The utterance of man that brings a conviction of sin and an awareness within the heart, mind and soul of others as to their need for repentance, always has as its source, the living God above. There is never a power possessed by anyone that is able to speak horizontally with such life altering impact, except that the conversation be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Correction by mere human confrontation or by Biblical knowledge alone will fall flat to the ears of the hearer. Even the Holy Scriptures, which are alive and active, sharper than any two edged sword, lays dormant until the life of the Spirit becomes manifest to interpret it.
Is there something or someone weighing on your heart? PRAY for wisdom and ask the Holy Spirit to work within your situation. Never go at it simply possessing the truth of a matter (in as much as you think you have properly discerned it) without calling on God to work in everyone involved, especially yourself. You may have a sure mental confidence about confronting something, but if your first effort isn't prayer, you will probably just start an argument. As you seek to deny yourself of your rights or entitlements, the Holy Spirit will afford you the necessary humility needed for God's power to work through you. Otherwise, your words will be perceived as accusations and you will be defied.
Another key premise that prayer affords us is knowing whether or not you should even approach your situation at that time, or at any time. God will impress His guidance upon you if you will not move forward with your own human understanding or emotional reactions. Wait on Him. Listen and do not move until He leads you forward in peace to do so. If you feel anxious about any part of it, ask God to reveal the source of the troubling, that you may overcome this fear. Always be conscious of this: it is God who ultimately confronts His own creation.
PJR
"And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, sayin, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest."
(Hebrews 8:11)
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Vertically Speaking
The Holy Bible actually contains a complete and sustainable religion for people not interested in the Spirit of Truth. However, this religion is spiritually inconsistent and hypocritical. When the message of the Bible is shared horizontally among men without the Holy Spirit to interpret it, the content stands only as a document for religious people to reference as they enjoy a powerless and world oriented religion. Their experience of abundant life comes by way of their own idealism, their justification through a practice of legalism, and their righteousness through self works.
The Holy Bible is an amazing book with two decisive, yet divisive messages. One for the depraved man without the Holy Spirit, which at face value, appears simply as a collection of God's expectations of men on earth, written by many contributing authors. The other is for God's elect, whereby the Holy Spirit interprets the true message by way of those who wrote by the inspiration of God. The former group is unable to comprehend that another book lies beneath what they have become accustomed to. It is hidden from those who are wise by their own account (Matthew 11:25) and are not interested in the Spirit of Truth, for by seeking truth, they know their dark deeds will be exposed. (John 3:20)
Though Jesus spoke horizontally to the people, His message was vertical: from above, downward. As was Paul's and the other apostles, themselves filled with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the ages since, those without the Spirit of Life within don't understand this direction of communication. Their minds are too focused on the horizontal, the things of the world. Their religion establishes that God's written word stands as an authority for them in which to judge, condemn, and dispense guilt upon others in order to maintain their own righteousness, rule, and prestige.
Those with the Holy Spirit have received the true faith which comes by actually "hearing" in the depths of their soul, the living and active Word of God, which the Spirit confirms by the written word. This religion comes from God, exhorting us to love one another and prevent ourselves from becoming stained by the world. Like Jesus, this call to deny ourselves actually serves God by serving mankind, rather than enslaving it. The rewards of this faith ultimately belong to those who persevere through the sacrificial brotherhood with Christ, not to the hedonistic community of religious people.
PJR
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:27, 28)
The Holy Bible is an amazing book with two decisive, yet divisive messages. One for the depraved man without the Holy Spirit, which at face value, appears simply as a collection of God's expectations of men on earth, written by many contributing authors. The other is for God's elect, whereby the Holy Spirit interprets the true message by way of those who wrote by the inspiration of God. The former group is unable to comprehend that another book lies beneath what they have become accustomed to. It is hidden from those who are wise by their own account (Matthew 11:25) and are not interested in the Spirit of Truth, for by seeking truth, they know their dark deeds will be exposed. (John 3:20)
Though Jesus spoke horizontally to the people, His message was vertical: from above, downward. As was Paul's and the other apostles, themselves filled with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the ages since, those without the Spirit of Life within don't understand this direction of communication. Their minds are too focused on the horizontal, the things of the world. Their religion establishes that God's written word stands as an authority for them in which to judge, condemn, and dispense guilt upon others in order to maintain their own righteousness, rule, and prestige.
Those with the Holy Spirit have received the true faith which comes by actually "hearing" in the depths of their soul, the living and active Word of God, which the Spirit confirms by the written word. This religion comes from God, exhorting us to love one another and prevent ourselves from becoming stained by the world. Like Jesus, this call to deny ourselves actually serves God by serving mankind, rather than enslaving it. The rewards of this faith ultimately belong to those who persevere through the sacrificial brotherhood with Christ, not to the hedonistic community of religious people.
PJR
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:27, 28)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Authority Of Accountability
The nation of Israel was a people chosen by God, and ruled by the laws of God. Accountability among the people was the responsibility of those in positions of leadership. In the Body of Christ, however, even the humble child of God that receives a great infilling of the Holy Spirit may indeed hold even those who are 'over them in the Lord' accountable, and that in the presence of the assembly.
(1 Timothy 5:17-20)
Today, our Lord and King is Jesus; and his authority is delegated by the Holy Spirit through his disciples. Thus, the authority of accountability belongs to those in Christ Jesus and not solely to the government of elders.
Sound doctrine, spiritual maturity, and Biblical obedience are the qualifications that should be present in those appointed as elders in the church, having first been tested. (1 Timothy 3:10) Once you have affirmed this, hold yourself accountable to God in keeping with the verses below.
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews13:17)
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thes. 5:12,13)
PJR
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:1-5)
(1 Timothy 5:17-20)
Today, our Lord and King is Jesus; and his authority is delegated by the Holy Spirit through his disciples. Thus, the authority of accountability belongs to those in Christ Jesus and not solely to the government of elders.
Sound doctrine, spiritual maturity, and Biblical obedience are the qualifications that should be present in those appointed as elders in the church, having first been tested. (1 Timothy 3:10) Once you have affirmed this, hold yourself accountable to God in keeping with the verses below.
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews13:17)
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thes. 5:12,13)
PJR
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:1-5)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
A Perfect Husband
A married woman in Christ is never without a Godly husband.
If he fails, if he falls short, if there be any lack in his love, provisions or security for the family, you are never without, for you belong to Jesus, the head and husband of His church in whom you can call on at anytime to provide you with the grace, strength, and peace you need as he takes you through your necessary seasons that you may grow into the Godly wife He desires you to be. When a woman comes under the authority of a man, regardless of his standing with Jesus, she is under the covering of Christ because of her obedience to her own place of submission.
So, single women, be absolutely certain of the source of the spiritual authority you commit yourself to in a husband. Though you belong to Christ, your life can become very torn if you submit to a man whose authority is not Jesus. For those whose husbands do not honor the Lord, your wisdom and counsel is found in the Word, by asking God, and fellowship within your church.
Seek wisdom from many in the body of Christ. (Proverbs 11:14) Your pastor may be one over you in the Lord and worthy of double honor, but he is not your spiritual authority. He is your brother in Christ and like all of us is susceptible to honoring religion and legalism rather than mercy and grace. Our Redeemer lives.
PJR
"If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace." (1 Corinthians 7:13-15)
If he fails, if he falls short, if there be any lack in his love, provisions or security for the family, you are never without, for you belong to Jesus, the head and husband of His church in whom you can call on at anytime to provide you with the grace, strength, and peace you need as he takes you through your necessary seasons that you may grow into the Godly wife He desires you to be. When a woman comes under the authority of a man, regardless of his standing with Jesus, she is under the covering of Christ because of her obedience to her own place of submission.
So, single women, be absolutely certain of the source of the spiritual authority you commit yourself to in a husband. Though you belong to Christ, your life can become very torn if you submit to a man whose authority is not Jesus. For those whose husbands do not honor the Lord, your wisdom and counsel is found in the Word, by asking God, and fellowship within your church.
Seek wisdom from many in the body of Christ. (Proverbs 11:14) Your pastor may be one over you in the Lord and worthy of double honor, but he is not your spiritual authority. He is your brother in Christ and like all of us is susceptible to honoring religion and legalism rather than mercy and grace. Our Redeemer lives.
PJR
"If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace." (1 Corinthians 7:13-15)
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