Religion of the Self

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  (Tit 1:16)

Religion is a self made system that Jesus confronted whilst on earth (John 8) and it is still in existence today and seeks to destroy what the Lord has laid for His followers – the cost of discipleship. The gate is narrow and the way is difficult, this thought totally opposes the religious system preached by and large in churches today. Self imposed religion is one that does not take the His Word at face value, but using one’s own ‘spiritual’ scissors to carve out what is convenient and make a form of it (1 Cor 3:13), however resulting in lack of power. It lacks power to deny self and to live a transcending life that goes against every grain of humanistic beliefs.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  (Mat 5:39)

The religion of the self is about my right, my concerns, my pain, my joy and everything that engulfs ‘me’. We know that the self still exerts its strength over our lives when we get ‘hurt’ over the most trivial of matters. From hurt it breeds bitterness and bitterness, begets hatred and hatred murder. This pathway is a sure way for disqualification of the gift of eternal life (1 John 3:15). Murder is not just causing physical death, but the word spewed out of bitterness is deadly poison by itself (Prov 18:21).

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.  (1Jn 2:28)

The religion of the self opposes the cross. It denies everything that Jesus espouses for His bride. Self is the biggest enemy to salvation because sin has been dealt with by Jesus’ blood.  Dare we say we are greater than the Master? It is absolutely and extremely heart wrenching at that Day of His coming and discover that you are not among His sheep (Matt 25:32), because we refuse to carry the cross (death to self) and cling on to our self imposed religion that has an outward form of ‘Christianity’. 

A Faithful Saying

2 Timothy 2:11-13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
¹² If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
¹³ If we are faithless,
He remains faithful; 

He cannot deny Himself.

Carnality of Speech

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.  (Pro 10:19)

We have been warned of the sorrows of an unbridled tongue, it is a faculty of our body that has the deadly poison to defile the whole (James 3:6). Our speech reveals the true condition of our heart and our carnality. It is not strange that carnality is not only manifested in lust and ungodly appetite but also in the verbal diarrhea. The carnal Christian will use such speech to compensate for their deep spiritual lack. It is a sign of insecurity and secretly desiring to be included into some self deceptive exclusivity, hence trampling on others and causing division in the process. Carnality never seeks the betterment of others, but selfish exaltation.

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.  (Pro 10:20)

God will only choose those who have died to carnality to dispense oracles uttered in Holiest of Holy (1 Pet 4:11). Such speech is precious and life bringing and so is the worth of the bearer. Are we of worth to God or to self? It is revealed in the carnality of our speech.

Leading of the Spirit

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (John 3:6)

The obvious is the division of what is clean from the unclean, but the Lord would have us know also the separation of that which is Holy (Lev 10:10). If we start to do things because it pleases someone and if it is a good idea, it is clean. Well meaning actions not birth out of intimacy with our Savior is of the flesh. We can be saved and sin having no dominion over us, but the flesh can still move us to perform things which are the enemy of God’s best. The best that flesh can offer is good and clean.

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

Our best and not God’s best can be result of self driven motivation which faces the danger of self righteousness. Jesus didn’t condemn the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, but said that our righteousness of right being and right doing have to transcend theirs (Matt 5:20). The former is of the letter, the latter of the Spirit. It takes a second birth to be led by the Spirit, but it also takes the dying of the self. Jesus died to forgive our sins, He gave us the cross to put the death the self. The latter is a life time pilgrimage. A sign of a Spirit led life is not just based on faith, but the reduction of self and maturing to selfless love (2 Pet 1:5-7)....'the greatest of these is love'.

Authority to Cleanse Ourselves

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  (2Co 7:1)

There are sins that we humbly ask for forgiveness and cleansing and by faith comes the experience of freedom (1 John 1:9). And yet there are sins that we have to discover victory for ourselves. It is not that God is not able to but we have to know for ourselves that we want to forsake the sinful past for the life of Christ (Rom 6:11). Not just letting go of sin, but dead to that. Having the faculty with the propensity to sin dead, what can stir it up again (Rom 6:6)?

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (1 John 3:3)

Are not ‘these promises’ that we shall be His people, we will be received by Him and we shall be His sons and daughters (2 Cor 6:16-18)? The one who made them is the Lord Almighty (vs. 18) and will He not together with ‘these promises’ give us the power to cleanse ourselves, executing and completing holiness in the fear of God. As long as we carry a secret desire for that thing that doesn’t please God, we will continue to be slaves of sin. That power to cleanse ourselves freely avails to us, it is up to us to take the step of faith and experience what it means to live the gift of eternal life on this side of heaven.

Falling into Deception

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.  (1Jn 2:26)

Those who think they cannot be deceived are candidates themselves of deception (Prov 27:1). The warning have been issued and there ought to be watchfulness; the world and our surrounding is in dire need of a ‘messiah’ that will wave his hand and bring instant relief (2 Kings 5:11, Luke 21:8). The fact that one is looking for an instant solution shows that he is ripe for deception because once an ‘answer’ is provided, that one will immediate hop onto the band wagon.

We are told to wait on the Lord, and many will find this waiting unnerving. This is a discipline that the Lord would have us go through. Issues and problems not meant to be circumvented (Rom 5:3) lest we deal and look for a way out by our own cleverness. The Lord never desired cleverness but faith (Heb 11:6). The opposite of faith is to trust in a counsel that is not from Him (Psa 1:1), this opens to alternative answers which lead to deception. There is only One Way that we have to recognize and follow, though humanly speaking totally illogical (John 14:6). Take everything else with a pinch of salt and trust Him to teach us (1 John 2:27).

Dealing With the Root of Sin

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these.....  (Gal 5:19)

True victory over sin.... habits, poor character, addictions etc is not to deal with the symptoms. We can deal with a symptom (sins) today and another will prop up to frustrate us, even worst is that the particular issue rears its ugly head returning later with greater vengeance. The tragedy is that we give up and settle to continue in sin, never having the joy of freedom from sin. Let us not have a conscience that is seared (1 Tim 4:2) for the assurance is that the seed of the holiness of God remains in us (1 John 3:9). Don’t allow sin to be viewed as a non issue otherwise we are deceived (1 John 1:8).

The hope of freedom from sin and not keep on justifying ourselves is that God has a solution to destroy its root. If the source is dealt with, there is no longer any need to neither suppress nor struggle in sin. The tree of sin can be destroyed that the fruitfulness in Christ may abound. It is whether we believe what the Word says and conclude that we have died to sin (Rom 6:11). Believe that the work of Jesus Christ is complete and that was His purpose in coming the first time (1 John 3:8). Believing is important because it is to have confidence in the Truth. It is to trust in the reliability of what He said and done on the cross.

There could be some who chose not to believe due to the lack of desire to depart from the pleasures of sin, refusing to accept that it is temporal (Heb 11:25). Don’t accept the lesser when there is the greater.  Believe that sin’s gratification is but for a moment when Christ our righteousness is eternal. To deal with the root of sin is to firstly believe, take the next step by fleeing and looking for His mercy unto everlasting life. Stave off the body of sin (Rom 6:6) by denying and carry on what Christ has appointed for us… the cross. Jesus died losing everything, even His clothes. Buried in a borrowed tomb and the only thing He had was His cross.  Jesus committed His spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46), the cross deals with the flesh but the spirit lives on unto God. Can we be greater than our Master (Matt 10:24)?

Spiritual Beauty
J.R. Miller



Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (1Jn 3:2)

The Hearing of the Gospel

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  (Mat 13:11)

Hearing with the faith to believe lies many times with the condition of our heart (Matt 13:15). This is one thing we cannot fault God, it is His desire that none perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).  Sadly there can be selective hearing, not receiving the whole Gospel truth, accepting only what is convenient. This phenomenon of accepting what we desire is probably because we do not like to be challenged. If our standards or beliefs are challenged and requires a complete change of our minds an automatic wall of resistance appears.

From the parable of the sower it warns us of only a quarter of listeners will be saved to live fruitful Christian lives. Half the listeners received the Gospel but were disqualified; listening but not hearing. Hearing goes very deep into the spirit and birthing forth faith (Rom 10:17). It is purely the grace of God that we been given all the opportunity to hear the mysteries of salvation and of the Kingdom of God. Mysteries are meant to be hidden from those who are hard at hearing. The test of whether we have heard clearly is when testing of what our faith is grounded on and on what affections lies deep within our hearts (Matt 21:21, 22).

We have to deal with two issues that can potentially disqualify us. Firstly, have we been ‘rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving’ (Col 2:7)? The abounding fruit is practicing the will of God (1 Thess 5:18).  Secondly, have we laid down our affections down, whatever that hinders our love for the Savior and love for the brethren (1 John 3:15, 16)?

Have we truly heard the Gospel? Check for evidence and demonstration of the righteous fruit and affections in our daily living. 

A Secret of Victorious Living 
J.R. Miller

Grace Denial 
Octavius Winslow

True Fellowship

…… therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (1Jn 3:1)

Fellowship, as defined in Scripture differs from the world’s perspective. It signifies communion, a giving and receiving in the realm of the spirit. It is union to the God-head through Jesus Christ and partaking of the supernatural life, not sharing any form of human commonality. For us it requires death of the soulish and the fleshly to trod down this road of fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1Jn 1:3). The cost is high and pure, not to be cheapened by compounding it with filth of flesh and spirit (2 Cor 7:1).

Are we known of God or known by the world? The ‘know’ that the apostle stated is whether there has been a perception, understanding, recognizing through personal experience. How can we who have a personal experience with Jesus Christ bear ourselves to the world that rejects His sovereign Lordship? ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?’ (Jas 4:4). Never take fellowshipping as a casual Christian activity wasted over conversations that doesn’t edify nor glorify God. It has to be spirit communicating with spirit, resulting in growing in greater Christ likeness, lesser of self and loving the brethren at the level of daily mundane life in the most practical manner. It begins in the realm of the spirit and worked out in the physical, never the other way around.

Presumptuous Sin

……. hath God said…..?  (Gen 3:1)

Whenever we reason over what God has already said, it speaks of the condition of our heart that is bent on disobedience given the slightest excuse. Believing God is not to be grappled in the mind but begins in the heart (Rom 10:10). Once we have settled to believe God in our heart, all other affections should become dead. Death is where the voice of the world, sin, evil, etc becomes incoherent but only what God has said becomes clear. Perhaps the reason why the love of God has difficulty to be completed in us (1 John 2:5), is because there is lack of single heartedness toward Jesus Christ.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  (Psa 19:12)

Don’t underestimate the power of the deceitful heart that can lead us to gross error (Jer 17:9). Being presumptuous is to take the position that we have the boldness and ability to take charge. Keep ourselves yoked to Christ in humility and ‘be sober, be vigilant’ (1 Pet 5:8). Don’t put ourselves in the place where there is a room for questioning. If we do, we can become presumptuous and another insidious power dominates us, leaving us unpreserved to the end (Psa 19:13, Prov 30:5).

The Principle of Sin
Oswald Chambers

From the book, "If Thou Wilt be Perfect."

Truth in Acknowledging the Messiah

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? ….  (1John 2:22)

Fact is a knowing that something exists. Truth is when fact becomes a perpetual reality, transcending the realm of the intellect of the soul, piercing into the spirit of a man. It is the shedding of God’s light at the spirit level that it becomes revelation. It is one thing to intellectually grasp that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah, He is eternal life (1 John 1:2) to all who have the revelation. Truth has a life that brings the things of the Spirit into the soul which is subsequently evident in practice (1 John 1:6).

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.  (2Ki 18:21)

The very moment we receive the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, immediately all other forms of salvation or help or deliverance become dead to us. Though there may be temptations to seek others, the Holy Spirit will remind us to run to the God of our Salvation. Any other means would be abominable. There is only One Savior, only One Messiah. Not judging the outcome but faithful to endure regardless of outward circumstances and what our eyes behold. We will find out that Jesus our Messiah is faithful and cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13).If we mentally accept that Jesus is Messiah, and our response shows otherwise, could we be living in a lie?

Natural Outworking

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  (1Cor 10:31)

The outworking of our faith is from what God has built in not the reverse (Php 2:13). We don’t have to be overly conscious of the outworking, if we are than there is a possibility that we are trying to please God. If we continually abide in Christ we are already in the place of God’s pleasure. It pleases the Father to work into us and out of that building on that foundation (Jude 1:20), which He has laid comes forth actions that will glory God. Often we may not be aware of it because in that abiding in Christ, self consciousness is diminished…’because as He is, so are we in this world’ (1 John 4:17). How else Jesus Christ is leaving His handprints in this crooked and perverse generation unless it’s through the Church, His body.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.  (John 12:8)

There is a family that is currently in financial need and the brethren have been sharing their evening meals with them. One day there was a cut in the water supply hence no cooking could have been done that day. The mother was at a lost as to how to supply the family with food and purchasing KFC was the best option at that time. Later that evening the water supply was restored and the mother eventually cooked dinner for her family. Later a message came from the father that KFC was an answer to his children’s request for the week and couldn’t do so due to their financial situation. God had to intervene to shut the water supply in order to answer a child’s request. Who else could have engineered the whole situation? The Father’s heart is toward the poor, the fatherless and the widows. God allows poverty for His body to demonstrate mercy (Mic 6:8), in order to test if indeed we are walking in the Light (1 John 2:10). Don’t consider great exploits if we can’t even fulfill daily needs of others.

Purpose of Anointing

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, …….., and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.  (1Jn 2:27)

The Apostles looks at it as ability in relationship that brings us into the possibility of abiding in the Son of God, not to be sort after for the purpose of having the ability to perform a task. It is the oneness with Christ that we have His mind to do His task on earth. Simon mistaken the power for outworking, in reality the outworking comes out of our abiding in Christ (Acts 8:18).

.......The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  (John 5:19)

A servant is not greater than the Master. Jesus preached, performed miracles, gave everlasting life as well as laying down His life was out of His abiding in the Father. If it is for works that we seek anointing we can ask amiss (Jam 4:3), Jesus did because He saw the Father doing. In that stature, the doing will always glorify the Greater. Check our hearts, who is the focus. Do we behold Jesus (John 14:9)? If we do, we will do His greater works (John 14:12).

The Distraction of Contempt 
Oswald Chambers


Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt (Psalm 123:3)

What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives. 


Beware of “the cares of this world . . .” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.” 


Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God. Don’t say, “I must explain myself,” or, “I must get people to understand.” Our Lord never explained anything— He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves. 


When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.

Calmed and Quieted Soul

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)

‘Surely’ is a certainty and being in a state of doubtlessness that we can attain as God’s child. It is not to be considered waveringly but steadfastly. Our certainty is not in ourselves but because we are ‘rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith’ (Col 2:7), abounding with thanksgiving because it is a done deal. There isn’t a need to ask if we can; faith is bringing into substance that we can, in Christ. If we say we will ‘try’, then it is of the flesh and not of the Spirit (Eze 36:27). There is a cause because the Spirit is effectual.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  (Php 4:9)

We will subconsciously enter into the Shalom of God. There is an overwhelming benefit of experiencing the Peace of God as well as having the God of Peace being with us. We become what we feed our minds (Phil 4:8). Fill our minds with truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, good report, virtuous and praise worthiness. Regurgitate on these things. The only things is of any worth has the essence of Christ in them. Be utterly dependent on Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and we will know how to deal with the rest (Matt 6:33). Defeat begins in the mind; we have the God given privilege as sons to be overcomers.

Consistency
Oswald Chambers


Beware of being obsessed with consistency to your own convictions instead of being devoted to God. If you are a saint and say, “I will never do this or that,” in all probability this will be exactly what God will require of you. There was never a more inconsistent being on this earth than our Lord, but He was never inconsistent with His Father. The important consistency in a saint is not to a principle but to the divine life. It is the divine life that continually makes more and more discoveries about the divine mind. It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him.

Indecision in Religion 
Asahel Nettleton

 

The State of the Church and Coming Judgment (Excerpt)
A.W. Tozer

 

True Knowledge is in Keeping His Commandments

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (1John 2:4)

  

Liars face a terrible end in judgment (Rev 21:8). What is worst than being deceived is self-deception. Our glorious destiny is independent on if we know Him, but rather if He knows us (Matt 7:23). There is so much emphasis on the love of God in the antinomian gospel, however it is in keeping His commandments that the love of God is made complete and full in us (1 John 2:5).

  

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6)

The way to salvation is only one; the path of salvation is based on truth. Without truth we are liars and sons of the father of it (John 8:44). Therefore we can be either abide in truth or abide in lies. Truth is precise, not gray but black or white. Truth is a sword that divides that which is self centered and that which is of the Spirit. Truth stands the test of time. Truth is neither a philosophy nor ideology. Truth brings life. Truth is Jesus Christ.

To obey is to love God. We do not obey to be loved by God. Obedience is bringing into reality His promises. Not obeying so that we can receive His promises. Obedience brings us into great knowledge. We do not know we if can walk until we start walking (John 5:9). God never contradicts, He reveals Himself through truth. Practice the truth and we will receive greater revelational light (1 John 1:6).

Deterrence to Fulfilling Our Spiritual Destiny

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.  (Act 21:13)

Reality cannot be the reason not to continue on in faith. Faith is beyond seeing the natural, but the ability to behold our spiritual destiny and whole heartedness to substantiate the things God has laid hold of us. Don’t let situations, fear, danger and uncertainty deter us. If we are not willing to lay our lives down and rise to the occasion in fulfilling the purposes of God in and through us, He will not fail, He will raise another (Est 4:14). Natural reality can never stop God from intervening in human affairs for His glory, it is whether we are willing to avail ourselves to be vessels of honor for His divine purposes. Following Jesus would mean heartaches to loved ones and ourselves, don't let these be the enemy in fulfilling our spiritual destiny.

True Measure of Life

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  (1 John 3:14)

Don’t measure existence of the life of Christ in any fellowship by the amount of spiritual activity. It is not how much faith that bears witness of the disciple but how much love toward each other (John 13:35). Even faith requires action. We love one another not because we agree in a matter or share common interests. We love because we are brethren. To love the brethren is to over look each other faults and shortcomings, ‘love covereth all sins’ not some sins (Prov 10:12). This is the cross we ought to bear. This is the walk we ought to walk after the footsteps of the Master (1 John 2:6).

We want God to love us. Selfishness is when we don’t share the love of God with others, especially of the household of God. We know the love of God because Jesus laid down His life for us, similarly the outworking of the love of God toward the brethren (1 John 3:16).

Christian love is practical not just talk (1 John 3:18). Don’t just say that we love one another, show it. We know that the love of God dwells in us by ensuring our brethren have what we have.  Sin is shutting up compassion and selfishly hoarding for ourselves. The true measure of Christ life in us is when we love unconditionally, not wanting anything in return. God gave, so do we in like manner.

Integrity

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)

A disciple is not passive otherwise we would have been created as mindless automatons. Work out the little the Lord has built in and He will work in more of Christ nature, lest spiritual laziness and passivity set in. A son of God has to’ will to do’ (John 7:17), don’t say ‘I will do as He moves me’. God will never move us; He moves and the sheep follows.

Integrity is to adhere to God’s moral principles which are evidenced by our behavior in light of public eyes or in secret. It soulish to do the honorable in public to garner honor from man (Matt 6:4, 6, 18), seek God’s approval by carrying the same moral stature in private. It is in the private when our thoughts and actions will be tested and judged. Integrity need to be demonstrated consistently in the light of man’s eyes and in the light of God’s eyes.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  (Prov 11:3)

A child of God who lives in integrity in God’s light has the reward of a pure conscience toward the Lord and others (1 John 1:7). There is unwavering security even in the midst of external storm. There is a peace that surpasses human understanding. Steadfastness because one is anchored in the Savior and the pathway of our pilgrimage is very clear with a certain glorious end. Conversely those who transgress against the rule of integrity will bring about self destruction.

Lust Kills Compassion

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (1Jn 2:16)

What massive consumerism did was to create a superficial 'need' for things. Things have become so part of us that has defined our culture of narcissism. Fellow human suffering and especially that many are travelling the broad way to destruction is no longer a cause for concern as long as 'I' can keep my toys and play them.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  (1Jn 3:17)

Not having compassion to the poor and needy is blindness. It is looking at gratifying self that is the cause for blindness. ‘I’ want to be loved, ‘I’ need attention, ‘I’……there is a grave concern that ‘I’ is satisfied. This is a big deception because the ‘I’ can never find its fulfillment (Prov 30:15). How can God pour His love to this generation? It is only to the cross bearers who deny lust of things and undeniably choose simplicity which is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3).

Fearing God

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  (Luke 12:5)

The warning was not an apostolic or prophetic one, but from the Lord Jesus Himself. Fearing God is not to be misunderstood lest it can bring about an unrealistic form that could lead to the pride of pseudo spirituality. For some rejecting what God commanded because its misinterpretation resulting in cowering and coldness, void of lovingkindness. Without the fear of God, there is a danger of subconsciously denying the reality of hell, likewise also denying the existence of Kingdom of God. This denial is to say that God is not just, hence claiming blasphemously that God doesn’t judge.

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  (Psa 34:12)

On the contrary, fearing God is demonstrated in the most practical way (Psa 34:11-14). This way that the Lord has paved for us is always for good not for evil (Psa 34:12). It benefits us, putting us in the light of having more to gain. Resolve in prayer to fear God, not being double hearted about it (Psa 86:11). Fearing God benefits others and brings the Shalom of God into relationships (Eph 5:21). Wholeness in relationship will flourish with the fear of God. This peace will be the outworking of our lives to place us in the glorious position to be called a child of God in His Kingdom (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

The Uncritical Temper
Oswald Chambers

Love Where You Are Not Respected 
Oswald Chambers