A more excellent Way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
Love to God is that more excellent way. We should love Him, for He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Where serving the Lord Jesus Christ is concerned, this is a more excellent way:
1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”

Though I could speak in every language of this earth; proclaiming the gospel far and wide.
And if I could testify of the gospel story in angels language:
If love for Jesus is not the motivation for all that talk…
It would be just so much noise.
Loud noise; “sounding brass” like trumpets. “How great!” man will say; but to God it would be just noise.
Soft noise; “tinkling cymbal” like the end of a orchestra piece. Empty and just noise.

1 Corinthians 13:2 “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, I am nothing.”

This is the one that used to shake me up. I am a preacher; and I study a lot. I would say I know a lot…but all of that would be useless if I don’t get this knowledge, so I know Jesus, the lover of my soul, more.

And faith to remove mountains; that’s something that everyone wants….but without love to Jesus as our motive; we will be nothing. (Remember Paul was writing this; and he had great knowledge, and understood many mysteries.)
But Paul also understood, that to do for God, without love to God; is to really doing for a reward from God. Which is another way of saying, you are doing it for you.

1 Corinthians 13:3 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

If I give all my possessions to God’s work of feeding the poor; and if I die a martyr’s death: burned at the stake, as many down through the ages have.
Though it cost me everything, as well as my life; if love for Jesus is not the compelling factor, then it profits me nothing.
I am none the better, for eternity, for it.

1 Corinthians 12:31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
The “more excellent way” is to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The first and greatest commandment.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ” And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
To truly love God is the greatest work, greatest gift, greatest sound we can do.

Stand ye in the Ways
Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

Jeremiah was called to a time, like ours, where much religion was going on; but very little obedience to God. They had all the outward trappings, but none of the devotion to God and His commandments.

Under King Josiah, who was a godly king; Jeremiah was given the job of going about Judah and instructing the people in the laws of God.
Many did not want to hear, for they had been influenced by the idolatrous nations round about them; and refused subjection to the Lord, although they went along with the outward ceremony.
Jeremiah 2:13
“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living water, and hewed them our cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Then he was told to go to Jerusalem and preach there…telling the people what God would do, if they would repent and turn back in obedience to Him.
He would forgive and help them:

Jeremiah 7:5-7″For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;
If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.”
For what God wanted of His people was that they obey His commands.

“Stand ye in the ways”. In the Hebrew it means “Get up and do it”
Start actively seeking My ways. If you just do this seeking, you are serving your God and honoring Him. This I will count, and will honor you in return.

And ask for the old paths: The path which leads you to straighten out your life, and the path of obedience to His Word.
God has made a way to return to Him…..take it.

How was it with those who came before us? Who martyred their lives for God and his gospel? From the apostles to our forefathers?
How did they attain to what they had?
Through the Word of God to them.
We must seek out the truth of the Scriptures for ourselves: What does it say to us?
For now? For our calling and ministry?

As Jeremiah said to Judah:
Jeremiah 7:23 “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

Obey My voice….and I will be your God….and ye shall be My people.
Jesus said the same thing when He was talking to His disciples, before He went to the cross.
John 15:10″ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
His disciples did, and they stirred the whole world.

Get your life in order before Me. Honor Me in this; and I will honor your obedience, in your life, and for you.

God speaks through His Word: Hear Him, and return to the ways of peace.

Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
This is God speaking to his prophet about Israel; His own people.

Can He say the same about us? Are we trying to walk with God, without bringing ourselves into that “agreement” with Him.
Maybe, in general, you agree with God. But do you agree with the way He is bringing His will to pass in your life?
Do you agree with the circumstances you are having to pass through?

If not, and you wonder why. You have tried, but you know it is nowhere near an “agreement” between you and the Lord, then hear this, and see if this does not answer the “Why?”

Romans 10:3 “For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God”
“Have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Paul is speaking here of the Israelites, God’s chosen people, having a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge….being brought face to face with God in Christ, rejected that knowledge and God.
Christ was not what they expected; they wanted a different kind of Messiah. So, they rejected the knowledge of His coming to them.
(Notice they even rejected the power to heal them: Luke 5:17 “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” But not one of them were healed; only a palsied man whose friends brought him.)

Don’t we at times reject the way God wants us to go? And then being brought face to face with God’s will, that way; we, in some way, refuse it.

We want God’s will. But just not that way, or with these people, or at this time.
Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Well, if this describes you; even sometimes, then hear what Paul says:
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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.”

The term “reasonable service” should give us a clue: for we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. And when you do, you will prove that the will of God is good, and acceptable, and perfect for you.

You begin this by presenting your bodies to God, the Holy Spirit.
He indwells every Christian. But you do this is a special way, for you’re giving Him control in your life.
As much as Christ gave over control to God in the garden, for the sacrifice He was going to make. So we do the same. We give the Holy Spirit control: “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

Then we are to stay away from conformity to the world’s system. That is stated in:
1 John 1:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Lust here is desire. What we desire in our flesh….perhaps to lose our double chin or have that large burger with a half pound of bacon. These are desires that would please our flesh.
That would not add honor to God, but would just please ourselves.

What we desire with our eyes. Eve started this with a look a the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. It looked so good.
So does the newest movie star, or that car, or that job.

And what we desire to make us a “Someone”. Whether by ability, fame, wealth, or notoriety. (Pride is the sin which caused Lucifer to become the Devil. Isaiah 14:12-15)
We are to stay away from these things, for they are of the world.

We are to renew our mind: Col.3:9-10, Eph.4:22-24, Titus 3:5 All talk of putting off the old man, and by the Holy Spirit, being renewed, by putting on the new man.

The new man is the “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. (Col. 1:27)
That means we are to use the faith given us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit within us, and to live as Christ did:
Loving our Heavenly Father, and doing His will;
Loving the brethren and seeking their good.
Telling the world of God’s will and way.

We can walk with Christ, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and His Word, everyday.
Will we “agree” with Him?

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

It was not always so.

Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:
Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.
The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church. James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Armor of Proof
Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”
Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

We are to put on the whole armor of God; to stand, that we might withstand, in order to stand.
Stand in this military context, means “to hold the ground given”. In other words, we are to hold the ground Christ bought and paid for; and has given us (individually) to stand on.
To withstand means to resist or oppose. We are to resist or oppose evil, that we might continue to stand on the ground Christ has given us.

If we do not resist evil, we are part of it. For as Christ said:
Matthew 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

Our armor of proof is not so many imaginary pieces, but real, spiritual, helps; that we might stand in the evil day.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,..”
We first need truth. It is pictured as surrounding us, as protection. And Jesus again said:
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
As we let the word of God surround us in our everyday life; it will be like armor to our soul. Nothing will be able to get in that is not according to His will, for we know His Word. (This is not the offensive weapon of our sword, but defensive knowledge)

Ephesians 6:14 “…and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
There is the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us; which makes us righteous before God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”)
We can come before God in boldness (Hebrews 4:16) because of His righteousness.

But there is also the righteousness we are to do: Romans 6:16, 19 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness?”
“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.”

To put on the breastplate of righteousness, we need to be sure we are born again; and then yield our members to obedience.

The term here “having” for both of these suggests the thought: “Will you have it?”
For these are the beginning of our protection. And we can not stand without truth and righteousness.

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
We need peace to stand on. The peace that passeth all understanding.(Philippians 4:7) keeps us in all sorts of circumstances. The storm may blow, but we are at peace.

And when we have experienced this for ourselves, our feet are shod, and we are able to stand firm , no matter the storm.

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Faith is that amazing gift of the Holy Spirit, that delivers us in times of doubt (Hebrews 4:1-2), in times of temptation from the world (1 John 5:4), and here it states that it keeps us from the accusations and suggestions of the devil.
It will “shield” us by covering the mind with Light to see these “darts” as they really are.
It will “shield” us by covering our heart with Love, God’s love for us.
It will “shield” us by covering our walk with the knowledge of God’s forgiveness, and power.
Remember, this piece is movable…for faith covers all of us.

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation,…”
“Take” implies use.
Take the knowledge of your salvation to keep you from sin:
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.”

Our salvation can protect our mind:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Ephesians 6:17 “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
This and all-prayer are our offensive weapons. All the rest are defensive. For we don’t go out to conqueror; but we are standing, holding ground that Christ has already won.
But when attacked, we need to defend ourselves. And the best offense is: God’s Word given to you at the time of attack by the Holy Spirit. (It suits what the devil is suggesting, or accusing; taking the influence of that attack away.)
Then God’s power is there, for you, too.
James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.”

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

We are to pray always (1 Thess. 5:17)
Jude 20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”
Prayer is our life line to direction, comfort, correction, everything we need.
This kind of prayer is “in the Spirit”.
Both of the offensive weapons are by direction of the Holy Spirit.
The sword of the Spirit, and prayer…in the Spirit.
He guides us into what to say to the attacks of the devil; And what to pray for, to get the help we need against these attacks….both for ourselves and for others.

I titled this Our Armor of Proof, because the Lord has provided these spiritual helps, He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and knowledge of our enemy’s wiles….and in our “Stand”, we need to prove them, for ourselves.
They are all we need to stand against the wiles of the devil….will we use them?

Disciples–Learners, and Friends.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come and learn of Him.
If we are born again, we know how to “Come”…for we did come to Him for Salvation.
To learn of Him is to stop thinking we already know…and to hear what He is saying.
A good example is the feeding of the five thousand.
The story is in all four gospels:
Matthew 14:15-21. (Verse 16) “But Jesus said unto them (His disciples), They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

Mark 6:35-44. (Verse 37) “He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?”

Luke 9:12-17. (Verse 13) “But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.”

John 6:5-13. (Verse 5-6) “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

In all the accounts, Jesus is healing and teaching the multitudes which followed Him into the desert place. He has compassion on them. For He sees them as sheep, not having a shepherd.
He has let the time pass, because He wants to teach His disciples a lesson.
First: In themselves they can do nothing. “Give ye them to eat.” Showed them that they couldn’t.
Second: If they give what He has blessed, and given them; there is enough and to spare. “Bring them (the loaves and fishes) hither to me….and looking up to heaven, he blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled:…”(Matthew 14:18-20)

Lessons from our Lord includes everything. From prayer (Luke 11:1-13), to strife among brethren (Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:34-35), to faith (Matthew 15:30-31, 17:20), and forgiveness (Matthew 1 9:21-35).
We are learners of Jesus:
Ephesians 4:20 “But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:”

All this comes down to; learning to walk with Him:
Amos 3:3 ” Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
As we lose our self-life, we must come to many agreements with Him. This is the learning process.
There must be an Absolute Surrender to Christ; For He must Reign. This is where we decide, once and for all, that we will follow Christ; wherever He leads.
But it is only by many deliberate acts of the will, that we make Him Lord of our lives, practically.
For it is only through our wills that we submit to His Lordship.
In each instance of obedience, our minds and hearts move the will to decide for Christ. This is another agreement made and another part of ourselves given to Christ to rule.

Friends:
John 15:15 “Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
These disciples had traveled a long way with Christ, and had determined to go on with Him, although He was hated by the Pharisees.

There is an old saying: “A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair”
And this is as true with Christ, as well as our other friends.

A man with God can be a majority of One in any situation.
Look at John, the disciple:
When Jesus’s time was come, He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.(John 18:1)
The eleven were with Him, but three of the eleven were closest to Him…Peter, James and John. When Judas and the band of soldiers which were to arrest Him, came; they all fled. Jesus had asked that His disciples be let go:
John 18:8 “Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:”

Mark 14:48-52 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.
And they all forsook him, and fled.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
And he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.”
This young man, I believe was John….but look what he did right after that.

John 18:15 “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”
Here he was allowed to go into the place of judgement….the high priest knew him. This could have been life threatening. But he went into the palace to be with Jesus.

And after they led Jesus away to Pilate? And to Golgotha? John was there also. None other disciple, but he was.
John 19:25-27 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to his disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
John was a young man; who had fled to save his life….but came back to follow Jesus, not only to find out what would happen to him, But to stand with Him, both in the place of judgement and death.

Friends. We, too, can be friends with Christ.
We can stand with Him, not that we won’t fail, but that we will seek Him and stand with Him, after we have.
A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair.

The Scribe Which Is Instructed Unto the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then HIS KINGDOM HAS COME ….WITH IN US.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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