Who through faith

Hebrews 11:33-34 “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in flight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”

Our faith is a mighty helper in our spiritual life.
This is not “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)….for that is the whole body of doctrine and belief that God has given us through His Word.

But this faith, spoken of so wonderfully in Hebrews 11, is the faith within us, that gives us the sight to see God, and the heart to stand with Him….for all those that are spoken of in this chapter, hazarded their lives for God.

Who through faith subdued kingdoms:
There are two kingdoms that we must subdue….one is within us. It is called “the flesh”, “the old man”. It is our old nature which is always with us, even after we are born again….and we are to subdue it and bring it under subjection to Christ.
Romans 6:19 “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
(“members” here has to do with our bodies. Our eyes, what do we look at? Our tongues, what do we say? Our hands, what do we handle? Our feet, where do we go?)

The other kingdom is without us….the world’s system. It can hold a great deal of power or leverage over us, especially if we follow the fashion of words,…the latest thing….or the influence of money, and power. (Phil. 3:18-19)
This kingdom we are to subdue, by our walk through it:
Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation (walk) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Romans 12:1 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1 John 5:4 “For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Who through faith….wrought righteousness:
This signifies, living up to the required standard.
And to work righteousness means walking according to the rule of God’s Word.
Living up to the Light you have received…and using the ability (grace) you have to do it.

Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Wrought righteousness…”wrought” here is “minister about”. Every Christian has a ministry of righteousness. Of course, we are given Christ’s righteousness when we are born again….but we are then required to show forth that righteousness…..to minister that righteousness in the circumstances we are in.

It is through our obedience and devotedness to Christ Jesus, that we minister in righteousness.
And in this, we partake of the divine nature (we have Christ’s life manifested through us):
2 Peter 1:3-4 “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

As He…the Lord Jesus Christ…is our object, the world loses its power over us.
As He is our Strength, we get the Victory over it.

And we obtain the promise of “be partakers of the divine nature” as we “wrought righteousness” and “subdue kingdoms”.

Hebrews 11:33-34 “Who through faith….obtained promises, (the promise of Christ’s life by the Holy Spirit within us and through us),… ….stopped the mouths of lions, (as it was done for Daniel….their mouths were shut)

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
(Notice how many things in our spiritual life are done….”through faith”)… Quenched the violence of fire, (as for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego…the fire did not hurt them….they were in it, but it gave them no hurt.) 1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Escaped the edge of the sword, (as David did against Goliath….”in the name of the Lord of hosts”...with a sling and stones.) 1 Samuel 17:45-46 “Then David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who thou hast defiled. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand;....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

“Out of weakness were made strong” (as Samson did, after the weakness of Deliah…having his hair cut, and blinded…..then his hair grew back, and he called unto the Lord, when they were going to mock him before their gods)
Judges 16:28-30 “And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this since, O God,….
And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars….
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at this death were more than they which he slew in his life.”
(And we, too, after the weakness of our sins, can be “made strong” in the Lord, by confession and His grace to overcome.)

“Waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (As Joshua and Israel did on the day the sun stood still [Joshua 10:10-14], as Deborah and Barak did against the hordes of Midian [Judges 4:14-16 ], as Asa did against a host of a thousand thousand, because he cried unto the Lord [2 Chron. 14:9-13])

Who through faith….
One old preacher believes that there is a book of the acts of faith in our God written in heaven.
Our acts of faith (though we may think of them as little in comparison to what we read in scripture) are noted, are loved, are blessed….
…because faith is God’s gift to us by the Holy Spirit, and when it is used, He is glorified.

Let us, through faith subdue the kingdoms of the flesh within and the world without….and minister righteousness….and overcome in faith all that stands between us and His Will being done in us, by us, and through us!
Praise His Name, that He allows us such a privilege!

Three things God calls us to do, to come out of childhood. 

Ephesians 4:13-15 “Till we come in the unity of the faith,  and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,  unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:  

           That we henceforth be no more children,  tossed to and fro,  and carried about with every wind of doctrine,  by the sleight of men,  and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

           But speaking the truth in love,  may grow up into Him in all things,  which is the head,  even Christ:”

Childhood for every Christian is slightly different,  but basically,….

…….it is the time where we are more concerned with His taking care of us…..than we are,   in following after Him.

There are several things we need to do, to come out of childhood.

“Be strong and of good courage.”

You say that sounds like something an adult, not a child would do…..

….but we will never give up our childish ways without….strength and courage.

Joshua was a young man when Moses took him as his helper.  Yet now he  had been given the leadership of Israel.  

But being a helper to Moses, is one thing,  but leading by himself,  is another.  Hence, Joshua needed to “grow up” into his calling…..

…..and God tells him:

Joshua 1:5-6, 7-8 “….as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:  I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.     Be strong and of a good courage:….

               Only be thou strong and very courageous,  that thou mayest observe according to all the law,…..thou shalt meditate therein day and night,  that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for……then thou shalt have good success.”

(The command to be strong and of good courage is repeated again by God Joshua 1:9,…..and once more to Joshua by the tribes which stayed across the Jordan. Joshua 1:18)

That is four times Joshua hears these words….this was the way he was to “grow up” into the leadership position….and finish his course.

“Be strong” here means to persevere…..to finish what you start.

How many children start something and drop it, for one reason or another.  But God calls us to finish our course….complete the work….

Joshua needed to forge ahead in strength….that which he had, though small….and let God give him more…

….and with courage….which is the actions of a person who knows the goal….and heads toward it….

….not with boasting….but with determination…..this is courage.

And the way  of strength and courage…..was God’s acknowledged Presence and God’s Word.

    Read it,  think upon the promises in the things that come up….and follow it.

God would increase both his,  and our strength and courage….as we do.

The other thing we need to do to grow up,   is to see the enemy of God’s people……as though they are standing next to God….how ineffective they will seem, then….

….Just like David does with Goliath…

1 Samuel 17:26, 45-46 “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying,  What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine,  and taketh away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

           Then said David to the Philistine,  Thou comest to me with a sword,  and with a spear,  and with a shield:  but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts,  the God of the armies of Israel,  whom thou has defied.

           This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and will smite thee,….that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

David was not meant to be there…..he was sent on a simple errand, and came into these circumstances unexpectedly…..yet he did not see Goliath as a giant….but as a uncircumcised Philistine that was hindering God’s Will.

        And he knew that anything that hindered God’s Will could be overcome….

….and as soon as he realized how….or the means (the sling, and the rocks)….

….then he was ready to stand and do it.

Children, when they come into unexpected circumstances,  often withdraw….or run ahead blindly….

….but when we begin to grow up,  then we see all our circumstances as opportunities to serve the Lord….and find out how.

And the last example about growing up is:  To Continue

2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,  knowing of Whom thou hast learned them;

        And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation though faith which is in Christ Jesus.

        All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,  for reproof,  for correction,  for instruction in righteousness.

        That the man of God may be perfect (complete, grown up),  throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Paul was writing Timothy about “perilous times”…..about times when many will be “lovers of their own selves, covetous,…unthankful to God, unholy” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

About trouble that will come…..”Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12)…

And he told Timothy, “my dearly beloved son” in the faith…..to continue…to stay the course…..in all that he had learned from God…..from the Holy Scriptures.

The Word of God has every situation in it…..enemies,  lies,  hypocrisy and false friends,  joy,  instruction for being born again……and the way into sanctification….

…..it has examples of depression, and of overcoming….

…..it has laid out before us,  the road Jesus took while He was here….and we are told by Peter to “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21-23)….

In the Word,  Timothy was to continue….and all who would grow up into Christ, our head, must continue….must stay the course laid out for us in the Bible.

Each of these examples….Joshua, David, and Timothy were younger men.   They were men that had come to know God,  early.

(And we should all be praying for our children…..those who are dear to us, and this generation in our country….that they may come to know Christ Jesus the Lord as their Lord and Savior….and grow in Him.)

Yet, each had to grow in grace and the knowledge of God….into their respective  lives and ministries.

They had to grow up.

So do we…..

……each of us must face our responsibilities as servants of God….and persevere with courage…..

…..in unexpected situations, we are to see things in comparison to Him and His might…..and find out what we are to do there…..

……and we are to continue in the Holy Scriptures…..seeking out all that He would tell us,  teach us, and help us,  with them.

Peter, who knew failure,  wrote in his last letter….

2 Peter 3:17-18 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,  beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

        But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

So let us “beware!”  (It is if he is shouting down the ages of the church)…

…”beware lest ye also” (yes, that is us)…”fall from your own steadfastness”…

“But grow in grace”…..we need to grow up in Him.

Our minds

Philippians 2:1-5 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

True conformity to Christ is a love relationship….and never truly done, until done out of love.
(“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19)

All these verses in Philippians is about our “mindset” in the days in which we live.
The world says….”assert yourself. You will never get ahead, or be successful unless you put yourself as number one.”

But Christ put aside His glory and “humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death,” that we might be brought back to God.

Romans 15:5-7 “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

And in these verses, we are exhorted to be of the same mind….to seek the good and peace of God for others,….in our home, in our church, and in the world (for they are moving at a fast pace toward Hell)

Jude 21-23 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Notice both verses begin with us in Christ’s love and mercy…for ourselves. Then we can be sharers of that love and mercy)
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

We can do no one any good, if we are not holy (sanctified, or set aside to God and His work)
This holiness is not imputed holiness….it is acquired holiness.
Our natural selves….must be transformed to the spiritual. It is personal and practical holiness,…
…which is not attained by standing….but by an earnest, diligent, persistent pursuit after Christ’s mind in all things.

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

To fail of the grace of God….which is the unmerited favor of power, or the ability which God gives us.
How can that possibly happen?
It happens when we fail to use the grace we already have. Grace is given us, that we might be enabled to receive more grace….in order that we might do the required Will of God.
John 1:16 “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

Our lives in Christ is all of God, but it is to be attained by us, in our everyday circumstances….

Hebrews 12:28 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

Let us have grace, indeed!
Let us do just that! Use this grace to acquire more. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
For this is required at our hands, as His children. Let us love Him. Let us serve God with reverence and godly fear….
Hebrews 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”

We can become zealous (Rev.3:19)……boiling hot, here….or we can, when we face the Judgment Seat of Christ….see our works of self burnt up (1 Cor.3:13-15).

God is a consuming fire, and He will “burn up” our works of our self-life here, with our cooperation….or there,…”he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Let us have the mind of Christ and humble ourselves, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind. He humbled Himself for us….will we humble ourselves for Him?

For by grace are ye saved

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God: 

          Not of works,  lest any man should boast.

          For we are His workmanship,  created in Christ Jesus unto good works,  which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This is surely,  the testimony of Saul,  who would become Paul.

Yet he was not a man who sought out the truth….but he was an enemy….relentless in his hatred of “this Way”….who found grace from the Lord of this Way.

Saul, a self-righteous Pharisee….a man determined to seek out and destroy all who believed in Jesus of Nazareth…

…yet, his testimony was….

“Touching the righteousness of the law, blameless”.  

In all things concerning his love of his religion, and his good character….his zeal for God….that God was the true God…

…he was righteous.

         Yet he was fighting against God,…..and knew it not.

Saul had “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:3), “committed them to prison”.

But their blood was not enough….”yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1)…..

….so he took his campaign of destruction to Damascus.

Till…”suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:” (Acts 9:3)

(Later, Saul/Paul would give this testimony:

1 Timothy 1:16 “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,  that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering,  for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”

Saul/Paul was really the preacher of the grace of God.

Grace is God’s uplifting and sustaining power given to sinners, through the merits of Christ.        “By grace are we saved”….it is the unmerited favor of power.

Saul had made his own “light” out of his knowledge of the law, and his zeal for it….there are many instances of God as light in the scriptures….and that knowledge is light….

…but he was refusing the Light God had showed him of Jesus of Nazareth as His Son……as Lord and Christ.

….until God knocked him down by light.   God made him bow….but what would he do after?

Voluntarily submit or continue in blind darkness?

(How much light do we need to see, before we acknowledge God’s Will?)

The conversation is remarkable:

Saul is on his knees, practically holding his breath,….wondering…

….and God repeats his name twice….”Saul, Saul”…showing him how hard of hearing he was…..

“Why persecutest thou Me?”    

Though there is acknowledgement of a wrong (he felt it clear through him)…

……yet he did not know “Who” was judging him in His light.

“Who art Thou, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, Whom thou persecutest”…..Saul knew that name….he had caused many to blaspheme that name,…or die for it…..

…but now he is made to bow to Him….”a light above the brightness of the sun” (Acts 26:13)

In that Light,  by Jesus Voice,….Saul is made to see that he had been fighting against Jesus….not just his believers.

And that he was blood-guilty…..he had sinned….and what a sinner he was!  A murderer.

“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”.  Jesus shows him the many times He had “pricked” his spirit with the light of the works of the Holy Spirit….had “pricked” his mind with the truth.

And Saul trembles (Acts 9:6)…..

…he is astonished.   His mind is whirling….he should have known….he should have seen…..what has he done!

How much blood is on his hands!

What will this Jesus do to him,….

What could he do,….what could he say….he was guilty…

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”

Grace is God’s uplifting and sustaining power given to sinners, through the merits of Christ.        “By grace are we saved”

And the great change by our salvation, is worked on our will,….

….and shows (evidences) itself in the subjection of our will to Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

He has been made to bow,…..made to see the Light….made to see himself as a sinner….

….but now grace bows his heart….”Lord,    What wilt Thou have me to do?”

“Lord, what can I possible do to get this terrible blood-guiltiness forgiven?   What can I do to amend my life?”

What Jesus says here is amazing….and worthy to note.

The real battle was over…..Saul, bowed to Jesus Christ, now, of his own free will.

So Christ Jesus speaks now to his servant….”Arise,   Go,  and it will be told you.”

“Leave your life now in My hands….My grace….My light….

….I will lead you from now on.”     And Saul obeys, but is blind, needing help to get there.

Grace has been offered….and received.

For three days (number of resurrection)…..in blindness,  Saul prays.   He is shut up  unto complete dependence upon Christ to finish what He started with him on the road to Damascus.

The Lord sends a believer to him to pray for him…..the mighty persecutor, turned brother/believer in Christ,….waiting, waiting,…for a prayer by a simple fellow believer.

(No wonder Paul’s epistles exclaim the beauty of the body of Christ….each believer in their place,  doing their job….for God, and for each other.)

Saul’s sight restored…..

….the grace that saved Saul…..empowers him to immediately go into the synagogue and preaches Christ….as the Son of God.

This is a title of authority, and power.  And Saul preaches Him to all who would hear of the mighty grace from God’s Son to us.

Saul / Paul’s testimony, from that time on:

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 “And I, brethren,  when I came to you,  came not with excellency of speech or with wisdom,    declaring unto you the testimony of God.

        For I determined not to know anything among you,  save Jesus Christ,  and Him crucified.

           

1 Timothy 1:12-15 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,  Who hath enabled me,  for that He counted me worthy, putting me into the ministry;

         Who was before a blasphemer,  and a persecutor,  and injurious:  but I obtained mercy,  because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

         And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

         This is a faithful saying,  and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;  of whom I am chief.”

Saul/Paul’s dependence, from that time on,…..was not on anything,  or anyone…..but Christ Jesus….”Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”(Galatians 2:20)

Are we depending upon Christ and His grace for us alone?

Behold!    I Stand! 

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at He 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.”

(We sometimes picture this as Christ standing at the heart’s door of a sinner…..knocking and calling….so they will open their lives to Him in salvation.

But Jesus is standing at the church’s door…..knocking.    

For He is outside His own church, in Laodicea……and they are not aware of it…..nor of the cause, in themselves.)

I will come into him and sup with him and he with Me.

      This “sup” in the original, means fellowship.

I will fellowship with him, and he  with Me.

“Can two walk together except they be agreed?…”. (Amos 3:3)

       This also sets forth fellowship.   

Creature before the Creator.   When the creature acknowledges his creatureliness….his utter dependence upon God for every thing….then he is ready for fellowship with his Creator.

(That was one of the temptations for Eve…..”you will be as gods”….

……”you won’t be a mere creature,  no!  you will be like God….and do what you want!” 

And  that temptation brought about their sin.)

Revelation 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of Me  gold tried in the fire,  that thou mayest be rich; and white rainment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;  and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve,  that thou mayest see.”

(Many years ago, I used to read this and think that the Lord was just giving us good advice…..”I counsel thee”.

      But no,  Christ Jesus, is as our counselor, lawyer before the Court of Heaven.   He knows the Judge and what the Judge expects….and therefore tells us what we should do,  to stand in good stead with the Judge.)

       Gold in scripture speaks of God….we need to get God back into our whole lives….by obedience to Him.

It is the creature (us) taking on the character of the Creator….that He might be seen in us…..instead of our own good opinion.

       2 Peter 1:6 “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”

Or… God-likeness.    Not in HIs divinity and power….but in His character.

       “White rainment”.   All the garments of self-will…will be consumed at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

        Nakedness was what Adam and Eve realized when they had sinned.   God clothes us with the righteousness of Christ…..but are we showing His righteousness every day by our obedience to Him?

       God has plainly told me to act like the person He has made me…..not like the old me,  but like the new creature in Christ.

       Sometimes, as Christians,  I think we put off Christ and put on the old man….yet,….”but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)

…..and Christ counsels us to put on Christ….and keep ourselves in His Will.

And anoint thy eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see”.

          We are to buy gold from Him,   We are to buy the white rainment from Him…..but it does not say that we are to buy the eye-salve.

No,  we are to use it….we are to anoint our own eyes with honesty….the eye-salve of God.   

          Whenever we face the Truth about ourselves….as the creature, before the Creator……the Truth given us by the scriptures or by His Holy Spirit….then His grace (the unmerited favor of power) will be applied.  

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

This is an act of our will….to get honest with God….and see.

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

            Cleanseth is in the present tense…..which takes in past, present, and future sins.

             But walking in the light implies obedience….not sinless perfection….but believing obedience.

Psalms 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:  Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever:  forsake not the works of Thy own hands.”

The Lord will perfect….complete…His work in me….praise God for His mercy!

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

He is not going to stop working in us…..that we might walk in His character through this world….doing the works He has given us to do.

He is going to keep knocking…..keep speaking…..

Do we want that fellowship with Him, which requires us  to put off our old man….and put on Christ?

To be Saved,  Spirit,  Soul, and Body 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

He is faithful….this is a wonderful name of our Lord Jesus.

Faithful here means to be trustworthy….like a parent who builds us up…we can trust ourselves to Him….and His guidance….for He wants the best for us.

All He does, is with the view in mind, to make us….and give us…all He has for us.

While we are body, soul, and spirit (this is the way we see ourselves,….

……although you will note: that He says spirit, soul and body)……we can not really separate one from the other….

What we feel in our emotions….we often show on our faces.    What we think, we often express in words.

But there is a complete salvation:  spirit, soul, and body.

We are body, soul and spirit….even when we are lost.  Our spirit is darkened, and we are alone.

But when we are born again….the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit,…comes into our spirit….and implants a new nature….God’s nature;  and gives us faith, and grace.

Then, everything changes.

Before we lived from the outward in….

…..things influencing us from our bodies:  

what we see,  what we hear,  what we smell, what we feel….all influence our souls…..and our soul’s reaction to them.

(Our souls are our minds….thoughts and reasons;   Our hearts….emotions and affections;   Our wills….which is the action part of us….for what we will, we do.)

But when we are born again,  we live from the inside out:

The Holy Spirit, in our spirit….which is now enlightened and empowered by faith and grace….

….presses against our souls….our minds,  our hearts affection and emotion, and our wills…

….to work out His Will and Word to us.

This “working out” changes our character into the character of Christ.

For God has placed within us a new nature…..a new disposition.

And we express our character through our bodies.

We are drawn to the things of God….we are interested in His Word….we are desirous of fellowship with others who love the Lord.

Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved,  as ye have always obeyed,  not as in my presence only,  but now much more in my absence,  work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

              For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

This working out is from the spirit to the body….because of the Atonement of Christ….

Because of what Christ did….and Who He is to us (our Lord and Savior)….we can claim the full salvation of us.

He saves us spiritually,  when we are born again.

        He is faithful….He will never let us go….nor let any pluck us from His hand.

        John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life;  and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

        Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me,  saying,  Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:  therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

He saves our souls,….our minds from the world’s thoughts and opinions;  our hearts from inordinate affections,  and our wills from stubbornness and going our own way…

……as we yield to the Holy Spirit’s authority over our lives.

        First, in denying our self life, our habits, our opinions, our plans, our associates….(all of this is taking away the old….putting off)

Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another,  seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds,”

        

       Second, by taking on the character of Christ…by using the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)….that the Holy Spirit works within us (remember, now that we are born again,  we grow from inward to outward….yet all of us is saved)

Love,….when we would prefer not to 

(and love is in the active noun….not some nice, sweet, thought that never transfers to work)

Joy, which is the Presence of God in my life….even amid trials and tribulations.

Patience, when we would normally get frustrated…or run ahead.

Peace, when we would normally be in turmoil.

Yes, these and all the rest….can….will….be worked in our spirits, then our characters……through our bodies….by the Holy Spirit of God!

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God,  and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Do I pay any attention that my body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost?….the place where He is working?

Or do I think of Him as “a Roomer”;  one which has a room in my house, but that is all?

When Jesus Christ came to earth,….very God and very man….He was filled with the Holy Spirit,……

….because that is what we need….and He was an example in all things.

After that, every day was a day to work, to teach, to witness, to rebuke, to heal…

….yet everyday was filled with the ordinary things of walking, talking, eating, and praying.

His life was the template of the life God has for us….

…are we ready to be saved….spirit,….soul,…and body….and manifest Christ’s character through us?

Hope

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).”

There are only three attributes here. But why is hope included among them?

For these three are the foundational attributes of any Christian. Like the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow….they combine in our lives to manifest the many varieties of beauty in Christ’s character.

These are all given to us by God….that is important for us to understand, for though we must….yes, must….use them to manifest them; still they are gifts to us from God.

Faith is brought to us by the Holy Spirit, at new birth. It sees God, and gives substance to Him in our lives. We know God is in charge….we know God is Almighty….we know God sees us, and cares for us…and our.

Charity (love) is God’s gift to us….for we love Him, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) The supply of love we have to use comes from God….for He is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

Hope,…. and I have put this last, although it is second in the text….because this is what this post is about.

Hope is of the Holy Spirit, and it is that confident expectation that God will do what He says.

(Faith looks to God, Hope hangs on to God’s Word, and Charity [love] manifests God’s willingness to see to us for now, and all eternity. These are the foundation of attributes that yield the fruit of the Spirit and good works. Gal. 5:22-23)

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Here again we see the three foundational gifts of…faith, hope, and love….in our life as Christians…having been born again.

Hope then is an extremely important gift. As Paul says:
Romans 8:24-25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

This “saved by hope” here is the salvation or sanctification from our self life…to God’s life in us (Matt. 16:24-25). We are saved from our own emotions and thoughts, because we hang on to God’s Word about this situation, promise, or person……and wait for it.

At the end of Romans, Paul prayed to God for these Christians, as the God of hope:
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Again, let me say that hope is a foundation that leads to other characteristics of God in us. We never will have the “peace that passes understanding”….or “the joy of our Lord is our strength”,…without hope.

Hebrews 6:17-20 “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

Simply said, God wanted us, as His heirs of promise, to be established (anchored) in His Word about HIs Son, Jesus Christ….Who has entered “within the veil” with His own blood, and secured a place “in Christ” for us! (notice the wording: “God, willing more abundantly”....How overflowing His care for us!

“We might have a strong consolation”….not just know about it, but be wrapped up and upheld in Him!
“Sure and stedfast”…this sure is safe, secure…and steadfast is stable, something you can really stand on in assurance!)

Hope is all of the Holy Spirit….working in us to hang on to God’s Word, and patiently wait for the fulfillment of it. It will assuredly happen.

In the Old Testament, the Book of Psalms is an experience book. It sets for in poetry and song the experiences of David and others…with God. Of course there is praise….and confession…for both of these are in our experience with God.
Twenty-two times “hope” is used. They hoped in God, because of His Word about Christ coming, and about themselves before Him.

Psalm 38:15 “For in Thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”

In the New Testament, the Book of Romans sets forth the excellency of faith in Christ. Fourteen times “hope” is used.

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Hope leads us to follow our Lord wherever He leads….dropping all else, and leaning against Him for our all.

1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”

Faith, hope and charity (love)….is our foundation from the Holy Spirit. Let us look to Christ,….let us hang on to His Word, and patiently wait for it,for He will fulfill….and let us receive His love, and let it flow through us to others.

O Taste and See

Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

When you taste things…you experience them…you know them….you have them.

You can know about the Lord….

But to really have the experience that the Lord is good….is to taste.

Our taste, is a very sensitive faculty (unless it has been compromised).

It lets us know things….salty, sweet, bitter, savory….

It brings to mind memories….my Grandma  teaching me to slurp the vinegar in the pickles she made….”it’s good for you!”….and I have loved the sour vinegar taste ever since!  And it reminds me of her, every time.

It lets us know whether things are “good” or “spoiled”.

Our taste was given to us so we can discriminate between one thing and another.

And we can only “taste”, for ourselves….not for another.

So David says…..”Taste and see that the Lord is good”.

David says….”I have tasted….but I can not even begin to explain or show you how good the Lord is.  

I can tell you what He did for me…..but you must come and experience Him and His goodness,  for yourself….so come and taste”

The Lord said to my husband once,  that the people he was preaching to were getting a banquet….a feast of His Word…in the Bible study we were having (I certainly was!)…..

…..but though they were coming…and listening…..

…when it came to “tasting” the good…..they were settling for just a sandwich….

….and going away….instead of the feast the Lord had for them.

There are some spiritual truths,  that you can not truly know….without experiencing them for yourself.

Being born again is just such a doctrine….unless you come to Christ Jesus and receive Him into your heart….and know the forgiveness of your sins….you are not born again.

So is deliverance from our besetting sins (Hebrews 12:2), or self-sins…

The verses He showed me….might encourage you…..but not touch the soft spot of your heart’s rebellion….

….and so do nothing for you.

The Lord is “good”.   The word here is “sweet”….like honey.

Yet the sweetness of the Lord is only for those who will come and experience it.

(The Song of Solomon is a book of experience:  it tells of the believers desire to go further with the Lord.   To know the sweetness of Him in personal fellowship and the walking  together in our life.   

Song of Solomon 1:2-4, all speak of this desire….

“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth;”…

….and then compares that communion, with taste….

“for Thy love is better than wine.”)

We must make the blessings of His grace (the unmerited favor of power) our own.

        We know His grace in salvation….”For by grace are ye saved….” (Ephesians 2:8)

But there are graces given us day by day….which we need to “taste and see”….and we will not “see” them in our lives, if we will not use them.

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;  that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,  may abound to every good work:”

“All grace”…..all the different graces we need….strength, peace, knowledge, joy, power to do…….all the enablement we should have….

….And these we need to use….day by day.

1 Peter 2:3 “If so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

O taste….(for yourself)….and see…(with eyes that are really opened to Him)…..that the Lord is good.

He is….do you know Him so?

Hold Thou me up 

Psalm 119:114-117 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield:  I hope in Thy Word.

           Depart from me,  ye evil doers:   For I will keep the commandments of my God.

           Uphold me according to Thy Word,  that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

           Hold Thou me up,  and I shall be safe:  and I will have respect unto Thy statues continually.”

This is a prayer for the keeping power of God to “uphold”, or “hold Thou me up”….in the position that I have obtained through the Holy Spirit.

“There are so many enemies….within me, and temptations in this world….hold on to me, Lord Jesus.

I do not want to fear,….hold on to my peace.

I do not want to be angry,….hold on to my love.

I do not want to go my own way….hold me up by Your Word.”

Christ Jesus taught us to pray:  “Lead us not into temptation”.   For temptation is dangerous…though we do not often see it’s poison…..

….but dangerous situations call for extra watchfulness and prayers to our God, that He would stretch out His right hand….and help us.

This may not be immediate deliverance;….but His hand…holding us up…out of the mire of this world….

….the attitudes and emotions…the love of money or power…the misery and sorrow of failures (and who does not have them?)…or ingratitude.

Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,  saying unto thee,  Fear not;  I will help thee.”

Psalm 17:5 “Hold up my goings in Thy paths,  that my footsteps slip not.”

He helps us “hold fast” in His paths….those that are shown us in His Word.

We can not keep from sin, unless we keep to His Word.

Psalm 17:4 “Concerning the works of men,  by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”

When temptations are about…when the world’s siren call comes….and the devil tricks….

…..then we must pray…..hold Thou me up in Thy Word…..

….give me understanding to know….and grace to do……so that we may hold out against these temptations…and find His “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The Word is what Jesus used, when He was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:4, 8, 12)

He could have easily used His deity to defeat the devil….

…..but instead….showed us the weapon we should use, when under attack….”It is written”…the Word of God.

The Word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17)….for it is by His reminding us of His Word….and by His power through it…that it is effectual for us….against our enemies…now.

(A few verses that have helped me:

    1). Romans 14:22 “Hast thou faith?  Have it to thyself before God.  Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing that he alloweth.”

What we know we should not do…..we should not do, that our conscience stays yielding to the Holy Spirit.

    2). 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort:

           Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Our testimonies about what God has done for us….though they seem little to us…carry a great deal of weight with the Holy Spirit….they are reality…and He blesses them.

3).  Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Each day brings things we never expected….so be prepared in the Lord…by prayer, before you begin the day.

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

Praise God for this….and I ask for it often….”work in me, Lord”…..it is both:  to will….for I am sometimes “unwilling” in this thing.   And to do….for I am often lazy in this thing.  

5).  Colossians 3:15-16 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts….and be ye thankful.

            Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;…”

We must yield and stand upon His peace,……and HIs Word must be listened to.

6).  1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love;  and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

In how many scriptures does God call us to stand with Him….in light….in this world?

7). 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

We are to be before Him at all times,  wherever we are….then our whole life is in an attitude of pray.

8). Jude 21  “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

One of my favorites…..anytime you think you are drifting from God….pull yourself back….To the one constant in your life….God’s love of us…..even when we are quite unloveable.  It is like walking in the sunny side of the street!)

The Psalmist says:

Hold Thou me up…..and I shall be safe…

…my own learning,  or experience,  or skill will not help in times of temptation…..for we are only tempted by something our hearts are interested in.

James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lusts, and enticed.”

(Lust is….I want this…and I want it now….whatever this is.)

But Christ Jesus has made a way to escape temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “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.”

Ps 119:114-117 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield:  I hope in Thy Word.

           Depart from me,  ye evil doers:   For I will keep the commandments of my God.

           Uphold me according to Thy Word,  that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

           Hold Thou me up,  and I shall be safe:  and I will have respect unto Thy statues continually.”

In His hands we are safe….He holds us up….He is our hiding place….His Word guides and enlightens us….and His Holy Spirit empowers us.   

Hallelujah,  What a Savior!

   

Mightily Grew the Word and Prevailed 

Acts 19:20 “So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed.”

Prevailed here, means…had a force or power in the lives of those that heard.

And how is it, that the Word grew?

Background:

Paul was in Ephesus.  He had been preaching there for about two years….”so that all they that dwell in Asia (Minor) heard the Word of the Lord Jesus…”   

He had also, by the Holy Spirit, worked miracles.

Acts 19:10-12 “And this continued by the space of two years;  so that all they that dwell in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus,  both Jews and Greeks.

             And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

             So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them,  and the evil spirits went out of them.”

When we hear the Word…it makes demands on our life;  which we either yield to, or refuse. 

All, in this area, had heard….God was making demands on their lives about His Son, Jesus Christ…

And by Paul, the Lord was healing many from spiritual and physical illness.

Paul not only preached the Word of God, concerning Jesus Christ,….but that Word had prevailed in Paul….so it could prevail,  through Paul.

But when God does a work,  then there are always those that seek to mimic it, especially for money…..some were even using the names of Jesus and Paul…

Acts 19:13, 15-16, 20 “Then certain…took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying,  We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

               And the evil spirit answered and said,  Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

               And the man in whom the evil spirit was  leaped on them and overcame them….so they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

              This was known to all….dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

              So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.”

The Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified….for God showed that though He will honor His Name,…… He will not honor those who only seek to use It for their gain.

His Name is powerful only to those who shelter beneath Him, in believing obedience.

The Word of God is the instrument of salvation.

1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again,  not of corruptible seed,  but of incorruptible,  by the Word of God,  which liveth and abideth forever.”

Now this Word lives and abides.

      If it is not a living Word to you,  you have not heard it aright.

      If the Word does not make demands on your life, you have not heard it aright.

The gospel must wound, before it can heal.   

It wounds our pride:  for we are sinners, like everyone else.

It wounds our reason:  we can do nothing to save ourselves.

It wounds our hearts:  it points out our secret sins.

“And the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified”.   

Here was the prevailing influence.   He showed that He would honor His obedient servants…..

……but not those who did not know Him, and only wanted to use Him (Matthew 7:21)

“And fear fell on them all”….the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….and it drew many to hear the Word…..believe on the Lord Jesus,…..

…..for it amazed them that Jesus Christ knew their heart’s  motives,   as well as their words.

Acts 19:18-19 “And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.

                  Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

And many that believed came and confessed…

God requires honesty….getting right with Him….and when necessary,   your brethren.

And showed their deeds,….to know the healing power of forgiveness from these things.

Acts 19:19 “…and burned them before all men:…”

This was an act most necessary to have done with it all.

And the results?

Acts 19:20 “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

God’s Word was being shared….neighbor was telling neighbor…..and it was having the victory in the lives of these people.

Do we want to know the power of the Word of God? 

Then we must give ourselves to God….to be prevailed upon.

If we, in believing obedience act upon what I know He requires of me now….I will  know that prevailing  power for myself.

There is for each of us that believe on Christ Jesus…..that power that is “exceeding, abundantly,  above all that we ask or think….according to the power that works within us”.  (Ephesians 5:20)

Are we born again?  Are we sheltered under Him, and obedient to His Word?

Then that Word will prevail in us…..and through us.

It is in knowing His Will, and doing it.    

And as His children,……we are as responsible to know His Will,….as to do it.

In our progressive walk before the Lord, we must always leave the better…..for the best.

This must always be done if the Word of God is to prevail through me…..it must prevail in me….where I am….with the circumstances I am in now.