"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2Cor. 7:10)
The only participation we have in repentance is agreeing with and confessing the convictions the Holy Spirit brings upon us. It is useless for us to decide that we're going to straighten up and become a better person. Our knowledge of right and wrong by itself can not accomplish holiness apart from the heart breaking work of the one Jesus sent to abide in us.
When the Spirit of God touches the deprivation of one's mind, a conviction of ungodliness wells up from within. Not having a reason or knowledge for the turmoil of their thoughts, they still search for an answer to the call God has placed on their soul. Right and wrong take on a new face that was once defined by the ability to manipulate those choices into something that would benefit them as long as they could get away with it. Being caught and judged by the law only begets worldly sorrow. But through the encounter with Jesus, right becomes associated with God's holiness and wrong becomes known as rebellion against their creator. As they experience God's grace upon sinfulness, the heart becomes broken with thanksgiving and ultimately leads it to repentence out of love for the Lover.
"See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter." (2Cor. 7:8)
PJR
"When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:18)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Division Or Defense
While we witness in others what might appear as wayward or incorrect theology, the truth is that we all strive to make sense of what God is to us, much in the respect of how this world has already formed us and according to the degree of sanctification we have already received. This however should not be perceived as division among the saints as long as the people are trying with all their might to break down the gates of heaven. It is worldliness that is to be perceived as division; pride and selfishness without regard to truth or love.
"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, 'In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.' These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit." (Jude 1:17-19)
While we are to correct, instruct, and encourage one another by the word of God, grace must have its place as we grow from glory to glory. Zealots in the faith may create discomfort in the body but the reality is, they are making a defense of the God they have come to know, and like all of us, it is incomplete. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Yet in their heart of hearts, they are doing everything to the glory of the Father through Christ Jesus as they best know how. There will be other zealots in a faith of their own making who will ignore sound doctrine and teaching, desiring notoriety by puffing themselves up to an image of spirituality which is nothing more than an imitation of the true light.
"And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:15-18)
PJR
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." (Romans 14:1)
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, 'In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.' These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit." (Jude 1:17-19)
While we are to correct, instruct, and encourage one another by the word of God, grace must have its place as we grow from glory to glory. Zealots in the faith may create discomfort in the body but the reality is, they are making a defense of the God they have come to know, and like all of us, it is incomplete. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Yet in their heart of hearts, they are doing everything to the glory of the Father through Christ Jesus as they best know how. There will be other zealots in a faith of their own making who will ignore sound doctrine and teaching, desiring notoriety by puffing themselves up to an image of spirituality which is nothing more than an imitation of the true light.
"And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:15-18)
PJR
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." (Romans 14:1)
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Sanctification
Chosen before the foundation of the world as God's children, carrying with us our own sinful nature, we are taken through a sea of fallen humanity to endure a lifetime of struggles in order that we may be sanctified to Christ. He will introduce periods of testing that will reveal the conditions of our own hearts and challenge our faithfulness to the truths He has already shown us. Our obedience to the higher call on our lives will help us to achieve a unified spiritual body of believers.
When the comfort of our lives becomes challenged, the immediate response is to correct the list (seafarer's term) and get things back to 'normal'.
How often do we contemplate the presence of the author and finisher of our faith in circumstances that threaten the norm? If we claim to be children of God, Christ followers, why do we kick back so violently when sanctification desires its work within our lives?
Our human nature can not be discounted. It has its absolute design and purpose in the scheme of sanctification. Jesus said we would experience troubles in this world. The troubles we experience are simply the discomforts of life brought about by the Holy Spirit challenging the narrow comprehension of what we perceive as important in the lives of our humanity. When we begin to focus on where we are going instead of where we are at, we find the rabbit hole to be only a manifestation created by our fear. Troubles should be viewed as the glorious work of our heavenly Father in the lives of His children.
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, in which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1,2)
PJR
"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
When the comfort of our lives becomes challenged, the immediate response is to correct the list (seafarer's term) and get things back to 'normal'.
How often do we contemplate the presence of the author and finisher of our faith in circumstances that threaten the norm? If we claim to be children of God, Christ followers, why do we kick back so violently when sanctification desires its work within our lives?
Our human nature can not be discounted. It has its absolute design and purpose in the scheme of sanctification. Jesus said we would experience troubles in this world. The troubles we experience are simply the discomforts of life brought about by the Holy Spirit challenging the narrow comprehension of what we perceive as important in the lives of our humanity. When we begin to focus on where we are going instead of where we are at, we find the rabbit hole to be only a manifestation created by our fear. Troubles should be viewed as the glorious work of our heavenly Father in the lives of His children.
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, in which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1,2)
PJR
"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Vantage Point
As we press in to know more of God, to intentionally abide in the vine, to enable the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we may become more like Christ, we should also effect our prayers for the purpose of seeing the lost and unsaved through the eyes of God, in whose image they, too, are made. We need to be conscientiously aware of the narrow and finite lense of humanity our minds are accustomed to perceiving the world through. Without the fullness of the Spirit dwelling within, our perceptions and judgments will be based on the obvious behaviors of people. In order to see more completely the way God sees is to allow the Holy Spirit to remove our blinders and binoculars; to reestablish the vantage point we have grown accustomed to see by.
I am a tradesman. I have become more reliant upon prayer when I come up against difficulties on the job, whether I am dealing with people, or the complications of my particular work. I have found that initially my first instinct is to react with a very up-close and personal attitude; but by prayer and practice of self control through the Spirit, I will readjust my focus by backing away, reconsidering what appears to be the inevitable, circling the circumstance, and wait for God to reveal the reality and solution of the problem. In essence, I step back far enough to gain His vantage point.
PJR
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:24,25)
I am a tradesman. I have become more reliant upon prayer when I come up against difficulties on the job, whether I am dealing with people, or the complications of my particular work. I have found that initially my first instinct is to react with a very up-close and personal attitude; but by prayer and practice of self control through the Spirit, I will readjust my focus by backing away, reconsidering what appears to be the inevitable, circling the circumstance, and wait for God to reveal the reality and solution of the problem. In essence, I step back far enough to gain His vantage point.
PJR
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:24,25)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Equipping
"Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding."
(Acts 19:13-16)
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." (Luke 11:21-26)
As conquerors in Christ Jesus, we realize our battle is not against humanity but in spiritual places. We can go forth into the field of the harvest, and through charity and intercession attempt a great divine victory against evil forces. However, the enemy will only be truly defeated if God has ordained the work. The previous Scriptures explain the dangers of confronting the enemy without God's guidance, protection, and equipping.
If we save them from starvation but do not present the Bread of Life as the main course, we have only filled their stomachs.
If we heal their sick but do not share with them the miracle of God's mercy upon sinners, we have only become their doctor.
If we successfully remove a tryant from oppressing a nation but do not teach the people everything that Jesus taught us, we have only opened the door for the next villain to reign in his place.
If we gather them once a week to preach the good news yet do not call upon the Holy Spirit to empower the people, we have only taught them how to attend church.
If we do all this and more in Jesus name, yet without the sovereign direction of the Holy Spirit, we have arrogantly walked away with the proud thought that we have helped set the captives free. In reality though, we will have accomplished absolutely nothing of permanence; we have only temporarily driven out the enemy, leaving behind spiritual desolation that will eventually be over run by the enemy, and the people will become worse off than they were before. God must go before us and cultivate the territories, during which time He will equip us for that work. In our zeal, let patience be our wisdom, tending to the present season, praying for the work which God has previously prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:10)
PJR
"I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you. I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land." (Exodus 23:28-30)
(Acts 19:13-16)
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." (Luke 11:21-26)
As conquerors in Christ Jesus, we realize our battle is not against humanity but in spiritual places. We can go forth into the field of the harvest, and through charity and intercession attempt a great divine victory against evil forces. However, the enemy will only be truly defeated if God has ordained the work. The previous Scriptures explain the dangers of confronting the enemy without God's guidance, protection, and equipping.
If we save them from starvation but do not present the Bread of Life as the main course, we have only filled their stomachs.
If we heal their sick but do not share with them the miracle of God's mercy upon sinners, we have only become their doctor.
If we successfully remove a tryant from oppressing a nation but do not teach the people everything that Jesus taught us, we have only opened the door for the next villain to reign in his place.
If we gather them once a week to preach the good news yet do not call upon the Holy Spirit to empower the people, we have only taught them how to attend church.
If we do all this and more in Jesus name, yet without the sovereign direction of the Holy Spirit, we have arrogantly walked away with the proud thought that we have helped set the captives free. In reality though, we will have accomplished absolutely nothing of permanence; we have only temporarily driven out the enemy, leaving behind spiritual desolation that will eventually be over run by the enemy, and the people will become worse off than they were before. God must go before us and cultivate the territories, during which time He will equip us for that work. In our zeal, let patience be our wisdom, tending to the present season, praying for the work which God has previously prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:10)
PJR
"I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you. I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land." (Exodus 23:28-30)
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Poseurs Of The Body
"If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts." (1 Corinthians 12:17-31)
You can tell someone the way of salvation, but if you do not possess the gift of evangelism, you may have only taught them the way.
You can encourage the discouraged, but if you do not possess the gift of intercession, you may have only made them feel good.
You can pray for the sick, but if you do not possess the gift of healing, you may have only relieved their symptoms.
You can speak an appropriate word of God, but if you do not possess the gift of prophecy, you may have only repeated what is written.
You can identify evil, but if you do not possess the gift of discernment, you may have only awakened them to its presence.
You can speak the truth, but if you do not possess the gift of exhortation, you may have only reminded them of what they already know.
When you step out of your gifting and attempt to take on another's, rather than appointing one who is appropriately gifted and equipped, you have stepped out of your place of submission to the Head. In disrespect to the order of authority, you have usurped the work of another member of the body you have not been assigned nor properly equipped for, and have diminished the fullness of the power that belongs to that particular ministry. Your witness will appear quite empty and dogmatic. It is when we are submissive and obedient within our specific calling, gifting, and ministry whereby God will reveal Himself to those we minister to, thus imparting more than a knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven, but a confirmation of the abundant life they are crying out for, to be embraced immediately!
PJR
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts." (1 Corinthians 12:17-31)
You can tell someone the way of salvation, but if you do not possess the gift of evangelism, you may have only taught them the way.
You can encourage the discouraged, but if you do not possess the gift of intercession, you may have only made them feel good.
You can pray for the sick, but if you do not possess the gift of healing, you may have only relieved their symptoms.
You can speak an appropriate word of God, but if you do not possess the gift of prophecy, you may have only repeated what is written.
You can identify evil, but if you do not possess the gift of discernment, you may have only awakened them to its presence.
You can speak the truth, but if you do not possess the gift of exhortation, you may have only reminded them of what they already know.
When you step out of your gifting and attempt to take on another's, rather than appointing one who is appropriately gifted and equipped, you have stepped out of your place of submission to the Head. In disrespect to the order of authority, you have usurped the work of another member of the body you have not been assigned nor properly equipped for, and have diminished the fullness of the power that belongs to that particular ministry. Your witness will appear quite empty and dogmatic. It is when we are submissive and obedient within our specific calling, gifting, and ministry whereby God will reveal Himself to those we minister to, thus imparting more than a knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven, but a confirmation of the abundant life they are crying out for, to be embraced immediately!
PJR
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Upon This Rock
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'" (Matthew 16:13-19)
Along with being a fisherman, Peter's credentials were, first-to-speak, first-to-boast, first-in-line, first-to-place- his foot in his mouth. So, what made Peter so 'rock solid' that he receive the keys to heaven? Simply this: "For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." It is not just Peter. Christ's church, in which the gates of hell shall not prevail against, belongs to those who receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows His sheep and they know His voice. There is also, a very large assembly of people throughout the world that attend 'church' but fail to wear the wedding garments and they are there to test the true church which consists of those called from the beginning of the world to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
The rock which the church is built on is the foundation Jesus had laid down His life for. After He had risen to the right hand of the Father, He continued to build that foundation through the apostles. No doubt that because of the ignorance of God's people, the enemy has worked his way into the assembly, but the ultimate victory of this warfare belongs to the true church.
How is it that God trusts mere men with the keys to Heaven to determine what will be bound or loosed? Because those that are truly His possess His Spirit and anything bound or loosed on Earth and in Heaven is done so by the Holy Spirit through men, not by men through the Holy Spirit. (John 3:8) In this way, it is God's will that is to "...be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.".
What is bound? The work of the enemy and the sins of the church.
What is loosed? God's mercy and grace upon the sinner.
PJR
"Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, 'The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!' They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed out. 'There is no peace,' says the Lord, 'for the wicked.'" (Isaiah 48:20-22)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Complacency
Remaining complacent with past revelations & experiences, and failing to follow Jesus on a daily basis, prevents us from growing in truth, and being able to recognize the subtle darts of spiritual darkness that steal the life of the Spirit from us. We thereby fail to allow the Holy Spirit to equip us to overcome future trials and attacks on our faith and we tend to rely more and more on our own resourcefulness. It is important to exercise daily the necessary faith of submission and availability to God that will release His power and knowledge to confront and destroy those places of religion that so easily set themselves up as a substitute for His Spirit.
PJR
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:10-13)
PJR
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:10-13)
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