Promises Kept

Mind of Christ

Ken

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1Corinthians 2:16 NKJV).

No one can instruct the LORD; and yet, we have the mind of Christ through the presence of His Indwelling Spirit. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). 

What is the relationship of our mind and spirit? 

“Be renewed in the spirit [Greek, pneuma, life] of your mind [Greek, nous, intellectual faculty]” (Ephesians 4:23). 

Paul’s connection of “spirit” with “mind” indicates our life is intimately linked with our thoughts. God’s Spirit is so closely a part of us, we share His thoughts; yet, we do not instruct Him. We have the benefit of supernaturally understanding His wisdom, while receiving the benefit of not expiring from the revelation. Paul was caught up to the Third Heaven (2Corinthians 12:3), which is the Throne of God. [Note: The First Heaven is our atmosphere, while the Second Heaven is interstellar space.] Possibly Paul had experienced an out of body experience, after having  been stoned at Lystra and being left for dead, “when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:20). He recounts that experience as “how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2Corinthians 12:4). 

This is perhaps an unusual instance of experiencing the mind of Christ, but any disciple may experience the mind of Christ on a continual basis. Not being caught up into the Third Heaven, but receiving understanding from the mind of Christ, is our legacy. 

Consider the following about the mind of Christ: 

First, NORMAL. Possession of the mind of Christ is not an aberration or anomaly, but normal. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1Corinthians 2:16). We should embrace the mind of Christ in our life, as we would expect physical laws to apply to our ordinary existence. 

Second, PRACTICEABLE. Once we become accustomed to realizing the Holy Spirit inhabits our thought life, we need to practice God’s instructions on thinking. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think [Greek, logizomai, consider, reckon, take into account] on these things” (Philippians 4:8 KJV). 

Third, DISCIPLINED. Carelessly entertaining thoughts about anything is an open invitation for the adversary to establish a stronghold in our thought life. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1Corinthians 9:27). A disciplined thought life is not a straight jacket but a release from being overcome by the enemy. “So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). It’s not a question if the enemy comes, but when. The spirit of a disciplined one will be victorious over our enemy. 

Fourth, CONVERSATIONAL. The LORD told me. I was impressed by the LORD. God is not limited by conventions, traditions, culture, or history in communicating with humanity, especially His people. How startled would you be, if the Almighty spoke to you, as He did to Phillip? “26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot” (Acts 8:26-29). All God is concerned about is you knowing that He is speaking to you. Remember, Christians have long maintained God speaks to them when they obey commandments from Scripture, e.g., The LORD told me I should do this.

Fifth, DEVELOPED. God speaks to our mind is as varied as there are different people. Our concept of the mind of Christ will be developed by our individual experience and our understanding of the Word of God. For example, Eli the priest discerned that Samuel the youth had encountered the LORD, when he repeatedly rose from his bed to find out what Eli wanted. After informing Samuel he did not call him, Eli realized the LORD was trying to communicate with Samuel. “8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for you did call me. Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, Speak, for Your servant hears. 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel: Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle” (1Samuel 3:8-11). 

So, whenever you hear a brother or sister tell you, The LORD told me…, evaluate their words in light of Scripture. 

We are living in the Last Days, since Scripture says, “[God] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2). Peter at Pentecost understood he was living in the Last Days, when he cited the prophet Joel. “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17). 

Sixth, CAPTIVE. We are to bring captive or under control every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is not a feat of mental dexterity but spiritual obedience. “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Corinthians 10:5). 

Seventh, HUMBLE. Just when you think you have an idea of what is going on, you are humbled to find you haven’t listened to the Holy Spirit as well as you thought. “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 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. 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” (Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 NKJV). 

Paul warned of just such an unhumbling experience, of which Solomon also warned. “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV). 

“12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV). 

But, praise be to our Always Faithful God, He has given us promise of a way to escape pride (1Corinthians 10:13). 

God will humble us by: 

(1) Our taking heed that we stand lest we fall (1Corinthians 10:12), 

(2) Our restoration from falling from grace. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NKJV). 

(3) Our Spiritual Warfare against Evil Angels, who trouble us as thorns in the flesh to keep us from being exalted above measure. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger [Greek, aggelos, angel] of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (2Corinthians 12:7 NKJV). 

(4) Our obedience in working out our salvation through His working in us. “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 God, but 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, 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 NKJV). 

Heavenly Father, You are Faithful. Grant to us a faithful, humble, obedient heart. Teach us to pay better attention to the Mind of Christ. We rejoice in Your faithfulness, for we know none of us would ever stand in Your presence unless You make us to stand. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Aggressive Christianity

Ken

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 NKJV). Jesus was the epitome of meekness. He endured all the slander against being an illegitimate child, born out of wedlock by Mary without defending Himself, but when His Father’s House was dishonored by the money changers, He defended His Father by driving them out of the Temple grounds. “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13). 

How does the meekness of Christ square with His statement about John’s ministry?

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). 

Is violence, or the use of physical force, necessary to establish the Kingdom of God? 

No.   

The Zealots and other sects seemed to think so, but that is not what Jesus meant. He was seeking a Spiritual Kingdom now, and an Earthly Kingdom later in the Millennium. “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15). 

So, what did Jesus mean with His remark, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12)? From the time of the ministry of John the Baptist until the ministry of Christ, violent opposition came from Herod and those rejecting the baptism of John; also, those who were ready for the King’s advent were straining themselves to the utmost [violence] to enter that kingdom. John the Baptist was the prophesied OT voice crying, “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). If they understood not the prophecy of the King’s herald, then they would reject the herald’s Messiah. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it” (Luke 16:16). 

What are the aggressive trademarks of the Holy Spirit? 

First, ALIVE. The Holy Spirit is anything but inert. He is everything that God is, and not a lifeless gas. “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). Likewise, Spirit filled Christians are also not lifeless, but living the life of Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

Second, POWERFUL. The Holy Spirit is a brooding power, just as the “Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2) in the beginning. He is the power, wherever God’s power can be found in both the natural and supernatural. “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1Corinthians 4:20). Likewise, Christians have been promised the energizing power of the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ, primarily to convert the sinner, who witnesses the dynamic Christ powered life being lived in disciples. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

Third, OPPORTUNISTIC. The Holy Spirit is that Spirit of Christ, which finds opportunity seeking out ways for the salvation of sinners. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Likewise, Christians make it their business to find ways to reach those around them for Christ. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). 

Fourth, RELENTLESS. The Spirit of Christ relentlessly seeks to the uttermost His prey, which are the souls of man. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Likewise, Paul was also relentless in his delivery of the Gospel message, so much so that large gatherings of even Gentiles sought to stop him. “Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands” (Acts 19:26). 

Fifth, INVASIVE. The Holy Spirit is not a physical agent, such as a gas, which spreads out and dissipates, but He is the agent of God’s power purposely targeting and invading an objective unbeknownst to man. “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:6-7). Likewise, when Christians have been impressed by God — the LORD told me to do this — who are we to object? [Unless they say they are being ‘directed’ to do something forbidden by Scripture, such as, worshiping someone other than the LORD.] “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9-10). 

Sixth, IMPORTUNATE. The Holy Spirit is importunate, demanding, and insistent. He may quietly appear to have given up, without having given up. The definition of importunate is “urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so.” In Christ’s parable of the widow and the unjust judge, think of the widow as depicting the importunity of the Holy Spirit, and the Father playing the part of the unjust judge, of course, for dramatic purposes only. 

“1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Get justice for me from my adversary. 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 Then the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8). 

It is apparent that we are to be importunate as the Holy Spirit is. 

Seventh, VICTORIOUS. The Holy Spirit will always be victorious in the end, as shall we. Even the NT opponents of the disciples of Jesus confessed the foolhardiness of fighting God. “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). Likewise, the Christian characteristic of “victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1John 5:4), was demonstrated by Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in his last words. “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56). 

Father, may we be meek like Jesus. Help us to exhibit the marks of the aggressiveness of a Spirit filled disciple. Cause us not to be confused with the aggression of the world, which promotes not Jesus. Enliven Your people by Your Spirit that we may be used to bring in Your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

On Physical and Spiritual Healing

Ken

No doubt, Christ physically healed the sick because the Messiah was promised to be both a physical and spiritual healer. “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:16-17 NKJV). This is the NT demonstration of Isaiah’s prophecy. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 

Some argue that healing is not to be expected from Christ’s atonement, since all do not appear to be physically healed after receiving the New Birth. But, should the lack of physical healing stop us from trying, any more than the lack of someone repenting and receiving the Gospel stop us from attempting to give them the Gospel? Of course not. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). 

Should the lack of casting out of demons stop us from trying again? No. Jesus corrected the clumsy attempt of His disciples, giving them valuable instruction to do better next time. “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast it out? So He said to them, This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:28-29). 

Should we have a greater expectations of physical and spiritual deliverance? Yes. If God’s Spirit is exciting us to pray for that physical or spiritual deliverance, then we should take that as an indication of His willingness to fulfill that request. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

We need to be constantly in step with the Holy Spirit that we would be so inclined to pray according to His will. “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (8:27). 

We must remember that prayer is not an incantation to change God’s mind to act for us, though He is especially willing to act to defend His glory. “You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you” (Deuteronomy 7:21). 

If God will only do that which is conducive of His highest glory, why would He listen to the prayers of mere men, unless by His Spirit He placed the necessity for the prayer request in their hearts? “Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me” (Isaiah 45:11). 

What if our doctrine and experience falls short of others’ doctrine or experience? “Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:15).

Let us always be open to receiving understanding from the Word of God to improve our conduct. “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). 

May God unite His people in a universal quest to follow Jesus. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1Peter 2:21). 

And, if He should choose suffering for us in this particular instance and not healing, let us be willing to suffer. “And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9). 

Life is growing more than dying. May Christ’s Church be  reinvigorated by healing and spiritual deliverance more than succumbing to the death all around us. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

Father, cause us to pray-on for spiritual and physical deliverance. We know You are “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9), and “there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). But, inspire us to “compel [others] to come in, that [Your] house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Likewise, inspire us to pray for spiritual and physical healing, that You may be glorified for the deliverance. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

How to Find God

Ken

“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV). God makes it sound so easy for something humanity has gone to extremes to achieve. “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). If God is more interested in our salvation than we are, then shouldn’t our salvation be a higher priority for Him than us? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9).  Even if we think we found Him, how do we think we are able to hold on until we come into His heavenly presence? “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). If God has been in the process of seeking us throughout the history of humanity, how has He equipped us not to be overcome by the adversary? “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Just because we began our walk with Him, will we make it to the end? “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Hallelujah! Father, complete Your good work in me! Return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Latent Unbelief (You Can, But Won’t)

Ken

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12 KJV). 

Warning: This is the lie we tell ourselves. 

LORD, I believe You can save, heal, or deliver this person I’m concerned about, but I really don’t think You will, because I don’t think You care as much about my concerns than for the obviously dire circumstances of others faraway. 

Whenever the people of God become weary in well doing, we begin to see prayer as only a way to change God’s mind about what we want Him to do, instead of prayer conforming us better to His Perfect Will. 

“Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” (Malachi 2:17). 

When we are concerned about anything more than His glory, then we are gradually and insidiously building up resistance against the Most High. This is the fallow ground of our hearts that must again be broken up, in order for the Almighty to manifest His righteousness in us. His timing is always the right timing, and His actions are always right. 

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1Peter 5:7). 

Father, forgive me for my unbelief, for now I understand You love me more than I ever knew. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill Your Church with a powerful revelation of Jesus. Almighty God, create in me a new heart of faith and love. Justify Yourself, for You are right in all You do. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Opposition Research

Ken

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44 KJV). The devil is a liar and murderer. Satan would kill us all, if he could. The best way for him to hurt God is to hurt us. “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings” (Psalm 17:8). Deliver the world from sin and sinning is the best way to thwart the devil. The Gospel is the most efficient way to snatch sinners out of the clutches of the devil. “Through death He [Christ] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). Teaching the Church to abide in Christ is the most effective means of keeping the Church out of the snares of the wicked one. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV).

How Not to Sin (Abide in Christ)

Ken

“Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! It is necessary that stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom they come” (Matthew 18:7 NET). Sin was never a necessity. Ever since angels and humanity made their choice against the Almighty, the stumbling blocks of sin have been present in the world. For God to prevent all sin, moral agents would no longer have choice. God cannot always wisely prevent sin; however, where Jesus is, sin is not, and where sin is, Jesus is not. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6 KJV). 

What a minute! 

Whoever continues and abides in Him is not sinning. 

Okay, that is logical and reasonable. 

But, “whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6). 

Isn’t that extreme? 

Not really. 

The Holy Spirit testifies we are not sinning, when we are abiding and continuing with Him. That is a comfort to us. 

However, when we are presently sinning and in rebellion against Him, for sin is the transgressing of God’s law (1John 3:4), then why should the Holy Spirit comfort us? He instead says I never knew you. 

Can you blame Him? 

“Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6). 

Abiding in Jesus prevents sin. 

And, that is only a byproduct of our need to see Jesus as the foundation and source of our faith. 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

We need only to explore the vastness and importance of dwelling in Christ. 

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:3-4). 

Father, we desire to be like Jesus. Help us to abide in Christ. May our pursuit of Jesus yield the peaceable fruit of holiness. Cause Your Spirit to work in us to produce the character and image of Christ. Keep us from pursuing an Accidental or Incidental Christianity. May our pursuit of Jesus be stronger than even our hatred of sinning. Work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen. 

Light Overwhelms the Darkness of Sin

Ken

“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Peter 1:3 KJV). Everything necessary for life and godliness is presently ours through Christ Jesus. If this is true, we have no excuse for living in ungodliness, even for a moment, because of our understanding of Jesus. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Was not this the world changing significance of Christ proclaiming Himself the Source of All Light, which dispels all the darkness of sin? “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

No Excuse for Sinning

Ken

The promise for overcoming sin leaves us with no excuse for sinning. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [literally, allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13 KJV). Jesus warned us, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34), as if any follower of His would no longer be a servant or slave of sin nor indeed had any necessity to sin, as if truly, “the truth shall make you free” (8:32). Why would we think it strange, if Paul supports Jesus’ claim that Christ’s followers should be free from the bondage of sinning, since God’s faithfulness always makes escape from sinning possible? 1Corinthians 10:13 is a promise because overcoming sin is not automatic or without our participation. We must fully participate in trusting Jesus to deliver us from any necessity to sin, just as Jesus trusted His Father to work with Him. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). We have no excuse for sinning.

Pleasing God

Ken

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5 KJV). Some would say Enoch was raptured or caught up to God. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Without speculating whether Professed Christianity is following the pattern of Enoch, his testimony of pleasing God is walking with Jesus. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). And, nothing short of continual, heartfelt pisteuō commitment to Jesus can be acceptable to God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). 

Can God sustain His people in a continual state of pleasing Himself? Yes, even in the OT, God’s people were kept by God in a continual state of peace, when they were trusting Him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Examine God’s interactions with us, even now. Look for His provisions for sustaining us. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). Pleasing God cannot be any inherent quality about us, i.e., physical, social, racial, economic, political, but must be entirely moral and volitional. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2Chronicles 16:9). 

Should we think it too much not to descend into the pit of despondency being overcome by passion for impatience, anger, fear, bewilderment, attractions of the flesh, desires of the eyes, or the pride of life? Jesus set our example. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1Peter 2:21). It would be unwise to estimate our capacity to please God by measuring others’ success or failure in doing so. “Comparing themselves among themselves, [they] are not wise” (2Corinthians 10:12). Wouldn’t it be strange, if the Creator could not design a system in which His people could not please Himself without their retreating to a Heavenly circumstance? 

Do our NT circumstances give us better opportunity to please God? Yes. And, “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). The promised Holy Spirit is the inspiration for our obedience, not the mechanical trigger to force it. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Since the Spirit is “given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32), any predisposition to repent, believe, and obey cannot be separated from our necessity to do so. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Believing gives us the Spirit, who in turn, gives us the inspiration to obey. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). 

Ours is to keep our eyes on Jesus. 

What is the most important thing? 

Focus squarely on Jesus. He is at the intersection of our doing everything we are supposed to be doing (on one hand), while not being concerned about what anyone else thinks we should or should not be doing (on the other hand). “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

On one hand, the Pharisees made keeping the law their objective. It is true that we need to walk in obedience to God, but we should not attribute our obedience to our goodness. “1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:1-12).

On the other hand, the antinomians — the other extreme, which rejected the restrictions of the law — attempted to emphasize their lack of necessity of keeping the law as a goal; but instead, to concentrate on being happy. “Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die” (Isaiah 22:13). It is also true that we are not under the law. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). But, Paul anticipated the natural tendency of disregarding the law, which is to sin and continue in it. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (6:15). If we are truly in Jesus, how can we live in sin? 

As we get closer to the end, we shall see a paradox of more signs of God’s people understanding what is going on — “them that look for Him” (Hebrews 9:28) — while we shall also see signs of Professed Christians entirely without a clue about truly focusing on Jesus. “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). 

Father, we desire to be like Jesus and Enoch, that we would please You. Guide us by Your Spirit how not to walk in the flesh, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). Help us not to become prideful as the Pharisees in our conforming to your Law of Love. Teach us not to be like the antinomians, and more like the Thessalonians, “how [we] ought to walk and to please God, so [we] would abound more and more” (1Thessalonians 4:1). Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.