The Fragrance Of Life And The Scent Of Deception

The fragrance of Jesus will become a living aroma in and through us, but only after it has first been used for the purpose of our own burial. 

As aromatic as it is, the fragrance of Christ inevitably gives off a perceived odor of death to self,  foul to the human sense of what life should smell like. This is a lethal deterrent for many, and it is played out in many different ways. 

Leveling The Playing Field

"A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley...'" (Isaiah 40:3-4 NASB)

In the midst of our own wilderness, when we prepare the way for the Lord, we allow Him to go before us to raise the valleys of deception & self pity; to bring down the mountains of religion & self righteousness; and to level the rugged ground of our own understanding and self reliance.

PJR

You Who Have Ears...

 

Exposing the enemy to those who have been born again.

The undeniable evidence of unbelief reveals itself when Christians will pray about a situation, but continue to force their own remedy or resourcefulness. It has already been decided in their hearts what they intend to manipulate in order to accomplish their own goals. This effort clearly reveals that they are actually asking God to come alongside and bless their own endeavors while they've pretended to pray otherwise.

Dying To Self

There is a sense of unworthiness that accompanies the spirit of the poor, and in contrast brings a response of arrogance from those more fortunate. The innate selfishness of humanity always recognizes opportunities to take advantage of their less fortunate neighbor quite naturally.

This is the undeniable relationship between the prosperous and the oppressed that exists in the micro and the macro. It is simply the world we live in. Governments, doctors, theologians, and the rest are constantly trying to formulize guidelines for the masses to follow. The effort is to teach everyone how to treat one another for the cause of social peace while maintaining personal integrity in the process. It is the simple wisdom of humans entertaining the fantasy of psychology, trying to perfect what is innately imperfect.

The Color Of My Temple

I am not a white Christian. I am a Christian whose temple happens to be painted white. 

If I behave as a white Christian, my faith would be established first by an allegiance to my culture and country (James 4:4) and I would certainly have to manipulate God's word in order to persuade others that my efforts are righteous and godly. (2 Timothy 3:5) In reality, though, I am acting out of my own human nature. 
(Philippians 2:21) 

But if I submit my temple to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), I should then deal with everyone and everything in the Spiritual realm. (Galatians 5:24-25) I will regard no one in the flesh, as I don't even regard my former self. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) 

I have this treasure in a jar of clay so that everyone will know, including myself, that this surpassing power belongs to God and not to me. 

(2 Corinthians 4:7)

PJR

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." 

(Colossians 3:9-11)

To Obey Is To Love

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." (2 John 1:6)

Basically, all Jesus' commands are all summed up in these two: "'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)

We all can agree how difficult this can be for us, yet there is no doubt that the only way we can obey His commands is by love. So here is the question we need answered: how can we love when in the depths of our soul, we constantly want to look out for ourselves?

A Revelation of Christ

 

http://books.jesuslifetogether.com/Revelation-of-Christ

www.JesusLifeTogether.com

The Purpose Of The Word

The Scriptures were established to reveal Jesus to His bride by the work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-2), and from that, His ministry will flow naturally through those who refuse to lean on their own understanding. The Word was not established for the elect to purport their own devised theology nor to determine the purpose and direction of their ministry.

When we are dogmatic to harness the power of God in order to make this world a better place to live; when we are adamant to translate Scripture in order to covet isolated sacred doctrines; when we strive to interpret God's word into predictable religious practices; when we are so intelligent as to order specific and absolute methods of cause and effect in order to bind the sovereignty of God onto our own idealistic comfortable field of play; then we have effectively limited ourselves of the pure work of the Holy Spirit and thus created divisions in the body of Christ.

Father's Day

There are three things in life that remain faithful,. No, four. Make it five.

Jesus

Your children

A noble wife.

A friend who sticks by closer than a brother.

Your dog.

How Does God Speak To Us?

Some believe that preaching is God's primary means of communicating with humanity.

"Another thing about which the Corinthian assembly reminds us is that preaching is God's primary means of sounding His voice, bringing conviction on listeners, and granting them repentance. Without a doubt, preaching is the most effective means of communicating God's Word to both believers and unbelievers. In fact, this passage implies the superiority of preaching over all other means of communicating God's Word to anyone."

The Passion Driven Sermon
by Jim Shaddix

Others believe that the sermon is the foremost method in which God communicates with us. At the 3:00 mark of the following video, the narrator states:

"Sermons are God's primary means for communicating with His church today."  (http://vimeo.com/67724114)

And there are still others who believe God's primary means of communication is through the Bible.

"We believe that the Bible is both relevant and meaningful for our lives today and that it is the primary way that God speaks to us." (http://www.houstonvineyard.org/sunday_mornings.html)

Authors, preachers, teachers and theologians, all weighing in, sharing their own thoughts as to the most effective way in which God communicates with creation.

But what does God Himself say?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

What's Wrong With This Picture (Video)?

http://vimeo.com/67724114

At the 3 minute mark of the video above, the narrator states, "Sermons are God's primary means for communicating with His church today." So, God still only speaks through a prophet? The one behind the pulpit, who has elevated himself as the communicator of God?

Inspirational Articles

Here is a link to some inspiring articles by Milt Rodriquez. I find them extremely enlightening. I would recommend starting at the top and working down through them.

PJR

http://therebuilders.org/articles.html

God's Favorite Place On Earth

About four years ago I was overwhelmed with a very intense disturbance within my spirit that still rocks my Christian faith. I have struggled to even communicate it with words. It has been the energy behind all I have shared here on my blog. Obviously,if you have read a few of my posts, you find the main thrust of my 'journals' has been to expose how the enemy has been so successful in oppressing the life of Christ in His church. It resonates only from my own particular gifting. Yet there is so much more to it than the mere identification of darkness. This is why we need other giftings in the body of Christ so we can have the whole revelation of what the Spirit is saying to the church.

A few months ago, I came across an author by the name of Frank Viola. What I read from his books pours out so much confirmation in regards to the burdens the Holy Spirit has been working in my heart and of many others as well. God has certainly given Frank the service and gift to beautifully and clearly communicate the healing dimension of this burden. There is no doubt the traditional church is on the precipice of a Spiritual awakening; and God wants His children to be equipped for it.

Without going on further about my own experience, I would like to share a great opportunity for everyone who has been striving for more in their own walk with God. Frank has certainly been called for this...and I thank God for that!

Just click on the link below or copy and paste it to your address bar.

http://frankviola.org/godsfavoriteplace/

PJR

Get Married

"Then some Pharisees came to him in order to test him. They asked, 'Is it lawful to divorce a wife for any cause?' He answered, 'Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.' They said to him, 'Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?' Jesus said to them, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but from the beginning it was not this way. Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.' The disciples said to him, 'If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!' He said to them, 'Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given. for there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth, and some who were made eunuchs by others, and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.'"
(Matthew 19:3-12)

Being a man, I can assure you that the disciples' comment did not imply it is better to live a life of celibacy, but suggested that it would be better to just live with a woman rather than get married. But Jesus response was that unless you are a eunuch, any intimate relationship a man may have with a woman should be based on covenant. He left no room for the children of God to entertain casual, open-ended intimacy. If you desire a woman, then get married.
(1 Corinthians 7:2)

An intimate relationship is blessed by the marriage covenant instituted by God. Loose relations are selfish and uncommitted, affording the man and woman the ease of promiscuity and the convenience of leaving the relationship when things get tough. For the believer, marriage is trust, commitment, and perseverance that gain them the sanctification within the marriage. It is this symbolism that a believer is united to Christ, and without entering into this covenant, mere physically intimate relationships will have little, if any, reflection of the life of Christ in that relationship. Today, this does not appear to be the wisdom that the world is able to accept.

PJR

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4)

Husbands, Wives, And The Church

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body." (Ephesians 5:25-30)

Husbands- if you are not intimate with Christ, you are not in the Word. If you are not in the Word, you are not sacrificing yourself for your wife, sanctifying her by the pure life of Christ that would be dwelling in you. It is only by Christ that you are able to truly love your wife; that you may present her without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish...in the same way that Jesus cleanses His bride.

"'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:31-32)

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14) This is a beautiful physical representation of how Jesus left the Father, came down to earth and through His sacrificial death redeemed His bride by conquering sin and death in the world thereby consummating the bride of Christ into the kingdom of our heavenly Father. He has created a new body for Himself, His bride, and He is holding fast to her. He gave himself up for His wife. Husbands are called to leave the source and familiarity of their previous kingdom and hold fast to their wives, thus creating a new body by the intimate fellowship wrought by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Why isn't the woman called to leave her father and mother? Verse 30 is the 'therefore' of verse 31: "For no one ever hated his own flesh...". Because the woman came from man, (1 Corinthians 11:8) she is her husband's own flesh (which is why husbands should love their wives as their own bodies;). She will readily recognize and cling to her husband [as Mary Magdalene attempted to do in the garden, finally recognizing Jesus as her Spiritual bridegroom (John 20:16)]. It was man that was formed from the dirt of this world, but the woman was formed from man. In this way, she knows no one to leave, only the one to cling to; and so the husband is to recognize and embrace this act of the inward knowledge of woman and thus cling to her.

Just as the source of the bride of Christ is Jesus, the church should naturally recognize and cling to Him, because we were in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4); just as Eve was already in Adam before God formed her. (For a life changing revelation, read Frank Viola's book, From Eternity To Here.)

Jesus created physical marriage as an analogy to express the mystery of how He relates to His church, and vice versa. Also, as physical intimacy brings forth offspring, so too by the intimate fellowship of the Spirit are borne others into the body of Christ. This is why marriage can only be between a man and a woman. (Any other union of male/male or female/female is of the devil; a physical perversion of the Spiritual picture of the bride of Christ. Both physically and Spiritually, homosexuality can not reproduce, nor know the true intimacy God designed and intended for marriage.)

"However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:33)

Here is my 'amplified' spiritual paraphrase of the above verse. "However, let each one of you love the body of Christ as his own body, because that's exactly what the body is; the temple of the Holy Spirit (the fellowship of believers, not just the individual); and let the body of Christ see that it respects the Spirit of Christ, not the spirit of the world."

PJR

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."  (Revelation 19:7)

The Nation Of Christianity

Our Christian life should precede our allegiance to our nationality. We are as sojourners in a strange land, not nationalists connected with a particular faith. While we tread the grounds of our nationality in the flesh, it only affords us our unique customs and traditions in which our bodies can manifest a particular and peculiar dance and song to God; yet in Spirit, there is no disdain, no differences, nor division in relation to other Christians around the world. There is neither Greek nor Jew, man or woman, free or slave; only a unification of individuals, like grains of sand that comprise the terrain. Together in Spirit we are one nation sending up our incense of prayer and worship to our Lord Jesus (Revelation 5:8), to the glory of God and to our ultimate inheritance of the new kingdom as the complete and perfect bride of Christ.

PJR

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'" (Revelation 5:9-10)

Point By Point

I was driving to work one morning when this scripture came to mind:

"They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, 'If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'" (Mark 9:33-35)

Immediately after pondering this, another scripture came to mind.

"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.'" ( Luke 10:38-42)

This seemed to contradict the first scripture. Wasn't the act of serving the focal point of what Jesus just spoke about in the first story?

At this point my attention was diverted to the traffic around me, and I became frustrated with all the inconsiderate drivers on the road; especially those that affected my path.

I struggled to get back into my meditation after that. Then this scripture came to mind:

"Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, 'Lord, and what about this man?' Jesus said to him, 'If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!'" (John 21:20-22)

Just then, it was impressed upon me the relevance of these three scenarios. They have one thing in common; worrying about others. When I am consumed with the behavior of others around me, my Spiritual intimacy quickly dissipates and I become very self-absorbed.

Point made. I am humbled.

PJR

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." (James 3:14-16)

Bread Of Life

Some time ago one morning, on my way to work and feeling weary after yet another sleepless night, I asked God to present an opportunity for me to shine His light at the job-site...to offer hope and encouragement to someone. I was trying to focus on His kingdom, rather than my dire circumstances which preoccupied my thoughts. Obviously, I was the one in need of His presence.

I had been struggling a lot lately. Despite trying not to worry and submitting my requests to God in order to receive the peace that surpasses all understanding; trying to focus on today because tomorrow has enough troubles of its own; casting my cares on Him because He cares for me; being still and knowing he is in control, etc., my frustration increased.

This particular month, my wall calendar contained a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. "There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread." Initially, this sounds very profound. But I have to realize this is the same man who, at best, heralded Jesus as merely another prophet. When people are hungry, and Jesus shows up, He is indeed the bread.

I wondered at the continued presence of frustration as I recited God's promises through my mind. I believe there are times when God actually sends a spirit of frustration to ensure we reach our rope's end. After all, real belief occurs when we begin to trust God regardless of our circumstances; beyond simply claiming His promises while striving to work out the situation ourselves.

When we're so deep into the darkness of our troubles, it can seem like a place of fatal hopelessness. But at just the right time, every now and then, God sends a comforting angel; sometimes in the form of someone we know, but have simply taken for granted. It was just a few days later, this cloud still hanging over my head, that someone I knew sneaked up behind me and gave me a big ol' heavenly hug...out of nowhere! Don't I know God just embraced me! I was so hungry...and He appeared to me in the form of bread I was needing.

The body of Christ brings the presence of Jesus when we need him the most. A burdened heart can glorify God even in the storm, to the credit of those who make themselves available to Him. My prayer is that you would make yourself more available to God, that He may cause you to show up in the form of manna for the hungry people in your life. Let's empty ourselves of ourselves and be led of Him, so that we can shine our light in the darkness; carrying hope to those who feel hopeless, and love to those who feel unloved; and perhaps, should the circumstance dictate, a loaf of bread.

PJR

"Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance."
(Psalm 78:23-25)

Easter Sunday

"And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." (Matthew 22:31-32)

"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless." (Matthew 22:11-12)

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)

Those who celebrate Resurrection Sunday while avoiding their own Good Friday, will just end up laying a big easter egg.

PJR

"We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:4-5)

God With Us

Since our righteousness is achieved by what Christ alone accomplished, we should be very humbled. Since it is by God's grace alone we ourselves have not been judged, this should prevent us from judging others. We should, rather, be interceding for those whom Christ died for as well. Whether friend or foe, we are to love all.

It is the love of the Father for us, by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, that brings about a recognition of our own sinfulness. (John 16:8) He alone works repentance in us. (2Timothy 2:25) Confessing and embracing this, we then have the ability to turn this love towards others, becoming ambassadors for Christ.

Those who judge sinners whose hearts are repentant fail to understand that this repentance is the evidence of God's holy work in their lives. The love of God is not in those who judge. They are still blind and deaf.

"Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:47) Our love for others is proportionate to the degree in which we perceive God has forgiven us.

God's love for the world manifests itself when His children know they have been saved from themselves and become resurrected into the life of Christ; no longer living to themselves, but to Him who has called them to go in the same manner of love that He came; Immanuel...God with us.

PJR

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Faith, Hope, And Love

Below are some Scriptures that give us insight as to how each one of us came to possess the abilities we utilize and enjoy here on earth, both in our natural and spiritual lives.

How we receive our physical gifts.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, 'See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And He has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers. So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.'" (Exodus 35:30; 36:1)

How we receive our spiritual gifts.

"But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding." (Job 32:8)
 
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as He determines." (1Corinthians 12:7-11)

"It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-14)

How We Steward our physical and spiritual gifts.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

"So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church." (1Corinthians 14:12)

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" (Matthew 25:14-30)

All gifts will eventually pass away.

The physical

"I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." (1Corinthians 15:50-53)

The spiritual

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

If at any time during the life of a Christian, the Lord were to immediately remove every good gift He has given them thus far, He would not remove His gift of faith, hope & love, for this is the seal of the Holy Spirit upon us. (Ephesians 1:13-14) These are the three gifts which bear the life of Jesus and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in and through us, regardless of the absence of any other blessing.

There will come a time where faith (the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen- Hebrews 11:1) and hope (our irrefutable confidence- Romans 5:5) will have fulfilled their purpose, leaving us with the last and greatest of all blessings; love; the Lord Himself! Our Husband!

Here then, are some fundamental and foundational scriptures about faith, hope, and love that we may embrace as evidence that we belong to Him.

"But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:18)

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  
(Hebrews 11:6)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."  
(1 Peter 3:15)

"For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly await for the hope of righteousness." (Ephesians 5:5)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth." (Colossians 1:3-6)

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  
(Ephesians 3:14-19)

For all the gifts that God has blessed us with, this is the ultimate purpose for them.

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

PJR

"All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change." (James 1:17)

Disciplined By Love

In the absence of authority, people entertain the depraved desires of their hearts. Thus, laws are enacted for the sake of peace and protection of citizens in a society. Yet to simply demand obedience to these laws will only encourage rebellion against them. So there is added an incentive to obey; penalties for those who break the law. Without consequence there can be no discipline. So there is a fear in the mind of every one who contemplates breaking the law; the consideration of what it will cost them should they be caught. It is this fear that will deter many from following through.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18)

The body of Christ, however, is not disciplined by fear, but by the laws of love that come through Christ's sacrifice for the redemption of our sinful nature (Hebrews 10:10); for "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

PJR

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14)

Commanded Obedience

The voice of authority projects and protects its interests and responsibilities through commanded obedience. It establishes for itself followers of submission to help carry out their agenda. There will always be those who refuse to come under a particular authority. They will complain that such authority violates their personal freedom, and defiance is their immediate reaction towards it. Yet God knows the destruction of His creation within the mindset of outward rebellion. (Jude 1:10-11)

God's desire for His elect is to guide them towards a selfless life in Jesus by the life and power of the Holy Spirit. Those outside the church, however, can only perceive God as an oppressive authority who demands mindless submission from His followers.

Truly, there is no one even capable of submitting to God by their own will. Any relationship one might seek with God must find mutual ground between themselves and God. Yet a covenant with God is unattainable without a witness of His Spirit within, and that occupation is determined by what Jesus alone laid down His life for: the elect...His bride. By this, the family of God has ceased to relate with Him by mere commanded obedience. In God's new covenant, everything has become "yes! and amen!". Our submission is no longer controlled by fear (1 John 4:18), but is born again into a living intimate relationship of child and Father, bride and Bridegroom. Since we have become adopted children and are being made into the bride of Christ, we also receive His grace where condemnation was the just judgment, mercy where guilty was the just verdict, and eternal life where death was the just penalty.

Commanded obedience is the essence of any and all laws, but an authentic faith in Jesus has freed us from being ruled and judged by the old covenant law. (Acts 13:39) Yet paradoxically, through this God given faith, we are actually fulfilling that law (Romans 3:31), out of love for the one who first loved us.

　
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)

PJR

"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

The Canon

There is an interesting history about how the collection of writings contained in the Protestant and Catholic Bible were chosen. The term "Holy Bible" can apply to any collection of religious writings but these are the two main Christian Bibles in print. While the Bible of Catholicism contains all the writings found in the Protestant Bible, it also has additional writings not included in the Protestant canon, which the protestants do not consider to be written by divine inspiration. But how can we really know which archaic literature is inspired by God for His people?

By value of topical content alone, there is no end to the writing of books.

"The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body." (Ecclesiastes 12:11,12)

Divinely inspired literature however is known only within the soul of those who recognize the Spirit of God dwelling richly within a particular text.

"We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts." — Westminster Confession, 1647.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God (inspired) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Many writings have an appearance of godliness, but for the spiritually discerning, they certainly lack "...the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:5) ...that is, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit behind it. Though God's children have the Spiritual burden to evangelize, teach, reprove, and correct others by the use of Scripture, it is only by the active presence of the Holy Spirit that accompanies the text in the midst of such duties whereby Scripture becomes inspired and profitable. (Acts 16:6)

There are many bibles among many religions in the world today. Holy Scripture is not determined by its compilation within a book, but rather by the presence of its Holy inspiration, proven by the Spiritual author Himself, unto the ones whom His Spirit dwells within. When we are able to test the spirit to see whether it is of God or not (1 John 4:1), we can then determine whether a particular writing is to be included in our canon.

"If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you."
(1 Corinthians 14:23-25)

"Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

The Holy Scriptures themselves are prophetic by the inspiration of God for the purpose of revealing Jesus: as Lord to the lost, and as husband to the church. Therefore, not all prophecy and scripture in the world is God breathed.

PJR

"...these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." (1Corinthians 2:10)

Judgment Or Discernment

"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." (Romans 2:1-5)

Except for God's sovereign grace, we are all capable of indulging in anything known to fallen mankind.

The first verse states that those who judge others condemn themselves because they practice the very same thing. The reason a person is able to accuse another, is because the human depravity they recognize and judge is potentially present within themselves.

Should we fully comprehend that we have been saved from ourselves by God's grace alone, we would not perceive another's behavior as something to judge, rather something to forgive and afford grace toward... that same grace and forgiveness we freely received. However, as we find ourselves inclined to judge others, it is because we have not yet been enlightened to the magnitude of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. (Romans 5:8)

So it is, with a passion to establish a self-righteousness apart from Christ that we judge others; and that to our own condemnation. If we are to see others through the eyes of God, we must be more than just knowledgeable of Jesus. We must be knowledgeable in Him. (Romans 8:1)

"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
(James 4:11-12)

When we pronounce judgment upon someone, we are in essence:

-denying grace. This type of judgment is reserved for God against the unrighteous; those who are not the elect of God, and decrees a verdict of condemnation by Him alone. (Matthew 22:13)

-dispensing the law for the sake of bearing witness against the actions and attitudes of others. This runs contrary to the biblical mandate for Christians in dealing with transgressors. (Matthew 18:15-17)

-mocking God's creation, as though they were not made in His image. (Matthew 5:22)

 When we judge, we are declaring that others are unworthy of God's grace.

We have essentially turned the law upon our neighbor to be declared guilty under it. Yet ourselves, having been freed from being judged by the law because of the gift of grace, now judge that the law should be used against our neighbor while embracing that it doesn't apply to us.
(Matthew 18:27-28)
We are denying our neighbor this same grace. We are denying the command to forgive others. (Mark 11:25)

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?' 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these."(Mark12:28-31)

To judge someone is to defy the two greatest commandments of God.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)

To judge by the law is to deny Jesus.

Now, to judge according to grace is freedom from judgment by the law. It provides opportunity for others to confess their sins and for the Holy Spirit to work repentance into the heart. This is exactly why Jesus came into the world.

But we can't just dwell on the subject of judgment without introducing the matter of accountability which plays such a vital role in the church.

Recognizing and confronting evil should not be mistaken as judging a person. Human judgment is a partial knowledge assumption presumed upon another person's motives and position with God, based simply on the evident circumstances that are perceived by the one judging. The motives behind this type of judgment are numerous and its source is demonic.

Discernment, however, is the ability to correctly identify the true spirit of attitudes and behaviors of others.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Practical discernment comes by being immersed in God's character and precepts, but spiritual discernment comes by the power of the Holy Spirit, working through those whom God has bestowed the gift to. They will stand as an illuminating light against all forms of rebellion and dark authorities that set themselves up to deceive God's creation. In spite of the enemy's commanding presence, their true motivations will be exposed and their hypocrisy revealed.

In regards to the carnal behavior of believers, confrontation is the required business of every child of God for the sake of accountability within the body of Christ. Yet none of this is to anyone's advantage if love for our fellow man is not the ultimate passion. Confrontation without the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit through prayer will always be perceived as judgmental.

Below are several Biblical examples of appropriate judgments on those whose actions were clearly contrary to the Spirit of God.

"Jesus answered them, 'I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.'" (John 7:21-24)

"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.'" (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

"One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth."
(Titus 1:12-14)

The following is an extreme example of how seriously God regards integrity, honesty and accountability in the church, even after Jesus' resurrection.

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.' When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

"After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, 'Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.' And she said, 'Yes, for so much.' But Peter said to her, 'How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.' Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things."
(Acts 5:1-11)

PJR

"The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one." (1 Corinthians 2:15)

Hidden Trouble

A few years back I got a call from my youngest daughter telling me her dishwasher wasn't working. She asked if I could come by and find what the problem was. She mentioned that when there was a power outage, as was the case, the breaker in the electrical panel would have to be reset, solving the issue. This time it didn't work.

When I got there, I did the usual diagnosis of determining the closest point where power was interrupted. It turned out to be the switches on the wall. As I pulled the switches out of the wall, I found one loose wire and one that had come completely out of the terminal. Having reconnected these, the dishwasher still didn't work. Eventually, I discovered that the micro-switch on the dishwasher door would not engage if the door was not completely shut (though it appeared to be).

When I informed her the dishwasher was now working, she asked me what the problem was. I could have pointed out any one of those things, but honestly it was all of them; a compound problem. Two of the wires may have been close enough to make contact if the electricity was able to jump the gap, and the micro-switch may or may not have been engaged. If electricity has to 'jump' to make a connection, there is always a possibility of a fire. If the micro-switch had not been engaging, I would have never gone to the wall switch to discover the other potentially dangerous conditions.

I thought about how, as Christians, our own problems can be very similar. The troubles that are evident on the surface often times consist of other hidden dangers we aren't even aware of. Without the fellowship of others, we may not recognize the underlying spiritual issues beyond the obvious present struggle. Apart from other believers, our vision is severely limited and our focus extremely narrow...and that is by Design.

This is one of the blessings we reap when we fellowship with others in the faith. Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The body of Christ manifests its intimacy with Jesus through Spiritual fellowship (Matthew 18:20). As we confess our hearts and pray for one another, the depth of our struggles will be revealed and the hidden work of the enemy exposed.

So...why isn't your dishwasher working?

PJR

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
(John 10:10)

The Truth About Knowledge

Knowledge alone is not truth. At its best, knowledge alone is puffed up. At worst, it destroys. It was knowledge alone that deceived Eve. It was by knowledge alone that the affections of God's chosen nation continually turned back to the world. It is only when we walk in the light of knowledge that truth is intimately known.  (1 John 1:6,7; John 3:21)

Today, the masses of church attenders are eager to embrace a fellowship claimed by mere association with others who regard not truth, but a commanding knowledge of their religious environment; a knowledge lacking the life of the Spirit, evidenced by their conformity to the system of the world. Their confidence is supported by one another, similar to patrons of a bar. They build up and encourage a community of companionship nourished by mutual acceptance. These common communities become either tolerant or legalistic, for the purpose of comforting the astute and controlling the ignorant. They are full of toil and void of the truth because knowledge alone is their master, refusing to allow the Holy Spirit to turn that knowledge into abundant life. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:7; 1 Corinthians 11:19)

PJR

"They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
(1 John 4:5,6)

Lip Service

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34)

That which we feed upon in our daily lives becomes the treasure of our hearts, and we will quite naturally divulge the true spirit within our humanity to those around us.

We should not think we can cleverly disguise, by way of lip service, the spirit of the world we indulge in. Upon the tasting of the waters, the spring is well known.

"Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." (James 3:11,12)

Children of God will stumble and backslide. If a fellow believer sins, admonish them in the word of God. It is important to recognize the true spirit of those around us and treat them as such; for by their spirit we will know whether to treat them as sinners and tax collectors (Luke 5:32), or to gently restore our brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:1) But be certain of one thing: it is not possible for holiness to flow from an unbeliever. However, we should allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that those who are not truly born from above will be exposed to everyone else for who they really are, in hopes of bringing Godly conviction upon them.

"But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is really among you!'" (1 Corinthians 14:24,25)

PJR

"Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates, disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."
(Prov.26:23-26)

Fake Speech And False Spirits

Have you ever witnessed a conversation or circumstance, involving someone you felt to be a believer, that left you confused and in a state of bewilderment? If you find yourself in a quandary like this, it is because you have just witnessed a false spirit or the nature of sin having its way through someone who is deeply troubled by it.

When confronted about their behavior, those who confess their transgression, and acknowledge their struggle with it, must be dealt with patiently and with much grace and prayer, (forgiving them seventy times seven); for it is by God's Spirit they confess.

Others, however, refuse to even acknowledge their bizarre behavior, yet in an to attempt to appease your obvious disheveled state (while hoping to justify their actions), they will excuse their actions and redirect your focus from it in one, or a combination of two, different ways.

1. Being aggressive, twisting truth and speaking with exasperation, they defend themselves adamantly so that it causes you to cower, leaving you to doubt that you judged correctly. You come away feeling guilty for even addressing them for what you witnessed.

2. Being passive, by false explanations and rationalizations, they desire you to compromise your own holiness, striving to win your affections by befriending you.

There are a myriad of reasons for the presence of such a spirit, but the root of it is fear; that is, the lack of perfect love. (1 John 4:18)

The church should never disregard such a person. Maintaining peace without Biblical accountability, for the sake of avoiding confrontation accomplishes nothing more than our own human comfort. It affords the troublemakers the freedom to continue disrupting the peace because they have experienced previous confrontations that were never brought to a point of consequence, though it is this very thing they themselves ultimately pursue. Their actions are immature and rebellious, displaying no evidence of the Holy Spirit within.

However, after being given corrections and opportunities to recognize, confess, and repent of the spirit of rebellion, yet remaining defiant, the final act must be enforced:

"Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself." (Titus 3:10,11 The Net Bible)

PJR
 

Deceit

Deceit is the attempt to rewrite God's word into something man is able to grasp with his own understanding, thereby diminishing the need for faith. It's presence in the church disturbs the peace of those whom the Holy Spirit is intimate with, though the exact cause may not be immediately discerned. The spirit of deceit always disguises itself as common sense and its effort is to thwart the life and work of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ. Its main goal is to appeal to the human senses, causing the desires of the mind to become lord of the assembly.

Seasons will arise that will expose the enemy at work, but Satan will fight back in an attempt to discredit any who challenge him. As we confront the worldliness that sets itself up within and against the church, we must remove ourselves from the emotional battle, and concentrate on the spiritual, which is the driving force behind the minds of those who incessantly disregard the Holy Spirit. While God's word is the ultimate victory over the enemy, during the heat of the battle it is faith, held as a shield, that we persevere. The 'worthy adversary' will continually bring subtle conflicts of interest that challenge one thing; God's word...and it is our faith in His word that becomes our shelter.

PJR

"Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."
(Proverbs 30:5,6)

Philosophical Hypocrisy

Human reasoning alone may appear to answer Biblical issues in close context, but broadly, its theology will be found inconsistent in satisfying the questions yet to be considered. Even if we may be confident in one dynamic of our Christian walk, the blinders on our spiritual understanding prompts the Holy Spirit to challenge the sufficiency of that single wisdom regarding other areas we have yet to be enlightened to.

If we fail to embrace this challenge, our growth will remain stunted and are therefore unable to establish a sound theological foundation that is purely sanctified and intimately relational with God. We are then left to rationalize God's truths through the lens of our humanity, burdening ourselves and others with an inconsistent mixture of theology and philosophy. Our wisdom thus remains hypocritical.

It may be asked, why wouldn't anyone who has been enlightened by the Spirit continue to press in for the greater understanding that comes from God alone? The answer is this: it comes with the realization of having to surrender our mind's covetous desire to understand and plan its own way. This is the stumbling block set before all.

PJR

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones."
(Proverbs 3:5-8)

Idle Words

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,"
(Matthew 12:36)

Every word we speak is drawn from the heart within, revealing its true spiritual condition. As Christians, our idle words express those incessant realms of our own heart's desires that certainly reveal the unsanctified areas of our lives. If the devotion of our efforts, which should be asking God for His Spirit, instead professses more of an allegiance to the world, then our conversations will become as tasteless salt, a seasoning to no one. (Matthew 5:13) We should be bearing the life of the Holy Spirit that dwells within, not quenching it with idle talk.

PJR

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)

 

Avoiding Secularism In The Church

Jesus stated, with regards to the shrewd accountant, that the world is more clever in making lifetime friends than are the children of the light. (Luke 16:8)

 Jesus sent out his disciples as sheep in the midst of wolves, telling them to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. (Mathew 10:16)

The Apostle Paul became all things to all men that by all means he might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

 The message in these verses admonishes us to become proactive and creative in spreading the good news with the world, yet always being conscientious of keeping our religion pure and undefiled. (James 1:27)

The sources below give us insight into the physical world we live in.

Surveys

Marketing

Demographics

Psychology

Scientific Data

Historical Evidence

Research

Media

News Reports


However, the church should not utilize secular resources to:

• increase the numerical value of the church.

• befriend the world at the compromise of the purity of the gospel.

• equip believers with facts at the expense of faith.

• provide social counseling in lieu of Spiritual discernment and wisdom.

• determine its ministry.

• instill fear and fanaticism to maintain member dedication.

• encourage participation in worldly agendas.

• compare ourselves to, in order to achieve a sense of righteousness.

• become any part of its confidence.

PJR

"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:4)

Theatrical Churches

The architecture of an auditorium or theater immediately commands an instinctive human behavior from every person who enters.The audience knows their part, and those on stage know theirs. While any production is in progress, the audience becomes obedient in behavior to what the performers of the production have previously prepared for them. With the exception of an occasional audience response, the combined spirit within the auditorium is one of absolute self control. Whoever you may be naturally on the inside is called to a state of submission, thus rendering the utmost respect and behavior in order to facilitate an atmosphere conducive to a professional performance. This is the nature of the theater; and unfortunately for many churches as well.

While there is nothing wrong with church buildings that model auditoriums or theaters, there is a lot wrong with the dynamics of the fellowship within. It is constrained. There is a great quenching of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ that frequents this type of community. Rather than a design that enables the people the freedom to relate authentically and to release their gifts for the edification of others, the people become trained to conform to the protocol of the approximate one hour performance their theater demands. What is produced in the congregation is a spirit of good behavior and a deliberate practice of self composure that inevitably continues on through casual socializing. They are careful not to cause any distraction and have not the slightest desire to consider the things of God that might undermine the atmosphere of the theater they feel responsible for keeping. The elders and patriots come to embrace a conviction that it is their reverent duty and Godly service to come under the established authority of the theater to ensure everyone else respects the social architecture of such a church.

"So I exhort the elders among you ... shepherd the flock of God that is among you ... not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2,3)

When the same familiar people inhabit the stage Sunday after Sunday, they are dominating the affairs of the church and have drastically limited the exercise of all gifts that belong to the body of Christ.

PJR

"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part 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."
(1 Corinthians 12:14-20