NOTE: PLEASE READ AND THINK ABOUT THESE TWO PARAGRAPHS BEFORE WE START. (Matt. 10:22) Jesus said; “but he that ENDURETH to the end shall be saved.”
People sometimes say Jesus was talking to Jews in this scripture and they are absolutely right BUT: (Matt. 10:1-8) they were racial Jews who became the very first (Acts 11:26) Christians; they simply had not been called Christian yet! AND: (Matt. 10:9-42) These first Christians had some ENDURING to do because Jesus was instructing them how, through the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit, to be the (Acts 1:1 thru 28:31) originators of what would become the worldwide Christian church.
NOW: (Psa. 78:51-62 & Book of Joshua, etc.) Many times people refer to the Old Testament “Promised Land” of the Jews as a type of Heaven but it definitely was not! Examine what lived there. There were Giants, Jebusites, Edomites, Amorites, Philistines; all kinds of enemies on every side within the promised land.
It was a hard place of strife and struggle because the Israelites spent most of their time in war with the inhabitants of that land or in trouble with God because of their own transgression. It’s starting to sound a little bit like our (yours and mine) Christian experience here on earth isn’t it?
SO: The Promised Land is a type that represents the Christian life here on earth! Just like God promised Israel the “promised land” God also promised us salvation (Rom. 10:8-13 esp. V.10 keyword: believeth: defined: to accept God’s Word as the truth, reliance upon Jesus for salvation and to entrust your well-being the rest of your life to Jesus & 1Pet. 3:21) if we would believe, repent and be baptized.
(Ex. 23:30) God said He would drive the inhabitants of the Promised Land out before Israel little by little (John 15:1-6 & 1John 1:8-10) and that is a type representing Christian spiritual fruit growing AFTER SALVATION and the elimination (purging) of the bad parts of our character little by little.
What attitude brought about the Jews fall from grace in the “Promised land”? It was COMPROMISE WITH THE ENEMY! But God even used Israel’s fall as a nation to typecast Christian events. SO, THINK ABOUT THIS: When Israel physically disappeared as a nation it was in a war.
The disappearance of Israel as a nation is a type that represents the time when a Christian will physically die. (Matt. 10:22) When a Christian dies he or she will die still fighting their individual spiritual war with the world, their own flesh and the devil.
The “miraculous resurrection” of Israel as a nation in 1948 is a type that represents the time when God will (1Thess. 4:13-18) “miraculously resurrect the dead Christians and also catch away the living Christians to join them in the air with Jesus” and both groups will be given glorified bodies.
The world is presently maneuvering, posturing and politicking to force Israel into fighting their last war. Read (Rev. 19:7-21 esp. V.14) and think about the fact that only the (V.7) Church is the Lamb’s wife and (V.8 & 14) only Christians are clothed in fine linen, white and clean and that represents a type that Christians (the Church) will also (V.11 & 19) have one last war to fight against the anti-Christ, the false prophet and the devil.
(V.11-13 & 16) Jesus will be our leader when we come to rescue Israel the nation and (V.18, 20, & 21) WE WILL WIN THROUGH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT THE ABOVE PARAGRAPHS? I’M AS SERIOUS AS A FINGER POKED IN YOUR EYE! READ THE PARAGRAPH AND THE ASSOCIATED SCRIPTURE AGAIN AFTER YOU PRAY!
PHYSICAL FRUIT PRODUCTION: When growing grapes (grape arbor farming) the grapevine is periodically inspected. Grapes, the fruit of the grapevine, grow on the branches which are the new wood (think: it represents born again, a new creature in Christ) of the vine.
If no grapes are setting up on a branch that branch is cut off and burned because it is worthless and whatever is wrong with it may infect the rest of the branches. Each fruitful branch has useless parts and they are also cut off so they won’t take away the strength from the fruit bearing parts of that branch.
This type of horticulture causes each branch to grow fruit to its maximum potential. (Matt. 13:8-9) “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
SPIRITUAL FRUIT PRODUCTION: (John 15:1-6) Jesus used the process of grape farming to illustrate spiritual growth in each Christian. It is a very vivid description that portrays the “cutting off” from a Christian soul the useless carnal tendencies like impatience, bad temper, selfishness, malice, backbiting, rudeness, lying, stealing, stubbornness and etc. This removal of bad parts strengthens a Christian so the Christian will bear more fruit which is CHRISTIAN CHARACTER (Phil. 2:5 keywords: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus) WHICH IS THE MIND (character) OF JESUS.
It is all accomplished through the Holy Spirit but a Christian must be willing to repent, learn, change and grow. Your past life of sin is dead, your sins are gone and you are born again so why do you still act like you did in your former life when you were a lost sinner? Why are you grouchy, rude and selfish? (1Cor. 3:1-6 think: carnal tendencies) God is living within you through the Holy Spirit and if you are willing to change for the better the Holy Spirit will show you how according to the Holy Scriptures.
Serving God is a choice. What benefit would you possibly be if God had to put you in a chokehold and force you to serve Him? The very idea is repulsive. (Rev. 3:14) When we refuse to grow and be better Christians is the exact time a Christian starts becoming lukewarm! Please keep this in mind as you read.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A FRUIT GROWER IN CHRISTIANS: (John 15:1-4) Jesus said; “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (farmer). Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth (to prune, to cut off) it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Jesus identifies these branches as Christians by stating they are part of the vine because they are (V.3) clean (pure, saved) through His word. When a person is born again/saved (clean) (V.4) they are fed by God through the Holy Spirit just like a fruit bearing branch of a grapevine is fed by the sap that flows from the vine.
(Gal. 5:22-23) The FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; (Eph. 5:9) righteousness and truth (Rom. 6:22) which results in holiness and in the end everlasting life and these various character traits and attitudes are the fruit the Holy Spirit cultivates in our Christian soul and that causes us to be gracious and we will be good stewards of the grace of God just like we are supposed to be.
Jesus compares Himself to a grapevine and God to the Farmer in this allegory. (John 3:3 & 1Pet. 1:22-23) The only way to get connected to the vine that is Christ is by the born again experience through the Holy Spirit because then (John 14:15-26 & Rom. 8:1) you are in Christ and (Rom. 8:9-10) Christ is in you as the Holy Spirit.
Then you must stay connected to Jesus. If the branch (you) is not connected to the vine (Jesus) it is not part of the grapevine and it cannot produce Godly fruit. (John 15:5) Jesus said; “without me ye can do nothing.”
THIS IS CRITICAL, READ CAREFULLY: (John 15:6) “If a man abide (to stay, to continue) not in me, he is cast forth (rejected) as a branch (a limb, a part of) and is withered (to dry up) and men gather (collect) them, and cast them into the fire (fiery) and they are burned (set afire, consumed).” It is obvious this scripture is written about Christians.
SO: It is also obvious saved people can backslide to the point God rejects them, removes His Holy Spirit, and they are cut off (withered) from Jesus forever even while they live on earth and then at the end they are gathered and burned. (Heb. 6:4 & Rev. 3:5) They cannot get back to God! They will be sent to hell and then at the judgment they will be sent on (Rev. 20:11-15) to the lake of fire to burn forever!
This same situation is referred to in (Luke 11:23-26) if you wish to read it. To purge (prune) a branch one must “cut off” (circumcision again) the bad parts of the branch. The branches (Christians) who will grow fruit have parts that use up the nutrients provided by the vine but will not grow fruit.
It is common practice in grape farming to purge (cut off) these worthless parts of the grape (fruit) producing branches and what needs cut off from the Christian soul is the WORKS OF THE FLESH. (Gal. 5:13-17) States this following scripture is written to brethren (Christians): THE DEFINITIONS OF THE ORIGINAL SCROLL, GREEK WORDS, OF THESE BIBLE WORDS ARE AMAZING!
(Gal. 5:19-21) These works of the flesh (V.21) that will prevent people from going to heaven are adultery, fornication, uncleanness (the state of physical or moral impurity, lewd), lasciviousness (wantonness), idolatry (worshipping something or someone other than God), witchcraft >>>(Greek word: pharmakeia from which the English work pharmacy is derived and it means the use of mind altering drugs and by extension: magic, witchcraft, sorcery: then pharmakeus a drug, a spell giving potion, a poisoner)<<<. AND:
hatred (hostility), variance (contention, quarrel), emulations (jealousy, malice), wrath (fierce indignation), strife (contentious, intrigue), seditions (disunion, division), heresies (sect), envy (ill will, detraction), murder (to be slain, slaughter), drunkenness (intoxication), revellings (carousal, rioting) and such like. Such like means all other carnal (human nature with its frailties and passions, unregenerate) acts.
(Heb. 12:1-17 esp. V.5-11) God’s pruning is accomplished by chastising (instruction, nurture and disciplinary correction) by the Holy Spirit through God’s Holy Word. Of course CHASTISING is not pleasant; even the Bible says so in (Heb. 12:11); “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (trained) thereby.
Think of it like this: (2Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”) God the Father sets the rules, guidelines and examples in His Holy Bible about how to conduct our lives. He dispenses the training, discipline and punishment according to His Holy Bible by the Holy Spirit because he does not want his children to be rude, thugs, crooks, outlaws or bullies.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO STUDY AND COMMUNICATE WITH GOD BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS THAT A PERSON, ANY PERSON, CAN NOT BE MORE THAN WHAT HE OR SHE KNOWS. How in the world can a person expect to be a Christian and not communicate with God? God also expects us to be loyal to Him. God the Father expects his children to be upstanding, productive members of their society. Most of all the Father expects his children to uphold and bring honor to His family name.
Do you know the family name of God’s children? It is Christ-ian (Christian which means follower of Christ, anointed, consecrated; in other words like Christ). One other thing: (1Cor. 6:20 ) THE CONDITION OF YOUR SOUL (INWARD MAN) IS SHOWN BY WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR BODY (OUTWARD MAN).
One might say; “Oh Christians don’t do those things listed in (Gal. 5:19-21)! OR: (1Cor. 3:1-3) There’s no such thing as a carnal minded Christian; OR: there’s no such thing as a Christian with carnal tendencies!” Anyone that thinks that or says that must be living under a rock without a Bible!
All a person has to do is look around at what Christians do and they can’t miss such activity. (1Cor. 3:1-3) God’s word says Christians have carnality! Do you have carnality in your soul? Come on now! Are you really perfect? Are you going to tell God you are perfect at the judgment? Do you even dare to tell Him you are perfect now?
Think about this: (Prov. 20:7) Did you know your integrity is measured by what you do when you think no one is looking? Before any prayer a Christian should (Luke 17:10) recognize exactly what he is; “an unprofitable servant “. Every prayer should begin with repentance because (1John 1:5-10 & Rom. 3:22-27) the simple fact is that Christians sin!
You must understand that there are three types of sin; #1 omission is not doing what we are told to do. #2 commission is doing what we are told not to do. #3 attitude is the persona of ourselves that we project to other people. Do you know any Christians who are like Christ? Are you? See what I mean?
Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a (John 20:24-31 esp. V.28) resurrected Lord God who even beat death; (Psa. 111:1-4) who is gracious and full of compassion and (Psa. 25:6-9) of tender mercies and loving kindness who has (Col. 1:12-15) the power to forgive sin. BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OUR SELF, REPENT, PRAY AND ASK FOR HIS FORGIVENESS!
UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF: Do you remember the “self article” at the beginning of this commentary that explains us? These six paragraphs will require some study, prayer, and meditation on your part. Please do so because they are very important to you because it is how you operate! Remember your guide, your conscience, which is part of your soul?
(Heb. 9:14& 1Pet. 2:19-20) Feedback from the conscience part of the soul to the conscious brain results in conscious actions, which are measured by will, and those actions are based on the soul’s faith and value. Loyalty is being faithful to a person, ideal, or custom. A person’s conscious actions demonstrate his allegiance with and loyalty to whom and/or what the individual perceives is right. That is how you are loyal to Jesus and His way or how you are loyal to yourself and your own way.
(1Cor. 2:10-14) Given below is scripturally how the Holy Spirit, while living in your soul’s God Place, uses your person, conscience, ability to think and the Holy Word read, preached, taught, or talked; to reveal the things of God and program your conscience in the process and it will not happen without (Eph. 6:6-18 esp. V.18) prayer and supplication in the Spirit to God by you.
Read this really close and think about it. Here is how the inward man (the soul) is supposed to work with the Holy Spirit to program the conscience. (Acts 24:16) “And herein do I exercise (train) myself (soul) to have always a conscience void (faultless, none) of offense (not leading into sin) toward God, and toward men.” (1Tim. 4:7) “But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise (train) thyself rather unto godliness (holiness).”
(Heb. 5:12-14) “But strong (stable) meat (nourishment) belongeth to them (souls) that are of full age, even those who by reason of use (to put to work) have their (souls) SENSES (perception) exercised (trained) TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL.”
SENSES is the soul using #1 information stored in the brain, #2 utilizing the five physical senses and the #3 sixth spiritual sense (God awareness). These six senses and the brain are used by your soul to collect data on current external events happening around you, recognizing the Holy Spirit’s internal influence attempting to direct your actions, using your stored knowledge of the scriptures, listening to the Holy Spirit, carrying out your thought process by using the brain, arriving at a conclusion by rightly dividing (dissecting) God’s word of truth, then acting in a rational holy way.
Jesus said; (Matt. 11:29) “Take my yoke upon you, and learn (learn to be so of a person, fact knowledge, come to realize) of me; for I am meek (mild, gentle, kind) and lowly (humble) in heart (inner self, soul): and ye shall find rest (refreshment) unto your souls (inner self, heart, personality).” The first part is a two-point statement concerning your, mine and every true Christian’s relationship with Jesus. #1) Take my yoke upon you AND #2) learn of me.
Yoke has a very special definition in two parts; #1) it is the center balance point in a set of scales, #2) it is a double yoke. “Take my yoke upon you,” (John 3:14-21 esp. V.20-21) When you are lost the scale is pointed downward to the left in the direction of sin. (Heb. 9:11-12 & 1John 1:7) #1) When you are cleansed from your sins by Jesus’ blood (saved) the balance point returns to the center and your life has achieved balance, no sins against you. #2) (Eph. 1:12-14 then Rom. 8:9 & 13-17) When you become saved the Holy Spirit enters you and you are yoked together with him. The Holy Spirit pulls most of the load because you don’t know much about how to be a Christian.
Learn defined: #1) learn to be so of a person, #2) fact, knowledge, #3) come to realize): #1 learn to be so of a person: (Phil. 2:1-8 esp. V.5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;” Jesus described Himself “for I am meek (mild, gentle, kind) and lowly (humble) in heart (inner self, soul),” #2) fact, knowledge: (John 12:48 key: the word shall judge us in the last day & 2Tim. 3:16-17 quoted: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works“) We need absolute knowledge about God’s word. #3 come to realize: (John 15:14 then V.1-6 esp. V.5) Jesus said; (V.14) “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.“ AND (V.5) “for without me ye can do nothing.“
Are you starting to realize that Jesus desires a personal relationship with you? Building a relationship takes time. (John 14:15-26 esp. V.16-18, 20-21, 23 & 26) Jesus is within us (1John 5:7 and 1John 1:1 keywords: heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon, our hands have handled, Word then 1Tim. 3:16) in His Holy Spirit person but He will only work with God’s Word defined: something said, utterance, the thought, the reasoning, the motive, the Divine Expression i.e. Christ. AND i.e. is defined: used to add explanatory information or to state something in different words. YOUR BIBLE, THE WORD, IS ALIVE!
Every Christian, me, you, all of us are a work in progress as long as we are studying the Word so we can be like Jesus. It is common sense. The salvation event is, for practical purposes, our introduction to Jesus. (2Sam. 22:31-32, Psa. 18:30-31 & Matt: 5:48) God/Jesus is perfect. (John 15:14) If a Christian is going to have a personal relationship with God/Jesus we have to do all the changing because (1John 1:7 thru 2:1 keywords: we, us, our & John 1:8) “If we say we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” John the apostle and Bible writer included himself. SO: It is a lifetime project (Phil. 2:5) to become more like Jesus. The point is to never stop trying to perfect yourself.
LEARNING ABOUT GOD: The Holy Bible instructs us to; (2Tim. 2:15) study to show ourselves approved unto God; (1Pet. 2:1-2) desire the word that we may; (2Pet. 3:18) grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord; (Matt. 11:29) and Jesus promised “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly (humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
#1) Each Christian, including you, including me, must ask himself; am I willing to; (Luke 9:23) “And he (Jesus) said unto them all; If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me“. THEN:
#2) (2Tim. 2:15) “Do I love Jesus enough to study His Holy Bible, learn what He wants me to know and train (program) my conscience in the process?”
#3) (Gal. 5:25) “Do I love Jesus enough to learn (train myself) to live and walk in the Holy Spirit so my life (2Thess. 1:12) will bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ and to be of value to Him in building His kingdom?”
#4) (Eph. 2:18) “Do I love God enough to use my access to God through the Holy Spirit to talk to God regularly (pray) and accept God’s directions about how to conduct my daily life?”
#5) (Matt. 22:37; Luke 6:45: & Luke 12:34) DO I LOVE MY LORD GOD ENOUGH to say; “Lord, you know my work and responsibilities for this day and I know you respect that but I devote this day to serving you wherever I go, whatever I do so I can bring glory to thy holy name.”
(2Tim. 3:1-9 esp. V.9) “This know also, in the last days perilous times shall come.” According to God’s Holy Word there is a hidden true Church of holy, Godly, grace powered, agape oriented Christians concealed in the (V.2) worldly, selfish, blaspheming, unholy (V.3) truce breaking, true Christian despising (V.4) traitorous, pleasure loving, (V.5) having a form of godliness but Holy Spirit power denying, (V.6) fornicating, (V.7) spiritually ignorant (V.8) reprobate (castaway) concerning the faith (V.9) visible false church that is becoming manifest to all men.
THINK NOT? (Psa. 139:13-16 & Isa. 49:1) How many individual Christians vote for pro-abortion candidates? (Lev. 18:22 keyword: abomination & Rom. 1:6-32 esp. V.26-28) What churches are accepting and ordaining what God calls abomination?
IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD YOU MUST PERIODICALLY ASK: (Psa. 139:23-24) “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me into the way everlasting.” #1) Then forget time and sit still and listen. #2) If you are like most of us you won’t like what you hear God say about you to you. #3) Then it is time for fervent prayer and a re-evaluation of your priorities.
It is a very poor example but the Holy Bible is in layers of understanding sort of like an onion. You read and read, pray and pray, listen to preaching and teaching, the layers of scripture have peeled back and you have gotten deeper into what the scripture is telling you. If you are proud of your accomplishments and think you are a big “something” because you know the scriptures you are guilty of (Prov. 6:16-19) pride. BECAUSE:
(1Cor. 2:10-13) God revealed them to you through the Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 12:1 keyword: gifts then 7-8 keywords: wisdom, knowledge) You received a gift from God.
The proper response is to understand and realize; (Luke 17:10) “I am an unprofitable servant, I have only done that which was my duty to do (Rom. 12:1) which is my reasonable service.” (John 15:5) You will understand without Jesus you can do nothing, this realization will cause you to have an honest humility and you will automatically give God the credit for your Godly accomplishments because without Him you can do nothing. It is that simple.
You are becoming more aware of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit and with that you will realize how puny and insignificant you are and how gracious, glorious, magnificent and perfect God and Jesus are. He is King of kings, the Lord of lords and God of gods. He is the living God, the God of life and there is none other besides Him. And HE is telling you to run an errand for HIM! Wow! How in the world can a mere man be more honored? “I am so thankful He even noticed little unimportant me, little hillbilly, mr. nobody from the middle of nowhere, KY. to write this website that God is authoring through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and revelation.”
Do you know the “limitations” of Jesus? When Jesus ascended into heaven He took His body with Him! (John 14:17-18 then 23) When Jesus came back as the Holy Spirit the only body Jesus has (1Cor. 12:27 keyword: body) is His Christians. (John 14:23 keywords: make our abode with thee, 1Cor. 3:16 keywords: ye are the temple of God & Eph. 2:22 keywords: a habitation of God) Since Jesus lives in us, we are His hands, feet, tongue, brain, eyes, ears and etc.
(John 15:14) If we will not obey His commandments given in His Holy Bible then YOU, ME, WHOEVER limit Jesus by our sorry, useless lived lives and that individual Christian is the “limitation” of Jesus! (LUKE 13:27 & REV. 3:16) LIVING YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE IN THAT CONDITION WOULD BE HORRIBLE TO FACE AT THE JUDGMENT.
The peeling open of God’s word continues. God tells you to go witness to someone or help someone, you do, you find the Holy Spirit has gone on ahead of you to prepare the way and He makes it work. You become more (Rom. 12:9-21 esp. V.11) fervent (zeal) through the Holy Spirit and study and pray some more. Over a period of time you realize you have peeled away a layer of the Holy Word and are starting to peel away another layer that will bring you ever closer to God.
(1Cor. 1:4-8 & Col. 4:3) You realize, at times, the Holy Spirit actually speaks through you. (Phil. 2:1-5 esp. V.5) You learn how the Holy Spirit of God fellowships with you; you finally start to understand what He is telling you and you become more understanding, loving, kindly and compassionate because the mind (soul) of Christ is in you. (1Cor. 2:9-13) God is starting to reveal His deep things (secrets) to you through the Holy Spirit when you study. Different things in the Holy Bible are tying together and you understand God’s plan better.
(Rom. 15:19) You realize there is a power to be tapped into through the Holy Spirit and (1Cor. 2:1-7 esp.V.4) you start to see the results of the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and His power in that you begin to notice people’s lives are being changed because of your advice based on the Bible, your testimony and the wisdom of your explanations. It is always a source of amazement to watch how God’s word, anointed by the Holy Spirit, changes lives.
Of course you will/must understand what you say is given strength, conviction and “life” by the Holy Spirit. (Gal. 5:25) You are beginning to live and walk in the Holy Spirit. (Rom.8:13-17 esp. V.16 keywords: children of God) You are really beginning to realize, understand and appreciate the real purpose God has given your life. You know if you are led by the Holy Spirit, young or old, male or female, you are a child of God.
The change is gradual (little by little) but more and more your thoughts are on God. More and more it is your nature to conduct yourself in a Godly way. (Heb. 5:12-14) The speed of spiritual growth (“full age”) depends on your willingness to serve God, your desire to please God and your obedience to God.
A FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN PRODUCES GOD WORK: (Eph. 5:18) Upon occasion you are astonished when the Holy Spirit fills you for a certain task and you feel a little bit like a bystander when He uses your mouth to say something you would have never thought of saying and might have been too shy or even too afraid to say even if you had thought of it. God is using you and His Holy Spirit makes it work.
It is understood the past few paragraphs have sounded dry and dull and sort of struggling. But when God uses you to do a job for Him it all comes beautifully alive and vibrant. It is wonderful and most of all it stays alive within you and your life is filled with joy and peace because the Living God who is Love (Luke 11:13) has given more of His soul (the Holy Spirit) into you and brethren that truly gives you joy, peace and confidence that you are truly working in God’s will and you are right where you need to be.
True event: I was leaned back in a dental chair. The dental technician was leaned over me with the instruments only inches from my face. Suddenly I blurted out; “It’s strange how we sometimes quarrel, fuss and try to force someone we love to go to church. That someone we love most in the whole world gets angry, we get angry, we wind up in a quarrel, they are disgusted with us, further than ever from God and all we wanted was to see them saved because we love them so much.”
Tears actually gushed from the dental technician’s eyes under her face shield right into my face. To say the least, I was startled! She tried to adjust her face shield and knocked it completely off, she started sobbing and laid her instruments on the tray. She sobbed; “How did you know? How did you know?” I was as amazed as her!
I just sat there and she soon regained her composure and explained; “I’m a new Christian, a little over a year, and I’m so burdened by my husband, Chip’s lost condition I can hardly stand it. I try to get him to go to Church with me because I love him more than anything in this world except Jesus. I don’t know how it happens but we wind up in an argument and he says he’ll never go to Church. It breaks my heart and sometimes the hostility lasts for days because we are both stubborn and we pout.”
Well, that was a start, she’d admitted her part in the situation. We had never seen each other before yet the Holy Spirit spoke through my mouth and pinpointed her problem. We were both astonished. I had been a Christian for many years and I was then able to scripturally, by experience and through the Holy Spirit, advise her how to handle her situation with love, patience, kindness and by example. And, most of all, give the Holy Spirit time to work. She wanted to give me credit like I was some kind of prophet or something.
That scares the life out of me. (Luke 17:10) I am an unprofitable servant and that’s it, nothing else. Yes, I badly want to serve God and I am shocked beyond measure when God uses an unworthy thing like me once in a while. I explained all that to her and that I had not known what I was saying. It took a while, my appointment time was over and we went a few minutes into the next appointment as we talked. “I’ll hurry on him. I’ll make an appointment for you the next cancellation I have if you don’t care? After all I didn’t get finished”
“OK, I’ll be ready.” And, I took my dirty teeth and went home. It didn’t matter, I was so happy I was walking 6 inches above the sidewalk as I made my way to the parking garage. Amazing! Amazing that the great God of glory would use a great uselessness like me to do something! I thanked Him and praised Him and prayed for that family the whole 70 miles to my house.
Three weeks later she had a double cancellation one after the other. We also did a lot of talking that time and I got to go home with clean teeth. The next visit, 6 months later, praise God, her husband had started going to Church with her. The next 6 month visit he had gotten saved. Eighteen months later her husband was now working with their Pastor in visitation and witnessing and their home is a Christian home.
Another year and their old pastor had left, the new pastor had come in, was preaching hypocrisy doctrine, the congregation had slowly split as members dribbled away to other Churches and they too were thinking about leaving to go to another church. We had long discussions about the devil taking their church if somebody didn’t take a stand.
(1Cor. 12:18) “God sets us in the church as it pleases Him and sometimes we have to fight a spiritual battle to keep our church and it might be up to you and your husband to lead the battle. Don’t ever get out of God’s word because it takes prayer, fasting, Bible knowledge, lots of courage.” I went home with dirty teeth twice.
She and her husband formed a nucleus of believers, got rid of the pastor and started over. They are rebuilding and starting to flourish as a congregation. Through those years they had 2 children and are very strong pillars in their Church. WOW! It is a never ending source of amazement how God works when we are willing.
You find yourself even more astonished by the good results of your work for God and somebody even thanks you for what “you” have done. Immediately give the credit to God. Be humble and grateful God has found you worthy to use for His purpose. God could just as easily have selected some other Christian to do it.
You are learning how to be an effective Christian through the Holy Spirit and you know there is another layer of God’s Living Word to be peeled back for a greater, closer and even more loving relationship with God through the Holy Spirit of God.
(Col. 1:8-17) You will find the Holy Spirit changes you and channels you until you possess and are filled with a Godly love through the Holy Spirit and that love flows out of you toward other people. Only God can do that within a person. (1Thess. 5:17) YOU MUST PRAY A LOT. Remember: CHARITY IS GOD MADE.
Other people can see and feel that love and it causes them to trust you with their most hidden pain, problems and thoughts. It is an amazing and humbling transformation as you realize God’s promise; (Gal. 6:9) faint not in well doing for in due season you shall reap. You, through the Holy Spirit, can make a difference in people’s lives for the better and that just flat out feels good.
GOD BLESS YOU.