Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Psalm 66
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works! through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee. All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing to Thy name. Selah.
Come and see the works of God: He is terrible in His doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in Him. He ruleth by His power for ever; His eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net; Thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. I will offer unto Thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul. I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Self-Examination
This brief excerpt comes from a tract written by Jonathan Edwards titled Christian Cautions or The Necessity for Self-Examination.
His text came from Psalm 139:23-24; Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I am not trying to be morbid but as I was reading his tract this one point caught my attention. Take a look at it and see what you think.
Here is Mr. Edwards:
Examine yourselves, whether all the ways in which you live, are likely to be pleasant to think of upon a death-bed. Persons often in health allow and plead for those things, which they would not dare to do, if they looked upon themselves as shortly about to go out of the world. They in a great measure still their consciences as to ways in which they walk, and keep them pretty easy, while death is thought of as at a distance: yet reflections on these same ways are very uncomfortable when they are going out of the world. Conscience is not so easily blinded and muffled then as at other times.
His text came from Psalm 139:23-24; Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I am not trying to be morbid but as I was reading his tract this one point caught my attention. Take a look at it and see what you think.
Here is Mr. Edwards:
Examine yourselves, whether all the ways in which you live, are likely to be pleasant to think of upon a death-bed. Persons often in health allow and plead for those things, which they would not dare to do, if they looked upon themselves as shortly about to go out of the world. They in a great measure still their consciences as to ways in which they walk, and keep them pretty easy, while death is thought of as at a distance: yet reflections on these same ways are very uncomfortable when they are going out of the world. Conscience is not so easily blinded and muffled then as at other times.
Consider therefore, and inquire diligently, whether or no you do not live in some practice or other, as to the lawfulness of which, when it shall come into your minds upon your death-bed, you will choose to have some further satisfaction, and some better argument than you now have, to prove that it is not sinful, in order to your being easy about it. Think over your particular ways, and try yourselves, with the awful expectation of soon going out of the world into eternity, and earnestly endeavor impartially to judge what ways you will on a death-bed approve of and rejoice in, and what you will disapprove of, and wish you had let alone.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Excerpts from a Jonathan Edwards sermon
In 1734 Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon to his congregation at Northampton titled, A Divine And Supernatural Light, Immediately Imparted To The Soul By The Spirit Of God, Shown To Be Both A Scriptural And Rational Doctrine.
His text was Mat. 16:17; And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
There are three excerpts that I would like to share with you in this blog, they are somewhat lengthy and if you are like me you will need to read them more than once in order to fully digest them.
This first excerpt is from the introduction portion of the sermon;
What had passed in the preceding discourse naturally occasioned Christ to observe this; because the disciples had been telling how others did not know him, but were generally mistaken about him, divided and confounded in their opinions of him: but Peter had declared his assured faith, that he was the Son of God. Now it was natural to observe, how it was not flesh and blood that had revealed it to him, but God; for if this knowledge were dependent on natural causes or means, how came it to pass that they, a company of poor fishermen, illiterate men, and persons of low education, attained to the knowledge of the truth; while the scribes and Pharisees, men of vastly higher advantages, and greater knowledge and sagacity in other matters, remained in ignorance? This could be owing only to the gracious, distinguishing influence and revelation of the Spirit of God. Hence, what I would make the subject of my present discourse from these words, is this DOCTRINE, That there is such a thing as a spiritual and divine light, immediately imparted to the soul by God, of a different nature from any that is obtained by natural means.
The second reading comes from his first point;
...He (Spirit of God) acts in the mind of a saint as an indwelling principle...he unites himself with the mind of a saint, takes him for his temple, actuates and influences him as a new supernatural principle of life and action. There is this difference, that the Spirit of God, in acting in the soul of a godly man, exerts and communicates himself there in his own proper nature. Holiness is the proper nature of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit operates in the minds of the godly, by uniting himself to them, and living in them, exerting His own nature in the exercise of their faculties.
The third and final excerpt comes from Mr. Edwards closing words of the sermon;
This light, and this only, has its fruit in an universal holiness of life...It shows God as worthy to be obeyed and served. It draws forth the heart in a sincere love to God, which is the only principle of a true, gracious and universal obedience; and it convinces of the reality of those glorious rewards that God has promised to them that obey him.
Some supporting scriptures that came to my mind as I read this message;
But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:3-7
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:9
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:18
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pet 1:22-23
My own observations:
I could not help but ask myself ; do I have this supernatural light imparted in my soul? Am I born from above? Am I born of God? Is this indwelling principle of life in me? Has He united Himself to me? Has Christ been revealed in me, has He been formed in me? These are fair questions for each of us.
Paul exhorted the Corinthian church; "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Peter said in his letter to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure".
These apostles, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, were writing to the people in the church. They took none of their hearers/readers soul condition for granted. They assumed nothing. You and I know that no one can examine ourselves except ourselves(and we're pretty poor at that). In the last day we must not be found lacking the very thing we profess to have!
His text was Mat. 16:17; And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
There are three excerpts that I would like to share with you in this blog, they are somewhat lengthy and if you are like me you will need to read them more than once in order to fully digest them.
This first excerpt is from the introduction portion of the sermon;
What had passed in the preceding discourse naturally occasioned Christ to observe this; because the disciples had been telling how others did not know him, but were generally mistaken about him, divided and confounded in their opinions of him: but Peter had declared his assured faith, that he was the Son of God. Now it was natural to observe, how it was not flesh and blood that had revealed it to him, but God; for if this knowledge were dependent on natural causes or means, how came it to pass that they, a company of poor fishermen, illiterate men, and persons of low education, attained to the knowledge of the truth; while the scribes and Pharisees, men of vastly higher advantages, and greater knowledge and sagacity in other matters, remained in ignorance? This could be owing only to the gracious, distinguishing influence and revelation of the Spirit of God. Hence, what I would make the subject of my present discourse from these words, is this DOCTRINE, That there is such a thing as a spiritual and divine light, immediately imparted to the soul by God, of a different nature from any that is obtained by natural means.
The second reading comes from his first point;
...He (Spirit of God) acts in the mind of a saint as an indwelling principle...he unites himself with the mind of a saint, takes him for his temple, actuates and influences him as a new supernatural principle of life and action. There is this difference, that the Spirit of God, in acting in the soul of a godly man, exerts and communicates himself there in his own proper nature. Holiness is the proper nature of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit operates in the minds of the godly, by uniting himself to them, and living in them, exerting His own nature in the exercise of their faculties.
The third and final excerpt comes from Mr. Edwards closing words of the sermon;
This light, and this only, has its fruit in an universal holiness of life...It shows God as worthy to be obeyed and served. It draws forth the heart in a sincere love to God, which is the only principle of a true, gracious and universal obedience; and it convinces of the reality of those glorious rewards that God has promised to them that obey him.
Some supporting scriptures that came to my mind as I read this message;
But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:3-7
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:9
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:18
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pet 1:22-23
My own observations:
I could not help but ask myself ; do I have this supernatural light imparted in my soul? Am I born from above? Am I born of God? Is this indwelling principle of life in me? Has He united Himself to me? Has Christ been revealed in me, has He been formed in me? These are fair questions for each of us.
Paul exhorted the Corinthian church; "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Peter said in his letter to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure".
These apostles, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, were writing to the people in the church. They took none of their hearers/readers soul condition for granted. They assumed nothing. You and I know that no one can examine ourselves except ourselves(and we're pretty poor at that). In the last day we must not be found lacking the very thing we profess to have!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages
by Augustus Toplady and Thomas Hastings
by Augustus Toplady and Thomas Hastings
Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.
Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sins could not atone - Thou must save and Thou alone;
In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death;
When I rise to worlds unknown And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee!
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.
Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sins could not atone - Thou must save and Thou alone;
In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death;
When I rise to worlds unknown And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee!
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. Exodus 17:6
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts: but My face shall not be seen. Exodus 33:21-23
Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He. Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Augustine quote
You awake us to delight in Your praise; for You made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in You. Augustine - Confessions Book One
This quote (perhaps his most famous) from Augustine's writings brings to my mind certain passages of scriptures. Do you see a connection between his quote above and the passages below? Perhaps this quote brings other scriptures to your mind. Feel free to share.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Psalm 85:6
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
This quote (perhaps his most famous) from Augustine's writings brings to my mind certain passages of scriptures. Do you see a connection between his quote above and the passages below? Perhaps this quote brings other scriptures to your mind. Feel free to share.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Psalm 85:6
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Augustine
Excerpt from Augustine's Confessions Book One
Augustine lived from 354 to 430 AD. I am only vaguely familiar with him but what I have read of his writings are incredible. His Confessions are sort of the equivalent of our personal journals (assuming you have a journal). They are an inward glimpse into the soul of a sinner transformed by the grace of God. Below is a brief example of his writings, he wrote in Latin so his writings have been translated into English by different men over the centuries. My copy is in old English so I've taken liberty by changing the 'thees' and 'thous'. I hope you enjoy it.
What are you then, my God? what, but the Lord God? For who is Lord but the Lord? or who is God save our God? Most highest, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong; stable, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all-changing; never new, never old; all renewing, and bringing age upon the proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and overspreading; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet having all things. You love, without passion; are jealous, without anxiety; repents, yet grieves not; are angry, yet serene; changes Your works, Your purpose unchanged, receives again what you find, yet did never lose; never in need, yet rejoicing in gains; never covetous, yet exacting usury. You receive over and above, that You may owe; and who has aught that is not Yours? You pay debts, owing nothing; remit debts, losing nothing. And what had I now said, my God, my life, my holy joy? or what says any man when he speaks of You? Yet woe to him that speaks not, since mute are even most eloquent.
Oh! that I might rest on You! Oh! that you would enter into my heart, and inebriate it, that I may forget my ills, and embrace You, my sole good?
Psalm 33
Psalm 33
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as an heap: He lays up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to nought: He makes the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
The LORD looks from heaven; He beholds all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considers all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Kingdom of God
from the pen of pastor Mike McInnis
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Most all misunderstandings of the gospel can be traced, at least in part, to a misunderstanding of the nature of the kingdom of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. This is also the cause of the misapplication of many, if not most, of the prophetic scriptures found in the Old and the New Testaments, by well meaning but mistaken modern “prophets”.
The LORD JESUS declared that HIS primary purpose in coming into the world was to “bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:37) In bearing witness to this truth HE declared that HE was indeed a KING, but one quite unlike any other king born of men. HIS Kingdom was declared in the most unusual of circumstances as HE poured out HIS life’s blood on Calvary’s cross, signaling HIS utter conquest of death, which was then demonstrated by HIS resurrection from the dead, three days later, becoming the first fruits of them that sleep, and having its culmination and final manifestation when death itself is destroyed in the day of the resurrection of them that sleep in JESUS. (see I Cor.15:25,26; Rev.20:14)
HIS kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. (see Ps.145:13, Dan.4:3,34; 7:14,27; II Pet. 1:11) This was that which was first declared in Genesis 3:15 when the LORD said, HE “shall bruise thy head” to the serpent. It was declared throughout the Old Testament in all of the prophecies which pointed to the coming Messiah and the declaration of HIS gospel. This is no temporary kingdom, but one which now begun shall endure forever.
HIS kingdom is a constant Kingdom. There is no change in it, nor does HIS power wax or wane, for HE remains a KING forever, having been appointed to this station and declared to be such, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psa 2:6) HE is not gaining more power nor engaged in further conquests, for HE is seated at the right hand of the FATHER. HE is a very present MONARCH who ever lives to make intercession for HIS own.
HIS kingdom is a mediatorial Kingdom. It pleased the LORD to demonstrate the KINGLY authority of JESUS CHRIST in HIS redemption of sinners. For it is HE who came into the world to save HIS own people which were given to HIM before the foundation of the world. (see Mat.1:21; Heb.9:12) By HIS own declaration in HIS prayer in Gethsemane’s garden, HE said, “those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.” (John17:12) It is impossible to rightly understand the Kingdom of GOD if one is mistaken about the atoning work of JESUS CHRIST, for it is here that HIS kingdom’s glory shines most brightly. To be confused as to those who are the objects of HIS redeeming work is to consider a kingdom without subjects. To be confused as to the extent of HIS redeeming work is to emaciate the kingdom and make it of none effect, a mere shell of a kingdom.
HE is both a REDEEMER of HIS elect and a DELIVERER of the same. HIS work in their behalf is both final and complete as Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1) HE said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
HIS Kingdom is an invisible Kingdom. The LORD told the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” (Luke 17:20) even though HE went on to tell them that HIS kingdom was in their very midst. They had no eyes to see it, being blind. The LORD said “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Mat 11:25-26)
Much error has been promulgated over time by those who insist on a carnal manifestation of the Kingdom of CHRIST, either in some future age or a view of it in the present time which can be observed by carnal men. CHRIST fully rules and reigns in HIS kingdom at the present time accomplishing exactly what HE pleases though it be largely (if not completely) hidden from the view of carnal men.
For instance the LORD is demonstrating HIS strength by manifesting the weakness of HIS saints to their own conscience. This is contrary to the reason of men who are convinced that they should be able to observe HIS working which in reality is hidden from view. Job’s supposed friends and comforters were of this mindset as they upbraided Job and were convinced that Job’s troubles could be traced to his disobedience as well as his blessing to his obedience. The descendants of these physicians of no value continue to preach their conditionalism, which gives man control of his own blessing rather than the true KING.
In every thing that is true, Satan has devised a counterfeit. He has sowed tares among the wheat and sent out wolves in sheep’s clothing even as he “is transformed into an angel of light.” (2Cor 11:14) Look well unto the indicators of this TRUE Kingdom.
The money of HIS Kingdom is not the filthy lucre of this world. There is no connection between the carnal money of this present world and the Kingdom of GOD. The currency of CHRIST’s kingdom is love. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Rom 13:8) “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1Pet 4:8) The same Peter who wrote this was the one whom the LORD told how many times a man should forgive another who had wronged him. (see Mat.18:21,22) “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1John 3:14)
The citizens of HIS Kingdom must be born into it. There are no naturalized citizens of this Kingdom, nor can any man join himself to this Country by his own decision. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)
The law of HIS Kingdom is not written on tablets of stone but on the fleshy tables of the heart. The law of Moses can do nothing but minister condemnation to those who are awakened to their inability to keep it. Those who would press the law given on Sinai upon the sons of GOD, are ignorant of the true law of CHRIST’s kingdom and would seek to bind the free born sons of GOD with burdens that none can bear. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2) “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” (Gal 3:24-25) “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (1Cor 13:10) “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Heb 4:9-10)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Do you know too many things?
A. W. Tozer said; "One trouble with us today is that we know too many things." As I read his quote (written in the 20th century) I thought about that scripture in Eccl 1:17-18 where Solomon wrote;
"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow."
Remember, in the context of Eccl 1 Solomon is writing about a wisdom that is "under the heaven". This knowledge, this wisdom, is not from above. Solomon found the pursuit of knowing things, the pursuit of wisdom "under the sun" (earthly wisdom) to be "vexation of spirit" (wind grabbing). He found it to be empty and he found that it produced sorrow.
Now I'm not discounting knowing all things or everything for that matter but what I believe Mr Tozer was getting at was our relationship to our Creator, our walk with God, our knowledge of Him. So, do you and I know too many things? Are our hearts and minds filled with empty knowledge? Are our minds cluttered, perhaps choking out the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
May we, "through God" be those who are "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"! May we be found in the company of the apostle Paul who said towards the end of his life here on earth, "that I may know Him".
"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow."
Remember, in the context of Eccl 1 Solomon is writing about a wisdom that is "under the heaven". This knowledge, this wisdom, is not from above. Solomon found the pursuit of knowing things, the pursuit of wisdom "under the sun" (earthly wisdom) to be "vexation of spirit" (wind grabbing). He found it to be empty and he found that it produced sorrow.
Now I'm not discounting knowing all things or everything for that matter but what I believe Mr Tozer was getting at was our relationship to our Creator, our walk with God, our knowledge of Him. So, do you and I know too many things? Are our hearts and minds filled with empty knowledge? Are our minds cluttered, perhaps choking out the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
May we, "through God" be those who are "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"! May we be found in the company of the apostle Paul who said towards the end of his life here on earth, "that I may know Him".
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