[Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 NASB95] 8 The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. … 

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.“

Right in the midst of this beautiful garden were planted these two trees, one evidently holding life in its fruit, the other holding death. 

Access to all trees, every tree, was freely given…. BUT the caveat of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was its fruit would bring death. 

In Genesis 3 we see that man, in Eve, completely understood the truth of  the commandment had been spoken by YHWH (LORD, the I AM, God who will be whatever He needs to be in order to be faithful covenant/love) Elohim (God, the creator), as she is confronted by the father of lies in the garden.  Let us first note that all these trees God planted were pleasing to the sight and good for food (vs 2: 9). And then let us  ask: Just what was the attraction that made one take and eat and harvest death? 

[Genesis 3:1-6 NASB95] 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any (every)  tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make [one] wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

The lie was not bound up in it being a delight to the eye or tasty for food.  Eve indeed saw that, and that had already been established  by God from the beginning. But, God had also declared its fruit held death. So, again, what was the attraction? 

The father of lies said His (God’s) word is not true “You surely will not die”  and that lie was enhanced with giving the tree’s fruit an attribute that was evidently irresistible to man/her: a wisdom to be God or, at least,  very like Him.  “ you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”   The scripture says “the woman saw” as God had intended “it was a delight to the eyes”, and what He did not say or intend “AND that it was desirable to make wise…” This attribute was patently obvious by its very name “the knowledge of good and evil”.  But, buying the lie, and desiring to be God, she ignores that the knowledge inside the fruit also carried with it tasting death.

The interesting thing to consider is that in the full and free provision of the Garden was all that was needed to live well and eternally.

The tree of life was also there in the midst of the garden and accessible. 

I have shared with many before that both trees in the midst were accessible, but only this one carried with it a command with consequence. “you shall not eat,… for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.“  Concerning the tree of life He gave no command, beyond that of all the other trees of the garden:“From any tree of the garden you may eat freely.”    I believe that to be the case because the perfect cannot be commanded. 

He, God, was not looking for children who would come to Him only under the command of “Because, I said so!”, but children who would seek Him, be drawn to Him, and obey Him with submission gained by love.   In the tree of life, a type of Christ I think, was all that we needed pertaining to life eternal and Godliness; being like Him eternal in being and alive in Him without fear of death. 

It is an enigma, and somewhat (a great deal) ironic, that in the temptation and resulting drive/desire to be like God and have all knowledge, initiated by the lie, we paid a price that cost us what we desired.  By bringing sin by disobedience to His word/truth and its penalty, death, with it to ourselves, the result  made us absolutely nothing like a living and eternal God.  

The lie was established in “You surely will not die!”  However, there was some truth in the serpent’s statement  “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  But, that enhancement of the initial lie with a bit of truth held no life in it,  and certainly no blessing. In fact, it might be said that the desire aroused in seeing that fruit as desirable, in the quest to have the knowledge of good and evil outside of God’s purpose, has driven men to all kinds of hatred and depravity in a search to be wise in their own eyes and to be god unto themselves.  

God in omniscience knew this and made provision, truly out of love and in mercy,  to protect us from ourselves then guarded (not blocked) the way to the tree of life in the garden.  (Guarded, because He would later restore full access, as we shall see.)

[Genesis 3:22-24 NASB95] 22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever“– 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Romans 1 gives us a clearer picture of what functioning in a fallen state driven by a desire to be wise in our own eyes, designing and fashioning our own god(s), and by the knowledge of evil and lust for what we call, or mistakenly define, as life is like. 

[Romans 1:18-25 NASB95] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

I have offered only these verses from Romans 1, but I suggest you also peruse verses 26-32 for a very accurate description of our time and culture today that is described there by the suppression of the truth in unrighteousness. 

This passage is pertinent. Adam and Eve knew the truth, but suppressed it. God had made Himself known and evident to them.  But knowing Him, they still became futile in the speculation about who they could be and what they could know and do.  Professing and desiring to be wise they became fools and exchanged the glory of God in the tree of life for what was offered in the lie regarding knowledge and being like God.  And, although this passage outlines the worship of idols in wood and stone which men today may not prostrate themselves before literally.   They still worship the gods represented and embodied in those idols seeking sex, wealth, power, more knowledge, their intellect, and making themselves god (again see Romans 1:26-32), and would clone themselves into immortality if they could. In fact they are trying in many ways to do just that. 

Lest we dwell only on the tree that brought death, let us turn back to the tree of life (pun intended)!  

The tree of life was available from the beginning there in the garden.  I believe/think  the Lord’s desire was for man to come to it all along.  But, He was not going to force or command him to do so. Again, the perfect cannot be commanded or forced. It is chosen from love, and submission, in His Kingdom, is gained by love.  He draws us to Himself, He does not force us to love Him. To the degree you see/comprehend, understand the fullness of God’s love in Christ Jesus, to that same degree will you submit/bow the knee to His Lordship. That principle was working in the garden and still is.  If man had but come to the tree of life He would have found fullness of life and provision in intimate ongoing fellowship with God the Father right there. Obviously its fruit held not just life, but life eternal.  The tree of life was not blocked, but guarded, after the fall. Guarded so that,  by His mercy,  we might still find life eternal in the midst or His paradise and provision, in His fellowship, rather than in a fallen state enduring evil forever that would separate us from Him.  Jesus is the tree of life! He was that tree in the garden that makes eternal life in intimate and ongoing fellowship with the Father, and full provision in Him, available. By God’s mercy the tree Jesus died and shed His blood upon took away sin, death, and evil, that we might have life, and have life abundantly without evil, sin, and death in the world.

Peter encourages us in Jesus’ provision of all we need pertaining to life and godliness being in Him. And, that provision has lifted us out of the corruption that came into the world by our lust, if you will, for knowledge and to be like Him through our own devices.  In Jesus we become, finally, partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of the knowledge of good and evil, by and through the knowledge of Him. Knowledge that He alone reveals and draws us to by love. 

[2Peter 1:2-4 NASB95] 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of [the] divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust..

Oh how glorious was, and is, the plan of God to restore to us the tree of life in Jesus. And, by feeding on Him, to give us eternal life and make us “partakers” of His divine nature. 

To the church of Ephesus the Lord spoke in John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ that He knew of their work and perseverance/faithfulness and they did not tolerate evil men. But He chided them for leaving their first love. Then the Tree of Life shows up in Revelation for the first of several mentions.

It was in Genesis, it is in John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ as well:

[Revelation 2:7 NASB95] 7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

Notice that to those who overcome (in Jesus ) He will grant access to eat of the tree of life! The guard is removed and access to eat from the tree of life is restored!  And, note it is restored in the Paradise of God.   A place of comfort, beauty, pure intimate ongoing fellowship, and provision and without evil or death. The restoration of creation, the restoration of all things in the tree of life. 

Again, in Revelation, at the very end of the book the tree of life makes several appearances as the revelation of the restoration of relationship of God with His redeemed and beloved is outlined.  Revelation describes the Bride of the Lamb (the redeemed) as a beautiful city the New Jerusalem:  [Revelation 21:9-11 NASB95] 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 

And in Revelation 22 the tree of life is again integral in this restoration, and the fellowship the saints enjoy from it, and drawing near the throne and presence of He that loves us and has redeemed us in His purpose. 

[Revelation 22:1-5 NASB95] 1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve [kinds of] fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name [will be] on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be [any] night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

In verse 14 we see the tree of life, again unguarded, and that having the right/authority to access it also brings access to the city itself. You may enter the gates of the city to be inhabitants in His presence without guilt, or shame, but in the fullness of His redeeming and restorative love.   Those without righteousness robes in Christ have no access.  He is the tree of life and the key to access to inhabiting and being comfortable in the city of God’s glory and presence. 

[Revelation 22:14-15 NASB95] 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

Finally the Revelation of Jesus Christ ends with a warning about misleading anyone through taking away anything in this revelation. But, the good news implied here is that access to the tree of life is available, as is the holy city at the invitation of the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”

[Revelation 22:17-19 NASB95] 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

Jesus is the tree of life in Genesis, Jesus is the tree of life in Revelation.  Access to the tree of life is restored in Him. Come and dine with Him. In fact, dine on Him and find full provision for life and godliness, and restoration of fellowship with the Father.  Become partakers of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world, which drove and still drives us out of the garden.  Eternal life is in eating the fruit of the tree of life and it provides the way to restoration to walking on the fullness of His presence and provision in His purpose in Jesus. 

Also for consideration if you care to:

Mixing metaphors a bit here. But, John 6 outlines that eternal life comes from eating the fruit from the tree of life… that is Jesus. As I said, I believe that was always God’s desire from the garden.  It is not found in that which looks desirable to make one wise and be like God, and by trusting your own understanding and effort.  That comes for the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that bears death.

[John 6:46-48, 50-58 NASB95] 46 “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 “I am the bread of life. … 

50 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” 52 Then the Jews [began] to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us [His] flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

In reference to temple worship there were many elements and pieces of equipment that had to be cleansed and set apart for the service of worship.  These elements alone were to be used for worship, and, after each service, required cleansing for their next use. This gives us a bit of a picture of the ongoing nature of sanctification.  More on that later here.

A year ago in August  I wrote here regarding the tension we see in the creation, and in the Spirit, between light and darkness. And, about our call to be light bearers.  (You can read that complete article in the archived blog – August 24, 2024).  I wanted to revisit that article somewhat  again here today because in it the idea of how we, when we are in fellowship with each other, are used of the Spirit in helping to sanctify each other was touched upon.  Art Mealer, a brother in our fellowship, had some interesting insight into this process in his book The Servant Community/Experiencing The Promise Ekklesia.    Here is an excerpt from that post and his book

….. ( I wrote) …… furthermore, I will meddle in the business of some believers here; I believe the desire to hide in darkness  is a primary reason people avoid fellowship in Christian community.  Please note: I said in Christian community.  You can “go” to most traditional Christian “church services” and “do” your duty and “put in your time” and stay hidden and covered.  But if you are to “be” a part of an open and participatory gathering, and an expression of His body; a community committed to one another and moving in relationship to one another through the Head, Jesus, His light will come to drive out darkness and sometimes uncover our secrets.  You see He is still separating darkness and light! And, we are in the world as light bearers, not only to the world, but sometimes for and to one another  

If you are like me, and many others. It is a real challenge at times to see, or understand, yourself as being a bearer of light, because you still find so much darkness in yourself.  Yet, the truth is we need each other. He has designed us to need fellowship with one another in order to be exposed to His light.  This  was pointed out to me again this week as I read a segment of a book my friend Art Mealer is writing called THE SERVANT COMMUNITY / Experiencing The Promise of Ekklesia which addressed this. I share a few sentence of an excerpt here (underlines are mine for emphasis):

The process of God revealing Himself to us and revealing to us our worst selves has a participative nature, not just between God and us in our prayer closet. We need one another to help us discern between God’s voice and our vain imaginations. This process is personal but it is not private. With the help of one another, we can welcome His light intruding into the recesses of our hearts to expose our faults. A permission-giving life of “yes,” answering each new exposure with acceptance and confession brings shared joy and peace. This cleansing teachableness that brings peace is the tension of ongoing sanctification: the universe of the “one another’s” of the community are brought to bear, building each other up to wholeness.

If we refuse, He will let us turn away. We must not let hiding become the pattern of our lives. We must guard one another from fear. Like children, thinking if we can’t see Him, He can’t see us. But there is no darkness in which we can hide. Instead of a grateful string of obedient yesses, our life can degenerate into a bitter and unending “no” to His advances. We must not resist being humbled and corrected, be willing to give in to Him, and admit to others how deeply sin has a grip on us.

Against this love of darkness is our willingness to be exposed to light, our desire to be stripped of another layer revealing treasured sins, and our twisted love of self. We assist others in stepping out of the shadows into His light, removing another layer of resistant sin from their shoulders. Jesus described this shadowed heart as the fatal flaw of the lost:

“AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, THAT LIGHT IS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. FOR EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL HATETH THE LIGHT, NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.”  —Jesus, John 3:19-20

The light exposes my ugliness both to myself and to others. Light wounds my pride and kills the enjoyment of lust for power, pleasures, and possessions. Like nothing else, light also heals my troubled heart, making me clean again, standing close to Him. With an eternal perspective, our temporary embarrassment means little. We are seated safely in the heavens. He puts in us a desire for Him, and with each embrace of His piercing light, we also find His comforting presence. Let’s encourage one another as we—though presently misshapen, though imperfectly understanding—together conformed to the image of His dear Son who loves us and gave himself for us.

(I wrote:) Wow! How He moves in us, even as imperfect lamps, to show His light, and to shed the light His glory, to each other and the world around us; and to drive back the darkness.  Let us be given to being open and honest before Him, for He sees in the dark anyway. And, may we be open to receiving light through one another to drive back darkness, or shame, that would cause us to hide from His presence, or forsake assembling with one another in Him. …..

That was a refreshing step back into looking at how the LORD uses light to drive back and drive out darkness. And how He sometimes, or even often, uses believers as the vessel to shine His light and glory through.   Now consider all that in reference to the process and work of the Spirit in sanctification. 

While there is an aspect of one and done cleansing for the believer in Jesus.  We have been saved and sanctified in Him/Jesus once and for all in the Spirit. There is, in that sense, nothing we can do to be more saved from the penalty of sin (death), more set apart unto Him for service, or to become more righteous (guiltless) for His purpose.  In the Spirit that work is secure and complete because of Jesus and what He alone has done. It is finished! It is complete. Our work(s) will add nothing to it. 

However,  in another sense, or aspect, sanctification in our soul – minds, will and emotions {our minds (thoughts/intellect), will (decision making over who rules and gets their way in situations) , and emotions (how we feel in situations and the reactions associated with that)} – is ongoing as we mature in Him and are transformed from glory to glory into His image. Both individually as a believer, and corporately as His body, the church, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.

And, in our physical body, there is no doubt, from anybody over age 35, that we are not getting better or complete, but are deteriorating.  Yet the hope before us is that even this physical part of us is to be complete and set apart perfect as well. 

Without going into a long exposition of this sanctification process. Let me be clear that the scriptures are replete with references to this being a process the Holy Spirit takes up in us as He moves in; and that the Holy Spirit uses the truth, the word of God, to do it. The word of God coming from the scriptures, of course.  But, also in  that which He often delivers and reveals  through others to us as well. 

Yes “teachers”, or “elders”, mentors etc.  but not only those we perceive wear those titles alone.  Often, in fact I would say MOST OFTEN, it may come though, or in, those that are simply brothers and sisters in fellowship and family we share and experience life in Him with.   This work of sanctification by process I believe may be the primary work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, that He may keep Him prepared for service in Christ.  And, in fellowship with “one another is the place where we will most often find opportunity to be used in service and have light shown on us.  Sometimes light reveals our talents and willingness to be servants. Sometimes,  however, it may reveal  issues or areas hiding some darkness needing exposure to light.   

As our brother Art said in his book:  We need one another to help us discern between God’s voice and our vain imaginations. This process is personal but it is not private. And …..we can welcome His light intruding into the recesses of our hearts to expose our faults. A permission-giving life of “yes,” answering each new exposure with acceptance and confession brings shared joy and peace. This cleansing teachableness that brings peace is the tension of ongoing sanctification: the universe of the “one another’s” of the community are brought to bear, building each other up to wholeness.

May we be open and experience hearing and discerning His voice in fellowship with, and in service to, one another in ways that lead to victory over vain imaginations and areas of darkness we may struggle with. Even as He transforms us from one degree of glory to the next into His image as we gaze at in His word and at it revealed in others in His body.  

 Selah!

Here are a few scriptures regarding the Spirit and the work/process of sanctification in our soulish-man.  

·      Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass 1^st Thessalonians 5:23-24

 Comment: We are triune, just as He is.  We are “spirit” – that part which holds life itself and communes with God, “and soul” – our mind, will and emotions, “and body” – this physical shell that houses spirit and soul and is decaying but will one day, in His purposes, be perfected.

·      But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2^nd Thessalonians  2:13 

Comment: Sanctification by the Spirit with the truth accompanies salvation by grace through faith.

·      “Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. 2^nd Samuel 7:28

·      “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17

·      Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God 2^ND Corinthians 6:11

·      Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.  Acts 15:7-9

·      Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, Ephesians 5:25-26

Comment:  As Christ loved and chose the church as His bride, and give Himself to sanctify her with the washing water ( water-often symbolising the Spirit) with the word.  So the Spirit continues to set us apart for service with or applying the word to us.

·      Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1^ST Peter 1:2

·      But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2nd Corinthians 3:18

Comment:  Even as Moses face shined with glory after beholding/receiving the word/law, so are we to shine, as we behold in the mirror (symbolically: mirror = the word) the glory/image of Jesus, and the Spirit transforms us from glory to glory into His image so that we reveal Him to each other, the world around us, and principalities and powers in heavenly places.   The context of 1^st Corinthians 3 indicates although Moses’ glory, derived from looking at the word/law inscribed on stone, fadee;  Ours never will because of the indwelling Spirit and His work with the word/Jesus  inscribed on our hearts that we gaze into.

These and other scriptures indicate the new covenant work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is ongoing.  Although we have been cleansed from sin, and a fallen nature, in our spiritual man by grace through faith in the finished redemptive work of Christ, and that work is complete and finished.  The sanctification of our souls – mind, will, and emotions – is ongoing, and our bodies will yet, on that day, be perfected.  This ongoing work of sanctification is done by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us through the redemptive work of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is renewing us daily by using the truth/the word of God, both that written in the scriptures and that which is now written on our heart as promised in the new covenant we walk out with Him and with others. 

Your answers to such questions most likely have been developed by what “Christian” tradition you were raised around or in, and by your own experience.  

As for me (Randy) personally.  I will tell you there is not much mystery to faith for me. Issues surrounding such questions were pretty much settled for me years ago as I began to take a look at the difference between faith and presumption in the late 70’s and early 80’s. This was a time when I was in a more traditional leadership/pastoral role, and having to deal with several believers who had been wounded by other believers who saddled them with burdens and guilt for “not having enough” or  ” a lack of”, etc, faith. These believers that wounded other believers, I think probably were well meaning, but had been caught up in the so-called “faith/prosperity”  teaching  movements where they were given formulas for supposedly “operating in faith”, that turned the scriptures into an instruction manual on how to “work” God.  Not to get off into the weeds of doctrinal argument here but,  We don’t work God!  He works us, or I should say, works in, through, and with us.

I can remember one prominent teacher of the times being quoted as saying  “God is a fool for His word! You quote and confess it and He has to perform it!”  Well, may I say here, God is nobody’s fool! And, He does not perform at our whim, nor is He bound by our desires, no matter how good or perfect or noble they may seem to us.  He is at work, in us, to will and to do His good pleasure. (See Philippians 2:13 where the apostle makes it clear that, even in the midst of trial and persecution, God is working IN us). I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to serve a God who is a fool for anything or anyone, and/or can be manipulated by me like He is my puppet if I just say or think the right recipe of abracadabra.

In ministry to many people/believers over those years, as well as searching the whole counsel of His word in the scriptures,  I came to discover the difference between faith and presumption.  Simply put, we might say: Yes, true faith is dependent upon His word. But it is initiated by what He speaks/reveals in the now. Not by what I speak or think. Presumption, on other hand, is based in and on me putting words in His mouth, by what I think or think I understand, and expecting Him to perform accordingly.   Faith is not presumption.  Faith is based on hearing Him reveal His will. Presumption is based upon presuming, or assuming, I know His will based on what I think, or think I understand, rather than what He has spoken/revealed. John’s  instruction on prayer gives us some insight.

[1John 5:14-15 NASB95] 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us [in] whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

John says here  that if we ask according to His will…. we can know we will have what we have requested. This makes it clear that if we are  praying His known will our petition will be effective.  This does not mean that you can never petition Him based on your own desires. Even Jesus in the garden prayed “If possible, let this cup pass… nevertheless Your will, not mine”.  But, it does mean you can have no expectation that what your desire will be manifested. To think so, or count it as accomplished because you asked, is presumption. Faith is based on knowing His will from having heard His voice/revelation.   

As I have shared many times, Roman 10:17 tells us faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word (rhema/spoken revelation) of or concerning Christ. The outworking of hearing is faith. The outworking of faith is obedience. The outworking of obedience is seeing the fulfillment of that which He has promised or spoken to you about.  

In Luke Jesus has just finished up the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus  (Luke 16:19-31)  where the rich man in Hades  begs Father Abraham to send Lazarus as a messenger to his brothers in a last ditch effort to save them from his agony and fate saying:

[Luke 16:30-31 NASB95] 30 “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!‘ 31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’“

Pretty poignant isn’t it? Here is Jesus who is the embodiment of the word of God in the Law and Prophets -“ Moses and the Prophets” – who is being rejected. And, Jesus who will also be rejected by most as the messenger who is risen from the dead –“rises from the dead”

You see God speaks! And, when He does, or has, there is faith initiated. But, if you will not/do not listen, even a miracle you see will not persuade or bring you to repent. 

Going on in Luke 17 Jesus first addresses the seriousness of becoming a stumbling block to those that would hear and believe.  He speaks of giving offense using the Greek term skandalon, or literally a bent stick. Something that people will trip over, or in that time (or even in our modern mousetrap)  a bent stick that was used to set or to spring a trap.  Jesus was a kind of skandalon in truth that the religiously self righteous could,  and did, trip over.  But, He was most likely warning of the danger of purposely misleading or dividing others by false teaching here.  Then, He warns of holding on to resentment  and unforgiveness against others that may have given us offense. In His instruction about rebuking (going openly and honestly) to those that stumble us/others or give us offense, and forgiving them, Jesus is showing how self destructive bottling up resentment is to us, and how broad our willingness to forgive must be.  

Randy, you say,  how did we get off into forgiveness, when we were talking about faith?  

It is this: That is the context here. And, our faith is most often walked out in relationships and communication in them. First, with Him. Then, with and through others.  The disciples’ response to this is “Increase our faith!” as they recognized great faith was needed to walk these instructions out.  Getting along with people, serving people, loving people, not offending people, forgiving people that offend you, bringing people to repentance over and over, these are the works of the Spirit through a disciple and servant of Jesus. And they are seemingly tough tasks requiring the command, direction, and input from the Master and enabled by the Spirit. {Ephesians chapters 4-6 outlines the battlefield of spiritual warfare as relationships – other people & believers/husbands & wives/children & parents/employers & employee, ending up with(We wrestle not against flesh and blood -Ephesians 6:12)}

[Luke 17:5-9 NASB95] 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. 7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 “But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and [properly] clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?

In response to their request to increase their faith, Jesus gives them a story of a servant, and begins with an analogy of seed and trees. 

When I first read this as a young believer it seemed an ill fitted answer.  But, what became abundantly apparent, after considering His answer over time, was that what He was actually pointing out was that their ability to forgive was not based in the size of their faith, or even growing it larger or to be more. It was based in and on what He had spoken and commanded of them. 

When he spoke of the mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, He was not talking of the size, but simply saying: if you have any faith at all you can do this.  And, YOU CAN because I have spoken to you to do so.  It is not the size of your faith, it is “have you heard Me speak?”.  If He has spoken there is faith. If He hasn’t there isn’t. He enables you by His word. 

It is also interesting  to consider that a mustard seed, as small as it is, has been enabled to, comparatively, move mountains! Note He did not say if you have faith the “size of” (although that may have been implied), but “like a” mustard seed. This little seed is buried under the ground, a mound/mountain, comparatively, of dirt, and yet pushes its way up and out becoming a great bush. Just as the most difficult relationships, and restoration of them, is a great miracle coming from small beginnings and often through hard struggle and trial. Jesus indeed is a seed buried to bring restoration of relationship with the Father and bear much fruit.

In Luke 17 He speaks also of the Mulberry tree.  I read in one commentary that the Mulberry is said to have strong and deep roots, and is hard to move. Much like the depth and strength of bitterness and unforgiveness we often harbor. And yet, the smallest degree of faith, in fact, any at all based on what He has spoken to us, results in enablement to rip it up and cast it to the sea of forgetfulness.  Forgiving hurt, offense, wrongdoing, injury … Nothing is perhaps more difficult to forgive. But, it is what Jesus made an example of in Himself, and what He enables us to do by His word to us.  He, as seed falling to the ground and dying , again, brings forth much and great fruit.  

Faith initiated by the word of a great God accomplishes great things, great restoration, great relationships. Faith is focused on He that spoke to initiate it, not the servant who responds in obedience. 

As Jesus continues turning to the story of the servant He speaks of slaves – those that are laboring for, with, and in service to, the Master. He speaks of plowing and tending sheep. This is hard work done to feed and clothe, provide for the needs of others, not himself.  Great works given him by the Master to do. Note, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, about service, not about works unto salvation. 

By indicating that the Master does not comfort or compliment the servant/slave when he comes in from the field or flock saying “come sit and eat” He makes it obvious the service he has done was only what the Master expected of the servant. And, He takes it one step farther showing that the Master’s expectation was that the servant would continue to serve the Master, as his first priority, as the Master speaks – “Prepare something for me to eat, and [properly] clothe yourself and serve me”.   The servant is ever listening and ready to put the Master’s will and pleasure ahead of His own.  

I don’t believe Jesus’ intent here is to make the Master out to be an ogre or hard taskmaster, but to make the point that faith to serve Him, and the Father, as Master is a matter of relationship and listening to His voice.  He will enable and strengthen for the work He commands and gives to you to do. AND, He will provide a time and place to rest and eat as a part of His household, “and afterward you may eat and drink”.

Finally Jesus’ parable ends with: 9 “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?”  His point is, again, faith is initiated in what He has spoken and its  end is simple service from obedience based in love. We are not serving for compliments, reward, or to earn salvation or anything.  Next to, or compared to, all He has done for us, all  we have done has come from His empowerment and enabling, and out of His grace extended to us making us His own, and of His household.  

This is particularly salient when taken in the context of faith for forgiveness and the enablement to forgive it at His word and command. There are still sheep to tend, fields to plow… relationships to move in, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration between ourselves and others, and others in relationship to our Master. 

When Jesus wraps up this story and instruction regarding faith with vers10 “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done [only] that which we ought to have done.” He is not trying to run us, as His disciples, down, nor inspire us to some sort of worm like thinking of false humility.  He is simply indicating that as He humbled Himself to serve the Father’s purpose, and serve us, in love for the Father and us, bringing restoration of relationship and forgiveness. So, are we now called and enabled to do the same in Him,  in faith that is initiated by His word/command.  

It is not a matter of how much faith. It is a matter of having any at all, by way of hearing His command and direction to us as our Lord and Master. 

The debate often moves into a discussion of: Is Jesus’ gospel, the “gospel of salvation”, or “the gospel of the Kingdom”. 

The answer may be simply: BOTH. 

The thief on the cross speaks to one side of this equation (if you haven’t seen Alistair Begg’s video on this watch it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrYsXPntRS4)  Salvation indeed depends only on what Jesus did, and has done and accomplished on our behalf.   However, I could also post many other videos from the likes of John MacArthur and many others, and books by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others, on the Cost of Discipleship that would convince anyone that if you are saved, but simply sitting comfy in your salvation alone, you probably have reason to question whether you know Jesus or comprehend His Lordship and Kingdom. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I am no proponent of so-called easy “believe-ism” that has come to be the accepted norm in the Western culture church. You know generally identified with what we see in traditional altar calls and “making a decision for Christ” in a moment where you say a repeat-after-me-prayer, and walk away unchanged nor regenerated.  But, neither am I a proponent of the pharisaical approach that adds layers of legalistic weight to what it takes to be “holy or righteous enough” in your own efforts to be called a disciple.  The moment we start depending on our efforts for, or to keep, our salvation, we begin to build works as the basis for righteousness. Jesus never sugar coated the cost of following Him, but neither did he add much beyond “follow me” by way of rule and regulation. 

I will not go into a long dissertation on, or dissection of, the sides of this question but to say I think much of the debate comes from our need of understanding that Salvation by grace is Free, but Discipleship is Costly! (In fact, it will probably cost you all you are and all you have).  You see as Jesus was called to, and did, lay His glory and His life down to pick up a cross in the will of the Father for our salvation. So are we called to lie down ourselves and pick up our cross (living focused on dying to self to live unto and in Him) to serve His will, and others. 

Is it any wonder that in Matthew 6 after preaching regarding giving to the poor, prayer for the Kingdom and the will of God to be manifested on earth, displaying hypocrisy in religious activity like fasting and prayer,  putting value in treasure for heaven (people and relationships) instead of earthly/worldly wealth, and laying down anxiety and concern over daily provision (what we are to eat, drink or wear), Jesus summed it all up with:

[Matthew 6:33 NASB95] 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Seek here is to “continually seek”.  What?  “His kingdom”, to live under His LORDship as King, as His bond-slave and servant/disciple. And, “His righteousness”, trusting in, having confidence only in, the salvation/holiness/righteousness that are only in Him and not initiated by us, or what we have done. But, that are initiated in His love, and complete in what He has done. In giving this direction He holds up both salvation and discipleship, hand in hand, as the way to full provision for each day…. and eternity. 

Ephesians 2:4-10 helps flesh out our understanding of salvation…. and the works of a disciple:

[Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB95] 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Paul makes it very clear to the church here that we had nothing to do with initiating the faith that ignited the work of regeneration in us.   In fact, we were dead!  Dead men can do nothing!  He/God in his abundantly rich mercy, and because of His love for us,  even as we were dead… began the resurrection process or regeneration to make us alive …. WITH Christ.  By His grace we have come to salvation and been placed IN Jesus .  All, that He might reveal the fullness of His grace, kindness, love in Jesus.

Please note… that the faith, you have been saved through by His grace, is not created, worked up, caused by, or initiated in you. It is His gift!   So salvation by grace through faith is indeed FREE! Praise His name and His purpose in Jesus!  Romans provides more on this:

[Romans 6:23 NASB95] 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

[Romans 3:21-24 NASB95] 21 But now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even [the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

NOW …. Back to Ephesians 2.  Everyone loves to quote verses 8-9 regarding salvation “by grace through faith”.  But nobody quotes verse 10 which makes it clear that we were NOT saved just from something, namely sin and death. But, we were saved unto something, namely “good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”.  From eternity past the Father’s plan was that we should be “made alive together WITH Christ “, ” raised (us) up WITH Him”, “seated (us) WITH Him in heavenly places”, so that the Father/God might show His grace in kindness toward us IN Christ Jesus” for we are His/God’s/Father’s workmanship specifically “created IN Him(Jesus) for good works” as Jesus’ servants/disciples. 

Salvation is Free, and came WITH Christ setting us free from the bondage of sin and death. But the discipleship that came with being alive in, and bound (enslaved) to, Him, for His righteousness and eternal life IN Him, is costly.  It cost Him His life on the cross. It will cost ours in daily picking up our cross and following Him as well. Resurrection life only comes out of death.

[Romans 6:20-22 NASB95] 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved (bound)to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Being His bond-slave, a slave willingly submitted to Him because of the fullness of His love, reaps eternal rewards, life, and benefits. So Salvation is Free.  Discipleship is costly.  

In Luke 14 Jesus wraps up the parable of the dinner saying

[Luke 14:23-24 NASB95] 23 “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel [them] to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 ‘For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'” 

Clearly an invitation to dinner/salvation to those that were originally not on the guest list. 

And right after this He gives the most astounding and harsh outline of the cost required of true discipleship.

[Luke 14:25-235NASB95]25 Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 28 “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and CALCULATE THE COST to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 “Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand [men] to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 “Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 “So then, NONE OF YOU CAN BE MY DISCIPLE  who does not give up all his own possessions. 34 “Therefore, salt is good; but IF SALT HAS BECOME TASTELESS, with what will it be seasoned? 35 “IT IS USELESS either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

3 times in this short passage He references.. “unless…. you cannot be my disciple”, and He urges those that would be His followers to count and consider the costs, then He references salt that has become useless. This passage should give us pause if we are tempted to uncouple salvation that is free from discipleship that is costly. Jesus offers, indeed, a salvation that is free, but He does not give us the option of discipleship without costs to go with it. 

Both Salvation that is free, and Discipleship that is Costly are a part of the full gospel Jesus preached, manifested, and lived in loving the Father, and serving the will and purpose of the Father, and loving us.  Both are also a part of the full gospel we, as His disciples (not to mention His Body and he fullness of Him)  are called to preach, manifest, and live in loving and serving Him and others 

If you have ever struggled a bit in your Christian experience, perhaps doubted the Lord, or the scriptures, or the purposes and promises of God in situations or trials.  You may rest assured that you are not alone!  You probably have not lost your faith. You probably are not necessarily even living in sin (unless you linger in doubt and the father of lies turns it to unbelief).   

You see, doubt is not the absence of faith. Doubt is the questioning of faith in the midst of things that don’t always seem to make sense to us.  

Somewhere I read: “Some things God has revealed, making faith possible.  Some things God has not revealed, but has kept secret, making faith necessary.” 

I have shared many times that faith is not initiated in us. It is not a matter of our “hard believing”. No matter how we bear down and push we cannot produce faith in the face of some challenges or crises. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. 

 [Romans 10:17 NASB95] 17 So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 

The “word”  (rhema) here is the now spoken word or revelation.  If God has revealed/spoken there is faith. If He hasn’t there isn’t. 

This begs the question “How does God speak?”.  But that is not the topic at hand at the moment, so let us leave that for another time accepting that He does speak, and can in a number of ways, 

Faith for the believer comes from understanding what He has spoken/revealed,  and being able to say with confidence that He has revealed it.  But, having faith is also knowing that there are things we do not know, understand, or do not have answers for because He has not chosen to reveal them. He has kept them hidden for His purpose and our good.  Paul addresses this in 1st  Corinthians 13.

[1Corinthans 13:12 NASB95] 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 

To see in a mirror “dimly” is literally “in a riddle” like an enigma. We know in part at times, and full revelation is yet to come. But we can always trust that a full revelation is coming.  And, as we  walk in what we do know, we will see the fulfillment of all that He has promised, purposed and revealed.

I am often asked by unbelievers/seekers (and sometimes by believers as well) about evil and suffering: “Why? (do they exist, are allowed) How can you explain it” Sometimes the Spirit may give me an eloquent explanation in deep theology. But, more times than not it will come down to very practically saying  “I don’t have all the answers, nor understand all myself”. But then saying something along the lines of “He is God and I’m not!  I trust in a God Who is omniscient and omnipotent, Who knows the end from the beginning and Who is not making up things as He goes.  I know He is doing that which is right. And that is enough.”

I don’t have to have all the answers.  You see, faith does not depend on having all the answers. Faith depends on knowing He Who does. If I had all the answers I would not need faith. If I did not need faith, I would not need to hear Him.  As Paul said “I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.” He will reveal all in His time and purpose.

A few mysteries keep me turning to Him for answers, revelation. Thirsting and hungering for righteousness and hearing His voice and the fullness and satisfaction that only comes from feeding on the bread of life that is His word keep me coming to the intimacy of His table. 

Doubt, it seems to me, is something all believers deal, perhaps struggle, with at times. In fact it may be said that doubt is a sign of faith.  As I mentioned, doubt is not the absence of faith. It is quite simply the questioning, at times, of what you believe; what you think has been revealed to you.  It might be said that you can’t doubt what you don’t believe; you can only doubt if you have belief. This is why I think all believers may face it at times.

This also points out the difference between doubt and unbelief.  While doubt is sometimes the rational questioning of what we believe when we are faced with the “Why’s” of circumstances or suffering or disappointment… or…. or….whatever.  Unbelief, is the refusal to believe what has been revealed.  By far and in large part doubt is only in the purview of the believer.  Unbelief, is the sole purview of the unbeliever.   Again, because you have to have belief, or faith, to doubt. If you don’t have belief or faith, you can’t doubt it.  

In John 20 after the resurrection Jesus appears to the disciples speaking to them of peace, revealing to them the Holy Spirit, and revealing their authority to bring forgiveness of sin to others.  Thomas was not with them for this appearance and later has an encounter with Jesus regarding doubt and unbelief.

[John 20:24-29 NASB95] 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace [be] with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed.“

Upon his companions and fellow disciples report that they had seen and encountered the Lord. Thomas’ response is unless I can touch Him “I will not believe.”  Was this doubt or unbelief?  I am persuaded that Thomas exhibited doubt.  He knew Jesus. He knew and believed much regarding Him from having  walked with Him.  However a man coming  back from the dead was cause for doubting all that He knew.  This thinking inspired in part because Thomas had obviously seen the damage done to Jesus at the cross, because He refers to having to touch the wounds he saw Him suffer there in order to believe their good news and report.

Jesus then reappears more than a week later and reveals Himself personally to Thomas, according to his conditions, and tells Him “do not be unbelieving, but believing,”  He allays all of Thomas’ doubt(s)  and his response is  “My Lord and my God”. A proclamation that  would have been blasphemous worship among Jews of the day as he makes Jesus deity worthy of worship by it.  

Jesus makes a point here regarding the revelation of God concerning Him : “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed.“  Again, God can reveal/speak in many ways. Most of us have not seen Him and have yet believed. Our belief is initiated primarily from God speaking/revealing Himself, and the fullness of His love in Jesus, through a report/testimony/preaching regarding Christ. Thomas required a more personal revelation to overcome doubt, as He already personally knew Jesus and walked with Him.  I won’t make great application here to the difference of dealing with doubt in the believer, and drawing the unbeliever out of unbelief, but you can draw much out of this example.

It seems that this seeing and worshiping, and dealing with doubt, may be a common experience for believers. Consider Matthew 28 just before Jesus is gave the great commission and was about to leave them we read

 [Matthew 28:17 NASB95] 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped [Him;] but some were doubtful.

Occasional doubt among believers is not disqualifying! Doubt is struggling, at times, with what you believe, generally in the midst of what is happening that may not seem right or is confusing to you. 

It is far different than the obstinate and determined refusal to believe, that which has been revealed or spoken, by unbelievers. 

[Psalm 14:1 NASB95] 1 For the choir director. [A Psalm] of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

My understanding is that “There is no God” here can be translated as “No God”. That is the place of unbelief. He has revealed Himself, He has spoken, yet  the fool says No! God!

I pray this look at doubt and unbelief will be helpful in understanding that to struggle with doubt sometimes, particularly when what life throws at you, or your loved ones/children, at times is not uncommon. Nor is it somehow disqualifying.  No! May it drive (maybe too strong a word)….May it inspire…. you to seek Him and His voice, and to trust His purpose  and promise.  

Do note that when Jesus dealt with Thomas personally He spoke to him “DO NOT BE UNBELIEVING, BUT BELIEVING”, and it brought out worship from Thomas. So, do not linger in doubt. Hear His voice, see His revelation to you. And worship your Lord and your God. Resurrection power, life out of death, healing of wounds are all possible. Receive no lies from the enemy. Receive the good news and encouragement of other disciples. God often speaks through them.

He is faithful! He cannot be unfaithful.  He cannot lie. What He has spoken He will bring to pass. 

[Numbers 23:19 NASB95] 19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

[Jude 1:20-25 NASB95] 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, [be] glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Yes, Our God is a God of New Beginnings, and He keeps us moving forward in Him and His purpose. But over the years I have found those that do chase such as  “the glory falling”  “God showing up”, or the “new/next move” are most often disappointed and frustrated in the end, and find themselves looking for yet another charge of something new in an experience. 

The truth I’ve learned in 50 plus years in Christ  is that change in Him is constant as He moves me by the Spirit working through the process of sanctification. He is constantly moving me, us as His body, toward reflecting the the glory of Lord whose image I behold in the mirror of His word transforming me into the same (His) image from glory to  glory (one degree of glory to the next) just as from the Lord, the Spirit (See 1 Corinthans 3:18). This transformation  doesn’t come to the believer by the so-called “new move” or “next level” or “fresh or latest’ thing” experience happening here or there.

Nor does it come from our thinking we must  somehow “pull”  heaven/the kingdom down to earth by our ideas, energy, works or piety!  It comes from us plugging into the present reality of the Kingdom living under His Lordship, understanding that we are a conduit for the Kingdom to flow through in the moment. And, accepting the present reality of all He has provided and completed in the Spirit. And, that He is still working in us by the Holy Spirit in our Soul (mind, will , and emotions) through a process of sanctification.  Sanctification is the work of the Spirit in me using His word (both written and what He speaks by the Spirit, and the example of the Word made manifest-Jesus), and often relationships with other believers as we function as His body.

It is important for us to comprehend that the Spirit is like living water.  It flows like spring water. If you have ever seen a spring, it is an amazing sight! Hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of fresh, clear, life giving water bubbling up, or sometimes gushing out, of the ground or rock running 24/7 365. It does not stop flowing.

John gave exposition to this idea of the Spirit and spring waters as he wrote of Jesus’ words… 

[John 7:37-39 NASB95] 37 Now on the last day, the great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet [given,] because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Once we have come to Jesus and drank of the Spirit in Him, we are intended to be springs for the rivers of living water, the Spirit, to flow through and out of.  Conduits for the Spirit and the Kingdom to pour out through upon the earth bringing life.  I believe the concept or idea of being a conduit is important.   Above, I alluded to the fact that some, perhaps all too many, think “we must  somehow pull heaven/the kingdom down to earth by our ideas, energy, works or piety!”   But we don’t have to pull it down! It is God’s pleasure to pour it out through us. The Kingdom is a present reality to be manifested through the likes of you and me.  

Yes, there is a coming Kingdom as well, as revealed in Revelation 11:15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  In that sense we might say the Kingdom is both now, and not yet.  Now, because we are the first fruits in Christ manifesting it in the present (see Romans 8:16-19). And, Not Yet, in that a prophesied completed Kingdom “when the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord” is yet coming.   

For now, however, we do not have to “pull” the Kingdom down by our efforts or energies, works of piety. It comes simply from us plugging into the present reality of the Kingdom. Seeking it first through living under His/Jesus Lordship, and understanding that we are individually, and corporately as the church His body, a conduit for the Kingdom to flow through.

Jesus taught us to pray:

[Matthew 6:9-13 NASB95] 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

Let us notice that the supplications of this prayer are all present requests for our daily lives. Give us this day our daily bread,forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven, do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  But, we have somehow decided that the first supplication, ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven,   applies to some future time only outlined in prophetic vision.  Since the rest of the supplications pertain to the here and now, it only seems reasonable that the request that ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” is a supplication for the present reality of the Kingdom as well.  In fact one might conclude that the first supplication sets up the request that He manifest His kingdom through us by showing His provision to us in daily bread, manifesting His forgiveness of us to as we extend forgiveness to others, and as we prove to be those who live outside temptation and evil.

May His Kingdom, with the Holy Spirit in us  as administrator, flow through and be manifested by us touching others with His life, love, and power.  May we be an example of the present reality of His Kingdom and the hope of a Kingdom to come

In Ezekiel 47 a river flows from the temple that is amazing. It starts as a trickle and as it flows out it gets deeper and wider until it cannot be forded.  

[Ezekiel 47:1-5 NASB95] 1 Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of [the gate] that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side. 3 When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water [reaching] the ankles. 4 Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water [reaching] the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through [the water,] water [reaching] the loins. 5 Again he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, [enough] water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.

The water does not stop. It becomes a river.  And its flow begins as a trickle coming out of the temple.  God is no longer living in temples of stone, but one here on earth right now constructed of living stones. (1 Peter 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:21-22) And the living waters run out of our innermost being to impact the kingdoms of this world. Note the impact of these waters flowing from the temple in Ezekiel.

[Ezekiel 47:7-12 NASB95] 7 Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there [were] very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters [of the sea] become fresh. 9 “It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and [the others] become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 “And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. 11 “But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 “By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all [kinds of] trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

The waters from the temple become literally a river of life. Trees flourish on the banks and provide all the benefits we derive from trees from shade to building materials, and food and medicine.  Wherever  the water flows salt water brine turns to fresh to quench thirst and bring life to everything. 

Where it goes creatures and creation lives! And there is  a great catch of fish!  Perhaps this is just for food in fish of all kinds… but, perhaps it also alludes to the catching of men of all kinds by fishers of men.

Finally, note that wherever the flow is stopped, the waters do not bring life, but it becomes salt again. We are not intended to capture the water in buckets or pools  and let it stand still.  I am afraid this has been a tendency. We taste some of the fruit and benefits of the life giving flow of the water of the Spirit and then decide “this great and good. Let’s capture and stop it here for this is enough and plenty.”  Unfortunately, It is our nature to hold and hoard the “new level”,  “the latest or next move”, “the falling glory” and make it our own. But the River of Life that is the Spirit cannot be captured. We move in it and Him, not the other way around.  He “flows” through us as a conduit or we stagnate and quench Him by ceasing His flow.

This all points to our being called and created for service of Him and service to others  (Ephesians 2:10). We are all too easily focussed on receiving “something new” from Him, and often not focused enough on letting Him flow through us to others.  Again, we do not have to pull the Kingdom down. It is His joy to give us the Kingdom [Luke 12:32 NASB95] 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly (KJV: It is your Fathers good pleasure) to give you the kingdom. We simply seek first His Kingdom, to live under His/Jesus Lordship and let the Holy Spirit administrate the Kingdom flowing through us to others, as He provides all that is needed. The conduit is receiving a trickle from God, but is soon channeling flowing rivers of living water out to others. We cannot be puddles, or marshes and swamps, but should be conduits/river banks bringing life to all we touch and wherever we go. If you want to see the power of God you cannot catch it for yourself, but let it flow through you to others. Let us recognize that we are conduits for the Spirit and the Kingdom. An outlet, individually and certainly corporately as His Body, to pour out on others.  We drink from Jesus to have living waters flow from our innermost to refresh and minister thirst quenching life and provision to others.  

Let us wade into the waters flowing from the temple, not just ankle, knee, or loins deep.  But, let us wade in until we are over our heads flowing where the Spirit leads bringing life in Him wherever we flow/go.. 

[Revelation 21:5-6 NASB95] 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

[Romans 6:11-16 NASB95] 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone [as] slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Notice the battle for the mind (soul/thinking) is critical for the believer if he is to experience victory through LIFE in Christ.

Consider.… I understand this is a mathematical term in the original language, as in reckoning. Reckon yourself dead to sin. Math doesn’t allow cheating or equivocation. 2 + 2 is four every time! So reckon death to sin to be just so in your life, and life in Christ to be so as well. 

Then, notice the active verbs and take action. Do not let.… this indicates giving permission to sin to reign/rule your body. It does not have to, and has no authority to do so outside of your thinking it does.   So, Do not present your members.

Verse 14 is a clear statement of fact.  Sin SHALL NOT BE MASTER OVER YOU. It may come to you in temptation and struggle, but grace in Christ has made Him Lord and Master  in its place.  The law, rote religion, rule and regulation, will not bring you victory for it has no power of authority to do so. It can only give you sin consciousness and bring guilt.  Focusing on the grace of God in Jesus in paying the penalty of sin frees one from guilt carried by the law. The focusing on, and feeding from, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil brought death  Focusing on grace, and intimate relationship with He who is the tree of life brings life, release, and peace.  A new LORD and Master is available with authority to rule in your body by the Spirit.  Present yourself and your members to Him for obedience in line with the righteousness He has provided by grace. 

[Romans 6:19-23 NASB95] 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in [further] lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As Bob Dylan said. You Gotta Serve Somebody…. You can work (notice it is work/labor) for sin and reap the wages of death.  Or you can be willingly enslaved to God finding sanctification and eternal life. And, that comes not as wages, getting what you deserve, but as a BENEFIT! And, it is a FREE GIFT.  

Choose this day whom you will serve.  (Joshua 24:14-15)  The difference between us and Israel in Joshua’s time  is that they were having to do righteous acts to become obedient or manifest obedience and find favor under the law.  Joshua even warned them they would not be able to do it before a Holy God. 

[Joshua 24:19 NASB95] 19 Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.

We, in Christ, have been given righteousness, that we might learn obedience through His patient work of sanctification in our soul – mind, will, emotions. Sanctification is a complete work in the spirit, mind, and body done by God Himself by Holy Spirit using the word of God.

 [1Thessalonians 5:23 NASB95] 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you ENTIRELY; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved COMPLETE, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[John 17:17 NASB95] 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

[Ephesians 5:26 NASB95] 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

Romans 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

[Romans 5:17-21 NASB95] 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The good news is indeed Good News!

In 1984, when I was in a more traditionally structured fellowship functioning as one of 4 or 5 co-equal/collegial elders (what other expressions of the church would have termed pastors), I taught the greatest threats to the gospel/Christianity in the world were: #3 Secular Humanism, #2 Communism, and #1 Militant Islam.

I remember some thinking I was crazy for thinking that, and particularly seeing Militant Islam as #1.  But the difficulty then, as now, is that our Western mindset/paradigm cannot comprehend this kind of religious mindset/paradigm. And, particularly our political/governmental leaders still tend to see “religion” and “religious fervor/commitment” as some sort of benign and powerless growth. Note when I shared my list in ’84 I used the term “radical”.  Our political leadership still has not come to grips with understanding radical Islam. Nor radical Christianity for that matter.  They still live under the illusion that “if religious ideology doesn’t matter much in Washington, or Berlin, or London, then it must be equally irrelevant everywhere”.  So, then we can give tacit acknowledgement that it exists, mention it, and even pray “God bless….”  but serious consideration of its impact on power or culture is not important.

By the way, when I say “radical Christianity” I, of course, am not speaking about some nationalistic version that drives violence upon people, races, and the nation like John Brown or the KKK.  I am speaking of the kind of Christianity that is radically committed to loving and serving others under the LORDship of Jesus, and that inspires giving all that you have, and all that you are, for all that He is as His disciple(s). 

I still believe those 3 “enemies” are the greatest threat to the gospel/faith in the world. Although I might argue in the U.S. a mixture of communist indoctrination and secular humanism as religion have been combined for decades now, particularly through our educational systems, to take the minds of the country through its youth and art. This effort now damages and stands against any openness to the gospel, and any absolute truth. The gospel is seen as exclusive and judgemental, and almost anything can be redefined by what is termed “my truth”, rather than “the truth”.   

With that said, and as a backdrop, my point in writing today is to remind us, as Christians, the church, His body, that we are not defeated, and certainly not irrelevant.  We have a purpose in Jesus that makes us, in Him and as His body, the prime determining factor in the world, and the carriers of truth in Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6)  We are not militant, but we are an army.  In the love and humility of He that is our commander, we are sojourners and strangers in the world, and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God and His Christ in the world as well. 

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Christians often seem to struggle with boldness to carry truth and be ambassadors of the Kingdom, with authority from the King.   In Matthew 16  we see Jesus ask some questions, and follow up with some amazing statements.

[Matthew 16:13-19 NASB95] 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some [say] John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.“ 

Jesus presses them to confess who they think He is.  Simon Peter finally reveals it saying “You are the Christ…”, the Messiah, the anointed one. Only prophets, priests, and kings were anointed. Jesus embodied all three, something not seen since Melchizedek!  But Jesus was even beyond the anointed as Peter goes on to say He is“the Son of the living God.” revealing an understanding that He/Jesus was truly deity, God in flesh! 

Jesus makes it clear that Peter has had a divine revelation. The revelation that He is the anointed sent from God, and is God, did not  come from just good teaching or exposition of the scripture. And, certainly did not come from his own intellectual ability or prowess. No! The Father, He Whom Jesus called the Father and God, brought Peter that revelation. And, He still brings this revelation! 

Each of us that recognizes Jesus as King, priest, and prophet have had the Father bring us that revelation. 

It is such a powerful revelation that Jesus tells  Simon he is Petros/Peter, a “little stone”, and on this rock rock/Petra, “a huge stone” I will build My church.

The revelation that Jesus is LORD, that He is God is the foundation for the ekklesia/church. Jesus is the foundation, the Cornerstone! This is the first use of the term ekklesia in the New Testament.  Ekklesia which is translated as church is a gathering of citizens of a kingdom called out from their homes to a public place or assembly, convened for the purpose of council/deliberation/ruling.   There is so much here… I will build….My church… too much to go into now, but to say He builds/brings people together placing them on Himself as a foundation (not their doctrine,forms, etc)… and that it is His as God (not theirs, it’s not of their design nor of their own making. It is identified by/with Him , not them  ), it belongs to Him.

The LORDship of Jesus, His Priesthood, His prophetic message is to be manifested and displayed through the likes of us! Those who have received the Father’s revelation of Him, those He has called and redeemed out of the world, to display His kingdom through love and service to Him and others. 

Jesus goes on to say  “and the gates of Hades will not overpower (KJV: prevail against) it.” What a statement! Hades, in the language of the time, was understood as the god of the lower regions, the nether world or world of the dead. Other places translated as hell, grave, death.
Gates is an interesting term too because it can be seen as defensive, as gates are traditionally in a wall put up for a defense of a city or stronghold. But, it can also be a term that symbolizes a lock-up a prison in which captives are held/. In either case, it is obvious that Jesus’ intent was to empower the church to have no fear of death, and to understand the enabling and power that we have to attack the strongholds of that which holds men under the power and rule of that which leads to death.

Hebrews 2 makes it clear that Jesus came to set such captives free from and render powerless the devil who held the power of death, and making slaves through the fear of it.

[Hebrews 2:14-15 NASB95] 14: Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

When Jesus, here, says He will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven and authority to bind and loose, many make much of Peter here. We should probably understand Jesus was speaking to the disciples, the first apostles, that they would have authority to make decisions, deliberations, and general rules as the ekklesia for the early expressions of His body. It was never intended to be authority that Peter would carry alone. But, authority given to the disciples as a group, and the ekklesia overall.

There is also often much made of binding and loosing in some circles. My understanding is these were common legal or administrative terms for Jews under the law. You were “loosed”/permitted to do something under the law, or you were “bound”/prohibited from doing something under the law. To loose was to be free, to bind was to prohibit. These were common terms in regard to legal rulings and deliberations in regard to the law for Jews. The Rabbi, for instance, would determine if your house was clean or unclean if an animal or person died. And, then how you were bound or loosed if it was inside or outside your home, or how you may have touched it, etc.

Jesus here was setting Himself up, through His church, to be the arbiter of how people would be bound or loosed in reference to that which holds people under the power of death.  It all begins with our living under, and then inviting others to live under, the revelation that Jesus is LORD and God, and that He holds and offers all grace and truth as oppose to the law alone.

[John 1:17 NASB95] 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

In a time where the Christianity, the faith, and the gospel is under attack, and truth is redefined by a constant barrage of lies disguised as “my truth” (as in: “that may be true for you but not for me”) it is important that we manifest His love and grace. And, that we manifest Him as the truth and define absolute truth in Him. That revelation ‘YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD” should be manifested and proclaimed in us, and through us, as His ekklesia, His Body, His fullness.    

I am not suggesting that that will be easy. For it requires coming to a place in discipleship, under his Lordship, that we die to self and live unto Him. Not loving our life, but Him. And, having no fear of death because we have been freed from the gates of Hades and comprehend the fullness of His love and life in Him. 

[Romans 8:35-39 NASB95] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, the point is, again, in the face of challenges and 3 (or more) enemies, and yes even death, we are not defeated. And, we are certainly not irrelevant. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS! Now we are the prime determining factor on the planet. What God is doing, He is doing through us. We are the hold the only hope and source of the truth regarding being freed from captivity in death (the domain darkness, and being  transferred  into the Kingdom of  life in Christ Jesus (the kingdom of the Son He loves Colossians 1:13). 

Consider

[1John 5:4-12 NASB95] 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

My post:I fear Civil Discourse is dying and may be dead in this country! Free Speech is the bedrock of all freedoms. If you kill, rather than engage in civil discourse, those that you disagree with, in order to suppress their ideas, you enslave those on all sides. That is the true face of fascism. (by the way, for understanding here my intent was  not to  call anyone a name/fascist here, just pointing out that fascism generally results in silencing opposition by imprisonment or death) No matter what side of issues you may be on.

Silencing those of opposing views by censorship, and certainly by violence, serves nobody and no cause. I may vehemently disagree with you and/or your point of view. But I will fight for/defend your right to say it, or exhibit it in art. Without civil discourse we cannot understand one another, and truth cannot be arrived at. Without it justice and truth are bruised, battered, and the lie and injustice, division and death, triumph.

14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.

15 Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.

(Isaiah 59)

Many responses were positive and in agreement. But those that know me (Randy) well know I have many liberal friends in the arts/theatre community. Some of their responses, as I expected, were not positive, and eventually turned personal. While they did not exactly justify the murder/assassination, some, a few, could not help but offer excuses for it, and attack me for my concern and belief that Civil Discourse, and the most fundamental right (IMHO) of Free Speech, is in peril. As you would probably surmise, they aligned with their chosen political party lines and talking points to offer tit for tat examples  along the order of “Well what about when he/they/the other side did this or that?” Which is, in my experience, where online partisan political talk always goes. And then they soon turn to attacking my faith as the foundation for my perceived wrong headed thinking and beliefs that they find distasteful.

You may ask: Randy, why discuss this here?  It is this. I hope you know my heart well enough to know that, although I disagree with these folks, I do my best to respect them, their rights, and to love and serve them as best I can. I value relationships above all things, and do try to protect and preserve them as best I can.  Our God is a God of relationship. He has paid the ultimate price to establish a relationship with us while we were yet enemies and distasteful to Him.

[Romans 5:8-10 NASB95] 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath [of God] through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 

And, as I have made it clear many times, in Matthew 6:19 when Jesus tells us to not lay up treasure on earth but in heaven…
[Matthew 6:20-21 NASB95] 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.….He is, of course, pointing our attention toward heaven and His kingdom, rather than the world. But, I also believe He is asking us to consider what treasure can be laid up on the other side. The answer is people! Relationships. They are the only stuff of eternity we touch here and, as such, are the only thing going to the other side. And, therefore investing in people/relationships is the only investment you can make here that bears eternal dividends.  So, relationships with people are the only thing that matters here and they should be valued highly as such.  So preserving them through love and practical service is more important than winning an argument only for the sake of being right.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you must compromise what you believe. There is a place to stand for righteousness and truth to preserve it as well.  Otherwise  as Isaiah said…Isaiah 59:

14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.….

But, you may also note that the prophet says that when you turn from evil, you may/will find yourself prey.

The fear (do not read that as being afraid/scared, but as deep awe from concern) I posted about is that I see our time as a time like that that this prophet witnessed, and our country, and perhaps the church in general, in the condition Isaiah spoke about as well.  

[Isaiah 59:1-15 NASB95] 1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden [His] face from you so that He does not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness. 4 No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And [from] that which is crushed a snake breaks forth. 6 Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands. 7 Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways. 8 They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace. 9 Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We hope for light, but behold, darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom. 10 We grope along the wall like blind men, We grope like those who have no eyes; We stumble at midday as in the twilight, Among those who are vigorous [we are] like dead men. 11 All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, [but] it is far from us. 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And we know our iniquities: 13 Transgressing and denying the LORD, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving [in] and uttering from the heart lying words. 14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. … 

Now my point is not to preach harsh judgement here, because the context of our times may be different from the times of the prophet and the people of God in that  time. And, should you care to read it, verses 16 to 21 speak of Him providing a redeemer in the midst of this, whom most of us would recognize as Jesus.  And, we do have the privilege to carry His Spirit and His word regardless of the times we live in.   And, here, the Lord winds up with the encouragement that He, as always, will be faithful in His covenant with His own!  His word will be in our mouth, and the mouths of our offspring, FOREVER!.  His word will not fade away…. we will carry it in such times. 

Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from now and forever.”

While harsh judgement of our times and culture may be warranted, my point and desire here is for us to understand the spirit  of the times we are in, and our place in the confrontation of that spirit.

In Ephesians 4 and 5 and 6 Paul addresses relationships.  First relationships in the church (4:1-5:21. Then he addresses Husbands and Wives (5:21-33). Then Fathers (parents) and children (6:1-4). Then slaves and owners – employers and employees if you will (6:5-9)   He addresses relationships because that is the place where the enemy/adversary will alway attack to bring division and discord. 

Right after the outline of these relationships he begins to outline the armor of faith, and then most importantly says at the outset of that regarding standing firm against the “schemes of the devil”… 

[Ephesians 6:12 NASB95] 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]

Oh! How easy it is for us to think our battle is with people as our opposition and lose sight of the true adversary and the spirit behind what people do, say, and think.   And, as a result, to then be despairing, or scared, or turn to reactions that are not based in love and practical service in His purpose.

Jesus spoke of a time when lawlessness would increase.  I often imagine that, as I watch news in the media, as our time. A time when it seems justice is definitely turned back, righteousness certainly is pushed away, and truth lies fallen, battered, and trampled in the street as everyone does what is right in their own eyes, and justifies their foundation for it by what they call MY truth, not THE truth. 

[Matthew 24:12 NASB95] 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

Let us understand from Jesus’ prophecy that the outworking of an increase in lawlessness is love fading, growing cold.  It cannot, should not, be so among those who comprise His Body. Let us be encouraged to love all the more in the face of opposition in relationships and as stand even in the face of ridicule and persecution as He Himself did. 

In our time and culture we can hold up a standard for truth and justice, and yet love, even our enemies/opposition in flesh, under His direction.  For, our war is not against flesh and blood! There is a spirit we are enabled to discern and stand firm against that is behind what people/our opposition say/do/think. We stand in the face of that spirit; Upholding the Word of God as our banner. Girded in our strongest part with Truth.  Protected in our vital life parts, heart and breath, by His Righteousness. Moving forward to carry the Gospel/Good News on our feet.  In one of our hands using the mobile shield/protection of faith inspired by His speaking and direction, defending and extinguishing lies and attacks that come as arrows of fire. And, Trusting our Head for Salvation, in the other of our hands we wield the word of God as the Spirit’s sword dividing between soul and spirit, joint and marrow, and shining light on thoughts and intentions. Again all under our Head/Jesus direction and manifesting His power and His love.   (See Ephesians 6:13-17 and Hebrews 4:12)

Several times, in the 50+ years I have been a believer, I have had the opportunity to look in the eyes of, and confront with truth, those controlled by the spirit of the age in some cause. Generally they are fomented by those issues that become political hot buttons that are based in what the scriptures directly and clearly define as lies.  The adversary has always been the Father of Lies. He uses the lie to divide and sow discord among men, and revolution against the Kingdom of God and His truth. Men embrace the lie to avoid accountability before Him. (See Romans 1:18-21).

For the sake of time, and to avoid political argument in this forum, I will not specifically outline the latest iterations/issues here. But, I will warn you, by saying there are many issues, and lies touted as truth, in our culture at the moment!  

And, I will tell/suggest to you that there is little use in pressing into arguing with a spirit that has oppressed someone into believing or living, and defending a lie.  If you look well, and use discernment, you will see it in the eyes. You will also find it in unreasonable, and often angry, responses to logic and biblical truth. You will find it in their own unrecognized judgement, bigotry, and intolerance,  all the while pointing the finger at you for bigotry, judgmentalism, intolerance as a believer.  Keep in mind that you can’t reason with a spirit.  You can always pray, however.

That doesn’t mean you can’t  share the truth(s) of God and the love of Jesus in the face of it.  Just as Paul asked for prayer to, in Ephesians 6:19, speak boldly and make the mystery of the gospel known.  But, listen to the Holy Spirit and, speak as you ought to speak (Ephesians 6:20), because pressing into the kind of argument that will lead you away from the fruit of the Spirit, and the love that is Christ, will rarely bring the change you are looking for.

Remember our war is not with flesh and blood, the person,… but the spirit…  against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. And keep in mind that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.  

May we do our best, at His direction and under His Lordship, to hold up a standard for truth, justice, righteousness, and to manifest His Kingdom. But even so, also love and serve as His Body. 

Before I address that in some detail, let me say it could be simplified into saying, for the most part, we are much more comfortable with soul-ish (mind, will, and emotions) rote religion and religious activity  than we are with having to live in the Spirit (walking by faith) hearing and taking direction from our Head, Jesus, by the Spirit.  We might say  “Just give me the rules and regulations, and what is required, and let me perform. I can do that! But, I really don’t want to have to be on call as Lord’s servant all the time. That would mean  having to  listen for His voice and do what He asks in the moment.”    

It’s a bit like the rich young ruler (Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22) who could do or had doon the rote law when Jesus told him to keep the commandments, but could not do the now word to him from Jesus in the moment to “sell all you have and give to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow me”  Much is generally made of the fact that he was rich and didn’t want to give it all up.  However, I believe the real issue was that he was a ruler and used to calling the shots.  The part of Jesus’ instructions he couldn’t hack, was  come follow me. If he had been willing to follow letting Jesus direct what he was doing and where he was going, selling all and giving wouldn’t have been a problem. 

Unfortunately today, we still want, and are more comfortable with, rote rule and regulation  ie: religion where we can perform works, than we are comfortable with a relationship with the Lord where we follow, listen to, and co-labor with Him in what He is doing.  

Or, we are a bit like Israel  (1st Samuel 8:4-20)  telling  Samuel they wanted him to appoint a King to judge them. The LORD told Samuel to go ahead and give them a King; but to warn them that he would take their sons and daughters, and a tenth of all they had or produced,  and they would not be happy.  They got Saul as king, and we know how that worked out.  All because they did not want the Lord to be King, or to listen to Him. They wanted a man instead. So, they rejected the Lord as King and got Saul.

[1Samuel 8:6-7 NASB95] 6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.

Unfortunately today, most believers would still rather listen to, and be directed by, a king/leader giving direction, taking their kids, and a tenth of all they have in religion, rather than simply listen to, follow, and serve the true King.  But then, the heart of man has been this way in the people of God since Moses (Deuteronomy 5:23-27, Exodus 20:18- 21).

We are more comfortable practicing religion and “going to church” and doing what is expected of believers by leaders, or through and by our own preconceived expectations or desires and understanding in religion . We are more comfortable building a temple of our own design and in religion. We are far less comfortable with being built into a temple of living stones of His design and for His habitation, with worship through Jesus filled and directed by the Spirit. 

[1Peter 2:4-5 NASB95] 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

[Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB95] 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner [stone,] 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Having laid the foundation of eternal purpose last week, and here outlined a simplistic approach for reasons this perspective has not been more prevalent. Let me turn this exhortation a bit more pointed toward our focus on wanting and our  wanting to be leaders instead of servants. And, our choice of a dwelling place.  Particularly choosing to be captive in Babylon; Babylon the place of man trying to reach God on his own terms… AND to make a name for himself.  (I will warn this will be a bit more lengthy but hopefully edifying and, perhaps, challenging.)

Recently I had reason to look back over some writing from years ago I did regarding Ephesians 4:11-14 regarding Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers (APEPT).  At the same time, in some of the considerations of scriptures, I was drawn to look at some scriptures regarding The subject of so-called “leaders” or “leadership” in the church. 

Without exposition or discussion of  Ephesians 4:11 here,  I did find researching  that “Leaders/Leadership” are terms you really do not find much in the scriptures of the New Testament. You can find references to leaders in the Old Testament. The only New Testament references regard “the leader of the Synagogue” in locations in Acts 18. And, a few times in Hebrews. So, it appears to be a Jewish concept to some degree.

The original disciples wrestled with who would be greatest or leader among them.   (See Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45 & 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48 & 22:24-27).  However in each of these places the Master/Jesus made it clear there would be no greatest among them, no leader(s), no hierarchy. Only servants. Here are his responses:

[Matthew 20:25-28 NASB95] 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and [their] great men exercise authority over them. 26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

[Mark 10:42-45 NASB95]  42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

[Mark 9:35-37 NASB95]  35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.“

[Luke 9:46-48 NASB95] 46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

[Luke 22:25-27 NASB95]  25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 “But [it is] not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 “For who is greater, the one who reclines [at the table] or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines [at the table?] But I am among you as the one who serves.

Obviously the disciples had issues, and couldn’t or, at least had difficulty, getting the servant and service aspect of His teaching in their thinking.  This Luke 22 passage is recorded at the Passover Last supper.  In John13 in his account of the supper He doesn’t record these words, but he does record Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washing their feet. Traditionally this task was left to the lowest servant or child in the Jewish household.  None of the twelve had considered themselves low or servant enough to take the task.  It may be assumed that they had been discussing who was greatest by the Luke account. So, Jesus humbly did it! As He was among them as one who serves.

So it is to be in the church/ekklesia. He is still among us as one who serves and ministers from humility. There is no leader, no first, no first among equals (whatever that is). There are only brother/sister servants under the Lordship and Headship of Jesus who move in love to serve at His direction.   There is one Head/Lord/Leader of the church. Jesus! The rest of us, as His Body, are simply followers, going where He leads, doing what He is doing, when He wants us to do it. 

This raises the question: “Why is this so hard to comprehend among believers? Why do men seek position, authority, the spotlight, among us? Why do saints/believers want a “leader” so badly, and want to follow men and put them on pedestals?  

I see, and I think it is from the Lord, that the issue today is one of choosing our dwelling place

I, and others have shared in times past that believers can choose to dwell in three places.  I believe it was Frank Viola I heard sharing, a while back, that believers may choose to dwell in Egypt (the world), the Wilderness (a place of passage for trial and testing), or they can choose the promised land (the place of God’s provision and security).

The World: It is easy to get distracted and return to Egypt, the place of the world and its system, and its ways. Egypt/the world is where God’s people are seen, but  are forced to work as slaves making bricks and building someone else’s kingdom. Not His. 

The Wilderness: We can choose to dwell in the wilderness which is intended as a place of passage. God never intends for us to dwell there. Being in the wilderness He may teach you to trust Him and rely on Him for a period of time. But, it is meant to be transitional taking you from Egypt to the promised land. If you choose to dwell there, misery will be extended, and the taste of milk and honey and the promise and provision of God will not be found.

The Promised Land: You can enter the land of promise and dwell there. It is a place of God’s provision and security… a place of resting in Him, and  co-laboring with Him…not for Him.

But, I suggest, because I personally discovered sometime back, that there is one other place, a fourth place, the people of God can choose to dwell and stay.  That is Babylon.  It is a place of captivity. It is the place of religion. And by religion, I am talking about what Paul called “self-made religion (Colossians 2:23). Contextually Paul was referring to self abasement and “touch not taste not” type rules which have the “appearance of wisdom”  and he calls them out as that which is in “accordance with the commandments and teachings of men”.  But I think such self-made religion really comes down to simply trying to impress God, and mostly others, on your own terms by doing this or that or, sometimes,… by not doing this or that.   At Babel, in Genesis 11, men built with brick, not stone, to erect a tower to reach god…. and more importantly make a name for themselves.

[Gen 11:3-4 NASB95] 3 They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn [them] thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [will reach] into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

During the Babylonian exile of Judah there was no temple.  So, there was no temple worship, and no animal sacrifice. This gave rise to the synagogue. Again, it was built by man and by his plans. The synagogue was a substitute for the temple for the reading of Torah, with explanations and expositions by teachers or rabbi’ (Platform to spectator hierarchy first established). Out of this focus on the reading and teaching of Torah came the production of the Talmud to explain/exposit and interpret the Torah/Law. And that was  instrumental in putting heavy religious burdens on people to perform to please God and appease their own conscience. The trappings of this exile continued even after the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. And continue around the world today.   Yes, Jesus taught and read at synagogue in his day. But it was not the temple. This tacit endorsement in His time should not be misconstrued as God’s design. 

Babylon always speaks of man trying to reach God on his own terms… and to make a name for himself.

As such It is soul-ish worship! It is always putting the spotlight on man, his mind – intellectual understanding, his will – reaching God in his way and doing what he thinks God will bless, his emotions – warm fuzzies or sensationalism.    Western church expressions are full of it and, I believe, are still taken captive by it.  They are captive in Babylon.  And, if a certain expression isn’t captive to it. Many believers, unfortunately, are

For some years,  I thought the mainline liturgical and evangelical traditional church expressions and denominations were only those that had fallen prey, and most susceptible, to being captive in Babylon’s religious grasp of performance based self-made religion. 

But, in recent years I have come to comprehend that many of my charismatic/Pentecostal/full gospel brothers and expressions are just as captive in Babylonian religious tentacles. And, particularly, because of their exalting APEPT ministry gifts to pedestal positions. There is often hierarchical order, or sometimes to gifts alone, that replace the voice of the Lord and guidance of the Spirit. 

I believe this is a large part of the reason so many believers are drawn to following, or chasing after, the “next great move” of God, or gifted men, instead of being desirous of knowing and following Jesus. It is easier to follow someone else or the crowd if they feed the intellect, the emotions, and just leave my will to me, than it is to follow the Spirit under the Headship of Jesus.

When Jesus said “it shall not be so among you”. He was not encouraging spotlight seeking leaders.  But, servants, and a community of servants. 

I often think He and the Holy Spirit must be grieved at the condition of the church in our times.  That does not mean He has given up on it or has decided to discard it and start over. It does mean that we may want to ask ourselves some very hard questions about enabling forms that continue this functional process of “spotlights on leaders and leadership”, instead of forms that lead us to functions of open participation and ministry as His body, following Him.

Platform ministry in the spotlight and following men has, in many ways, I think has resulted in usurping the Headship of Jesus in the church, and perhaps thwarted the release of the priesthood of believers equipped to minister to other saints and the world around them.   All because of men seeking position/authority (to be the greatest) and the church/saints being willing to let them have it (give us a king to judge us/you go speak to Him for us). And, thereby saints shirk their responsibility to serve and minister (even washing feet) in, and as, Christ and by the Holy Spirit in them.

In the scriptures there are three prevailing analogies from Genesis to Revelation that create images of the people/family/church of God.  They are the Bride, the Temple, and the Body. All give tangible identity to which we can relate regarding what God desires in us corporately as His own.  He desires us to be a Bride for the Son, He desires us to be a Temple for His habitation, and He desires us as a Body to be the physical manifestation, as a corporate man, of the Son to affect the world around us and give testimony to principalities and powers above us.

Note the focus of all this is not specifically on us, outside of His love for us and desire for relationship with us. It is about Him.

In regards to building a house or a temple the psalmist in Solomon wrote.

[Psalm 127:1-2 NASB95] 1 A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved [even in his] sleep.

Note: the LORD builds.  We can be laborers WITH Him and in His purpose. But, we must be working with, not FOR, Him and under His direction, not from our initiative or building from our plans, or it will be vanity.

Also note the “religious” activity mentioned here to accomplish anything is vain.  Rising up early, retiring late, eating the bread of painful labors (works).  If we are working with Him there will be time enough, time without pressing for more time and never finding enough. We will find all we need in rest, even in sleep as He supplies. This comes as, or because, we are building with Him, under His leading and direction and by His plan and designs, not for ourselves and our reputationto make a name for us before Him or men.

Contrast that again with the original tower of Babylon

[Genesis 11:3-4 NASB95] 3 They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn [them] thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [will reach] into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

At Babylon they had to organize, they had to plan, they had to make brick. Brick is what man builds with for uniformity. God uses stones. Living ones. Cut at quarry and laid in place, one in relationship to the other. And, their purpose at Babylon was to reach into heaven (God) and make a name for themselves.

Please be prayerful and aware of the seductive power of Babylon to cause you to build with brick and develop synagogues that He never called for, planned, or desired. Places for worship that are the result of captivity and developing self-made religion and placing hard burdens of performance on people.  Not the temple which fully represents true worship and the sacrifice of, and freedom that is in, Jesus.

[Hebrew 10:19-25 NASB95] 19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since [we have] a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [clean] from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another;] and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The principle of participation was the norm for the church in Paul’s day.  The question then is: How did it change, and platform performance to spectators become the norm in our time? It is a deep question.  I could oversimplify, with some sense of truth to it, and say it came as saints became insensitive to the Holy Spirit in them doing the work of ministry through them, and preferred to leave “ministry” to the clergy/hierarchy.  There is probably more to it however.

As I said before, that principle of “trusting” the man of God, rather than hearing from God, and obedience/doing what he asks or what He leads in has been alive in well in God’s people since Moses (Exodus 20:18-20, Deuteronomy 5:5). And, when they requested a king from Samuel and got Saul rejecting God as their King (1st Samuel 8:8 and following).  It has existed since the garden as men chose knowledge of rule and regulation over life in the intimacy of feeding on He Who is life.  Choosing to take from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good And Evil instead of choosing to eat from the Tree of Life.

The principle of participation requires listening to Him, and sensitivity to Him in serving others in and through Him. 

It has been said that the norm in the ekklesia should be “Participatory meetings, and orderly spontaneity, with the goal of edification” 

Edification in its simplest definition means to “build up” or to uplift, enlighten, strengthen, encourage, help to improve. It always has a positive effect. However, it does not necessarily always come from a positive word or action.

The point of our participatory gatherings is edification.  1 Corinthians 14: 26

[1Corinthians 14:26 NASB95]  26 What is [the outcome] then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Note the participatory nature of Paul’s instruction.  WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE (plural -come together, convene, cohabit, associate with), EACH ONE HAS (every one, any one,  each/every man woman) has something to offer  or bring. Let it be done to build up the whole assembly and each other.

[1Corinthians 14:12 NASB95] 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts,] seek to abound for the edification of the church.

In the context, in these two verses, the apostle was dealing with the expression of tongues and prophecy in the church at Corinth.  But, he makes it clear that no matter the gift, the outcome and goal is to be edification of the church as a whole and each member.   To do this requires a sensitivity to the Spirit, and developing both the willingness to be used by Him, and the control of our self-will to be submitted to Him.

A community of servants functioning under the Lordship of Jesus administered by the Holy Spirit in residence in each of us. Results: Orderly spontaneity given to edification. 

Recently I hear and read a lot about what God is doing in the church today. Many point to Apostles and Prophets, in particular, and other four/five fold ministry gifts.  I believe in these gifts (what I have referred to in the past as Ephesian 4:11 “ministry gifts”) to the church. Their scriptural purpose is to equip saints for the work of ministry (edification?). Their purpose is not to call attention to themselves or simply stir people up about the latest and greatest “move” or personal endeavor.

Most who think themselves called to one of these ministry gifts knows  vs 11 and 12 regarding equipping saints for the work of ministry. But most (not all) , and most of the Body of believers seem to ignore vs 13 which is related to the eternal purpose we discussed last week, and moving us corporately toward manifesting the fullness of Christ. 

[Ephesians 4:13 NASB95] 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

All too often in 50 years in the faith I have witnessed platform ministry stirring people up, but not changing nor edifying them. Nor moving them any way to corporately manifest Jesus.   And very often simply lifting up a hierarchy of men with supposed “gifts” and “authority”, but not building up the community of servants that is the Body of Christ and equipping them.  The result has been a form of Christianity that is a mile wide and inch deep because it calls people to a move, and a moment, but not to Jesus. Nor is there a call to losing yourself and your identity in Him, or a call to a more costly discipleship that comes from following Him, not men, into laying your life down for others in love and service under His direction.

I long to see the restoration of all things, and the mighty miracle, in the church/ekklesia.  But I don’t see it coming through APEPT directed “moves” or platform ministry, but through saints functioning in, and as, a community of servants in participatory gatherings of orderly spontaneity focused on edification of saints and reaching the unbelieving and perishing. 

Authentic APEPT ministry is primarily one on one, not from the platform, and builds a community of servants in their relationship to Him/Jesus, and in their relationships of loving others in the Body and sharing life with, and in service to, them. And, to relationships of loving those that are perishing without Him in the world, through practical mission and service to them, again, under His direction and Lordship.

I too believe God is moving in our time to do wondrous things in His church. But it “ain’t gonna be” through flashy platform performance, but in a community of servants that move in Him/Jesus with the earmarks of humility and love in the power of the Holy Spirit that reveals the Father and calls attention to Him/Jesus, not themselves, or their ministry, or office. Jesus turned the world upside down through a very small community following Him. He is still doing so.  

I pray, and believe, that we will yet see how He moves through a small remnant that chooses to leave the captivity in Babylon and return to the restoration of a temple of living stones moving to be the fullness of Him that fills all in all.  

[Romans 15:2 NASB95]  2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

[Ephesians 4:29 NASB95] 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give grace to those who hear.