All things are not expedient

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:  all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Paul  is writing the Corinth church, because of the sin which they had allowed in it.

        And so he gives his testimony as a servant of the Lord.

Paul is saying here, that all things are lawful (what is right to be done out in public)…but all things are not expedient.

They may be lawful….but I will not be brought under the power of…. Any.   

He said, they are not expedient…which means to bear together, or bring about an advantage.   

     In other words Paul looked for what would be spiritually  better for others,  not just what might be acceptable in the world.

      For you see,  it is not necessarily the thing itself….but the influence of our affections toward it, on our hearts and lives.

1 John 5:21 (amplified version) “Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods, from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God;  from any sort of substitute for Him, that would take first place in your life.)   Amen. (so be it).

“Anything”….any “good” thing, as well as a “bad” thing, can, by a wile of the devil, become an idol through inordinate affection.

     (God has always called HIs people to:

“…give me your heart and let your eyes observe My ways.”  Prov. 23:26    If our hearts are His, in love and obedience…then we will keep our eyes on His Will,…and not be so tempted by the world.)

It is true, that anything to which a Christian gives final obedience…is their God.   

How careful we need to be,  about what we let into our hearts.

Both Paul and John exhorted and warned…about  “the power of any”,  or “anything”.

1 Corinthians 10:23  “All things are lawful for me,  but all things are not expedient:  all things are lawful for me,  but all things edify not.”

Now this brings out our personal relationship to the Lord.   All things are not working for the good of others….all things edify not.  

     To edify is to instruct or enlighten, so as to encourage moral or spiritual growth….to build up.

Paul did everything….so as to build up himself in the Lord’s Will….

….and sought to do everything to build up the church of Christ Jesus.

For if a thing does not build us up in Jesus,  it tares us down.

     For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit:  and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Liberty….freedom to know and do His Will.    As we will with HIm, there should be freedom to be HIs Will.

Psalm 62:11 “God hath spoken once;  twice have I heard this;  that power belongeth unto God.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “For we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

What we behold….what we look at….what we not only take into our eyes, but our hearts;  changes us (our opinions, our attitudes, our affections,…and ultimately our will actions.)

Paul knew this….John knew this….and warned all who will hear:

1 Corinthians 10:12-14 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

     There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful,  who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;  but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

     Wherefore, my dearly beloved,  flee from idolatry.”

Run from it….cross the street….close your eyes….turn your head.

     There is no bravery in staying in a situation that is wrong….for us.   It is the greatest courage to turn from evil,  and seek, instead, the good of God’s Will.

This is what Paul testified to the church about…..seek that which is expedient….that which will edify….and turn from the mere lawful.

As we look into the law of liberty the Holy Spirit shows us in the Scriptures…we should see things as they really are.

     For ourselves,  and our relation to others, in the church….and out in the world.

by faith…

Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;       Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

       Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:  for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Faith and true seeing are linked absolutely in this chapter.   By faith, the heroes of the Bible “saw” the true value and meaning of life….their life…in relation to God, and His Will

Moses had been taken from the ark of bulrushes his mother had made to hide him in, to save him from Pharaoh’s order to kill all the male Israelites ,….by Pharaoh’s daughter……and she had raised him in the palace with all the teaching and affluence of the place,   and title.

But….”when he was come to years”….this phrase suggesting that Moses as he grew older understood by faith that the pomp and wealth of the Pharaohs was not what true life was about….

(1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child,…I thought as a child: but when I became man, I put away childish things.”)

…and by faith,  Moses relinquished the wealth and authority of one of the greatest nations on earth, at that time.    For Moses “saw” that to share in the Israelites humiliation would end in a greater reward from God,…

…than all the pleasures of sin.

(“the pleasures of sin” is an interesting phrase here….for it suggests that Moses knew that as an Israelite…he could not remain in the palace as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter and not sin.          How much we need to rely on our faith to help us “see”, as God sees!

Romans 14:23 “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”)

Faith would not even consider the alternative plan…

…..that he could be an advocate for Israel…in the palace.   He could take care of them…a patron, of sorts….without giving up his Egyptian status…..in Egypt.  

  No!

By faith, he saw that he must join them in whatever trials they had!   That is where faith led him.

For he esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.   Esteemed means that he weighed them…as in scales.  Moses counted the cost…and he acted on this accounting.

         (Phil.3:8 “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:…”

 Luke 14:27-33 “…So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple”)

        The reproaches of Christ….against the treasures of Egypt.  This is what Moses weighed….and the reproaches of Christ won.

(We think of “the reproaches of Christ” a New Testament term….but by faith [and how much it lets us “see]  

        Moses saw that all who believed in God and His Messiah to come…. would be reproached [made fun of….chided, or disgraced] by the world….esp. the prosperous world.   

        Yet again,  in faith,  Moses esteemed that reproach with Messiah’s people,  better than all that Egypt offered him!   For faith led him to see God….and His estimation of things.

        Wow!  how much we need that faith now, in these times….when “success”, “power”, and “money” are being placed before the eyes of Christians, and esp. young Christians.)

So Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter any longer,….but sought out God’s people.

(We know there was failure there, for Moses did not understand…the ‘how” of God’s Will.  Exodus 2:11-15.   At this time Moses runs to save his life…yet, God did not forsake him for his failure….but at the appointed time,  led him back to Egypt….with the knowledge he needed….the “how of God’s Will”.

      God would deliver His people, and Moses would bring them out.

Exodus 2:8, 10 “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of the land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey…

      Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”)

Hebrews 11:27 “By faith he forsook Egypt not  fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible.”

This forsook is after Moses returns to Egypt.  Once he did fear Pharoah,  but now he was delivered from this fear,…and sees that by God’s Word and power,… that Pharaoh’s wrath is powerless.  (Exodus 10:28-29)

This forsook means that he would not compromise about God’s Will….all Israel would leave Egypt, with their wives and children…and their cattle and herds.

      Pharaoh had at first tried to get them to worship the Lord “in the land”…(Exodus 8:25)

But Moses refused….

…we cannot worship the Lord aright if we are still wrapped up in the world.

      Then Pharaoh tried to say,  “Go, but only the men.” (Exodus 10:11)

But Moses refused….

…we cannot leave our families, or children to the world, and worship the Lord as He wants.

     Then Pharaoh tried to say,  “All the people go, only leave your flocks and herds” (Exodus 10:24)

But Moses refused….God’s Will was that they all…and their cattle and herds forsake Egypt…and by faith Moses saw this done!  “..there shall not an hoof be left behind…”

Oh, that we might be so diligent in the Lord’s Will for our lives, and worship!

Hebrews 11:28 “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

We come to the Passover!  And again by faith in the Word of the Lord,  Moses…four days before the actual event….preaches to Israel the Way of deliverance by the blood of the lamb.

       Each household was to keep, and then slay the lamb….putting the blood on the top door post and the two side posts, and shelter under this blood, in the house.

       Moses drew in Israel here….into faith in the Lord’s Word and sacrifice. 

They are not yet delivered from Egypt….and Pharaoh had refused to let them go in every other instance….yet…Moses faith ignites their faith, and they are saved from the destroyer of the firstborn,  by sheltering under the blood.

….. they, by faith will be delivered from the last judgment…which is a universal judgment on those in the land….on all who are not sheltered under the blood of the Lamb.

Hebrews 11:29 “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

And now,  as the Lord had said to Moses….they (Israel) were delivered from Egypt.  The faith of all Israel is noted here….for each had to step out into the Red sea…and cross it, the Egyptians in pursuit.

        Faith saw the Red sea opened before them….and faith walked through it.

Amazing miracle and deliverance….and it is entered into by faith.

       They took the first step, uncertain of what lay ahead,  but certain of the Way…and kept taking those steps, by faith.

But God also speaks of the unbelieving presumption of the Egyptians….they “ assaying to do”…which means that they saw the way,  and tested it…..not in believing obedience…but in “We will show them!”….if they can do this, we can!

        But were drowned.

Where no faith is….the right Way….simply tried in presumption, produces no deliverance.

Faith is the governing influence in our lives.   It shows us God and HIs Word to us….and helps us believe HIm.    It goes on and shows us His Way….and helps us to be obedient.

Moses faith in God led him out of a wealthy palace….and into the Presence of God.

Our faith in Christ will also lead us to reject the world’s influence….”forsake it”….and “esteem”….count the value of Christ more than worth it.

The refining fires of our lives

Song of Solomon 3:6 “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?”

This is a picture of the Spirit-filled walk.(Joel 2:28-30).

Smoke, which is weak and easily blown around is strong….a pillar….holding truth and moving with the Lord…out of the wilderness of wandering experience…and into usefulness and witness.

Smoke is a by-product of fire. To have a fire….and smoke,…..something must burn.

Fire in scripture is pictured many ways….. but the ones we will deal with are the refining fires…..which produce spiritual change within us.

There is the fire of the Holy Spirit within us….giving us zeal and reverence for the Lord….as the Lord was said to be clad with zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 59:17 “For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon His head; and He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”

This is an interesting description of “zeal”…which is to be “burning hot” for God.

He is “clad” with it….surrounded like a cloak. It covered and protected Him.

It kept Him focused on the Father’s plan for now….and purpose for all. With that kind of focus….He could see clearly anything that was out of order….and “cleanse” it….speak to it…..and set it right or purify it.

(Matthew 21:12-14 Mark 11:11, 15-17 Luke 19:45-46 John 2:13-17

These are the verses for cleansing the temple. It is interesting to note that all four gospels give an account of Jesus doing this.

John gives the account of Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry….a relative unknown….making a scourge of small cords, and driving out the animals and money changers.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke give the account of Jesus cleansing it at the end of His ministry.

And it is interesting to see….that Jesus declares His Father’s house….a house of prayer…..He did not mention sacrifice (for the Great Sacrifice was standing there…..

….and it is not to be a place of merchandise.)

With the fire of the Holy Spirit within us, too…..we become boiling hot for Christ and His kingdom. He enflames us with love for the Lord. (Jude 20-21)

We begin to see, all that is out of order, with us….and set it right…

….and help what is out of order around us…..by giving His Word, to draw them to Christ….and give comfort.

“The word comfort is from two Latin words meaning “with” and “strong” – He is with us to make us strong. Comfort is not soft, weakening commiseration; it is true, strengthening love.” – Amy Carmichael

Then there is the fire of affliction….sent by the Lord’s hand,…whether through troubles,….or enemies…..so we will leave off the world and it’s influences….and turn again to seek the Lord….(Isaiah 55:6-7)

….burning up all the dross….making us pure….

Psalm 66:10, 12 “For Thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

……we went through fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed is the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Revelation 3:18 “…gold tried in the fire…”. With all the impurities burnt out….so it is pure gold.

(In scripture, silver is a type of salvation…..gold is a type of God in our lives)

Dross is the impurities which are in the metal…..making it less valuable to the owner.

If you have ten pounds of what you think is silver or gold…..and you put it through refining….and only nine pounds come out…..one pound was dross….worthless….and burnt up.

We think of purity as a picky thing….not letting the hem of our garment even touch the ground….

….but God sees purity as the faithful seeking….and diligent staying after ourselves to keep ourselves unspotted in the world (James 1:27)……because of devotion and love to the Lord.

It is the gentle force of the Holy Spirit within us….keeping us, and cleansing us from the defilement of the world (Ephesians 5:26-27)…..even as we walk in it.

Purity comes from love…..not the law. It comes as we yield to the fire of the Holy Spirit within.

It is the refining fires of our everyday lives….through our obedience and devotedness to Christ…..that we will attain the pure silver and gold, as all the dross is burnt out of our lives.

In this Laodicean age, we will either be burnt out for Jesus…

…or spued out by Jesus! (Revelation 3:16)

For He calls us to “Be zealous therefore and repent” (Rev. 3:19)

And in this age…as when Jesus cleansed the temple….we need to be zealous….to repent.

To be clothed with zeal as a cloak.

What will you have of Him?

Will we yield to the purifying fires the Lord will send upon us?

Will we yield to the purifying fires of the Holy Spirit within….and become pillars of smoke….filled with the Spirit….a manifestation of the grace of God…..in us and through us?

“Give me the Love that leads the way

The Faith that nothing can dismay

The Hope no disappointments tire

The Passion that’ll burn like fire

Let me not sink to be a clod

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.”

– Amy Carmichael 

The Power of the Word of God.

Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.”

[Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided into 22 sections, a number according to the Hebrew Alphabet. Almost every verse has a reference to God’s Word. (Commandment, Statutes, Precepts, Testimonies, Way, Law, Judgments, and Righteousness)]

These verses (9-16) deal with the power of the word of God to cleanse, and to keep the soul from the influence of the world.

So God shows a test-case: a young man. He is just starting into the world. And there are a lot of natural attractions to draw him away from God. Things untried, which could lead him into a path, away from God.

Is the Word of God able to keep him?

Yes. For the light of the Word draws the soul,….showing it the whole scene, not just what the world wants to show you.

(Psalm 119:105 “Thy Word is a lamp until my feet, and a light unto my path.”)

Psalm 119:10 “With my whole heart I have sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.”

The Word of God shows things in there true character.

It does not “sugar-coat” the darkness which the “highs”, “fun”, or “following the crowd”, can bring; but shows it plainly.

It brings God into the picture before him. The world would leave God out of everything. Saying, “He will ruin everything. He is so narrow-minded.”

(The world sees the “narrow way” [Matthew 7:13-14) as restricting, and harsh. But every child of God which walks in this way, finds it freeing. We are watched over, guided, provided for even in trials, and most of all, we are never alone.)

But God’s Word testifies that God always has His children’s best interests at heart. He draws them with the Word, which opens up everything before them….including their own souls.

The soul, when sees what God says, believes and gets freedom, or the power of choice.

(We are not able when we are first born again to be free from the besetting sins which so easily plague us. They come back again and again.

But as we deny ourselves, and follow Christ, we begin to be free from these things; for the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit enable us to master ourselves and our circumstances. At the same time we know our need of Christ more and more.

This is a blessed paradox: We are more free, yet more dependent. It really comes down to the “master” we choose.

This is sanctification, or willing to be set aside to God. This is freedom: closer to God, further from sin.)

John 8:31-32. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

And with that freedom, there is such enlargement of heart, mind, and will.

There is power in the Word, by His Spirit. And by our obedience we bring that power within our own set of circumstances.

Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

Since it is hid in the heart, it begins to mold and shape it. Opening it up to more of the love, and peace of God.

Praise God: Where the Word is taken in our hearts, it leads. When the Word of God is written on my heart, it brings joy.

Joy is a choice fruit of the Spirit. It lifts us, it strengthens us, it teaches us to believe and trust the Lord.

Psalm 119:14-16 “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.

I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word.”

The young man, who was the “test-case”, and we, ourselves, can find the power of God’s Word in our circumstances, now.

Light given, sight received, and power to enable.

Listen to some of the other verses in this psalm:

Psalm 119:28 “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen Thou me according unto Thy word.”

(No matter how I “feel”, Your strength is there for me. Let me see it)

Psalm 119:45 “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.”

(His precepts, are His prescriptions for my spiritual health. He writes them, like medicine: which may not taste good going down, but heals.)

Psalm 119:114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy word.”

(We are always “hidden” in Christ, and behind Him. In Him, and can never be forsaken. Behind Him, for as He leads, we are protected.)

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”

(Have you ever met a person which could not be offended? they forgive freely, and they have great peace; for they are founded upon a solid Rock of Love.)

Psalm 119:176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments.”

(We are always the sheep of His pasture. We are always cared for, lest we slip or stumble; His word is always our foundation .)

Let us use the power of His Word to us, and be strong in the Lord.

The God of Peace

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

At least six times in the New Testament, God is called the God of Peace.

(Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 [here it is said “Lord of peace”], Hebrews 13:20)

Christ Jesus, Himself is the source of our peace.

We are not given peace by self effort….but it is given by the Holy Spirit as we “stay” ourselves on Him.

Perfect peace of mind……and freedom from the gripping hand of “cares”;….can only be known only as we learn to commit all our ways to Him.

“Cares” grab ahold of us, and say: “You need to do something about this!”

“Mind” here is the imagination; which can think of all kinds of thoughts about the things that…will happen….could happen……the “what ifs” of the situation.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Casting,….it is a energetic action….we are not to think of them awhile, then think about giving them to the Lord…

…no, we are to cast them upon Him….He is able….He has seen to these cares and worries already….and will see to them in us, through us, and by us…

…..for He cares for us. (this is a term for “taking care of us”)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He demonstrated this so marvelously on the cross.

1 Peter 2:23 “ Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously:”

The first part of the verse, is what He did before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, the soldiers, and on the cross….here was His obedience…

..He reviled not…He threatened not.

And it was because…He “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”

He did this at Gethsemane, when the thoughts of the shame and defilement of the cross came fast and furious…each, an attack against Him.

Matthew 26:38-39 “Then saith He (Jesus) unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.

And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

But His answered these attacks on His peace, with: “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

This should be our stand, as well….when the attacks of concern, worry, doubt, and panic come against us.

We, too, should commit ourselves to God, for all that will come to us…and let the peace of God guard us….keeping our hearts and minds.

1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

He created us for a purpose, we need to submit to that purpose, for today…..not my will, but thine be done…and be obedient…for this is the “way of peace”…

Isaiah 48:17-18 “Thus saith the Lord, Thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit (by My teaching), which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:”

Obeying His Word….we will be lead into His peace.

The listening and obedient ear knows true peace….for it knows the Voice of the God of Peace….and follows Him.

The Man with the Withered Hand.

Matthew 12:9-10 “And when He was departed thence, He went into their synagogue:

And behold, there was a man who had his hand withered. And they asked Him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? That they might accuse Him.”

Jesus had been on a teaching tour through the cities of Israel. And now He was come to their synagogue.

In the synagogues, every Israelite could stand up, read the scriptures, and interpret them for those gathered. Then there would be a general discussion of the scriptures.

That day there was in the men gathered, a man with a withered hand. He hid it in his cloak, so no one would see it….but he was known by the men gathered, and Jesus knew, of course.

The Pharisees were watching Him,…not to find out whether He was the Messiah,….or to hear the scriptures interpreted…..but….”that they might accuse Him”.

Mark 3:2 “And they watched Him whither He would heal on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.”

To have a deformity in Israel, was to be disgraced, for it meant that sin was somewhere in the family of the person.

(They thought that this man had sinned, or someone in his family had sinned, and he was being punished for it.)

So the Pharisees asked a question, that they thought was pretty straight forward.

Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

The Sabbath was the day of rest. A day which should be spent in contemplating God, and His Word. A day of fellowship with others of His people.

They were to do no work on the Sabbath, or it would be defiled.

But what is work, and what is mercy?

Jesus points out the difference.

Matthew 12:11-12 “And He said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is a man better that a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

Would you save your one sheep? Your only sheep? Are you not commanded in the ceremonial law, to save a sheep, even of your neighbors? (Deuteronomy 22:4)

This is interesting. Jesus does not say one out of a hundred. Or a thousand.

But one.

That is exactly the way He feels about us. If He only came to save one, He would have.

We are that one. The man with the withered hand, was that one.

He would save us, and He would save him.

So His question to the Pharisees was really:

would you save the one sheep you own; would you save your livelihood?

Or the livelihood of your neighbor?

He said the truth: of course they would.

Therefore, since they would save their one sheep on the sabbath, He would save this one man on the sabbath.

Also notice, the way He talked of the sheep: “if it fall into a pit”. Are we not also ready to fall into a pit, without His Salvation?

Christ’s answer showed God’s character.

The Sabbath was made for man to have rest with His God. It is lawful, then to show mercy on the sabbath days.

Matthew 12:13 “Then saith He to the man, Stretch forth thine hand….”

This man with the withered hand, had heard enough to know that the mercy of God was being extended to him. Did he believe it?

To believe Jesus and obey,….would cost him something. He would have to stretch out his hand for all, to see his deformity.

It would cost him embarrassment.

(And how many of us would be stopped right here?)

It could also cost him the company of these people.

To obey Jesus might be dangerous, as these people were influential.

So, here is the choice: Jesus, and God’s mercy; or his normal existence, but accepted by the religious rulers.

Which would he do?

Matthew 12:13 “…And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

His choice was Jesus, and obedience. For that choice, he was healed.

But Jesus was also speaking to all, who were there in the synagogue.

He was offering mercy to all those who heard Him: including those Pharisees,…..if they would simply submit to the truth and believe in Him.

But they refused to believe Him. They refused His healing their hearts.

Matthew 12:14 “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against Him, how they might destroy Him.”

God’s mercy and salvation was refused by them that day.

Their choice was to keep the life and influence they had; not to yield to the mercy offered.

How much they lost by their choice!

Jesus talked of saving the “one sheep”, because each of us are that one sheep.

He came to save us: from the guilt of sin, the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Reality, is it for you?

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

This is a real invitation to us from the Almighty God. “Come boldly”: to obtain, or get for us, mercy and grace to help in this time of need. Whatever that need is.

Christianity is an ideology (a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and goals of a group or people).

To a great many people, it is nothing more than that, for they have never been Born Again. It takes the element of faith in Christ Jesus our Lord to make these things of the Bible, real to us.

If it is only an ideology, then we are left up to our own means and power to bring His Will to pass in our lives. That is impossible.

Only by God’s enabling, can we do His Will.

God’s plan for us is the fullness of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit of power.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

This is how we have the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And His kingdom must first be set up in our personal heart.

If we are citizens of His Kingdom, God is honored and obeyed by us. And that can only be done as we voluntarily submit to His Rule over us, in His personal direction for our lives.

Jesus said, “ If ye love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

Every promise in the Word, and every promise given to you personally is there: ready for you to enter into it by faith. (The Holy Spirit gives you hope: or the confident assurance that God will do what He says. We feel it! Hallelujah!)

There can never be true faith without obedience.

Faith takes us by the hand and guides us to do, what we believe.

God may have given you this promise, and this…and this, but until you have these promises in your experience, they are only promises.

True and Sure; but like money in a bank, sometimes not used.

The writer says “fear” coming short of the promises God gives us.

Fear means to be alarmed! To wake up to what you have in God’s Word, and reach out for it.

In praying, “Thy Kingdom come.”

(And notice it is a complete sentence, all by itself. It is not a part of God’s Will………It is God’s Will: that His Kingdom should come to each and every child of His, and that by it, they will enjoy communion and fellowship as they come into all that God has for them.)

We are to pray for His Kingdom to come within us, and submit to Him. We are praying for the Power and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Word; when we hear it, read it, and on the preaching of it.

We are praying that we may understand and know His Will; and willingly do His Will. (Philippians 2:13)

We are praying that the Word of God will be spread abroad by believing ministers, and that their lives will show forth God’s praise. (Matthew 5:16)

We are praying that His Kingdom which has come within us, may go on and influence those around us. That we might be a sanctifying influence to those we come into contact with.

This is the furthering of Christ’s Kingdom here. It always begins with us: getting by faith what God has for us, and sharing Christ and His Word to others.

For this we should come boldly to the throne of grace, God’s Throne, and get mercy (that help to sinners in need) and grace (the power that we need) for this time, and the next time, and the next time….onward.

For to will is present with me

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.”

There is within me a principle of rebellion, left over from my old nature, that must be overcome if I am to find “how to perform that which is good.”

Romans 7:22 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”

       Here is where I need to be strengthened….in the inward man.

I need to learn how to yield to that inner unction; that is the impressions of the Holy Spirit in my spirit. (1 John 2:20,27)

       Paul stresses “yield” to the Romans. (And they are all found in the sixth chapter. Romans 6:13, 16, 19)

       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 stand beside, to assist, to be at hand, ready.   And this is what we are to do for the Holy Spirit.   

We are to stand beside Him in what He tells us to do….giving Him our full, diligent obedience.

There is ample strength in Him, if we learn to stifle not the Holy Spirit.  Our new nature, is the Holy Spirit in our spirits…and we need to learn to be ready to assist Him….to yield to Him.

Jude 20-21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

We cannot save ourselves….but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can build up our spiritual life by faith, on the Rock of Jesus Christ…..and keep placing ourselves under His arm of love….all the while watching for Him to supply mercy for us, and for others.

And this is the call:  to mortify….to put to death the old nature….by yielding to the new nature (the Holy Spirit)….this is how we build a spiritual life on Christ.

(My husband used to say that,…”To build our lives on Christ will take a lot of spiritual consecration”…..but the Lord showed him once that it is really “spiritual concentration”…..concentrating all our faculties on the Will of God…on honoring the Holy Ghost.)

2 John 1:8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,  but that we receive a full reward.”

Watch for any cooling in our love for the Lord or for HIs work in others….watch for a loss of peace…..watch for a neglect of the services or of reading HIs Word.

      The Holy Spirit has given us love, joy, peace…..have we  appreciated them enough to seek the Lord when they seem to vanish?

All the things you are aware of, you deal with them first.  This is how you get honest…and get fruit in your life.

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.”

Our hearts are good only because they are honest.  Honesty brings forth the 

fruit of the Holy Spirit….within a Christian.

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:

      And see if there be any wicked way in me,  and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Let God do this,  and you will begin to know the honesty that leads to a fruitful life.

We, as the creature must bow to the Creator…..rather than ascert ourselves, or demand anything…we must bow to God, Who is ruling all things for our good.

We are new creatures in Christ, and that new nature should have supremacy over our old nature…”all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17)

We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)    What will we do with that fact?

We started this with….”For to will is present with me….but how to perform that which is good, I find not.”

But Paul did find out how…..

Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,  He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

So we need to yield ourselves as unto a Faithful Creator, that we may find how to perform that which is good….for ourselves For He doeth all things well.

The Word of the Amen.

Amen means “so be it, or let it come to pass”.

When we say it, we are affirming our faith, that God will do what He said.

But when God says it….He is the affirmation and the confirmation of every Word of God.

He says….and it is done. He spoke all into being in the beginning….and He is still speaking to bring His Purpose to pass….with us….

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

One of the places in scripture, where it is a name of Christ is:

Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.”

It is odd to me that this Name would be at the end of the Church age….

…I would think, that since His work in the church is almost over, as far as this world is concerned….that He would not use this Name.

After all, this church, if you read the letter, is in really bad shape…..

Why identify Himself, here, as the Amen? Or as the One Who can say and bring it to pass?

To remind us of just Who He is…..for at HIs Word the world was made.

I believe it is to encourage our hearts….He has not given up on this Laodicean church….even though He stands outside it’s door, knocking….

…..and because He is the Amen, the One who can say….and it will be…

….He calls us to join Him in what He will do….not could do….

….but will do for this church.

And what will He do?

He will rebuke…..to awaken us to our condition. (Revelation 3:15-17)

(Has He done anything to you, lately, to awaken you?)

But then He promises His blessings for all who will awaken to His rebuke (Revelation 3:18-19)

His empowerment (the gold tried in fire—pure with no dross in it; which speaks of God in us,…losing our self dominion)

His manifested righteousness (the white raiment—covering our nakedness which comes from no obedient fruit to God: either fruit of the Spirit [faith,peace,love,gentleness,etc]……or the fruit of another Christian)

His enlightenment, which is power to see things as He sees them…(the eyesalve which is honesty with God)

He will knock on our hearts door….and more….

….He will speak, personally, to us.

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

And more….

…He will give us authority in our lives….and as ambassadors of His kingship, here on earth…..as we overcome every obstacle to His Will in our lives.

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne.”

And when we set our hearts to obey Him, however He chooses to speak…..

……He will soon bring all the needed direction….

……and the needed grace to do.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

Matthew 21:21-22 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

And just what is it, that He is saying to us?

Micah 6:8-9 “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The Lord’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see Thy Name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”

This “rod” is the same word as in Psalm 23:4 “….Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

The comfort comes in our hearing Him….hearing His rod of correction….waking up to His Word….and obeying Him.

He is the Amen,….He can say, and it will be done.

How He chooses to do His Will in my life, depends on how I hear….and answer His call…

He looks for an answer….not of words….( “I go, sir…and went not.” Matthew 21:27-31)

But an answer which will show itself in our hearts, and lives….when we “open the door” to Him……and give our lives over to Him, to lead us as He will.

Finally,

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”

Finally….

Paul had begun this letter to the church in Ephesus, with:

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

Ephesians 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Paul told of all the spiritual blessings that are ours….in the heavenlies….in Christ…

….as we are in Christ Jesus,…..those spiritual blessings can flow down to us, here on earth….

……and the means of getting those blessings to flow down….is to give Christ complete charge of our lives, as King. (Matthew 6:10)

He represents us up there before God the Father…so we are seated “in Him” in the heavenlies before God, too.

And we represent Him down here before the world…..and He is “in us” here before every person we meet with.

This is a great blessing….the Presence of God within us…..and those spiritual blessings, He has won for us.

The blessing of the Holy Spirit’s power within us (Eph. 1:13-14)

The blessing of understanding, and power (Eph. 1:18-20)

The blessing of quickening….both for salvation, and against sin. (Eph. 2:1-5)

The blessing of the works we are to walk in. (Eph. 2:10)

The blessing of letting the Gentiles into the church. (Eph.2:19)

The blessing of being rooted and grounded in Christ’s love (Eph.3:17)

The blessing of grace given in His measure…to us personally (Eph. 4:7)

Then after Paul speaks of all the blessings Christ has won for us…..those that should be coming down to us, in our every day life….

….he speaks of the practical life we are to live….as children, parents, workers, and employers.

Christianity is very practical. Eternal life is not for heaven alone…..but for the life we live now.

The Lord never intended us to be saved,…..and then wait for heaven to know His love or peace or joy or mercy or grace…..but, to have them now in active fellowship and communion with Him.

That is why the blessed Holy Spirit lives within us….to bring down to us all that Christ has won for us….and that we will use in obedience to Him.

Then…..”Finally, my brethren”…..

Paul is summing up his thoughts for this beloved church….by showing them another blessing….the blessing of the armor of God.

Armor (Greek “panoply”) is a covering for warfare.

And here, he states, it covers our “loins”….or the pivotal power of our body….the place of real power of our movement……our will.

And our will, needs to be covered by the truth…otherwise our will go this way and that….without purpose.

Our armor covers our chest….our heart and affections…..with righteousness.

(Righteousness is being right with God.)

It is given us by Christ….it is His righteousness that we are clothed with….but for the armor, it is also our righteousness….our seeing that we are kept right before God….our sins confessed….our obediences up-to-date. (1 John 1:9)

Our armor covers our feet….our movements in this world.

And they are to be in peace. This is to go with God’s peace firmly in place….not in fear….resting upon the promises of God….and then we will not slip. (John 14:27)

Our armor includes our shield….a moveable piece which can help….for extra covering against the “fiery darts of the wicked”.

This is our faith…..true faith overcomes. (1 John 5:4)

Faith stops those suggestions which “fly” at us….in our minds….and those emotions which come to us in our hearts….

….with the internal knowledge of God. Faith puts God in front of us…and if God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31-32)

Our armor….our covering for warfare…includes covering for our minds….the helmet of salvation.

Our Salvation is a complete one……God saves every part of us.

He firmly places over our thought life a covering….to keep us safe from every panic and imaginations which suggest that God is not able. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Our armor gives us a weapon….it is the Word of God….it is like a sword in our hand….to use against the wiles (tricks, and flattery) of the devil.

The Word of God divides false from true….and shows us God’s Way to go. (Psalm 119:11,36-37)

Our armor is prayer…..and how many times has our prayer saved us, when we are under attack! Remember, God answers prayer because we believe Him….not because we say all the right words. (Peter when he was drowning…”Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30)

A soldier does not put on his armor, after going into the battle….but a soldier puts his armor on….knowing the coming battle, and is prepared.

God has given us in Christ Jesus….by His Spirit, many blessings.

God has given us instruction as….how to live….

…..whether we are son, or daughter, father or mother, wife or husband, employee or employer….God has showed us that we are to think of each other in light of what Christ has done for us…..

….not what we or they have done.

And, finally….God has supplied His power to cover us…

….with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word…and prayer…

….as a covering for us in the battle which we are in, here on earth.

Are we discovering all that Christ has for us?