A good start is to have an answer prepared, in our hearts, because the Scriptures tell us:
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Jesus said this "what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart," if our hearts are filled to overflowing with the Love of Christ, then the answer will be spoken as naturally as breathing. No thinking about it just a pure and natural response from Love. This response to the question will be instantly derived from whether or not we have "sanctified our hearts to the Lord God."
Making Him Lord over all our thoughts, words, and deeds, #1 over our life. All our thoughts are brought under/into submission to the mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit. Just think of how much more productive our lives would be if we would just submit our thoughts to Christ before we speak. The damage control from using this one practice would be would be negligent compared to what we have now to contend with.
With this in place and practiced, we have no problem with answering the question "about the reason of the hope that is in you?"
We would also, with power address the need for this next vs. when we use it:
2 Timothy 4:2-4 King James Version (KJV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
How our words are received by others are almost always preceded by our attitude when we speak them. 1 Peter suggests to speak them with "meekness and fear." Meekness toward man to show humility, fear toward God to show reverence for His Word using it rightly, Truth that sets free.
"As a man thinks in his heart so is he." Because we become what we think in our heart then we should protect our hearts and what enters therein with all diligence. Put that together with "what's in our heart comes out of our mouth" should make us very sensitive to our conversations/responses "in season and out of season." It might be valuable to add, at this point, that the most important "season" to be instant in is the "out of season".
"In season": preaching, witnessing, fellowship, sharing with believers. Times that are centered around an agreeable group to your presentation. Also when you are ready to speak, filled with the Spirit, knowing that you are "led of God" to open your mouth wide and let the "Word that dwells within you richly" spill out.
"Out of season": When your not ready, in sin, beat down, needing a "Word" for yourself for encouragement, caught off guard, having "thoughts" in our heart not "in submission" to the mind of Christ. That "out of season" kind of day. In other words the part that demands that you "be instant" in putting off the oppression of the flesh that you are going through, and instantly decide to "speak as though speaking the very Words of God." Lifting your eyes and heart to Christ to make you an effective minister of the message of Christ. This takes maturity in the faith, real spiritual decision making to overcome the "flesh" and to "do the work of the Lord."
Remember that "what others observe in you" may be the only representation of the "gospel" they see that day.
Christianity starts with and continues on "a decision". You can decide to abide in His Word of Truth richly, or you can decide to use it at a lower level "avoiding the offence of the cross of Christ."
To avoid confusion here lets remember that "All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved", but not all the call will be "used to their full potential." Those who call, are baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit will be the most productive ones in this war against "principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world." These will experience the "victory" bought by the precious blood of Jesus and expand the Kingdom of our God during their lifetime. They will "walk as Jesus walked." It's given unto them to bring about "thy will be done, thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven."
Point to make: Only those who walk as Jesus walked, doing the will of the Father, can effect the "Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven." If your not part of that then your not "being all that you can be for Christ". And you probably have not completed the steps offered above to "receive power" that's needed to facilitate the job.
Only those with a passion for the ministry of Christ will be used of God to "do the Kingdom work". Why? Because only those who are passionate, have the faith to believe God's Word without argument or debate. Who know the difference between the "Truth that sets free" and the "doctrines of man." Those who are willing to suffer for the cross of Christ "boldly." Believers who "know the Truth that sets free" and use it to do so. Those who do not instruct with words only but have the Power to manifest God's backing them up. Men and woman filled with the Holy Spirit, walking by faith, completing the Word of God daily in their lives. You know who they are! They are unmistakable, not hidden, passionate, compassionate, meeting needs not just with fleshy answers but with spiritual power and deliverance through prayer and signs and wonders.
Are you "in season or out of season?" Right now! It's just a decision that starts an action today that will flow through you until your "work is done." What's more important? The things of this life or the things of God by the hand of God? Decide you this day whom you shall serve.
As for me and my house "we shall follow the Lord."
I choose to be "in season" all the time. I pray that my "out of season" times be short.
God bless and keep
Love
J&E in Tn
No comments:
Post a Comment