Spiritual

SECTARIANISM – The Problem…


Spiritual Blog - Principles

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”  NKJV

 

I purposefully used the word Sectarianism rather than Denominationalism because most find it more distasteful.  There is an extremely large percentage in Christendom who identify with one denomination or another and some are far more exclusive and separatist than others.  My question is, “If we are IN CHRIST, believers and partakers of His divine grace are we not members of THE BODY OF CHRIST?”  If we are members of Christ’s Body does not make us brothers and sisters in the faith?

Sectarianism or Denominationalism is a reference to a group, often incredibly large, who unite under a common faith or doctrine.  Most organize and have a legal hierarchy of rules and regulations for participation and membership.  The tendency for most denominations is to separate themselves from others and emphasize their differences and exclusiveness.  I wonder how this squares with the prayer of Jesus in John 17, “that we all be one”.

Knowing that I am on thin ice with many let me proceed to the passage listed in our text.  Paul addressed the Church at Corinth with a very strong rebuke.  He said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”  Wow!  How would you like to have a recognized and respected leader of the Church come into your congregation and make that assertion?  He went on to say, “I fed you with milk and not solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are not able…”  Paul, you are about to be run out of town on a rail.  He then said, “…for you are carnal.”  What?  I thought they came behind in no spiritual gift?  How is this church with the gifts being identified as CARNAL? 

His explanation was, “…where there is envy, strife, divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?  For when one says, ‘I am of Paul’, and another “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”  Paul recognized that the separation and exclusivism the Corinthians were practicing, much like today’s Christian world, was an evidence of carnality, not spirituality.  It was an evidence of man’s preference, not God’s grace and presence.  It was a source of envy, strife, quarrels and divisions rather than a unifying in Him.

I do not mind you being a member of a denomination nor do I believe God does.  However, I do have a problem and believe God does, with exclusivism to the point of relegating all other believers to second-class citizens of the faith if they do not ascribe to your particular doctrinal tenets.  The apostle reminded the Corinthians that he and Apollos were simply the messengers through whom they had been introduced to Christ.  In Christianity, there is planting, watering, and harvesting and we each have a work to do and should be diligent in the pursuit of that assignment.  I am reminded of the disciples coming to Jesus in Mark 9 saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”  They felt good about and maybe even a bit smug in their reporting to Jesus, after all, he was not of their particular brand.  Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side…”  Jesus’ clear message was not that there would not be false teachers, prophets, and preachers but that simply because someone was not of your particular brand does not exclude them from the Family of God and the Body of Christ.

If we, as believers spent less time being concerned with our brand, label or tag than we are the Gospel of Christ and rejoiced when others of faith were laboring in the field of life seeking to reach others with the message of the Cross we would see far more in the way of spiritual renewal than we now see.

           God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH…


Spiritual Blog - Cross

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  NKJV

 

I am fully aware of the directive and declaration of Hebrews 6 that we are to move beyond discussing the “elementary principles of Christ” and move on to spiritual maturity.  It is clear that believers are to “grow in grace” and move from spiritual infancy through adolescence into maturity.  I fully agree.  However, if we omit one of if not the central message of the church, “The Cross” we err.

We cannot grow in grace until we are in grace.  The apostle Paul nor the other apostles and disciples ever forgot the central message of the gospel.  They continually returned to the preaching of the Cross.  In fact, Paul declared in Romans 10, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent…” (10:14-15). Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are saved it is the power of God.

I love seeing things I have not seen in Scripture.  I love when I am meditating on the Word of God or in prayer to have the Holy Spirit pull back the veil and allow me to see that which is beyond what I have seen.  I love it when I move beyond the “milk” into the “meat” of God’s word.  I love it when I am in a time of praise and worship and the heavens come down and glory fills the place.  I love it when I sense the divine presence of God so powerfully that I feel I could hold it in my hands.  Yet, if the angels in heaven are overwhelmed with joy when one sinner repents how can I have less a response and desire to see people come to the foot of the Cross and receive the Lord Jesus as their personal savior?

When I talk about the Cross being the central message of the Church some will say, “All you evangelists are the same.  Salvation, salvation, salvation.  That’s all you think or know.”  That is an assumption that evangelist is my gift and if it is I can accept that so thank you but the message God has burned in my heart is not a singular message of salvation but salvation is a part of what I preach, therefore I’m not sure the distinction fully applies.  If Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and the significant charge He gave to the disciples was to “go into all the world and preach” should it not be our message too?  If Jesus is the Door to salvation should we not be attempting to bring people to the door?  Of course, we should seek to equip and train believers for the work of ministry but it is like fishing I don’t clean fish before I catch them. 

I have been in some churches multiple times and have yet to hear them present the message of the Cross.  I have been in others and they never present anything else.  I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in and as Paul on the Road to Damascus, a light shined in my heart.  I knew that I knew that I knew my sins were forgiven.  I met Jesus at the foot of Calvary and thank God he drew me to Him and when I called out to Him, He came to me in Grace, forgiving my sins and washing me whiter than snow.

Never be afraid or ashamed to share your faith.  Never be ashamed of the Cross.  You may never have a great revelation that awes people but if you have been to the Cross and met Jesus there, you have experienced the most important part of your Christian walk.  I am less concerned with impressing people on earth than I am about introducing people to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

            God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Jesus!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

DID YOU HEAR WHAT PAUL SAID???


sPIRITUAL blog - Bond Servant

Romans 1:1-7 – “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have noticed and been guilty of reading the Bible from strictly a Western mentality.  I have contended for years that if we truly want to understand what is being said we have to understand what it meant to those who read and heard in that day.  Here in Romans Chapter 1, we find some powerful statements by the apostle Paul.

BONDSERVANT – The word is “Doulos”, which often is translated servant, but if we render it properly it means SLAVE.  It identifies one who is totally the property of his master and when Paul uses it here it is not for show but for defining purpose.  Those who heard his declaration understood that he was calling himself a SALVE of Jesus Christ and that his life was no longer his in any way but entirely the property of the LORD Jesus.  We say that but do we mean that?  He was “willingly” a slave to the LORD.

CALLED TO APOSTLESHIP – The word is “apostolos” which signifies a messenger or envoy.  He is one who has been sent on a confidential errand.  Here it goes far beyond that and means an “extraordinary messenger” sent on behalf of the Master of the Universe, God Himself.  The fact that Paul said he had been “called” to be an apostle signifies that he understood that He was joined to Jesus just as the Twelve had been.  He was truly a messenger with authority.

SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL – This is important in that Paul is not just separated “from” the world but “to” the Gospel.  He has identified a specific work and a work to which he is separated.  The Gospel is his life, calling and purpose and as a SLAVE his purpose that which the LORD determines not his preference nor is it optional.  He has chosen to be exclusively committed to the purposes of God regardless of where that might lead or what the result might be.

Paul identifies this “gospel” which is timeless in the heart of God, promised through the prophets of old and is now coming to fruition.  The commitment to the “gospel” is paramount in the mind and heart of this apostle.  He has a purpose, assignment and mission in life and later would declare, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

Paul’s life and ministry are marked by his singular commitment and dedication to his calling.  He refused to be dissuaded or diverted but set his heart to fulfilling the wishes of his LORD and MASTER to whom he considers himself a “willing slave.”  A slave for life by virtue of his choice to be completely bound by the Master’s desire.  That is an incredibly powerful message and testimony.  “I have totally committed my life, will, and desire to Him.  It is no longer my rights but His desire that controls my life and purpose.  I must decrease but He must continually increase.”   If that were the heart of each of us today, TOTALLY, we would see a revival like we have not heretofore seen.  I have not yet attained but I am, like Paul, pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Jesus.

God bless you as you reaffirm your commitment and embark on the journey of this day!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

GRACE GIVING – – Part III


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

             We have considered three of the pieces of evidence that one is engaged in Grace Giving so let’s consider others as well.  We know we are engaged in Grace Giving when…

  • We Give Willingly – [2 Corinthians 8:10-22]

There is a tremendous difference between PROMISE and PERFORMANCE.  The Corinthians had boasted to Titus a year earlier what they would do (v. 6) but had done nothing.  In [vv.10-12] Paul addresses WILLINGNESS because Grace Giving must come from the heart.

In my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals that were what I call auction offerings and coercions not examples of Grace Giving.  I have listened to heart-wrenching tales of dire need and forced myself to laugh at tired old jokes to somehow make it easier to part with my offering.  I have been scolded, shamed and almost threatened and I confess none of those stirred me to give more than I had planned to give and in honesty I have given less than I planned as a result and my becoming disgusted with what I considered a carnal approach.  We must be careful not to confuse WILLING with DOING.  If the “willingness” is sincere and in the will of God, there will be a corresponding “doing”.  Paul did not say that “willingness” was a substitute for “doing.”

I am convinced that God sees the “Gift of the Heart” as well as the “Gift in the Hand.”  If the heart wanted to do more but could not, God sees the heart.  I believe that God is more interested in the “proportion” than the “portion.”

  • We Give By Faith – [2 Corinthians 8:13-24]

Please understand I am not talking about writing a check on funds you do not have and say, “I’m giving by faith.”  I question if that is faith or presumption.  Rather step out in faith with the promise and as He puts it in your hands give it.

Grace Giving is an adventure of faith and incredibly exciting.  When we learn to give “by grace through faith” just as we were saved we will begin to experience a wonderful liberation that transcends circumstances and frees us from the hold of things in our lives.  Instead of things possessing us we will control them and we will find a development of a wonderful new set of values and priorities.  Grace Giving enriches us as we enrich others.  Grace Giving transforms us to be more like Jesus in our lives.

             May the LORD open the wonderful world of Grace Giving in your life and allow you to know the joy and thrill of His Grace in Giving!   May His Abundant Blessings by yours always!

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

GRACE GIVING – – Part II


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

             Today I’d like to pick up where we left off last time and consider the Evidence that surfaces when we enter into GRACE GIVING.  I truly hope these are beneficial in your consideration of Giving and the Grace of God.  We know we are engaged in GRACE GIVING when…

  • We Give In Spite of Circumstances. [2 Corinthians 8:1-2]

The churches Paul used as an example were in Macedonia and had or were experiencing severe difficulties.  In fact (v.2) he identifies that they not only were in affliction but a “great trial of affliction”.  They were in “deep poverty” a term used to describe a beggar who has absolutely nothing and no hope of getting anything.  Out of the lack they gave.  Do you remember the widow with her two mites that Jesus took note?  GRACE GIVING.

Their situation may have been, in part, caused by their following Christ.  They may have lost jobs, etc. as a result of their confession of Jesus.  However, the beautiful thing is their circumstances did not prevent them from “giving what they had”.  What did Peter tell the beggar at the Gate Beautiful?  “Such as I have, I give…”  They gave JOYFULLY and LIBERALLY.  Imagine that!  Great affliction and deep poverty plus GRACE equals abundant joy and amazing liberality.  That makes no sense to the natural mind.

When you have experienced the Grace of God in your life you WILL NOT use difficult circumstances as an excuse or justification to not give.  Giving becomes an act of faith and a demonstration of confidence in God and His word.  If we remember that God is still in control and He truly owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is the one who gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower we can give as He directs knowing HE CAN and HE WILL provide.

  • We Give Enthusiastically – [2 Corinthians 8:3-4]

I ask, “Is it possible to give generously and not give enthusiastically?”  Maybe but incredibly infrequently.  The Macedonian church needed no prompting or reminders, they begged to be included. (v.4).

Their giving was completely voluntary and spontaneous.  It was Grace, not Pressure that prompted their giving.  We sometimes fail to understand that Grace not only frees us from sin but it frees us from ourselves.  The Grace of God opens both the heart and the hand.

  • We Give As Jesus Gave – [2 Corinthians 8:5-9]

Jesus is ALWAYS the preeminent example for us to follow whether in service, suffering or sacrifice.  The Macedonians gave themselves to others as Jesus. [v.5]. The Macedonian’s giving was motivated by LOVE. 

What a rebuke to the church at Corinth that was enriched with spiritual blessings and gifts. (1 Corinthians 1:4-5).  They were so wrapped up in their gifts they neglected the Grace of the Spirit.  Oh, how we need balance in our lives.  Let me offer this word of caution.  You may have incredible spiritual gifts but that can never become a substitute for generous giving.

Paul made sure that the Corinthians understood he was not ordering them to give.  He was contrasting the attitudes of the believers in Macedonia with those in Corinth.  His message was that Grace Giving is an evidence of love.

Let’s pause here and pick this up again in the next devotional.  May the LORD encourage your heart and quicken your spirit to allow His Grace to permeate your entire being.  Blessings as you go through this day!

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

GRACE GIVING…


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

Charity, generosity, and giving are an integral part of the biblical message and mandate.  I would suggest that it is impossible to study the Bible without being confronted with the subject of giving.  In considering the historical setting for this passage, we realize that one of the major ministries or efforts of Paul’s third missionary journey was gathering special relief offerings for the poor Christians in Judea.  He had done this before as we see in Acts 11 and now he feels directed of the Spirit of God to do it again.  It is interesting to note that Paul cited a forgotten beatitude in Acts 20:35, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  I would suggest there was more than just gathering relief funds in Paul’s efforts and can see at least three additional desires in his heart.

 

  • He wanted this offering to Strengthen the Unity of the Church as the Gentile congregations shared with the Jewish congregations across the sea.
  • He wanted this Evidence for the Jewish churches to prove that neither he nor the Gentile congregations were enemies.
  • He Hoped that the Generosity of the Gentiles would silence the apparent jealousy of the Jewish Christians.

 

The problem surfaced that the church at Corinth was not doing its part.  They had made promises but failed to keep them.  In fact, an entire year had been wasted (v.10).  What caused the delay?  It was the spiritual condition of the church at Corinth.  Their spiritual temperature was incredibly low.  A rule of thumb, I have found, is when a church is not spiritual they are not generous.  Likewise, when a person’s spiritual temperature is low their generosity also lessens.  Another cause was the invasion of the Judaizers, who frequently siphoned off as much money as they could.  So Paul saw a problem.  He addressed it using nine (9) different words to refer to this offering, but the one used most was GRACE.  He informed them that “giving” was truly a ministry of GRACE and FELLOWSHIP.  (v.4)  The ministry of helping others is vital but its motivation must be from the Grace of God.  I have witnessed and participated in GRACE GIVING and there is nothing which provides more joy and strength to the life and church than this.   

            Let me pose a question for your consideration:  “How Can We Know We Are Practicing Grace Giving?”  I did not ask how we can know we are giving but our giving is GRACE GIVING.  Paul uses several pieces of evidence which are evidenced when our giving is motivated by GRACE.

Although I hesitate to do so, I will pause here and consider these pieces of evidence in our next devotional.  Until then, may the LORD give you an overflow of His grace, peace, provision and power!  Blessings abundantly!

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

PREPARATION PRECEDES BLESSING…


Spiritual Blog - Ditches

2 Kings 3:16-19 – “And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ 17 For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.”  NKJV

 

Everyone who recalls this account in the biblical record knows that the result was more than just providing water for Israel and Judah but when they prepared as directed by the prophet God worked an amazing miracle.  Not only did water flow into the ditches but when the Moabites looked at the ditches filled with a liquid substance they saw it as blood.  They thought the nations of Israel, Judah and Edom had turned on each other and the slaughter immense and rushed in to claim the spoils of victory.  That was their tragic mistake and were soundly defeated just as the prophet declared but, had they not done the preparation there would have been no blessing of victory.

There are other accounts in the Bible that clearly illustrate the need or requirement to make preparation to receive the blessings of the Lord.  The idea is rooted in the principle of “sowing and reaping”, the “law of harvest” and “giving and receiving”.   Remember in 2 Kings the widow who cried out in her dire circumstance to Elisha, he asked what she had in the house and her reply was a jar of oil.  He instructed her to gather all the vessels she could find in the house and from neighbors and as she complied the oil flowed until the vessels were filled.  She could have limited the blessing by limiting her obedience.

How about Naaman the Syrian when the prophet instructed him to dip seven times in the Jordan?  He resisted, at first, but then complied and when he did his healing became a reality.  Had he allowed his prejudice, pride, and expectation to prevent him from following the instructions and preparing for the blessing he would have died a leper in Syria!  Isaiah informed us that there had to be one who would PREPARE the way of the LORD and in Matthew we read that John the Baptist was that voice and John said, “I am not the Christ, but I am sent before Him… He must increase but I must decrease.”  John’s obedience and preparation paved the way for Messiah to be received and recognized.

There is no reconciliation without repentance, no healing for the blind man instructed to wash in the pool of Siloam and there is no blessing for you and me UNLESS we PREPARE a container in which to receive that blessing.  The Blessing is from the LORD but the obedience is our part of the equation.  The Law of Sowing and Reaping comes into play in all aspects and dimensions of life.  I heard something in my spirit about 2016 and beyond that, I will share.  I know some do not believe anyone can hear from God and I do not declare this was an audible voice but it was real in my heart and mind so I proceed.

Years ago, I was facing an imposing financial need of $500.00 to pay an obligation that was due and promised.  I realize that amount in today’s society might be considered a pittance but I had $55.00 to my name.  The Holy Spirit witnessed to my heart to “tithe on my need”.  That would mean placing $50.00 in the offering and retaining $5.00 to feed my family and care for our needs for the week.  I wanted to obey but my reason prevented me from doing so on Sunday morning and I kept the $50.00 in my pocket.  That night in the service I was so overwhelmed with the urgency and desire to obey that I literally threw the money in the offering.  I was elated and troubled at the same time.  The next day I ran an errand downtown and a person walked up to me, reached out to shake my hand and said, “Thank you for your faithfulness.”  They placed a piece of paper in my hands and I waited until I was alone to look at it and realized it was a check.  The amount was $550.00.  I cannot describe the emotion and awe I sensed in my heart.  God had done exactly what He said and had I not made the preparation through obedience I would not have received the blessing.

I sense in my spirit and believe that the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart that the first 100 days of 2016 will determine and shape the next 1,000 days.  That what we do in the first 100 days will be preparation for the next 1,000.  Exactly what that means to each person will be different but I sense we are being told to MAKE PREPARATION in Obedience and then observe how He does what He does as a result.

  God bless you as you obey the Voice of the Spirit of God and prepare your hearts for his overflowing blessings and promises.   

2 CommentsLeave a comment

THE GLORY – Part III


Spiritual Blog - Glroy

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

  

Let’s take another step in our consideration of THE GLORY of God that is revealed to and lives in our hearts.  The question that needs to be addressed is, “What is sin?”  A very simplistic answer is UNLOVE.  It is the disobedience that issues forth from that UNLOVE.  What happens when we sin?  What does sin do to us?  It blows us apart!  That is why sinners are so tragic, they are blown apart on the inside.  The Good News is that when we receive Jesus who is the Love and Glory of God we are made WHOLE.  Deep down at the foundation of our beings we are made WELL.  God’s kind of Love inside us is making us well, together and whole.  Therefore, we are not ashamed because it is the power to make people whole that has come to us.  The Gospel works!  This is the Good News that puts people back together again.

I have had Christians tell of their frustration in taking one step forward and two back or two forward and one back in their walk.  Do not allow frustration to overtake you for it is “from GLORY to GLORY.”  This is a process and the process is not over.  We being changed from Glory to Glory, but never forget we are being changed!  Please hear me!  It is not that we are trying to get the Glory or trying to Love like God Loves.  The Bible does not teach that one day you will have arrived and made it to spiritual perfection here on earth.  That is the idea presented in some teaching I have heard.  You tried and tried, struggled, prayed and worked and with a little help you have finally achieved perfection.  NO!  It is “Christ IN YOU, the Hope of Glory.”   It is not you.  It is not your struggle that somehow, someway, someday you reached the pinnacle.  It is HIM!  It is Christ IN us.  It is Jesus living His life through us.  It is not us trying to be like Him it is Him being Himself in us.  Can you see the problem in the idea of trying to be like Jesus?  That puts Him on the outside as the ultimate example and leaves us in hopeless despair trying to be like Him.  That is not GOOD NEWS!  The Good News declares, “God not only says that I have sinned and He has forgiven me, but He tells me that I am helpless but He has come to LIVE His Life IN ME and THROUGH ME!”  

Philippians 2:12, “Work out your own salvation…” has become a major stumbling block for much of the church world today.  This verse simply says, “Go out there and LOVE as Jesus loved.  Work out your [sozo]. Love, forgive and put aside resentment anger while allowing compassion and tenderness to live in your heart.  God and be like Jesus.  Work out your own salvation!”  HOW?  I am not kidding, HOW?  This verse declares, “With fear and trembling.”  That is very interesting.  What does that mean?  It is a Greek expression meaning:  “Work out your own salvation, with no trust whatsoever in your own ability.”  So, how do we do that?  The apostle told us to go do it and we understand that we are not to trust in ourselves…  The problem is most do not finish the verse.  The rest of the verse declares, “…for it is God, who works IN YOU to will and do of His Good Pleasure.”  That’s the picture.  He is INSIDE of us and brings a WANT TO and the POWER to do it.  God doesn’t obliterate me as the old song “all of Him, and none of me” suggests.

Let me give you an example that might help.  If someone sings a solo in church and you say to them, “That really ministered to me.  It was a tremendous blessing.”  But they say, in intended humility, “It wasn’t me, it was the LORD.”  My thought is, “I could have sworn it was you on the platform.”  You were, at least, a participant in the song!  “For I live…”  We are never more alive than when we are IN CHRIST.  Do not trust yourself, it is CHRIST IN YOU.  That means we can celebrate our uniqueness, I live, yet not I…

Are you following me?  We are working out our own salvation with no trust in ourselves but in Him who lives in and through us.  It is not trying to be LIKE HIM.  It is Him being HIMSELF in us.  That causes me to remember the teaching of Jesus on the Vine and Branches.  Remember He said, “I am the true vine and you are the branches.  Abide in Me and you will bring forth much fruit.”   A Vine Branch is the most useless branch in the world.  If a vine branch isn’t producing grapes it is totally useless.  Jesus choose this illustration purposefully.  The Vine itself is invisible.  It is an invisible life that comes through a trunk and will inevitably produce a leaf which produces a flower which results in Grapes.  I have never seen a VINE.  I have seen it expressed in a leaf, flower, grape or branch.  That is the only way I can touch the Vine.  It comes through a branch and is expressed.  The branch of the vine will do that.  All it has to do is be in the main trunk.  It simply has to be in a position to receive.  The branch does nothing!  It is not the life but the life flows through it.

Jesus is that invisible life that is flowing through us!  Remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest…”  The word “rest” means recreation or vacation.  Jesus declares, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heaven laden and I will give you a vacation.”  What is a vacation?  When you cease working!   Jesus was not addressing the group we would call sinners, He is speaking to believers!  He is saying if you are tired of working and working trying to be good and be like Me, STOP just come to Me and I will be that in and through you!  Being a Christian means you get to quit working trying to be like Him you simply begin allowing Him to be Himself through you.

I know that is super simplistic but I hope you understand that your willpower will not make you like Him.  Only Him living His life through you can do that.  We need to learn to be Human Beings, not simply Human Doings.  Lord, I pray that You help us grasp the truth that it is, “Christ in us, the hope of glory” and not of works that we have or will do.  It is you being you in our lives and in that position and condition we radiate the Love of God to the world.

            Blessings as you go through this day!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

THE GLORY – Part II


Spiritual Blog - Glory

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

In continuing with the thought of GOD’S GLORY, we need to consider an expression of love revealed in the Gospels.  Remember the first miracle in Cana of Galilee?  A wedding feast of a nameless couple and they have run out of wine.  That is bad!  Did you notice how Jesus did the miracle?  He did it quietly without fanfare.  He took approximately 180 gallons of water and no one knew it was happening.  Why?  So that no one would suffer embarrassment.  The host and the couple would have been humiliated with the revelation that they had run out of wine.  John said that when the water was turned into wine this was the FIRST TIME that Jesus had showed forth HIS GLORY!

Now, you might rightly ask, “What is so glorious about turning water into wine at a wedding feast?”  The fact that Jesus had incredible compassion on a couple of young people is amazing.  HE CARED!  When God became flesh and dwelt among us, it broke His heart to see a couple of young people embarking on a life together facing potential humiliation.  When John witnessed what Jesus did I can hear him say, “Now, there is the Glory of God!”  He demonstrated compassion, graciousness and caring in a very powerful manner.  John 17:22 is one of the most amazing verses in the Gospels.  Jesus was praying and it is vital that we hear Him.  “And the Glory which You gave Me I have given to them, that they may be one as We are one.”   It is “I” in them and “You” in Me that they may be perfected in UNITY.  You cannot miss what He said.  Jesus said that THE GLORY He has or is, He has given to all who believe.  The Glory is, “Jesus in us and we live through Him with His love shed abroad in our hearts.” 

Our natural minds have difficulty taking that in.  I am by nature a realist but the HOPE of the believer is not limited to the natural mind. The natural mind does not understand the things of God nor the desire that God has for us.  The natural mind would settle for being a “Good Christian.”  Whereas the mind of the Spirit of God is that THE GLORY that Jesus has is IN US shining forth to the world.  We are those who HOPE!  He declared it, therefore, I long for my life to be a reflection of “Christ in me.”  This is not intended to be a picture of what we will be in heaven but here and now on planet earth.

If you remember back to your childhood Sunday school days when the teacher quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9 and they’d stop the quotation saying, “That is Heaven.”  But in verse 10 we find, “But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit…”  The natural mind, natural eye, the natural ear cannot comprehend but the Spirit of God does and we are spirit beings. He communicates truth to our spirits.  The Amplified reads, “But to us, God has unveiled and revealed them to us by His Spirit.”   That is HOPE!  You and I can go through this day and the rest of our lives expecting the Love of God to be in our lives and radiate out from us.  We can Love as Jesus Loved!  That is a revelation of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 is a most interesting passage, “We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image, from Glory to Glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  Another translation renders it, “We are constantly being transfigured into His very own Image, in every increasing splendor from one degree of Glory to another.”   That “IS” happening to us!  Therefore, never get down on yourself or be unfair to yourself. You ARE NOT the person you were or the person you will be.  There are things falling away from your life daily, things you never dreamed would go.  You have loved persons you never thought you could love.  YOU ARE and HAVE FORGIVEN!

The Bible declares that the purpose of God is to conform you to the Image of His Son.  Worldly hope is laced with disappointment but biblical hope has God written in it.  Romans 5:5, “And HOPE does not disappoint, because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.”  Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God unto Salvation…”  Salvation does not mean simply saved from Hell.  The Greek is [sozo] – To make whole or well.  The Gospel has the Power of God for SOZO – Wholeness.  He is granting us TOTAL HEALING of the Spirit!

I still have some things I’d like to share on this subject so I will hit the pause button and hold my thoughts until tomorrow.  Until that time, it is my genuine prayer and desire that the LORD of Host infuses in your hearts Biblical Hope.  May His Glory be revealed in you powerfully.  BLESSINGS!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

THE GLORY – Reveals Biblical Hope…


Spiritual Blog - Glory

 

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

 

Biblical HOPE is incredibly powerful and vital to those seeking to Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk and Live the Life in Christ.  It grips my heart each time I read, “Christ in you, the HOPE of Glory.”  Immediately, I contemplate the question, “What is Glory?”  I have previously given a definition of Glory as LOVE but a complete definition would be – “The Outshining of God.”  In that, it is WHO GOD IS and who God is, shines forth reaching and blessing man.  God is Love so Glory is Love but it is more it is WHO GOD IS shining forth.

In the Old Testament they “saw” the presence of God.  It came forth as a light or brightness that was virtually indescribable.  Remember Paul on the Road to Damascus and the Light (Christ) he encountered?  The Glory of God means the very heart of God.  It is Him shining forth to man.  Moses appeared to be fascinated with that and from the time God revealed Himself at the burning bush, Moses could not live with what He had seen of God, He was driven to know more.  Remember in Exodus 33:18 he prayed, “…Please show me Your Glory.”  God’s response was, “I Myself will make all My Goodness pass before you.  I will proclaim the Name of the LORD before you…”  That is important!

WHAT IS IN A NAME?  A name in the Bible didn’t simply mean the identifier by which you were called.  It always reflected CHARACTER or who you were or would be.  Therefore, God said, “I will reveal my Glory/Name” and in the next chapter, we read, “The LORD passed in front of Moses and proclaimed…”  (34:6). In that moment, a shimmering outshining uncreated light who is God passed before Moses and in the midst of it Moses heard, “This is Who I am.”  Moses saw the LORD, who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness pass before him.

Lovingkindness is an interesting word.  There is a passage in the Bible that sums it up neatly, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  It means, “I will love you, love you, love you and never let you go!”  It is the idea that no matter where we go God is going to cling to us because He loves us.  That is Lovingkindness.  I can almost hear the conversation between God and Moses.  God saying, “Moses, you want to know what this Radiant Light is.  You want to know Who I am, My Glory.  I am Graciousness and Compassion.  I deal with people in a manner they do not deserve because I LOVE THEM.  I am slow to anger, abounding in a love that will never let you go.  This is who I am.”  That is the nature of God.

Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.”  Interesting!  One definition of SIN is, “man has come short of loving as God loves.”  The Glory of God is His LOVE!  That truly is the essence of sin for out of love comes obedience and in the Garden disobedience plunged the human race into darkness but at the Cross love lifted the race out of the miry clay and offers a rock to stand on in the Light of God’s Love.  Jesus comes as the revelation of God’s Glory.  In John 1:14, “…we beheld His glory, the Glory of the Only Begotten of the Father…”  John declared that as He walked with Him, the Word, the Eternal Out-speaking of God, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory.  WE SAW LOVE!  We witnessed in Jesus a Love that was unearthly and beyond this planet.  We saw THE GLORY OF GOD!

There is much more to say but I will pause here and wait until tomorrow to proceed.  Until then I pray the LORD of Hosts shed His love abroad in your hearts and you walk as demonstrations of God’s Glory in your present world.  BLESSINGS!

0 CommentsLeave a comment