Mistaken Justification

 …… in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2Pe 3:16)

David Pawson once said that a skeptic would read the Bible with a pair of scissors, discarding the portions they don’t like. Who was Peter writing to in his letter? Who would constitute the company that would wrest or strain and twist the Holy Word of God? Perhaps written to ignorant unbelievers? The letters from the Apostles addressed believers, not the unsaved.  There are unbelievers who quote Scripture for its valuable words of wisdom, but seldom to justify themselves.

But ye have not so learned Christ; (Eph 4:20)

Firstly the ‘unlearned’, not referring to mental knowledge but those deficient of spiritual understanding that transforms to right being, right thinking, right behavior, right speaking…. Intrinsically it is a life that demonstrates the inward working of Christ and the cross in us (Tit 2:11, 12). Lust transformed to love, worldliness to godliness, dead works to righteousness and the like. This working out of our salvation is not informational, but the Spirit revelational.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (Jas 1:8)

Many of us desire to live on earth and willing to go to be with Christ, however the normal Christian should live conversely (Phil 1:23, 24). We have to purpose and make a choice whom we will serve (Josh 24:15), not just physical idols but more so concerning ungodly gratification of the flesh and idolatry of the self (Col 3:5).  The opposite of instability or wavering is the state of shalom, being at peace with God and man.  This state of instability is easily often seen in constantly overcome by temptation, outburst of wrath, lacking self control and easily overwhelmed by emotions and the surrounding. The foundation is not Christ (Matt 7:24-27, Col 2:7). Peter warned that to distort the Word of God to self advantage spell self destruction. Allow the plumb line of His Word to judge us and be humble and meek to allow Him to work deeply in our lives. Be relentless with self and not look at the pain of chastisement, less we be disqualified (1 Cor 6: 9, 10).

Prayer, the Language of God’s Children

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1Jn 5:14)

Lacking in prayer is to be is to be deficient in our communion with our Father. We cannot pray out of the flesh, because we bound to ask amiss with the intention of spending the answers to gratify the flesh (Jam 4:3). If we pray from the soul, the focus will inevitably concern self and nothing to do with God and His purposes as though the whole universe revolves around them. Praying the language of God’s children is in the spirit that He has made alive to Christ. It is a connection, communion that goes beyond words formed in the mind in order to pray as we ought (Rom 8:26). The spiritual language of prayer is a journey that begins with conceding we do not know how to. With that recognition, relinquish every form, thought and beautifully formed words, with or without emotional expression and start to humbly asking Jesus to teach us to pray (Luke 11:1). This Heavenly language is not one that is passive by depleting our mind of any thoughts, but rather approaching the Throne of the Most High God to petition with the language of dependence. Prayer is not meant to impress God nor man (Matt 6:5), but it can be groaning so deep that communicates volumes. Prayer is not some form of Gnosticism who pride themselves to its exclusivity and length (Matt 6:7)

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also….. (1Co 14:15)

Praying with understanding is important as the Holy Spirit put His thoughts and His will into us to verbalize what ought to be prayed in a given situation. Otherwise our prayers will amount to nothing but a foreign language to God’s hears. He wants us to participate in speaking into existence His will that is already done, on earth as it is in Heaven. He wants His children to articulate His will on earth. There is only one spiritual language that the Father responds to, because He is Spirit.

Don’t be intimidated to pray to the Most High God. Jesus Christ asked us to call Him Father. Prayer is a language of the Family. Pray is as simple as a child communication with his parent, don’t let people, the devil or anything deny us of this tremendous privilege.

The Words of Joel, Retold in Prose

Great destruction has come upon God’s land and the people are swallowed up by the enemy, who ruthlessly and violently strips and devours, frothing at its lips in hysterical sadistic pleasure.

The temple is desolate; the fields are a wasteland. There is no growth, no grain totend, thresh, or harvest for the nourishment of the children because the seeds shrivel out in the ground and dry out before they can begin to germinate. There are no grapes that blossom in season and to be treaded for the rejoicing of the people. There are no olives budding on the trees, no plucking and pressing of olives to make the fragrant oil. The herds of once flourishing cattle and sheep now starve for want of food in restless groaning. Everywhere you turn, you see broken-down barns, homes in ruins, the people restless, wandering, hungry, and bereaved.

It’s a sign from God. Everywhere that everyone goes, the message is there, from the farmer to the priest, from the vinedresser to the merchant, from the prophet to the mother at home – life has come to a dreadful standstill and the future is torn from their grasp.

“Sure joy has withered away from the sons of men”. (Joel 1:12c)

God has withheld even the offerings of the temple. The priests, the ministers, what ought they to do?

And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him: 'I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; if My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’ (2Ch 7:12-14 JPS)

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