Set a hundred-fifty feet apart in a straight line, there were three fifteen-foot-tall stone lighthouses at Nauset Beach on the north Atlantic coast, which became known as “The Three Sisters of Nauset.” Many shipwrecks occurred at this location, so the three towers were built to warn sailors of the hazard. In the storm it was difficult to see any single lighthouse. The three lighthouses set in a row gave opportunity to see one if not the others. In the same way God has gives us lighthouses to understand his will. When these three luminaries are aligned they appear to us as one distinct light for safe direction to navigate God's will for our lives.
Holy Spirit – When king Belteshazzar sought understanding of his dream, for he perceived it to be a message from God, he inquired of Daniel the prophet, for he recognized, “... that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you” (Daniel 5:14 NKJV). The Holy Spirit himself can bring messages to us by dreams, visions, prophetic words, divine leading and any other way He chooses to, for He is God. All of the Spirit’s communication with us gives us divine direction in accordance with the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). As believers we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to give us the light of God’s will in a matter.
How does the Holy Spirit communicate with us personally? In the Spirit filled believer, the Holy Spirit has the ability to lead, guide and speak to us through our spirit's conscience, devotion and intuition. We are most familiar with His “still small” inner voice (I Kings 19:12). If you could describe it, it would sound like your spirit having an internal conversation with your soul. You are not talking to yourself. This is intercourse with the Holy Spirit. When we walk in obedience to this direction we are aligning ourselves with the will of God for our lives. If the Holy Spirit's voice was all we had and was properly discerned, it would be enough. But He gives us more light for our journey.
Word of God – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The revealed Word of God is found in the Holy Bible. With the Holy Spirit ministering through God’s Word to us and through us to others, we are able to obtain terrific insight. What oil is to a lamp, or a battery is to a flashlight, so the Holy Spirit is to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the power source of the Scriptures. In the darkness of ignorance that we all have concerning God’s will, the believer can find God’s Word to be a lamp near his feet illuminating his next step, and a light shining down the path to his future as he walks in obedience to its direction. Those who do not have the light of God’s Word in their lives find themselves groping in the dark, trying to feel their own way through existance.
We take the Word of God as His law for us to follow. “For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The moral law of God is still valid for new covenant believers in that obedience to it is an expression of true love for God and love for each other (Luke 10:27). Again, each of God’s holy ordinances becomes a low beam to help our near sightedness with the immediate decisions we must make, and the whole of Scripture becomes a farsighted high beam to help us set our course for safely reaching God’s destiny for our lives. The Bible is not afraid to show us the results of the lives who followed God's Word by faith, and those who did not.
Godly Examples – Now, if the first lighthouse is the Holy Spirit, and the second lighthouse is the Word of God, then what is the third? I’ve heard it said that the final lighthouse is our feelings and the emotional response we give to the other two lights that help us know we are in God’s will. But the “If it feels good, do it” philosophy is nothing more than reconstituted romanticism. I’ve heard others suggest it is the circumstances and situations of life that lend us guidance. Accepting circumstances contrary to the Word of God is not God’s perfect will for His children. While it may be true that we feel good about the direction we are taking, and while life's circumstances may even be playing out toward a divine direction, these would tend to be very unstable indicators of God’s will. Our emotions may lie to us, and we may even encounter adverse circumstances while moving in obedience to God’s will. Although emotions and circumstances may confirm God’s direction, I would not put a great deal of stock in these as instruments of guidance.
Next to God’s Spirit and God’s Word, the most trustworthy light for our path are the lives of many godly men and women who have gone before us. In all of the Gospels, Jesus repeated this phrase, “Follow me” (John 1:43). Of all the examples of godly living, the primary example is the life of Christ. Jesus is God who wrapped Himself in the flesh of human life for a time to set for us the flawless example of living out God’s perfect will, “that we should follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21). Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of what God can do with a man fully yielded to the Spirit. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Christ is the perfect example, but we also have many other godly examples in Scripture and history of men and women who sacrificed to serve for the sake of the call of God on their lives. “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). Paul boldly declared to other believers, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). So add to your devotional reading the biographies of believers who remained faithful and true to God’s divine direction to the end. Personally, I prefer reading "dead authors", because they can’t backslide. “But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). These three lighthouses will show clearly the way God has for us to go, and help us to walk in the prophetic.
We’ve all heard the legendary story of that thick foggy night when the Chief Officer of a tramp steamer was peering over the side of the bridge. Suddenly, to his intense surprise, he saw a man leaning over a rail, only a few yards ahead of him and on a collision course. “You confounded fool!” the Chief Officer roared, “Where do you think your ship is going. Don’t you know I have the right of way? Move!” Out of the gloom came a sarcastic voice, “This ain’t no blinkin’ ship. This here’s the lighthouse. You move!” When we are properly aligned with the lighthouses of God’s will, we will avoid life's shipwrecks and be able to observe Him move on our behalf.
When God moves in our favor, one preacher explained, He will work in one of three ways. God may intervene swiftly and supernaturally on our behalf to change our circumstances for His glory. This may come as a miracle act or event. Secondly, God will often choose to interact to meet our needs, by saying “If you will do this, I will do that.” This looks very much like a partnership between us and God. Although God is God and can do as He will, at times He chooses to cooperate with us to see a thing through. Finally, God’s will may be to inner-act within us. In so doing, God’s kind intention is not to change the circumstances, though we may pray in that way. When God inner-acts, He doesn’t alter your circumstances, rather He intends to change you in the circumstances. Knowing what God is up to can help us deal rightly with our times. Here God doesn’t calm the outward storm. He calms you in the storm. He’s changing your character. Apply yourself to seek to know God's will for your life today!
Showing posts with label Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Word. Show all posts
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hitting the Mark
Sin means to miss the mark. At the cross, Jesus Christ removed the sin issue from our lives. Through faith in Christ we are no longer condemned, and yet we daily struggle with sin in our lives. As I prayed and studied this out, I thought about six stages of spiritual growth and development for hitting the mark of God’s will in the believer’s life. I do not intend to make this into a “works doctrine”. It is in Christ and Christ alone that we have victory over sin. But with all of the spiritual weapons we have at our disposal, we must develop a skill set that demonstrates our proficiency in achieving mastery over sin - in other words, spiritual discipline.
A disciple is a student who learns and increases in knowledge, by listening, practicing, developing the habits of, and becoming accustomed to the ways of his teacher. As one scholar put it, “Disciples are made, not born.” Jesus spent three years of His earthly ministry making disciples. Then He commanded His disciples to go and teach all nations in the same way (Matthew 28:19). In this analogy I like the archer's arrow to the Word of God and the bow to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Taking Up Your Bow & Arrows – What if in the very first stage of our spiritual development, we recognize that we have a bow and arrow, but we never willfully pick them up or by faith attempt to do anything with them. Have we missed the mark? The Word of God is our ammunition, and the Spirit of God is our bow. If we never implement what has been given to us, we have missed the mark purely from not even trying. How many believers never truly take the Word of God in hand and search out the deep things of God? How many believers having the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, do not seek out an intimate relationship with Him?
When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, He gives us everything we need to live out the life He has designed for us. Peter taught, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3). Everything we need to live the Christian life is already in us through Him.
Jesus said, “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The fact that our salvation is paid for does not mean we are without obligation. We must take what God has given us and do something with it that truly honors Him. Christ is calling us to daily utilize our intelligence, gifts, talents, resources, time and abilities to glorify Him.
Please realize, if Satan can’t steal our salvation, then his next best strategy is to keep us so overwhelmed by the worries and the cares of this world (Luke 8:14) that we wind up being completely ineffective and unproductive for the kingdom of God (II Peter 1:8).
Taking Shots – In the second stage of spiritual development we pick up the bow and arrow, but attempt to use it randomly, firing off arrows here and there in an aimless manner. We are shooting at anything that moves, and not at the mark. All of this is like taking spiritual potshots. We’ve missed the mark, because although we now have the Word of God in our hand and the Holy Spirit’s presence, we have no clearly defined purpose or direction for our lives, and in this way we are quite dangerous to ourselves and others around us, but not dangerous for the Lord or against His enemy. We might accidently hit the mark, or accidently hit each other, but most of the time we just miss the mark.
Paul recognized how a new believer without spiritual guidance could find himself in this situation. He likened this to two other athletic endeavors. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air” (I Corinthians 9:26). The runner doesn’t run with an uncertain direction, but races for the finish line. The boxer does not waste his energy on swinging without the intention of striking his opponent decisively. The wasted effort would sap all of the athlete’s strength. Too many believers are living aimless Christian lives without a true sense of their divine purpose.
Taking Aim – We are finally finished playing around with the bow and arrow, and eye the target, take aim, draw back the bow and fire. The first arrow is over range. The next falls down range. Another arrow goes to the left, the next veers to the right. We couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. At this stage we are trying to use the Word and operate in the Spirit for the right reasons and in the right way, but we are yet unskilled and untrained. Although we are to be commended for our efforts, we are far off the mark. Please remember, missing the mark for the believer does not equal condemnation, but it is keeping us from achieving God’s highest and best for our lives. Our failed attempts are a good thing in the sense that they teach us that we don’t know what we are doing. Realize that there is more to this than meets the eye, and we need help.
Where can we find the kind of help we need to learn to be on target with our Maker Creator’s design? The Psalmist declared, “My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). The Lord is ready to help us with whatever we need.
One of the first lessons we must learn is how to dial in our aim, by becoming intimately acquainted with our bow. Remember our bow is the Holy Spirit. Become sensitive to the Spirit of God, Who dwells within our human spirit. He is the presence and the power of God with us and in us. Just like our arm and bow must become one, so we must become one with the Spirit. In overcoming sinful behaviors, Paul gave this advice. “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh … If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25). It is difficult to do two things at the same and get good at either one. So we must concentrate on walking in the Spirit, instead of obsessing over sinful behaviors. One will overtake the other.
At this stage we don’t know everything, but the one thing we must know is how to love others as Jesus loved (I John 3:16). Although you may not have studied the whole Bible yet, and certainly haven’t perfected your skills, if you will strive to love, you will not be far off the mark.
Training and Skill Building – At the fourth stage we submit to formal training. We take an archery class at the junior college or the YMCA. In class we learn everything from the history of archery to some basic techniques in handling the bow and arrow. We are now taking archery more seriously, and even investing in some of our own equipment. We have become an enthusiast of the sport, and actually watch it on TV. We even go out and practice once or twice a week. But those who compete in the sport professionally are so much better than us. “How did they get to that level?” we wonder. In this spiritual analogy, we are becoming followers, but haven’t reached the proficiency of those we are learning from, because there is still so much more. This where we realize the importance of good spiritual leadership.
Training is important, and the expectation is certainly there in other areas of life. Why do we think the Christian life will just happen to us? Listen to what Paul said about spiritual training. “… Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (I Timothy 4:7-8 NLT). In other areas of life there are coaches, teacher, professors, mentors, personal trainers, sponsors, accountability partners. In discipleship we will need to submit ourselves to spiritual authority.
Every believer is not a disciple, because every believer doesn’t submit themselves to fully following in the Master’s footsteps. Our salvation in Christ is God’s free gift to us, but becoming a true disciple of Christ will cost us everything! Jesus didn’t pull any punches when said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Are we ready for this?
Christ has blessed us with spiritual leadership in the church to functionally equip us for His service (Ephesians 4:11-12). These officers of the church are positioned to disciple and train the believers to multiply effective ministry.
Achieving Mastery – Have you ever watched Olympic Archery on television? Those guys are good! What do you think it would take to reach that level of expertise? It takes many hours of daily training and practice to achieve mastery of a sport like that. Even after submitting to a team coach, and also the tutelage of a personal trainer, just to qualify for an Olympic team would be an achievement in itself, let alone winning a gold medal. Why would we think it would be any less difficult to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us?
Paul again shares with us a tremendous insight about how a runner trains for his race. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible … But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:24-25, 27). In the same way any athlete would train for their sport.
Mastery is the key to success in our spiritual walk. The fundamental principle of mastery has to do with becoming self-controlled in every area of our lives. Temperate means to be curbed, restrained in ones behavior. In a figure drawn from the Greek athletic games, the athletes in preparing themselves for their events willfully abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence. It was all part of putting forth a quality performance, so as to win, and not allow anything to disqualify them from the prize.
Now at this stage of mastering archery we are hitting the mark more than we are missing. We haven’t achieved perfection, but we’ve developed award winning skill. In competition we have our sights set on the ultimate goal, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith …” (Hebrews 12:2). Remember, we have this one goal, to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
At this higher level of performance, sin is not so much a matter of overcoming a habitually addictive lifestyle that holds us back, but rather to the master archer it is very small incremental adjustments that improve quality and technique. Archery has become an art of skillful detail. A bad shot is no longer bad simply because we missed, for we may have hit the mark, but violated a rule in the process, which is known as a fault. We could hit the mark, but accidently crossed the line with our foot. As it relates to spiritual conduct, this might be like speaking the truth, but without a loving attitude (Ephesians 4:15). The rules of the game are not meant to inhibit performance, but rather to enhance our ability to more accurately and consistently hit the mark. In athletic competition not following the rules is cause for disqualification.
Considering External Forces – To this point we have spent all of our time training in an enclosed arena, under controlled circumstances, take fixed targets and we decide to take our bow and arrow to the woods to do some real sportsman like hunting. Warning – we are entering an entirely different environment. When they refer to hitting the “bull’s eye”, now they really mean a bull’s eye. We will be targeting live game in the great outdoors. When we take aim and fire we miss, because we must shoot ahead of the moving target. We have great aim, but a twenty mile an hour gust of wind crosses our trajectory and we miss again. This is really frustrating, because in the arena we are an expert, but in the field there are new and different influences on our marksmanship. If we do not learn to take all of these external forces into consideration and adapt to our environment, we will miss the mark, like a rookie.
Can we see that we are now out in the real world? We're not sheltered in the church or a live-in recovery program. We aren’t cloistered at a church retreat, monastery or even isolated in a prison. We are in the world, but not of it, daily facing temptations and distractions that can hold us back, slow us down and impede our progress in accomplishing our goals. We must become spiritually disciplined to keep our focus and attention on the prize.
We are responsible to take all of our skills and abilities, and apply them to living in the real world. External forces may include, but are not limited to others around me, Satan’s temptations, fleshly desires and worldly influences. “… Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). To be released from all of these encumbrances gives us flexibility, agility and freedom of movement to adjust and adapt to various circumstances, and useful for the Master’s service in any situation. A simple rule of thumb is this, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Conclusion
Can we see now what makes sin a sin? God isn’t out to ruin our enjoyment in life, but He is longing for us to come into the fullness of all that he has for us. Christ freely offers us new life in Him. What do we plan to do with this? Will we try to live the new life in our old way, or will we pursue the perfect purposes of God for our lives? We were chosen for salvation. Now, how will we choose to live?
There seems to be an imbalance in an overemphasis of grace today, to the denial of holiness. Grandma said, “Grace does not get rid of works; it produces them. It doesn’t make them unnecessary; it makes them possible.” We can confess our faith all we want, but we demonstrate our faith by what we do. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). We don’t want to just call ourselves Christians. We really want to live the Christ life!
A disciple is a student who learns and increases in knowledge, by listening, practicing, developing the habits of, and becoming accustomed to the ways of his teacher. As one scholar put it, “Disciples are made, not born.” Jesus spent three years of His earthly ministry making disciples. Then He commanded His disciples to go and teach all nations in the same way (Matthew 28:19). In this analogy I like the archer's arrow to the Word of God and the bow to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Taking Up Your Bow & Arrows – What if in the very first stage of our spiritual development, we recognize that we have a bow and arrow, but we never willfully pick them up or by faith attempt to do anything with them. Have we missed the mark? The Word of God is our ammunition, and the Spirit of God is our bow. If we never implement what has been given to us, we have missed the mark purely from not even trying. How many believers never truly take the Word of God in hand and search out the deep things of God? How many believers having the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, do not seek out an intimate relationship with Him?
When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, He gives us everything we need to live out the life He has designed for us. Peter taught, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3). Everything we need to live the Christian life is already in us through Him.
Jesus said, “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The fact that our salvation is paid for does not mean we are without obligation. We must take what God has given us and do something with it that truly honors Him. Christ is calling us to daily utilize our intelligence, gifts, talents, resources, time and abilities to glorify Him.
Please realize, if Satan can’t steal our salvation, then his next best strategy is to keep us so overwhelmed by the worries and the cares of this world (Luke 8:14) that we wind up being completely ineffective and unproductive for the kingdom of God (II Peter 1:8).
Taking Shots – In the second stage of spiritual development we pick up the bow and arrow, but attempt to use it randomly, firing off arrows here and there in an aimless manner. We are shooting at anything that moves, and not at the mark. All of this is like taking spiritual potshots. We’ve missed the mark, because although we now have the Word of God in our hand and the Holy Spirit’s presence, we have no clearly defined purpose or direction for our lives, and in this way we are quite dangerous to ourselves and others around us, but not dangerous for the Lord or against His enemy. We might accidently hit the mark, or accidently hit each other, but most of the time we just miss the mark.
Paul recognized how a new believer without spiritual guidance could find himself in this situation. He likened this to two other athletic endeavors. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air” (I Corinthians 9:26). The runner doesn’t run with an uncertain direction, but races for the finish line. The boxer does not waste his energy on swinging without the intention of striking his opponent decisively. The wasted effort would sap all of the athlete’s strength. Too many believers are living aimless Christian lives without a true sense of their divine purpose.
Taking Aim – We are finally finished playing around with the bow and arrow, and eye the target, take aim, draw back the bow and fire. The first arrow is over range. The next falls down range. Another arrow goes to the left, the next veers to the right. We couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. At this stage we are trying to use the Word and operate in the Spirit for the right reasons and in the right way, but we are yet unskilled and untrained. Although we are to be commended for our efforts, we are far off the mark. Please remember, missing the mark for the believer does not equal condemnation, but it is keeping us from achieving God’s highest and best for our lives. Our failed attempts are a good thing in the sense that they teach us that we don’t know what we are doing. Realize that there is more to this than meets the eye, and we need help.
Where can we find the kind of help we need to learn to be on target with our Maker Creator’s design? The Psalmist declared, “My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). The Lord is ready to help us with whatever we need.
One of the first lessons we must learn is how to dial in our aim, by becoming intimately acquainted with our bow. Remember our bow is the Holy Spirit. Become sensitive to the Spirit of God, Who dwells within our human spirit. He is the presence and the power of God with us and in us. Just like our arm and bow must become one, so we must become one with the Spirit. In overcoming sinful behaviors, Paul gave this advice. “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh … If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25). It is difficult to do two things at the same and get good at either one. So we must concentrate on walking in the Spirit, instead of obsessing over sinful behaviors. One will overtake the other.
At this stage we don’t know everything, but the one thing we must know is how to love others as Jesus loved (I John 3:16). Although you may not have studied the whole Bible yet, and certainly haven’t perfected your skills, if you will strive to love, you will not be far off the mark.
Training and Skill Building – At the fourth stage we submit to formal training. We take an archery class at the junior college or the YMCA. In class we learn everything from the history of archery to some basic techniques in handling the bow and arrow. We are now taking archery more seriously, and even investing in some of our own equipment. We have become an enthusiast of the sport, and actually watch it on TV. We even go out and practice once or twice a week. But those who compete in the sport professionally are so much better than us. “How did they get to that level?” we wonder. In this spiritual analogy, we are becoming followers, but haven’t reached the proficiency of those we are learning from, because there is still so much more. This where we realize the importance of good spiritual leadership.
Training is important, and the expectation is certainly there in other areas of life. Why do we think the Christian life will just happen to us? Listen to what Paul said about spiritual training. “… Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (I Timothy 4:7-8 NLT). In other areas of life there are coaches, teacher, professors, mentors, personal trainers, sponsors, accountability partners. In discipleship we will need to submit ourselves to spiritual authority.
Every believer is not a disciple, because every believer doesn’t submit themselves to fully following in the Master’s footsteps. Our salvation in Christ is God’s free gift to us, but becoming a true disciple of Christ will cost us everything! Jesus didn’t pull any punches when said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Are we ready for this?
Christ has blessed us with spiritual leadership in the church to functionally equip us for His service (Ephesians 4:11-12). These officers of the church are positioned to disciple and train the believers to multiply effective ministry.
Achieving Mastery – Have you ever watched Olympic Archery on television? Those guys are good! What do you think it would take to reach that level of expertise? It takes many hours of daily training and practice to achieve mastery of a sport like that. Even after submitting to a team coach, and also the tutelage of a personal trainer, just to qualify for an Olympic team would be an achievement in itself, let alone winning a gold medal. Why would we think it would be any less difficult to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us?
Paul again shares with us a tremendous insight about how a runner trains for his race. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible … But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:24-25, 27). In the same way any athlete would train for their sport.
Mastery is the key to success in our spiritual walk. The fundamental principle of mastery has to do with becoming self-controlled in every area of our lives. Temperate means to be curbed, restrained in ones behavior. In a figure drawn from the Greek athletic games, the athletes in preparing themselves for their events willfully abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence. It was all part of putting forth a quality performance, so as to win, and not allow anything to disqualify them from the prize.
Now at this stage of mastering archery we are hitting the mark more than we are missing. We haven’t achieved perfection, but we’ve developed award winning skill. In competition we have our sights set on the ultimate goal, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith …” (Hebrews 12:2). Remember, we have this one goal, to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
At this higher level of performance, sin is not so much a matter of overcoming a habitually addictive lifestyle that holds us back, but rather to the master archer it is very small incremental adjustments that improve quality and technique. Archery has become an art of skillful detail. A bad shot is no longer bad simply because we missed, for we may have hit the mark, but violated a rule in the process, which is known as a fault. We could hit the mark, but accidently crossed the line with our foot. As it relates to spiritual conduct, this might be like speaking the truth, but without a loving attitude (Ephesians 4:15). The rules of the game are not meant to inhibit performance, but rather to enhance our ability to more accurately and consistently hit the mark. In athletic competition not following the rules is cause for disqualification.
Considering External Forces – To this point we have spent all of our time training in an enclosed arena, under controlled circumstances, take fixed targets and we decide to take our bow and arrow to the woods to do some real sportsman like hunting. Warning – we are entering an entirely different environment. When they refer to hitting the “bull’s eye”, now they really mean a bull’s eye. We will be targeting live game in the great outdoors. When we take aim and fire we miss, because we must shoot ahead of the moving target. We have great aim, but a twenty mile an hour gust of wind crosses our trajectory and we miss again. This is really frustrating, because in the arena we are an expert, but in the field there are new and different influences on our marksmanship. If we do not learn to take all of these external forces into consideration and adapt to our environment, we will miss the mark, like a rookie.
Can we see that we are now out in the real world? We're not sheltered in the church or a live-in recovery program. We aren’t cloistered at a church retreat, monastery or even isolated in a prison. We are in the world, but not of it, daily facing temptations and distractions that can hold us back, slow us down and impede our progress in accomplishing our goals. We must become spiritually disciplined to keep our focus and attention on the prize.
We are responsible to take all of our skills and abilities, and apply them to living in the real world. External forces may include, but are not limited to others around me, Satan’s temptations, fleshly desires and worldly influences. “… Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). To be released from all of these encumbrances gives us flexibility, agility and freedom of movement to adjust and adapt to various circumstances, and useful for the Master’s service in any situation. A simple rule of thumb is this, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Conclusion
Can we see now what makes sin a sin? God isn’t out to ruin our enjoyment in life, but He is longing for us to come into the fullness of all that he has for us. Christ freely offers us new life in Him. What do we plan to do with this? Will we try to live the new life in our old way, or will we pursue the perfect purposes of God for our lives? We were chosen for salvation. Now, how will we choose to live?
There seems to be an imbalance in an overemphasis of grace today, to the denial of holiness. Grandma said, “Grace does not get rid of works; it produces them. It doesn’t make them unnecessary; it makes them possible.” We can confess our faith all we want, but we demonstrate our faith by what we do. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). We don’t want to just call ourselves Christians. We really want to live the Christ life!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Speaking Prophetically
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
I Corinthians 14:3
This day I choose to prophesy. I have decided to stop speaking out of my own thoughts and opinions, and speak prophetically over my life and the lives of others around me. I have been created with the ability to form words that have the power to change lives and circumstances. The dynamic of the Holy Spirit dwells within me, discerning the heart of God over a matter or a person. I choose to prophesy.
I don’t know what you think of prophecy. Some relegate it strictly to foretelling the future. That is true, but that is not all it is. In a broader understanding, prophecy means to say before. Whenever I speak the word and the will of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am operating in the gift of prophecy. Others see the gift of prophesy only as someone who might speak out over the congregation saying “Thus saieth the Lord …” Then they say to themselves “I can do that,” or “I won’t do that, so I must not have the gift of prophesy.” But, truth be told, we have the opportunity to speak prophetically every day. Whenever we refer to a person not according to what they were, or what they are, but to see them in light of what they will be with respect to God’s plan and purpose for their lives, that is prophecy. When I talk about my personal situation out of faith, based on the blessing and favor of the Lord over my life, I am prophesying.
The Apostle Paul desired that all believers would prophesy. And he set forth criteria in his letter to the Corinthians for New Testament prophecy. You can recognize prophetic words that are flowing from the throne of God, because they will always edify, exhort and comfort. This day I choose to speak prophetically
I choose to edify. To edify is to building up. The act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness and holiness is a person who is operating out of their prophetic ability. We need to speak God’s good, acceptable and perfect will over our lives, and the lives of those around us, in a constructive manner. A builder builds by design and with purpose. We need to tap into God’s Word as the Creator’s divine blue print for our lives. He is building us to be the temple for His dwelling. Treating yourself and others as the temple of the Holy Spirit is an issue of respect for God’s work in each of us!
I choose to exhort. Exhorting is to address by admonishing or instructing for the purpose of persuading through arousing and stimulating the call of God on each of our lives. When we speak over the lives of others it is for the purpose of helping them. Building them up, not tearing them down. Whether by sermon, or lesson, or counsel, our words can be constructive or destructive. Either by the spoken or the written word, choose to constructively exhort. Over all the things that we can receive through our eyes and ears, filter out everything that does not edify. Think on these things …
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
I choose to comfort. Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to His disciples as the Comforter. Comfort is a calming and consoling, solace. You will recognize comfort for its refreshing, encouraging, and consoling qualities. We must seek to find the words that will bring the Lord’s comfort and encouragement. When we comfort we are operating out of the Spirit of Christ, for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Oh, that we would choose to use our words in such a way that when we speak over ourselves and the lives of others that our words would release the purposes of God for His glory!
“Bless and curse not.”
Romans 12:14
I Corinthians 14:3
This day I choose to prophesy. I have decided to stop speaking out of my own thoughts and opinions, and speak prophetically over my life and the lives of others around me. I have been created with the ability to form words that have the power to change lives and circumstances. The dynamic of the Holy Spirit dwells within me, discerning the heart of God over a matter or a person. I choose to prophesy.
I don’t know what you think of prophecy. Some relegate it strictly to foretelling the future. That is true, but that is not all it is. In a broader understanding, prophecy means to say before. Whenever I speak the word and the will of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am operating in the gift of prophecy. Others see the gift of prophesy only as someone who might speak out over the congregation saying “Thus saieth the Lord …” Then they say to themselves “I can do that,” or “I won’t do that, so I must not have the gift of prophesy.” But, truth be told, we have the opportunity to speak prophetically every day. Whenever we refer to a person not according to what they were, or what they are, but to see them in light of what they will be with respect to God’s plan and purpose for their lives, that is prophecy. When I talk about my personal situation out of faith, based on the blessing and favor of the Lord over my life, I am prophesying.
The Apostle Paul desired that all believers would prophesy. And he set forth criteria in his letter to the Corinthians for New Testament prophecy. You can recognize prophetic words that are flowing from the throne of God, because they will always edify, exhort and comfort. This day I choose to speak prophetically
I choose to edify. To edify is to building up. The act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness and holiness is a person who is operating out of their prophetic ability. We need to speak God’s good, acceptable and perfect will over our lives, and the lives of those around us, in a constructive manner. A builder builds by design and with purpose. We need to tap into God’s Word as the Creator’s divine blue print for our lives. He is building us to be the temple for His dwelling. Treating yourself and others as the temple of the Holy Spirit is an issue of respect for God’s work in each of us!
I choose to exhort. Exhorting is to address by admonishing or instructing for the purpose of persuading through arousing and stimulating the call of God on each of our lives. When we speak over the lives of others it is for the purpose of helping them. Building them up, not tearing them down. Whether by sermon, or lesson, or counsel, our words can be constructive or destructive. Either by the spoken or the written word, choose to constructively exhort. Over all the things that we can receive through our eyes and ears, filter out everything that does not edify. Think on these things …
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
I choose to comfort. Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to His disciples as the Comforter. Comfort is a calming and consoling, solace. You will recognize comfort for its refreshing, encouraging, and consoling qualities. We must seek to find the words that will bring the Lord’s comfort and encouragement. When we comfort we are operating out of the Spirit of Christ, for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Oh, that we would choose to use our words in such a way that when we speak over ourselves and the lives of others that our words would release the purposes of God for His glory!
“Bless and curse not.”
Romans 12:14
Monday, August 31, 2009
Restricting God
Just one of the reasons why I love the teachings of Watchman Nee. From his book "The Release of the Spirit". Chapter V, The Church & God's Work. (Italics mine.)
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
Friday, April 17, 2009
School of Life Long Learning
I’m passionate about Christian education. Call me “Christian Ed” if you like. I remember summer camp when I was a teen. We were visited by the president of a Bible college. His approach to the young people was very interesting. He asked the students, “What career choice have you made for your future?” Many kids weren’t sure. Others were confident they would pursue fields in engineering, medicine, law enforcement and business. His next question was simple. “After completing your education,” he asked, “how many years of your life will you spend in that profession?” Most of the young people assumed 30, 40, maybe even 50 years in their chosen occupation. He then asked, “How many years do you expect to be a Christian?” The obvious answer is the rest of your life. The last question was, “Then should you consider starting your adult life in Christian education?”
The Bible college president posed a convincing argument. Too bad I didn’t follow his counsel in my youth. It took me many more years to come to the reality of his sage advice. A career may last a few decades, but serving the Lord is forever. Yet, how seriously do we take the issue of adult Christian education? I believe as believers, when entering into relationship with Christ, we enroll in a “School of Life Long Learning.” One human lifetime is not enough to learn all there is to know about God. But isn’t that one of the primary reasons God has given this one life to you?
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 NLT)
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 NLT)
However, I have witnessed well meaning Christians dismiss the value of faithful commitment to Bible study. “Sunday School is what I did as a kid,” seems to be their attitude. It really demonstrates an attitude of, “I did my time as a kid, so I don’t need Bible classes anymore.” With or without a degree, we don’t graduate from Bible school until resurrection. I am confident that I will take and teach Bible courses for the rest of my life. It is a matter of spiritual discipline in my mind.
Another deficiency to note is the “dummy down” approach being taken with adults. We need to teach to stretch and grow our faith by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). If I had my druthers, I would teach all adult classes at least to a junior college level. We tend to live with such low expectations of students that we seldom give homework or expect that students will memorize Scripture verses. You might be surprised at what level students will rise to when challenged and lead.
I’ve been so pleased with the resent response we had at our church in launching a school of ministry. I told the pastor if we could get six commitments we should start the two year diploma program. Wonder of wonders! We finished our first session with 24 disciples. Four times more than the fleece I had laid out. But people are hungry for discipleship, thirsty for the knowledge of God and longing for leadership.
In this day and age we desperately need believers to give God their best effort toward self-discipline to study, learn and grow. If you are gifted and capable, we need you to step up and teach the Word. If you are a true follower, seek out and find Bible based, Spirit filled courses to study. Join the “School of Life Long Learning” today!
If you live near Stockton, CA, take classes with us at Lakeview bible Institute (http://www.lakeviewassembly.com/). If you can study online, try Golden State School of Theology (http://www.goldenstate.edu/).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
