The Christian walk is fellowship with the Lord

Fellowship….what is it?

Fellowship in the Hebrew means to join with.

Fellowship in the Greek means to partnership, a sharer with.

We often think of fellowship as talking….prayer time. This is true, as far as it goes….but fellowship is entering into, as much as possible, the things of Christ…

There is the fellowship of HIs sufferings:

As John at the last supper, leaning his head on Jesus shoulder when he heard of the betrayal…..for he shared the grief that it brought Jesus heart.

He could not be a sharer of the Passion…but he could share the grief of the heart of Jesus. (John was the only disciple at the Cross….and became the care giver of Mary, Jesus Mother. John 19:26-27)

Paul said he had fellowship with Christ’s sufferings, in the perils and trials he bore (Philippians 3:8-10)….

….for when we suffer for Christ’s sake….we are sharers with the Purpose of God for Christ and HIs children. Suffering first, glory last.

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him , that we may be also glorified together.” ( also see: 1 Peter 4:12-13)

(And it is also true, that Christ has fellowship with us in the pain we feel, the hurt we know, and the anguish we experience.

Christ said to Saul on the road to Damascus…”Why persecutest thou Me?” It was the Christians in Jerusalem that Paul had persecuted, yet Jesus knew each blow, each pain….for we are His.)

There is the fellowship at HIs table:

The disciples experienced this even after His resurrection….when Jesus called for them at the Sea of Galilee….”Children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5)

Here, Peter was restored….here, the disciples left off every other plans, and gave themselves to the Lord, for His next work….the work of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:2-5)

(In Laodicea, as with the disciples and Peter at Galilee…no matter our past failures;…….we are called to “come and dine” in fellowship with Him….(to sup)……and to set things right….and go on in the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit, for these times:

“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.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne”. Rev. 3:20-21)

There is the fellowship of life…or fellowship of being.

When Peter and Andrew were called to follow Christ Jesus, they answered (Mark 1:16-18)….

….not with words,…but by leaving all, and going after Him. They continued to go after Christ, for the next three years….

…through joyous reception….and the knowledge of the Pharisees anger.

Yet as Peter said, when some followers decided to leave Him…..”Lord, to whom should we go….Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)

There is the fellowship in prayer.

Though prayer is not the only means of fellowship, yet we are to “Pray without ceasing

Luke 11:9 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

There is more of the Holy Spirit, the Lord wants you to have….ask, seek, and knock for Him….”how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13)

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

(This “watching” is the same as Jesus said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33).

We are to have union with the Lord in this….we are to stay awake, and wait….watching for Christ’s return….and also how we can help our brothers and sisters in Christ….near and far….through our prayers.)

Fellowship is partnership with Christ. As they treated Him, the world will treat us.

Yet we are not to be sad….

….or to look for trials….

…but simply to follow on after Him….and join Him in what comes.

That is our walk…..yoked with Christ (Matthew 11:29-30)…

……yet as with yoked animals, there is always one that is stronger,…one which sets the pace, and turns into the direction. This is Christ Jesus.

Our walk is over mountains, through valleys….up against enemies,….

….and helping His own.

Partnership….a sharer with Christ….this is what we are called to.

Will we come?

If Any Man Will

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.”

This always rests with our will.

(Our will is the “putting into action” of our personality. Our minds…give reason. Our hearts…give emotion. But our wills….act on what has been presented.)

If any man will? Let him deny himself. That is the key ingredient—self-denial.

If we deny ourself and take up our cross….and keep after this until we reach the place we no longer resist the Lord’s Will in anything.

(This is not instant obedience, but it is final obedience….we have determined to do God’s Will.)

Then we have acquired the power of choice.

We are now crucified, and we can begin the process of….real living.

(Before,…….we would will with God,…..but there was always something pulling us in the opposite direction……for the power of sin, and it’s influence was still there, fighting for control.

Paul speaks of this in Romans 7. But we can come to the experience that we are not resisting His Will—we may not like it…..we may be afraid….but we will do it. That is settled.)

To lose your life in yourself….is to go on and deny your self-life. This is not the will, willing….but….Whose life am I going to manifest.

When we lose our self-life, we deny ourself in our thoughts and emotions.

The reason I do this….must give way to…..”it is what He wants done.”

This is my way to deal with this…must give way to: Lord, how would you have me to deal with this.

It is to lose all those things we have formed around us to keep our true self hidden.

There are some, who when embarrassed or uncomfortable….they begin to tell a joke, or a story…..get everyone looking somewhere else, but at the real them.

There are some, who have hidden their emotions so long….they do not know how to really express themselves….but by pretense. It is easier to “hide-out”.

(I knew a woman who told me that for years, after she had become a Christian….and had decided to do whatever God said; had made a place to retreat to, in her mind, when certain things came up.

When confronted with certain people, certain things to do….she would “shut down”, withdrawing into self.

Her smile still stayed on her face….but the light went out in her eyes. She would do whatever was required….but it was mere form. Her heart was not in it.

She “hid out” till that was over with….then she would “reappear”.

When she heard my message on “losing your self-life”…..a battle began.

Would she give up to Christ, and stop retreating into the narrowness of self……or continue to hide from the Lord and Savior, which loved her and gave Himself for her?

It was a battle….one which raged for a long time….but finally victory was given; and she came out to Christ…..opening up her inner life to Him.)

A word about the narrowness of self……we are in the way, when something we do not want to face is presented…..what do we do?

We can deny ourselves and yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading…… or we can narrow the way, in our minds or hearts, and refuse to deal with this.

These bring in roots of bitterness…..which grow harder and harder to deal with…..soon the Lord’s Way, has become our way….maybe religious,….but joyless.

But when we have determined to do God’s Will, then we begin to be free from all the restraints of self….to come out to Christ, in truth…..and let Him give us His life.

Peace for fear, joy instead of selfishness…..to free us from habits….and become who He purposed us to become.

He never changes our true personality…..but frees it, to come into fellowship and friendship with Him.

Then you will begin to live….”the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.”

And faith always places Christ straight before us, to keep our eyes on Him.

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Think of it…..to live by faith….the faith of the Son of God flowing through us,…leading us on with Him.

We are given faith when we are born again….and it shows us God, so that we know He is there with us.

Then faith delivers us from making bad decisions, and says….Keep looking to Christ.

Faith leads us on till, we live everyday…..yet not I, but Christ lives in me.

Jesus Christ said, “If any man will come after Me”……..that is the Way we must go….to follow after Him,….and let Him lead us out of self, and into true life….the life of faith.

Martha

Luke 10:38 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.”

She did not just listen as He went by….but she welcomed the Lord into her house as well.

She, Lazarus, and Mary all lived together in Bethany.

Martha was probably the one who ran the house….keeping it, and seeing to their food.

When Jesus came to Bethany; Martha welcomed Him into their home….

….this was a happy occasion, and she went about trying to get everything just right, so that she could enjoy His company.

Lazarus sat with the disciples, and Mary, Martha’s sister, came and sat at Jesus feet to listen to His Word.

Martha was trying to get things done….

It was not that she did not want to hear the Lord….but she had let the desire to serve the Lord weigh her down….

…..so that instead of enjoying the time He was there….she became “cumbered”. (This is a term that means something she is dragging around, a weight.)

Then, she began to wonder why Mary was not helping…..which led her to complain to the Lord….about His actions!

How one thing leads to another!

Luke 10:39-40 “And she had a sister called Mary, which also say at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”

How like Martha we are!

She began by wanting fellowship with Jesus….so much so she invited Him to come to her house.

Then, she let “things” build up in her thoughts….

“I should really do something special….He is so great a person.”

“I really need to hurry….He is already speaking to the others.”

“If only Mary would help me….I could be in there too.”

“Why isn’t the Lord saying anything to her,….so I could hear what He is saying, too?”

These are the “imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our thoughts run away….going from one thing to another….and before you know it….we are accusing the Lord of not caring about us!

Luke 10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (full of care) and troubled about many things (and they are just things):

But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Notice, how Jesus gently corrects this lovely woman: “Martha, Martha”….saying her name twice to get her attention.

She was still focused on things….

….”Look at Me, Martha….Listen to Me, Martha….you are getting all worked up about things….

…but Mary has seen that the important thing about having Me in your house….that is to hear Me….

….this I will not take away from her…..but instead invite you to come and join us.”

Jesus loved Martha. Martha was a true believer.

John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

They were true friends and disciples of the Lord.

(In fact the last week of Jesus life was spent going from their house in Bethany, to Jerusalem, during the day, to teach in the Temple….and back to their house at night.)

When Lazarus got sick….Martha and Mary could think of nothing….but taking their concern to Jesus:

John 11:1, 3 “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Therefore his sisters sent unto Him (Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”

Jesus was beyond the Jordan River (where John the Baptist had begun his ministry John 10:40) in Bethabara.

But when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness…..He did nothing….yet.

John 11:6 “When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was.”

During these two days, Lazarus dies….then it was time to go, so Jesus says:

John 11:7 “Then after that saith to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again.”

It was a journey of several days to Bethany….so when He gets there, Lazarus is dead for four days (John 11:39)….and there is a crowd of mourners which were there to grieve with Martha and Mary.

Leaving all….Martha, as soon as she hears Jesus is coming….goes to meet Him. (John 11:20)

Notice the faith of this woman:

John 11:21-22 “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.”

Answering this kind of faith, Jesus says, “Thy brother shall rise again.”

He was telling her what He was going to do….

She declares her faith in God’s Word….”I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

And then Jesus reveals to this dear woman one of His names: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Jesus was speaking directly to her faith….Lazarus will be resurrected because of his belief in Me…..and you, who believe in Me will also have this everlasting life….

….do you believe, Martha?

John 11:27 “She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

This is an amazing testimony….”I believe Thou art the Christ….and I am leaving all into your hands….do as Thou wilt.”

She goes gets Mary; and she and Mary, come to see Jesus. They are followed by the mourners….

And they take Him to where Lazarus is, and He tells them to take away the stone….

Martha speaks up about how long he has been dead, and that he would stink….

…one of the laws of Moses said (Numbers 19:11-16):

Numbers 19:16 “And whosoever toucheth…..a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”

She did not want defilement to come upon Him, or those there….

…but Jesus reminds her

(how gently He rebukes those that believe in Him, to hang on to His Word to them).

John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

Then, when they remove the stone off the grave….He prays, looking up (John 11:41-42):

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.

And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

Jesus could pray silently….but He prayed out loud, for a testimony for the people that were there. He was God’s Son.

(We could say grace silently, but often pray out loud for a testimony to the people around. Not to correct, but to testify that we belong to the Lord.)

Then, as God’s Son….Jesus commanded Lazarus….

John 11:43 “And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

No one had to touch him, or bring him out to Jesus…..Christ’s very voice commanded life, and it was done.

(This was a revelation, to those there, that Christ had power over death…..yet the folly of sin made the Pharisees and chief priest believe they could destroy Him and His kingdom. How sin blinds and deceives!)

And Lazarus came forth…still bound with the grave clothes of death….but very much alive. (John 11:44)

Then Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

(And isn’t this what Jesus speaks to our death and sins, for us)

Martha had great faith…..

…she sometimes let herself get burdened with “things”….but she received the gentle rebuke of her Lord, and trusted in Him as the Son of God.

(Her faith led her to be the only woman to declare that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of God”.

Peter had (Matthew 16:16), and many believed on Him…..but Martha was the only woman who scripture shows to have made this public confession.)

Jesus loved Martha….

…He had fellowship and friendship in her house,

…He corrected her gently….yet every time He did, she gladly responded with more faith, and trust.

…He gave to her one of His names.

…It was for this family, that He showed His power over death.

Are we like Martha….growing in our love and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ, even through rebukes, and sorrow?

Sure, but…Christians

Matthew 21:28-32 “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.

And he answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went.

And he came to the second, and said likewise.

He answered and said, I go, sir, and went not.

Whither them twain did the will of his Father? They say unto him, the first. Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

We call this “Sure, but…Christians”, because we are often as these sons in the story.

We say one thing, and do another.

We love or praise God much with our mouths, but not so much with our attitudes and obediences; which is the way the Lord said we really love Him.

John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.”

The Father in the story had two sons. Now they are both sons, both belonging to the household of the Father.

But one, rebellious at first; recognized his wrong attitude, and repented, and was obedient to the Father’s Will.

(You will notice that this son did not go back to the Father for direction…..but did what He said at first. Sometimes we just need to do what we know to do….no questions….just do, for His sake.)

The other, said the right things in front of the Father; but never followed through. Never fulfilled the Father’s Will…..for whatever reason.

(And there always seems to be a “reason” we do not get around to doing what we know to do…..that is why sanctification includes our hearts and minds, as well as our wills.)

Which one really loved the Father?

Of course, we would say, the one who did what the Father wanted.

Then why do we hesitate to do our Heavenly Father’s Will?

Or why won’t we repent of our rebellious attitude, and do what He says?

As our Heavenly Father, God has the right to command us to do His Will. We all agree to that.

But the real value to God in our doing, is the love shown Him by our willing obedience.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing.”

Love to Christ Jesus, shows the power of the Holy Spirit within, as nothing else does.

And this requires us to repent. Both sons should have repented. One for the rebellious attitude.

The other for disobedience.

To repent is to change our minds about the subject, our affections for it, and our actions toward it.

As sons to our Heavenly Father, we should recognize our own personal need for repentance, and do it.

Then we will fulfill our Father’s Will.

“..and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.”

David’s Choice, and Ours

David had been king of Israel for years. He had fought the Lord’s battles to gain all the land that God had given Israel, which had not been theirs before.

He had brought the capital to Jerusalem. He had victories on every side.

But, as with every believer, there are temptations. And one of these was a whisper of our adversary, Satan.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2 “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.”

[The children of Israel had been numbered in the wilderness (Numbers 1:2-3,18-19), after the Tabernacle had been set up, so that they could each be in their place according to their tribes, around the Tabernacle.

And for each to give an offering for the service of the Tabernacle, according to their tribes. (Numbers 7:1-2)]

But that was the last time God had said, that all Israel was to be numbered.

But now David wants to number them. The record shows that this suggestion was not his idea.

But he did yield to it, and commanded that Israel be numbered.

1 Chronicles 21:7 “And God was displeased with this thing, therefore He smote Israel.”

Now, we will pause here and ask: why did God let Satan tempt David and fall into this sin?

Wasn’t he the man after God’s own heart? (Acts 13:22).

He was, but every man is tempted, when he is “drawn away” from God’s will, by something he wants.

James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Certainly David did not want to sin?

No, but he did want to see how great he had made his country. A little pride, yielded great trouble.

1 Chronicles 21:8 “And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

One thing you could count on with David: once he knew God was displeased, he did something about it.

So God gives David a choice:

1 Chronicles 21:9-10, 12 “And the Lord spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,

Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose the one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

Either three years famine, or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advice thyself what word that I shall bring again to Him that sent me.”

God was giving this choice to David to test him. What did he really think of his God? Or His Will?

He might think like this:

Three years of famine were harsh, but they might get by. Only the weakest would die.

Three months of fighting, where the enemies win. Perhaps he would think, “I could always take back those lands; and it is only three months.”

Or three days of pestilence—illness, where God indiscriminately kills strong, and weak, old and young, according to His will.

Which would David choose?

1 Chronicles 21:13 “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are His mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

David chose God’s hands. God’s ways. God’s mercy.

To “let me now fall now into the hand of the Lord”.

The pestilence began, and many (70,000) died. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but the mercy of the Lord, stopped the angel, giving David time to seek the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:17 “And David said unto God, Is it not that I commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray Thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on Thy people, that they should be plagued.”

David took full responsibility for the sin. He did not try and point to another, but confessed fully, and asked that the plague stop for Israel.

And he got an answer right away.

1 Chronicles 21:18. “Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

(This is where the angel with the sword drawn had been told to stop on his way to Jerusalem.)

1 Chronicles 21:22-23 “Then David said unto Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it to me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshingfloor instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.”

A generous offer, but…again David’s choice to honor the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:24 “And king David said to Ornan, Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.”

David would not give another man’s livelihood, but would only give what was his, by “the full price”. It was David’s responsibility, and he would not skimp or bargain.

(A burnt offering was a sacrifice of love. David would not offer it, without paying full price for it.)

Six hundred shekels of gold was the price, so he gave it. He also built the altar from the lumber of the place, and sacrificed the oxen himself.

1 Chronicles 21:26-27 “And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offerings.

And the Lord commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.”

David had sinned. But he came in full confession and asked for mercy.

David’s choice was God: His way. For he knew God to be merciful, and He was.

What is our choice, when it comes to God’s will and way? Do we try and bargain a better “price” when it comes to our responsibilities?

Or do we chose God, believing that even in corrections, He will deal with us in mercy?

How am I filled with the Spirit?

Years ago, I asked the Lord this very question. Feeling a need in my ministry…I prayed and kept praying till I got this answer:

“To be filled with My Holy Spirit…you need to be emptied from the fullness of yourself.”

I said, “I have consecrated my life to you….I have given my life to be your preacher; I witness and pray for others, I work at being obedient to Your commands…..what more should I do?”

(Did you notice how many “I”s there are? Ouch! Obviously, being emptied of self is a tall order!)

So I asked….”How do I empty myself out?”

The answer was quite simple….I cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and bring everything that says, “This is me…my way of doing a job, my way of preaching on a text, my way of saying things”……to God….until, everything I am (habits and characteristics) and everything I do, says “This is Him.”

He showed me that this is my life’s work….to me conformed to His image, here and in all my days.

He must reign in my life, by a deliberate act of my will….my willing it, for all the things of my life.

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

Subjection has become a “bad word” today. (Of course to the wrong elements, it is.)

But subjection to Christ is freedom.

“What!, you say, that can’t be.

Subjection is bondage;…..you have to do.”

But the reality of the subjection to Christ, is a love relationship.

It is to know that He loves….you

(No, it is not just the knowledge of the head, having heard it so many times).

It is a closeness of His Spirit,…..a sweetness of His Voice (even when He corrects us),….and such a sense of rest of heart, and mind (and my mind usually goes around in circles pretty good).

Hosea 11:4 “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”

Jesus Christ came as a man to show us the great love He had for us:

By His life in subjection to His Father. (“…for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:28-29)…

By His sacrifice to save us from our sins (and they are the real bondage)….

And by His resurrection, to give us all things in Him.

Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters can not quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.”

We can not give anything for the Love of God, for He has loved us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3).

Before we were born, God loved us; by the Love of His Will.

It was not because there was anything in us that drew Him to us.

Nor was it because He saw what we would do for Him, after conversion. Or because of what we would become.

No, He loved us because of one reason: He willed to do so.

Matthew 6:10 says, His kingdom come, His will done in earth, as it is in heaven.

And Jesus taught that we should pray this.

In heaven it is done willingly, joyfully, completely. But also with power.

He has this sort of power for us; but to get it down here into us we need to have His kingdom come with in us.

He showed me, that we should not ask……How much do I have of God?

But, how much does He have of me?

For we are filled with the Holy Spirit to the degree or extent, that we are willingly emptied of ourself life.

Imagine jars filled with water. Now, imagine you are going to fill them with another liquid.

They won’t mix, so one of them will “push” the other out.

The one comes in; and the water flows out.

This is the filling of the Holy Spirit. He flows in, at new birth.

But if we just let Him have that much of us, it is like a skim of oil on top of the water.

But when we yield to Him, be obedient to His direction, and give up our way…….then He keeps flowing in,…..and our self life, flows out.

We have more “want to”, more power to do, and more knowledge and joy in the doing.

This is to be being filled with the Holy Spirit;….and it is only as we submit to Christ’s rule in us; as subjects to King Jesus….

Under His command, doing His Will.

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;”

The Marriage Supper for the King’s Son

Matthew 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”

This is one of the parables Jesus taught. The lesson to learn is that all that are invited to come, are going to be responsible for the invitation, and what they do with it.

Let us consider the parable:

Matthew 22:3-4 “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants saying, Tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”

It was common in those days to send two invitations.

One, to notify the guests of the wedding day, and time.

The second, when things were ready, to collect the guests.

Now the Ministry of Jesus Christ was given twice.

One time to the Jewish Nation, which rejected Him.

The second, when the servants of Christ are sent to the individuals of the world with the Gospel.

All things are ready…….”Come”.

Now for the Nation of Israel:

Matthew 22:5-7 ” But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servant and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and sent forth his armies, and destroyed the murderers, and burned up their city.”

This happened in the destruction of Jerusalem, under Titus, when God punished those who rejected, and crucified His Son.

And now for the world’s hearing of this invitation:

Matthew 22:8-10 “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”

His servants would go into all the world, preaching and teaching the gospel.

Their commission was:

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Both good and bad people would hear and come to Christ….For God will have His Son to be honored.

The effectual call of the Holy Spirit, by means of the Gospel,

has gone throughout the world,…..and brings all who receive Him, to come to Christ, as Lord and Savior.

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:”

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

All those who come, are given the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

And for all the guests at the wedding feast, they would have been provided new garments, to change into, for such a grand occasion

Matthew 22:11-14. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king unto the servants, Bind him and hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This man didn’t have wedding garment on,…..which would have been provided to him,…..so he was asked, Why?

He should have. They were there, and given to all who were bidden and brought in.

So why didn’t he?

The only answer is, that he refused to put it on.

And by refusing the wedding garment, wasn’t he telling the king that he thought nothing of the invitation?

He had been brought in by the invitation, but did not want to submit to the King’s provision.

No one can come to the Wedding Supper of our Lord and Savior, if they are not clothed with His righteousness.

(Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.)

To “come” to God in your own works, or in your own goodness; is the greatest insult.

The call: “Come, for Christ has died and raised again to save us”, has sounded through the ages.

But you must receive Him,….or refuse Him.

For those who come to Christ, simply to get heaven, and not to be saved from their sin……..will find that the garment of self-preservation will not be recognized by God.

The garment of self-righteousness will not be recognized by God.

The garment of self-expression will not be recognized by God.

And the garment of self-will will not be recognized by God.

In His Son, God has provided all things that we might “sup with Him”.

What will we do with our invitation?

The mote and the beam

Matthew 7:1, 3-5 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.

And why beholdeth thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considered not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me putll out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

In scripture, we are never called to “judge” anything or anyone…..except ourselves before the Lord (1 Corinthians11:31)……but we are told to “prove” them.

To judge, we must be above others……and only God can do that.

But to prove, we must just wait, and see whether what they say, is what they do.

A “mote” is a splinter…..a “beam” is a two-by-four!

The difference is huge.

Both hinder the vision….and both can blind us to what we should be seeing….but the illustration is concerning judging and the “measure we mete”….or what we do about our judgement.

Jesus does not say we should not help our brother…..nor even help him with his vision of things…..but that we should first see to ourselves before God….then we can really help our brother.

We should remove the “beam” in our own eyes.

That “beam” can be our own opinion about what is going on….

….it can be our own experience concerning people or things that have happened like this….

….it can be sin in our life that hinders us from God’s viewpoint…

(My grandmother used to have a saying….”When you point your finger at someone else to accuse…..several fingers are pointing back at you!)

We should remove all hinderances from our own vision….before God….then we can help our brother.

Matthew 7:5 “…first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out thy brother’s eye.”

The eye is the organ of sight…..and how we “see” is important.

As Christians, we are to see by faith….

2 Corinthians 5:7 “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”…

….faith sees God….and when we see God first, our eyes see everything else as it affects Him….not how it affects us….or others.

We are putting Him and His Word first, and letting that light shine on both us, and others.

Jesus said the light of the body is the eye:

Matthew 6:22-23 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

But if thine eye be evil, they whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

When we “look” at things in the single vision of God’s will and glory…..then our eyes are enlightened to see aright.

(The dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, is said to only see one thing at a time. The Holy Spirit ever points us to Christ and His character, His Word, and His Will.)

When we “look” at things from an evil eye….

…..one which seeks to influence,….in any way but God’s….

….and thereby hurting others by that influence……then we spread darkness not light.

(“Evil” here, in the Greek, is “hurtful, it is the influence or effect”…..not describing the character of someone.)

If we are honest before God, we can see, by faith, the beam in our own eye. We can see that there are many things within ourselves that need tending to….and when we have dealt with them….

….we can help others….not by pointing out their splinter….but by pointing out God’s help to us….

…and that He can do the same for all.

The Spirit-filled walk of a Christian

I speak a lot about the Holy Spirit in us….it is one of the great things of Christianity, I believe….that a Person of the Godhead is present with us….always.

God, the Father willed our salvation in it’s fullest terms: being born again, being sanctified, being brought into His Presence forever.

God, the Son paid the price for our salvation in His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection life;….and He stands before His Father now, interceding for us….that we might have all the blessings of His Life given to us. (Ephesians 1:3)

But it is….

God, the Holy Spirit that comes to each heart that receives Christ as Lord and Savior,…..and stays there. He is the One who speaks, and nudges, and reminds us of scripture. He is the One who puts up with our moods, and ignoring Him. He is the One who empowers as we yield to Him….now….for He receives all that Christ gives for us….and imparts it, to us.

How important He is….are we working, so we will not quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19),…..or so we will not grieve Him (Ephesians 5:30)?

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

This is something we are told to do!

When we are “drunk with wine”….we are in subjection to the wine….it is in charge.

When we are “filled with the Spirit”….we are in subjection to the Holy Spirit….He is in charge.

(Subjection in the Greek means…”to be under, subornation”….

……yet the world would turn this word…..into bondage.

Which are we going to believe? Which are we going to do?)

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 those that are coming “out of the wilderness”.

The wilderness in scripture always speaks of trials and testings.

(There were the forty years of wilderness wanderings for Israel, after coming across the Red Sea.

Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days, during His temptation by the devil. Mark 1:12-13)

But here, there is one coming out of the wilderness…..out of the ups and downs of emotion and mind…..from the trials and testings of faith in the world,…..

……into the peace and joy of established subjection to God.

This one seeks to leave the world behind her (the church is always spoken of in the feminine.)….getting deliverance from the world, and it’s claims upon her.

“Like pillars of smoke”.

Smoke is very weak stuff….a puff of wind blows it one way or another.

But here it is a pillar….strong and straight….because it is a supernatural strength….the strength of God, by the Holy Spirit within her.

Joel 2:28, 30 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh;…

(This is the promise that anyone who believes in Christ Jesus, God’s Son, will receive His Holy Spirit)

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.”

(This is the same pillars of smoke as in the Song of Solomon……His children who are filled with the Spirit, manifesting His control in their lives.

“Wonders” in the Hebrew here, means “conspicuous, bright, miracles”)

“Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense” (Song of Solomon 3:6)

Being filled with the Spirit, we manifest Christ’s death ( myrrh…they used it to put on dead bodies),….

….and Christ’s kingship (frankincense….was the spice of kings….very costly).

We “perfume” our walk by denying ourselves (Matthew 16:24-25), and losing our self-lives, that we might find our Christ’s life…..and showing His life through us.

Christians are filled with all the Spirit of God, as we are emptied of all the fullness of ourselves….and this is an act of our will, willing with the Lord….coming out of the wilderness….of our world situation….under more and more of the influence of the Holy Spirit’s power.

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

If Christ is not King of your life, you may be doing the “right” thing….but you are not letting the Holy Spirit’s power flow in you, by you and through you. You are not the pillar of strength and grace, that He wants you to be.)

“With all powders of the Merchant”. A Merchant deals with things for a price. Simply, you obtain from Him for a price….and here, Jesus is that Merchant.

This is not for salvation….that is a free gift. But, as Christians, we are to come to Him for all we need.

He has all we need, but it must be obtained from Him….”obtain promises” (Hebrews 11:33)….by an act of faith.

“Add to” (2 Peter 1:5)….by giving all diligence.

In Reality, it comes down to His Will done…..in our everyday situations….by yielding to the grace, words, patience, peace, power….all coming from the Holy Spirit within.

This yielding makes us into a pillar….a pillar of smoke.

There may be something the Lord requires at our hand, that would be very important to Him,…..which we would think very lightly of…..but at Thy Word we willingly obey.

The Holy Spirit shows substance and strength through our words….even a word in due season….when we are yielded to Him.

He shows Hope (that confident expectation that God will do what He says) through us….when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

We are told to be “filled with the Spirit”….and come under His influence in all our thoughts, words, and deeds.

And the Song of Solomon shows us what we will become, if we do…..a pillar.

We do not change into a pillar of stone….no….God wants us….to use us.

We are changed into a pillar of smoke….weak in ourselves….and strong in Him.

Paul’s prayer for the Colossians:

Colossians 1:8-11 “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His Will and wisdom and spiritual understanding:

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to His generous power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;”

They had the Spirit…love in the Spirit….and now he prays that they might be filled with the Spirit….

And there is always more of Him we can have…..

….less of our self-life…..to have more of Christ’s life by the Holy Spirit, in us.

His life gives us Eternal life…..peace and joy….working in us patience….and forgiveness for others….long-suffering toward their failures (esp. to us)….and love….

….love by the Holy Spirit within.

Why are we so afraid of subjection to Him?

Is it what He will require? What does it matter if He enables us?

Is it a rebellious place in ourselves which does not want to let go of “this”?

For each of us…..He saves,….then He calls….then He leads….then He fills us with His Spirit, as we willingly yield….to enable us to overcome every difficulty…..

….will we come out of the wilderness of this world, and be pillars of smoke in this time,….for Him?

“Let us go out into the lake and drown.”

This is what His disciples thought that Jesus said, once the the wind blew and the waves became high.

What He had said was:

Mark 4:35 “The same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over to the other side.”

He had then gone into the back of the fishing ship, and gone to sleep. He was not concerned about crossing the Lake.

And at first, His disciples were fine. Then “arose a great storm”.

They were fishermen, so they would have probably known if a storm was coming, but they had no inclination of one.

Mark 4:37 “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.”

Out in the middle of the Lake, the wind started blowing hard, the waves started rising up. The fishing boat, was beginning to fill.

But they had Jesus with them.

So they came back to Him, thinking, how could He sleep when they were all in eminent danger?

Mark 4:38 “And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and saith unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?”

Don’t You care that we are about to drown? Was that what Jesus had said: Let us go out into the middle of the Lake and drown?

No, He had said, “Let us pass over unto the other side.”

Sometimes we hear the same way. We are fine as long as things are going as we expect.

But when “storms” come: then we wonder why Jesus brought us into these circumstances.

It can be the “storms” of gossip, or of hurt.

It can be the “storms” of illness, or accidents.

It can be the “storms” of loss, or grief.

Whatever the “winds and waves” which are tossing us about, today….He is with us.

And He wants us to “pass over” these things, together.

His Word is what is needed: whether spoken as guidance, or comfort, or to still this storm (and it’s source).

Mark 4:39 “And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

The wind ceased: the storm was finished.

There was great calm: even in the disciples! (“What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41)

So it can be with us, too.

Mark 4:40. “And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

The world and the Adversary, the devil; shows us the storm…..and our fear.

Faith shows us Christ Jesus, and believes He will do for us….what He says.

Shall we “pass over” to the other side?