The first thing that likely comes to the mind of most Christians is: salvation is about eternal life, making heaven our home, rather than going to a place of torment called hell, where we would be eternally separated from God.
That is the end result, but the path that leads to eternal life includes many opportunities to exercise our faith. God’s plan of salvation includes many trials and tests that will make us ready to spend eternity with Him.
Salvation can be viewed as both a finished work of Christ and an ongoing process that we walk out during our entire lives here on this earth. The two are interconnected, in that, we must respond to what Jesus Christ completed through His death on the cross before we will benefit from it. God is not willing that any should perish or be banished from His presence. (See John 3:16 & 2 Peter 3:9). God’s part in our salvation has been completed long ago; now His church must spread the message and those who hear must respond to be saved. Though God is not willing that any should perish, He will not override the individual will of man. Salvation is available to whoever is willing to believe and receive. (See Acts 16:31 & Revelation 22:17)
Salvation is truly a work of God: there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve it, yet we must respond in obedience to His will. In this age of grace, our salvation is a matter of entering into Christ, as partakers of the New Covenant. We must respond to His warning of judgment and promise of blessing. God made a covenant with Noah and he responded in obedience, built an ark and became a preacher of righteousness, warning the people of the judgment that was to come. Entering into the ark was a type of entering into salvation in Christ.
Because of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants, Lot and his family were declared righteous and escaped the judgment that came upon the wicked city of Sodom.
2 Peter 2:4-7 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked NKJV
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. NKJV
Salvation, for the Israelite slaves in Egypt, was also a matter of responding with obedience. They were saved from the judgment that God released upon the first born of the land, including their livestock. Israel was instructed to kill a lamb and put its blood above and on the sides of the doorway to each of their houses. They were to stay in their houses, eating roast lamb. When the Lord saw the blood, He passed over their homes and did not smite them with the plague that came on all Egypt. Salvation, for them, was remaining in their houses under the covering of the blood, partaking of roast lamb. As they prepared to head out of Egypt, the scripture says that there was not one feeble person among them: their bodies were also healed.
Our salvation, today, parallels their experience of coming out of Egypt. We must remain in Christ, trusting His blood to cleanse us and keep us from the judgment that will come on the wicked. Our salvation includes saving the soul, deliverance from slavery to sin, judgment on our enemies, and the healing of our bodies.
As God led Moses and the children of Israel out of Egypt, they came upon the Red Sea and noticed that Pharaoh had sent his armies in pursuit of them. They had no apparent way of escape so they began to cry out in fear and complained to Moses. God was not taken by surprise, as if He had to quickly come up with a plan, but He led them that way to show His might on their behalf.
Ex 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." NKJV
God told Moses to stretch forth his rod over the sea and the waters parted before them. After the Israelites had passed through the sea on dry ground, the armies of Pharaoh continued, following them into the parted water. Then the Lord commanded Moses to, again, stretch forth his rod and the water returned to normal, covering over every last one of them. (See Exodus 14) In this we see that salvation includes deliverance from our enemies and all those who desire to enslave God’s people. He has buried our sins in the deepest sea. (See Micah 7:19)
Ex 14:30-31 So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses. NKJV
The people then responded to their salvation with joy and singing. Exodus 15 records the song of Moses and the song of Miriam.
Water baptism is an important element in our salvation. The children of Israel were, in a sense, baptized in the sea and left behind those who had kept them in slavery. Baptism for us is, figuratively, burying, or we could say drowning, the part of us that yields to the slavery of sin. Without that experience, our flesh is more likely to be hounded by the appeal of sin. Water baptism is typical of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If we truly want to be raised with Him, and walk in the newness of life, we must first be buried with Him. Though water baptism does not literally save us, doing so is an important response to His command. It is a testimony and a declaration to all, including our enemies.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. NKJV
Our salvation in Christ is to be experienced now in this life and forever.
Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' NKJV
Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV
Salvation is a continuing work and requires that we remain yielded to the leadership of Christ. Our salvation is best preserved through joy and a thankful heart.
Rom 1:21-22
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.NKJV
Heb 3:14-15 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:" Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." NKJV
This rebellion spoken of refers to the unbelief and continual complaining against God and Moses concerning the conditions they had to face in the wilderness. They so quickly forgot about their mighty deliverance from slavery in Egypt and continually focused on their present conditions, disregarding all the promises of God. After watching Pharaoh’s army drown in the sea, they began to sing for joy, but no sooner than they ran into another challenge, they began to moan and complain. God was leading them to a land that flowed with milk and honey, to a place where they would have rest from slavery and all their enemies. Because of their complaints and unbelief, God became angry with that generation.
Heb 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" NKJV
These scriptures apply to us today in a spiritual sense. Our promised land of rest and peace is in Christ and His Kingdom. Everything God has promised us is realized in His Son. We are partakers of His Spirit and we are joint-heirs with Him. (See Romans 8)
1 John 5:10-12 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV
We are admonished in the scripture, not to loose heart and complain when we come into challenging circumstances but to remain thankful for what God has brought us through: to stand fast and see the salvation of the Lord.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
What is Sin
To understand what sin is, let us go back to Genesis 3, where sin first entered the earth. The serpent, who was called the devil, through deception and lies, introduced sin into the world. Adam and his wife, Eve, were given charge over all earthly creation but lost that position of authority by yielding to the enticing words of the serpent. Their disobedience to the command of God, coupled with their obedience to the serpent, opened the door to sin and death. Man became a servant, or slave, to sin and the devil because he obeyed him. We are servants to the one we obey. The devil and his hordes are now called the prince of this world, the prince and power of the air, and the powers of darkness because Adam surrendered his authority by obeying the devil.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. NKJV.
Sin is a lie and the devil is the father of lies. (see John 8:44) Sin is deceitful in that it promises fulfillment but leaves us empty and broken. The lie suggests that we were not created whole, but lacking. Sin claims to be the solution and able to complete what is lacking in us. Ironically, sin is the cause of lack and has left man searching for something to fill that gap ever since. Like most addictive substances, sin provides momentary relief and pleasure but, in turn, creates a greater emptiness within, and requires an even larger dose to fill the gap.
Sin also promises to be a shortcut route to the things God has already given us or has set in motion to be in our future. In the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus saying:
Matt 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." NKJV
Jesus’ destiny was, and still is, to be ruler over all the nations but He had to first go to the cross. He had to defeat the devil, and remove him from his position as the prince of this world, or mankind would be forever a servant to the devil.
God made man in His own image and likeness, yet the serpent suggested that God only forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge because its fruit contained power to make them like God. Sin promised to make them something they already were. The serpent suggested they were defective or deficient and that God was holding back a god-likeness from them, as if they would become a threat to His position as “The Almighty.” The devil’s recruiting method was to project his belief about God into Eve’s consciousness, in hopes she would agree. Lucifer had recruited many of the angels in heaven to rise up in rebellion against God, for which they were cast down to the earth. (see Isaiah 14:12-15, 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6). It appears that, after they were cast out, he continued his practice and recruited mankind to join in the great rebellion.
Sin destroys the innocence that allows intimacy. Adam and Eve were clothed in God’s glory prior to sin entering in, but shame caused them to take cover and hide. Eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil made them suspicious of God. Their new found knowledge left them feeling naked and vulnerable. They no longer trusted the motives of their creator. Their innocence was gone. The knowledge they found in the fruit made them god-like in a perverted sense. They became the judge of what was good or evil and what was best for them, something they had not previously had to consider.
Innocence allows for complete trust. We will not expose ourselves to, or become transparent with, someone we do not trust. Fear of rejection or punishment will cause us to remain hidden. We have been declared innocent through the blood of Christ, yet, today, the devil will look for every excuse to condemn us, or to remind us of past failures, in hopes that we will agree with him and go back into hiding from God.
>Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV
Adam’s transgression gave way to the rule and reign of sin over this world, but the gift of righteousness reigns in greater power over sin in this life, through Jesus Christ. We that have entered into Christ have been given a greater authority: that sin is no longer our master.
Sin has been defined as missing the mark. In terms of hitting a target, if our arrow misses, it would be considered sin. It is more likely that our arrow doesn’t just miss the bull’s eye, it falls way short of the target. People who could care less about obeying God don’t even shoot an arrow, but none the less have fallen short of His glory. Anyone who strives for righteousness through human effort may shoot their arrow in the right direction, but lack the power needed to reach the target. Sin always causes us to lack; it never brings strength or fulfillment.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; KJV
No one has enough power required to reach that glorious target without the empowering grace of God. Adam and Eve were clothed in the glory before sin entered. It is now God’s plan that we be clothed with the glory that is revealed in Christ. Those who have entered into Christ are clothed with Him. In Him we are declared innocent and righteous. Now we can have intimate fellowship with the Father as Adam did in the Garden.
The good news is that sin has been defeated. The plans and strategy of our enemy have been exposed and we no longer need to be hoodwinked by the devil. It is evident that, at least for now, until the devil is cast into the bottomless pit, he still rules over all who have not entered into Christ. Our victory over sin and the devil is a matter of maintaining our position and standing in Christ. The devil still rules over those who obey him. Though we have made a choice to follow Christ, the serpent is still at work to deceive and convince us that God is not all we need, that He is holding back something good that only sin can fulfill.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. NKJV
Self righteousness is sin. Probably the most deceptive form of sin is self righteous religion. It appears to be in submission and obedience to God, but only outwardly. The devil uses religion as a disguise to appear good and righteous. If he can not drag us back into gross, outward sin he offers an appearance of holiness, while appealing to our fleshly desires for power, position or wealth, just to name a few. He does not like loosing his servants to God’s Kingdom so he will pose as a servant of God himself to try to hoodwink God’s people, to lure them away from the faith. He appears as an angel of light and as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He offers God’s people counterfeit religious practices to sidetrack and shipwreck them if possible.
The antichrist is called the man of sin, a man that will come onto the world’s scene in the last days, but his spirit is alive and active even now. (see 1 John 2:18) He is not only the counterfeit messiah that will come, but he is now operating in the church world through false teachers, and false converts, claiming to be children of God. According to the book of Jude, the angels who have fallen are at work to promote and integrate evil practices and ungodly lusts into the true worship of God’s people. They follow the example of Cain, who killed his own brother because he was righteous. They greedily follow the way of Balaam, the prophet, using their gifts for financial gain. They boldly show up to feast at the table God has spread for His children. Sin has robbed them of life. They are like clouds with no water, a mirage in the desert. Thirsty souls race to them for a drink, yet are left even more dry and thirsty.
The book of Jude describes those who are recruited into false religion, even those who are found mixed among the true. Many have taken cover behind a religious garment of good works in an attempt to cover their own sin. They follow the example of Cain, who trusted in the fruit of his own toil and sweat as a payment for sin. As a result, they are alienated from the intimate presence of God and their end is destruction. We are not of those who abandon the faith to follow after vanity: we continue in the faith that is empowered by grace and God’s love.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. NKJV.
Sin is a lie and the devil is the father of lies. (see John 8:44) Sin is deceitful in that it promises fulfillment but leaves us empty and broken. The lie suggests that we were not created whole, but lacking. Sin claims to be the solution and able to complete what is lacking in us. Ironically, sin is the cause of lack and has left man searching for something to fill that gap ever since. Like most addictive substances, sin provides momentary relief and pleasure but, in turn, creates a greater emptiness within, and requires an even larger dose to fill the gap.
Sin also promises to be a shortcut route to the things God has already given us or has set in motion to be in our future. In the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus saying:
Matt 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." NKJV
Jesus’ destiny was, and still is, to be ruler over all the nations but He had to first go to the cross. He had to defeat the devil, and remove him from his position as the prince of this world, or mankind would be forever a servant to the devil.
God made man in His own image and likeness, yet the serpent suggested that God only forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge because its fruit contained power to make them like God. Sin promised to make them something they already were. The serpent suggested they were defective or deficient and that God was holding back a god-likeness from them, as if they would become a threat to His position as “The Almighty.” The devil’s recruiting method was to project his belief about God into Eve’s consciousness, in hopes she would agree. Lucifer had recruited many of the angels in heaven to rise up in rebellion against God, for which they were cast down to the earth. (see Isaiah 14:12-15, 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6). It appears that, after they were cast out, he continued his practice and recruited mankind to join in the great rebellion.
Sin destroys the innocence that allows intimacy. Adam and Eve were clothed in God’s glory prior to sin entering in, but shame caused them to take cover and hide. Eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil made them suspicious of God. Their new found knowledge left them feeling naked and vulnerable. They no longer trusted the motives of their creator. Their innocence was gone. The knowledge they found in the fruit made them god-like in a perverted sense. They became the judge of what was good or evil and what was best for them, something they had not previously had to consider.
Innocence allows for complete trust. We will not expose ourselves to, or become transparent with, someone we do not trust. Fear of rejection or punishment will cause us to remain hidden. We have been declared innocent through the blood of Christ, yet, today, the devil will look for every excuse to condemn us, or to remind us of past failures, in hopes that we will agree with him and go back into hiding from God.
>Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV
Adam’s transgression gave way to the rule and reign of sin over this world, but the gift of righteousness reigns in greater power over sin in this life, through Jesus Christ. We that have entered into Christ have been given a greater authority: that sin is no longer our master.
Sin has been defined as missing the mark. In terms of hitting a target, if our arrow misses, it would be considered sin. It is more likely that our arrow doesn’t just miss the bull’s eye, it falls way short of the target. People who could care less about obeying God don’t even shoot an arrow, but none the less have fallen short of His glory. Anyone who strives for righteousness through human effort may shoot their arrow in the right direction, but lack the power needed to reach the target. Sin always causes us to lack; it never brings strength or fulfillment.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; KJV
No one has enough power required to reach that glorious target without the empowering grace of God. Adam and Eve were clothed in the glory before sin entered. It is now God’s plan that we be clothed with the glory that is revealed in Christ. Those who have entered into Christ are clothed with Him. In Him we are declared innocent and righteous. Now we can have intimate fellowship with the Father as Adam did in the Garden.
The good news is that sin has been defeated. The plans and strategy of our enemy have been exposed and we no longer need to be hoodwinked by the devil. It is evident that, at least for now, until the devil is cast into the bottomless pit, he still rules over all who have not entered into Christ. Our victory over sin and the devil is a matter of maintaining our position and standing in Christ. The devil still rules over those who obey him. Though we have made a choice to follow Christ, the serpent is still at work to deceive and convince us that God is not all we need, that He is holding back something good that only sin can fulfill.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. NKJV
Self righteousness is sin. Probably the most deceptive form of sin is self righteous religion. It appears to be in submission and obedience to God, but only outwardly. The devil uses religion as a disguise to appear good and righteous. If he can not drag us back into gross, outward sin he offers an appearance of holiness, while appealing to our fleshly desires for power, position or wealth, just to name a few. He does not like loosing his servants to God’s Kingdom so he will pose as a servant of God himself to try to hoodwink God’s people, to lure them away from the faith. He appears as an angel of light and as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He offers God’s people counterfeit religious practices to sidetrack and shipwreck them if possible.
The antichrist is called the man of sin, a man that will come onto the world’s scene in the last days, but his spirit is alive and active even now. (see 1 John 2:18) He is not only the counterfeit messiah that will come, but he is now operating in the church world through false teachers, and false converts, claiming to be children of God. According to the book of Jude, the angels who have fallen are at work to promote and integrate evil practices and ungodly lusts into the true worship of God’s people. They follow the example of Cain, who killed his own brother because he was righteous. They greedily follow the way of Balaam, the prophet, using their gifts for financial gain. They boldly show up to feast at the table God has spread for His children. Sin has robbed them of life. They are like clouds with no water, a mirage in the desert. Thirsty souls race to them for a drink, yet are left even more dry and thirsty.
The book of Jude describes those who are recruited into false religion, even those who are found mixed among the true. Many have taken cover behind a religious garment of good works in an attempt to cover their own sin. They follow the example of Cain, who trusted in the fruit of his own toil and sweat as a payment for sin. As a result, they are alienated from the intimate presence of God and their end is destruction. We are not of those who abandon the faith to follow after vanity: we continue in the faith that is empowered by grace and God’s love.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Principles of Prayer
1. Talk with God about everything
Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV
2. Ask in Jesus name.
John 15:16
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. NKJV
John 16:23-24
23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. NKJV
3. Believe and praise God
Mark 11:23-24
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV
Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV
4. Be Persistent
1 Thess. 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. NKJV
Rom 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; NKJV
5. Pray alone and with others
Matt 6:6-7
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV
Mark 6:46
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. NKJV
Luke 9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" NKJV
John 6:15
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. NKJV
Matt 18:19-20
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." NKJV
Acts 12:12
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. NKJV
6. Let the Spirit Help You
Rom 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. NKJV
Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, NKJV
Luke 18:1-8, The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"
6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" NKJV
This parable spoken by Jesus was intended to give a contrasting view between God, who is perfectly just, and a judge, who was unjust. If an unjust judge, who did not fear God or regard man, was convinced to avenge the persistent widow by her continual requests, how much more will God avenge or answer the requests of His own children who cry out to Him continually? God will not put them off but will act speedily to answer their requests.
This story ends with a good question to be considered. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find that persistent kind of faith on the earth?” Some have suggested that it is a lack of faith to keep asking for something over and over, because God has heard already so we should just wait for the answer. Repeating the request over and over implies we do not believe God has heard or that our faith is somehow deficient.
In this parable, Jesus is saying that faith will not quit until the answer comes. It is not that God is reluctant to act on our behalf but often He tests our tenacity to see just how serious we are. Are we asking something just because we know we should or is it because we want it really badly? God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Whatever is achieved through much diligence will also be cared for with the same diligence.
The unjust judge became wearied by the widow’s continual asking, but God does not: we are more likely to get tired of hearing our own prayers repeated than God ever would. God responds more to faith than to the need. Faith is expressed by a continual persistence to get the desired answer. When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing near where he was begging, he cried out with a loud voice to attract His attention. Some standing near by told him to be quiet but he cried out all the louder, with persistence, because he wanted Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus may have passed him by if he had not cried out: not because He did not care or know about his condition, but because Jesus was searching for someone with faith that He could respond to.
Another example is the woman from Canaan, in Matthew 15:22-28, who came to Jesus asking for healing for her daughter. He ignored her request at first and then His disciples told Him to send her away. He informed her that he was sent only to the household of Israel and that healing was the children’s bread, not to be given to dogs. She persisted, willing to receive the crumbs that fell from the master’s table. Jesus then responded to her faith. She was not intimidated by those who wanted her to go away nor was she put off by Jesus’ slow response. The insinuation that she was a dog did not offend or cause her to hesitate, but her persistence got the answer that she needed.
Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. NKJV
Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV
2. Ask in Jesus name.
John 15:16
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. NKJV
John 16:23-24
23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. NKJV
3. Believe and praise God
Mark 11:23-24
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV
Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV
4. Be Persistent
1 Thess. 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. NKJV
Rom 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; NKJV
5. Pray alone and with others
Matt 6:6-7
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV
Mark 6:46
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. NKJV
Luke 9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" NKJV
John 6:15
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. NKJV
Matt 18:19-20
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." NKJV
Acts 12:12
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. NKJV
6. Let the Spirit Help You
Rom 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. NKJV
Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, NKJV
Luke 18:1-8, The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"
6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" NKJV
This parable spoken by Jesus was intended to give a contrasting view between God, who is perfectly just, and a judge, who was unjust. If an unjust judge, who did not fear God or regard man, was convinced to avenge the persistent widow by her continual requests, how much more will God avenge or answer the requests of His own children who cry out to Him continually? God will not put them off but will act speedily to answer their requests.
This story ends with a good question to be considered. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find that persistent kind of faith on the earth?” Some have suggested that it is a lack of faith to keep asking for something over and over, because God has heard already so we should just wait for the answer. Repeating the request over and over implies we do not believe God has heard or that our faith is somehow deficient.
In this parable, Jesus is saying that faith will not quit until the answer comes. It is not that God is reluctant to act on our behalf but often He tests our tenacity to see just how serious we are. Are we asking something just because we know we should or is it because we want it really badly? God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Whatever is achieved through much diligence will also be cared for with the same diligence.
The unjust judge became wearied by the widow’s continual asking, but God does not: we are more likely to get tired of hearing our own prayers repeated than God ever would. God responds more to faith than to the need. Faith is expressed by a continual persistence to get the desired answer. When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing near where he was begging, he cried out with a loud voice to attract His attention. Some standing near by told him to be quiet but he cried out all the louder, with persistence, because he wanted Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus may have passed him by if he had not cried out: not because He did not care or know about his condition, but because Jesus was searching for someone with faith that He could respond to.
Another example is the woman from Canaan, in Matthew 15:22-28, who came to Jesus asking for healing for her daughter. He ignored her request at first and then His disciples told Him to send her away. He informed her that he was sent only to the household of Israel and that healing was the children’s bread, not to be given to dogs. She persisted, willing to receive the crumbs that fell from the master’s table. Jesus then responded to her faith. She was not intimidated by those who wanted her to go away nor was she put off by Jesus’ slow response. The insinuation that she was a dog did not offend or cause her to hesitate, but her persistence got the answer that she needed.
Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. NKJV
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD II
The Spirit of God speaks the word of God through His people.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. NKJV
The infilling of the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak the word of God with boldness. The chief priests and the elders had threatened Peter and John and commanded them to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, but when they returned to their companions they gathered together and prayed that they all would receive boldness to speak the word of God. They refused to be intimidated by man but obeyed God.
1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. NKJV
The Spirit of God and the word of God agree as one. Anyone who is speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit could not curse the name of Jesus or speak against Him. It requires a revelation of the Spirit for one to confess and declare Jesus as Lord and Christ. Peter received a revelation and declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. He did not come to that revelation through human reasoning or from observing Jesus in the natural realm, but through the Father, by the Spirit.
Eph 5:18-19
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit , 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. NKJV
Men who are filled with wine lose control of their speech, usually to foolishness and vulgarity, but being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to inspirational songs, hymns and spiritual songs. On the day of Pentecost, all who had been filled with the Spirit began to speak in different languages under the influence of the Spirit. Some bystanders accused them of being drunk on new wine. They had lost control of their speech, not to cursing, but to blessing and proclaiming the mighty works of God.
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV
Whenever God speaks, whether through the lips of humanity or from the pages of scripture, His words are like a sharp, two-edged sword, having the ability to cut through and expose the contents of the heart. When Peter preached in Acts 2:36-37:
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV
And again when Stephen was preaching in Acts 7:54:
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. NKJV
Even though, in both situations, the people were cut to the heart by the word that was preached, one group became repentant and the other flared up in vicious anger. The word discerned and exposed the thoughts and intents of their hearts and brought them to a place of decision.
This is evangelism in the book of Acts. They went everywhere preaching the word with signs and wonders following them. They were led of the Spirit of God and spoke under the unction of the Spirit. We need both the Word and the Spirit at work with us to be affective evangelists.
In combination with the power of the word, spiritual gifts are given to minister to both unbelievers and believers alike. In 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 we find a list of the gifts that are a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit through the believer; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, and the working of miracles and so on. Through these gifts God reveals Himself to those in need. Powerful gifts can add a real “wow” factor to the ministry but the potential for spiritual pride to enter also increases.
Another work of the Spirit is to produce fruit in the lives of every believer. In Galatians 5: 22-23, we find them listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are qualities in a believer’s life that are foundational for the operation of the supernatural gifts. Though we may have great faith to move mountains, work miracles, prophesy or speak in other tongues, if we lack the fruit of love we are only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
We cannot put off evangelism until we master all these areas or we will never get started.
The Christian life is a growing process. Eating healthily (the word of God), coupled with plenty of exercise (sharing our faith), causes strong growth in our personal lives and, in turn, adding souls to the Kingdom.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. NKJV
The infilling of the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak the word of God with boldness. The chief priests and the elders had threatened Peter and John and commanded them to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, but when they returned to their companions they gathered together and prayed that they all would receive boldness to speak the word of God. They refused to be intimidated by man but obeyed God.
1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. NKJV
The Spirit of God and the word of God agree as one. Anyone who is speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit could not curse the name of Jesus or speak against Him. It requires a revelation of the Spirit for one to confess and declare Jesus as Lord and Christ. Peter received a revelation and declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. He did not come to that revelation through human reasoning or from observing Jesus in the natural realm, but through the Father, by the Spirit.
Eph 5:18-19
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit , 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. NKJV
Men who are filled with wine lose control of their speech, usually to foolishness and vulgarity, but being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to inspirational songs, hymns and spiritual songs. On the day of Pentecost, all who had been filled with the Spirit began to speak in different languages under the influence of the Spirit. Some bystanders accused them of being drunk on new wine. They had lost control of their speech, not to cursing, but to blessing and proclaiming the mighty works of God.
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV
Whenever God speaks, whether through the lips of humanity or from the pages of scripture, His words are like a sharp, two-edged sword, having the ability to cut through and expose the contents of the heart. When Peter preached in Acts 2:36-37:
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV
And again when Stephen was preaching in Acts 7:54:
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. NKJV
Even though, in both situations, the people were cut to the heart by the word that was preached, one group became repentant and the other flared up in vicious anger. The word discerned and exposed the thoughts and intents of their hearts and brought them to a place of decision.
This is evangelism in the book of Acts. They went everywhere preaching the word with signs and wonders following them. They were led of the Spirit of God and spoke under the unction of the Spirit. We need both the Word and the Spirit at work with us to be affective evangelists.
In combination with the power of the word, spiritual gifts are given to minister to both unbelievers and believers alike. In 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 we find a list of the gifts that are a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit through the believer; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, and the working of miracles and so on. Through these gifts God reveals Himself to those in need. Powerful gifts can add a real “wow” factor to the ministry but the potential for spiritual pride to enter also increases.
Another work of the Spirit is to produce fruit in the lives of every believer. In Galatians 5: 22-23, we find them listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are qualities in a believer’s life that are foundational for the operation of the supernatural gifts. Though we may have great faith to move mountains, work miracles, prophesy or speak in other tongues, if we lack the fruit of love we are only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
We cannot put off evangelism until we master all these areas or we will never get started.
The Christian life is a growing process. Eating healthily (the word of God), coupled with plenty of exercise (sharing our faith), causes strong growth in our personal lives and, in turn, adding souls to the Kingdom.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Relationships in Marriage
Eph 5:22-33
Marriage — Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
NKJV
Wives willingly submit and yield to your husband just as you would to the Lord, knowing that God has given him the lead position. Christian marriage is to be a mirror image of Christ as the head of the church, His bride. The church is now His body and is one with Him; likewise, the Lord sets the husband as head, or leader, in the marriage union. He ought to love his wife even as his own body. Husbands demonstrate their God given leadership skills best by loving their wives in the same way that Christ loves His church. Christ went directly to the front lines to take on sin and to destroy every enemy that would cause separation and alienation in relationships. He poured out the life blood of His own flesh that He might purchase for Himself a bride that would become His body, made up of many members. He sought her out and has washed and cleansed her, by the water of the word, that she might be a glorious and holy bride, without one wrinkle or blemish.
John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. NKJV
When a man leaves his parents’ home, and is joined to his wife, the two become one flesh and the husband is established as head. Their covenant union is recognized by God and a new authority structure is put in place. Though children ought always respect and honor their parents, once married, they are no longer under the authority of their parents’ house. When we as believers abandon self rule and submit to the leadership of Christ, as His bride, we are brought into a new authority structure. Our union with Him allows us to be partakers of His authority and to come under the covering of God’s household. Though this is a great mystery, and easily overlooked, a husband’s sacrificial love for his wife, as for himself, positions him for power and authority with God. Wives that understand this truth will have a greater respect for their husbands.
A believing wife whose husband does not obey the word has a unique situation. Though her husband has not submitted to the authority of God, she is directed to submit to his leadership in faith. In doing so, she trusts God to work in and through her husband to bring about the will of God.
1 Peter 3:1-4
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
NKJV
Wives should not focus on winning their husbands through what appeals to their natural senses alone, but allow the beauty of Christ to shine from the inside, through a gentle and quiet spirit: a beauty that increases and doesn’t fade away with time. The respectful conduct of believing wives, living the word before their husbands, will be more effective in winning them to the Lord than preaching or quoting scriptures to them.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
NKJV
A wife’s submission to her husband should always be kept in the context of submitting as unto the Lord. God would never expect anyone to submit to activity that is condemned in scripture. A husband that truly loves his wife would never use manipulation, or demand obedience; loving submission is always voluntary. Because many of us have been under abusive authority, and do not understand loving submission, we can naturally be suspicious of anyone who exercises authority. But, we must learn to discern what is of God and yield, as unto the Lord. Husbands must be patient and not become bitter against their wives, but allow time for them to trust their godly leadership.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Guarding and Maintaining Relationships
Eph 5:1-7
5:1 Walk in Love
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the
NKJV
Relationships hold the greatest value to God and are highest on Satan’s list to target for destruction. In 2 Corinthians
If we are to be imitators of God, as a child would imitate his father, we must follow the example of God’s son, Jesus Christ. He freely gave himself as an offering, a sacrifice with a sweet smelling aroma. Fornication, uncleanness and covetousness had no part in His life and should not even be considered among those who are His saints. Filthiness, foolish talk and coarse jesting found no place in His vocabulary: it was filled with goodness, thankfulness and encouragement. Let’s not be deceived; not all who claim an inheritance as children of God will receive the kingdom, but only those who are like Him. All those who follow after promiscuous, filthy, and covetous men, who are in fact idolaters, will partake of the reward of the wicked. They will not inherit the
The bottom line is that God loves the aroma of a sacrifice that is given up to save, restore or protect relationships. But acts of sexual immorality, uncleanness and idolatry, coupled with foolish speech and degrading comments toward others, are destructive to the very relationships that He paid so great a price to redeem. Those who practice these things are offering up relationships as sacrifices, enjoying the aroma of the destructive flame, while sending up a stench into the nostrils of God.
Eph 5:8-14
8 Walk in Light
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
NKJV
Now that you have stepped out of the darkness and into the light of the Lord, walk in His light. Only in the light will you bear the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, righteousness and truth and be able to discern what is acceptable to the Lord. Walking in the light will remove those who hide in darkness from your fellowship; in fact, it will expose them for who they really are. You will, not only want to avoid their company, but the shameful things they do in secret will not enter into your conversation. The light not only exposes the acts of sin, but evil thoughts and words as well.
We are no longer children of the darkness; we are now of the light. It is time to wake up and arise from the dark grave and come into the light of Christ.
Our relationship with God, and His children, must be in the light. There can be no mixing with darkness because the two have no fellowship, or communion, one with another. (See 2 Corinthians 6: 14-15) Fruitfulness requires light. Darkness only provides a hiding place for evil’s destructive work.
Eph 5:15-21
15 Walk in Wisdom
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
NKJV
Be careful how you walk; spend your valuable time wisely, not allowing evil to claim even one minute. The unwise spend their time foolishly and will not understand what the will of the Lord is. You that are wise know that too much wine will lead to a wasted life of drunkenness and debauchery, under the control of alcohol. Let us rather become regular partakers of the Holy Spirit, filled until we overflow with songs and hymns, even spiritual songs that result in an inner melody from our hearts to the Lord. Overflowing with thankfulness to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, results in a holy fear of God and a willingness to submit to one another in love.
Friday, June 13, 2008
THE LORD’S SUPPER
1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Conduct at the Lord's Supper
Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Institution of the Lord's Supper
(Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23)
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:27-34
Examine Yourself
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
NKJV
The apostle Paul found it necessary to correct the Corinthian church concerning their observance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul heard that there were divisions and factions among them. They managed to segregate God’s family, according to their differences in the natural, disregarding the unity of the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, those who were baptized in the Spirit became one in heart and mind, counting nothing they possessed as their own, but had all things in common. Just a few years later, the Corinthian church showed no signs of being in one accord, in one place, but had become self centered.
What they called the Lord’s Supper no longer resembled what Jesus demonstrated and instituted. This was to be a covenant meal, demonstrating the willingness of all participants to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. Covenant with God, basically, is an agreement that places everything that each one has at the disposal of the other and is available to defend them against the enemy. God of course has no lack or need of anything, but asks for our participation anyway. When Lot and his family were captured in the attack on the city of
Jesus demonstrated by His broken body and shed blood that He put His all in harm’s way, even to death, to capture and save all that had been stolen by His enemy, Satan. It was the most selfless act ever demonstrated on this earth: one that He now wants us to show forth or portray regularly until He returns. Eating of His body (bread), and drinking of His blood (wine), demonstrates our willingness to become one with Him in heart and mind: valuing what He values, placing all we have, even our very lives, on the line just as He did, that others might have abundant life.
Every time we eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord, we proclaim, and prophetically display, the Lord’s selfless act of death, in remembrance of Him, until He comes again. Therefore, if we partake in an unworthy manner, we are guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. The word unworthy refers to the actions, not the person; it does not refer to the value or worth of a soul, but the unequal manner in which His death is portrayed. The most selfless act on earth can not be demonstrated through selfishness and division.
The actions of the Corinthians were contrary to those of Christ: they resembled more the mockery of those who put Him to death. Many of the Corinthians were weak and sick, some had even gone to an early grave, because they did not discern or understand the implication of their actions. Jesus’ body received judgment and was condemned in our place: the innocent in stead of the guilty. All selfishness and sin was placed on Jesus, it was judged and condemned on the cross. But, if we are walking in selfishness (sin) and partake of His body in a covenant meal, we will eat and drink of the judgment and condemnation that was placed on Him. Instead of receiving the blessings that belong to the family of God, we partake of the judgment for sin that was placed on Jesus body.
The church is now considered the body of Christ and we are all members of that body. If we consider others as unimportant, or selfishly ignore them, it is a sign that we are not discerning the body of Christ. In the following chapter, I Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of the body having many parts that God has placed in order, as it has pleased Him. He says that we cannot say we have no need of the other parts; just as the hand cannot do without the eye, neither can we function properly without all the members in their place.
God’s judgment is not for the purpose of condemning us with the world but to correct us and get us back on track. We must learn to judge our own actions to determine if we are considering the body of Christ as one, in the unity of the Spirit.
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