurance and steadfastness have an effect in your life, and that would have been profound, but that is not what is recorded,  it says

James 1:4                            But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have FULL play and do a THOROUGH work,

You see that these qualities must be allowed to function, we suppress these things.  It infers that we have as an inherent characteristic, a propensity for patience, just like we have a measure of faith.  But we make allowances for impatience when James says we should ALLOW PATIENCE… So often we say, “Well don’t annoy Dad today, he’s had a hard day and that’s why he’s agro. It doesn’t say to make allowances for impatience, iT says LET PATIENCE.

Are you prepared to do it?  It says in Job if God can’t get my attention through the preaching of the Word then He’ll try to capture my attention through dreams and visions, and if He can’t get me through either of those, it says He’ll put me on a bed of pain to try to arrest my attention. (Job 33:19) God has aimed the spotlight of heaven into the hearts of His people here this morning saying, “I want you to be like me”.  He wants the church to become patient, not ambivalent, not complacent, but patient and enduring and steadfast and persevering and forbearing.

 

oOo

 

 

NEW CHRISTIAN LESSON #3 “THE CONFORMITY” ROSS SMITH

#3         THE CONFORMITY

We saw in THE CORRECTION that we were to be CONFORMED to His image or as it says in

Romans 8:29              For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

CONFORM means to make exactly alike.

We also use another word to describe our being made like Christ, and that word is SANCTIFICATION.

CONFORMITY or SANCTIFICATION means to separate from sin and separate to God.

FROM SIN to SALVATION to GOD for SERVICE

THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS TO OUR CONFORMITY

A          That which takes place instantaneously when we accept THE CORRECTION.

B          That which continues to take place as we follow the Lord, a progressive conformity.

Let us find Scripture to explain this:-

INSTANTANEOUS

John 17:16                              They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.

John 17:17                              SANCTIFY them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH.

Notice in verse 17, the first word is SANCTIFY.  When the New Testament was written, it was written in Greek, and the word they used was hagiazo and it means to separate from a profane or common use to a sacred use.

When we accept the Lord as our Saviour and take advantage of THE CORRECTION, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin INSTANTLY.

1 John 1:7                    But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

1 John 1:9                    If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [EVERYTHING NOT IN CONFORMITY to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

This initial or instantaneous CONFORMITY is the washing of the inward guilt of sin.  Initial sanctification occurs simultaneously with the new birth, the moment of conversion to the holiness pattern of living.

CONFORMITY leads to holiness, but is not something that is only achieved at the end of our Christian journey.  Both are present from the beginning of our new life and continue to increase to its end.

PROGRESSIVE

Colossians 1:10           That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

Colossians 2:2             [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).

We become more like Him or CONFORM to His image as we progress and serve Him.  But we have to apply ourselves to be like Him.  We have to eat our spiritual food so that our spiritual nature grows.

2 Peter 3:18                But grow in grace (undeserved favour, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honour, majesty, and splendour) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!

The fact that there is a need for PROGRESSIVE CONFORMIY does not imply that God is incapable of carrying out an instantaneous transformation, but relates to man’s capacity to respond to God’s grace.

God is HOLY.  We become holy, because holiness comes from God.  But holiness refers to the quality of spiritual life whereas CONFORMITY or SANCTIFICATION denotes the act or process by which one is made holy.

Progressive Conformity is a most important feature of the Christian life, for it is intended to evidence a distinctive life style.

Nowhere is the Bible is this life in grace understood to be the consequences either of mere human striving and effort, or of automatic and impersonal growth.  That CONFORMITY or SANCTIFICATION which issues in Holiness in every aspect of daily life always presupposes the divine activity of grace.

1 Thessalonians 3:12              And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,

1 Thessalonians 3:13              So that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!

HOW ARE WE CONFORMED TO CHRIST?

A         BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

1John 1:7                    But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

B         BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 Peter 1:2                  Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) BY THE SPIRIT to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

God’s people are surrounded by the influences of the Holy Spirit.  By these, they are brought to consecration and guided towards a more perfect obedience.

Romans  8:14             For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The guidance of the Holy Spirit to men who are CONFORMED, is not an unusual occurrence.

1          Philip made contact with the Ethiopian in

Acts 8:26                     But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and proceed southward or at midday on the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza. This is the desert [route].

Acts 8:27                     So he got up and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship.

Acts 8:28                     And he was [now] returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Acts 8:29                     Then the [Holy] Spirit said to Philip, Go forward and join yourself to this chariot.

Acts 8:30                     Accordingly Philip, running up to him, heard [the man] reading the prophet Isaiah and asked, Do you really understand what you are reading?

Acts 8:31                     And he said, How is it possible for me to do so unless someone explains it to me and guides me [in the right way]? And he earnestly requested Philip to come up and sit beside him.

Acts 8:32                     Now this was the passage of Scripture which he was reading: Like a sheep He was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so He opens not His mouth.

Acts 8:33                     In His humiliation He was taken away by distressing and oppressive judgment and justice was denied Him [caused to cease]. Who can describe or relate in full the wickedness of His contemporaries (generation)? For His life is taken from the earth and a bloody death inflicted upon Him.

Acts 8:34                     And the eunuch said to Philip, I beg of you, tell me about whom does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?

Acts 8:35                     Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus and about Him.

Acts 8:36                     And as they continued along on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch exclaimed, See, [here is] water! What is to hinder my being baptized?

Acts 8:37                     And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

2          Ananias was directed to Saul

Acts 9:10                     Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord.

Acts 9:11                     And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

Acts 9:12                     And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.

Act 9:13                       But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;

Acts 9:14                     Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name.

Acts 9:15                     But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;

Acts 9:16                     For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.

Acts 9:17                     So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:18                     And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized,

3          Peter was sent to Cornelius

Acts 10:1         NOW [living] at Caesarea there was a man whose name was Cornelius, a centurion (captain) of what was known as the Italian Regiment,

Acts 10:2         A devout man who venerated God and treated Him with reverential obedience, as did all his household; and he gave much alms to the people and prayed continually to God.

Acts 10:3         About the ninth hour (about 3:00 p.m.) of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God entering and saying to him, Cornelius!

Acts 10:4         And he, gazing intently at him, became frightened and said, What is it, Lord? And the angel said to him, Your prayers and your [generous] gifts to the poor have come up [as a sacrifice] to God and have been remembered by Him.

Acts 10:5         And now send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite here a certain Simon whose surname is Peter;

Acts 10:6         He is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.

Acts 10:7         When the angel who spoke to him had left, Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier from among his own personal attendants.

Acts 10:8         And having rehearsed everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:9         The next day as they were still on their way and were approaching the town, Peter went up to the roof of the house to pray, about the sixth hour (noon).

Acts 10:10       But he became very hungry, and wanted something to eat; and while the meal was being prepared a trance came over him,

Act 10:11         And he saw the sky opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth.

Acts 10:12       It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air.

Acts 10:13       And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat.

Acts 10:14       But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.

Acts 10:15       And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.

Acts 10:16       This occurred three times; then immediately the sheet was taken up to heaven.

Acts 10:17       Now Peter was still inwardly perplexed and doubted as to what the vision which he had seen could mean, when [just then] behold the messengers that were sent by Cornelius, who had made inquiry for Simon’s house, stopped and stood before the gate.

Acts 10:18       And they called out to inquire whether Simon who was surnamed Peter was staying there.

Acts 10:19       And while Peter was earnestly revolving the vision in his mind and meditating on it, the [Holy] Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you!

Acts 10:20       Get up and go below and accompany them without any doubt [about its legality] or any discrimination or hesitation, for I have sent them.

Acts 10:21       Then Peter went down to the men and said, I am the man you seek; what is the purpose of your coming?

Acts 10:22       And they said, Cornelius, a centurion (captain) who is just and upright and in right standing with God, being God-fearing and obedient and well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, has been instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house; and he has received in answer [to prayer] a warning to listen to and act upon what you have to say.

Acts 10:23       So Peter invited them in to be his guests [for the night]. The next day he arose and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Acts 10:24       And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for and expecting them, and he had invited together his relatives and his intimate friends.

Acts 10:25       As Peter arrived, Cornelius met him, and falling down at his feet he made obeisance and paid worshipful reverence to him.

Acts 10:26       But Peter raised him up, saying, Get up; I myself am also a man.

Acts 10:27       And as [Peter] spoke with him, he entered the house and found a large group of persons assembled;

Acts 10:28       And he said to them, You yourselves are aware how it is not lawful or permissible for a Jew to keep company with or to visit or [even] to come near or to speak first to anyone of another nationality, but God has shown and taught me by words that I should not call any human being common or unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.

Acts 10:29  Therefore when I was sent for, I came without hesitation or objection or misgivings. So now I ask for what reason you sent for me.

Acts 10:30       And Cornelius said, This is now the fourth day since about this time I was observing the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon) of prayer in my lodging place; [suddenly] a man stood before me in dazzling apparel,

Acts 10:31       And he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and harkened to, and your donations to the poor have been known and preserved before God [so that He heeds and is about to help you].

Acts 10:32       Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is surnamed Peter; he is staying in the house of Simon the tanner by the seaside.

Acts 10:33       So at once I sent for you, and you [being a Jew] have done a kind and courteous and handsome thing in coming. Now then, we are all present in the sight of God to listen to all that you have been instructed by the Lord to say.

Acts 10:34       And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,

Acts 10:35       But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].

Acts 10:36       You know the contents of the message which He sent to Israel, announcing the good news (Gospel) of peace by Jesus Christ, Who is Lord of all–

Acts 10:37       The [same] message which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee after the baptism preached by John–

Acts 10:38       How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:39       And we are [eye and ear] witnesses of everything that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And [yet] they put Him out of the way (murdered Him) by hanging Him on a tree;

Acts 10:40       But God raised Him to life on the third day and caused Him to be manifest (to be plainly seen),

Acts 10:41       Not by all the people but to us who were chosen (designated) beforehand by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

Acts 10:42       And He charged us to preach to the people and to bear solemn testimony that He is the God-appointed and God-ordained Judge of the living and the dead.

Acts 10:43       To Him all the prophets testify (bear witness) that everyone who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him, giving himself up to Him] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.

Acts 10:44       While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.

Acts 10:45       And the believers from among the circumcised [the Jews] who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because the free gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles.

Acts 10:46       For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and extolling and magnifying God. Then Peter asked,

Acts 10:47       Can anyone forbid or refuse water for baptizing these people, seeing that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?

Acts 10:48       And he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Then they begged him to stay on there for some days.

This is just to name a few, but look at the result.

• The Ethiopian carried the gospel to Africa

 

• Saul carried the gospel to Europe

 

• Cornelius carried the gospel to the Gentiles.

THE WORD

John 17:17                  Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH.

Ephesians 5:26           So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,

Ephesians 5:27           That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].

1 Peter 2:2                 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

You can tell the difference between the people who regularly read their Bible and those who do not.

1          Their lives are different.

2          Their standards are different.

3          Their faces are different

One of the first things to be neglected when a person loses their enthusiasm for CONFORMITY is the reading of the Word of God.

A         The Word is LIGHT

Psalm 119:105            Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:130            The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.

B         The Word is SHARP

Hebrews 4:12              For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

C         The Word is a MAP

Psalm 119:11              Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

D         The Word is FOOD

1 Peter 2:2                  Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

Hebrews 5:14              But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

This progressive conformity is confirmed to us in no uncertain terms in

2 Peter 3:18                But grow in grace (undeserved favour, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honour, majesty, and splendour) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!

It is one thing to be instantly CONFORMED but another thing to maintain it.  I have to know the means by which I can successfully maintain my conformity to God.

1 John 2:15                 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

The Bible is not talking about creation when it says THE WORLD, nor does the term have the same connotations as John 3:16

John 3:16                    For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the WORLD that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

It means all in the present order of things which appeal to the soul as an object of desire apart from and in rivalry to God.

Conformity or sanctification in the fullest biblical sense denotes the complete recovery, by grace, from the effects of sin, not simultaneously, but successively.

All conformity is the result of God’s gracious activity.  We see this truth reinforced by:-

CONFORMITY – A SOCIAL ISSUE

Conformity is not just a spiritual exercise but it affects, or should affect, every aspect of our life style.  Conformity expresses itself in all that one does and is in relation to the world, and particularly how we relate to other people.

Our conformity influences all religious, political, occupational, familial and social relationships which make up life.  No wonder the Bible says we are the salt of the earth.

Matthew 5:13              You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.

We have not received THE CORRECTION by good works, but FOR good works, works of obedience.

HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR CONFORMITY OR SANCTIFICATION?

1 Peter 2:2                  Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

Matthew 26:41            All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Hebrews 10:25            Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

The Apostle Paul describes the lengths he went to to maintain his conformity, and it is obvious that it wasn’t any easier for him than it is for us, so we don’t really have any excuse.

1 Corinthians 15:31       [I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self].

Philippians 3:14           I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

Centenary translation I strain every nerve.

2 Timothy 4:7              I have fought the good (worthy, honourable and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

PAUL HAD TO FIGHT

He was                       Intensely spiritual

                                    Perfectly natural

                                    Thoroughly practical

Temptation is always in our way and we so often miss the mark, for temptation comes in many ways.

1 John 2:16                 For all that is in the world – ¹ the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and ² the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and ³ the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]

Jesus experienced all three areas of temptation.

Matthew 4:1                Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.

Matthew 4:2                And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry.

THE LUST OF THE FLESH

Matthew 4:3                And the tempter came and said to Him, 1 If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread.

Matthew 4:4                But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:5                Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary.

THE PRIDE OF LIFE

Matthew 4:6                And he said to Him, ² If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Matthew 4:7                Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.

Matthew 4:8                Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendour, magnificence, pre-eminence, and excellence) of them.

THE LUST OF THE EYES

Matthew 4:9                And he said to Him, ³ These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.

Matthew 4:10              Then Jesus said to him, Begonia, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.

Matthew 4:11              Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

HOW DID JESUS MAINTAIN HIS POSITION?

Firstly He put Scripture back into its proper context from which Satan had distorted it.

Psalm 91:9                  Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

Psalm 91:10                There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

Psalm 91:11                For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

Psalm 91:12                They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Satan is a pathological liar.  He cannot help himself.  This is why we must recognise his overtures to us and then be quick to dismiss them, for they are couched in deceit.

Genesis 2:16               And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

Genesis 2:17               But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

Genesis 3:4                 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONFORMED PEOPLE?

There are expressions used in the bible to describe people who are in the process of being CONFORMED or being made like God and these three terms (there may be more) are:

HOLY

PECULIAR

CHOSEN

HOLY means having a divine origin.

The Greek word is hagiasmos meaning holiness.  In the KJV Bible the word is translated sanctification or as we understand it CONFORMITY.

PECULIAR means God’s own possession and it comes from the Greek word peripoiesis.

CHOSEN means elect or eminent and this comes from the Greek word Eklektos.

HOLINESS

We have found that holiness is the quality of a conformed life, not the process of being conformed.  It is something we have to strive for because the Bible specifies it.

We need to be able to see what Scripture says about all this.

Leviticus 19:2              Say to all the assembly of the Israelites, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

Hebrews 12:14            Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

Other Scriptures

2 Corinthians 7:1         Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.

Ephesians 4:24           And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

2 Peter 3:11                Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behaviour and devout and godly qualities,

PECULIAR

Men of God are made to be respected, not understood, for when we are conformed we will qualify for what 1 Corinthians 2:15 says.

1 Corinthians 2:15       But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].

Titus 2:14                    Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.

There has to be a special purpose for us being peculiar, not just because we want to be individuals or be a non-conformist.

Hebrews 8:10              For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

CHOSEN

For God to choose us is in itself truly remarkable and a privilege, for if we were to examine ourselves and try to establish reasons why we should be chosen, we would find very little qualification.

But if we are chosen, then we should respond in a manner that will make the Lord happy that He chose us.

1 Peter 2:9                  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

See what He chose us for!  To do this work we have to be like Him.  We have to conform to His nature.

Isaiah 43:20                 The beasts of the field honour Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen,

Isaiah 43:21                 The people I formed for Myself, that they may set forth My praise [and they shall do it].

IF I AM TO BE COMFORMED (OR SANCTIFIED) CAN I STILL DO AS I PLEASE?

If we are chosen for a job, then obviously we are required to do the job we are paid for.  It is no point my being employed as a policeman and going to the fire station to work.  I have to do the job I was selected for.

Likewise we are to do the spiritual job we were chosen for, but for added reasons.

1 Corinthians 6:19       Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:20       You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honour God and bring glory to Him in your body.

1John 3:16                  By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].

Revelation 1:5             And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood,

How many things we want to do may be quite in order as far as being legal, but they must also be considered as to whether they are helpful or not.

1Corinthians 6:12        Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.

Romans 14:8              If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord.

HOW FAR DO I GO IN BEING CONFORMED?

There are many folk who suggest that there is no demand placed upon us to excel in God, that we are to do as well as we can but don’t let our spiritual experience become something that inhibits our natural abilities etc.

Proverbs 24:9             The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

Rom 14:23                  But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

More importantly, we must be CONFORMED not just for our own benefit, but so that others might find in our example, the help and direction they need for their lives, so that they can qualify.

Romans 14:13            Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavour never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.

1 Corinthians 8:8         Now food [itself] will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him. Eating [food offered to idols] gives us no advantage; neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat [it].

1 Corinthians 8:9         Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].

We sometimes think that because we are a bit more grown up or because we are not responsible to or for others that we can do some things in front of children, or young people, and they have to answer for themselves.

Matthew 18:6              But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea.

The Bible means little in years or experience

GOD HAS SAVED US AND WANTS TO CONFORM US FOR TWO REASONS

A          To redeem our soul

B          To be a witness to others

SO WHAT NOW MAKES ME DIFFERENT

1 Corinthians 6:11       And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

WASHED       CLEANSED

1John 1:7                    But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

CONSECRATED       CONFORMED

Separated from sin unto God

JUSTIFIED     FREE FROM GUILT OR BLAME

Romans 5:1                Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

How has this taken place?  1 Corinthians 6:11 clarifies this by stating (paraphrase)

IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND BY THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INFLUENCE

1 Corinthians 6:11       And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

CAN I MAINTAIN MY CONFORMITY?

In our own strength we will fail miserably, for we seem to operate in fits and starts – good for a while and then fail again, but He has promised to maintain our conformity and we need to be conscious of this all the time.

Philippians 1:6             And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #9 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #9                                                                       ROSS SMITH

 

This morning again, I have to ask myself, and suggest that you inquire of yourself, HOW SUCCESSFUL HAVE WE BEEN IN THE PAST WEEK IN APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF WALKING IN THE SPIRIT?

Are these principles still so seemingly theoretical or indeed are they becoming now a conscious part of our daily walk, understanding that we are controlled and directed by the Holy Spirit as we yield ourselves to Him and as we apply the principles  which are fundamental and foundational.

The further we proceed, the more obvious it becomes that this should be the norm for God’s people, not extraordinary or indeed the exception.  We used to get excited because we think  “God spoke to me this morning”.  We should live in that realm where we know God’s direction, where we know God’s control over our lives without having to have that sovereign intervention so spectacularly that he attracts our attention by it.

Although this experience of living and walking in the Spirit requires that we apply our effort to the promises of God, and when I say the promises of God, I’m not talking about all those areas for so long the church has majored on, I’m talking about the fundamental promises, the ones like

Proverbs 16:3                    Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 3:6                       In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

All these areas are such basic and fundamental promises of God to us.

As we apply our efforts to them however, we are not just left to our own devices.  Isn’t that encouraging, isn’t that reassuring to know that I haven’t  just got to do it on my own?  For if I do, and in so many areas of my life where I do that, I learn by trial and error – more by error so often, which develops the trial.

God  established  His path in the process and we find in

Colossians 1:11                  [We pray] that you may be INVIGORATED AND STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER ACCORDING TO THE MIGHT OF HIS GLORY, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

Now when we began to look at this  subject, we said, so often we look for the invigoration and the strengthening according to the circumstance we face, but that is not what the Bible says.

Invigorate means to give vigour and to energize or to animate, so let’s keep that in the back of our mind because when we come down a little further to see the church of Jesus Christ today, should have vigour, it should have energy, it should be animated.

But the trouble is that the animation of the church today is misdirected and we’ll cover that shortly.  So Colossians says that we should be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory.  Now this statement is part of Paul’s prayer for the church of Colossae, and because it is his prayer, there is an immediate indication that the invigoration and strength has to have a divine origin.

You say, “Well I know that, I’m not that stupid.”  But  I ask myself the question “Do we understand that this invigoration, this strengthening, because it is divine it its origin, is also divine in its intention?”  We have to understand or discover what our motive is for wanting that energy or strength.

I would suggest that much of our desire for that energy and strength is:-

• So that I might not be so frustrated every time I come to the close of the day and I find that I haven’t done all the things that I had to do or I wanted to do.  Anyone else go through   that?  Come night time and my list is still three pages long, and I think  “Why can’t I get up and continue to be fruitful in the things I still have to do?”  So  often  I look for the strengthening and that energy to cover that aspect.

2              Sometimes, I think that we want the strength and the vigour of the Holy Spirit to cover for my frailties, or to help me with my ministry or to be better than my colleagues, and so often our motives for wanting that strength, vigour and animation is misdirected.

But the criteria exists in the context of

Isaiah 40:31                         But those who wait for the Lord (and  I suggest that we add in here “NOT IN COMPLACENCY”) [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]

(This shows an active, energetic, animated Christian pursuing the goal that God has for them.  This is the promise…..)

shall change and renew their strength and power;

What are we looking at?  The book says in Colossians that we should be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory.

Isaiah says the way we go about it is to wait for the Lord. That is to look for and expect and hope in Him.  But there is an interesting aspect here.  How many times have you seen ads on TV for vitamin pills etc to give you energy?  We can take vitamin pills tablets for the rest of our days but the book says, If we wait upon the Lord then the source of our strength changes,  He says He will renew, not repair.  You shall change and renew – you have a new source of strength,  God is our strength.

The recognition of need however, is the first requirement. If I don’t think I need a new car, I’m not going to go out and look for a new car, am I, I’m quite satisfied to drive my old car.  So if I don’t understand or have a need, then I’m not going to pursue that need.

When I have a desire, when I have an ambition, when I have a goal, then I pursue that goal.  There has to be that recognition of need as the first requirement.  If we don’t realize the need, or we don’t want to live and walk in the Spirit, let me tell you, you never will.

This is why I get so apprehensive with folks who disregard the direction that the Lord is taking us.  I get apprehensive for those week in and week out who fail to take up the Word of God and soak themselves in it, and there are folk who sit in service this morning that have not picked up “the book” for days, The Word of God to you is your strength, it is your sustenance, it is your salvation, it  is your eternal security and you cannot survive without soaking yourself in the Word of God day by day.

I get apprehensive of those who refuse to consistently and conscientiously    study the Word of God.  The book says “study to show yourself approved unto God. (2 Timothy 2:15)  How else can we do it unless we know in deed and in truth and intensely what God requires of us?  The book says you MUST study.  I’ve had people say to me “But Pastor, I can’t study, I don’t know how to study”.  The book didn’t say you had to study with the qualifications of a PhD, the book says STUDY.

Isaiah 40:29                         He gives power

Remember when we looked before it says WE SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW, there was a Source, now the Source is indicated.

V29                                        He [Jesus Christ in God] gives power to the faint and weary and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

Isaiah 40:30                         Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;

You see, natural strength is inadequate, even the young men who have the energy of youth, those that are vital in God, because of their youth, they shall lose their strength if they rely on their natural abilities.  The book says so, but… I look for what comes after the BUT

Isaiah 40:31                         But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power;

Now this is not an isolated instruction of the Word. The Psalmist also had that incisive understanding for in

Psalm 46:10                        Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

In other words, if we use the words of Isaiah…. those who wait for…. let be and be still and know…. recognize and understand ….How?  By waiting on God, actively waiting, not with the torpor of indolence, but with enthusiasm and action.

But you say to me, “Every time I try to do something positive to come close to God, to live and to walk in the Spirit, it seems that everything comes against me to try to stop it”. Father is aware of this, acutely aware of it, and because of it, He will intervene.  How do I know this with such assurance?  Well, I went on a little further in the book, I didn’t stop at verse 31 and say “O isn’t that lovely?”  I needed to get to the context of it and when I went into Isaiah 41v10, just a few verses down, it says

Isaiah 41:10                         Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I WILL STRENGTHEN AND HARDEN YOU TO DIFFICULTIES, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

How many this week have had apprehensions about things? I look at the news at night and the Morgan Gallop Poll, and I get alarmed   temporarily, until I remember that the government is upon His shoulders, our times are in His hands.  I might plan my way but the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

God says Fear not, I am with you.  Who is with you?  The great I AM.   Remember when the disciples were with Jesus and He said, I want you to go and prepare the Passover etc, and they said “Who will we tell them who it is that wants all this?” and He said, “Tell them that I AM has sent you.”  I AM with you. Recall in Isaiah 41:10:-,

do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I WILL STRENGTHEN AND HARDEN YOU TO DIFFICULTIES, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

This is the renewal that we need from Isaiah 40, we will renew our strength if we draw from Him.  If we look around in terror and despair, then we will see that our energy, our vigour, our whole peace will evaporate.  But when I wait for Him, when I look for and expect and hope for Him, energetically, not complacently, then I will renew my strength.  My source will change from the strength I have as a human individual to the strength God imparts as a sovereign King.

You will recall that when Paul addressed the church at Colossae, that he prayed that they might be filled with the full and deep and clear knowledge of His will and we have determined that the knowledge of His will is looked upon as preceding a life that is satisfactory to God.

And now I want to look quickly at Isaiah 40 and Colossians 1v9 with Romans 12v2.  You will recall me saying that when we have a truth in the Word, that truth must not be held alone, that truth must stand with other truth.  Now we see the convolution of this principle, it goes like this in Isaiah 40v29

Isaiah 40:29                         He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

We looked previously and saw that to MULTIPLY was God’s part and to ADD TO was our part.  In 2 Peter 1 we find that principle conveyed there.

And now He says He will cause that strength to multiply, making it abound.

I qualify here, because I know that I’m weak and I’m faint and I’m weary so many times and so I qualify for what God wants to do, but it is those people who wait that God has promised He will multiply their strength, they are the ones who are the object of God’s attention.

When we look to Him out of our frailty, when we look to Him and wait for Him, He says ”That’s the man that I will multiply My strength to”. So  don’t feel bad because you feel weak and you feel frail, it’s a precondition for our waiting on God and receiving the riches and power of His glory.

Isaiah 40:31                         But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power;

This renewal comes twofold:-

If I wait on the Lord, there will be a renewal not only in our strength but also in our mind. I can’t contemplate and sit before the Lord without having some transforming effect upon my mind, it goes hand in hand.

Colossians 1:9                    For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things–

Paul’s prayer for the saints at Colossae was that they might have the full, clear and deep knowledge of His will.  Paul was praying for the clarification of God’s will, let there be clarity, may they know Your will. (Also known as discernment)

And now when I come to Romans 12v2 I see that the strength that we require and use on a daily basis is for our own satisfaction and sufficiency so often.  But!!!!

Romans 12:2a                   Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude],

Here again we see the reaffirmation of the principle, to know God’s will is a prerequisite of a life that is satisfactory to God.  To be satisfactory to God, we need to have that transformation of our minds; we need to wait upon God.  When I wait upon God, He pours in the strength, when I have the strength, then I am able to be strong in God and overturn the works of the enemy against my life.

There are several  things that come out of Romans 12v2.

Firstly, it says “Do not be conformed to the world”.  Now we may say “That’s fine”, but we get involved in so many areas that are like the world.  If people looked upon the church of Jesus Christ in so many instances today, when God’s people are outside the four walls of the church, so often they’re hard to distinguish from the rest of the world, we look like them, we act like them, and we go to many places they go.  We do and engage in things  which are not appropriate, quite Legal, but not appropriate.  The book says it’s legal but not expedient.

1 Corinthians 6:12            Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed – RENEWED IN YOUR MIND or better, renewed in your attitude, and prove what God’s will is.

How do I prove it, simply by living in it! When I apply myself to those basic fundamental principles of the Word of God, which says, If I roll my works upon the Lord, then my thoughts will be established, my plans will be caused to succeed, if I live in that, I prove God’s will for my life.  Now that’s fundamental.  Then we go on in God, steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God, according to Colossians chapter 1, it is so simple, why do we find it so difficult?

Romans 12v2b                   so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Now we’ve already said that knowing God’s will is a prerequisite to living a life that is satisfactory to Him.

Let’s come back to Colossians 1.  The church of Jesus Christ is intended to be a vigorous church, we are expected to be an energetic animated body, but today the emphasis within the church has been misplaced in that the church today concentrates on emotional energy rather than spiritual vigour.

You see, God gives His power and His energy and His vigour not to dance but to do. Jesus Christ came that we might have liberty, not liberty to do our own thing, but liberty from all bondage, all the impositions and restrictions placed on us by the enemy, so that we can’t or won’t glorify God.  He gives us vigour and energy that we might glorify Him, the liberty is the liberty to do the right thing.

Instead of recognizing His glory today, which issues from a strong and vigorous body, we see a church that looks for strength to meet the need of the circumstance.

And it seems today that the need of the circumstance is to go to church and get a buzz that will just keep us going till next week, “let me get some spiritual fizz and it’ll jack me up and I’ll last till next Sunday”.  No, God wants us to live in the strength and the vigour and the energy and the animation of the Spirit that every moment of every day and we go out there and see the gates of hell being forced back because we’re living and walking in the Spirit.

If we want to, we can qualify to be like the prophets of Baal.  All day they jumped all over the altar, they called upon their God, they cut themselves, they expended all their physical energy and for what,  for nothing!

Then the fire fell. (1 Kings 18:38) O when a man like Elijah gets a hold of God, when a man knows His God, when a man looks for and trusts and expects and waits on God, then the fire falls.  That could be pretty devastating, not only did it consume the sacrifice, it consumed the altar.  Some of our altars are sacred, “don’t touch that altar, that’s sacred”, don’t complain about the loud music or the flashing lights, that‘s how we worship!!!!  Not only did it touch the altar, it licked up the water and the dust around about it.  That’s how we know it’s God’s fire, not only does it burn up the things we put before Him, but it roots out and takes away and pulls down all those things which are man-made or man-recognized.

How do I arrive at this conclusion?  I’ve watched the church at play.  You say at play, yes, the church is not at work, the church is still at play.  I only have to read the church notices column in the newspaper each week to see that the church is at play. When God moves in on His people, there will be no need to advertise.

Today, the church is looking for satisfaction which is couched in the temporal, whereas our strength and our vigour are intended to be centered in the eternal, not in the temporal, it is according to the might of His glory.  There is nothing glorious, in seeing two or three or four hundred people doing a hip-hop in the middle of service, nothing is God glorifying about that.  When God moves in and He begins to stir the people of God, I won’t see what’s going on, I’ll be glorifying Him and worshipping and praising Him in a manner which will not be objectionable, but will be identifiable by its fruits.

There is an interesting description of men recorded in

Judges 8:21                         … Rise yourself and fall on us; for as the man is, so is his strength….

Now we were familiar with the Scripture which says  “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”.  Here in Judges it says “as a man is, so is his strength”.  If you show me a man that is Mickey Mouse, I’ll show you a man that is Mickey Mouse in strength, and, whatever a man concentrates on, whatever he engages in, whatever he thinks about all the time, that’s what he ends up being.  If he concentrates on God, if He fixes His mind on God, if he dwells in the eternal, that man will be strong, he will become  like God.

The verse is pretty  much self-explanatory, but I just want to cover a couple of items that will help us in identifying our living and walking in the Spirit.  You see the man that relies on his own intellect and ability will be shown to be carnally minded.

Romans 8:6                         Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].

Psalm 52:7                           (READ THE CONTEXT)   See, this is the man who made not God his strength (his stronghold and high tower) but trusted in and confidently relied on the abundance of his riches, seeking refuge and security for himself through his wickedness.

I must ask myself every week, what is it I am dependent upon?  If I have adequate resources so that I’m fed  and clothed and watered and housed, then I rely on that.  Strip away from a man his house and food, suddenly he is so vulnerable, he hasn’t got any trust in his source of strength.

If we know God in the dimension that He intends, if we relate to the Lord in the way desires that we relate, it doesn’t matter what they do to me then, I am secure in His strength.  Paul says I have strength for all things,  I am satisfied IN whatsoever circumstance I am found, (but not necessarily “with the circumstance”).  Don’t you wish you could say that this morning, don’t you wish you could say “I am totally satisfied because I live in the strength of My God, and come what may and go what may, I am secure?

The reason our psychiatric hospitals are so full today, and why we have such a proliferation of psychologists and psychiatrists today is because of the insecurity of people, that’s where it all stems from.

Psalm 52:9                           I will thank You and confide in You forever, because You have done it [delivered me and kept me safe]. I will wait on, hope in and expect in Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your saints (Your kind and pious ones).

Isn’t it incredible?  When men are inspired of the Holy Spirit to write the canon of Scripture, God says the same things, He’s consistent.  I hope it’s catching, the fruit of commitment is reliability.

The man who neglects the Word of God and is derelict in his duty towards things spiritual is a spiritual spastic.

Proverbs 24:5                    A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power; [Prov. 21:22; Eccl. 9:16.]

That knowledge is not academic knowledge, he is a man of knowledge who knows his God, who waits for, expects and looks for Him.  He gains that comprehension, he will indeed increase and strengthen his power.

What are we talking about?  “As a man is, so is his strength”, I’m just identifying those who walk and live in the Spirit and those who walk and live in the carnal.

The man who lacks commitment and reliability in just one area of his life, that characteristic will eventually be seen to be all pervading.  If I recall, the Word says, “”A double-minded man is unstable in ALL his ways”. (James 1:8) The man who lacks commitment and reliability in one area of his life eventually you will see that that characteristic will pervade his whole life.  We said last week, show me a man who cannot control or manage his money, and I will show you a man who cannot order his life.

 

oOo

 

 

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #8 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #8                                                                                ROSS SMITH

Again, I want to continue on the theme that we have been following for the last several weeks and that is WALKING IN THE SPIRIT and determining the means thereof.  Let us come back to:-

Colossians 1:10                                  That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

Colossians 1:11                                  [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

Colossians 1:12                                  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

Especially in Colossians  1v10b where it says:

STEADILY GROWING AND INCREASING IN AND BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [WITH FULLER, DEEPER, AND CLEARER INSIGHT, ACQUAINTANCE, AND RECOGNITION].

The insight of course is our knowledge of God.  That acquaintance is indeed coming to know him.  Recognition is the ability to worship.

As I pondered this week the means of walking in the Spirit, I had to ask myself the question “Are kids today smarter than what they were in the previous generations or is it just the spirit of the age?  You see the tools available to us today for the recovery of information and knowledge are astounding, we have computers, fax machines, TV, Teletex, smart phones, and satellite links.  We have fibre optic communications now whereby just one small bunch of optic fibres can carry magnitudes of telecommunication information that was impossible previously.

And should the duration of the Lord’s return extend to another generation, I wonder what we can expect.  I remember when I was smaller that the wrist watch radio and the Dick Tracy Era was something to be marvelled at and now it is only a cumbersome toy.  And to those who watch the cricket will know that now they have hollowed out the middle stump and in that stump they have placed a complete TV camera so you can watch the game right from the crease.

But what about God’s people today?  Are we any smarter, or should we be involved in this scramble for academic enlargement to expand our knowledge of things far and wide both useful and useless.  You  know that I support education and self-improvement and qualifications.  God intended that we should be excellent in every dimension of our lives, but not at the expense of our spiritual excellence, and I don’t arrive at this point or this concept simply because of my preconceptions, but I determined that from the Word of God.  I went back to Ecclesiastes and if ever there was a morbid individual, it was the writer of Ecclesiastes.  But in Ecclesiastes 1v12-18, and I’d like to read it to you this morning from the Amplified version, because it gives great clarity to the situation in which we find ourselves.

Ecclesiastes 1:12                               I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:13                               And I APPLIED

This is an interesting word, isn’t it because so often today, the application of the people of God is lacking.  We are so complacent, we are so ambivalent, we are so second rate in our application but the preacher says

Ecclesiastes 1:13                               And I APPLIED myself by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human] wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which God has given to the sons of man with which to busy themselves.

This is part of the curse.  God said, by the sweat of your brow you will earn your bread for the rest of your days.  What a miserable business.

Ecclesiastes 1:14                               I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:15                               What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is defective and lacking cannot be counted.

Ecclesiastes 1:16                               I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 1:17                               And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. [I Thess. 5:21.]

Ecclesiastes 1:18                               For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Let me quickly recount this passage of Scriptures.

v13         Solomon is referring to that which is academic in nature.  He is not referring to the pursuit of godly and spiritual knowledge,  he’s talking about academic pursuits.

v14         He is again referring to the curse.  “It is a miserable business”.

v15         You would almost think that it was a replay of Australia today, our political system, our economic system.  It says, “What is crooked cannot be made straight and what is defective cannot be counted”, all those things like the headlines of our daily newspapers.

v16         Solomon says “I entered into counsel with my own mind”.  Today, there is a proliferation of PHD’s.  Most who come out of university today want to attain their doctorate.  They want to be philosophers.

v17         “I gave my mind to know practical wisdom and to discern the character of madness and folly in which men seem to find satisfaction”.  What he’s asking is that both the physical and mental aspects which are supposed to be so satisfying to men today are like searching after wind and feeding on it.  You see, today, many people become professional students, it’s like their security blanket, unless they have some goal ahead of them to achieve qualifications, they are uncomfortable.  There are also some professional slobs,  we need to strike middle ground.

We need the wisdom of God, we have the direction of the Word of God.

Daniel 12:3                                          And the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (to uprightness and right standing with  God) [shall give forth light] like the stars forever and ever.

Notice it says that the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like the firmament.  Now the Bible is not talking about school teachers or those who are professional who hire themselves out to conduct some great seminar in the Sheraton ballroom, those who are supposed to be wise, but it is speaking about those people who recognize God as their source and apply themselves to His glory and not their own.

Philippians 2:14                                 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

I think this should have been in bold print, but  Paul goes on to say

Philippians 2:15                                 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

When we looked at Daniel  it says that the teachers and those who are wise shall shine.  In Philippians, Paul is saying when we argue and complain, we are indicating that we are unwise.  We need to be blameless and faultless in a depraved generation.

How many reasons and excuses can we give this morning for not being up to standard, for our complacency and unreliability and slackness, for being second rate?  The reasons are just as myriad as adjectives used to describe our state.  But Isaiah, that magnificent prophet of old says

Isaiah 60:1                                           Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

So often we are bound up by that which surrounds us.  We become depressed oppressed, prostrate under the weight of it.  Isaiah says Arise from those things in which circumstances have kept you.  Rise to a new life.  Shine!

Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your LIGHT has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

What is the LIGHT?  It says if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we will have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

How?  When  we shine!  When we are radiant with His glory!  You see, when the light of God shines through a man, all the psychologists and psychiatrists, and the psychics, sceptics and cynics will have to bow their head in shame when they see the excellence of God’s wisdom illuminating the dark places.  IT WILL HAPPEN.

Zechariah 8:23                                   Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

This refers basically to people of Israel, but also refers to the people of God. God is with you!  What a marvellous recommendation, what a tremendous reference to any man when men would say that.

When Jesus walked this earth He taught His disciples intensely for that three year period and Jesus was the greatest teacher that ever walked this earth and yet when He was about to leave this earth, He had this so say to His disciples in

John 16:12                                           I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now.

Why were the disciples incapable of doing so?  Because spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and Jesus said at this point in time although you are capable academically, there are things I want to say to you that you can only grasp with your spirit.  Paul has some hard things to say.

2 Peter 3:15                                        And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord [His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation (that which is conducive to the soul’s safety), even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the spiritual insight given him,

This is why I say to you week by week, every year, we must take this book from cover to cover, allow the Spirit of God to quicken it until there is no possibility of distortion of the truth of God’s word.  A truth that stands alone won’t stand for long.  It needs the support of the body of Scripture from cover to cover.  Those that are ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue the Word of God for their own utter destruction.  That is why we need to steadily grow and increase in and by the knowledge of God.

There is such a convolution of principles here in this particular verse that I don’t think I can pass on this morning without examining it in some detail.

We just see that Peter said Paul had some hard things to understand in his letters, hard to those whose grasp of God’s Word is used only for their own benefit.  If I want to find Scripture that will support my position, I can find it readily.  It will stand in isolation but it will do to support my case, until somebody comes along who is astute in the Word of God, who has the illumination of the Spirit, and the quickening of God, then those arguments are thrust aside.  That is why we need to make sure that we are not ignorant or unstable and attempt to twist the Word.

We have already determined that THE FRUIT OF COMMITMENT IS RELIABILITY, we have determined it, but we are not yet determined. I want to read from the early part of the second book of Peter.

2 Peter 1:3                                          For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).

Then flip down to

2 Peter 1:8                                          For as these qualities are yours and INCREASINGLY ABOUND IN YOU, THEY WILL KEEP [YOU] FROM BEING IDLE OR UNFRUITFUL unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

In  God there is no place for standing still, in God we have to press on.  Habakkuk says we should make spiritual progress on our high places of trouble, suffering and responsibility.

They will keep you from being IDLE AND UNFRUITFUL.  Now this is confronting us where the rubber meets the road.  We can neither  be idle or unfruitful. God’s favour produces fruit.  If we are the recipients of God’s favour, then we should be producing fruit, one of which is reliability.

1 Corinthians 15:10                          But by the grace (the unmerited favour and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for NOTHING

(Where are you at this morning in the economy of God?  You  accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Master, what for, for nothing?)

(fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favour and blessing) of God which was with me.

How fruitful are you this morning, how effective are we in the economy of God?  Paul says This is how you do it.  “I worked harder than all of them.”  So many people want to sit back and say “Sock it to me lord.  I’m ready!  Pour out your blessing…. Paul says, I worked harder than all of them.

But it wasn’t me but the grace of God was with me.  So often we depend upon our academic excellence, we depend upon our talents and our abilities.  Paul said, I worked at it but it was by His grace.  Not one person this morning within the sound of my voice can have any excuse or reason to be unfruitful or idle.  Why?  Paul says I worked harder than all of them.  How?  By the grace of God that is with me.  That is walking and living in the Spirit.

2 Peter 1:2a                                        May grace (God’s favour) and peace (which is perfect WELL-BEING, ALL NECESSARY GOOD, ALL SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY, AND FREEDOM FROM FEARS and agitating passions and moral conflicts)

Then Peter makes a statement which is so magnificent.  “May all these things”

2 Peter 1v2b                                       BE MULTIPLIED TO YOU in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

BE MULTIPLIED TO YOU ——-   not ADDED but MULTIPLIED!  You see, multiplication is God’s part, adding to is our part, but  multiplied  on what basis however? “The full personal precise and correct knowledge of God and  Jesus our Lord.”

Now, we look at ourselves and  say “O thank God, I’ve got an out, the responsibility is lifted from me.  You see, in our church we  don’t have sufficient teachers to help us to reach this exalted position that God is speaking about.  O what  a relief!  I don’t have to line up!!!

In the next verse it tells us that He has given us everything requisite and suited to life and godliness, and there is that little condition tacked on to the end of it again, IN AND THROUGH the full personal knowledge of Him.  O despair! I can never do it!  I’m  not smart enough, not old enough etcetera!  We’ve got all these reasons,  God has given us all we need and yet we have plenty of reasons.

For this very reason ADDING

ADDING your diligence [to the divine promises]

What is diligence?  Steady attention and effort as to ones occupation, persevering effort

Synonyms of Diligence                  Industry

Application

Assiduousness – ability to do quantities of  shear  hard                                                                      work

Paul said, “I worked harder than all the Apostles,   Paul was assiduous, he was diligent.

Now Peter says ADDING your diligence to the divine promises, which means that we continue to build upon the foundation which God has given us by His grace.  We have the promises, I am what I am through God’s grace.

Therefore I stand this morning with a foundation laid in Jesus Christ which is unshakable if I will ADD to it.  Now we add to little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, we build upon that which is already laid.  Then Peter goes on to say EMPLOY EVERY EFFORT.  Peter laid out the various items to work at but it is not the items that He has laid down which I want to look at this morning, but the consequences or the results.

2 Peter 1:8                                                          For as these qualities are yours and INCREASINGLY ABOUND IN YOU, THEY WILL KEEP [YOU] FROM BEING IDLE OR UNFRUITFUL unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

If you do will do all these things, it will keep you from being idle or unfruitful.  How does it happen?  It happens by our walking and living in the Spirit, so I want to come back to Colossians 1.

Firstly, it has to be by the Spirit that we have to steadily grow and increase and we do it in and by the knowledge of God. Paul then writing to the Thessalonians couched it in these terms.

1 Thessalonians 5:19                       Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;

Now if there is a man we should take notice of it is the Apostle Paul.  He said do not quench, suppress or subdue the Holy Spirit.

1Thessalonians 5:21                                        But TEST AND PROVE ALL THINGS [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

Now what Paul is saying here is, as we embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in us, (Jesus said I am going away and I will send you the Comforter, Helper, Standby, Advocate ALL THE THINGS WE NEED)

As we now  don’t quench that work in our spirits, we learn to test and prove all things UNTIL…  It’s a development, a growth in God.  To walk and live in the Spirit has to become that subconscious recognition.  We do it naturally, by the Spirit resident within us, we learn to recognise what is good and ethical.  It’s only as we walk and live in the Spirit and don’t quench the Spirit that we can test and prove all things.

1 Corinthians 2:14                            But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

1 Corinthians 2:15                            But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].

But sandwiched in between verse 19 and verse 21 comes verse 20

1 Thessalonians 5:20                       Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].

And so we have here what Paul in writing to the Thessalonians refers to as knowledge which is IN GOD given to use BY GOD, and it is the knowledge OF GOD.  Why?  Paul says its prophetic, it’s revelation and its inspired.  We can only have that by the Spirit of God, we cannot have that by some theologian, it has to come by God’s Spirit.

Colossians 1:10 said                         STEADILY GROWING AND INCREASING IN AND BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

 Many folk read this as knowledge ABOUT God.  Now knowledge about God is theology,  we need that because theology is the basis for understanding God and will lead us into worship.  But Paul says we grow and increase “IN God’s knowledge” and “BY God’s knowledge.”

Daniel 11:32                                        And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God (not know about Him) shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

But it is important that we have the mind of Christ, we need to increase in God’s knowledge with the consequent enlargement of our spiritual abilities by God’s knowledge.

When we think like God thinks, then we will feel like God feels, and then we will act like God acts.

Romans 11:33                                    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!

These are the areas of walking and living in the Spirit that God is trying to cultivate in His people today.  Our growth and increase in and by the knowledge of God have to be qualities that can be monitored but not measured.

Those  benefits that we see in the Word of God have already accrued to us, they are promised without measure.  The book says

2 Peter 1:2  ISV                                                  May grace and peace be yours in abundance through full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!

2 Corinthians 12:9                                            My grace is sufficient for you.

Philippians 4:7                                                   And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10:5                                            Putting an end to reasonings, and every high thing which is l       lifted up against the knowledge of God, (not the knowledge about God) and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ;

How do we do that?   I have to have the knowledge of God and knowledge by God. Do you want to walk and live in the Spirit?  It is the only way we can be part of that which God intends to do in this city.

2 Corinthians 10:4                                            The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defences, that is, their arguments (GW)

2 Corinthians 10:5                                            and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4                                            For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments (ISV)

2 Corinthians 10:5                                             and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey the Messiah.

   oOo

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #7 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #7                                                        ROSS SMITH

THE MEANS #4

We have determined that if we are to defeat the attitudes of the world who say “Where is their God?”, then we will have to WALK AND LIVE IN THE SPIRIT.

This demands commitment, the fruit of which is reliability ….reliability in every area….and to be reliable requires that we know the will of God.

This is why the Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Colossae that they might have:-

• The discernment of God’s will
• The power to perform that will

When we embrace this principle, plainly and consistently spelled out in the Word of God, then there will be distinct change in our lives, particularly in those areas nominated in:-

Colossians 1:10                  That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

Colossians 1:11                  [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

Colossians 1:12                  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

In this exhortation Paul has identified seven (7) distinct areas of change:-

• Walk live and conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord.
• Fully pleasing to Him
• Bearing fruit in every good work
• Steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God
• Invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory [not according to the circumstance].
• Exercise EVERY KIND of endurance and patience, perseverance and forbearance WITH JOY
• Fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints.

The interesting thing about the above is that these are very practical things.  They do not require some super spiritual monastic isolation, but are components of life to be lived out each day as practical proof of our WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

We have already looked at:-

1            Walk and live and conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord

2              Fully pleasing to Him in all things

I suppose we need to ask ourselves the first question:-

Do I remember what was involved?

If so, have I done it?

The Word gives us some instruction in now to go about this, for so often we seem to be devoid of inspiration of how to go about it.

Hebrews 12:2                    Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also it’s Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 7:11                    Now if perfection (a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper) had been attainable by the Levitical priesthood–for under it the people were given the Law–why was it further necessary that there should arise another and different kind of Priest, one after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed after the order and rank of Aaron?

So now let us look at the other requirements for change as set out in Colossians 1:10-12

3              Bearing fruit in every good work

Good works require more than just good words.

So many people have good intentions, but through laziness, or procrastination, or sometimes just because of inefficiency or poor organisation, they fritter away their time and their effort and consequently are not very fruitful.

The fruit of commitment is reliability, and so often we identify our commitment by our lack of reliability.  Do I need to name these things?

Punctuality

Preparation

Work Habits

Rosters and Schedules

Appointments – on time every time

Dress – We represent the Lord

Attitudes – no hearts on sleeves

The problem is not so much to know what to do but to do it, to put knowledge into action.

Genesis 1:12                      And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

FRUITFULNESS IS A PRINCIPLE OF CREATION and the results of fruitfulness are obvious.

Genesis 28:3 (NIV)              May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.

We wonder sometimes why we have to go through such processing in our march of holiness, but it is simply because we carry so much excess baggage in the sense of attitudes, behaviour, concepts etc etc and so the Lord has to chip away at these things so that we become more fruitful.  (Proverbs 27v17  “Iron sharpens iron”)

John 15:2                             He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Bearing fruit in every good work – it is very difficult to produce fruit without exertion or exercise.  I am not referring to bodily exercise for we know what the Bible says in

1 Timothy 4:8                     For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

The other exercise which is not very profitable is referred to by the Psalmist.

Psalm 131:1                        LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.    (if only!!)

Act 24:16                              And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

FRUITFULNESS IS PLEASING TO GOD AND BARRENNESS IS DESPISED BY GOD

Matthew 21:19                 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Luke 13:6                             Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.

Luke 13:7                             So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

Luke 13:8                             “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.

Luke 13:9                              If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'”

Sometimes we wonder why we are under pressure, or being chastened and encountering trials.  It is simply because we have brought forth fruit, but now Father wants us to bring forth more fruit, but we convince ourselves that we are at the end of our string and we worry ourselves rigid, when all that is happening is that the adjustments are being made so that we can WALK AND LIVE IN THE SPIRIT.

John 15:2  (NIV)                   He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

We must bear fruit otherwise we are unrecognisable.  So often I go by an orchard, it looks so beautiful, neat rows of trees clothed with the verdure of the season, the ground beneath tilled and tended, but in so many cases I cannot tell what sort of trees they are UNTIL THE FRUIT COMES ON.

Matthew 7:16                    By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Now the fruit tree only bears fruit in a particular season of the year, but we have opportunity and responsibility to bear fruit IN EVERY GOOD WORK.

2 Timothy 4:2                     Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favourable or unfavourable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:3                     For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

2 Timothy 4:4                     And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.

The important thing about our fruit bearing is that, unlike a fruit tree, we are able to bring forth many different fruits.

Philippians 1:11                 Fruits of Righteousness

Galatians 5v22                   Fruit of the Spirit

Romans 7:4                         Fruit for God

Hebrews 13v15                 Fruit of the lips

Ephesians 5v9                    Fruit of the light

Ephesians 5:9                     For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

Dr. Luke gave us good advice when he wrote

Luke 3:8                               Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

“EVERY GOOD WORK” so often muddies the waters of our understanding as to what we should be involved in and what we shouldn’t.  Do we become another philanthropic organization, set up soup kitchens in the name of the LORD.  What does the Word say?

2 Timothy 3:16                   Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

2 Timothy 3:17                   SO THAT the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Titus 3:14                             And let our own [people really] learn to apply themselves to good deeds (to honest labour and honourable employment), so that they may be able to meet necessary demands whenever the occasion may require and not be living idle and uncultivated and unfruitful lives.

There are many other Scriptures that instruct and encourage us in this very matter and for your future reference let me give you some of them.

Ephesians 2:10                  For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

1 Timothy 2:10                   But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.

Titus 2:7                               And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness.

Hebrews 10:24                  And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

1 Peter 2:12                        Conduct yourselves properly (honourably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].

2 Corinthians 9:10            And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

Matthew 23:5                    They do all their works to be seen of men; for they make wide their phylacteries (small cases enclosing certain Scripture passages, worn during prayer on the left arm and forehead) and make long their fringes [worn by all male Israelites, according to the command].

4              Steadily Growing and Increasing IN and BY the Knowledge of God

Many folk read this as knowing ABOUT God, but that is not what Paul is saying.  He states we grow and increase:-

IN GOD’S KNOWLEDGE

BY GOD’S KNOWLEDGE

We need to know about God also, for this is much of the foundation for worship, and the Bible declares that those that KNOW their God shall be strong and do exploits (Dan 11v32)   but it is more important that we have the mind of Christ, to increase in God’s knowledge, with the consequent enlargement of our spiritual abilities BY GOD’S KNOWLEDGE.

When we think like God thinks

Then we will feel like God feels

Then we will act like God acts

We will then act out of love, not out of knowledge.

How do I develop this?  Is there some simple way that I can grow and increase this way?  Proverbs gives me some good advice.

Proverbs 2:1                       My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you,

Proverbs 2:2                       Making your ear attentive to skilful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it];

Proverbs 2:3                       Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

Proverbs 2:4                       If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skilful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures,

Proverbs 2:5                       Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.

Romans 11:33  NIV          Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Our growth and increase IN and BY the knowledge of God have to be qualities that can be monitored, but probably not measured because some of those benefits that accrue are already promised without measure.

2 Peter 1:2                          Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Now He has said that His grace is sufficient for us, and also He has give us peace that passes understanding, so we cannot begin to measure these attributes that are to be evident in our lives, but we need to MONITOR them.

We go about it in the manner suggested in Paul’s letter to the CORINTHIAN church:

2 Corinthians 10:5            We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  (Good works)

We stated that it is not just knowledge about God – that is theology and we need that – but if we look at the example of men of the Word we will see that it goes deeper than this.

Daniel 5:14                          I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.

The instruction continues by saying

With fuller, deeper and clearer insight, acquaintance and recognition.

Colossians 1:10                   That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

The man evidencing this degree of THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD is surely the same man referred to in

1 Corinthians 2:15            But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].

The acquaintance and recognition aspects are the same as set out in Hebrews  7:11

Hebrews 7:11                    Now if perfection (a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper) had been attainable by the Levitical priesthood–for under it the people were given the Law–why was it further necessary that there should arise another and different kind of Priest, one after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed after the order and rank of Aaron?

With these changes in place we will certainly be learning to LIVE AND WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

oOo

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #6 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #6                           ROSS SMITH

The Means #3

Joel 2:17                              Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; and let them say, Have pity and spare Your people, O Lord, and give not Your heritage to reproach, that the [heathen] nations should rule over them or use a byword against them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?

When we speak about WALKING AND LIVING IN THE SPIRIT, many folk immediately think in terms of dreams and visions, prophecies and voices…. all of which are possible and have their place…but to really walk and live in the Spirit is to do so without really being mentally conscious of it, but spiritually alert to it.

Are you always conscious of the fact that you have to breathe? When we are in the place of relationship with our Lord that He requires, the occurrences of direct intervention will be more aligned to those occasions where we deviate from the precise route… hearing a voice saying, “this is the way, walk in it”.

To walk and live in the Spirit has to become so very natural to us. Now that may sound to be a contradiction of terms, but it is the case.

There is a beautiful example of this in the book of Ruth:-

Ruth 2:3                              And [Ruth] went and gleaned in a field after the reapers; and SHE HAPPENED TO STOP at the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Now if we go back in the story we find that Elimelech was the deceased husband of Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law… and Ruth’s husband has died also.

They have been living in Moab because of the terrible famine that was in Judah…but now that they were both widows, they returned to Judah.

Obviously neither of the men had superannuation for the Word tells us that Ruth had to go out and glean in the fields to get some food to eat – she was in fact a scavenger.

But the Bible says ”She happened to stop at the part of the field belonging to Boaz”. Now Ruth didn’t know that Boaz was related nor that he served Naomi’s God, and the God that she, Ruth, now also served.

Coincidence, chance, luck – no, none of these, BUT GOD’S PROVIDENCE.

Even in the midst of circumstances that seem to be inhospitable, and even hostile, we can walk and live in the Spirit and have as PSALM 37:23 puts it… “The steps of a good man are directed and established of the Lord”.

But let us retrace the story of Ruth a little, for we need to have the foundation for this event and the intervention of God in her unconscious decisions.

RUTH HAD COMMITMENT

Ruth 1:16                            And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

Ruth 1:17                            Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

We have seen previously that commitment is one of the reasons why so few people are prepared to walk and live in the Spirit. It is a foundational requirement and the fruit of commitment is RELIABILITY.

Now to live in the Spirit by an unconscious continued direction of the Holy Spirit is only one aspect. This so often relates only to the arena of daily existence, which of course is of paramount importance but we are made for higher dimension than this.

So often when we are looking to be led of the Lord, we get encouraged by His answers to the very mundane things like, “Lord I need a parking spot” or Show me which car to buy”. Now these things are all of concern to the Lord because He loves us, but there is more.

It is interesting to note how the Apostle Paul addressed the church at Colossae, not that the Lord would give them a new church building etc etc.

Colossians 1:9                   For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—

The basic requirement for walking and living in the Spirit is to know the will of God, and if we consider this passage of COLOSSIANS it is significant that knowledge of the will of God is looked upon as preceding a life that is satisfactory to God.

It is also interesting to note that this is a New Testament phenomenon. I am not suggesting for one moment that Old Testament men didn’t know the will of God and were led of the Spirit, BUT THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE LUXURY OF THE RESIDENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, the indwelling, as we do. They depended upon their knowledge of the Word (or Law) as it then existed, and then being “moved upon by the Holy ‘Spirit”. Let me show you.

Numbers 24:2                   When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him

Judges 3:10                        The Spirit of the LORD came on him (Othniel), so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.

Judges 6:34                        Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

1 Samuel 10:10                 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him (Saul), and he joined in their prophesying.

1 Samuel 16:13                 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 19:20                 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.

So we can see that all these men relied upon the Spirit of the Lord being placed upon them at the moment of need, and consequently our position in Christ should be so much richer and clearer and reliable than the men of old.

Quickly let us look at some of the qualifications of knowing God’s will.

Mark 3:35                                       Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Romans 12:2                                 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 8:5                          And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Ephesians 6:6                                Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:17                  pray continually,

1 Thessalonians 5:18                  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WHEN WE KNOW THE WILL OF GOD

How will our walking and living differ from what it is today? Again as we related to Paul’s expressions to the church at Colossae we find some of the answers.   This is the prayer of a saint for God’s people and he asks for two things:

A             The discernment of God’s will

B             The power to perform that will

Colossians 1:10                 That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

Colossians 1:11                 [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,

Colossians 1:12                 Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.

In this exhortation Paul has identified seven (7) distinct areas of change:

• Walk, live and conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord.
• Fully pleasing to Him
• Bearing fruit in every good work.
• Steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God
• Invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory [not according to the circumstance].
• Exercise EVERY KIND of endurance and patience, perseverance and forbearance WITH JOY.
• Fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints.

When we look at the context of these matters we find that these attributes are sought by the Apostle Paul in prayer, but in application they are all preceded by understanding.

Now we have not been neglected by the Holy Spirit when it comes to giving us understanding, for surely we have been shown what the Lord requires of us in accordance with His Word.

But let us just refresh ourselves with what it is the Apostle makes special request for:

Colossians 1:9                   that you may be filled with:-

• Spiritual wisdom
• Spiritual understanding

The knowledge that Paul refers to however has to be translated into our day to day experience, not just some ethereal theory or philosophy, but down to earth, daily living.

SPIRITUAL WISDOM in the Greek is sophia which can be translated as knowledge of first principles. Wisdom speaks of that settled condition of mind whose thinking is not dependent merely on the unaided process of human intellect, but is controlled and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. (Refer to James 1:17)

SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING is sunesis, which means critical knowledge or in other words, the ability to apply first principles to any given situation which may arise in life. It speaks of the application of the WISDOM to the various problems which present themselves to us and requires clear analysis before a decision can be taken.

So what Paul is saying is, that his prayer embraces the provision of wisdom and understanding so that the church at Colossae may firstly understand the great truth of Christian doctrine, and secondly be able to apply them to the tasks, the decisions, the exigencies which they encounter every single day.

This makes the difference between a THEOLOGIAN and a SPIRITUAL MAN, for the first is a master of theology but a possible failure in living, the other thoroughly acquainted with the very basics of God’s requirements and living, walking proof that they work as he demonstrates the application.

We noted previously that it is significant that knowledge of the will of God is looked upon as preceding a life that is pleasing to God, or as we are finding, a life walking and living in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:5              So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. (A church of Believers)

Now to walk and live in the Spirit we need to rise above the mere desire to succeed because of the satisfaction it brings, rather our motivation must be GOD CENTRED to live with an ambition to please the Lord. IT IS NOT FOR SELF-GRATIFICATION BUT FOR GOD’S GLORIFICATION.

Let us now look at the changes that take place when we embrace God’s will as Paul prayed.

1              WALK, LIVE AND CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD.

It seems too often that the people of God do not understand Who they represent. There is an obvious lack of pride in their company.

The IBM company insist that their representatives all wear navy blue suits and white shirts etc, that they represent the company in a manner which maintains the reputation that the company has built up

Qantas staff likewise are attired in a manner which identifies them as employees of a quality airline with a reputation to maintain.

When Craig was learning to fly even as a trainee he was required to dress as a pilot and when Paul Browne comes to measure your house for blinds he wears a shirt which carries the logo of a company he represents.

While ever these people are dressed in this manner they have to conduct themselves in a manner pleasing to the company.

Colossians 3:10                 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], (company dress) which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remoulded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

What has happened to THE COMPANY of God’s people? Obviously we have not accepted in many areas the will of God for our lives because Paul says in COLOSSIANS 1:9 that this is a precondition for our walking in a manner worthy of the Lord.

1 John 2:6                           Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

People are watching to see if we really are what we profess.

2              FULLY PLEASING TO HIM IN ALL THINGS

To do this requires that we live and walk in the Spirit, however, we have many aspects of God’s Word which gives us direction, which, if we embrace, we will be pleasing to Him in those areas as we grow into the others. They are some of the first principles that we all know.

Eg           Study

Fellowship

Acknowledgment of God

Resentments

Communion

Rejoicing

Love and concern

Our tongue

Our kids                               etc etc

• All these things mean that we do not just discharge our responsibilities or limit ourselves to our duties.

Hebrews 11:6                   But without faith it is impossible (the converse is worry, fear, carnal mind, resentment) to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

Now we are well aware that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10v17), but on top of that the Lord has made some spectacular promises to us:

Isaiah 55:11                        So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Then there are the benefits that accrue when we put the Word to work.

Proverbs 16:7                   When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

3              BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK

 Good works require more than just good words. So many people have good intentions, but through laziness or procrastination or sometimes just because of inefficiency or poor organisation they fritter away their time and their effort and consequently are not very fruitful.

The fruit of commitment is reliability, and so often we identify our commitment by our lack of reliability.

Do I need to name these things:-

Punctuality

Preparation

Work habits

Rosters and schedules

Appointments

Dress

Attitudes

The problem is not so much to know what to do, but to do it – to put knowledge into action.

Genesis 1:12                     And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. [KJV]

FRUITFULNESS IS A PRINCIPLE OF CREATION and the results of fruitfulness are obvious.

Genesis 28:3                     May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you until you become a group of peoples.

We wonder sometimes why we have to go through such “processing” in our march of holiness, but it is simply because we carry so much excess baggage in the sense of attitudes, behaviour, concepts etc etc and so the Lord has to chip away at these things so that we become more fruitful.

John 15:2                            Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

Isaiah 30:21                        And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.

Colossians 4:12                 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.

Luke 21:15                          For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.

Proverbs 24:5                   A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power; [Prov. 21:22; Eccl. 9:16.]

Acts 6:3                               Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.

Acts 6:10                             But they were not able to resist the intelligence and the wisdom and [the inspiration of] the Spirit with which and by Whom he spoke.

1 Corinthians 2:6              Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.

1 Corinthians 2:7              But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

Ephesians 1:17                 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,

Philippians 3:16                Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

oOo

 

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #5 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #5                                                               ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION)

Today we will look further at the means of walking in the Spirit. We stated previously that to walk in the spirit is not a popular choice and there are many reasons for that. Let me give you several of them and see if you can identify with them.

1              To walk in the Spirit is a rare phenomenon. And it seems that it becomes more pressing yet rarer as the days go by as yet our heart after God is interfered with by many other ambitions.

2              When we walk and live in the Spirit, we can no longer be one of the mob, it makes us stand apart.

3              It demands commitment. Now not too many people are real sure that they want the degree of commitment that is required to walk and live in the Spirit. It means that Hebrews 10v25 which is one of the basic instructions of Scripture, it being “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the habit of some is but so much more as you see the day approaching”. So that is the very lowest level of commitment.

4              It carries great responsibility without much authority. Now we in our human nature like to have it the other way around – plenty of authority but not much responsibility. To walk and live in the Spirit changes that, it places great responsibility on us because we are accountable to God before His people, but it doesn’t give us much authority.

5              Lastly, and probably one of the most difficult areas to handle, it brings us into direct conflict with spiritual forces. When we live and walk in the Spirit, we will be confronted on every hand by spiritual forces of darkness. In the spiritual realm we can either walk in THE Spirit or we can walk in A spirit. There is a difference. You see there are many people today who walk in A spirit. On the very opposite end of the scale, we have the clairvoyant, the medium, the stargazer and the necromancer – all those who are involved in occult activities. But then Romans 8v6 says that SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DEATH and so there is a man who walks in the spirit of his mind but is not living and walking in the Spirit.

Micah 2:11                            If a man walking in a spirit [of vanity] and in falsehood should lie and say, I will prophesy to you of wine and strong drink, O Israel, he would even be the acceptable prophet of this people!

That is the popular choice – to tell us what we want to hear.

When we come into New Testament times in

2 Thessalonians 2:9              The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels–[all of them] lying wonders–

2 Thessalonians 2:10            And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:11                  Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,

2 Thessalonians 2:12             In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

This is why the Word is so important to us, we must come to grips and grasp and love the Word. You see the pursuit of supernatural guidance is not something that is unique to the Twentieth century. Back in Old Testament times, men used to read the entrails of chickens, looking for ways to be superior to the run-of-the-mill citizen.

Ezekiel 21:21a                         For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork of the two ways, to use divination.

(I see that this relates to James 1v8 where is says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, in what he thinks and what he feels.)

The king of Babylon will stop at the fork of the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen, to look for guidance, to look for guidance, to see some supernatural indication of what he should do. It says

NIV        He will cast lots with the arrows. He will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.

AMP      He shakes the arrows to and fro, he consults the teraphim (household gods), he looks at the liver.

This is where they disemboweled an animal, and lay it out before the priest, and the priest would peer into the liver and depending on how it was marked and the colour, this gave them guidance – well, some sort of guidance!

But in the same perverted sense today, men are using drugs to expand their minds, to lead them into realms of fantasy which then becomes a playground for forces of evil. Those involved in horrific crimes have often been involved with drugs. They have opened themselves to the forces of evil. Man has always been keen to get out beyond the realms of their minds. Much of the reason why we’re not able to walk and live in the Spirit today consists in the four propositions that I gave you last time and I will reiterate them because I think they are important.

1              We will get nothing unless we go after it. We will never achieve anything unless we pursue it.

2              We can have as much as we insist upon having.

3              We will have a little as we are satisfied with.

4              We now have as much as we REALLY want.

If we were hungry and thirsting for righteousness, we would be filled, and so it describes in detail what the state of the church is.

But also combined with this is the necessity to know where we are going and how to get there. We can have, as James 3 puts it, “the wisdom that comes from above or the wisdom that is earthly”. Now both of these are supernatural. The Bible says

James 3:15                         This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).

That is the wisdom from below, but the book says that we can have the wisdom from above:

James 3:17                         But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

This is the same degree of wisdom that God wants to impart today. So, we can have wisdom from one of two sources.

We have the choice though and you will recall we shared from Hebrews 11v25

Heb 11:25                           Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.

Which says that if we want to reflect on the things of the past, those things from out of which we came, we will find ample opportunity to return to it. We make the choice, we can choose to live in the Spirit or we can choose to live in the natural. If we can’t get a hold of the fact that we can live and walk in the Spirit, from here to the day we die, we are going to be second rate, ineffective, Mickey Mouse Christians. If we choose to live and walk in the Spirit, God has promised us all that we need.

John 16:13                          But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

We don’t have to look at chicken livers; we don’t have to blow our mind on drugs, all we have to do is yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and begin to tune in on the frequency of heaven and He will show us of things to come.

Now many are scared of this provision because it cuts across their ability to grasp it with their minds. They cannot comprehend how this could be, but if we come to understand what the word says in

Isaiah 55:8                          For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:9                          For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

But if we are going to walk and to live in the Spirit, our thoughts and His thoughts need to coincide, not collide.

1 Corinthians 1:25              [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.

Even at our very best we can’t compete with the weakest thing of God, and so there is no problem with us submitting to the direction and control of the Spirit.

On that basis then, I should not be too ambitious to demonstrate my cerebral ability, for I will always be seen to be totally inadequate in comparison to the mind and the methods of God. I can depend upon Him to lead me in the routes and paths which will always be superior to that which I can choose, and I am not suggesting that we turn off our heads and become zombies. That’s what they do in transcendental meditation. They get on to a mantra and they use this word over and over until they can disengage their mind, then their mind becomes a playground for the enemy. I am not suggesting for one moment that we turn off our heads. I am suggesting that we turn them over to the control of the Holy Spirit. The book says in

Proverbs 16:3                   Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

We can expect that when we commit our works on a continuing basis to the Lord, to have our thought patterns adjusted, ad we can sure do with that.

Not only do we have that help by the Holy Spirit, but we also have His Word which will give us a plethora of instruction which will enable us to walk and to live in the Spirit. As yet we are not demonstrating that ability to take the Word and put it into effect, but we have to determine the means. I want to make a qualification here. When I say means, I’m not suggesting methods, that means that to live and walk in the Spirit are not methods. With regard to God’s word, we obviously have to accept it as truth. It is undiluted, unembellished, and complete in itself and all we require from the Word of God is the illumination of the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and grasp it.

John 8:31                            So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.

John 8:32                            And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

So we have the truth of God’s Word to guide us.

Much of the dilemma of folk today is they are not too sure of the source of their guidance. They are not sure that the voice they hear is God’s voice or whether it is a counterfeit voice.

Romans 12:2                     Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

How do we do it?

1 Peter 1:13 AMP             So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favour) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 NIV               Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.

We have got to get our minds on things which are above.

We know that that guidance or direction that we seek, that ability to walk and live in the Spirit has to come from above, but there is that type that comes from other sources.

1              There is that wisdom that comes from below. James 3v15

2              There is that guidance that comes from our own mind running riot.

3              There is the area of dreams and visions that are induced not by the Spirit, but by many other means.

4              Circumstances are misinterpreted, too many people are looking for signs.

Matthew 16:1                   Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].

Matthew 16:2                   He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,

Matthew 16:3                   And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

The book describes the era in which we live, we don’t need signs or fleeces, that was an era of Old Testament. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will guide you into all truth. These things have been done away with just as the legal system has been done away with.

We need to take care however, because,

1 John 4:1                             Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit,

Why am I labouring this point? When we live and walk in the Spirit, we are going to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and we are going to find that there are counterfeit spirits. We need to be able to demonstrate the contrast, we need to be able to discern.

but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

This is why we need to know the Word. One sure test for knowing that we are living and walking in God’s ways is that it is attended by peace. This is one of the real tests of whether we are walking and living in the Spirit. I’m talking about peace, not complacency.

John 14:27                            Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

We live in peace if we live and walk in the Spirit, if this guidance we receive is not of God, you can rest assured that it will be confusing.

1 Corinthians 14:33           For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

God’s Word gives us clarity, that’s why we need to be thoroughly acquainted with it in all its directions and its counsels and its patterns for life, even though many times it doesn’t suit what we would prefer.

Colossians 3:15                   And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

(A Scripture in isolation can become a stumbling block, you have to take the pattern of the Word from cover to cover. The promises of God are always attached to conditions, God has given us promises but they have to be put into context.)

Colossians 3:16                 Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

Now we can see how to walk and live in the Spirit. When we can be thankful, when we can be appreciative, when we can give thanks to God always, then we can admonish and train one another, with all insight and intelligence and wisdom in spiritual things. Do you realize that it is difficult to do those things at the same time as you are complaining?

If we can get a hold of the principles of God’s word that says we need to live in this peaceful state, we need to be thankful, be appreciative and praise and then we will enter into that realm where we can train, encourage and admonish one another in all spiritual wisdom and intelligence, and then we’ll overflow with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

People fail to line up what they think God tells them with the Word of God, it maybe is diametrically opposed yet they don’t check it out. Others think that the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit is not for us today, they forget,

2 Timothy 2:15                  Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

The Book is full of instructions so that we can walk the route God has planned for us. Some think that to live in the natural with God’s Word and common sense to guide them is the safest way. It will be safe, and satisfactory to your mind, but they will miss out on the ecstasy of living and walking in the Spirit, guided by His presence, qualifying as a Son of God. What we become is a careful failure.

PETER WALKING ON THE WATER

The first thing Peter did was call out, “Is that You Lord?” He sought for confirmation. He said, “If so, call me over to you”.

There is a principle here that we need to get a hold of. When we hear the voice of the Lord, or when we experience something we think is God or of God, let’s get the confirmation.

You will notice that Peter got out and started to walk on the water but then he messed it up. He looked down and then he went down. He eventually stood on the water with Jesus. There were eleven others who were careful failures, they didn’t even try. This is exactly what the church is doing today., they know God is calling and yet they still sit in the boat, unprepared to throw their legs over the edge and say “I’m going to launch out in Jesus and I know He will never let me fail”.

To talk and live in the Spirit, we need to realize some things.

1              It doesn’t happen automatically. You can wish for it all you want, but if you want to do it, you have to launch out in God.

2              We have to learn to live and to walk in the Spirit. We do this by applying the things which we hear, which we think come from God and WHICH ARE SCRIPTURALLY SOUND, AND WHEN THEY DON’T AFFECT ANYONE ELSE, learn to get instructions which are personal, and don’t affect anybody else.

Once we become skilled in walking in the Spirit, and knowing and understanding the voice of God, skilled at receiving confirmation, knowing that that is the direction, then we can start sharing with others. There are too many people running around the church with a Word from the Lord for someone else whilst their own credibility is not established.

Ephesians 5:10                 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].

3              To walk in the Spirit is not a method, but a principle. If it was a method all we would need to do is get a list and follow it. But because it is a principle of the Word of God, it has to be implemented and carried through by faith.

4              To walk and live in the Spirit is a unique experience for each unique individual. It comes out of our intimate relationship with the Lord and then it comes out of His confidence in my reliability.

INSURANCE AGAINST ERROR

As we begin to seek the Lord for the ability to walk and live in the Spirit, we must be willing to submit the impressions that we receive to the test, God’s word must be the final judge. God’s Word must take precedence over our emotions, feelings, impressions and surrounding circumstances, all those signs and coincidences that seem to line up with what we need. All leadings of the Spirit need to line up with the Word of God, God’s Word has to take precedence over our subjective confidence if God has spoken to us in some personal revelations, IT MUST LINE UP WITH THE WORD.

Romans 8:14     For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

But to be a son we have to submit to His discipline and His training so that we become sensitive to His Spirit.

Hebrews 12:11                 For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness–in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #4 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #4                                                                                     ROSS SMITH

I want to come again to that topic that we’ve been following now for several weeks and that is WALKING IN THE SPIRIT, and this morning I’d like to come to the means of walking in the Spirit. I was interested when Craig said this morning “It’s worth listening, it may keep you alive.” Beloved that indeed is the thrust of the Word of God, If we listen to the Word, it will keep us alive.

To walk in the Spirit, we have to have an objective. There has to be an ambition to do so, but we must firstly determine what should be the motivation that would make us want to walk in the Spirit.

We said earlier that to walk in the Spirit is an unpopular choice. It places demands and limitations upon us which overturn the natural ambition. And so, to walk in the Spirit is not a natural choice and we need to determine what the motivation is that would make us want to walk in the Spirit. If the motivation is misplaced, then the ambition can never be fulfilled, for the Lord will never trust the enormity of His power nor will He trust the reputation of His name to a servant who would misuse the abilities that are offered and invested in a servant who will walk in the Spirit.

We’ve only to review the parable of the talents and we see there that the servant who was unwise in the use of his one talent was not only reprimanded for his misuse but was dispossessed of that one talent, and if that is the principle that applies in terms natural, it applies in magnitude in terms spiritual.

We need to understand the source of the ability to walk in the Spirit, we need to understand the character of the one Who would have us walk in the Spirit, and then as we comprehend both those dimensions, we will better comprehend the means of walking in the Spirit.

A very interesting Scripture emerges in:-

John 5:26                            For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent.

I pondered this for indeed it is much deeper than first glance would lead us to understand. When I went to

1 John 5:12                         He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.

The life that is being referred to in the Epistle is the same Life that is referred to in the Gospel, that is eternal life, which is sourced in God. God has Life in Himself, God is sufficient in Himself, He is self-sufficient and therefore he doesn’t need anything or anyone.

Whatever God is and all that He is, He is in Himself and in His entirety. All life is in God and all life is from God, whether it be the unconscious life of the lowest form of amoeba or whether it be the highly self-conscious intelligent life of the seraph in the heavenly realms, no creature has life in itself, all life is a gift from God.

I suppose this week, I have come to understand a little more clearly and probably with some degree of embarrassment, that the concept that we have held and maintained now for a long time, that is that we are God’s hands and God’s feet and that we are God’s mouthpiece in the society in which we live and that He needs us to carry out His work.

That premise is flawed in its basis because it suggests that God has a need. God chooses to use us, God doesn’t need us! God is sufficient in Himself, He made us for His good pleasure.

To admit to the existence of a need in God is to admit incompleteness in the divine being and we know without a shadow of a doubt that God is absolutely infallible, entire and complete in every dimension. Therefore there cannot exist in God any need. You see, NEED is a creature word. Only we have the word NEED, and it cannot be attributed to God as the creator in any way, shape or form.

God’s relationship to us is on a voluntary basis. God relates to us out of His grace, out of His good pleasure, but we NEED to walk and live in the Spirit, we HAVE to walk and live in the Spirit.

Colossians 2:10                 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

(KJV)                                     And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power

This is the only way that we can meet the need of our life, to identify with that completeness that is found in God, otherwise we will be devoid of the necessary component that will enable us to live successfully.

Moreover, we need to recognize that God is complete in every respect. God’s interest in us is as His creatures and it arises out of His sovereign good pleasure, not from a need that we can supply to God; not from any benefit that we can provide for Him, nor from any completeness that we can contribute to Him, because, as I have said, God is complete in Himself.

But we exist, we live, on the basis of need. I need air, I need water, I need food, amongst many other things. You see, nothing, other than God, is complete in itself. Everything else exists upon things outside of itself. Let me give you an example. If you remove from our earth air, food and water, the majority of life would cease to exist and much of it within moments.

We might ask, “Why have you gone to such lengths this morning, to describe the situation?” The reason I have enlarged so much on this this morning is that we might understand our source; that we might understand the completeness and the fullness whereby we are enabled to walk and to live both in the natural and in the spirit. The only reason we are here is because God has given life. We live at such a superficial level because we don’t have that life and live it more abundantly like He intends.

A W Tozer was a scribe of great note many years ago and he penned the following: “The motivation for many people in Christian service is no higher than to help God out of the embarrassing situation His love has gotten Him into and His limited ability seems unable to get Him out of. Add to this a certain degree of commendable idealism and a fair amount of compassion for the underprivileged and you have the true drive behind much Christian activity today”.

Sadly it’s true, but let me go further. The drive for us to walk and live in the Spirit is not cultivated in theological attainment, a man doesn’t need to be godly to be a theologian. Satan is an example, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan knew the Word.

Spiritual truths differ from natural truths both in their constitution and in the manner that we apprehend them. In natural truths, they may be learned regardless of how we are spiritually. Natural truth can be apprehended by anyone with any degree of normal intelligence, a saint or a scoundrel, you don’t need to be godly to grasp natural principles.

But God has things to say to the pure in heart that cannot be said to a sinful heart, because what He has to say is not just theology, it is Spirit. The Bible says in

1 Corinthians 2:14           But the natural, non-spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

As I was saying, a man can grasp natural principles whether he be good or bad, but when God wants to speak to a man, He has to speak spirit to spirit. The Apostle John had great insight into the ways and means of living in the Spirit, and as I read the first epistle of John this week, I found there that he made many statements which give us counsel in how to walk in the Spirit. I would like to refer to some of the nuances that he describes so that we can grasp the potential and also the intention that John describes

1John 1:3                            What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

The part in the round brackets in Amplified means that it was inferred in the original.

That fellowship is a distinguished mark of Christians. If you don’t have that fellowship, then you are not identified as being a Christian. This fellowship that we have which is the distinguishing mark of Christians is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. Now the only way that we can have fellowship with the Father and the Son is if we agree.

Amos 3:3                            Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?

You can’t have fellowship if you are in disagreement, can you? And so, we have that fellowship with the Father and the Son.

1 John 1:7                           But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

Not only can we have fellowship with the Father and the Son, but when we walk and live in the Spirit, we should have that cultivation of fellowship one with the other. But more than that, it says that the blood of Jesus Christ purifies us from all sin. When we come to

1 John 2:6                           Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

There are many people today, who will claim to live and walk in the Spirit, but here is the test – he should walk and conduct himself in the same way as Jesus did.

I was interested as Sandra read from Colossians because there is the same thrust.

Colossians 2:6                   As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.

There are many people today, who will claim to live and walk in the Spirit, but here is the test – he should walk and conduct himself in the same way as Jesus did, “Walk and live in the Spirit!”

1 John 2:9                           [Here is a contra indication] Whoever says he is in the Light and [yet] hates his brother [Christian, born-again child of God his Father] is in darkness even until now.

1 John 2:27                         But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].

What can I expect when I live and walk in the Spirit? 1 John 2v27 begins to describe it.

1 John 3:10                         By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ).

1 John 3:22                         And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.

1 John 4:8                           He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

All of these scriptures are very precious to us. They are all full of encouragement. But the difficulty is that we read them and we luxuriate in their potential but then we neglect to expend ourselves in the pursuit thereof.

We say that we want to be like Christ and I believe that that is sincere, and yet as I look at our situation, I see that on many occasions, we can’t even be on time for service. Sometimes, we are not ahead on our preparation for ministry. Sometimes, we are not even ready to speak a word of encouragement to somebody in the street or at home. Beloved, we need not delude ourselves. If we are to walk and to live in the Spirit, then we are going to have to APPLY OURSELVES to the pursuit of spiritual excellence. Let’s not delude ourselves.

The spiritual treasures that are ours in Christ Jesus are made available through the atonement. That’s the reason why we can stand here this morning and sing “Jesus, You’re beautiful”. We understand to some degree the beauty of the person of Jesus Christ, but that spiritual treasure that is bound up in Christ Jesus will not become a reality unless we make the effort to overcome and progress in attaining this walk. Let me nominate some of these, not that you will be discouraged but so that we can see that they are progressive steps that we take:

1          We need deliverance from the activities of the flesh.

2          We need victory over self. We know it in the walk of righteousness as deliverance from self.

3          We need a constant flow of the Holy Spirit through our personalities.

4          We need to see that fruitfulness in Christian service. Galatians 5v22-3 tells us what fruit we need to see. (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

5          We need an awareness of God’s presence. We said when we set out upon this area of study that the reason the church is so impotent today is that it has lost its consciousness of the divine being.

6          We need growth in grace.

7          We need an unbroken spirit of worship through an increasing consciousness through our union with God. I look for that – where we come into service and suddenly there sweeps across this congregation a spirit of worship and everything that has been planned or organised is pushed aside as God moves in and His people begin to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

The way that we will do that is to live and walk in the Spirit, being conscious of God, recognizing the sovereignty and majesty of God and we cannot withhold it any longer. Now, none of these things will happen automatically. Neither have we got to wait for eons for them to become a reality, for they are like the promised land was to the children of Israel we have to go in and possess them.

How do I go about it?

1          I have to have that burning ambition to walk and live in the Spirit. Now I think that most of us have come to understand that that is a necessity, a demand, not just something that is made possible upon us by the Holy Spirit. I have to have that ambition. I have to have that desire to walk and live in the Spirit.

2          I see that through the volume of Scriptural support and evidence that it is entirely possible for me to do.

3          Without this ability to walk and to live in the Spirit, I am always going to be a mediocre, Mickey Mouse, second rate, ineffective, sub-standard, poorly equipped and seldom successful Christian, and they are not a rare breed, unfortunately.

Today the church is plagued by mediocrity and complacency. These sorts of Christians sadden their God and gladden their enemy. We have to turn that situation around beloved, and do it very, very quickly. I have four propositions that will give us a start.

• You will get nothing unless you go after it. God never forces anything upon us. Salvation is probably the greatest gift that God could ever afford the human race. The rewards are absolutely priceless, the duration is timeless and endless, yet God does not force us to take up His offer. We have to accept it for ourselves. We will not get salvation unless we take it, unless we pursue it. Just like the Promised Land didn’t come to meet the children of Israel out of the middle of the desert, they had to traverse the barren places and they had to face the trials, and we too have to go in and possess the land.

Hebrews 12:14                    Strive to live in peace

How much of that have you done this week? Most of us strive, but not to live in peace. We strive to get our own selfish way, and look out anyone who gets in the way. We will thunder over them with hobnailed boots on, but the book says

Strive to live in peace WITH EVERYBODY

(Not just with your wife or with your husband. That’s a good start.)

and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

I can change that to read, And pursue that WALKING IN THE SPIRIT without which no one will ever see the Lord. Pursue it, Paul says to the Hebrew church.

We have to reach that destination and goal by way of detachment from the world, whereby what we want in God overturns everything else we want in tangible assets. Now that sounds like a simple statement, but when we boil it down, what we want in God has to overturn everything else that we want in tangible assets.

2          You can have as much as you insist upon having.

When Joshua was about to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, the Lord said to him in

Joshua 1:3             Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.

Now Joshua could have said “Oh, that’s really nice Lord,” and he would have taken off and looked around for a nice block of land somewhere with good views, far from potential hazards, and he would have walked around it and said, “Well, I’m right for life. I’ve walked all over this nice block of land. God said that every where the sole of my foot shall tread, I can have that land”. But the rest of the nation of Israel would have perished.

The same set of circumstances faces the nation of Australia today. God is looking for a church that will be identified as ‘Joshuas’ who will walk in and possess the land and will take that which is rightfully ours by promise. The devil has for too long usurped the authority and has taken over the territory, and God wants us now to go in and take that which is rightfully ours and we can have as much as we will insist on having. If we are content to sit in this church from now until when Jesus comes, that’s what we’ll get. If we determine and we are set to take this city for God and insist upon having it we will see this city turn to God. You can have as much as you insist upon having.

It’s a principle that pervades the Word of God. When the children of Israel got into the Promised Land, Caleb was eighty years old and he came to Joshua and said, “Joshua, I might be 80 years old, but I am as strong today as I was forty years ago. Give me my mountain. This city is our mountain at this point of time,God has placed us here that we might take this land. Joshua insisted upon having what was rightfully his.

We have another example of the daughters of Zelophehad. They insisted also on what was rightfully theirs.

Numbers 27:1                      Then came the daughters of Zelophehad ….. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Numbers 27:2                      They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders, and all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,

Numbers 27:3                      Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among those who assembled together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin [as did all those who rebelled at Kadesh], and he had no sons. [Num. 14:26-35.]

Numbers 27:4                      Why should the name of our father be removed from his family because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brethren.

Numbers 27:5      Moses brought their case before the Lord.

Numbers 27:6                      And the Lord said to Moses,

Numbers 27:7                      The daughters of Zelophehad are justified and speak correctly. You shall surely give them an inheritance among their father’s brethren, and you shall cause their father’s inheritance to pass to them.

They insisted upon it and they got it. These are Old Testament examples but the New Testament reinforces the principle for us today.

James 4:2                               You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask.

God wants us to come and the Bible says in

Matthew 7:7                        Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:8                        For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

We can have as much as we insist upon. When our requests are such that honour God, we can ask as largely as we will. The more daring the request, the more glory that accrues to God when He answers and responds. But it requires that we walk and live in the Spirit.

3          You will have as little as you are satisfied with. Let me tell you, I’ve got some ambitions, and I’m not going to be content until those ambitions are fulfilled. There are some things I want and I want them badly, and I’m going to insist upon having them. But I can have as little as I am satisfied with. We know that God is a liberal God, and he gives to all men liberally, but it is an absurd thought that God’s liberality will make a man more godly than that man wants to be. God can pour out of His grace upon us but a man will never be any more godly than he wants to be, regardless of God’s liberality.

Many people are content to live in defeat because they enjoy wallowing, ever met any of those? People that just love to wallow, they wouldn’t have a point of conversation if they couldn’t talk about their arthritis or their bad backs or the fact that they had a poor childhood.

But the Bible tells me in Romans 1v20 that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20                         For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defence or justification],

It doesn’t matter if I have arthritis or a bad back or whether I was brought up in a boy’s home, that doesn’t count. Jesus Christ is Lord over all those circumstances and I am without excuse. I can live and I can walk in the Spirit if I want to.

We need to live in the dimension of dissatisfied satisfaction: satisfied that I am in Christ but dissatisfied with the likeness that I have attained thus far, and as a consequence I must aggressively press towards the goal.

Ephesians 3:20                     Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us,

Now I have a fertile imagination, I have an agile mind when it comes to dreaming up things of potential, but sometimes it is disheartening to me and it surely must grieve the Holy Spirit to see how many Christians are content to settle for less than the best. We live in an age of compromise. We have a Prime Minister that prides himself on the fact that he governs by compromise. The effects are felt not only throughout society, but it is also felt throughout Christendom it is evidenced in that lukewarm mediocre confession of Christ as Lord that is utterly unworthy of Jesus Christ as Our Lord. You have as little as you are satisfied with.

You NOW have as much as you REALLY want. Now this is going to fire up the gastric juices, because many people are going to contend with me when I say you now have as much as you really want. People say “I want more…”. Let me explain. If we really come down to the wire of our true nature, we do want to have more of God and be more like God AS LONG AS….. I don’t have to be specific about the “AS LONG AS”, because each of us has different fetishes. I dare not call them idols, that’s being too rude. All of us have different fetishes, we have various security blankets, we have those protective barriers. We’ll have as much of God as we can handle as long as it doesn’t interfere with our comfort zone. Anybody identify with that? Don’t put your hands up.

We will have as much of God as we can handle as long as it doesn’t interfere. Every man is as close to God as he wants to be. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. The book says in

Matthew 5:6        Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favour and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

If there is a man on the earth today that hungers and thirsts after righteousness and God doesn’t fill him then God’s Word is null and void. If we hunger and thirst after righteousness WE SHALL BE FILLED and God says “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my Word shall never pass away.” We can have as much of God as we want.

There is a difference, however, between wanting and wishing. Wanting is that wholehearted desire – that which constitutes HOLINESS. Most people don’t get past the WISH stage. They wish they were better people. They wish they were more holy. They wish they were more joyful and victorious. But, I would suggest this morning, that we are not willing to meet the requirements to attain that place in God where we can live and walk in the Spirit. We will have as much of God as we insist upon having. We now have a much as we really want. God has placed before us a rich treasury of spiritual treasures, and these are the fruits of living and walking in the Spirit, but we have thus far neglected to claim them as ours. Our failure to do so may turn out to be a tremendous tragedy for this nation of Australia. The Lord has said, “I will build My church” and the only way He can build His church is with living stones. God is looking for people who will not have Him by measure, but He says He will pour out of His Spirit in the last days upon all flesh and the rewards of that outpouring of the Spirit, will identify and raise up a people who will know their God, who will be strong and will do exploits, and will evidence that walk and that fellowship with God the Father, and with God the Son and with all the saints of Jesus Christ. I want to be part of that.

 

oOo

 

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #3 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #3                                                                                      ROSS SMITH

Hebrews 3:14                   For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us,

I would like to leave it at that but the verse continues to go further. It says “IF ONLY”, and I don’t want to leave it there, because so often we use the expression “IF ONLY” to mean if only it were so.

Hebrews 3:14                   For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, IF ONLY we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers] firm and unshaken to the end.

The credentials are firmly established in Hebrews 3v14. Do you remember what it was like when we first came to Christ? That glow and that glory of knowing Him as Lord and Master; that ambition to be like Jesus; that love that seemed to pervade every aspect and every fibre of our being. That’s our first assured expectation.

WHERE THERE IS NO EXPECTATION, THERE CAN BE NO FAITH, and where there is no faith, the pursuit or inquiry is meaningless. We need to have a goal. We need to have an ambition but we need to know securely what our goal is couched in.

Spiritless evangelism is as deadly as heresy. We must be careful that that which we do both to and for the Lord is done in the Spirit. If we don’t have that direction, that guidance and control of the Holy Spirit, we would be much like the children of Israel wandering the desert without the cloud in the daytime or the pillar of fire at night. We would wander aimlessly. But we must have that same direction, that same control.

Then, after we have been convinced that it is possible to live and walk in the Spirit, [Is anybody in any doubt this morning that it is possible?] I think we have that absolute assurance from the Word of God and by the Spirit that it is possible to walk and live in the Spirit, but then we have to have an ambition to do so.

It is not sufficient for us to give mental assent to the possibility of living and walking in the Spirit like those spiritual giants of the Word of God did so long ago. I don’t think that we need to be like those quasi-Christians, people who claim to have the abilities to live and walk in the Spirit, but so often you only have to listen to their conversation and it betrays the fact that they don’t live in that realm, they don’t live in that exalted position in God that is available to us because we share in all He has for us.

But we should aim to do and to have that which will confirm our claim – those things that will reinforce our position as sons of God and indeed the ultimate of it is to bring glory to God through our Christ likeness. It is not for our own exaltation that we live and walk in the Spirit, it is for the glory of God.

What stops us? When I look at the situation, I find that we have indeed adequate scriptural principle to base our premise on.

Secondly, I find that there is significant promised potential for those who will adhere to the directions of the Word of God.

But then thirdly and sadly, I find that we lack the actual personal demonstration. It is a situation that we cannot back away from, because when we refer to the Word of God, we are confronted on every page of the demand that we should walk and we should live in the Spirit. We have looked at, at length in days gone past, the thrust of Joel 2v28.

Joel 2:28                              And afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

That means you and me. The thing that limits God in pouring out His Spirit upon us is our ability to handle it. We are not yet prepared, sadly, to be the vessels and instruments that God an flow through in the manner He desires.

If we go back two verses to

Joel 2:26b                           And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame.

In Mark 16, we know very clearly the thrust of verses 17-20.

Mark 16:17                         And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;

Mark 16:18                         They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

And it goes on to express a whole compendium of things that will attend those who are sincere and who will live and walk in the Spirit. They are not something that should be strange to us as God’s people. They should be an attendant phenomena of our every day walk. We who are believers, these signs shall follow.

Again however, we are not too much different to those who were in the era when Mark wrote his epistle. If you go back into the middle of the chapter [v11] you will find that Jesus has just risen from the dead, and He appeared to Mary and she returned and told them and it says “and they did not believe her”. Two men were walking down the road and Jesus appeared to them and they hurried back to town and told what had happened, and in Mark 16 the book tells us “and they did not believe them either”. [v13]

And then He appeared to the eleven

Mark 16:14                         Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death].

He finishes the chapter by saying

Mark 16:17                         And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe…

In other words, these signs shall follow the people of God who live and walk and dwell in the realm of the Spirit.

But before we can have the fullness, we must have the emptiness.

John 3:30                            He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]

One of the difficulties that we face today is that we are not prepared to decrease. It is contrary to human nature, for the natural is always concerned… in fact he is consumed much of the time regarding his own welfare, his own comfort, his own gain, his own approval and position. But those who would live and walk in the dimensions of the Spirit must adopt the same position and posture of the men of Bible times; that is we are going to exhibit the same characteristics and the same abilities.

Abraham is listed throughout the Scripture as a giant in God]

Genesis 18:27                   Abraham answered, Behold now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord.

Now in this particular instance, it is where Abraham is interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah. He stood before God and he said,

God, will You destroy the city if there are fifty righteous people there?

The Lord listened to Abraham and said,

‘No, if I can find fifty righteous people, I will save that city”.

Abraham thought, Maybe I’ve overdone it a bit.

“Father, if there are forty-five righteous men there, will you preserve those towns?”

Father said “Abraham I’ll do it”.

Abraham goes on Father, what about forty people, thirty people, twenty people, ten people? And Father says, “If you can find ten righteous people in that city, I will preserve that place” and Abraham at that stage recognized how inferior he was in the light of the majesty of his God. Here, he prevails on behalf of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sadly, they couldn’t find ten righteous people there.

I wonder today if there is a man like Abraham in the this city who will stand in the gap for them. That places a great deal of responsibility on you and I this morning to learn to walk and to live in the Spirit. Even though Abraham was a spiritual giant, he recognised how insignificant he was in the fullness and the magnificence and the majesty of his God and yet he would dare to prevail. This is the man speaking of whom it was said that he believed and adhered to and trusted in and relied on God and it was accredited to and reckoned and placed to his account as righteousness, as conformity to God’s will in thought and purpose and action. That’s walking in the Spirit. When we can conform to God’s will in thought, purpose and action, we will indeed be able to walk and live in the Spirit.   That was Galatians 3v6.

Galatians 3:6                     Thus Abraham believed in and adhered to and trusted in and relied on God, and it was reckoned and placed to his account and credited as righteousness (as conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action).

Other giants in spiritual matters had the same opinion of themselves, not an opinion that demeaned or devalued them, but they recognized their insignificance in the light of the majesty of God. They saw themselves as mere worms when they saw themselves in the light of their God. John the Baptist says in

Mark 1:7                             And he preached, saying, After me, He Who is stronger (more powerful and more valiant) than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to stoop down and unloose.

It wasn’t because John thought he was such a rat, or useless or unimportant. He recognized that One was coming that was so sovereign, so divine, so majestic that he wasn’t even worthy to undo his shoes. But this is the man that Jesus brought testimony of. What recommendation could be given to a man who had such a concept of himself? It’s comforting for me to note the context in which John made this statement because John was intended to baptize Jesus Christ in water. Here he was given the commission that he should be the baptizer of the Lord Himself, but Jesus says of John in

Luke 7:28            I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; but he that is inferior [to the other citizens] in the kingdom of God is greater [in incomparable privilege] than he.

God looks upon us and sees our importance but we must look upon ourselves and not see the insignificance but see the glory of God that can be evidenced through us if we will walk in the Spirit.

If I come to look at a man that is one of my heroes, the Apostle Paul, he also understood the necessity for deliverance from self if he was going to live and walk in the Spirit. Now we might say, I wouldn’t have thought that Paul would have had any problem with that. He says in

1 Corinthians 15:9           For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit or deserving to be called an apostle, because I once wronged and pursued and molested the church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence].

Paul recognized that He was not deserving of being called an apostle. Why? Because of his natural instincts, but then in other places, he says “God called me from the womb”, that’s what makes the difference. God has placed His hand and His seal upon you and His Spirit within you that you might live and walk in the Spirit. But before God can totally direct and control our lives, we have to be emptied out of ourselves, not only of our superiority but also of our insecurities. So often God can’t work with a man because he thinks he can do it all on his own, he can help God out. This is where we get into church areas where there is all the emotional stimulus and all the rhubarb. God has not only got to get rid of those superior attitudes, he has to work on the other end of the scale too, where men and women think “God can’t do a thing with me”, or “I am such a hopeless useless individual, God could never use me”. He must rid us of our superiorities and our insecurities. Both of these characteristics are evidences of our lack of trust in God.

Remember what was said of Abraham. He relied on, he trusted in and it was accounted to him as right standing with God. But it is this emptying out of self that brings that painful disappointment and that despair of self to which those who have succeeded in God will testify, that occurs before they were able to break through into the Spirit. There has to be that total deliverance from all those ambitions which are interfering with God’s purposes.

By the way, we don’t do it to earn God’s favour, He has already given us that,   it’s called GRACE. And so we can’t earn it. Some say, I’ll do penance, I’ll crawl over broken glass. No, you can’t earn God’s favour like this, but the process of emptying is intended to break up the fallow ground. It empties out all those aspects of self. It detaches our hearts from all those things which are earthly, all those interests which are carnal, and it focuses our attention acutely upon the person of Christ Jesus.

As I thought about walking in the Spirit, because of the agility of my mind, I could begin to imagine all the wonderful things that could take place, but then I stopped for a moment, and thought “No matter how high my expectations are of God working through us, when God does finally move into the field of our spiritual awareness, we will be totally astonished by His power and ability to overwhelm our mind and to fascinate the soul of every individual. We cannot contemplate… He says in the Word that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think….So if we live and walk in the Spirit, I know that the dimension will be astonishing.

When Paul wrote to the Galatians in

Galatians 2:20                   I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion];

I wish I could say that, in a way that there was no egotism, no shades of grey, no limitations to God being able to move in and totally control and direct my life Paul could say

Galatians 2:20                   I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

What a magnificent statement Paul has made here, he says that the life that he now lives in the flesh, he lives by the faith of the Son of God who loved him and gave Himself for him. That is how we have to live, by faith. You heard me say earlier this morning that where there is no expectation, there can be no faith. If we don’t expect to walk in the Spirit, if we don’t expect to live in the dimensions of the Spirit, if we don’t expect to attain to that spiritual excellence, then there can be no fulfilment of it. God will honour your faith, God will honour your trust and your expectations, the leaning of your personality on him, even though we are frail. Paul says “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” That’s the way he succeeded.

2 Corinthians 4:11           For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

Are you prepared for that? I’ve got to be prepared to do whatever is necessary knowing that I can glorify God in life and I can glorify God in death, if I live and walk in the Spirit.

It goes on to say “that the life of Jesus also MAY BE EVIDENCED through our flesh which is liable to death. We have talked about this for generations. The church has based its whole premise on the fact that Jesus Christ should be made manifest in the flesh but we forgot the fact that we were always to be delivered unto death.

I want to look at scriptural examples of those men who demonstrated the ability to live and walk in the Spirit, and we need to be able to confirm our ability to emulate them. Maybe at a later date, we can explore the means by which we walk and live in the Spirit.

As I contemplated it, I looked and I thought that Jesus was the greatest example of one who walked and lived in the Spirit, but if I use Him, many are going to object and I say, I can’t use Him as a pattern and example. Jesus was different. He lived in a different era, He didn’t face the difficulties that I face, His environment was not as hostile as the current environment.

The dictionary defines DIFFICULTIES as a condition or a situation characterized by danger, distress or annoyance. So often the difficulties that I face are annoying ones. I said before, if there weren’t any other people in the world, I could be perfect. It’s always those other people that make me mess us. Difficulties are those situations that encourage danger, distress or annoyance, but we cannot cop out and say “Jesus was different”.

Hebrews 4:15                   For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

You see, Jesus set the pattern. He lived and walked in the Spirit. That ability that Jesus had to live and walk in the Spirit was not something that was given to Him, by the way, as a talent or a gift or a skill whereby He just moved in to this dimension in an unlearned adeptness, but it was concomitant with His relationship with Father, it depended upon His relationship with His Father. It says Jesus LEARNED obedience. How? By what he suffered, Jesus was tempted in every way that we are and yet He didn’t fall, even once.

We’re familiar with the thrust of 1 Corinthians 2v15 where it describes the spiritual man, but Jesus demonstrated this in such a way that it is so relevant to us today if we want to live and walk in the Spirit. There is a remarkable thing which attracted my attention when i was exploring this regarding Jesus.

Luke 6:7                              And the scribes and the Pharisees kept watching Jesus to see whether He would [actually] heal on the Sabbath, in order that they might get [some ground for] accusation against Him.

Luke 6:8                              But He was aware all along of their thoughts, and He said to the man with the withered hand, Come and stand here in the midst. And he arose and stood there.

Luke 6:9                              Then Jesus said to them, I ask you, is it lawful and right on the Sabbath to do good [so that someone derives advantage from it] or to do evil, to save a life [and make a soul safe] or to destroy it?

Luke 6:10                            Then He glanced around at them all and said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he did so, and his hand was fully restored like the other one.

It says that the Pharisees were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. Now they were hard pressed but they were looking for a reason and they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath and now the part that really intrigued me, because it said earlier when we read in Hebrews 3v14, we share in all he has for us. The scribes and Pharisees are scrutinizing His every move, He’s under the microscope.

It says, But Jesus knew what they were thinking.

Luke 6:8                              But He was aware all along of their thoughts

I thought that is just so beautiful. Jesus didn’t have to be on His guard because He lived and walked in the Spirit anyhow, and He knew what they were thinking and what they were about. When we go back to 1 Corinthians 2v15, it tells us, that’s how the spiritual man lives.

Jesus knows that they are looking for some opportunity to accuse Him, and He said to the man with the withered hand.

Luke 6:8                              and He said to the man with the withered hand, Come and stand here in the midst. And he arose and stood there.

So he comes up, and Jesus turns around to His would be accusers and says “Righto gentlemen, is it legal for me to do good or not on the Sabbath day”? All these pious gentlemen, wearing their little beanies, because that was the proper thing to do in church, but they didn’t have an answer. Jesus said, Stretch out your hand. And that man walked out of that place healed. Do you know why? Because Jesus lived and walked in the Spirit, He knew what those guys were thinking and He disarmed them with one simple statement when He said to the man “Stretch out your hand”. The Bible says he was COMPLETELY RESTORED.

That was not an isolated instance. When you live and walk in the Spirit, you just don’t deal with singular activities. This is a pattern.

Mark 16:17                         And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe …

Matthew 12:25                And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand.

They were accusing Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub. Jesus knew what they were thinking. Isn’t it marvellous to have such wisdom to be able to refute the machinations of men’s minds by telling them where they are at – not to embarrass them? That’s not our function, our function, when we live and walk in the Spirit is to convict them, we do so by the Spirit of God.

Can I quickly look at an Old Testament example? I think it is important that we go back and see indeed that it is possible from cover to cover to live in this realm. There was a man, called Elisha. He was quite an obscure character, except that he lived and walked in the Spirit to such a degree that the Bible enumerates his exploits. A man came to Elisha one day – a very important man named Naaman, the captain of the Syrian army. We’ve only got to look at the newspapers today to see the significance of the Syrian army. They are men of war. The Syrian empire is still very, very aggressive. Naaman came to Elisha because he needed to be healed. He was afflicted with leprosy. Elisha told him how to be free. Firstly he had to swallow his pride before dipping in the river. But when He came back in 2 Kings 5, and this is something that we need to learn too, Naaman was grateful.

I am appalled at the lack of gratitude that the people of God evidence and demonstrate. Both to one another and to our God.

 

oOo

 

EASTER REMINISCENCE ROSS SMITH

EASTER, HOW MAGNIFICENT THE RESULT                            ROSS SMITH 250316

Last night as I gazed upon the brilliance of the stellar vista, the numberless stars, I realised how miniscule I am in the scope of God’s creation.

But then, at this Easter time, I also realised how important I am, because Jesus died for me. Putting it into perspective, I am like a miniscule component of an atom, which is the building block of all matter and the atom has to have me in its structure to enable the atom to fulfil its function.

But within the atom there are Protons, which have a positive charge, Electrons, that have a negative charge, and Neutrons which have no charge at all, but all are required to make up an atom.

My ambition, in that miniscule part that I form in God’s creation, is at least to be a PROTON inside that atom, CARRYING A POSITIVE CHARGE, contributing to the “building blocks” of atoms that Father is using to build His church, and to validate His providence in sending Jesus, that we might celebrate, not only at Easter, but through the life afforded us, and see the church outshine the stars.

STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #2 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #2                                                                                 ROSS SMITH

(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION)

I want to continue with the subject, Walking in the Spirit, and that area of the need to walk in the Spirit.

I want you to head your notes this morning with a statement that will become blatantly obvious as we proceed, that the demand to walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice. To walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice! Many times it will not be popular for us individually, and many, many times it will not be popular on a cooperative basis because it places demands on the people of God and the body of Christ, to divest themselves of things which are very comfortable sometimes, and to begin to move into the realms which are unknown, to us that is.

The Bible says “He knows the way that I take, and when he has tried me I Shall come forth like gold”. The way is not unknown to the Almighty.

1 Thessalonians 4:1          Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you

I stopped there and thought, “Why would Paul have to beg and admonish the church of Jesus Christ?” Surely when a man of the stature of Paul, with the confirmation of the thrust of the Spirit through his life, with the fruit of his apostleship comes to a congregation and says, “We beg and admonish you!” We should, by the aid of the Holy Spirit be open and hanging on to every word that the Lord shares with us, so that we determine the route that we need to follow.

1 Thessalonians 4:1          Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us ABOUT HOW YOU OUGHT TO WALK.

Obviously Paul had great difficulty with the church at Thessalonica in their walk also. He said

1 Thessalonians 4:1           We beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life].

To walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice. 1 Thessalonians points this up. But because we live in perilous times and all the signs around about us are confirming this fact, it is important that we understand the need to live in the Spirit. Again I refer to

John 10:27                          The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they FOLLOW ME.

Not only do His sheep hear His voice but they also follow Him. They indeed know how they ought to walk. And so for our very identification, we need to be attuned to the voice of the Spirit, to hear His voice. Because we identify as His sheep, we need to understand the thrust that comes by the Spirit, so that we might follow Him.

There are many people this morning who would claim to be His sheep but here is a test, conclusive proof as to the authenticity of those who would claim to be His sheep. Not only do His sheep hear His voice, but they follow Him. It’s a marvellous place to live, to hear His voice, to be in tune, to hear the instructions, to get the quickening of the Word of God by the Holy Spirit. There is a secure walk that we can engage upon and today when everything around about us is in a state of flux we need to learn to live in the Spirit.

Let me just briefly cover the reasons why.

1              Economically                     We know that our credit rating in Australia has been devalued significantly just recently by all those in financial high places. The Soviet and their satellite countries are seeking after gold and the price of gold is escalating simply because there is no security in any other financial matter.(1990) The Soviets at the moment are the biggest buyers of gold in the world. Japan’s ascendency in financial control of the world is so evident in every realm. We’ve only got to look at television every day of the week and see the collapse of financial entrepreneurial investors in our nation. We live in perilous times.

2              Politically                            Throughout Eastern Europe, Asia and China there is upheaval that is unprecedented both in the geographical diversity and in the united efforts by the people to attain that solidarity that they require. This morning, President Gorbachev is in trouble because the Lithuanians have said “we will no longer accept the rule of Moscow”. We have political upheaval on every hand. The New Guinea government last week authorized the use of whatever force was necessary to quell rebels in New Guinea, right on our own doorstep. We only have to look at the political scene in Australia and it is becoming farcical.

3              Ecologically                        If we go to the ecological situation, we live in perilous times. The number of accidents that are happening to affect our ecology is alarming. We saw that pesticide spill in India just a couple of years ago. Then there was Chernobyl accident where the Russian nuclear power plant blew up. We’ve seen super-tankers spewing their cargo all over the pristine environment of the Arctic areas.

Just recently we looked and saw the patterns of weather that have affected us even right here. I spoke to someone in Melbourne the other day and in the last ten days, they had temperatures which were 45 degrees; storms wreaking havoc right across our nation.

4              Socially                                If we look at the social environment in which we live, we know we are in perilous times. The social irresponsibility that is evidenced today surely must be approaching that which took place in the days of Noah. We have, in fact, a scourge upon us now in AIDs that is reprehensible, overtaking the world. We have homosexual politicians, homosexual ministers and clubs and hotels that cater specifically for the devious. Drug cultivation in our nation now has a turnover which approaches and in many cases exceeds that of publicly listed companies on the stock exchange. We live in perilous times.

5              Spiritually                           If we look at the spiritual situation, spiritual apathy and compromise has diluted the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that the impact of the church today is designed to impinge upon the minds of men and not reach the hearts of men. This spiritual apathy has such far reaching implications that we should be trembling in our boots as we hear the voice of the Spirit say “Come Close!” What do we do? Go on in the same old way.

Ephesians 4:18                 [Listen to and remember this, because it gives us the cause, effect and result of spiritual apathy.]

Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [Here comes the effect] [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] [They can’t live in the Spirit] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature].

Ephesians 4:19                 In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand].

Paul says to the Ephesians, in their spiritual apathy, this is the cause of these things. In their spiritual apathy, they have become callous and past feeling and reckless. They have abandoned themselves to unbridled sensuality

Sensuality for those of us who are not familiar with the finer points of the Word is “a preoccupation with the body and the satisfaction of its desires”. Now that can mean sleep, eating, holidays, whatever. It’s the whole gamut of where self has not been crucified. Spiritual apathy produces that result.

People are dependent upon us and God’s people everywhere today, to provide the “salt” which preserves the earth from total depravity. When God comes back in the person of Jesus Christ and takes the church out, this nation indeed will find that depravity overtakes it. The affects of the antichrist, and sin and depravity will just destroy the whole moral fibre of this universe. We are the salt of the earth, we must be able to know the mind and the direction of the Holy Spirit so that we can be an example to the world at large. We need to rob them of excuse, and to do what we have to to live and walk in the Spirit. People are looking at the church today and saying, “Don’t tell us about it any longer, show us. I want to see this Jesus that you talk about. I want to see Him in the reality that the book talks about and the church has been too impotent to evidence. God is calling a people together. He said: “I will build MY church”, and He is about that work today.

2 Peter 3:10                       But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

Now we concentrate on that, men preach sermons on how the earth is going to be destroyed and all the disasters that will overturn our old orb, but they forget to go on to the next verse which says:

2 Peter 3:11                       Since all these things are thus IN THE PROCESS of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behaviour and devout and godly qualities,

We concentrate on the “graphic” and we overlook the personal appeal that comes to us from Peter here. “What kind of people ought you to be”? Peter goes on. This is how we should be:

2 Peter 3:12                       While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire?

2 Peter 3:13                       But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide. [Isa. 65:17; 66:22.]

How much time have you spent this week looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ? Or is your diary full of activities that you want to put in, things that you have to do, achievements that you want to make, goals that you want to achieve, bank accounts that still don’t reach the level that you anticipate. We need to look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. Peter goes on:

2 Peter 3:14                       So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE FOUND SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS AND AT PEACE WITH HIM.

I can rephrase that this morning and help Peter out and say

“OR MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN THE SPIRIT.”

This demands of us a very careful evaluation of lifestyle, not just in matters spiritual but in every dimension of our lives.

Ephesians 5:15                 Look carefully then how you walk!

Remember when we looked at 1 Thessalonians 4v1, Paul talks about taking care of how we ought to walk. In Ephesians it says Look carefully then, how you walk. No wonder Paul said “we beg and admonish you”.

Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

For those of you reading from the King James Version and find that I use additional words, I am using Amplified Version. Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless….

Didn’t Paul have a way with words? He didn’t say to them. You are unwise and witless! That’s not very nice, but Paul said, “If you don’t live purposefully; if you don’t live accurately; if you don’t live worthily, you are living as the unwise and witless”. He says “I’m categorizing you!” Paul can put it so nicely, the people couldn’t take offense.

Live as wise, intelligent and sensible people.

He goes on

Ephesians 5:16                 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. [or because we live in perilous times].

Ephesians 5:17                 Therefore do not be vague [nobody qualifies for that this morning, do they?] and thoughtless and foolish, [Now this is the contra, the converse. We can either live as the vague or the thoughtless or the foolish or we can qualify to be His sheep this morning and live like this] but UNDERSTANDING AND FIRMLY GRASPING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.

That’s living in the Spirit, “Firmly grasping and understanding what the will of the Lord is. If we understand what the will of the Lord is”, then we will live and walk that way. It requires that we live in the Spirit.

Let‘s carefully explore some of these verses just for a moment.

Look carefully then how you walk, Paul says. Paul assumes that the people to whom he is speaking are active in their pursuit of thing spiritual but he ties the words WALK and LIVE together, nominating that we as God’s people have to have our priorities accurately established. Purposefully, accurately and worthily we are to live and doing so in wisdom.

I’m afraid today, that so many people live their lives as perpetual accidents with nothing considered or thought through, just letting it all happen, not conscious of anything other than that which is the immediate. Now you say “You’re being harsh”, but I think we’ve only got to go back and be a little introspective of our own lives, and see indeed whether we have planned to spend our lives for the glory of God. What have you planned to do today that will exalt the name of Jesus. We’re in church sometimes because that’s what’s expected of us. Others are in church because we love to be there. But there is a greater requirement than that, there is a necessity for us to come together in the house of God, in the thrust of the Spirit, under the Word of God, so that we might live accurately, that we might live purposefully, that we might live worthily. That’s why we’re here. Walking in wisdom requires the particular right use of time, not just the space of time that we have every day, that is available to us, but the fit time. Paul says “making the very most of the time, buying up each opportunity. God gives us opportunity, we’re aware of that from previous studies, God gives gifts, and if He gives gifts, He gives opportunities.

Galatians 6:10                   So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

Ephesians says ”Buying up each opportunity”, when so many of us are giving up each opportunity. How many times do we get the chance to minister life, to speak a word of truth, to be of help to somebody and we pass up the chance. Paul says “Making the most of the time, buying up the opportunities”. He says it again in Galatians. Paul said it to them because the days were evil. Paul indicates that he is aware of the great pressure that is in the direction and the misuse of time and opportunity. I don’t think there is a time that I have been aware of when God’s people are more pressured for time; when there are so much activity demanded of them. I don’t mean just in church things, I mean in every area. It seems that time is so short and so precious, but as Christians, we cannot afford to relax, we have to overcome in that dimension. We have to use every opportunity we have to turn those from darkness to light.

Paul says in Ephesians 5v17 Paul says we need to firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is, we can only do that as we live in the Spirit.

I want to cover just a couple areas, this morning of very practical living. As I contemplated them, I thought, Father I don’t want to go down this route! That is why I said that this walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice because it conflicts so often with what we want to do.

Romans 15:1                     We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak;

Now some people might say “well that excludes me! I’m not of robust faith and strong in my conviction!” Let me tell you, there is always somebody that is weaker or more feeble or more fragile than you are, so there is no excuse or cop out, to say “This doesn’t apply to me.” You are stronger and more robust than somebody else who needs Jesus Christ more than they need their next breath.

Let’s go on in Romans:

[we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES.

I stated that to walk and live in the Spirit is not a popular choice. The book says “We ought to no please ourselves. LET EACH ONE OF US [and here’s another part to underline] MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO PLEASE. I think we should get that made up as a sign and hang it over the pulpit somewhere. MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO PLEASE!

We need to have that engraved upon our subconscious because that is satisfying to God, and if we are aware that that is our task, our calling in life, to satisfy the heart of God, we will then make it a practice to please.

Romans 15:2                     Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbour for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].

Romans 15:3                     For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.

How many folk have you expended yourself for in the past week? I don’t mean doing those things which are required. I know Mums say “I expend myself every day. I wash and I cook and I iron and I clean.” No, I mean expending ourselves in the way that God requires of us. We need to be that living sacrifice so that our neighbour might be built up and strengthened and encouraged and brought into the Kingdom of God. It doesn’t mean that we’ve got to be doormats for other people, but when we are living in the Spirit, we will have the necessary equipment to do what this verse requires. So many times, we are not prepared to subjugate our own interest for the benefit of others, and dare I say, on some occasions we are not prepared to forgo our own interests even to accommodate our responsibilities. Did I say earlier that to walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice?

You see, so often, we have responsibilities but they get shoved back because I want to do something, and I want to do that to my own detriment, come hell or high water, that’s what it looks like too often. How many times have I observed, when people are able to be on time or to be available to eat out or to go visiting or partying, but they are unwilling to relinquish sleep or time or energy to do something which has eternal consequences.

This is also part of learning to walk in the Spirit. So often this is taken and used as a weapon against someone because they don’t have a job. Beloved, that is only part of the story.

2 Thessalonians 3v10            For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

Now he’s not only talking to the unemployed. There are a lot of people today, who have got jobs, who won’t work. Part of the reason for the dilemma of our nation today is the delinquent attitude that Australians have towards work. To live in the Spirit demands that our work be an occasion for God to be glorified, and an opportunity for us to reproach the world by our example. Are you hearing me? I’m talking about work – a four letter word.

I need to address this matter, it’s not intended to embarrass or to intimidate, but I need to faithfully declare the requirements of being able to live in the Spirit in this very basic requirement and demand upon us, or we cannot live in the Spirit. If we are unreliable in our work habits, it is only a reflection of our underlying character.

Luke 16:10                          He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much.

Luke 16:11                          Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches?

Luke 16:12                          And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]?

We need to be faithful stewards of the resources that God entrusts us with. The Book says if you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, we can’t be trusted with spiritual wealth. So many people today are delinquent in their attitudes towards that which they get from the boss each week. Here today and gone tomorrow. They put it in a bag with holes in it. Who will trust you with true riches if you can’t handle them, if you can’t be trusted with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

Paul, when he wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 1v1 [so often when I write to somebody I say, Dear……………….,] because of Paul’s father heart, he even goes much deeper in his salutation at the commencement of the letters he wrote to the churches. Here in this letter to the Ephesians he wrote:

Ephesians 1:1                    PAUL, an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:

If it had been me, I would have come to …the saints at Ephesus “ENTER ENTER”, and continue on, forgoing all the niceties, but Paul added – the faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus.

Paul was speaking to those who understood the demands that were placed upon their lives to walk carefully, to manage their financial resources, to live in their work environment which would glorify God. I cannot condone what has now become enshrined as part of the worker’s rights and that is to take sick leave entitlements just to have a day off when we are not sick. Beloved that is against the principles of the Word of God. Sick leave is placed there as a benefit or a privilege, not to be abused, and God expects us to be above reproach in that. Compounding that difficulty is the popular pattern of being sick to nine o’clock, and once the bell has gone or the siren has sounded, to head off to the beach or go shopping or to go out for lunch. If you’re too sick to go to work, you are too sick to go anywhere else.

To walk in the Spirit is not a popular choice. If you are sick, and by nine o’clock you feel better, go to work. I didn’t hear one amen!!!

Time off to do our own thing is contrary to the principles of the Word of God. Do you still love me? You’ve got to!

1 Timothy 4:12                  Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth,

I don’t believe that Paul was telling Timothy this for his benefit alone. All Scripture is given, is God breathed and it is for our benefit in every dimension.

but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Our work habits are part of our conduct, and we need to be a pattern for those around about us.

Titus 2:7                              And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness.

IN ALL RESPECTS – not just while you are in church, while singing or praying or speaking, but in all respects; at work, at home, at play, in the office, at school, wherever.

Titus 2:8                              And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.

It doesn’t mean that they won’t try. Now listen to this.

Titus 2:9                              [Tell] bond servants [that is anyone who puts their hand out for some money at the end of the week] to be submissive to their masters, to be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. [Warn them] not to talk back or contradict,

Titus 2:10                            Nor to steal by taking things of small value, but to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching [which is] from and about God our Saviour.

If you take half a dozen screws from work and go home and fix the hinge, that is out of order.

Genesis 5:24                     And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].

What a reputation to have. What a commendation!

Amos 3:3                            How can two walk together unless they be agreed?

Enoch walked with God. He was obviously in complete agreement with God and God was in complete agreement with Enoch, or else they couldn’t walk together. To walk with God is to always set God before us and to so act because His eye is continually upon us. [His eye is upon the sparrow and so I know he watches over me]. (Matthew 10:29) It is to make God’s Word our rule, and the glory of God our end in everything we do, it is to make our constant care and concern and endeavour in everything to please God and not to offend Him in anything. To comply with His will, we need to concur with His designs and we need to cooperate with his work. For Enoch not only walked after God, as most good men do, Enoch walked with God. ENOCH WALKED AS IF HE WAS IN HEAVEN ALREADY.

Philippians 1:21                For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].

Philippians 1:22                If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose],

Philippians 1:23                But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better;

Philippians 1:24                But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake.

Paul said, Hang on guys. I need to walk in the Spirit, not just for my own benefit but I need to so it is for your benefit. This city depends upon God’s people of every church, depends upon them being able to walk in the Spirit, be faithful and reliable, to set the example and the pattern so that this city can say “there goes Jesus Christ in man’s form, walking in the Spirit. Most of us want to play it safe, hanging on to our friends and our hobbies, at least our hobby-horses. Consequently, most of the church of Jesus Christ today has settled for a life of compromise. We have some of God, but not all of God, He has some of us, but not all of us, and consequently we lead a tepid life, and we try to disguise with bright smiles or up-tempo choruses or emotionally stimulating exercises that are supposed to be worship and all it does is mask the spiritual destitution of the church at large. It depends on us today and our ability to live and walk in the Spirit.

 

oOo

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #1 ROSS SMITH

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT #1                                                                          ROSS SMITH

ALL REFERENCES USED IN THIS STUDY ARE FROM THE AMPLIFIED VERSION

I have spent time this week contemplating the route which the Lord would take us and I feel inclined and compelled to study the theme of “WALKING IN THE SPIRIT”. This morning will only be an introduction to that, for we need to go into it in depth, for indeed the Lord is calling us to a walk which is IN the Spirit and BY the Spirit. We are not under any misapprehension of both the need and the possibility to walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5: 25                   If we live by the (Holy) Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. If by the (Holy) Spirit we have our life [in God], let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.

Earlier in this chapter in v 16 Paul says

Galatians 5:16                    But I say, walk and live habitually in the (Holy) Spirit – responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh – of human nature without God.

Now this is a dimension that is available to us. The thing we do not understand is that dimension or the degree of both our submission and the Lord’s response to the person who dares to walk in the Spirit. I say DARE because it is a walk that has no clearly defined parameters, for if there were standard rules and regulations under which we were expected to abide, it would no longer be by the Spirit, but it would be by the mind. To walk in the Spirit and by the Spirit is a new dimension for most of Christendom, but I hasten to add that because there are no rules or no parameters that are established that clearly define that walk, there is no license given to any person to make their own rules and their own regulations. It is a walk that is DIRECTED and GUIDED and CONTROLLED by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are aware of some of the results even though we are unfamiliar with the means. God always acts like Himself and therefore if we are to walk in the Spirit, it will be expected that we also will act like God acts. We have, as the assurance of this ability and this possibility, Emmanuel. The word means GOD WITH US.

Matthew 1:23                    Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which when translated means, GOD WITH US.

We as God’s people can live and walk in the Spirit because God is with us. We are, however, more acutely aware of the NEED to walk in the Spirit than we are of the POSSIBILITY. And because of the imperative demands for us to achieve this goal, I feel compelled to address this subject, and as we proceed we will determine to what depth we have to go.

Firstly, as an introduction, I just want to explore some of the reasons why we may fail to attempt this walk. We don’t try so often to walk in the Spirit for many reasons. Then, secondly, in the days to come, we will look at the need to walk in the Spirit, and then we will come to that area of the possibility of walking and living in the Spirit.

Why is it then that we don’t attempt to walk in the Spirit?

Firstly, as we approach this question, I don’t want us to think that this question is being directed at us as a personal affront. We need to see what constitutes the general malaise of the church at large and the majority of Christendom that prevents the church from being effective. The church for so long has been impotent, and we need to review those attitudes and activities, those doctrines and principles and pedantics that interfere with God’s way. Man has intruded into the realm of God’s way.

1              The church has lost its consciousness of the divine presence. We sing HOLY SPIRIT YOU ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE. We sing the song and before we get to the next song, or the reading of the Word, our mind is off on some diversion. We have lost the divine consciousness. It’s obvious that the church lacks that reverential fear and again, I suggest, that the heathen show more respect for their sacred sites than the people of God do for the Holy Spirit in their midst. We see tremendous upheaval in our nation as our aboriginal population declare that this is a sacred site and they go to great lengths to preserve the sacred nature of it even though it may be occult.

How then have we lost this consciousness? It has occurred in several ways.

A             There are the programmes

B             Then there are the promotions

C             The personalities and

D             The pedantic.

Let us look briefly at these.

The programmes of the church today are just not producing the sort of Christian who can experience and appreciate the life that follows a walk in the Spirit. The whirring of the wheels of the church programmes blocks out the still small voice of the Spirit. The church is so hyperactive, being there, doing this, engaged in all these other things and we cannot hear the voice of the Spirit.

In Psalm 46:10   Let be and be still and know that I am God.

So often, we want to nag away at the problem. We want to, like a little fox terrier, snap at the heels of the problem. The book says, LET BE and be still. That’s the reason so often that we can’t BE STILL because we are not prepared to LET IT BE.

The Psalmist goes on to say, that if we can do that:-

I [God] will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

Oh that that might be the experience in the church, that God would be high and lifted up, and then it will be like a contagion that will spread out into the nation round about. It is a condition [this being still and know that I am God] that is almost foreign to the church today.

1 Kings 19:11                      And He said, Go out and stand on the Mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earth quake;

1 Kings 19:12                      And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still small voice.

We have to go come to that place again when we’re going to walk in the Spirit and live in the dimensions that God requires of us, that we’re able to hear that still small voice and not just the rush and the noise of the day and indeed of the programmes of the church. I don’t suggest for one minute that there must not be order in the church. Any church which tries to operate without the direction and guidance of both the Holy Spirit and God’s appointees surely looks for difficulties.

We have studied in depth that area of 1 Corinthians 14 and we have seen precisely the order that God requires in the church. To walk in the Spirit is an INWARD CONTROL not an outward programme.

Then, we’ve lost the consciousness of God because of the promotion of the church. There are so many different promotions of what will solve your problems, individually, for your business, for your home, your marriage, for your church, and all these promotions have been going on now for eons and yet none of them have worked. There is sacred dance, portrayed today as worship. There is presumption which is purveyed as faith, that SPEAK IT AND YOU CAN HAVE IT MENTALITY. That goes against the principles of the Word of God. There are church growth promotions cultivated in compromise because numbers are the criteria and not holiness. Churches can have great congregations, but God is not coming back for great congregations. He’s coming back for a church without spot or blemish.

Then there is enthusiasm disguised as anointing. All things contribute to the breakdown of the consciousness of God in the midst. The Bible gives us quite graphic expressions of these sorts of exercises.

2 Timothy 3:5                     They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.

2 Peter 2:17                        These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.

We have got to experience and express the reality of Jesus Christ to a nation that is looking for something to pin their hopes on, to stake their lives on and to see indeed a turnaround of the conditions that exist in this generation.

You see, publicity is no substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are walking in the Spirit however, it will be noised abroad. You can believe it. When it first comes to the place where the Spirit of God is embraced and where He is welcomed, that will be noised abroad, because it will be a church that owns Jesus as Lord, not just by name but by behaviour, not just by profession but by performance.

The church has had difficulty with personalities. Fortunately, we have been less afflicted with this problem in Australia than some of the overseas nations. But there are still many churches even in this nation that still revolve around a man instead of the person of Jesus Christ. This is why I am so grateful that God raises up the ministries, and for that no man can take any credit. You see, people are not taught or encouraged to stand and walk in the strength of the Lord for themselves, to become effective as ministers in their own right. God has called us to that.

Ephesians 4:11                  And His gifts were varied. He appointed and gave men to us, some to be apostles and prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers.

Ephesians 4:12                  His intention was for the perfecting and full equipping of the saints, His consecrated people.

WHAT FOR?

Ephesians 4:13                  That they should do the work of ministry toward building up Christ’s body.

No longer can we embrace the fact that there is a laity and a hierarchy in the church. We are all parts of the Body of Christ and if we, as individuals, begin to walk in the Spirit, there will be that union of the church that has never been known since the day of Pentecost. Do you want it?

Most of the above responsibilities we can off-load on to the other people. We can say “I just happen to be there. I’ve been affected by what’s going on”. But, if we are going to walk and live in the Holy Spirit, now is the time to stop passing the buck. We have to do it as individuals before God. I get so tired of folk who have it altogether so well that they can sit on the fence and throw stones on both sides. They lack the intestinal fortitude to put on the whole armour of Christ and expose themselves to the wars that are being conducted in and by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says “We wrestle not against flesh and blood by against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places”, and God is looking for the man and the woman who will stand up and be counted, not content to snipe at each other but to put on the whole armour of Christ – to be equipped as we should be.

We need to forget the skirmishes in the mundane. We need to get out of the area of the mental. We need to get into that dimension where there is spiritual war. And when I am talking about spiritual war, I’m not talking about clapping the devil out of town or hissing him out of the church. That ‘spiritual warfare’ that has been going on in various areas for years now and has nothing to do with what God wants to do to defeat the enemy. He will do it by the operation of the power of the Spirit within us, not just by some process that the church gets involved in.

We get so involved in the pedantic and the semantics that those folk, and we qualify so often, are no longer a threat to the devil but in many cases, we are his assistants. You don’t need me to describe those sorts of people to you for they are very obvious. They lack credibility. One thing will happen however when we do walk in the Spirit. There will be less of this criticism because people will be cautious to contend with that which they see and know to be of God. In the book of Acts, it says that this company of people “dirst not join themselves” with God’s people. Why? Because they were reverberating with the throb and the thrust of the Spirit of God. They knew because they were quickened by the Spirit to understand and know the ways and the means of men.

God will allow men to succeed when that particular man has learned that success does not make him any dearer to God. He’s no more precious to God. It doesn’t make him any more valuable in the overall scheme of things. You see that’s where it differs to man’s values. We think that success comes because of great numbers, or because of missionary programmes or because of the volume of Bibles sent into some heathen nation. All these things whilst commendable, can be done without the help of the Holy Spirit. You’ve only got to go to some football match in Melbourne and you’ll see a crowd. It has to do with religious fervor but it has nothing to do with spiritual character. Any man can have success in religious circles today if he has a good personality and a shrewd knowledge of human nature. He can manipulate and produce a result that in men’s eyes seems to be a success.

The honour that God bestows upon a man who wills and wants to emulate the person of Jesus Christ, that‘s the man and woman that God is looking for in this fellowship, a person who will say “I will be what he wants me to be regardless of the cost” – and there will be a cost.   It’s going to cause sharp divisions in the church of Jesus Christ in this day and generation, for although the doctrines proposed might be the same, the methods, and the objectives and the techniques will all be opposed to proper spiritual attitudes.

The man who walks in the Spirit, when we go to 1 Corinthians 2:15, it says of the spiritual man, ‘nobody understand him’. Spiritual men are not meant to be understood, just respected. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:12)

We have a problem in the evangelical realm. It’s not longer evangelistic, it’s evangel – astic. You can stretch the thing to suit the particular situation.

Evangelism today uses the methods of the world whereby Hollywood has more influence on the younger generation of today, than Jerusalem ever had on the people of that era. Young people admire the stars today and not the saints, and they use them for their example. So many of the stars have claimed to be born again Christians for one reason and one reason alone. It gives them another niche in the market. Anybody involved in the music scene will tell you that. In many cases, it is just a cheap representation of the reality of Jesus Christ. When we begin to walk and live in the Holy Spirit then our lives will reprove and convict them without speaking a word.

We’ve come so far in our pursuit of God, and so often we’ve built up the altars that have been broken down. I know that we can all identify with this because the Spirit of God has so often moved amongst us and we’ve come in repentance; we’ve come to be restored into right relationship with God. We’ve determined that I’m going to go through here and I’m not going to let anything interfere with me. And we’ve laid out the pieces upon the altar, but one thing has been lacking on every occasion and that’s the fire. The Bible tells me in

Matthew 3:11    I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance – that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways with abhorrence of your past sins; but He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and WITH FIRE.

We’ve seen the baptism in the Holy Spirit, now we need to see the fire. Not the fire of zeal and fervor, but that fire of the Spirit that indeed overturns the ways and means and methods of men and brings the church alive in such a dimension that the whole nation is agog because God is in the midst of His people.

We don’t lack teachers today, the Bible says that we’ve to ten thousand teachers and very few fathers. (1 Corinthians 4:15) But the church proliferates with men who can expound the Word and the fundamentals of God with great oratory but they lack the fire. The apostle Paul had that attitude of heart which enabled him to walk and live in the Spirit when he declared his innermost ambitions when he penned the letter to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 3:10                 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of His Person] more strongly and more clearly. And That I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

Philippians 3:11                 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

This is Paul’s ambition. He’s saying that nothing is important to me any longer except that I want to know Christ. And if it means that I have to share in the fellowship of His sufferings and become like Him in His death, so be it.

So that “SOMEHOW” to attain to the resurrection of the dead. Paul is saying that there is no formula. There is no book of rules whereby I can say “This is step one, this is step two etc. He said SOMEHOW attain to the resurrection from the dead. He knew the route, “that I might know Him”.

This demands of us a different lifestyle. We have to make that renunciation of THINGS so that that perpetual communion with God is not jarred by the soulish part of us demanding attention and clamoring for recognition. We have to ascend into the realms of spiritual sensitivity. Now that dimension is not some spooky, ethereal, vague or vacuous state, and it certainly has nothing to do with the psyche. Let’s make sure that we don’t get into that area. When we ascend into realms of spiritual excellence, it has nothing to do with the psyche.

John when he penned his gospel wrote in

John 6:63                            It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.

Ern Baxter, in the way that he can crystallize the thoughts of the Word of God so often says, “The flesh is the inclination in our nature to self-gratifying behavior.” It is the Spirit that gives life. That self-gratifying behavior contributes nothing. No longer can we be content with the shallow logic but we must be like the Psalmist who wrote

Psalm 42:1                          As the hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.

I wonder how often have you felt that panting in your Spirit? Have you found that the routes that you walk seem to be so barren and dry with no spiritual satisfaction. Certainly there’s plenty to satisfy the mind, the ego, but nothing satisfies like Jesus Christ in His fullness and totality. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We need to crave the waters.

To walk in the Spirit is a rewarding experience. Not rewarding in temporal terms, but the satisfaction is in knowing God. The ambition for temporal gain is contrary to walking in the Spirit. That Adamic nature, that characteristic that came through the fall of man is evidenced when those personal pronouns of I, MY, ME and MINE are still very vigorous in our vocabulary. When MY and MINE keep coming up, these are verbal symptoms of a deep disease.

Matthew 16:24               Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests]

Deny himself can have two connotations.

• It can indicate that we no longer consider that we have any reputation of ourselves.

Many months ago we saw that WE CAN HAVE NO PREFERENCES. Jesus said in John 5v30 “I don’t do anything of myself but only as I get My orders. Matthew says, If a man is going to follow Jesus Christ, he must deny himself.

2              We must do away with all those selfish aspects of our nature, that which I want. We need to deny ourselves those things. Somebody said recently that the quickest way to kill a habit was to starve it to death. So often we battle and fight and wrestle with things that are inappropriate in our life. Starve it, deny yourself.

Matthew 16:24                 and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

That’s walking and living in the Spirit, when we follow Him.

Matthew 16:25                For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

I want to close with just a quick reflection on the Tabernacle of old. It demonstrates so beautifully the route and journey of the soul from the paths of sin into the very presence of the Almighty. When we look at the old Tabernacle we see that that returning sinner must first enter into the outer court. There was the blood sacrifice carried out on the brazen altar in the outer area. After the sacrifice he moved past the laver and out of the laver he took the water, and he washed. We know that the Word of God is represented by the washing of the laver. After he’s passed by the laver he was then able to go through the veil into the Hoy Place. In that Holy place, no natural light was able to enter, but that area was illuminated by the golden candlestick. That golden candlestick represents Jesus Christ, the light of the world. And also in that Holy Place was the Shewbread to tell that Jesus is also the Bread of Life. There was also the Altar of incense. This was a figure of unceasing prayer, and I recall that the Word says that men ought always to pray and not to faint. Paul says “be unceasing in prayer”. That Altar of Incense represents that unceasing prayer. Unfortunately it is at this point that most of the church has sat down and relaxed. We have enjoyed that incredible provision God has made for us. But we have failed to see that there is another dimension into which we must enter.

That is into the presence of God.

Another veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and when you went into that area, (once a year) there above the Mercy Seat dwelt the presence of God himself in awful and glorious manifestation and again, there was no illumination from any external source. No candlestick in the Holy of Holies.

Revelation 21:23              And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate it, and the Lamb is its lamp.

That is what illuminated the Holy of Holies. In that day and generation, only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies, and that but once a year. With him, he had to take the blood of the sacrifice which was prepared for his sins and for the sins of the people and he went in fear and trembling because if he hadn’t fulfilled his obligations in the outer area then he paid with his life.

Christ gave up His life for you and I on Calvary, and the rending of that veil has enabled every worshipper in every denomination in every city in every nation to go in and come by this new and living way into the very presence of the Almighty, to recover the consciousness of God that the church has lost through many different causes. God’s will is that we should press in and push on into this presence, and not just to move in and taste it, but to live in it. It is to be known as a conscious experience and not just a doctrinal expression. It is a life that we need to live every moment of every day.

Paul wrote to the Hebrews and gave them a very succinct instruction. He said

Hebrews 13:13  Let us go forth therefore, unto Him without the camp, bearing the cost.

Meaning, let us get outside those restrictions which prevent us from being in communion with Jesus Christ through the power of the Spirit.

 

oOo

 

CHRISTIAN VERSATILITY ROSS SMITH

CHRISTIAN VERSATILITY                                                                                                                                ROSS SMITH

Christian versatility is not a God given ability, the Bible calls it “double mindedness”, the psychiatrist calls it “multiple personality”. But it is in fact simply an inability to establish the priority and stick to it.

The term double-minded comes from the Greek word dipsuchos, meaning “a person with two minds or souls.” A double-minded person is someone who is constantly living in a state of compromise, or in a state of frequent doubt, is easily distracted, and seeks those activities that gratify that state of mind, procrastinates or defers tasks requiring attention. It is characterized in God’s Word as “Instability in everything”.

The church seems to think that it has to “adapt” or become versatile in their methods today to be relevant to the age we live in. The music, the flashing lights, the rock bands, mirror balls, wide screen TV projection, and many other “aids” to ministry that do not appear in the Word of God are seen as necessary. It has the concept that if we combine the best of the world with the best of the church then we have the best of both worlds, but the problem lies in the fact that no precise, definite, accurate route is able to be selected, because the elements of each alternative have to be accommodated.

But the bible is precise in the description of the God Who rules over His church, do I need to emphasise “His Church”? It says in

Malachi 3:6-7                            FOR I AM THE LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, How shall we return?

Does this not suggest that the church has forgotten that Father is changeless and that His means and methods are adequate, and that our excursions into an “enhanced gospel” are necessary to achieve His intended result.

The bible puts it like this:-

Zephaniah 2:3                             Seek the Lord [inquire for Him, inquire of Him, and require Him as the FOREMOST NECESSITY OF YOUR LIFE], all you humble of the land who have acted in compliance with His revealed will (this is in fact “OBEDIENCE” … see study “Obedience, the Garb of a Disciple”) and have kept His commandments; seek righteousness, seek humility [inquire for them, require them as vital]. It may be you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.

I particularly like the parallels this verse brings up as Part A and the Part B , as follows:-

PART A                                               PART B

 

SEEK THE LORD                                  SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS

INQUIRE FOR HIM                               SEEK HUMILITY

INQUIRE OF HIM                                  INQUIRE FOR THEM

REQUIRE HIM                                        REQUIRE THEM

FOREMOST NECESSITY                     AS VITAL

 

This verse does not make allowance for “preference” but refers to a particular class of people, a rather elite class may I suggest, and this is not from a judgemental perspective, but from some very personal introspection. The initial description is of those persons who not only HAVE HUMILITY, but PRACTICE HUMILITY. We fail in this respect sometimes because we are not sure how “Humility” works, but without this characteristic, a potent characteristic of the nature of the Lord, then we don’t qualify for the promise “you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger”.

Where Amplified Bible uses the term “all you humble” the KJV says “all ye meek of the earth”. You may recall from the study “Obedience, the Garb of a Disciple”, that “Humility” was a cloak that was worn over the undergarment of obedience. True humility is an excellent grace, it is the clothing and ornament of a Christian, nor is there anything that makes a man more like Christ, than this grace. And 1 Peter 5:5 says we should be “clothed with humility”. This garment is obvious, not like the undergarment of obedience, which is worn proudly but unobtrusively under all other garments, humility is not just a state of mind but a practiced habit. Peter goes on to say that this is “the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance”. (What a simple description of “HUMILITY”, freedom from pride and arrogance?)

This provides us with an opportunity to evidence that STABILITY that attends a committed disciple, it eliminates that double mindedness and uncertainty that so frequently pervades and poisons men with instability, and there is that underlying confidence and assuredness that is a hallmark of the humble. It is not flaunted but is identifiable by the nature of the one pursuing the goal of Zephaniah 2:3, obvious because there is no trace of exalting oneself.

James 3:13B “the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.” Humility is not hospitality, courtesy, or a kind and friendly demeanor, the world can do these things far better than we can at times. Humility has nothing to do with being weak, or indecisive. God says when you are humble, you are “free from pride and arrogance”, and you can be humble because you know that in your flesh you are inadequate and imperfect, yet you also know who you are in Christ, a new creature, and made in His image and likeness, and are strong and can do exploits because we know our God.

Zephaniah goes on to expand this concept. So often we have been taught of the Lord, either by His discipline, by His Word, or by preaching, what is the direction we are required to adopt. He says, “who have acted in compliance with His revealed will”. We have no excuse In the way we walk, for we are not just casually acquainted with “His revealed will”, but are acutely aware of many things that require adjustment or maintenance in our spiritual life. It only becomes irrelevant if we are not concerned to appropriate the promise Zephaniah specifies, and dare I suggest that in the climate of the days we live, we need that hiding place when God’s anger is manifest.

Isaiah 33:6                           And wisdom and knowledge shall be the STABILITY (Not “VERSATILITY”, but a settledness emerging from “wisdom and knowledge”   … comments mine) of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Lamentations 3:23                 They are new every morning; GREAT AND ABUNDANT IS YOUR STABILITY and faithfulness.

And now contrast what John says about “VERSATILITY” using different terms but clarifying some of the characteristics.

1 John 2:16                          For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or IN THE STABILITY OF EARTHLY THINGS]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].

Do we evidence the priority that Zephaniah declares, that “FOREMOST NECESSITY OF YOUR LIFE, it all comes from the parallels that the Prophet identifies over and over in this one verse, SEEK, INQUIRE, REQUIRE, ——- AS A FOREMOST NECESSITY OR AS VITAL.

Here we have another description of “VERSATILITY” condemned by Elijah when he challenged the people because they couldn’t make up their mind.

1 Kings 18:21                         Elijah came near to all the people and said, HOW LONG WILL YOU HALT AND LIMP BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word.

Why didn’t they answer him, because they had no defence of their position, and we also often qualify, but there is no wriggle room in our pursuit of righteousness and all that that contains. Man has developed a unique ability to try and circumvent the requirements of God’s Word, that’s why we have so many “religions” and so few “Disciples”. Any scripture may be distorted to fit our vacillation of commitment if it is lifted out of the overall context of the Word, but if we “have acted in compliance with His revealed will” we will avoid these pitfalls.

2 Peter 3:16                     Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which THE IGNORANT AND UNSTABLE TWIST AND MISCONSTRUE TO THEIR OWN UTTER DESTRUCTION, JUST AS [THEY DISTORT AND MISINTERPRET] THE REST OF THE SCRIPTURES.

James paints a lovely picture of “VERSATILITY”, on the one hand (PART A) the person does the right thing, but then quickly reverts to his earthly instincts. He is not insincere in his initial pursuits for he “looks carefully” and then “thoughtfully observes himself” BUT QUICKLY FORGETS. Now James goes on however to describe in fine detail (PART B) what Zephaniah 2 has covered in one verse.

James 1:23-25 (PART A)             For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. (PART B) But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

This is the same as mentally assenting and mouthing spiritual terms and not putting them into practice. We have Christians like that, you only have to inspect the fruit of their lives, or listen to their unguarded conversation, and their “VERSATILITY” soon becomes obvious and their “STABILITY” is obscure.

Conversely, there are some spiritual attributes that have some commendable VERSATILITY, such as those specified in James 3:17, “easy to be entreated, not partial, not hypocritical”. But if you think that these traits are easy to come by then I suggest that we have to reconsider our position, they have to become a “Foremost necessity” and also become “Vital” as we seek and inquire and require.

Isaiah33:6                          AND THERE SHALL BE STABILITY IN YOUR TIMES, an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is your treasure and His.

Psalm 119:137                      “[RIGIDLY] RIGHTEOUS ARE YOU, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments and all expressions of Your will.”

This verse does not indicate any “adaptations” to the world around us, or the circumstances, or the denomination, or any other factor, and if Father Himself is characterised in this manner, as rigidly righteous, then maybe we should also revisit our methods to see that we have not compromised in any way the purity of the Gospel, or the manner of delivery. We often hear the advice “GO BACK TO THE BASICS”. I am not sure that I agree with that sentiment, although when the church displays such aberrant behaviour one has to wonder if they have embraced the basics.

A good foundation is paramount, and the bible espouses this sentiment in different places, and under these circumstances there is a requirement for ”THE BASICS”. The uncompromised Word of God forms the “BASICS” for the “STABILITY” of both the individual and the church. But it is the advanced techniques that work, called “FUNDAMENTALS, not the basics. What do I mean by “FUNDAMENTALS”?

Instead of lumping “BASICS” and “FUNDAMENTALS” together as many people do, we can use them to identify two very different things. A basic is a starting point in teaching and while a basic can very much be a component part, it is generally thought of as an introduction to larger issues. I can be shown the principles or the methods, or the teachings, but until I put them into practice they are only “BASICS”, but when I apply them they become “FUNDAMENTALS” to my life and the way I live.

And so this is where a major component of “CHRISTIAN VERSATILITY” occurs, because we have not “GONE ON”, but have carried on!!

Hebrews 6:1                       THEREFORE LET us GO ON and get past the elementary stage (or in my terms, the “BASICS” … comments mine) in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), ADVANCING (or implementing the “FUNDAMENTALS” … comments mine)steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God,

Paul goes on to describe what these “BASICS” or “ELEMENTARY” patterns are, and I would suggest that while ever we stagnate at this level then our attitude to maturity can at best be ambivalent, and our fruit at best can be nothing more than the flower bud waiting the be able to bloom when the conditions are conducive (to us) and where the church seeks to adapt because of this lack of real power and authority that rightly belongs to those who have learned the basics but apply the fundamentals. Paul says,

Verse 2 With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [THESE ARE ALL MATTERS OF WHICH YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN FULLY AWARE LONG, LONG AGO.]

Verse 3                            If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to ADVANCED TEACHING]. (or, the advanced techniques that work, called “fundamentals”, not “basics” … comments mine)

Vacillate, a similar term to “Versatile”, means to waver, hesitate, be indecisive, dither, think twice, fluctuate, and any of these patterns should be alien to those who would avoid the pitfalls of supposed “CHRISTIAN VERSATILITY”.

 

oOo

MAINTENANCE ROSS SMITH

MAINTENANCE                                                                                                ROSS SMITH

 

PDF Version

MAINTENANCE – ROSS SMITH – 160116.Update

 

My attention was captured by the scripture in 1 Timothy 4, and the implications and enhancements it offers our spiritual progress.

1Timothy 4:15 PRACTICE (practice is required to produce ability   … comments mine) and CULTIVATE (cultivation is required to produce fruit …   comments mine) and MEDITATE (meditation is required to produce ministry) upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.

“Everybody” is all embracing, it is not just friends, or Christians we know, but “EVERYBODY” should be able to see our progress. But progress is not possible without maintenance, for all activity has a cost associated, either repair or enhancement, and as Disciples there is an opportunity for us to continue to develop our relationship by the maintenance of principles we have been privileged to learn.

So often we are prompted by the spirit, or spoken to by God’s word, and for a time we are faithful in implementing the direction, but for inexplicable reason, we sometimes neglect those areas that Father has addressed in our lives. That’s when “MAINTENANCE” is required, we need to regularly look back over our progress, or our study, or our hectic lifestyle, and carry out some repair work so that we don’t fall back in any way.

Nehemiah found this when the wall of the city was breached and neglected, and it then became an onerous task because of the accumulated detritus. The bible says in Nehemiah 4:10 “And [the leaders of] Judah said, The strength of the burden bearers is weakening, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall.” If we defer our own spiritual maintenance then there is the potential for other “rubbish” to take up valuable space, to the detriment of both ourselves and the body of Christ.

This principle was further enhanced by:-

Nehemiah 10:39B We will not forsake or neglect the house of our God.

This verse is speaking of the maintenance of the Temple in Nehemiah’s time, but I see it as having relevance to us.

Firstly, it is comforting to see the progress on the refurbishing of the church hall, because we have been entrusted with these facilities and have a responsibility to the Lord. It also shows that we care about the things of the Lord, even though these are just material matters and will perish with time, but carry a much greater significance in our attitude towards Father and His providence.

Secondly, and more importantly, the Bible says “your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit”. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Consequently, Nehemiah 10:30 is applicable to our life.

This is not in the bathing, feeding, clothing, resting, “beauty parlouring” that this refers, but to the sanctuary of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Whilst also the outer man is just “material matter” and will perish, we need to use our body for His glory, and evidence our care in the way we live. More than that, we need to engage in continual refurbishing of our spiritual body because of the wear and tear created by our participation in daily life. This neglect is generally unintentional but totally unacceptable. And it also requires that we make every effort to maintain our health by whatever means it requires, as sometimes sickness is due to our neglect.

Proverbs 18:9 He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavours to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

That is why the comments applicable to first Timothy 4:15 come sharply into focus, and in table form they look like this:-

*Practice is required to produce ability

*Cultivation is required to produces fruit

*MEDITATION IS REQUIRED TO PRODUCE MINISTRY

Now we have to realise that “MINISTRY” is not just preaching, teaching, leading, bible study, and all those things that the church has long regarded as ministry, but to everything that we are called to do. This involves “MAINTENANCE” both of our own lives and in the lives of this we are called to minister to. Our temporal homes require regular maintenance, and likewise our spiritual temples require attention. We are called upon to “build up the body of Christ”.

A classic example of this is found in Nehemiah, for there was an ordinance in those days that each family were allocated a period in the year when they were responsible to bring the wood for the altar. It was not just a task but a celebration. Josephus mentions ‘the festival of wood-offering’ on the fourteenth day of the fifth month , when all the people were accustomed to bring wood for the altar. This was their ministry and their maintenance of the fuel supply for the altar.(Beyond Today)

Nehemiah 10:34 We also cast lots–the priests, the Levites, AND THE PEOPLE–for the wood offering, (Josephus calls it the – “Festival of wood offering .. comments mine) to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at appointed times year by year, to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.

To avoid the neglect that so often attends the “Temple of the Holy Spirit” in the form of daily refurbishment, and provisioning, it is convenient to explore how to avoid “neglect”.

Firstly, and appropriately, in the previous verse in 1 Timothy 4, verse 14, we are reminded, “Do not NEGLECT the gift which is in you”. In Hebrews 2:3 we are cautioned “How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we NEGLECT and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation”. In Hebrews 2:13 and 16 we are adjured not to NEGLECT hospitality, kindness and good”, some good pointers.

So I need a plan that will assist me to engage in this continual and progressive work of refurbishment, so that the “Temple of the Holy Spirit” will be kept in good order, just as those in Nehemiah’s time were cognisant of that need, and never be guilty of NEGLECT.

By combining the instruction of 1 Timothy 4 and Nehemiah 10 we have a clue, and I suggest it may be something like this.

When we read God’s Word each day, it is supposed to be like “A fire and a Hammer”, (Jeremiah 23:29), or like a scalpel (Hebrews 4:12) and so there is always some important message that we need to identify in our reading, EVERY DAY. It often won’t be material for a sermon or a study, but will certainly be encouragement or correction, and often it will be direction, but will always be important, and can be carried in our heart and mind all day.

Whatever it is, we need to both mentally and physically (in our journal) record that verse, or part thereof, and then “MEDITATE” all day long on that scripture, for in doing so we accomplish three things.

 

 

1. We get to hide God’s Word in our heart
2. We get to produce MINISTRY
3. We “maintain” our lives in accordance with God’s Word

 

Why do I suggest that we meditate on it all day, well the Psalmist knew it was good for him, so he set a very good example, and it is so important that it features right at the start of his encouragement in Psalm 1:2, he meditates “day and night”.

Secondly with God’s Word resonating in our mind it saves us from “sinning against Him” (Psalm 119:11) And so this brings us right back to where we started, that we need to, in my words, “Maintain the Temple”

 

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and RENEW a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

 

The refurbishment of the physical temple ensured its longevity, and the refurbishment of our spiritual temple will provide eternal longevity. The result of a PERSEVERING AND STEADFAST SPIRIT.

oOo

LEGACY ROSS SMITH

LEGACY                                                                                                               ROSS SMITH   200216

We are inclined to allow our imagination to take some exercise when we hear the word “LEGACY” conjuring up thoughts of houses and land, or some large bank account, left to us by some philanthropic long lost relative who has made their fortune, and sat on it, just to leave it to me. Well there has been no such luck in my experience, and knowing most of my rellies fairly well, there will be no endowment that would take my life a different route, should that be my inclination.

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance [Of Moral Stability And Goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.

But if we understand the true meaning of “LEGACY” we will probably live more carefully, live more productively and live more urgently. A family bequest often brings with it lots of problems, some feel they deserved more, some think the other should not have received anything, and then there are those disputes over property, down to favourite cups and saucers. Natural legacies can be as divisive as they are diverse, and so are a complete contradiction to what the Lord is looking for in His people.

We have the opportunity to leave a legacy that has no monetary value but has an intrinsic value that cannot be measured by temporal means, has no resale value, but has consequences that will be recognised in the values of eternity.

How rich do we feel? I am not referring to the size of salary, nor a share portfolio, not a superannuation fund of consequence, they count for nothing compared with what Legacy we have been afforded, and privileged to be the Legatee of a generous and providential God. In this earthly dimension He has bequeathed such richness upon us, but looks for us to act in accordance with His nature and character so that we honour His reputation.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

The one thing the world craves is PEACE, on a global scale, on a national front, in our social environment and particularly in the home. But the devil is hell bent on making capital whilst there is still opportunity, and our media accommodates his advertising with gusto. But we have no such threat, we have been handed a legacy that we cannot imagine, but we have to embrace the privilege by “DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED”. Notice how unlike the Benefactor are the characteristics of those who have been afforded the legacy but have not taken it up, “agitated, disturbed fearful, intimidated, cowardly, unsettled”.

Often we would rather have our benefactors with us, (the disciples went through this sensation,) than for us to become beneficiaries, because those who have such concern for our ongoing comfort and well being are so often our very precious relatives or friends. But our Father has even considered this aspect and has included in his bequest the following.

John14:18 I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.

There are various attitudes that exist in relations to a legacy, some children suggest to their parents that they should spend their savings and enjoy the latter part of their life, whilst others are jealous that maybe mum or dad is going overboard and spending my inheritance. This is amusingly referred to as “SKI-ing”, or Spending the Kids Inheritance. This however is a very small percentage of the older generation that would think like this, always in the back of parents minds is, how can I provide a decent legacy for my children when I pass away.

Matthew 7:11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

Ministry gifts and Spiritual gifts are a lasting legacy to the church….. He gave good gifts to men

“Legacy” and “Memorials” are two different things but can have similar characteristics. The definition of “Legacy” has some of these characteristics

LEGACY   “A gift of property, especially personal property, as money, by will; a bequest, anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor, something handed down from one generation to the next. A retiring company president might leave a legacy of honesty and integrity.”

Legacy comes from the Latin verb, legare “to appoint by a last will, send as an ambassador.” Originally, the noun meant “ambassador” or “envoy” but soon shifted to mean the money and property a person leaves behind in his will. Many university scholarships are funded by the legacies of former students. In recent usage, political leaders are said to be concerned with their legacies, the historically significant achievements of their tenure in office.

MEMORIAL   “created or done to honor a person who has died or to remind people of an event in which many people died, a structure built to remind people of a famous person or event”

But when do the two coalesce to become similar? “Memorial” is epitomized in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-25) the purpose of which is to lead believers to recall the atoning work of Christ. But in so doing Jesus also left us a “Legacy”. When we participate in the Lord’s Table in the manner nominated in the Word, qualifying as having examined ourselves and set aright any aberrations that would hinder our partaking, we then, “Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance”, for out of proper behaviour around the Table, there is a LEGACY beyond comprehension, a perpetual cleansing of our sins, a universal health program to those who share in His memorial, and so here we have a great combination, A MEMORIAL AND A LEGACY.

The Apostle Paul identified the ignorance and stupidity of those in Athens who, though quite religious, had set up a memorial to someone unknown, who obviously had not left any legacy, had not created any sphere of influence, had no history of fame or other qualities that deserved recognition, yet they built a MEMORIAL.

Acts 17:23 For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god

Let me paraphrase Daniel 11:32 “They that know their God…will leave a legacy”. Actually the Word says “shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits”. In other words, they will have been of such character and integrity, not in men’s eyes as a hero or entrepreneur, but in both the discharge of duty and the acquisition of holiness that their lives will have left a stamp, even more than that, an “engraving” on the lives of those they have touched.

I like The Apostle Paul’s perception of a LEGACY, he had no exalted opinion of himself, nor did he need anyone to promote him to the church or the masses or the authorities, he had established his legacy in the hearts of men, the change in their behaviour and life style was “engraved” on men’s hearts, and in such a flourishing typeface that it was legible to all men.

2 Corinthians 3:2 [No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and READ BY EVERYBODY.

This was what Paul was leaving behind, he had nothing of earthly value to bequeath but had established a living memorial in men’s hearts and this LEGACY would serve to remind “EVERYBODY”, not just his friends or rellies, but of such impact that right up to this present moment his influence and example continue to be of lasting effect in the lives of a people who would serve the same God.

 “Everybody” will read the memorial, but not everybody will receive the legacy.

 Over the last several years many I knew have passed into eternity and so it gives me cause to pause and think whether they have left anything to the following generations that would serve as a legacy or memorial. Some we remember fondly for their nature, either good or bad, others for their work ethic, again either good or bad, then again we look at the family they leave and try to find the qualities that the departed has invested in their offspring.

Too often, our concentration is on the way we will be remembered, couched in temporal terms, but our attention should be given to the legacy we will leave in lives.

A legacy is inevitable. We will pass things down to the next generation. Even if we don’t have much materially to leave behind, we will instill character traits, talents, hobbies, skills and more in our children and grandchildren. But how valuable will our legacy be? Will we leave anything that has relevance and benefit for this life and eternity?

Every day, without knowing it, we are passing on who we are, what we possess and what we learn. But are we really passing down the stuff that matters? Our spiritual legacy is who we are at our core. What becomes more and more important as we age is the desire to be known — known for who we really were during our brief stay here. What might be one of the saddest things is to leave this earth without those you love the most ever really knowing who you were.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [As A Deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also. (this deposit is the legacy we need to leave behind … comments mine)

Psalm 37:18 The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and Their Heritage Will Abide Forever.

I ask myself, have I evidenced sufficient character of the God I serve to leave an imprint on the hearts of those I have been privileged to make contact with, and have I had any influence on how people can and should live?

What will I be remembered for? Certainly not for financial security for my children, nor for any claims to fame, and hopefully not for infamy, there will be no monument or commemorative plaque, no cenotaph, but I now strive to make a difference in the lives of men and women that will be perpetuated through not just one, but many generations to come, should the Lord tarry.

1Peter 1:4 [Born anew] into an INHERITANCE (or Legacy …   comments mine) Which Is Beyond The Reach Of Change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

Romans 8:17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.

 

oOo

 

 

 

THE PROCESS OF PROGRESS ROSS SMITH

 

THE PROCESS OF PROGRESS                                                                  ROSS SMITH 291015

We have visited 2 Peter 3:11 which stated:-

2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things ARE THUS IN THE PROCESS of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [IN THE MEANWHILE] in consecrated and holy behaviour and devout and godly qualities,

What does “IN THE MEANWHILE” refer to? Well we are in the “meanwhile” and 2 Peter 1 is useful in explaining the “PROCESS” and describes in verse 8 what happens in “THE MEANWHILE”

2 Peter 1:8 For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will (IN THE MEANWHILE”   … comments mine) keep [you] from being IDLE or UNFRUITFUL unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

We cannot make “PROGRESS” until we recognise and submit to the “PROCESS”, and this verse has posed the question, “what kind of person ought [each of] you to be”.

IF WE AVOID THE “PROCESS” THEN WE FORFEIT THE “PROGRESS”

John 8:37 [Yes] I know that you are Abraham’s offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because MY WORD HAS NO ENTRANCE NO PROGRESS, does not find any place) in you.

A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE IS OF NO VALUE WITHOUT A CHANGE OF BEHAVIOUR

Luke 3:8 Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is, conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin]. And do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father; for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up descendants for Abraham.

James 1:23-24 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

To be “Transformed” is the PROCESS, to be “Conformed” is the PROGRESS.

We are not just in a state of being, but in a state of “becoming”.

Matthew 19:11 But He said to them, Not all men can accept this saying, (this relates to divorce, but the principle still stands …   comments mine) but it is for those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. (Or to those who are engaged in the “PROCESS” .. comments mine)

Part of the “PROCESS” is the embracing and absorption and then the manifestation of God’s word, just one or two of these actions are not adequate, there needs to be all three. This is not an osmotic process (which often results in a distorted understanding, that’s why the Bereans “searched the scriptures” comments mine) but a direct “steeping” (embracing) in the Word so that whenever the need arises, and that is probably moment by moment (absorption), then the Word will prevail over what we see as circumstance. (manifestation) No “PROGRESS” will ever be achieved when there is a resistance to the truth of God’s Word, whether that resistance be passive or active or plain neglect. Do we know the difference? Mental assent has to be verified by demonstrated action, and it shows up as “fruit”.

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, (or in other words, Father had a “PROCESS” in train … comments mine) TO BRING ABOUT (PROGRESS) that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.

The general church population seem to only use the Word of God as a text book, not a Living organism, and therefore do not extract the nourishment or the light, or the relationship and intended improvement that the Word provides. The “PROCESS” involves the “fire and Hammer” of Jeremiah 23:29, and the refining of Isaiah 48:10, (refined in the furnace of affliction) and eloquently described in Psalm 12:6 (silver purified 7 times)

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but [a famine] for hearing the words of the Lord. (This must be the catalyst for us to fill our inner spiritual silos with the prerequisites for preservation …. comments mine)

Psalm 119:11 Your word (embracing) have I laid up in my heart, (absorption) that I might not sin against You (manifestation)

Psalm 119:130 The entrance (embracing) and unfolding (absorption) of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. (manifestation)

John 8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, IF YOU ABIDE IN MY WORD (To “abide” means to live, or reside, not just a visitor, no matter how frequent … comments mine)[hold fast to My teachings and LIVE IN ACCORDANCE with them],(This is in fact “Obedience”, the garb of a disciple … comments mine) you are truly My disciples. (Notice it is not only those who “read” the Word, but there is a requirement to “apply” the Word” if we dare call ourselves disciples) Verse 32 then describes the result, “The truth will set you free”.

In John 8:37 we see people who claim to have the APPROPRIATE HERITAGE asserting that their background was adequate qualification for calling themselves Abraham’s off spring and therefore they are untouchable. But see the response, and it is the same today, to those who will not apply themselves to study of the Word, who rely on their parent’s experience, or some other event.

Psalm 119:130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. (This is a clarification of John 8:31, no background is mentioned, but a present tense, moment by moment demonstration …   comments mine)

“Because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.” How obvious does this make the principle we are exploring, without submitting to the “PROCESS”, that is, the intense study and application of the Word, then we are excluded from the “PROGRESS”.

There is more than one “PROCESS” to pass through on our way to the summit to be in “THAT PLACE BY ME CALLED “THERE”, (Exodus 33;21- see study “A Place By Me”) and they all have designs that fit our character and nature. Father is very conscious of our predilections and adjusts the process to accommodate our little (sometimes major) quirks.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child (process) in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (progress) There may be objections, tantrums, ultimatums, don’t get sidetracked by these juvenile reactions, and dare I suggest that the “child” in this context need not always be of few years, there are a lot of very old children!!!!!

Sometimes my “BENT” may not seem to fit in with convention, and if it is a selfish pursuit then the fruit of that digression will identify the improper route. When however I am cultivated in the particular “BENT” that coincides with Father’s requirements then you should be able to see my “PROGRESS”, or as otherwise called “My Fruit”.

1Timothy 4:15 Practice (practice is required to produce ability   … comments mine) and cultivate (cultivation is required to produce fruit …   comments mine) and meditate (meditation is required to produce ministry) upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.  “Everybody” is all embracing, it is not just friends, or Christians we know, but “EVERYBODY”

Fortunately this scripture does not include a clause “and let everybody know about the process you are passing through”, because more often than not this is what people want to talk about, they are consumed because they object to the “PROCESS”. There is a direct instruction that we are prone to avoid found in:-

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

Psalm 18:33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the DANGEROUS HEIGHTS of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.

Like the Psalmist recorded in Psalm 18:33, the “high places” are rocky places, but he had to have the process of getting his feet ready before he could progress. So there are two things here to look at as we proceed, 1. Why are these places “DANGEROUS” and 2? What constitutes “HINDS FEET”?

These heights are dangerous because we are engaged in a “PROCESS” of being able to deal with the “TESTING AND TROUBLE”. I love acronyms, and in this case it is “TNT”, you are going to get bombed!!!!!

How well are we dealing with these things, do they cause us consternation or stress, do we berate ourselves because we are failing the test? The “DANGER” is that we fail to recognise God at work, we kick against the pricks, we object to the terrain we are called to traverse, we don’t like the people God is using to test us; we are so overwhelmed with our tasks that we complain and react.

Isn’t the Christian life meant to be a bed of roses? That’s the way the world sees and promotes the style of existence we are supposed to enjoy. Well not according to the Psalmist, it is full of “trouble and testing”, or as I would like to call it “PROCESS”.

All Christians, whose feet have been suitably prepared, that is, they have submitted to the “processing” required, who have taken notice, will be swift to run the way of Christ’s commandments; our souls will be strengthened, and our hearts enlarged with the love and grace of God; and to surmount and clamber over with ease, all difficulties and obstructions that lie in our way. David was a proponent of reliance on God despite the “TROUBLE AND TESTING”.

Psalm 18:29 For by You I can run through a troop, (this suggesting that David, when confronted by an army, simply runs through them, which I would think constitute “TROUBLE”) and by my God I can leap over a wall. (Does not this suggest testing, for if he didn’t jump high enough the results would evidence he failed the test)  If we try to use the world’s methods in avoiding the “T/T” then we will be asked to jump through hoops, and never get to experience the exhilaration of jumping over a wall.

Ephesians 6:15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

“PREPARATION” provides three things here, “STABILITY, PROMPTNESS, and READINESS”. This enables me to do a quick check to see if I have done the preparation necessary. If I exhibit any trace of double mindedness, then there will be no stability. (James 1:8)If I exhibit any trace of slackness then this would be sin according to Deuteronomy, and the lack of Promptness leads to and defines that I am not Ready.

Deuteronomy 23:21 When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not be slack in paying it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and slackness would be sin in you.    That’s why we need to be careful in the songs we sing, the Lord may keep us to our word,

Remember how I have previously stated that “We can be totally prepared but be completely unready”

There is again a reassuring and encouraging comment made by the Psalmist, one who had adequate qualification to make these statements:-

Psalm 18:29 For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.   These sorts of exploits follow “Knowing God”, they follow “Being still”, and in the natural seems like a contradiction.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon MY HIGH PLACES [OF TROUBLE, SUFFERING, OR RESPONSIBILITY]! (The “PROGRESS” is preceded by the “PROCESS” and the “strength, bravery, invincibility is the progress or consequences … comments mine)

 But I like Habakkuk’s rendition of Psalm 18:33, because he adds another level onto the “PROCESS” and this is the one we are all negligent in applying. Firstly he expands upon David’s exclamations, describing more eloquently the role of the hind’s feet. When we understand this description of Father’s provisioning, and then we will be less susceptible to the “Dangerous Heights”, because Father is committed to be our “STRENGTH, BRAVERY, AND INVINCIBILITY”, which means that everyone who names Jesus Christ as Lord and dedicates themselves to His purpose will be awarded a spiritual VC, because as we have seen, this is awarded to those recorded in:-

Daniel 11:32 And such as violate the covenant (or would choose the easy way out by avoiding the “PROCESS” .. comments mine) he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL PROVE THEMSELVES STRONG AND SHALL STAND FIRM AND DO EXPLOITS [FOR GOD]. VC winners!!!

But he, Habakkuk, has added in now, “RESPONSIBILITY”, this is another level of our “PROCESSING”, and

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up (or engage in the PROCESS, and as “fit” people will tell you, that to “build yourself up” you need exercise … comments mine) [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

THE HIGHEST SPIRITUAL JOY IN THE MIDST OF THE GREATEST MATERIAL DESTITUTION, IS POSSIBLE TO A GOOD MAN, AND THIS REQUIRES BEING RESPONSIBLE OR ANSWERABLE FOR OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

 

SOME DEFINITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

*Answerable for an act performed or for its consequences; accountable; amenable, especially legally or politically

*Involving responsibility; involving a degree of personal accountability on the part of the person concerned.

ABLE TO BE TRUSTED; RELIABLE; TRUSTWORTHY.

*Having the job or duty of dealing with or taking care of something or someone — able to be trusted to do what is right or to do the things that are expected or required — involving important duties, decisions, etc., that you are trusted to do

I have to be able to boil this down to determine how “BEING RESPONSIBLE” applies to me, and you, individually. This is where it can get rather awkward, because to be responsible requires a large degree of “VULNERABILITY”, not only am I required to say the right things, I am expected to “DO” the right things.

If I break the word apart it looks like this:   “RESPONSE —— ability

     NOT       “REACT ———   ability

Life rests on two pillars, the providence of God, and the responsibility of man.

If you have knowledge you have responsibility, but some folk are content with knowledge only.

It may be a good exercise here to begin to nominate the areas that may fall as our responsibilities, and this list no doubt will be expanded dramatically as we study the implications and relate them to our behaviour.

Let me nominate some areas from scripture for a starter:-

1. Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God
2. James 1;22 Be doers of the Word
3. 1 Timothy 1;14 Do not neglect your gift
4. Proverbs 8:33 Do not refuse instruction
5. Proverbs 22:6   Train up a child
6. Ephesians 5:25 Love your wives

1 Peter 3:1   Submit to your husbands (The last part of this verse is very important “so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,”

7. Hebrews 10:25 Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together
8. Isaiah 58:6-14…. Worthy of revisiting this study
9. Ephesians 6:1   Children obey your parents
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:17   Pray without ceasing
11. 2 Timothy 4:2   Be instant, Keep your sense of urgency, be unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.
12. Colossians 3:23   Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord
13. 1 Peter 5:2   Guard the flock
14. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s faults
15. 2 John 1:5   Love one another
16. 2 Corinthians 5:15   Live no longer for yourselves

 

 

OBEDIENCE, THE GARB OF A DISCIPLE ROSS SMITH

OBEDIENCE, THE GARB OF A DISCIPLE                                    ROSS SMITH 200116

THERE CAN BE NO LOVE FOR CHRIST WITHOUT OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, OBEDIENCE IS NOT OPTIONAL

(References used are from the Amplified Bible)

In contemplating the role of a Disciple, I pondered how obvious a Disciple might be, and what would be a distinguishing characteristic that sets a Disciple apart. It was then I saw that the most obvious trait was that of OBEDIENCE, and despite any other “raiment” that they wore the underlying “apparel” was a “garb of obedience.”

This garb is however, an undergarment, and to be very crass, it is probably like a hooded “onesie”. It covers all working parts, whether they be arms of legs, the head, the vital organs, everything is shrouded in the garment of obedience. Generally it won’t be attractive to outsiders, but then it is an undergarment and they are not sensitive to our spiritual persuasions, and would not recognise we are wearing it as it fits well under all other garments. It fits tightly and does not stretch to suit our preferences (1 Peter 1:14-15) it is durable, it is sometimes obvious to close acquaintances but infrequently, the wearer is fully aware of its value.

Over the top of the “garb of obedience” we will wear “the garments of praise, (Isaiah 61:3) the whole armour, (Ephesians 6:11 & 13) garment of vengeance and zeal (Isa 59:17) garments of salvation and robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49) clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self (Colossians 3:10) just to name a few of the garments in our spiritual wardrobe, and specific to particular occasions. The “garb of obedience” however is never to be removed!

The heavenly Couturier has designed the whole range of attire, but every outward “robe” has to be underpinned by the “garb of obedience” before any other garment will fit properly and sit properly.

The stage is set for the purpose of recognition, for the bible says, “If you love Me keep My commandments (John 14:15) and then in verse 21 there is a startling promise as to the response of the Lord to those who adorn themselves with the “garb of obedience”. “I too will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

It has been stated:-

“Obedience is the soil of relationship;  obedience opens access to the treasures of My Kingdom;  obedience is the sweet smelling fragrance that brings blessing to My heart;  obedience opens the door to your ministry;  obedience is all I require of you, for obedience stems from a heart of love freely given;  trust and obey is the key to My heart My people.”

“Obedience” is described in the dictionary as “the quality of being willing to do what you are told to do”. The dictionary lists it as a noun, but I would suggest that for us it has more significance as a verb, “obedience is a doing word, and the proof of obedience is in actions, not sentiment. Being “willing” is very different to be “doing”, for Father only recognises our obedience by our actions.

1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

In New Testament times when Jesus walked with the Disciples, there are numerous instances where they obeyed Jesus’ instruction without question, an indispensable trait of disciples, a great example of their underlying “garb of obedience”.

In Matthew 21 we read about Jesus asking the Disciples to go into town and bring back someone else’s donkey. And in verse 6 “Then the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.”

When Peter and his fishermen friends had fished all night and caught nothing, when Jesus said to have another go, despite their professionalism as fishermen, Peter says “But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].

In Old Testament times there were even more significant examples, Noah, Abraham, Daniel, etc.

We can expect to have our obedience challenged on a very regular basis, for how can we identify as disciples if we are not being assaulted by situations that require an unquestioned response aligned with God’s Word. And the more we develop our obedience the greater the opportunity to implement it.

You may object to the term “develop our obedience” however the Word of God clearly defines that it is not an inherent trait but has to be “learned”.

Hebrews 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered.

Even if obedience was a commodity that could be procured at some “convenience store”, I fear few would take advantage of its availability because of the inherent truncating affect on our preferences, and despite the enormity of advantage we can experience if we apply the principle we still persist in chasing butterflies.

We also enjoy “sonship” and consequently we are to emulate Jesus as He respected His Father, we too must evidence the same characteristics that identify us, such as accordance, concurrence, cooperation, which are the characteristics of a Son. Proverbs says a wise son makes his father happy, a truth we have seen both positively and negatively.

I do not think for one moment that there was any trace of a disobedient spirit in Jesus. Jesus, by his passive obedience learned active obedience; that is, He practiced that lesson, to demonstrate that he was perfectly “learned” or qualified in it. Though He never was disobedient, He had never performed such an act of obedience as when he became obedient to death, even to the death of the cross.

I like the Amplified Bible clarification here, it says “active, special obedience”. This is a challenge to us to firstly be “actively obedient”, not just offering mental assent, but secondly and more appropriately, we have to learn “special obedience”. By that I think each one of us has to pass though unique and particular experiences to demonstrate that we are both “qualified” or have “learned” and also that we are “capable” because we carry out the task requiring our obedience, without question.

Phillipians 2:8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and CARRIED HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE EXTREME of death, even the death of the cross!

And so I repeat, see how much further Jesus takes the example, he was probably an ideal son to Joseph and Mary, He would have been meticulous in His adherence to civil law, by his passive obedience, he learned active obedience, “EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS”

Obedience belongs to a servant, but more significant is the obedience of “accordance, concurrence, cooperation”, the characteristics of a son.

Here Jesus has left us an example, that we should LEARN by all our afflictions a humble obedience to the will of God.

We need affliction, to teach us submission, but I am not sure that we want affliction. There is no point in asceticism to qualify as a Disciple, for we have seen that sacrifices are not considered adequate, but the learning process involved in obedience is unavoidable to those who would have an ambition to qualify as Disciples.

It is a decision that is completely up to us to make, we have the choice, to honour the Lord by putting into practice and applying the principles that we are completely familiar with but unaccustomed to, or alternatively to satisfy the selfish ambitions and worship the idols of egocentricity.

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to OBEDIENCE which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?

WE DO NOT NEED TO STRIVE FOR OBEDIENCE, WE NEED TO EXECUTE IT.

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men.

There can be no obedience without knowledge. But where there is knowledge and no obedience there is a malaise called “NEGLECT”. We know that there is a requirement in this respect if we are to inherit the promise, and Paul put it succinctly,

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]?

1 John 3:4 says in part, “violating of God’s law by transgression or NEGLECT”. “Lawlessness,’’ expresses the ignoring of the law rather than the absence of it. “The law” means the law of God in the fullest sense, not the Mosaic Law, therefore, sin is defined as the transgression of God’s will by the habit of “NEGLECT”.

It would seem some people do not want to qualify as being “neglectful” because they refuse to read and study God’s Word, therefore they are destitute of knowledge and cannot be considered accountable. But this is a fallacy because we are aware of the sovereignty of God from what we see around about us (Romans 1:20) and so “they are without excuse”, and consequently disobedience is the result.

 

The danger of neglect must be in proportion to the dignity of the revelation

 

The Apostle James also had some important insight into the significance of obedience because he connected faith with what he calls “works of obedience”. (James 2:26) This is not just plain works, but a “garb” of those who would be called “Christian”.

What precious promise is attached to our obedience, the Psalmist was eloquent in describing the “flow on effect” of this characteristic when he penned the words of:-

 

Psalm 91:11 For He will give His angels [ESPECIAL] CHARGE OVER YOU to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of OBEDIENCE AND SERVICE].

 

Obviously the angels recognise true disciples because they are wearing the “Garb of Obedience” and they, the angels, are then under instruction to carry out the most extensive security of our lives, in every way, when they see that we are compliant with the requirements of Him who we would call “Lord”. Is it not worth the effort, or the submission of our own desires, the abandonment of thought or activity that would hinder, the application of the truth we see and hear, the implementation of Fathers expectation, to enjoy the results of “OBEDIENCE”.

 

oOO

SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE ROSS SMITH

SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE                                                                    ROSS SMITH 030216

(all references are amplified bible)

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on God’s complete armour, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, HAVING DONE ALL [THE CRISIS DEMANDS], TO STAND [FIRMLY IN YOUR PLACE].

We live in a “throw away” society, our computers are not meant to last much over a couple of years, razors are good for a few weeks, car batteries often fail the week after warranty expires, kitchen appliances are not worth repairing, clothes imported from overseas have no longevity, and worst of all, marriages are now engaging in the same sort of “throw away” mentality.

The mobility of folk from church to church is a similar malaise, they either don’t like the Pastor, the Word is too confronting, not enough entertainment, in fact there is no “SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE” because there are no roots. I am not just referring to roots that identify with that of a particular church, but roots that go deeper and deeper into the things of God so that the superficial no longer has any influence over us and we become the “salt” in that fellowship, able to bring stability and strength to every situation.

Whatever happened to the normal concepts of reliability and durability? In our Christian experience we are also being exposed to these ungodly influences and unless we are strong in our relationship to the Lord, thoroughly grounded in His Word, applying our whole effort to please Father, then we expose ourselves to temptations that will test our mettle.

Ephesians provides some of the answer, firstly we are to be “armour plated”, and this attire is not some decorative garb that invites opposition from those who would denigrate our cause and our stand. Verse 16 of this same chapter informs us that our armour also has to be “fire proof”, as well as impregnable.

There are numerous examples in the business and sporting arenas that demonstrate that “Perseverance Pays Dividends”, and these dividends are only in the natural sphere, they contribute nothing to our eternal destiny. But the example of dedication and commitment evidenced by swimmers, tennis players, entrepreneurs, politicians (not all politicians!!) are carried out by sheer willpower for a reward that perishes and that proves we are capable of momentous results if there is the required application. But this sort of exercise is of limited value.

1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

In spiritual terms, we are better equipped, resourced, educated and encouraged to excel in our chosen “profession”, that of representing Jesus Christ with the same, no, those enhanced characteristics of dedicated men. And the benefits that accrue are shown to be temporal, that is “for the present life”, and also eternal, “for the life which is to come”.

But effort is required, the bible says in Habakkuk 3:19B “make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility”. The principle of “making progress” has an inherent characteristic, whether it be progress by a motor car, by walking, by qualifying, by recovering, it has to have energy supplied. The car requires fuel, to walk requires fuel, to qualify requires study, to recover requires therapy, and no progress can be made unless there is a determined purpose to reach a particular goal, and in this the expenditure of spiritual energy is also required.

 If we think that we can honour the Lord today and then overlook him tomorrow, or use Him as a “throw away” when things are either tough, or overly busy, or inconvenient, or offending my preferences, then we surely lack “SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE”. He is our very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1) but He is not just there for my convenience, He is there on perpetual standby to enable us to excel in our spiritual life and growth.

There are hosts of people watching us to see if the fruits of our profession are matched by actions, or “Christ likeness” (Ephesians 4:13) . Scripture reinforces this in:-

Hebrews 12:1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and LET US RUN WITH PATIENT ENDURANCE AND STEADY AND ACTIVE PERSISTENCE the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified. But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God. This is where “RESILIENCE” is required, for the expectations of the world are, that everything now has to be “Instant”. Hebrews 12:1 needs to be engraved on our eyeballs.

Notice how the apostle Paul emphasises that the appointed course set before us involves PATIENT ENDURANCE AND STEADY AND ACTIVE PERSISTENCE”.

SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE is more than endurance, it is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen because we know Father is in total control. RESILIENCE means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. RESILIENCE is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our God can ever be conquered

Because such despicable worldly conditions are on the rise (2 Timothy 3:13), the Christian life is sometimes characterized in the Bible as a race to be run (1 Corinthians 9:24;) and a struggle or an athletic contest to be fought (1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:12;). Other prominent terms used of the Christian’s life in the world are labor or toil or work (1 Corinthians 15:58) and testing or trials (James 1:2-4).

Obviously, no one can continue to run in the race, stand firm in the struggles of life, labor effectively, or handle the trials of life without endurance or perseverance, and patience, namely ”SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE”. Romans spells out the results of “SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE”

Romans 2:7 To those who by patient persistence (or Spiritual Resilience …   comments mine) in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honour and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.

There are very obvious characteristics nominated for those who will faithfully represent their faith and 2 Corinthians 12:12 says “the signs that indicate a [genuine] apostle were performed among you FULLY AND MOST PATIENTLY”

“LONGSUFFERING”, another name for “RESILIENCE”, is no longer an everyday word, or habit, but it is a virtue needed more than ever when impatience, intolerance, oversensitivity and impulsive anger are so prevalent. Anger and animosity can be the result of many negative influences. The evil influence we all are infected with is our own selfish nature, and our human abilities to make major improvements are pitifully weak, and require God’s help!

Sometimes we are prone to argue with the Lord as to the process we are passing through as though we had reached a level of maturity that we are satisfied with, but Paul writing to the Hebrews put that thought to bed by saying “For YOU HAVE NEED of steadfast patience and endurance” (Heb 10:36 ) And as the day hastens to Jesus return, if we are to hear Him say “well done” then we must recognise our “NEED” and expend every effort to qualify.

The impartation of the “Wisdom from Above” (James 3:17) which is freely given to those who will ask, will enable us to evidence “SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE as we will be called upon to demonstrate that we are learning to put into practice all eight requirements as proof of our being “wise”, and we will be called upon to evidence “RESILIENCE”.

The accepted vows made in marriage in days past, was “Till death do us part”, but the lack of “RESILIENCE” in marriage is now so commonplace that even so called Christians find it easy to succumb to the devils plot to break up families, rather than have folk put in the effort to develop that strength of character that the Word of God adjures. Thus the pattern set by these parents is often perpetuated by their offspring and the only winner is satan himself.

Jesus set the pattern where the Word says “(Jesus) who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. (Hebrews 12:2) Is not this an example that we at least can follow in our daily life where we are only called, at this stage, to crucify the fragility of our commitment.

Even as we reach the last book of the Bible, the theme continues to resonate and again provides us with adequate incentive to bring our lives into line with the requirements of God’s Word, that of being “SPIRITUALLY RESILIENT”.

Revelation 3:10 BECAUSE you have guarded and kept My word of patient endurance [have held fast the lesson of My patience with the expectant endurance that I give you], I also will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell upon the earth.

Notice the “WORD” is accompanied with “LESSONS” and both are important because it specifies that we have an impartation from God Himself to engage in “EXPECTANT ENDURANCE” which is an eternal preservative.

There are numerous scriptures recorded that use the terms, “Patience, Endurance, Long Suffering, Steadfast, Stand fast, Diligence, Perseverance.

An irreverent description of “SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE or PATIENT ENDURANCE”, It is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears!!!!! My Mum called it “stickability”

oOo

SEEK ME EARLY ROSS SMITH

SEEK ME EARLY                                                                                                    ROSS SMITH

I am convinced that the time spent with the Lord sitting and listening in the early morning, creates a reservoir of “stillness” to accommodate the rest of the busyness and business of the day. The duration is not the criteria, but it is of consequence when we are learning to “BE STILL AND KNOW”. As we develop this spiritual aptitude the time spent will improve in quality and accrue the growth that Psalm 46:10 promises “AND KNOW I AM GOD”.

This “STILLNESS” is not, as previously stated, a period or time of indolence or lassitude, but a time of bringing our whole being under the control of the Holy Spirit, a time when we dispense with all the distractions before we embark on a daily schedule.

The Word of God supports this premise, firstly by a very wise man and secondly by a very prominent Prophet, so the behaviour pattern is recommended:-

Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Did these men have some special nature that enabled them to enunciate so clearly their intentions to meet with their Lord in the “rosy-fingered dawn”? I don’t think so, they just realised that they needed a discipline and an obedience that overcame their proclivity to pander to the flesh and linger in their bed, whilst the Lord was waiting in anticipation to share His heart with them

If you are of the opinion that this behaviour pattern is easily attained, then you will “repent” after you have established the principle, it requires much self-denying effort. But the reward is immeasurable, that sense of God’s presence, the awareness of the cycle of creation heralding a new day, the birds assembling in an ensemble to deliver their chorale, the heady fragrance of the fresh morning, the dawn fingering the dark, devoid of the intrusion of commerce.

What constitutes early? For some it is before the sunrises, for others, it may be when the sun is high in the eastern sky. What does Scripture nominate as “early”, remembering that in Bible days there were no such things as watches or clocks? “Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.”

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, LONG BEFORE DAYLIGHT, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.

Notice

1. that Jesus, sought a solitary place – far away from the world and even from his disciples.
2. that it was early in the morning – always the best time, and a time when it should not be omitted.
3. if Jesus sought time to be “still”, how much more important is it for us!

Luke 6:12 Now in those days it occurred that He went up into a mountain to pray, and SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT in prayer to God.

I see that there could be a twofold purpose in this event, firstly because of the task awaiting him in the morning, that of appointing 12 disciples to carry on the dispensing of the gospel, and secondly, the time spent in prayer and stillness was required to obtain the mind and the endorsement of Father. The Lord Himself spent time in prolonged communion with His Father in preparation for the solemn appointment of those men who were to give birth to His Church, and from whom the world in all time was to take a new mould. Jesus probably spent the night in prayer because he knew that he would busy during the day. How instructive is this! Here is another example of the effectiveness of our spiritual experience in those hours not molested by mundane task.

Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak.

Hosea 12:4 Yes, he had power over the Angel [of the Lord] and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He met Him in Bethel, and there [God] spoke with [him and through him with] us-

Scripture abounds with references to early morning encounters to encourage us to adopt a similar procedure.

Genesis 19:27 Abraham went up early the next morning to the place where he [only the day before] had stood before the Lord.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

Psalm 63:6 When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.

Psalm 90:14 O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

It is important to note that we cannot “be still and know” as found in Psalm 46:10 until we comply with the first statement “Let be”, and for clarity on this statement we refer to:-

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, FORGIVE HIM AND LET IT DROP (LEAVE IT, LET IT GO), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

We can be recognised as “Knowing God” when we carry the serenity of His nature, of “being still”. Just the same way, we can be recognised as being “Wise” when we are able to evidence Wisdom, His ethos, all eight characteristics. (James 3:17)

Psalm 85:10 Mercy and loving-kindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

 Truth requires Righteousness     —   Mercy calls for Peace.

 “Solitude” is different to “Solitary” and neither are “Stillness” as required by Psalm 46:10. The first two terms suggest some ISOLATION whereas the “Stillness” promised to us will serve its purpose of INSTIGATION through the busiest day. Have you noticed that the on seller of fine produce such as fruit and vegetables, visit the market very early in the morning up so that he may obtain the choicest and freshest?

Father has promised us His compassions “New every morning”, (Lamentations 3:21-22) and so it is concluded that we should engage with the Lord EARLY so that He can dispense to us the “great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness” promised in this scripture.

Another telling example of early morning activity relates to the Israelites who were the beneficiaries of the manna supplied to them six days of the week, but they had to gather it early in the morning.

Exodus 16:21 They gathered it (manna) every morning, each as much as he needed, for when the sun became hot it melted.

A similar thing happens to us as happens to the manna if we do not get to spend the early hours with the Lord, as the busyness of the day progresses, as the heat is applied, we will melt!

Exodus 16:21 shows that they had to gather their daily bread first thing in the morning, before the sun got hot, or their opportunity literally melted away. God’s bread is best gathered early in the day, when we first arise, when we and the manna are at its freshest. Sometimes, we intend to study later in the day, or in the evening, and what happens? Other things interfere and crowd out the Word of God—and an opportunity to show God He has first place in our life simply melts away, just like manna allowed to sit in the heat of the sun.

To show God we are serious about putting Him first in our lives, perhaps we need to quit doing the things that inordinately eat up our time. God will not just slide into first place. We must consciously put Him there. We must make this decision every day of our lives.

God will not accept second or third place in our lives, and He expects us to decide and act accordingly. There is no retrospectivity in our progress in God, it requires that we approach each day with His goals firmly in focus, and dispensing with the burdens of yesterday, because that time can never be recovered no matter how honorable were our intentions, how graphic our failures, how cosmic our successes, today is dedicated to glorify Him.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you THIS DAY whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

The record of Peter’s denial of the Lord sharply focuses on the time aspect, and Peter, to his ultimate disgust, found that the early morning was a very telling time.

Luke 22:34 But Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, before a [single] cock shall crow this day, you will three times [utterly] deny that you know Me.

I was always comforted as a small child, waiting for the dark of the night to dissipate and for the morning to hasten, and when the local roosters began to crow, I could emerge from the fear of the dark and gather courage for the day, for I knew dawn was about to break.

Science says that the problem most people have in waking up early is that when the alarm goes off and they hit the snooze button, their mind is still in a haze. In that early morning half asleep, zombie-like state, it’s hard to convince yourself to get out of bed and do whatever it is you want to do. Instead, your brain rationalizes and convinces you why the best thing to do is to stay in bed and sleep for a few more minutes.

Our brain doesn’t boot up as soon as we wake up. It takes time to wake up, and that time is enough for us to fall back asleep if we allow. When we sleep, our body goes into a slowdown mode. Our heart rate decreases, our breathing slows down and our brain activity decreases.

But the important digression from this principle is that WE ARE NOT WAKING UP TO EXERCISE OUR BRAIN, WE ARE WAKING UP TO EXERCISE OUR SPIRIT. This is a spiritual exercise and if we are able to apply these scriptural examples we will find that our brain, and our body, will enjoy Fathers provision.

Proverbs 10:27 (TLB) Reverence for God adds hours to each day so how can the wicked expect a long, good life?

This verse is suggesting that our efficiency is enhanced by our relationship with the Lord. One way of enhancing that relationship is to give Him the best part of the day and then the rest of the day will be better anyhow!!!!

Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

 

oOo

SPIRITUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY ROSS SMITH

SPIRITUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY                ROSS SMITH

PART ONE     (ATTITUDE AND HEART)

To successfully prosecute our case for qualifying for the promises of ISAIAH 58 we may need to understand our SPIRITUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. I find this most interesting probably due to my involvement in clinical work, and no doubt if I understood the natural sphere better then I would also be better equipped to address this subject. Let me proceed by making some assumptions. For this exercise we will restrict to the A & P above the neck!!

1. I would suggest that “ATTITUDE” is a synonym for “HEART”. Let me explain from scripture firstly with verses we are all so familiar with.
2. I would suggest, in the same context that “AMBITION” is significantly different to “DETERMINATION”
3. I would suggest that these two proposals will determine our success in accordance with that which we have been studying in Isaiah 58

Let me establish the connection between 1 and 2. Our attitude determines whether we are ambitious or determined, that’s why He said in:-

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one HEART [a new heart] and I will put a NEW SPIRIT within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God],

Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions by which you have transgressed against Me, (our perverse attitudes which control our behavior …. Comments mine) and make you a NEW MIND AND HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT. For why will you die, O house of Israel?

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] SPIRIT OF [THE] LIVING GOD, NOT ON TABLETS OF STONE BUT ON TABLETS OF HUMAN HEARTS.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he THINKS IN HIS HEART, (his attitude … comments mine) so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet HIS HEART (different attitude … comments mine) is not with you [but is grudging the cost].

Did you realise you can THINK WITH YOUR HEART? Well we really can if we can get our “head” out of the road.!!! And if we have the inscription on our heart as in 2 Corinthians can we imagine the change of ATTITUDE that will overcome us, and consequently overcome the world around us

IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT A MAN THINKS ABOUT DETERMINES HIS ATTITUDE.

Luke 6:45 The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good TREASURE (STORED) IN HIS HEART (his attitude …. Comments mine) produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) OF HIS HEART ( his attitude …. Comments mine) his mouth speaks.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT A MAN THINKS ABOUT DETERMINES HIS ATTITUDE.

If ever there was a man I respect it had to be JOB, a man of substance, influence, reputation, family, and he was stripped of everything, but still had the temerity to say “Though He slay me still I will trust Him.

Job 33:3 My words shall express the UPRIGHTNESS OF MY HEART, (my proper attitude …. Comments mine) and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT A MAN THINKS ABOUT DETERMINES HIS ATTITUDE.

This is why we use the expression HE GAVE HIS HEART UNTO THE LORD, did you notice that when you were saved your whole attitude changed?

Act 13:22 And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, ( David carried the same ideals and intentions as God… had his attitude …. Comments mine) who will do all My will and carry out My program fully.   (HOLD THIS LAST PART OF THE VERSE FOR LATER)

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

 SEE HOW IT IS UP TO US TO “STOP ALLOWING OURSELVES” AND “PERMITTING OURSELVES” (May I suggest that this is a study in its own right, not necessarily for our own benefit but for our ministry to others)

 This is not just an ATTITUDE of mind ….. this is a gift from Father God, a bequest, an endowment, not like anything else that the world can provide for us. No need for fear, no need for Valium, no need for counseling, HIS OWN PEACE, THE WAY HE THINKS, FROM HIS HEART, HIS ATTITUDE

There are so many scriptures prescribing ATTITUDE, so let me give some references for your study.

Psalm 51:10-12

Proverbs 21:2

Philippians 2:2, 5

Colossians 1:21

There is an interesting aspect to the HEART in medical terms. Today there are numerous heart transplants carried out on a daily basis, but what the Doctors cannot explain is that some of the recipients recover with characteristics and traits that were part of the donor’s nature. For example, a lady who received the heart of an 18 year old man found she wanted to drink beer, eat Kentucky Chicken, had a penchant for green peppers, and by anonymous means determined that these were the characteristics of the donor. This lady has written a book on the phenomena. So we must not be surprised that the theory that the heart has neurons that have had memory imprinted on them is in fact not just a theory but according to the Word of God, an experience that we should identify with as our attitudes come into line with His attitudes, our heart has been renewed, (transplanted)

A poor attitude is indicative of heart trouble…… heart transplants (from what Father intended) result in aberrant behavior, originating in improper attitude.

Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 …. Because where your treasure is there will your heart be also. (This is why we have to think on things good and lovely and pure etc… If our appetite for some aberrant behavior patterns is not dealt with, then this establishes our values.   comments mine)

 We see in EXODUS that Pharaoh “hardened his heart”, which in fact means his attitude towards the Israelites changed, and we can suffer the same disease if we do not “circumcise our hearts”.

Deuteronomy 10:16 So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened. (Notice that our mind is equated with our heart in this scripture … comments mine)

Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, SO THAT YOU CAN DO IT. See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil. [If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which] I command you today, to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land into which you go to possess. BUT IF YOUR [MIND AND] HEART TURN AWAY ( or your attitude hardens …. Comments mine) and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish, and you shall not live long in the land which you pass over the Jordan to enter and possess.

Proverbs 20:27 THE SPIRIT OF MAN [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. [I Cor. 2:11.]

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

This Part 1 will no doubt expand as you ponder the implications of our responsibilities spelled out in Isaiah 58, and will hasten our progress as we continually monitor our “ATTITUDE/HEART”

 

PART 2    “AMBITION AND DETERMINATION”

The identification of where we stand in Christ is probably easier to discern now, because we are becoming acutely aware of the frailties of the flesh and the manner in which we can and need to deal with them. The encouraging thought is that we have begun to conquer some of the aberrations that seemed to plague us down through the decades and despite our grasp of the Word of God, the attainment to that higher calling seemed only a remote possibility. Now however the “Cascade of Change” has started, at least to trickle and each victory we achieve through His strength elevates our proximity to appropriating the promises.

And so these two “actions” come into sharp focus requiring us to see what our aims are. Both “AMBITION” and “DETERMINATION” are noble and honourable attitudes but AMBITION lacks the fortitude of DETERMINATION.

When we came to Christ we knew the sense of AMBITION, there was growth to be achieved, a new life to live, a whole new spectrum of understanding what life was all about. And that first flush of love for Christ fuelled our ambition; it stimulated us to read the Word, to attend church, to avoid inappropriate activities,

AMBITION consists of a goal, an aim or objective, or even more vacuous, a hope or dream or desire. The world is full of people charged with ambition, and in many cases the frailty of this characteristic is seen when they reach their level of incompetence and they don’t realise it, they continue to grope for success, sincerely ambitious but without developing the skills necessary to engage in a manner that brings results.

Unfortunately the Christian community has ambitious people in abundance, they see the potential that Father offers and really want it, but without having to expend any effort.

You see DETERMINATION is that drive that takes us out of the ordinary into the spectacular, where not only do we want what God has to offer, we set our hearts and minds and expend our energy to destroy yokes, to withdraw from wickedness, TO GAIN CONTROL OVER OUR TONGUE!!! Etc. Just like scripture says, “righteousness and peace kissed each other” I think the same process applies here where AMBITION HAS TO BE JOINED WITH DETERMINATION. This is what will change our attitude and heart.

I suggest the analogy is sustained by the scripture that says:

James 2:20 AND 26  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is dead also.

I equate FAITH in this context as AMBITION, the faith is noble and scripturaly sound, ambition is to be applauded, but in the absence of WORKS or in the terms we are addressing DETERMINATION, there is nothing to show for our profession of faith. Ambition without Determination is a dead end, we have to RESOLVE that we are going to go the whole distance.

DETERMINATION puts legs on our ambition, it not only envisages the goal or the objective but energises the aspirant to strive for the goal with all their heart, with a sense of urgency and unabated energy, not in our own strength as that will lead to disappointment but surely as the Spirit of God challenges us to “come up higher” we find added incentive to “qualify”.

We need to support this in scriptural terms. Paul in his inimitable fashion puts the matter into context:

Philippians 3:10- 14  [FOR MY DETERMINED PURPOSE IS] that I may know Him [that I may PROGRESSIVELY become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that SAME WAY COME TO KNOW THE POWER out flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. NOT THAT I HAVE NOW ATTAINED [THIS IDEAL], OR HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE PERFECT, BUT I PRESS ON to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; BUT ONE THING I DO [IT IS MY ONE ASPIRATION]: FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND AND STRAINING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE [SUPREME AND HEAVENLY] PRIZE TO WHICH GOD IN CHRIST JESUS IS CALLING US UPWARD.

How eloquent is that? How challenging is that? How instructive is that when Paul says “MY DETERMINED PURPOSE.” Does not this suggest an almost frenetic pursuit of Gods best, that “PROGRESSIVELY” become more familiar with Gods purposes, the LIGHT penetrating so we “recognise and understand the wonders of His person”. And just in case he is setting the bar a bit high he explains that he is growing into the role, “NOT THAT I HAVE ATTAINED THIS IDEAL” he is just bordering on perfection!!!! He goes on to say STRAINING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD … if that is not DETERMINATION I am not sure what it is. Some food for thought follows:

Consider the following verses as you contemplate your dedication and commitment to the demands of God’s Word.

2 Chronicles 27:6 So Jotham grew mighty, for HE ORDERED HIS WAYS in the sight of the Lord his God.

Psalm 17:3 You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and find nothing [no evil purpose in me]; I HAVE PURPOSED that my mouth shall not transgress.

Ephesians 6:5 Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and EAGER CONCERN TO PLEASE them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]– Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, DOING THE WILL OF GOD HEARTILY AND WITH YOUR WHOLE SOUL;

Job 13:15 [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope–nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.

What determination JOB exhibited, he had been stripped of everything, suffered in his body, ridiculed by his friends, could not find God in any direction and yet his DETERMINATION is “I WILL MAINTAIN MY WAYS BEFORE HIM”

This brings me to the conclusions we reached recently that IF WE CAN CONTROL OUR TONGUE WE CAN BE PERFECT, So I don’t have to climb mountains, or fight bears and lions, or face giants other than those I have allowed to take up residence in my ATTITUDES or HEART and so now the evidence of my heart transplant with be “Good treasures stored in my heart” (LUKE 6:45)

NOTE …. Can’t wait for feedback!!!!!

COMPLACENCY ROSS SMITH

COMPLACENCY                                                                                          ROSS SMITH 19062013

ARE NOT THE IDLE, THE LAX, THOSE LACKING IN AMBITION AND DETERMINATION, ALWAYS WAITING FOR A MIRACLE.

Proverbs _6:6 GO TO THE ANT, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!

It is very humbling when there is an injunction like this one in Proverbs when you think that there might be some small component that applies to us. Can I ever be accused of putting off till tomorrow what I need to do today? And yet one is the smallest creatures God created is given me as an example of how to go about things.

I think COMPLACENCY is a characteristic that Father abhors, for He is the One Who is on time every time for every situation. It contradicts His nature, and we were made in His image and likeness, so the defect has to be of my making.

Do we need to define COMPLACENCY so that we do not misinterpret what the condition is?

“Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies” (I think this is a rather superficial and bland observation of the condition … comments mine)

Proverbs 1:32 Indeed, the waywardness of the naïve will kill them, and the COMPLACENCY OF FOOLS WILL DESTROY THEM. (what an indictment, fools are complacent, or complacency qualifies us as fools … comments mine)

But I have pondered this subject a little more and find that we really do not understand the intricacies of COMPLACENCY. Let me explain, I find that COMPLACENCY covers myriad more areas than first contemplated. They are:-

Slothfulness, laziness, indolence, slackness, disinterest, self centeredness, ambivalence, double mindedness, lackadaisical behavior, disorganisation, unreliability, repetitiveness, lethargy, apathy, blandness, indecision. Slovenliness. ALL THESE ARE THE OFFSPRING OF COMPLACENCY

COMPLACENCY has very little to do with intelligence but everything to do with ATTITUDE or HEART as we have seen in SPIRITUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. We have heard the expression, “He has a heart after God, or cricket, or music etc and this just means his attitude is positive and because of this he is able to sweep aside the unimportant (to him) and set his heart with a priority. By the way “Priority” is singular, not “Priorities”, having “Priorities” suggests divided loyalties.

The bible says quite plainly

Matthew 6:33 But SEEK (aim at and strive after) FIRST of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together (all our other “priorities!!!! … comments mine) will be given you besides. (This suggests that there is only one priority … comments mine)

 Colossians 3:2 And SET YOUR MINDS and keep them SET on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

Hebrews 12:2 LOOKING AWAY [FROM ALL THAT WILL DISTRACT] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Much of the behavior of the “COMPLACENT” is summed up in “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can put off till next week”

We would be offended if someone suggested that we were complacent however if I begin to explore my attitude/heart, are there little foxes spoiling the vines

Song of Solomon 2:15  Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that destroy the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.”

What are some examples of where we might display some of “THE offspring of COMPLACENCY?”

1. PAYING THE BILLS ON TIME
2. ON TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS
3. LEAVING ESSAYS OR STUDIES TILL THE LAST MINUTE
4. PLAIGIARISM
5. FORGETTING WHAT WE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO DO
6. HEALTH CHECKS
7. TAX RETURNS
8. CAR SERVICE
9. DEFROSTING THE FRIG
10. WRITING LETTER
11. PHONING SOMEONE WHO IS ILL
12. ADD IN HERE YOUR LIST!!!!!

How mundane these things appear until we realise that they constitute elements of COMPLACENCY

By the way, REPETITIVENESS is where we resolve to do something again and again, AND IT NEVER HAPPENS!!! This is different to OCD which is a medical condition.

Mark 12:30 And you must love the Lord your God WITH ALL your heart, WITH ALL your soul, WITH ALL your mind, and WITH ALL your strength.’ (NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY ….. comments mine)

In a country like we live in there is little pressure to achieve, we have never really faced pressures that require us to meet time lines, commitments, deadlines etc, we are generally a very laid back nation of people. We can see this in a lack of response to issues of morality that grace the headlines of our newspapers on a daily basis. Even the Prime Minister (Rudd) who claims to be a Christian now indicates he is in favour of gay marriage. And yet I do not hear the church or the populace at large objecting to this proposition, not because we might be vilified but simply because we are complacent.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you vow a vow or make a pledge to God, DO NOT PUT OFF paying it; for God has no pleasure in fools (those who witlessly mock Him). Pay what you vow.

Do we need to explore the commitments we have made to the Lord and have started off well and then our commitment fell into neglect.

Luke 18:7-8 And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?

God has made a solemn pledge to us but then clearly points out in the latter part of this verse that he has some concern about our complacent attitude

One of the most glaring examples of COMPLACENCY in the Word is the parable of THE TEN VIRGINS.

Matthew 25:1-11  Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].

The symbol of the lamps here is significant in that there are several aspects involved. There is not just a lamp, but includes the wick, the oil and the oil can. We will cover this later, but for now the LIGHT is the most important, and it again follows the promises of Isaiah 58 regarding light, for it is a very important identifying factor of God’s people, those “walking in the light”, together with those “filled with light”, it becomes a familiar symbol of true Christian life.

While all the girls were virgins, all had lamps, all were invited to the wedding, five of them couldn’t be bothered to maintain their readiness. Even the wise virgins fell asleep while awaiting the bridegroom, but at least they had the good sense to maintain their light. The foolish virgins said “Give us some of your oil”, but as recorded they were unlucky, no preparation, no wedding. How relevant, how indicative of COMPLACENCY.

This is the same with Christendom today, there can be that “flare”, that superficial goodness that shines briefly but has no continuous supply. (See PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, DEMONSTRATION, CONTINUATION) The light flares but quickly fades, no enduring light, a plain indication of a COMPLACENT CHRISTIAN, still a Christian, just like “still a virgin”, they are obvious for a while, exhibiting religious emotion which looks like devotion, but is characterized by a lack of FOLLOW THROUGH

Here are some scriptures that will assist in exploring this subject further, but do not put off your study!!!!!

Hebrews 10:37 For still a little while (a very little while), and the Coming One will come and He will not DELAY.

2Peter 3:9 The Lord does not DELAY and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

Proverbs 3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and TOMORROW I will give it–when you have it with you.

Proverbs 27:1 DO NOT boast of [yourself and] TOMORROW, for you know not what a day may bring forth.

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, TODAY OR TOMORROW we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money.

James 4:14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen TOMORROW. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].

Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, and the idle person shall suffer hunger.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 THROUGH INDOLENCE the rafters [of state affairs] decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

THIS IS A STUDY THAT WILL NO DOUBT PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANSION, AND IT WILL BE PROFITABLE IF THE OBSERVATIONS OF MANY ARE INCORPORATED SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THIS SCOURGE

NEW CHRISTIANS LESSONS #4 THE WORD

THE WORD

The Bible is still the largest selling book in the world and is now translated into over 1200 different languages. Five hundred years ago it was only translated into 33 different languages.

The Word is always incredibly up to date and relevant. It never loses its power because Jesus is always the same, and we find the co-relation of this fact in:-

Hebrews 13:8          Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).

John 1:1                   In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

Genesis 1:1              In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.

So we see because Jesus has never and will never change, so the Word of God has the same longevity.

The Word is translated from the Greek word logos but from our studies in the Word we will find that the Word has a personality

No matter how we describe or call The Word, every appellative contains some aspect of excellence of His person and nature or work, and so the epithet is very properly applied to Him Who is the fountain of wisdom and the source of all revelation.

The Bible is not just one book but in fact a library of books. This library consists of 66 books separated into two (2) distinct sections, namely:-

The Old Testament

The New Testament

The Old Testament contains 39 books and the New Testament contains 27 books. One simple method of remembering this is:-

3 x 9 = 27

 

THE BIBLE IS AN INSPIRED WORD

It is quite clear that the Bible was written by men who were inspired of God. This means that the results are those which have resulted from the Divine Influence being exerted upon the mind and spirit of the man.

2 Timothy 3:16         Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

2 Peter 1:21              For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so–it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

1Thessalonians 2:13         And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

Psalm 138:2             I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!

Approximately 40 men were inspired to write the Bible and it is clear that there is no contradiction throughout. There are other books that some people claim to be part of the Bible but they do not have the required qualifications to be included.

I would like to give some interesting facts about the Bible.

A         It was written over a period of 1600 years.

B         It was written over 40 generations

C         It was written by over 40 authors from every walk of life including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen and scholars.

Moses, a political leader trained in Egypt

Peter, a fisherman

Amos, a herdsman

Joshua, a military general

Nehemiah, a cup bearer

Daniel, a Prime Minister

Luke, a doctor

Solomon, a King

Matthew, a tax collector

Paul, a rabbi

 

 

D         The Bible was written in many different places.

Moses, in the wilderness

Jeremiah, in a dungeon

Daniel, on a hillside and in a palace

Paul, inside a prison

Luke, whilst travelling

John, on the Isle of Patmos

Others whilst on military duty.

 

E         It was written on three different continents.

Asia

Africa

Europe

 

F          It was written in three different languages.

Hebrew          the language of the Old Testament

Aramaic         the common language in the Near East

Greek             The New Testament language

 

THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

The word Testament means will or treaty or Covenant.

The OLD TESTAMENT was given to the Jews (who were also called Hebrews or Israelites) for the purpose of recording God’s instructions to them and to teach them. This part of the Bible covers the history and terms of God’s relationship with man from the creation to the coming of the Saviour.

The NEW TESTAMENT covers the history and terms of the new covenant of those who accept Christ as Saviour. The New Testament explains the relationship and fulfilment of many Old Testaments prophesies.

Words can give no adequate estimation of the place the Word of God holds in Redemption and the life of God’s people. God’s people are destroyed; their lives are powerless for the lack of the knowledge of His Word.

 

GOD WORKS THROUGH THE WORD

Satan has always been bitterly opposed and subtly fought against God’s Word because God works through His Word. When God desired to create a universe He brought it into being by the power of His spoken Word.

Hebrews 11:3          By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

It is by the Word of God that we are born again and it is then by the Word of God that we are sustained and maintained in our spiritual lives.

James 1:18               And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].

James 1:21               So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome THE WORD WHICH IMPLANTED AND ROOTED [IN YOUR HEARTS] CONTAINS THE POWER TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.

1Peter 1:23               You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.

Luke 8:11                Now the meaning of the parable is this: THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD.

By our first birth we become sons of men

By our second birth we become the children of God

By adoption we become the Sons of God

Although the world we live in seems to be fairly secure in its substance, the Word of God will outlast it.

Matthew 24:35         Sky and earth will pass away, BUT MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY.

 

WHO SHOULD READ THE WORD?

As new Christians we should read the Word, for if we have been born by the Word then we should be nourished by the Word, and just as we take food for our natural body on a regular consistent and proper basis, so we should feed our spiritual being in the same way.

1 Peter 2:2                Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

Matthew 4:4             But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FORTH FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.

As mature Christians we should read the Word of God but with a different emphasis to new Christians, for as we grow we need different food for our natural body, therefore we also need to eat suitable spiritual food.

Hebrews 5:13          For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

Hebrews 5:14          But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

Isaiah 28:9               To whom will He teach knowledge? [Ask the drunkards.] And whom will He make to understand the message? Those who are babies, just weaned from the milk and taken from the breasts? [Is that what He thinks we are?]

Why is it that people don’t enjoy reading the Word?

There are several reasons, all of which stem to our relationship with the Lord. Those who do not want to do God’s will find that the Word of God challenges them and makes them feel uncomfortable. Secondly there are those the devil has made complacent. Then there are those who because they don’t seem to understand the Word of God and don’t realise that the Holy Spirit wants to help us, they neglect to read. And then there are others who are not able to get their priorities right and they get so caught up in their work etc that they don’t have time for the Word of God, and so they all begin to die spiritually.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural, non-spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

Notice how similar this verse is to Hebrews 5v15.

Luke 24:25               And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!

 

SATAN’S BATTLE AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD

Every period of spiritual declension has been marked by a low conception of God’s Word. When Satan found that the torturing and martyrdom of the Christians and the destruction and burning of Bibles did not stop the church from growing, he turned to a more successful method. That method has been to subtly attack the Word of God so that it is made powerless and ineffectual in the life of men.

For a thousand years the Bible was locked up in monasteries and written in a language, Latin, that only the clergy could understand and so the common people did not have access to the Bible. This is why the Middle Ages was such a dark period in history.

It was during this time that Satan caused men to build creeds and doctrines about the lives and teachings of the leading men of the reformation, thus hindering themselves from growth and development. It is from this source that the true presentation of the truth of God’s Word has been hindered and has caused a furious battle to be waged over the Deity of Christ and the authority of Scripture. Many churches now preach, in the place of the Word of God, other themes which they consider more practical and in harmony with modern civilisation, when in fact the Bible has never been irrelevant in any generation or civilisation when it is revealed by the Holy Spirit.

If we are to live a holy life, it is imperative we read the Word.

John 8:32                 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Hebrews 4:12          For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Notice this is not mind reading but heart reading, for only God can do this whereas mental telepathy etc etc is from the pit of hell.

1Samuel 16:7          For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, BUT THE LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART.

There are several effects from reading the Word, but it is not enough just to provide people WITH the Word, we have to be able to supply them FROM the Word.

That is why it is important for us to study and learn the Word so that when it is required we can draw on that reservoir of knowledge that has been stored, by the Holy Spirit, in our hearts.

Let us look at the effects.

LIFE

HEALTH

GUIDANCE

PRESERVATION

EQUIPS US

 

LIFE

Deuteronomy 8:3    And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

Proverbs 4:20          My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.

Proverbs 4:21          Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the centre of your heart.

Proverbs 4:22          For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.

 

HEALTH

Psalm 107:20           He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.

Psalm 119:25           My earthly life cleaves to the dust; revive and stimulate me according to Your word!

Luke 7:7                    Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed.

Proverbs 4:20          My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.

Proverbs 4:21          Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the centre of your heart.

Proverbs 4:22          For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.

GUIDANCE

Psalm 119:105        Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 2:3                  And many people shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Act 18:28                  For with great power he refuted the Jews in public [discussions], showing and proving by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah).

 

PRESERVATIVE

Psalm 119:11           Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 91:4               [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

 

EQUIPS US

Mark 4:24                  And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Daniel 11:32            And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

2 Corinthians 4:7    However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

Now we know that it is by the Word that we come to know God and that it is only through Him that we are able to be strong, and as a consequence carry out the exploits.

We must however be careful in this that we do not just give MENTAL ASSENT to the Word of God, for in so doing we can miss the Truth and the benefits.

FAITH is action upon the Word. Believing is fearlessly acting upon the Word. MENTAL ASSENT is agreement to the fact that the Bible is true, but it is void of action.

Many people who are living in the realm of mental assent to the Word of God today are living barren and fruitless spiritual lives. They have all their lives been seeking power with God in their lives and in their prayers, but they have never learned to live BY THE WORD. They live in weakness and failure and want because they have no conception of the real meaning of believing God’s Word, of really acting upon the Word.

The cause of MENTAL ASSENT has often been familiarity with the Word, for many have been brought up with the Bible in the home and have been familiar with its teachings, and believe that the Word of God is true. However our attitude all these years has been MENTAL ASSENT for though we professed to believe it was God’s Word, we failed to act upon it.

Titus 1:9                    He must hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God as he was taught it, so that he may be able both to give stimulating instruction and encouragement in sound (wholesome) doctrine and to refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error].

Titus 1:10                  For there are many disorderly and unruly men who are idle (vain, empty) and misleading talkers and self-deceivers and deceivers of others. [This is true] especially of those of the circumcision party [who have come over from Judaism].

We said that we believed it was God’s Word, but our actions were contrary. We didn’t study it, only sometimes read it and seldom spoke about it.

James 2:17               So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

In other words, it is only mental assent to the Word of God when in fact, He Who possesses all authority in heaven and in earth, makes good every word of His promises, His Word, and is able to do , and will do whatever his Word declares.

Some people are convicted of sin very readily whilst others seem to be oblivious to it. Why is that?

Well those who read the Word will be more conscious of God, and of sin, whilst those who do not read the Word live in ignorance.

Psalm 40:11b           Withhold not Your tender mercy from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me!

John 17:17               Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH.

John 8:32                 And you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free.

 

SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM READING THE BIBLE

READING THE BIBLE WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN

Psalm 119:9             How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD [conforming his life to it].

 

MEMORISING THE WORD

It is a good habit to develop to try to memorise the Word of God, because in so doing we will then have much to meditate upon during the times of isolation and also we will be better equipped to speak to other people when we know it.

If we attempt to memorise it God will help our recall when it is most needed.

John 14:26b             But the Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

 

WHEN WE PRAY WE ARE TALKING TO GOD

WHEN WE READ GOD IS TALKING TO US

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T READ THE WORD?

The neglect of the Word has far reaching effects, for we have already seen that it is meant to be our spiritual food, without which we will suffer spiritual weakness and then we will quickly and readily be overtaken by the enemy.

Can you recall what other effects the Word has on your life?

But JOHN gives us some important advice.

1John 2:14               I write to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be conscious of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, AND THE WORD OF GOD IS [ALWAYS] ABIDING IN YOU (IN YOUR HEARTS), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.

From verse 12 John says he is writing to three categories of people:

1          Children or young Christians

They know God as a father, and experience forgiveness.

1 John 2:12              I am writing to you, little children, because for His name’s sake your sins are forgiven [pardoned through His name and on account of confessing His name].

2          Fathers

Even those of mature age and long experience still need further education. These know Him “from the beginning” and have the Experience of Fellowship

1John 2:13a             I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning.

3          Young men

Also spiritual adults. These are those who are effecting the conformity or sanctification in their lives. Because you are strong and why are they strong?

1John 2:13b             I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have been victorious over the wicked [one]. I write to you, boys (lads), because you have come to know (recognize and be aware) of the Father.

1John 2:14b             I write to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be conscious of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.

They have the Experience of Fight.

 

THE CONTEST BECOMES THE CONQUEST

So whatever bracket we fall into, the Word is relevant for:

 FORGIVENESS         FELLOWSHIP         FIGHT

Jesus was strong to overcome the wicked one during His temptation in the desert when He stated:-

Luke 4:4                    And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God.

And then we see the result of Jesus’ dependency on the reliability of God’s Word.

Luke 4:14                 Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.

Jesus had His part to play. Verse 1 and 14 says “Jesus returned”. There has to be an obedient response on our part.

Consequently there are some things we need to apply so that the soil of our life is ready for the Word of God to take root.

James 1:21               So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

An important reason is given – to save your souls – but to do so it has to be implanted and rooted.

In Galatians 5 we see the fruit of the Spirit listed, but for this to happen, doctrine, or the instruction of God, by His Spirit through His Word, must be transferred into our hearts and then pass into our conduct so as to transform us, for us to be fruitful.

James gives us the method by which this is achieved.

James 1:22               But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

The Apostle Luke in recording Jesus’ words pronounces a beautiful benediction on those who accept James’ recommendations.

Luke 11:28               But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY AND PRACTICE IT!

If we only want to hear the Word and not do it, we are deceiving ourselves. Just filling our heard with good notions is not appropriate when the heart is void of good resolutions and affections, and as a consequence, we will be fruitless of the good works of obedience.

THERE MUST BE AN INWARD PRACTICE BY MEDITATION

THERE MUST BE AN OUTWARD PRACTICE BY APPLICATION

 

HOW MUCH OF THE WORD SHOULD WE ABSORB?

Colossians 3:16      Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

 

ETERNAL THINGS ARE RICH THINGS

The only way that the Word can live in us in this fashion is if we also study it, as well as read it.

2 Timothy 2:15         Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, CORRECTLY ANALYSING AND ACCURATELY DIVIDING [RIGHTLY HANDLING AND SKILFULLY TEACHING] THE WORD OF TRUTH.

Acts 17:11                Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

There is a good reason for our studying the Word above just our own edification and preparation, for PETER makes it plain that there will be times when we need answers.

1Peter 3:15b            But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defence to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Many people who ask these questions of you will have preconceived ideas and this is why the Bible says to do it respectfully, for we do not have to justify God’s Word but we have to share it intelligently and then let the Holy Spirit take over.

Jeremiah 23:29       Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?

Look at the analogy

FIRE                           hardens clay, melts wax, consumes dross, purifies gold.

HAMMER                  an unhumbled (proud) heart is like rock, so if it cannot be affected by fire then it has to be broken by the hammer.

 

BUT WE MUST HAVE PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

GOD’S WORD IS ENDURING

1Peter 1:25               But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) ENDURES FOREVER. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you.

GOD’S WORD IS ENDEARING

1Samuel 3:1            Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.

GOD’S WORD IS ENLARGING

Romans 10:17         So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

READ IT TO BE WISE

2 Timothy 3:14         But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them],

2 Timothy 3:15         And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are ABLE TO INSTRUCT YOU AND GIVE YOU THE UNDERSTANDING FOR SALVATION WHICH COMES THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

STUDY IT TO BE EQUIPPED

2 Timothy 3:17         So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

PRACTISE IT TO BE HOLY

Psalm 119:106        I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

We must always give God’s Word its proper place, always regarding it with the trust and confidence that God intends for He said in Psalm 138v2 that He has magnified His word above all His name, and further substantiates this in

Luke 1:37                 For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfilment.

No word of God must be incredible to us as long as no work of God is impossible to Him.

THE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE WORD

Since the New Testament relates directly to us in this day and age, it is probably better to learn from this section first.

The New Testament has distinct divisions, with either one or several books contained therein as follows:-

Section 1                   Gospels                                    Matthew                                                                                                Mark                                                                                                Luke                                                                                                John

 

Section 2                   History

Acts

 

Section 3                   Epistles                   14                Romans                                                                                                1 & 2 Corinthians                                                                                                Galatians                                                                                                Ephesians                                                                                                Philippians                                                                                                Colossians                                                                                                1 & 2 Thessalonians                                                                                                1 & 2 Timothy                                                                                                Titus                                                                                                Philemon                                                                                                Hebrews

Section 4                   General Epistles                 James                                                                                              1 & 2nd Peter                                                                                      1,2,3John                                                                                                Jude

 

Section 5                   Prophecy                     Revelation

 

Each book presents a particular emphasis and by learning the general theme of the book, it will assist you in finding the guidance and direction you need.

THE GOSPELS

MATTHEW                           Presents Jesus as the King. Relates Old Testament prophesies to the fulfilment by Jesus

MARK                                    Presents Jesus as the servant of God. Written to the Romans and describes the dynamic action of Christ.

LUKE                                     Presents Jesus as the Son of man. Written by a physician and he describes Christ’s perfect manhood. (See Luke 1:1-4)

JOHN                                     Presents Jesus as the Son of God. Provides the evidence and shows how we can have eternal life. (See John 20:30-31)

The preceding four gospels are Synoptic Gospels, that is, they give a synopsis of Jesus’ life and are similar in the events they relate.

ACTS                                     Describes the Acts of the Apostles and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit after Christ’s ascension (See Acts 1:8). Also describes the exciting missionary journeys of Paul and others.

PAULINE EPISTLES

The next 14 books consist of letters to churches and were widely circulated.

ROMANS                              Clear explanation of salvation and justification by faith. ROMANS is called The Cathedral of Christian Doctrine. (See ROMANS 5:1)

1 & 2 CORINTHIANS         Written to prescribe conduct in the church and the handling of problems.

GALATIANS                         Justification by Faith. Similar to the theme in ROMANS. (See GALATIANS 2:16)

EPHESIANS                         Contains the truth relating to a fulfilled Christian life.

PHILIPPIANS                      

COLOSSIANS

1 & 2 THESSALONIANS   Relates to what will happen prior to the return of Christ, also His return to heaven. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

1 & 2 TIMOTHY                   These are personal letters written to assist those involved in

TITUS                                    Pastoral activities. The second book of TIMOTHY was one of

PHILEMON                           encouragement and a call to faithfulness.

 

HEBREWS                           Describes how the new covenant of grace is superior to the period of law. Explains the relationship of symbolic rites and sacrifices to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

GENERAL EPISTLES

These books are identified by the person who wrote them, not to whom they were written

JAMES                                  Teaches that faith in God will produce good works. However good works do not save us. (See JAMES 1:22 and 2:20)

1 & 2 PETER                        Letters of encouragement to Christians with reminders of Christ’s return. Warnings against false teachers.

1,2,3 JOHN                           The theme of these letters is love and Truth

JUDE                                     Warnings against false teachings and impending judgement upon the world.

REVELATION                      The contents of this book unveils the future, describes the moral and spiritual conflict of the ages.

                                                Sometimes called The Apocalypse and is the only book in the Bible that contains a special promise to obedient readers. (See Revelation 1:3) but also warns not to tamper with its contents (See Revelation 22:18-19). Relates closely to the book of DANIEL.

 

 

oOo

NEW CHRISTIANS STUDY #3 WATER BAPTISM

WATER BAPTISM

WHAT IS BAPTISM?

The Bible makes it very clear that baptism is not an optional extra. Jesus Himself was baptised. He had no need to repent of sin, because He was without sin, but he set the example for us to follow.

Mark 1:9                     In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.

He was baptized for two reasons:-

• To fulfil righteousness
• To be made manifest to Israel.

Matthew 3:14-15      But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptised by You, and do You come to me? But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now, for this is the fitting way for both of us to fulfil all righteousness, that is, to perform completely whatever is right.

John 1:31                  And I did not know Him and did not recognise Him myself; but it is in order that He should be made manifest and revealed to Israel, to be brought out where we can see Him that I came baptising in, with water.

When the Holy Spirit came down from heaven like a dove in Mark 1:10 and the voice of the Father was heard, these events probably brought Jesus to a total consciousness of His divine sonship and unique relationship to God.

Mark 1:10                   And when He came up out of the water, at once he [John] saw the heavens torn open and the [Holy] Spirit like a dove coming down [to enter] into Him.

Water baptism or baptism by immersion is also called believer’s baptism. Before a person is baptised he must have first repented of his sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an essential step of the believer.

Mark 16:16                He who believes [who adheres to and trusts and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptised, will be saved from the penalty of eternal death; but he who does not believe, who does not adhere to and trust and rely on the Gospel and Him Who sets it forth will be condemned.

Act 2:38                      And Peter answered them, Repent, change your views, and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and the release of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There has been some controversy down though the years about the baptism conducted by John the Baptist and Jesus’ Baptism, but if we look at both the origins and the purpose of both, or either, we will find that the controversy is counterproductive to what the Bible teaches.

John’s baptism could never be regarded as a mere ceremony as some would suggest, only pre-emptive of what was to come. It was always vibrant through and through with ethical meaning….a cleansing of the heart from sin was not only its preliminary condition….but its constant aim and purpose.

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, LIKE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM –

1          Was instituted by God Himself

Matthew 21:25         The baptism of John–from where was it? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will ask us, Why then did you not believe him?

John 1:33                 And I did not know Him nor recognize Him, but He Who sent me to baptize in (with) water said to me, Upon Him Whom you shall see the Spirit descend and remain, that One is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

2          Was connected with a radical change of life

LUKE 1:1-17             SINCE [as is well known] many have undertaken to put in order and draw up a [thorough] narrative of the surely established deeds which have been accomplished and fulfilled in and among us, Exactly as they were handed down to us by those who from the [official] beginning [of Jesus’ ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word [that is, of the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God], It seemed good and desirable to me, [and so I have determined] also after having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed. In the days when Herod was king of Judea there was a certain priest whose name was Zachariah, of the daily service (the division) of Abia; and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they both were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren; and both were far advanced in years. Now while on duty, serving as priest before God in the order of his division, As was the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And all the throng of people were praying outside [in the court] at the hour of incense [burning]. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zachariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear took possession of him. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your petition was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you must call his name John [God is favorable]. And you shall have joy and exultant delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, For he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. And he must drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit even in and from his mother’s womb. And he will turn back and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God]–in order to make ready for the Lord a people [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state]. [Isa. 40:3; Mal. 4:5, 6.]

John 1:20-30            He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it, but acknowledged, I am not the Christ! They asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not! Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No! Then they said to him, Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness [the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out, the path of the Lord], as the prophet Isaiah said.The messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. And they asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? John answered them, I [only] baptize in (with) water. Among you there stands One Whom you do not recognize and with Whom you are not acquainted and of Whom you know nothing. It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose. These things occurred in Bethany (Bethabara) across the Jordan [at the Jordan crossing], where John was then baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I said, After me comes a Man Who has priority over me [Who takes rank above me] because He was before me and existed before I did.

3          Stood in sacramental relation to the forgiveness of sins

Matthew 3:7             But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming?

Matthew 3:8             Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];

Mark 1:4                    John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness (desert), preaching a baptism [obligating] repentance (a change of one’s mind for the better, heartily amending one’s ways, with abhorrence of his past sins) in order to obtain forgiveness of and release from sins.

Luke 3:3                    And he went into all the country round about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance (of hearty amending of their ways, with abhorrence of past wrongdoing) unto the forgiveness of sin.

4          Employed the same material element, namely water.

 THE BLOOD ATONES FOR OUR SINS….THE WATERS OF BAPTISM ERASE THE STAIN.

There are several aspects of baptism that are closely tied together:-

Faith

Repentance

Conversion

Baptism

FAITH                                    enables you to accept the priceless gift

REPENTANCE       brings you to Calvary

CONVERSION        takes you out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of light

BAPTISM                 seals your experience

 THE INSTITUTION OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

It was instituted with Divine Authority

Baptism was instituted by Christ after He had finished the work of reconciliation and this had received the approval of the Father in the resurrection. It is worth noticing that Jesus prefaced the great commission with the words All authority, all power of rule, in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Matthew 28:18         Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Jesus then, with that authority, instituted Christian baptism and as a consequence made it binding upon all future generations, as follows.

Matthew 28:19         Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:20         Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

This great commission contained three very important elements, each of which requires the same degree of attention as the other, and of course all three are interdependent.

1          The disciples were to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all nations in order to bring people to repentance and to the acknowledgement of Jesus as the promised Saviour.

2          Those who accept Christ b faith were to be baptised into the name of the triune God as a sign and seal of the fact that they had entered into a new relation to God and as such were obliged to live according to the laws of the Kingdom.

3          They were to be bought under the ministry of the word, not merely as a proclamation of the good news, but as an exposition of the mysteries, the privileges and the duties of the new covenant.

 

BAPTISM IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY

Some people are puzzled about being baptised again if they were “christened” as a baby. We need to know what the Bible says about this. If you were christened as a baby, the Scripture strongly suggests that you should be baptised in “believer’s baptism”. Baptism, as we have seen and will see further, is for those who have repented of their sins, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved.

Babies and young children are incapable of making such a decision, hence their christening or infant baptism was not the believer’s baptism.

Baptism always follows conversion. Once you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and comitted your life to Him it is absolutely essential to take that step.

Let us look at the Scriptures that reinforce this point.

Matthew 28:19         Go then and make disciples (this requires teaching) of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ,

Acts 2:38                   And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) (only a thinking, understanding person can do this) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:16               He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.

Scripture makes it abundantly clear that baptism symbolises spiritual cleansing or purification.

Acts 22:16                And now, why do you delay? Rise and be baptized, and by calling upon His name, wash away your sins.

1Peter 3:21               And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism represents primarily an act of the grace of God, but because the professing Christian must voluntarily submit to it, it can also be considered from Man’s point of view.

There is in it an offer and gift of God, but also an acceptance on the part of man. Consequently, baptism also signifies that man accepts the covenant and assumes its obligations. It is a seal, not merely of an offered, but an offered and accepted covenant, that is, of a concluded covenant.             Born again – Yes I accept Your offer;   Baptism – signing the contract.

 

WHY BAPTISM BY IMMERSION?

There are many good reasons why baptism should be by immersion, and although there are objections raised by some areas of the church, they are based generally on a “preferred method” basis rather than on a scriptural basis.

Firstly, Jesus set the example for us and as we well know the Bible encourages us to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5v1) and for this reason alone we have a pattern to follow.

Mark 1:9                    In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:10                  And when He came up out of the water, at once he [John] saw the heavens torn open and the [Holy] Spirit like a dove coming down [to enter] into Him.

If sprinkling had been sufficient it would not be necessary for Scripture to make the point so plainly in:-

John 3:22                 After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the land (the countryside) of Judea, where He remained with them, and baptized.

John 3:23                 But John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, for there was an abundance of water there, and the people kept coming and being baptized.

In Acts chapter 8 we have the story of the Ethiopian eunuch who was led to the Lord by Philip after he explained to him the meaning of the book of Isaiah which he was reading.   But the interesting point for us is the eunuch’s response…and the geographical suitability.

Acts 8:36                   And as they continued along on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch exclaimed, See, [here is] water! What is to hinder my being baptized?

Acts 8:38                   And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and [Philip] baptized him.

Colossians 2:12      [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead.

Burial sets the seal on death, so the Christian’s baptism is a token burial in which the old order of living comes to an end, to be replaced by a new order of life in Christ.

We have mentioned that baptism is regarded as the reciprocal of circumcision in Old Testament terms, but this leaves some ambiguity unless we look at the principle in total, and when we do it looks much like this:-

The circumcision of the heart, the crucifixion of the flesh, the death and burial to sin and to the world, the resurrection to newness of life are all implied in baptism and connected with faith of the operation of God and sufficiently prove that our sins are forgiven, our debt is blotted out and cancelled and that we are fully delivered from the curse of the law.

This conformity to the crucified and risen Saviour, was effected through the faith of the operation of God, Who raised Him from the dead, or by a believing reliance on that effectual, saving power of God as displayed in the resurrection of Christ.

Romans 6:3             Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Romans 6:4             We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.

Romans 6:5             For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].

Christians being buried and rising with Christian baptism, is not the means by which we die unto sin and live unto righteousness, but is the demonstration of our faith, by which the ordinance is made effectual to its proper purpose, and by which we perceive the matters it is to represent, and seals it for us.

1Peter 3:20               [The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God’s patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water. [Gen. 6-8.]

1Peter 3:21               And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You will notice that it was not the water that saved the people, but the ark. Therefore baptism in water does not save our souls, but faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ does and baptism is a figure of this. Baptism does not save from moral depravity but is the answer of a good conscience towards God.

Just as the flood spoke of a judgment, which those in the ark were both saved from, and saved by, in order to enjoy a new world, so the water of Christian baptism speaks of the death which fell upon Christ, a death due to sinners, which believers into Christ are both saved from, and saved by, and through which they enter into the enjoyment of new life before God. And so Peter makes it abundantly clear that it is not the mere participation in the outward form of baptism that saves. It is only Christ Who can save through His death and resurrection but baptism gives both the entrance and incorporation into Christ and by genuine open confession of such faith in God of which public baptism signifies.

Despite the conjecture of many theologians regarding the necessity or otherwise for baptism to be by immersion, the Greek word for baptism is bapto which literally means to dip whereas the Greek word for sprinkle is rhantizo.

Now many commentators contend that as long as the fundamental idea, namely that of purification, finds expression in the rite, then the mode is quite immaterial. This then is tantamount to stating that salvation, as long as we believe in it, it doesn’t matter how we go about it.   The principle is well established that the word is to be our guide and when there are statements made that the word or the person is to be our example, then there has to be a response to that instruction.

1Peter 2:21               For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.

Hebrews 8:5             [But these offer] service [merely] as a pattern and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain.

1Corinthians 10:6   Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.

Jesus when He was baptised was immersed and so left us His example together with the fact that the word says be imitators of God. And so the grammatical explanations of the commentators have to submit to the example of the word, where there is no ambiguity.

The fact of baptism is now well established. However for reference purposes let us group some of the more obvious scriptures for future use.

Matthew 28:19         Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:38                      And Peter answered them, Repent, change your views, and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and the release of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16                And now, why do you delay? Rise and be baptized, and by calling upon His name, wash away your sins.

SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM

Galatians 3:27         For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.

Colossians 2:12      [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead.

EXAMPLES OF BAPTISM

Believers at Pentecost

Acts 2:41                   Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

Converts in Samaria

Acts 8:12                   But when they believed the good news (the Gospel) about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) as Philip preached it, they were baptized, both men and women.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:38                   And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and [Philip] baptized him.

Saul of Tarsus

Acts 9:18                   And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized,

Philippian jailer and his household

Acts 16:33                And he took them the same hour of the night and bathed [them because of their bloody] wounds, and he was baptized immediately and all [the members of] his [household].

Believers in Corinth

Acts 18:8                   But Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed [that Jesus is the Messiah and acknowledged Him with joyful trust as Saviour and Lord], together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians who listened [to Paul also] believed and were baptized.

 

WATER BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD MANIFESTATION OF AN INWARD WORK OF GRACE

BAPTISM IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE TOWARDS CHRIST, AN OUTWARD TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD, AND TO YOURSELF A VERY GREAT BLESSING

 

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