Christian Beginings

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Mat 1:21)  

Jesus didn't come to bring peace, as a matter of truth He came to bring the sword (Matt 10:34). Salvation is about separation from all that pertains to the world, sin, self and the devil. It is a total cut off that denies past powers from intruding into the divine relationship; as with a marriage that involves leaving and cleaving.

The Christian life doesn't begin at Jesus birth but His death which is the only avenue to bring propitiation of sin. Salvation begins at our death so to no longer live according to past ways but by faith, no longer of a lesser life but Christ life, no longer by the desires of the flesh but by the Spirit, etc. We are reminded to remember and proclaim His death, rarely about His birth (1 Cor 11:26)

Regeneration

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Tit 3:5)

To regenerate is to create anew or to rebirth what is already in existence. This work of God is the needful divine work for that which has lost its divine intent and eternal worthiness. Man at best can help patch but never bring permanent resolution because the root or the seed requires God’s potent  work. We may never know or experience the deceitfulness of sin until the right condition presents itself and snowball into an uncontrollable monstrosity. People who fall into moral failures and addictions know this all too well.

God’s view of salvation is not to replace the ‘bad’ parts with the new; it’s a rebirth from within that is so powerfully redemptive that totally wipes all the past decadence regardless of depth and extent totally removing and forgetting the past. Life becomes new; perspectives, desires and values elevates to a great heights. It is when a beggar of temporal pleasures transforms into a prince with great eternal inheritance. Jesus didn’t come to improve, He died and resurrected that regeneration will take its course to raise sons to highest and greatest glorious stature. It takes faith to believe it’s only God that can do it, stop trying.

Created for Himself

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Col 1:16)

There are those who would say that ‘god’ is of man’s imagination hence ‘god’ is a creation of man. Both Christians and heathens have similar capabilities to form a ‘god’ of one’s imagination, shaped and formed according to ones need and desire. It is man’s fallen nature to want God to conform to ours. 

To create a ‘god’ is to basically design one that suits my ideals, inevitably allowing that which is flawed to be included. This ‘god’ is one that doesn't need to have the highest moral standards, it suffice to bear the same caliber as we want. Hence there is a possibility of morals degenerating or improving as we move from one station of life to another; essentially morals fluctuate according to us.

The truth that God created is the beginning statement of the Bible and Torah, no excuses and explanation needed. All of what we see and experience is all of Him, through Him and eventually to Him. Thrones, dominions, principalities and powers come and go, so will we but the Creator remains. As a child of God, our life, desires and ambitions will be conformed to Christ. His ideals will become our ideals, His morals will become our morals, etc. At the end it is for Him. In all the scheme of things it seems rather selfish of God, but the truth is that He loves. It was God that first gave, paid the cost price for our ransom. He loved, still loving and continues to love for God IS love.

Gaining a Heart of Wisdom

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psa 90:12)

The lack of wisdom causes us to make wrong decisions or improper choices which will reap negative consequences. Wisdom may not equate to intelligence or knowledge; foolishness can be a result of knowing what is right but choosing to ignore it for lack of better judgment.

There have been many who misbehaved and acted foolishly thinking that they are immortal. Mortality should make us sober. To know that we are personally accountable for our actions should keep us on the right path. It is not just that, to stay on the right path must include faith that Jesus will lead us and if necessary carry us through. The Good Shepherd will speak to our spirit and heart to keep ourselves, but if we choose to listen selectively that’s where folly steps in.

Carefulness in Private Living

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. (Psa 101:2)

It is one thing to live a glorious public life but a greater thing to live a victorious private life. It is relatively easier to be blameless when there is external encouragement, but true strength is when one is able to be blameless hidden from man’s eyes.

Our private misbehaviors cannot be overcome unless there is a sense of deep humility to concede and dare not trust our heart. The only trust is on our God and Savior Who knows every intent and true condition of the heart. The moment we say we have self confidence to overcome, it will be the next moment that we find ourselves falling. Good intentions cannot help us, only living in the state of life that is as though walking on thin ice, trusting no one but on Christ alone.

A perfect heart is one of highest integrity. One of high integrity is one with a steadfast God-strengthened spirit to be consistent in every dealings of life. The steadfastness of spirit is a wall of protection against grief and regrets. Jesus says ‘come’ and He will provide all that is necessary to be privately victorious.

Speaking in Being

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psa 19:3)

God’s Word is His Work; His Word bring into being what didn’t exist. In other words, His word can create what is lacking or missing.  We can lose sight of the might and power of His Word when our issues and problems appear to be insurmountable mountains. The mountains are our own creation, not God’s.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, (Luke 8:43)

Instead of halting us in our pursuit of seeking our own solutions, God allows us to run with it. Unfortunately sometimes is requires that all of our energy have been sapped before we turn our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith. As with self created mountains, faith brings into being the might and power of His Word. The Word continues to perpetuate through time and space; to listen is to receive the Words of Jesus that is Spirit and Life. To receive with thankfulness is faith.

Christ and the Word

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Rev 19:13)

If we hold on the God’s Word, Covenants, promises etc, it is supremely noble. It is the Word of God that removes the stain of everything humanly sinful with all its baggage. But if the Word remains at this state it can evolve to a creed which when left to human interpretation it may lose the entire spiritual reality of Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Before any existence, Christ was and through Him all things came into being. The finality of everything is Christ (Eph 1:10). Everything that we read in the Word brings us to Christ, therefore the covenants and promises in the Holy Scriptures have nothing to do with us, but wholly about Christ. It is we that have been included into Christ; we shouldn’t and dare not say that Christ exist for us.  We exist for Christ, not Christ exists for us. We may not articulate it this way, but our daily outworking can demonstrate this trait. Christianity is about Christ, yet we can preach, teach and think that it is about us. God’s salvation plan is that we are included into all that is Christ. It is not so much about how much Jesus loves me and blessed me; we need to work out our salvation with reverent fear and trembling to die to human selfishness in our brand of Christianity. Don't settle for less than God's eternal glory.

Inward Strength

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man….(Eph 4:23-24)

We can try all we want to overcome whatever that we struggle with, whether it be sin, depression, unforgiveness, or perhaps some character flaw that we realize is hurting others or ourselves. There could be doubts about the possibility of deliverance or even toying with the idea that God is not capable to help. Trying is not the recipe for deliverance.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (2Cor 10:5)

The strongest stronghold in any person is found in the mind and more than often not it has to do with self-pride. We can justify why we cannot forgive or any other struggle; all these are reasoned in the mind. Having the mind of Christ is to reason from God’s perspective and more often than not, it goes against the grain of pride. Having the mind of Christ requires laying down our will as well as our pride for God’s will. It is the laying down of what is important in our minds to what is important to Christ. We will realize that inward strength is not of our own, but is when we step self aside and let God do the right and just thing. It has nothing to do with what we feel, but all to do with Christ’s glory.

Abstain from Evil

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Pro 27:12)

The age old argument that God created everything including that which is evil, therefore some conclude that God is ultimately the source of evil thus choose to reject Him. God did create both the devil and mankind and the truth is that all of God’s creation was created good. God also gave freedom to both man and angels to choose to follow or to rebel against Him. Rebellion gives birth to evil because of the abuse of the God given freedom. Freedom allows us to make choices at the fork in the road.

Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1Th 5:22)

The consequences of making the wrong choices can be avoided, we cannot deny the principle of reaping what we sow (Gal 6:7). God may not force choices on us, even if He does nobody can prevent a rebellious heart. Don’t test the boundaries of morality, don’t even go near. Don’t taste and see to know its flavor. Driving our morality near the boundary of evil is like testing God.  Choices reflect the true heart condition and the apostle warns us not to deceive ourselves and that God cannot be mocked.

Deceitful Tongue

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (Psa 12:2)

Jesus did warn us that the mouth cannot hide the true condition of the heart. Deceitful words are spoken every moment with selfish intents, trap laid with lures to draw victims. Many have fallen into various traps because of the lures that seem to be able to satisfy an inward void.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. (Psa 131:2)

We can have the propensity to filter out what is truth and what are lies. The offer is open to everyone who trusts in Jesus, it’s a matter of what state we desire to be. From where do we draw our life and satisfaction or do we desire temporal gratification. Have we found the Pearl of Great Price or even chose the good which can be the enemy of the best? When we have discovered that there is a better place and position in Christ, any deceitful words will be deflected as truth will be our shield.

Fulfilling the Law

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.(Matt 5:17)

Antinomianism is the reaction of those who see the Law and Commandments of God as dos and don’ts, with the intention of being restrictive. A religious Jew once told me that the 10 Commandments were written on stone, the reflection of the human heart. However God can replace the stony and stubborn heart with a tender and responsive heart (Jer 31:33). Note that in either case, God will still write His Law on both stony and tender heart. Therefore it is the matter of the recipient and not with God.

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? (Luke 14:3)

The Law was given with the knowledge that it will not constraint sin, hence we don’t have to think of the Law as restrictive and choking. The Law was given to tell us that salvation is by faith and not by works. Jesus never did away with the Law but reminded us that love is the foundation of the Law, by this we know the true spirit of the Law. The Law continually points us to God, for God Himself is Love. Out of that tender heart we know how to treat others above self thus fulfilling the Law.

Faithfulness

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exo 20:14)

The issue with adultery is not about the act, but with regard to the faithfulness.  Jesus went deeper to the root of the matter to tell us that it is not about the doing but about the being (Matt 5:28). God, who is the keeper of the covenant, knows that the human heart will have the tendency to stray hence His chastening serves His divine purpose to return us into His enveloping love.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

The apostle beckons us to keep ourselves in God’s love (Jude 1:21), that is to watch carefully that we are constantly in the safe place of the Father’s love. This watching is not a legalistic one outlined by dos and don’ts but one whose core is founded in love. Stay faithful to God and not to any task, regardless of how spiritual the task may be. To keep ourselves is to know the inclusiveness into His family. Betrayal is most foul in any family, stay in the place of faithfulness.

Carefulness

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mar 13:37)

There are many things that will preoccupy us, especially that which concerns the immediate. Jesus and the early apostles spoke about the Kingdom of God and many died for it, ‘not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection’ (Heb 11:35). If such were preached today there will be many empty pews.

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (Mar 4:19)

Jesus didn’t speak against richest but the love of it. How careful am I in keeping myself from deception? The aim of deception is to blind, that God’s Word may not bring life and life that is multiplying. Many things are meant for use, not abusing it (1 Cor 7:21).

Jesus asked us to ‘watch’ for His coming and the final establishment of His Kingdom. This is what we know in the mind, but do we want it in our hearts? There may be unaccomplished dreams and desires that carelessly brush aside eternal matters. Carefully and humbly keep our heart in the right place, but don’t attempt to understand it (Jer 17:9).

Bondservants

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Psa 2:3)

The apostles call themselves bondservants of Jesus Christ, which is to mean there is a voluntary surrender to the Master with unwavering obedience and undying loyalty (Exodus 21:5-6). It is an allegiance that is to Christ alone. From the world’s perspective this seems rather unreal and cruel, but in Christ’s perspective is one that is surrounded and ruled by love.

The heathen (Psa 1:1) is the one that seeks to break free from slavery to God. To have Christ rule over us is to have our lives intruded with His Holiness. To have Christ rule over us is to die to everything is encompasses self. God is not destroying individuals and individualism. Bondservants desire the greater good of their Heavenly Master as well as for their brethren. If we reject the intrusive rule of Christ in all areas of our privacy, we are would be no better than the heathens.

Building One Another

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)

The Lord isn't against individuals but individualism. Unity is not uniformity lest we judge one another to force others to conform to our mold (1 Cor 12:14). The test of unity is when we show grace to the weak by practical help and giving strength as well as being gracious to humbly raise our hands to be lifted up when we fall. Unity is when we overlook differences and seeing Jesus in every believer.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Rom 15:1)

Individualism is a selfish behavior that desires others to conform to them. The only conformity the Lord desires is that we conform to Him, not to each other. Individualism is selfish because it involves self benefit. God’s family is one that builds everyone regardless of the state of their individual walk of faith. To bear with the scruples of the weak is to carry them through and not dragging by force. The Good Shepherd lovingly leads His flock and not driving them. The end is that we build one another up and not tearing down. The latter is the work of the destroyer; we shouldn't participate in his evil works.

Skepticism

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (Mark 2:7)

Jesus read the reasoning in the hearts of the scribes; it is not that the latter didn’t have the right understanding. They were right about the things of God but they didn’t recognize the authority that Jesus had as the Son of God. We may have acquired sufficient knowledge to reason but we must remove the spectacles of human consideration and believe all that the Bible presents to us is the only truth. We shouldn’t say, oh some things are not meant for me or this and that doesn’t apply today. If Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, so is His Word.

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)

Someone said that skeptics read the Bible with a pair of scissors, cutting out what they don’t like or disagree. Skepticism is to take what the Holy Scripture says with a pinch of salt, filtering out what is irrelevant . We are to take the whole counsel of God as one and consistent. It is not how much we know, but it is how we believe God and His authority. It is not how much our experience is, experience may be for the moment but God’s principles are forever. Recognize the authority of God through His Word, if we do so the reality of God and His promises will be worked out in the most amazing way.

Personal Responsibility

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (Prov 4:27)

There are many promises that God will keep, for example His love, providence, protection, blessings, etc. There are also things we have to take personal responsibility. God didn’t create marionettes that move at His beckoning, but because of love there is a response God desires from us. Love does demand a right response, being passive or careless is just as well considered as rejecting God’s love. Being personally responsible is a response of love as a sign of a maturing relationship.

Who Reigns?

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1Sam 8:7)

Looking to man’s leadership and ways is to say that we would like to form a god after our own desires. It is to also say that we would like to have a person with the same make up to rule over us with all the similar weaknesses and flaws. In order to satisfy our conscience we look for a lower standard to abide by, and that standard is one that suits our own convenience.

Now therefore hearken unto their voice…… (1Sam 8:9)

One of the saddest events of human history is when God gives His people up to their own desires because of the choice to reject Him. It is not the world who rejected God, for they have not accepted Him in the first place. By rejecting His reign means that there are areas in our lives that we don’t want God to touch or intrude. We often forget that He wants to raise us to glory not crushed to misery. Don't allow our personal desires thwart our glorious destiny.

Our Father in Heaven

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Mat 23:9)

A father is one who begets or one who brings into being. Jesus is not denying natural fatherhood, He is teaching us not to look to man but God as the eternal Father. David cried to the LORD in the depths of his troubles and sorrow because of the relationship he had with his God. Our decreasing call for man’s help increases with our love for the Father. Our increasing spirituality is with the decrease of the love for the world.

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. (Dan 6:11)

Our human tendency is to petition man whose help is finite; He wants us to remember His infinite love and everlasting mercy. It may cost us to trust our Father as it did Daniel. 

Divine Objective

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:13)

The Lord ascended on high that He might give gifts to His body on earth to bring about fruition to His divine objective in order to have a Church that reflects not its own glory but of His glory. Jesus Christ did not give positions or titles as in the five fold ministry, He gave gifts; if we see them as gifts because of His grace, we see ourselves as part of His divine purpose to attract people to Christ and not to ourselves.

Unity is echoed in the Psalms, the apostles writing and especially in the Lord Jesus’ prayer. We cannot enter into the state of the unity of the faith if we are interested in our own goals and working to force-fit spiritual values into them. The converse is what the Lord wants to achieve in all of us, that is to bring us on the journey along His path of Righteousness and not to include Him into our personal pilgrimage. Everything that bear spiritual facades will be tested and torn down; only that which is of Him, through Him and to Him will remain (Rom 11:36).

Profitability

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Mat 25:15)

Serving the Lord is something inherent for believers who love Him and desire to do His will. However there isn’t any fruits that is sufficient out of the produce of our effort (Psa 50:8). It is not something birthed out of our abilities or out of our heart; our natural goodness is not what He is looking for. We may carry over the same goodness from before believing in Christ, thus using that which is from the old man as an offering isn’t working out what He has worked into us.

….. but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

What is more precious than the life of Christ given to us and productive life begets life. Fruitfulness is evident out of life that is healthy, thriving and giving. What Christ has given is expected to flow in and through us. The converse of giving life is to bring death. Our speech, our behavior, our character, bringing healing, bringing forgiveness, bringing peace, etc should be the clarion demonstration of the life of Christ manifested. Similarly, to love is the evidence of life; to hate is to bring about death (Matt 5:22).

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. (John 21:6)

Check our motivation in serving the Lord; is it out of human goodness or out of that which comes from above. Is what we do manifest out of the strength provided in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)? Ultimately it’s the life of Jesus Christ that is to be imparted, to fulfill the great commission. It is Jesus Christ who calls us fisher of men; the sheep who hears His command will draw in the vast kingdom harvest, regardless of our natural talents or capabilities.

Lonely Desperation

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. (Gen 40:23)

There are times the Lord will bring us through to teach and present to us the revelation that only He is the Lord. These times are one of the darkest and loneliest, at the lowest points where the emphatic desperate cries for help seem to fall on deaf ears. Even if our cries are heard, nobody understands and any reaction from the hearers is inappropriate. There is a sense of death inside (Psa 105:18).

….. thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psa 23:4)

The gracious God will not abandon His children, but take us through the valley of the shadow of death that we may experience firsthand His discipline and comfort. We avoid discipline because it hurts… don’t, if we do there will be life transforming divine intervention that will be missed. Keep our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith not on the insurmountable mountain of despair. Many man and woman of God had to go through times where nobody understands; but He does because there is a glorification He is working into us.

Walking in the Spirit

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2)

'The cross has been given to procure salvation for us; the Spirit has been given to produce salvation in us. Christ risen and ascended is the basis of our salvation; Christ in our hearts by the Spirit is its power'

Watchman Nee

The Right Spirit

 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; (Isa 11:2)

David asked not only for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration of relationship with his God, but also for a renewed spirit. The differentiator between man and creatures is that the LORD has given man a spirit. A right spirit is one the masters over a man. The right spirit is one that connects and communicates with the soul; for example humility is a character drawn out of humble spirit (Prov 29:23). In other words, a right spirit from the LORD will guide a man into his destiny.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14)

We cannot forget that we are spiritual beings, and this advantage man has over all the creatures in the earth. A spirit of lust will drive man to desire things that destroys the body (1 Cor 6:17-19), but a right spirit from the LORD brings life (Rom 8:10). The negative spirit drives, but the right spirit is led by the Holy Spirit. The former leads to destruction and the latter to eternal life. Let us not be deceived, man will yield to one spirit only, either to the one of the world where it’s ruler is the devil and the other is of God which carries the mark of son-ship; the former will imprison and the latter will set free.