Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Repent! Come Face to Face With God Through Jesus Christ - The Ultimate Gift


Uh, oh! I  just used the "R” word! What was I thinking? This word has been increasingly falling into disrepute and disuse. It's been misconstrued, misunderstood, and frankly, misplaced. This word needs to make a comeback not only in the church, where it's conspicuously missing, but also in the public square. "Never happen!" you say? Well, let's begin by defining the word then opening up our Bibles to see when it is used properly, 1.) who used the word; 2) the reason they used the word; 3) whether the intent was to benefit or harm others.  But before we dive in, here are some other words that have fallen into similar disuse":  "sin", "conviction", "hell", and the like. These are being left out of the average sermon and even evangelistic efforts. They are being replaced by words like "blessing", "prosperity", "positive", "glory", "prophetic word", "a good life", "healing", "breakthrough", you name it. Although these are all good words, messages which focus on the latter half are indeed lopsided "Gospels," which make no room for what often follows the submitted Christian life, such as "persecution", "disenfranchisement", "imprisonment", "kidnap", "torture", and even "martyrdom".  The question is: Are we adequately preparing the average believer for a full life in Christ or one that is superficial and nominal? Perhaps more like a country club version of Christianity? To give one side without the other is to offer believers, new and old, an un-biblical view of the Christian life. So how was the word "repent" used in the Bible?

As he prepared the way for Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist came onto the scene preaching, "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand". (Matthew 3:2) As John's ministry was ending and Jesus was beginning His, John said in John 3:30: "He must increase and I must decrease." Read that whole account in John 3 from verses 22 to 36 how John exalts Jesus Christ as the One he had been preaching about and for Whom he had been preparing the way. Therefore, after John's ministry had ended at his death, Jesus began His ministry preaching "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17).  And just as this was the beginning of these ministries, it is also the beginning of the life of the Christ-follower. You see, we cannot face God with sin because it is the great chasm between God and man. We must repent and put away those things that separate us from God by believing in His Son for forgiveness and purposing to walk with God. Repentance is first because it means that we stop to take stock of our hopeless condition and seek the only One who can offer a solution to sin. And while we believe Jesus did all that was necessary to cleanse us from sin, nothing about salvation is automatic because we are not robots. He did His part, therefore, we must respond with ours. 

Jesus, the One Whom we follow, had to endure what no other individual has had to endure. Further He taught that the student is no better than the Teacher, and that in this life, we would have trials and tribulations. But these hardships are not meant to break us; instead they are used to teach us perseverance and endurance. How? Because 1. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us, so we are never alone in our trials, and 2. He taught us by  His example how to overcome the world. As we identified with His death by putting away our old nature never to return to a bondage of sin, so we also identify with His resurrection to new lives of victory in Christ. (Galatians 2:20 paraphrased). The old man has gone behold the new has come. (Romans 8:1).  With this new life we then learn to walk according to the Holy Spirit and not according to our sinful flesh. " Read in Romans 8 about walking free from indwelling sin and as sons of God according to the Spirit. It's amazing how wonderfully God has laid out the life He wants us to lead. Actually, the life we must lead so that it is clear to all, Whose we are. 

Admittedly, this is not the kind of post or message that will have throngs of people clamoring to read it. But thankfully, there are those with whom this will strike a chord, and not a dissonant one either, but beautifully consonant with the melodious revelation of biblical truth. The same truth that was breathed and given to us by God, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead. Yes, the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, not men and many like to argue. If it were not for the Holy Spirit's direction it would impossible for that many authors to write that one cohesive integrated text. Only a single Author could create such a complete message to mankind. Unfortunately, many today would rather hear an ear-tickling feel-good word rather than the Word of God, which sometimes does not feel good. Let's face it, if you are in sin (that simply means not living the life that God has designed for you, missing the mark and going awry of His plan for mankind. And if you are missing the mark in living under heaven's jurisdiction, there is only one other alternative that is living under the devil's jurisdiction. There is no middle ground. So it is sad to see that many who call themselves believers have two main requirements: A good "word" (meaning make me feel good) and good "worship" (meaning entertain me and make me feel good). 

But getting back to the words like "hell", "repent," and "sin",  aren't they necessary for the spreading of the true Gospel and teaching about life in Christ? Do we even believe that Jesus came to earth for the reason He said He did? That is, to be the final sacrifice for man's sin, which had formed an eternal gulf between man and God? We find the events that led up to the separation between God and man in the very beginning of the Bible, the first three chapters of Genesis. And every once in a while, we need to go back to the beginning and work our way forward to remind ourselves of our need for a Savior. That story should never get old. It's when that story gets "old" that we find ourselves substituting for that which makes us feel good. So now that we have some background, let's take a look at the word "repent". To repent is ... 

1.to feel sorry, selfreproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of):2.to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent. 3. to remember or regard with selfreproach or contrition: 4. to feel sorry for; regret: "Middle English repenten < Old French repentir, equivalent to re- re- + pentir to feel sorrow (<Latin paenitēre to regret, be sorry); see penitent"

This word came into use between 1250 and 1300. Makes you wonder what they used centuries beforehand. That may have been around the time the people actually had the Bible made available to them in common language for the first time in history. Prior to that the Roman Catholic Church only used the Bible in Latin and the common people had no direct access to the written Word of God. They had to depend upon the priests to know the Word and will of God. One last thing before we get into the Scripture. The use of the word in the original Hebrew and in Greek.

Note and refer to E-Sword -  Definition of "Repent" as used in Scripture from Strong’s Concordance: 
H2398 חטא châṭâ' khaw-taw' ... offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin (-ful, -ness), trespassive H5162 נחם nâcham naw-kham'... to be sorry, H7725 שׁוּב  shûb shoob ... to turn back ... generally to retreat; ... withdraw.
G3338 μεταμέλλομαι metamellomai met-am-el'-lom-ahee From G3326 and the middle of G3199; to care afterwards, that is, regret: - repent (self).  G3340 μετανοέω metanoeō met-an-o-eh'-o From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent. RepentRE'PENT, a. [L. repo, to creep.] Creeping; as a repent root.
  
REPENT', v.i. [L. re and paeniteo, from paena, pain. Gr. See Paint.] 1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; ... 2. To express sorrow for something past.…  3. To change the mind in consequence of the inconvenience or injury done by past conduct.… 4. Applied to the Supreme Being, to change the course of providential dealings. Gen 6. Psa 106.… 5. In theology, to sorrow or be pained for sin, as a violation of God's holy law, a dishonor to his character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13. Acts 3. REPENT', v.t 1. To remember with sorrow; ...

In a nutshell, repenting is feeling remorse for bad actions and committing not to repeat them. What's so bad about that? After all, there are 3 main responses to our past sin or bad actions: 1. Remorse and regret as in a desire to change, 2. Indifference as in having a seared conscious; and 3. arrogance and pride. According to the biblical view of sin, only one response will cause God's grace and mercy to flow and that is remorse and regret, with intention to turn away from wicked ways and toward Christ for liberty and leadership. Regarding the other two responses, we know that indifference is abhorrent to God, we see this in His response to the Laodicean church., a.k.a. the lukewarm church according to Revelation 3:14-22. The Bible tells us that His charge against them was their lukewarmness, which made Him want to vomit them out of His mouth; a very strong response to those who choose indifference over action. 

Then there is the proud and arrogant sinner. Well, we know what God thinks about pride. It appears in many parts of the Bible; whereas, He gives grace to the humble. In short, God hates pride no matter what form it takes, and the Bible says pride comes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18). It is what caused Lucifer to be tossed out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12), Nebuchadnezzar to lose his mind and live like an animal for seven years (Daniel 4:33), Saul of Tarsus to be knocked off his horse and blinded (Acts 9:4; 22:7; 28:14). Thankfully, two of these figures were given to repentance and received forgiveness and restoration. It's quite interesting that the two who were restored were humans. It's as if those Whom God has made in His own image receive that special treatment where He is always waiting with open arms to receive the repentant. And in these accounts and so many others where repentance was the response, it is clear that it is a heart-felt deep remorse and sorrow for the sin. As if once the blinders of sin come off, the repentant soul can for the first time see their condition and need for a Savior. Without repentance, there can be no real and lasting change in the life of the sinner. And truly, as the Scripture says, it's God's "kindness that leads us to repentance". In the end repentance is actually a "positive" word because it leads one to the face of God. Conclusion: only one response to sin is acceptable to God and that is repentance. 

I once left a church because the pastor started down a dangerous road. At one evening service I actually heard this said: "There is no longer a need for repentance and the conviction of sin." I could not believe what I was hearing. And although I have not heard it since, others preach a similar message of "no repentance and no conviction." However, it is usually more indirect by avoiding the words and focusing only one aspect or dimension of God: His love, mercy, and grace, and all they construe as "positive". I've heard things like don't be "sin- focused" and don't preach "hell and brimstone". Of course you don't focus on the them, but is it right to avoid the subject matter altogether? After all, Jesus spoke about hell and money more than He did about heaven. Would He have done that if it was so 'unnecessary'? Of course, not. So choosing to avoid those words means choosing to be biblically imbalanced and to inaccurately preach the Gospel. An imbalanced Gospel is no Gospel at all. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that people will like the Gospel. It does preach, however, that "narrow is the gate that leads to life but broad is the way that leads to destruction." (See below) That's another way of saying "hated, unpopular, and politically incorrect is the way that leads to life but popular, politically correct, and heavily sought after is the way that leads to destruction.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." [Matthew 7:13-14]

But it's not only about the "words" we use in preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. No, we need to preach and also demonstrate the Gospel.  (Matthew 4:23; 9:35). After all, the Good News of Jesus Christ includes the good acts of Jesus Christ. He went about doing good and so must we who say we believe in and follow Him. Are we following Him?

And what of Jesus? Would you call Him "negative"? You would be hard-pressed to do so. Yet, His messages were often full of correction and rebuke, especially to those who were leading others astray by teaching them rebellion against God. False prophets will always tell you what you want to hear and the love of money is often a motivating factor. But to those who received His words, as He meant them in love, these captives were set free. It's the same today, as we preach, teach, and demonstrate the Gospel as Jesus did, we bring freedom for others to follow and worship Him. (John 8:36) It was so then, and it is so now. And in preaching the Gospel and being His representatives to the world and in relating to our brothers and sisters in Christ, He never told us to be "love," Only God is love. (1 John 4:18). Although He told us to love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40) He did, however, tell us to be "holy" as He is holy. (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:16). Be set apart for His purposes and don't worry about pleasing other people. 

So let them call you negative, harsh, politically incorrect, and whatever else they can. As long as you are aligned with God in Christ and not this world system, people will always find a reason to cast aspersions. They did it to Him, they will do it to you. 

But just as Christ did, when we receive the criticism and derision even from those of our own faith, our only response must be love. Does that mean we trust everyone and make everyone our closest confidantes? Of course not. 

So finally, if we do not have a need for repentance of sin, there is no need of Christ, and if there is no need of Christ, there is no need of the Holy Spirit to keeps us connected to the Godhead while He is here on earth, and without Christ and the Holy Spirit there is no connection to God the Father because there is no redemption from man's sinful condition. Therefore, the gulf between man and God from the Great Fall in the Garden of Eden 
would remain intact and man's damnable condition eternally set. To some, this may sound ridiculous but so is this new spin on the Gospel that is no Gospel at all. We all know, God the Father created a Way through Jesus Christ and that great gap between God and man has been closed for all who accept His gift of salvation. John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

Man needs a Savior. That Savior is Jesus Christ Whom God sent to redeem His family from damnation. Man needs to repent of sin and ask for forgiveness to be in right standing with God again. Otherwise, man chooses hell as his eternal home.

The alternative is the greatest Gift ever given or received ---- The God Man Jesus Christ. Fully Man. Fully God. Fully available to whosoever will receive Him.


Merry Christmas, all! Let's celebrate the ultimate Gift, Jesus Christ! 

He is no longer a baby but a glorious and victorious King! 











Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Identity Series: Sons and Subjects

Although we are royal sons and daughters of almighty God's, we are also subjects of the Crown and subject to the Crown. In the first part we belong to Him and in the second we are under His authority. One signifies a family relationship whereas the other signifies a responsibility to the ultimate Sovereign. 

In the same way an earthly king or queen's children are both princes and princesses while at the same time, subject to their parent's authority of an earthly sovereign, so are we in our relationship with God. Many people have either a problem with the first part, as sons, and live entirely in the reality of the second, as servants, (with more of a works mentality); while others focus almost entirely on the first part, as sons, while minimizing or completely ignoring the second part, as subjects. However, we must live in balance as both sons and subjects.  Otherwise, it makes it impossible to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ', because Jesus was and does occupy and perform the functions both of these positions perfectly. To deny one in favor of the other is to have a off-kilter theology which sets anyone up for deception by the evil one. 

Once there is imbalance, a person will either focus too much on works and neglect relationship or focus on relationship and ignore submission to the King. When we are more relationship than subject there is always the risk of becoming overly familiar, as in on a informal, buddy-buddy, friendly relationship that violates the King's protocol. Sound cold and harsh! Not so! This is not just me speaking; consider's Jesus's position and treatment of His Father! His Father who is also our Father. He demonstrated that it is indeed possible to be in intimate relationship with God while recognizing that we are not equivalent with God [though Jesus was; but for the purposes of modeling this submission for us did not count Himself as equivalent to God while He was here in the natural], but submit all of ourselves to Him. 

We are not omniscient, all knowing. We are not omnipotent, all powerful. And we certainly are not omnipresent, always present everywhere simultaneously. We absolutely need to stay in intimate connection with the One Who is. There is a protocol to this connection, another name for it is righteousness, or right standing. In Christ, we always have right standing with God; and this requires walking as Christ walked - again  not as God but as a Man anointed by God.

It is very disconcerting to hear and see people who dash responsibility to God as our Sovereign in favor of sonship alone. As if sonship erases the obligation of being a subject. I do not see anywhere in the Bible where anyone who was in right standing with God focused on being God's son and ignored everything else. What I do see, is those whom God used mightily operating from a place of humility even knowing God is their Father but submitting to Him and doing His will. Without that, there is very little opportunity to operate in Kingdom power, demonstrating the Kingdom of God has come near. No. Kingdom relationship, regardless of how high or low, requires knowing and operating in Kingdom protocol.

Of course, I am not saying we never get real with God. That would be silly! He knows our hearts anyway. It's the intents of the heart that matters. Are you toward Him in submission or are you trying to get away with your own agenda in place of His. You see, eventually that will and must fail. The only agenda is the one belonging to the Rock of Ages, the Eternal One! But once we do yield to His plan and purpose for our lives knowing that we can trust Him, there is such absolutely freedom in that, it doesn't matter what we or anyone calls us. Our identity is in Him!
Outside of that, there is nothing bur struggle to be this or that.

Let's take our cues from the Bible and not from those with too much press while leading too many people astray. It's just going to be you and Him on that day when Jesus asks you what you did with everything you had at your disposal, chiefly the knowledge of Him. Not your mom, dad, aunt, grandma! Everyone will be on their own that day! For some a glorious day while for others a fateful day with no more opportunity for re-dos

Since we don't need to prove from Scripture that Jesus is the Son of God and those who led by the Spirit are sons as well. "For as many are are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)  However, on the subject side Jesus the Son of Man also considered Himself submitted to God. Here are some Scriptures to that effect: 

Matthew 8:9 - the centurion realizing Jesus was under His Father's authority said: 
"For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.

Matthew 26:39 - He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.

James 4:7 - Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

I could go on. And yes, we do submit to God as our Father but we also submit to Him as our King. Both are crucial. And of course, Romans 13:1 teaches to submit to governmental authority, and . He is after all, King of kings, and Lord of lords. We are the ones with the little "k" and the little "l"? There are many of us but only One of Him, meaning the Godhead.

See 1 Peter 2: 9-1: - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:13-17 teaches us to submit to government; verses 18-55 teaches us to submit to Masters in all areas, inside and outside of the Church.

Do we get it perfectly right every time? Of course, not. But it is so important,especially in the times we live, to have a good understanding of our dual position in Christ. Sons and subjects, just like Jesus was while on this earth, in order to be true witnesses of God's Kingdom!

So I leave you with the following Scripture which captures the point much better than I could and with the authority that only Scripture has: 

Philippians 2:5-13 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with Godbut made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Closing Prayer:
"Father, help us to live in constant connection with You by Your Holy Spirit so that we may live in balance of our positions in Christ as sons* and subjects of the Most High God. Amen."

*sons - meaning humankind, therefore this term includes females as well.


God bless you!


Monday, December 15, 2014

It Pays to Obey - An Oldie but a Goodie

It Pays to Obey


In Genesis 26:3, God tells Isaac to stay in Gerar, the land of the Philistines, instead of going to Egypt during the famine. As a matter of fact God warned him about going to Egypt. But as if it was not enough to tell him to do it for his own good, God goes a huge step further with this amazing promise: "Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless youfor to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father."  God actually promised him riches for obeying.  But God does not stop there. He continues, "and I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all of the nations of the earth shall be blessed." Can you believe that? Well, I am so glad that Isaac was like his dad and believed God; otherwise, we'd all have a problem. It is so important to obey. You never know who or how much you might be helping.
Fast forward to Isaac saying that Rebekah was his sister to Abimelech's people. Remember his dad did the same thing.  Only Sarah really was Abraham's 1/2 sister. Rebekah was only Isaac's 2nd cousin.

The point I want to make here is summed up in verses 12-14, which says, "Then Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred fold and the Lord blessed him, the man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks...and herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him."

It pays to obey!!!!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Love Series: Love - A More Excellent Way than Power Gifts Alone


God is in the business of unity even in all of the diversity among mankind, both within the church and outside of it. However, apart from Him unity can neither truly exist nor be sustained. 

This is anything but novel but did you know that the Holy Spirit does not become female when ministering through a female? He is still God. One God in Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father and the Son are in heaven thought not confined there, the Holy Spirit is both there and here.He is Spirit and not constrained by time and space. Although all three Persons are always together though in perfect.  Our human minds cannot comprehend this completely.  

So only in the Holy Spirit can we ever be in "real time" with God. When you leave Him out of your home, your marriage, your ministry, or your meeting, you end up flat. And only through Him can we do the works of Jesus Christ, Who said we can "do nothing without Him." (John 15:5). But Paul tell us that in the anointing, we are neither male nor female. I don't mean we lose our gender, but that the Holy Spirit ministering through a person does not change Who He is based on the person's gender. We adjust to God; God does not adjust to us. Paul explains in Galatians 3:26-29 about those baptized in Jesus Christ. This is so awesome, check it out! 

"26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Distinctions that bring divisiveness disappear in the Spirit. Remember the Bible tells us there is always unity among the Three Persons of the Godhead. Never once has there ever been or will there ever be a disagreement within the Godhead among the Three Persons, who are very distinct yet equal to each other. They, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, always operating as One. That is why in 1 Corinthians 12 while discussing the cooperation within the Body of Christ of using the Spiritual Gifts, Paul tells us in verses 24-31 that there ought not to be a schism, meaning division or disunion: 

24"But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Yes, the reason the Church is still here is to do the works of Jesus. What did He do? Well, the most famous Person to ever walk the earth did so much that the Bible says that if all He did were to be written down, the world would not be able to contain the amount of books that would be written. That's amazing considering His ministry only about 3 to 3 1/2 years long. And although we do know all that He did, thankfully, there is a good indication of His works here on earth in the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and Isaiah 42, 43, 53, 61 to start. 

How do we do these acts as He told us we would do in John 14:12 and elsewhere?  We do the acts of Jesus Christ by using the ministering gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, through faith,  obeying His mandate to teach everyone about Him and His Kingdom and disciple the nations. 

But in ending 1 Corinthians 12, the last thing Paul says is in verse 31 that there is yet "a more excellent way" than the gifts anointing, 1 Corinthians 13, the Love chapter. Love is the better way Paul was referring to. In that chapter Paul tells us we have Faith, Love and Hope but the greatest of these is Love.  God is Love, (1 John, 4:18). And Jesus told us that the Greatest Commandment is to love God with all of our heart, strength, and mind and that secondly we should love our neighbor as ourselves. That is the "more excellent way". Remember when Jesus performed miracles. Several times in the Gospels we learn that He was moved with compassion before He ministered in power. I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to you and to me, passion before power, or to operate in love it better than to operate in power. That is the crux of the whole thing right there. Love... 

Love covers a multitude of sins.(1 Peter 4:8):  "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 
Love never fails, it conquers all. (1 Corinthians 13:8): "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away."

It was love that moved the Father to send His son into the world to save us all: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him so not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Gifts, powers, anointing, faith, hope love. The greatest of these is indeed love. 


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Good Works vs. Discipleship


Many people, and even entire denominations, have chosen “works” over “discipleship” to Christ. Oh, sure they consider themselves disciples, but are they? What is the difference and why the disconnect? The Bible tells us that Jesus “went about doing good.” Some have equated this to doing “good works” alone. Yes, it is that, but there is an additional component to what Jesus did. The works He did demonstrated that “today, the Kingdom has come near you.” (Luke 10:9,11) What did He mean by that? I’m glad you asked. In Isaiah 61:1-4, He says,

            “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
            Because the Lord has anointed Me, 
            To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 
            To proclaim liberty to the captives
            And the opening of the prison to those who   are bound
                  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord
             And the day of vengeance of our GodTo comfort all who mourn
                 To console those who mourn in Zion, 
             To give them beauty for ashesThe oil of joy for mourning,
             The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
             That they may be called trees of righteousness,
             The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
And they shall rebuild the old ruins
            They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair 
            the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.

That sounds like a pretty tall order, doesn't it? Yes, it is, but entirely possible in the anointing Jesus mentions in verse 1, due to the Holy Spirit coming “upon” Him. And just in case someone wants to say, “Well that’s the Old Testament.” Well, number one it’s in the Bible; and number two, Jesus not only read this in the temple when He took up the scroll, He had the audacity to say, “today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” In other words, “The One Isaiah is talking about, I’m Him.” Can you imagine being in the temple that day? I’m sure everyone was saying. Who is this Guy, and Who does think He is? Isn't He the carpenter’s Son? He just one of us." "The nerve!”  Here is the direct Scripture from Luke 4:16-20. It’s so good; I have to include it here. Remember Jesus had returned to Nazareth, where He had grown up. So the people knew Him and His earthly family.

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom 
was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened 
the book, He found the place where it was written:
                18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
             Because He has anointed Me
            To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty  those who are oppressed; 19To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Did you notice that He was handed the book of Isaiah? He did not choose it or orchestrate this particular reading because He never had anything to prove to anyone. His only concern was in doing the will of the Father. He was the Fulfillment of God's Promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed. Genesis 26:4. God’s plan had not changed. He made a promise in the Old and fulfilled in the New. Jesus was the Promised One in the Old Testament and was manifested in the New Testament. He did not “do away” with the Old but accomplished what was promised in the Old in the New. I know that's a bit repetitive but we need to get it down deep. He is our Fulfillment. The point is, He needed the anointing “upon” Him so that He could do the will of the Father in fulfilling His assignment and so do we. That's not so mysterious.

Remember that very fact for the discussion which follows. Stay with me, we’re going somewhere wonderful.

So we know that He did all of these acts listed by Isaiah and more. But the Bible tells us, if all the acts of Jesus Christ were written, the world would not be able to contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25). Imagine that! He only ministered for about 3 to 3.5 of his 33 years on earth. We know that He healed the sick and lame, cleansed the leper, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, raised the dead, cast demons out of people, and preached the Gospel to the poor. He even re-attached a man’s ear after Peter angrily chopped it off with His sword. That was the good He went about doing. In other words, Jesus did “good works” that demonstrated the power of Almighty God. Anybody can feed and clothe the poor. Lots of non-believers do this and call it charity; and for the very wealthy, it’s called philanthropy. But what we are mandated to do is supposed to differentiate believers and non-believers because we follow our Leader. We operate in under the Kingdom of heaven with the requisite amount of authority and power. It does not take the power of God to do “good works” and does not necessarily bring Him glory. As a matter of fact, it often brings “glory” to the one doing the act. I am sure you've heard remarks like, “Did you hear what such-and-such did? She gave brand new cars to her entire audience!” or “He paid off that family’s house mortgage!” or “They’re paying for all of those children to go to college!” The list goes on, but you get my point. It’s all “good work” but not necessarily “Kingdom work”. 

Please don’t get me wrong. We should do those wonderful things, but they are not the ends in themselves, they are acts of compassion and therefore bi-products of our being “in” Christ. James said that "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:14-26). So I am not speaking against "works," but the "works" are not faith in themselves. So why do so many stop short of demonstrating the Kingdom of God when it’s available to all who are “in” Christ. Well, my friend, it’s the “In” Christ part that’s the “challenge”. We know that at salvation, He mysteriously “enters” us. In other words, after salvation, Christ is “in” us. Obviously, He does not physically enter us but by the Spirit. So then we can have “Christ in me, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27). Christ in us transforms us to become more Christ-like. But being in Christ requires yet another spiritual “transaction” so that we can actually do the good works of Jesus Christ the way He did it. There need not be a long time between both, Jesus was baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit all on the same day around the same time. Sometimes because of lack of teaching or bad teaching, it take weeks, months, and even years to realize this need. Suffice it to say, they are both needed to be true followers, a.k.a., disciples of Jesus Christ.

Of course, the acts to which I am referring here are those Jesus did, such as healing the sick and the lame, giving hearing to the deaf, giving sight to the blind, cleansing the leper, raising the dead, setting free the captives of Satan, and preaching the Gospel to the poor, as Jesus did in Luke 7:22, and we are commanded to in Matthew 10:8. Another set of fruit that results from being "in Jesus, is the fruit of the Spirit in demonstrating “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22.  However, these wonderful demonstrations of God’s power and love were not the most important mandates. We are first of all, as disciples of Jesus Christ,  to obey what Jesus called the Greatest and the Second Greatest Commandments of the law: 

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 
with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as 
yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

 He was saying that’s the whole kit and caboodle, folks. The First and Greatest Commandments gives the enabling to do the Second Greatest Commandment. In the Gospels Jesus tells us we demonstrate our love for God by obeying His Word. In John 14:21, Jesus says, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he   who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

The key to everything is to do the First Commandment by lovingly submit to God, and He will lead us with the accompanying enabling of heaven’s power as we go. Then and only then, will heaven come near in demonstration that we are His and have spoken His words. Jesus' desire was that we would not just do what He did but exceed what He did. And it is only possible because He is right now at the right hand of the Father making constant intercession for us as we go and do.  As our Mediator and Facilitator, He said it Himself in John 14:12, 

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he 
will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

No matter how you look at it, “We can do nothing without [Him]” John 15:5. If we attempt to, it’s not supported by heaven. But with and through Him we can do “all” things. (Philippians 4:13).

The difference, my friend, is power which comes out of our intimate love relationship with God. Without that submission we would see the need to be baptized "in Jesus Christ". Paul tells us that the words of the Gospel he preached “were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of powerthat your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  The Gospel is never mere eloquence and persuasion giving glory to men, but demonstration of Kingdom power for which only God can receive the glory. The reason some refuse the full counsel of the Gospel is because they want God’s glory, to be seen as wise, eloquent, and full of persuasive power. Sometimes, it’s fear, while at other times bad teaching, really bad teaching. But they can do no acts of Kingdom power because their pride, lack of humility, and independence from God, has robbed them of the ability to access what they and the world needs most. We do not need any more talking heads, what we do need is Jesus and all that He has to offer.

Yet, so many have the authority because of the Cross of Christ. Jesus gave us that; but they lack the power to carry out what has been given to them to do. This is summed when Jesus’ gave us The Great Commission. And, yes, you can have authority without power. For example, let's say you've been given permission to do something but you have no means of accomplishing it, or the ability to do it. This is the sad state of the Church, or rather, some members and whole sectors of it. She has been given the mandate and therefore, the authority, to “go and make disciples of all …” But without the power to do so it will not be done. Here is the full Scripture, Jesus said

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and 
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all things that  I have 
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Did Jesus say to make “converts” or “members” to a local church? No, He was adding “disciples” to His Church. There's nothing wrong with belonging to a local assembly, that’s expected but it’s not the mandate. Disciples follow and depend on their Leader in every way including the “difficult,” especially, the difficult. But is easy, to the humble, submitted, and dependent soul. We have to give up on doing things our way and depend on Him to do them His way. Jesus said the size of the faith we need to do His work, is as “big” as a mustard seed.  In Matthew 17:20, He said,

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, 
if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from 
here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It’s tiny. I carry around a little bottle of them. So, what is Jesus saying? He’s saying it doesn't take very much faith! But we are so fearful of believing, in the One in Whom we claim we believe. If, as a united Church, we only walked in total faith and belief in the words He uttered alone, the Great Commission would have been history, done, over, and hastening His return. But so many so-called believers are still arguing and trying to figure out if what He said is true, then or today. Well if we don’t believe what He said is true, it’s really time to close up the shop. Continuing on is pointless otherwise.  But, what He said is truth, what the Holy Spirit breath through the efforts of willing men is truth. And Jesus Christ is Truth revealed.

Too many try to determine what is applicable for what period of history. Truth is Truth, it does not change according to man's traditions and schedules. The time doesn't matter because God is not constrained by it, and so He changes not.  The Word tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). No dispensations of when this or that is applicable or no longer applicable. Excuse me! Either Hebrews 13:8 is truth or it’s not. But I digress, yet not really.

It all comes down to this; we need to get the power to carry out our mandate. Please understand also that power and love go hand in hand. We submit in love and humility and receive the power of God to do His work. How do we get it? By being “in Christ.” In Acts 2, Jesus tells us, the same thing He told the disciples, “Go and wait until you receive the power to do the work I have called you to do.” A paraphrase of Acts 1:4, 8, which tells us,

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 Then on the Day of Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit came upon all who had obeyed and waited as Jesus commanded them before He was taking up into heaven. In Acts 2:1-4,

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The difference is this; we don’t have to wait anymore, because those 120 went into that upper room, prayed and were in “one accord” and WHOOSH! The Holy Spirit came to earth in as a mighty rushing wind and sat upon each one's head with tongues of fire. All of this happened at the Father’s command to empower us to change the world as we expand His Kingdom. The key is they waited; we don’t have to wait anymore because Holy Spirit has been here on earth ever since that faithful day. Now we can walk “in Jesus” as witnesses to the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11, and Jesus repeated above in Acts 1:5, that although John baptized in water, only Jesus Christ can baptize men with “the Holy Spirit and with fire.” That is the baptism of Jesus in order for us to walk “in Jesus.”  Friend, baptism in water is not the same as baptism by Jesus Christ to be “in Jesus”.  Many call this the baptism of the Holy Spirit but it's really the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Both are necessary components of our faith.


Remember, to do what He did, we must follow in His footsteps in preparation for ministry. We can’t do it our way as Frank Sinatra suggested in the song, "I did it my way". There is no “doing it our way”. After all, the student is no greater than the Master. Remember after John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit descended “upon” Him in the form of a dove. The Holy Spirit came upon Him. Then, and only then, was Jesus ready, as a man, though He was God incarnate, to do the “good works” He did, thereby, bringing the Kingdom of God near to those here on earth who needed it.  If even Jesus needed preparation, intimacy with the Father, and the anointing or baptism of the Holy Spirit, how much more is it necessary for those who follow Him. I mean, if it’s not a baptism why didn't it happen at another point in His ministry. If it’s not necessary to prepare for ministry and being witnesses to the Kingdom, why did Jesus need it? We don’t see because we do not have eyes to see or a willingness to do as we are commanded. Kingdom work requires Kingdom power. End of story. There is no way around that. So you get to decide. Will you be a “worker,” baptized on by man only, or will you be a “disciple,” also baptized by Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with fire to be able to walk “in Jesus”?  I, for one, choose to be His disciple.