The Scribe Which Is Instructed Unto the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 13:52 ” Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

We are starting this blog for Christians. To strengthen and encourage God’s people to seek, and trust the Lord.
All given with the prayer that they meet the need of those who read them.

We believe that one of the greatest needs of this Church Age is to understand and Have Christ’s kingdom come within the heart of each of His own.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”(KJV)

Notice it is “in earth”, not on it.
This is His Personal Kingdom coming with in your life. When you make Him King, and He reigns there.
When we are born again (John 3:3, 7) and “ye must be born again”….we enter His kingdom as His citizens. But it is only when we are obedient to His laws and ordinances that we make Him King in our lives.

If we are still “running the show” ; He is not King, Personally.
“Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done.”
When this becomes a fact in our everyday lives, we are subjects of that Kingdom, and expressions of it:
Our Wills are His, and are then empowered to do His Will.
For it is then, He sits on the Throne of our Hearts.

Not that we make others do His Will….but that WE DO HIS WILL.

Then HIS KINGDOM HAS COME ….WITH IN US.

It is a great feeling to come to the place where the arguments WITH GOD, end; and the Holy Spirit–instead of correcting , empowers to go forward in peace, joy and faith.

AND HOW SHALL HIS KINGDOM COME?
Luke 18:8 “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?”

This is “on the earth”.
There are some who believe that His Kingdom will be brought in, when enough of His Own are praying for it.
I do not know if that is true.
But I do know that readiness for His return will be conditioned by prayer:

Luke 18:1 “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Jesus speaks here, of the closing days of the Church Age. Just before He returns. Just how the times will be, and just what we should be doing about it .

Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.”

Everyday we hear and see more of what Jesus said would happen….happen.
And what are we to do about it? Hide our heads….Act out…..wring our hands in fear?
No! That is not it!!
Look up! Lift up your heads!
1st turn your eyes away from the world-system.
2nd be actively seeking the joy and peace of God for each situation you need to go thru, till He comes.

We should rejoice in seeing these come to pass , even as Jesus said they would.
We should be praying. “Amen! Even so Come LORD JESUS”
And we should be “loving His Appearing”. For there is a Crown of Righteousness laid up for all who Love His Appearing! (2 Timothy 4:8)

Luke 18:2-7 “Saying, there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Tho I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.
And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, tho He bear long with them?”

If this were a Roman Judge (the Jews were always in 3’s). He would not care much for the needs of a Jew. Especially one of no importance, like a widow. For she could do him no damage!
But she kept coming back! She was often in his court!

Now he feared not God nor regarded man.
So anything he did , would be on a personal level….without thought of anything or anyone else.
Not because of pressure from someone or something.

But she kept coming! Avenge me of mine Adversary!
This is not a request for punishment of her Adversary.
But for a Decree, issued by this Judge, that would give her PROTECTION from his injustices.
To keep him from harming her.
LIKE A RESTRAINING ORDER ISSUED TODAY

Luke 18:5 “Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”

“She weary me”; Literally means. “She give me a black eye”
Her always appearing there , in his court, might ruin his reputation!
People might get the wrong idea about him.

This Judge acted from only self-involved motives.
From this consideration–alone–he thought it best to avenge her.

And our Lord said “Hear what the unjust judge says”
Because the Lord Jesus wanted to show that all the judge’s motives were personal…yet what she sought ; she got.

Then our Lord Jesus contrasts the unjust judge and God. Shall not GOD surely do right?
Shall He not avenge His own elect? From their Adversary?
And how are we to ask?

Luke18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Faint means to weaken in purpose, or spirit; to languish; TO JUST GIVE UP.

When we pray, we ought to believe that God is going to hear and keep at it until we know He does.

Luke 18:7 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, tho he bear long with them?”

We are not what we ought to be in this Age; yet He bears long with us.
Wanting us to be other than we are ….to enjoy the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit’s enablement. To get us out from the Adversary’s injustices. To know the power of life (abundant life) as obedient subjects of His kingdom now.
Loving us, rebuking us, and chastening us that we might become full sons.

Luke 18:8 “I tell you (and this is the Lord Jesus speaking) that he WILL avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Yes, He will avenge us…speedily.
“Heavenly Father, Avenge me of my Adversary!”
This is like a restraining order, remember; against our Adversary , the Devil.
To keep him from hurting us.
And we should always ask for such decrees against our Adversary.
He will not only issue such Decrees, He will do so speedily.

Yet , Jesus asked; “shall he find faith on the earth?” Not that He doesn’t know….but to AWAKEN US to the VERY DANGEROUS TIME IN WHICH WE LIVE.

There are temptations, cares, enemies of God, worldly pleasures, evil companions, …..
All of them can be used by our Adversary to “hurt us”.
To keep us from entering into God’s Best for us.

The Devil seeks to defeat every child of God….not in Salvation.
But in Progress.
To keep them children , when they should go on to maturity in the faith.

To keep them self-centered, instead of Christ-centered; That will devour up a whole lifetime of works and attitudes.

Shall He find “faith” on the earth?
This faith here is (in the Greek “pistis”). Conviction of truth or the truthfulness of God. Reliance upon Christ for salvation and CONSTANCY IN SUCH PROFESSION.

Do you TRUST Christ for Salvation, but not for today?
Shall we not all apprehend that for which we are apprehended of Christ Jesus?

Has the Church ever had so much riches as it has today?
With so little results?

Why is it we see so little Reality in a Christian’s Profession?
I don’t know…but I am sure it is a matter of the Heart.

I believe that today many claim the Promise; without having the corresponding experience of that Promise.
They honor the Word, while rejecting the living LORD of that Word.
As Israel of old, they draw near with their lips, to God; but their hearts are far from HIM.
For I believe it is a matter of the heart. Who or What do you love?
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”
What “life” will you have?
1 Peter 1:3 ” According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, thru the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue”
He “hath given”. Then why don’t we have it in practice?
Because the PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST COSTS US . He wants to “COME” and reign in our lives, with that joy and power that comes with HIMSELF.

What takes 1st place in your life?
To what do you give final obedience….for surely this is your God.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven”
He is King. But is He my King? Is He your King?
Who sits on the throne of your heart?

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

He stands ready to do. To do for you. And Jesus has said God will issue such Decrees against our Adversary when we cry unto Him.
So where does that place us?
And just what kind of Christians ought we to be; with so much offered?
He is King….Will you make Him your King?

Spiritual Maturity: Or how do I grow up into Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

We are called to grow up unto Christ. When we are born again, we are spiritual babes:
1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

But we are not to stay babes, we are to grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
We are to become spiritually mature Christians; able to stand in the evil day, and able to help others.
Sometimes when Christians are called to a work (and we are all called as witnesses; Acts 1:8); or we receive spiritual gifts, we feel we have grown up.
But they gifts of the Spirit in no way guarantees spiritual maturity. Nor does suffering, loss, or the time you have been a Christian make you mature.
The Corinthian Church shows this:
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which was given you by Jesus Christ;
That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

They were behind in no gift; But they were carnal and walked as men.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ” And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as to spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

The gifts and knowledge they had, they misused. They had them. But they used them to make themselves better than others, and so caused divisions and strife; to cause bitterness, and to tear the Church apart.
To cause it to depart from the very foundation on which it was laid….which was Christ as Lord and Savior.
They sought their own fame, and not the encouragement and building up of the Church into Christ.
And so they had to be spoken to like children.

The Hebrew Church in Jerusalem had suffered the loss of all things for Christ. Had been cast out of the Temple worship; had been betrayed by family, and deserted by them. Had given all things to the work, but after years of waiting for Christ’s return; they became weary in well doing. They let self pity set in and so began to lose what they once had. Because of this, they had need that one teach them again the first principles of God.
Hebrews 5:11-14″ Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

They had not continued to deny themselves, so they could continue to grow up into Christ.
If they had, they would have continued in the joy and peace they once had, even among the tribulations. And they would have grown in more grace, which sustains us in the midst of terrible, as well as good days.
But they became stagnant and really went backwards.

It is not what is given to us by God; but it is what we use, how we use it, and how much we let the Holy Spirit change us by the experiences we pass through.

Paul said, years after his conversion:
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

We, too, are to learn of Christ:
Ephesians 4:21-24 ” If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation (way of life) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Are you ready to learn of Christ?
He is more than ready to teach you His way of doing things; and give you more of His abundant life, in your life, today.

We are His Workmanship
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

God does all things well. Even when He made me. I am a sinner, but He has saved me; yes, even me.
Now that I am born again; He creates me in Christ Jesus. For we are His workmanship.
This comes from the pouring in of a mold.
We are to be molded in the same likeness as Jesus.
We are His workmanship from eternity past to yet eternity future.

In other words He has been molding us; in His plans, before we even were.
By natural circumstances to lead us to Himself.
And since we have been born again, He has been molding us by the Holy Spirit, in every situation.
This is the reason entire of our existence: to be molded into Jesus likeness, so we may do good works.

“Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
To ordain is to prearrange by His Authority, and to provide before all we need in the circumstances. And with the people; and especially with ourselves.

What are these good works?
They are Obediences to Christ in our world (the situations of our life); those things which the Lord would have us to do, which show us standing with Him, against the World, the Flesh and the Devil.
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Paul, here, is not showing the Ephesian Christians how to be born again; they are born again.
But He is speaking of one of God’s Eternal Decrees.
This, Paul says, is what God Purposed for us :
To be saved by grace–the unmerited favor of power; God’s power.

Through faith–which is given to us by the Holy Spirit so we may come and believe.

Not of yourselves–Of course not, we can never please God in our own righteousness; For we have none.

It is the gift of God–and a gift is freely given; and either received or rejected.

Not of works–those works which we could come up with, to try and make us acceptable to God.

Lest any man should boast–Which is what we all could and would do, if we had anything to do with our being born again, besides to receive it.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus–molded, and still being molded; since our purpose is not done till we stand in His presence.

Unto good works, which God hath before ordained–We were always in His plans; how and what we should do.

That we should walk in them–It is a walk with Jesus; in that purpose and doing those works which show we stand with Him.

Let. Us Go On
Hosea 6:3 “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth”

To know about God; that there is one. That He is up there “seeing” to things; is enough religion for some people; and religion and everyday life are seen by these, as two separate and distinct issues.
Though they may not come out and say it, they agree with those that keep religion on Sunday’s and their real lives the rest of the time.

Let me tell everyone who names the name of Christian: Jesus Christ interferes with life; namely our life.
He makes claims upon us. He wants us.
Matthew 10:37-38 “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more that me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me , is not worthy of me.”
To know only about God is a knowledge that does not save.
They need to be drawn to Jesus Christ for themselves; for their need, for mercy.
Luke 18:9-14 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give titles of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

The legalistic attitude is that God should be God and I’ll be me. In effect: “You stay up there in heaven, watch offer me, keep me from harm, deliver me, care for me, and take me home to heaven when I die; I’ll stay down here and do nothing to terrible, go to church, read my Bible when I need to and pray whenever I’m in trouble.”
The bargain struck, and the parties agree; or so we imagine. And off we go completely convinced of the soundness of our position.

Yet the sincere follower has heard the call of Christ; and has left the bargaining behind. He has decided to follow Christ whithersoever He leads.
Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

And this decision has far reaching consequences, both to ourselves, and any we come into contact with.

Christ’s life is Eternal Life. It is Him we receive at new birth, He is our life. Eternal life is a condition of life, as we receive His nature by the Holy Spirit. He places the love of God and His Word within, as well as a desire for holiness of life; faith, joy, peace, all the graces of God are at our disposal.

Philippians 3:8-14 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The prize? This high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This calling is to everyone who is born again.
We are called to bring forth fruit.
We are called to walk together with Christ.
We are called to obtain promises.
We are called to witness of Christ.
We are called to win Christ.

To win Christ: this is the goal of any true follower of Christ.
Not to win salvation: that is in Christ.
Not to win heaven: that is the end of those who belong to Christ.
But to win Christ.
This is to “go on to know the Lord”
When you do, you will also find His going forth with you in power and loving presence.
To follow on. To go on. To seek. These are words we need to activate in our everyday lives.
And the One we need to follow after is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read about Him. Pray to Him. To know Him is the real gain of all things. Real satisfaction, real joy, real peace; spiritual reality is in the experiential knowledge of Jesus.

Be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

When you are “drunk with wine”; you have brought yourself under the influence and power of that wine.
So it is to be filled with the Spirit of God; you have brought yourself under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. He is, in fact, in charge in your life.

Paul writes here that to understand what God’s will is, you must put yourself under the Holy Spirit’s control.
He will tell you the truth.
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; he will show you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit impresses us through our spirit, if things are true, or if things are not what they say they are.
He will remind us of verses from the Bible (how important it is for us to know the Scriptures), and He will remind us of what Jesus said when He was here.
He will warn us of things coming up in our life, so we can prepare for them, or against them.
Wisdom in the Scriptures is from God. Paul is saying “Get the wisdom you need to know and do My will, by yielding to the Holy Spirit.
We are given the Holy Spirit at new birth.
But we are “filled” with the Holy Spirit; only as we are emptied of self.
Not emptied of our personality…that is precious to God. He died to save our souls, which are our personality.
But emptied of self: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-exaltation, selfishness in so many ways.
Basically it is putting self first in our life. As we are emptied of this attitude, we can be filled with the attitude of putting Christ, by the Holy Spirit, first.
And this is an attitude that is given us by the faith and trust of the Holy Spirit within….but we need to cultivate it by submitting to it.

How many Christians go through their lives, wanting to know God’s Will….they kinda, sorta, know; in general; but do not know for themselves, for today, for now.

Perhaps your not even sure their is a plan and purpose for your life.
Well, Paul says there is, and to know it, you need to submit to the Holy Spirit’s influence from within.
This is a step by step process.
First, acknowledging His right to tell you what to do.
Second, to begin to hear aright what He says to you. (And for this to happen, you need to become readers of His Word.)
Third, we need to yield. Yield as in:

Romans 6:13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Yield means to assist.
We are to assist the Holy Spirit in His work in us, and through us.

Why do we need to assist the Holy Spirit? He is Almighty!
Because, though He is Almighty, He will not force you to do what you should.
We must “assist” Him, by our wills, willing with Him, to do in us and through us.
This is the wisdom of God…yield, assist the Holy Spirit and learn to be under His influence in your life; and know God’s Will.

God’s Power for my Life
Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
God’s Power is Almighty.
Here it says we are to be strengthen; not according to our measure…but according to His measure:
“According to the riches of his glory”.
In other words, God does not grant us His might by His Spirit to make us something; but to manifest His great grace.
And how much we need to be reminded that it is His might and grace within us, making us strong.

Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
The Holy Spirit comes within our spirit at new birth.
But Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, has to do with how much we love Him.

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
This has nothing to do with being born again…It has everything to do with the powerful presence of God in my everyday life, and circumstances.

We are to be rooted and grounded in love to Christ.
Rooted, so every wind that blows against us, does not move us from Christ and His Will for us.
Ephesians 4:14-15 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Grounded, so that the “house” we build upon the Rock of Christ, stands the test of life; My life.
Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

Ephesians 3:18 “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;”
We can not know the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love without the other Christians; But we can know our part of it.
The Church is to comprehend God’s wonderful purpose in the ages; God’s great plan, and we are to comprehend our personal part in it.

Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
This stresses the Spirit’s fullness has to do with how much we love Christ.
Do you love Christ Jesus?
Or have you “lost your first love”?
We are to know Him, whom to know aright is to have Eternal Life.
Eternal Life is a condition of life. It is His life in our life…it begins when we are born again…but never ends.
What is the condition of your life in Christ? How far have you come in your journey to find your place in His Will?

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
He is able, but it is according to the power that worketh in us.

This the telling phrase.
What is it that hinders that power from working in you?
What selfish idea, or worldly allies, or remembered resentments, keep you from receiving all He has for you?
For He is able to do exceeding (overflowing), abundantly (more than we need), above all that we ask or think (His ways of deliverance, the means He uses, and His tender care are all above the low thoughts we often think of Him).

Paul wrote about this for himself:
Colossians 1:27-29 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(This is God’s plan for Paul to do)
Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
(This is that exceeding abundantly above all that Paul asked or thought, for it worketh in him.)

What about us? Will we let Christ’s love fill our hearts , and let the Holy Spirit work in us that mighty power within us, and then through us in the work God has for us?

Wretchedness
Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
The Faithful and True Witness calls us this.
So let us consider the facts of the accusation:
First, to understand the term “Wretched”: To be wretched is to be deplorably unfortunate, in condition or circumstances.
And we are.
We are sinners, and as such, all our righteousness is as filthy rags ( Isaiah 64:6)
We are also the Church, but living with the world that thinks the Bible is out of date, and that Christ’s words can be ignored.
Are we not just what He says we are?

Now the only other place that this term wretched is used in the New Testament, is:
Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Now just what is it that Paul wants here?
He wants to be saved from himself.   For he sees that he is wretched, which is better than not seeing, for then he can seek the deliverance he needs.
Self examinations are for the most part useless; because it is all of Self! Self! Self!
It is:
“How could I ever do such a thing?”
“The great me; how could I ever be that way?”
“How can I change to be a better I?”
But when you begin to see you are wretched, in the same way Paul saw, by the power of the Holy Spirit, then you also see that Christ Jesus is the only hope for deliverance.

Woe is me! Paul said. And so does everyone who realizes that they can not deliver themselves, from themselves.
And when this happens, then we turn to the Lord for salvation from ourselves.
Romans 7:15-23 “For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it , but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Paul saw his natural man (flesh), fighting against his spiritual man; and winning a lot of times.
This is the wretchedness Paul saw in himself; does any of it ring true to you?
Do you know anything about this, personally?
Wanting to do the will of God; but finding that root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), or that anger turn to hatred, or that you are willing to do anything, but that…all the things which deal with covetness (the desire for something we do not have). Whether it is prestige, riches, other people in our life, different circumstances, or great ability.
This was the sin in Paul’s life which showed to him his “wretchedness”. (Romans 7:7)

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Paul is saying, “I do not have the reality of His power working in my life. I am miserable.”
Paul later wrote concerning some who stayed in this position:
2 Timothy 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Because that is the crux of the matter.
Will you stay in the same position, when you see your wretchedness?
James 1:23-24 “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
God in Christ has offered us so much; how much have we obtained?
How much have sought Christ’s deliverance from ourselves?

We are as Christ says:
Revelation 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
Our lukewarmness, is our lack of zeal.
We set so little store by the things God has given us; the things we are called to do.
They are just not that important. We don’t really count for much; God does not really care about my obedience.

This is indifference in our Spiritual Life. And Jesus Christ, the Faithful and True Witness, says we make Him sick because of this.

The real need of us in Laodicea, is to see in honesty, our condition before the Lord; like Paul did.
We are what He testifies to: wretched. Sad, but true.
But what are we going to do about it?
We can:
1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
This is not self examination; but self judgement…accepting God’s judgement of us and doing what He tells us about it.

This judging ourselves is coming before the Lord, and honestly seeing ourselves for what we are; and seeking His deliverance.
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Indifference and wretchedness; or getting boiling hot towards God, and life.
Which will we do?

The Good Ground Hearer

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

“If we walk in the light”. We know that “light” means knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit, through the merits of Christ’s sacrifice.
We are to walk in that light, that the Holy Spirit gives us; to be obedient to the light we have received.
Does that mean sinless perfection? No, it does not!
What it does mean, is: that you get honest with God, in all your dealings with Him.
Prayer, Bible Study, witness, and worship. You get honest with Him.

You, in fact, become a “good ground hearer”.

Matthew 13:23 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
All that have the seed sown unto them, “hear” it. It is what we do when we hear, that separates us in Christ’s sight.
“And understandeth it”. The good ground hearer, understands the right of those claims made on his life by Christ; and answers them with a life that is open to and receptive to Christ.
(If you think Christ has not made any claims to your life, then you have not heard aright. And you have not understood His claim as Lord and Savior.)

Mark 4:20 “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
The good ground hearers are those individuals which: when they hear the Word given to them, they receive the Word.
They do not reject it, or say, “that is for someone else”.
To receive is to do what that Word requires of them.

Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
Here we see the reason behind the good ground: honesty.
Our hearts are never good, in themselves:
Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

But in Luke it says: “honest and good heart”. That is the only way it is good. We get honest with God and allow Him to search us and show us if there is anything we need to get straight with Him.
Then we can bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Christian; which is another Christian. (We are all called as witnesses of Christ’s life in our life)

This honest heart “keeps” the word. It obeys, and perseveres in that obedience.
It knows God is true and stays with Him in all the trials that come up, from obeying that Word.

To understand the Word is to see Who speaks to me. It is to know the reality of the creature before the Creator. We understand that God is God, and does command me to follow Him, wherever He leads.
This is the first agreement in walking together in the light with Him.

Then we receive the Word, that we might be changed into “a vessel unto honor, sanctified,meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). In other words, bring forth fruit…some thirtyfold, some sixty, some a hundred.

Then,(and in the Christian life, there is always a “then”. We are never to be stagnant; but always going on to more mature things.). Then, we “keep” the word. As creature before the Creator, because we have learned that He does all things well.
With me, in these circumstances.
With me, with these people.
With me; so I’ll keep His Word, and with patience, waiting on Him to bring to pass; I’ll stand.
Doing what He says, bringing forth fruit….maybe not a hundredfold, but I will bring forth fruit to His glory.
Thank you Heavenly Sower, for allowing Your Word to come to me.
Let it bring forth abundantly to You….in me, and through me.

Through the Knowledge of Him

2 Peter 1:1-2 “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

How much we need grace and peace in these days, in our individual lives.
It is to be had, in Christ. If you are born again, you have access to it by the Holy Spirit within.
But to have it “multiplied unto you”; that is through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

You will notice that our “faith” is through our Savior Jesus Christ; but the grace and peace multiplied is through Jesus our Lord.

He is our Savior as we rest the full weight of our existence upon Him, through the faith that is given us by the Holy Spirit.
He is our Lord, by our exercising our wills to make Him so.
And we only do this as we get to know Him.

2 Peter 1:3 “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 unto glory and virtue:”
“According as His divine power”; not according to my miserable ability. But according to His divine power. The limitless, and Almighty power of God.

“All things” means all things.
“Hath given” means they are given us in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit within us; as we use them. And “them”, are all the things that are concerned, in us having Christ’s life and godliness in our everyday lives.
Again, it is through the knowledge of Him.

How important it is that we know Christ, and continue to gain knowledge of Him.

He has indeed called us to “glory and virtue”; to manifest His glory, even here in these circumstances, and among these people.
And called us to the virtue of His Holy Spirit within us: The Artea of His power.
Artea means “force”. He is that force within us, “working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
So we manifest His glory–the glory of His salvation, of His calling, of His love by the force of the Holy Spirit within our spirits; helping us to obey, and joy in it.

2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Christ has given us promises….His Word to claim and obtain for yourself; they are ours , but we must get them into our experience. That is what obtain means; to get them for ourselves.
They are given to us, that you might have the character of Christ, and escape the corruptions (envy, anger, lying)that the world’s system lives in. We each have our own lusts. Whether they be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical; we lust after what we don’t have.
Until we make Christ Lord of our lives, and yield to His will and way for our lives.

And the way that happens is to : Know Christ more and more, for ourselves.
This not to know about Him (although that is not bad), but to know Him. It is to know what He requires of me. It is to know the force of the Holy Spirit , and how we are to yield to Him. It is to know what He will do for me in the temptations, and trials that I go through.
It is to know Him. Through the Knowledge of Him, we multiply grace and peace.

Mark:
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

It was not always so. Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:
Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.
The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church. James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2)

Then Peter was taken, and put in prison to bring him out so the people could decide what to do with him.(like Jesus)
But Peter we know was kicked awake by an angel and brought out of prison (Acts 12:6-11). Then he found his way to Mary’s house, a Christian who had kept a prayer meeting going for his release.
Acts 12:5, 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; for many were gathered together praying.”
Mary was John Mark’s mother, and he witnessed many things in those early days.
But his personal faith was not so strong. (Which suggests that seeing miracles, or great spiritual acts does not increase faith, of themselves.)

Paul and Barnabas had John Mark for their minister(helper).
Acts 13:5 “And when they were come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

But as they went on in their missionary journey; John Mark became frightened and decided to go back from the work to Jerusalem, where he thought he would be safe.
Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, experiencing many wonderful and terrible things(this missionary journey was where Paul was stoned: Acts 14:19).
But no John Mark.

After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to speak about the growing problem of Judiazers. (Those that taught they could not be saved except they follow the Law, as well.)
Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas were sent by the brethren to go to Jerusalem, and having spoken about what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles; it was determined to receive the Gentiles without making them follow the Law.

Along the way, John Mark must have come with the men which came back to Antioch, for he is found there, when Paul and Barnabas begin to talk of visiting the churches they had preached to before, “and see how they do.” (Acts 15:36)

But before they get started, a contention; so sharp that it pulled them apart.
Acts 15:37-38 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
But Paul thought not good to take with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.”
You will notice the terms the Holy Spirit uses here:
Barnabas “determined”.
Paul “thought not good”.
John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew, and he would want to give him another chance.
But his “determined”, meant, he already had his mind made up. He was going to do this. No matter.
Paul “thought not good” was looking at the churches. How would it appear to them to have someone who would not hazard his life for Christ to come and minister to them?
The churches that had begun had to stand against persecutions, and blasphemes….how could he stand before them? How could they, with him along?

Now notice the Holy Spirit’s terms for the results of this contention:
Acts 15:39-40 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
Barnabas “took”. Hard, unmoving.
Paul “chose”. Thinking what should be best for Christ’s work.
Barnabas took off with Mark. It seems as if the Holy Spirit is emphasizing his willfulness. What a shame! You never hear of Barnabas’ work in the Scriptures again.
Paul chose, having the recommendation of the brethren, unto the grace of God.

Two different choices…two different ways.
But what about Mark?
He grew up, and was restored to the ministry with Paul.
Colossians 4:10″Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandment: if he come unto you receive him:)
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

And he was a fellow helper of Peter.
1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”
Some say the Gospel of Mark is actually Mark writing it for Peter.
Whether that is true, Mark was restored, but the ministry of Barnabas was not heard of again.

Later Paul writes about bishops:
1 Timothy 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

We are to keep growing, yielding to the Holy Spirit. (Don’t become willful in your own opinion.)
We will never have sinless perfection…but we can be forgiven, grow, and go on with Christ.
Mark did.