There are four major oppositions to God present in our world; hatred, irreverence, complacency and ignorance.
Hatred is defiant of God's kingdom; the 'created' rejecting the Creator.
Irreverence is abusive in handling Truth; utilizing God's Word for self gain.
Complacency disregards His commands; compromising to the world.
Ignorance is sincerely blind; unbelief that has never heard.
These variables of rebellion against God are the product of man's fallen state. Humanity is tempted to believe they can sustain themselves by becoming their own authority; but exclusively in the life of God's children, opposition is used to pronounce a stark contrast between His Kingdom and the present age, bringing about an awareness of His holiness that His elect may be pruned away from the world and into the eternal life to come.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:10-13)
PJR
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." (John 15:18-20)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Living To Spend And Be Spent
As we come to understand our purpose in God's will for our lives, we will readjust our determination for the mammon we work for or freely receive. It is for our simple provisions (1Timothy 6:6-8) and the overflow should be invested towards His Kingdom. (Matthew 6:20) When we become familiarized with the cause and effect of sowing and reaping, our Kingdom supplies will increase while the selfish and greedy will one day be found without. (Mark 4:21-25)
The time we have to ourselves will also be made available for His causes and our joy changes from what the world clamors for to the abundant life found in serving. Everything we used to spend on ourselves, every moment of time we cherished for ourselves will be transformed and refocused towards the treasures that are eternal. (Matthew 6:19-21)
"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God." (2 Corinthians 9:10-12)
PJR
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your abundance will supply what they need, so that in turn their abundance will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)
The time we have to ourselves will also be made available for His causes and our joy changes from what the world clamors for to the abundant life found in serving. Everything we used to spend on ourselves, every moment of time we cherished for ourselves will be transformed and refocused towards the treasures that are eternal. (Matthew 6:19-21)
"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God." (2 Corinthians 9:10-12)
PJR
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your abundance will supply what they need, so that in turn their abundance will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The Believer's Victory
By equipping ourselves with the whole armor of God, we are able to endure evil that comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
By denying ourselves the armor of the world, we are able to endure trials that come for the purpose of our sanctification.
The victory for us as believers is our God given faith.
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4,5)
To overcome the world, is to overcome the law.
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:56,57)
Our greatest victory is to have a knowledge of God transformed into a life of God.
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11)
PJR
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:22-25)
By denying ourselves the armor of the world, we are able to endure trials that come for the purpose of our sanctification.
The victory for us as believers is our God given faith.
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4,5)
To overcome the world, is to overcome the law.
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:56,57)
Our greatest victory is to have a knowledge of God transformed into a life of God.
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11)
PJR
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:22-25)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Word
"Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
There is nothing outside of God's word that ultimately will free us from the trials of life. However, seeking solutions from our own resourcefulness, attempting to diminish our immediate discomfort, reveals the treasure within our hearts to be of this world. We will continue walking in darkness as we satisfy the desires of the flesh, the rewards being only temporary.
Relying on God's word breaks down the root of strongholds in the minds of believers. Seeking counsel from the Holy Spirit might increase our present discomfort, but also reveals the treasure of our hearts to be about the things of God. We will continue walking in the light as we deny our selves, and the rewards of this battle are eternal.
"For 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.' And this word is the good news that was preached to you." (1 Peter 1:24, 25)
PJR
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given us." (Romans 5:3-5)
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Grieved Spirit Or Hurt Pride
Our minds are challenged daily by many options and opportunities. From within the depths of who we are, our responses, reactions, and reasoning spill forth . Without honestly meditating on the source of a challenge, we can respond with a defense that carries with it an appearance of wisdom in Christianity that is actually exercising The Word out of context in hopes of quelling confrontations upon our character. The reality is that God is continuously orchestrating times of testing for the purpose of getting us to look at ourselves from the outside in...simply put, He is revealing the true present condition of our hearts. When we prioritize our human comfort over the process of sanctification, the renewing of the mind does not take place. We learn, by habitually defending ourselves, how to effectively avoid discipline in our lives, while at the same time teaching those new in the faith who stand nearby how confrontations should be dealt with; we train others to follow in the same manner of rebellion and disobedience for the cause of saving face.
When we restrain the initial desire to react, humble ourselves before God and intentionally consider why a particular circumstance is causing discomfort in us, we can discern the true reason for our grievance.
If it is trouble from man, you will suffer hurt pride. Our obvious actions and our self-perceived personal identities are constantly challenged as we engage others, and in the natural bent of our depravity we will rise in defense of ourselves. Jesus, however, who was perfectly identified with the Father, never took anything personally, but on all counts was grieved by the activities of the selfish human nature that consistently attempted to take advantage of his fellow man at the expense of an intimate relationship with God.
If it is discipline from the Holy Spirit, you will experience a grieved spirit. His truth pierces our soul like a double edged sword, exposing our hidden motives and revealing to us who we truly are. Admitting this is difficult enough when you are alone; it is magnified when in the presence of others. That is the ultimate form of humility before God. When we can accept that we are nothing apart from Christ, then we recognize we have nothing to be proud of...unless we still embrace the importance of what others think about us over what God is trying to accomplish in and through us.
"I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelations 3:18,19)
PJR
"But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." (1Corinthians 11:32)
When we restrain the initial desire to react, humble ourselves before God and intentionally consider why a particular circumstance is causing discomfort in us, we can discern the true reason for our grievance.
If it is trouble from man, you will suffer hurt pride. Our obvious actions and our self-perceived personal identities are constantly challenged as we engage others, and in the natural bent of our depravity we will rise in defense of ourselves. Jesus, however, who was perfectly identified with the Father, never took anything personally, but on all counts was grieved by the activities of the selfish human nature that consistently attempted to take advantage of his fellow man at the expense of an intimate relationship with God.
If it is discipline from the Holy Spirit, you will experience a grieved spirit. His truth pierces our soul like a double edged sword, exposing our hidden motives and revealing to us who we truly are. Admitting this is difficult enough when you are alone; it is magnified when in the presence of others. That is the ultimate form of humility before God. When we can accept that we are nothing apart from Christ, then we recognize we have nothing to be proud of...unless we still embrace the importance of what others think about us over what God is trying to accomplish in and through us.
"I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelations 3:18,19)
PJR
"But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." (1Corinthians 11:32)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Repentance
"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)
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)
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)
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