Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
One of the most exciting, maturing, and applicable revelations of the Epistles is that: They were not written for he unbeliever, they are written for the believer in Jesus Christ. All of God's word can be "applied" to every man, woman, and child that draws breath believer or other wise; but the pure intent of the Epistles was for the believer to be "trained up" in the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."All Scripture............so that the man of God............will be equipped for every good work." The best of good works is the anointed presentation of the Gospel, followed by an outward show of living the Gospel, bringing forth the "manifestation of the Gospel" to prove that God's Word is the only Way, Truth and Light/Life, worth putting "faith" in, so that "others" can desire, then seek after the Revelation of Jesus Christ also.
In order to do this the "instructed and inspired" believer must cast off all carnal knowledge
of philosophy, and vain deceit of the traditions of man, not being conformed to this world, but "be transformed by the renewing of his mind" through the Holy Spirit by receiving his share of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Here in is the "spiritual quicksand" that those believers who "think" to have a spiritual show wallow into. Everyone who enters into salvation with Jesus Christ, at some point in time,
will want to "announce" his or her arrival to some spiritual plane by "mimicking" some teaching that may or may not be from Scripture, or application of Scripture, that may be contradictory to the True meaning. Pride goes before a fall. Any preaching, teaching, application, or instruction from Scripture must not violate any other Scripture and the Truth in any of the above practices "will" be proven by the originator of the Word, God! Paul had one of the best knowledge's of Gods Word for the time he lived in, but if you noticed his preaching, teaching and applications, (both in Word and deed), never violated OT writings, but was brought forth with revelation by the Holy Spirit, to create the NT writings, (in Christ), instructions for Gods plan through Christ. He preached using his portion of the revelation of Scripture given by God along with the other writers of the NT to clarify the "basics" of God's will for His new people. I say basics because God's written Word is complete and has been from the beginning of time, even before Creation, (and the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us), (He, Christ, was with Him in the beginning, and through Him all things were created, without Him nothing was created). Thus the Scripture is complete and basic, but the revelation (divine inspired understanding and application) of them comes with "seeking, asking, and knocking" with "faith" believing that what they say is True for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Eternal truth which knows no bounds in this "time set" creation or eternity. This is a God given revelation: "understanding the Scriptures". God's Word is Spirit and only those that have the Spirit of God will have the True understanding of His Word.........the revelation of Christ.
There has always been a remnant in the body of Christ. Those who beyond explanation believe, trust, expect, and enact the Word of God, not just because of teaching, but because of "inspiration" by the Holy Spirit, with a heart full of compassion for doing something, and the spirit to believe "all things are possible." Oh that His Body would be full of this type of worshiper/believer. Those who are not just "pew packers" with more arguments about "what can and what can't be done," carnal, ignorant, and always weakening the Word of God "because" they never seen it happen so it can't. Man's experiences placating what God's Word can or can't do instead of what God's Word can do through obedient and submitted vessels.
"They worship Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me."
Because "there is nothing new under the sun", we see a witness to this virulent decemination even in the Book of Acts. With all the power and preaching of the Apostles that was made manifest by miracles and signs and wonders how many do we see actually picking up the "mantle" of mightiness that the throngs were witness to? Not many. Stephen, Philip, and a few others. The names are numerous about how many formed and served others in home churches but aside from preaching not much is mentioned about "manifestations."
Note: A huge number of converts to Christ were mentioned to be baptized in the Holy Spirit too, but this seemed to do little in an outward show other than tongues, (read 1 Cor 12-14). Even in this early and most perfect stage of Christianity, witnessed by flaming tongues with the coming of the Holy Spirit, most participants were "blessed" to sit back rejoicing and going about life's business with little "exertion" in the spirit realm. Paul made sure to mention how important it was not only to "seek" spiritual gifts but then to use them in exhortation of the church. He even went so far as to tell them to "desire" the gifts that serve the church in a deeper revelation. He made lighter of tongues than prophesy because of the outward show with little interpretation of the revelation. He even said to not use tongues loadly if there were no interpretation but to use them to pray quietly between yourself and God. I would like to see that happen in some congregations. He also said of prophesy that "two or three should prophesy and the rest judge". How many times has this happened with several prophets speaking with the others discerning.
I am sure that there are churches where these things still are implemented but like I say only "a remnant".
Here is a part of "the Revelation of Jesus Christ": God's Word is True from inception to consummation, from beginning to end, regardless whether you or I believe it or not, experience it or not, perform it or not, convinced of it or not, "let God be True and every man a liar." Because Jesus said: "I need not the witness of man" for He knew what was in a man. Would He say different today?
Here are a few thoughts about the Revelation of Jesus Christ:
It comes only by the Holy Spirit through the "written Word."
The Revelation of Christ always humbles regardless of how simple it seems.
It never violates any other Scripture.......any where in Scripture.
It always "lifts up" even if it is in the form of a rebuke. Truth sets free!
There will always be "a witness" by others to the revelation received.
It will generally be opposite to carnal thought and practice.
and worst of all:
It's generally "not well received" even by His people.
Here is what is needed to receive a continuing revelation:
A pure heart toward God.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Asking, seeking, and knocking for wisdom,knowledge and faith.
Faith believing it will come then waiting for it.
A desire to share the revelation which God will follow with signs and wonders.
God is good........All the time.
Love
J&E
No comments:
Post a Comment