Your Part is Key!

Ephesians 1:15-23

In this passage of scripture Paul is letting the church in Ephesus know that they are in his heart and under his apostolic covering.  I have had people tell me their faith is private and many do not believe you need to attend a local church where your presence is acknowledged by a pastor.  This is one of the most foolish ideas to filter through the church.  In the first place we are the BODY of Christ and as His body we must function with some measure of unity and cohesion to be effective. 

You can’t really say, “Hey, there’s a church in Botswana that is doing good things,” unless you know of the church and they are a unified entity.  You can’t have heard of them unless they fellowship with other ministries that eventually connect to yours.  A disconnected church is a dysfunctional church whether it is a church of one or ten thousand, and will never flow into the work of God.  It’s bad enough that so many churches these days fight against one another and blaspheme God’s good name by their anti-Christian words and deeds.  A church is empowered by faith and faith works by love.  Without God’s anointing we are nothing more than a club who bears some resemblance to a church.  Without His love and grace we are wolves in sheep’s clothing driven by our own desires whether good or evil.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Paul had originally brought the word to Ephesus and had sent his spiritual son Timothy to watch over it and care for the flock.  Notice it says Paul heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus.  Faith without works is dead (James 2:20-26) so what Paul heard is how the church went forth in faith, ignoring the danger of preaching the Gospel in a pagan society and winning converts.  They must have prayed for the sick and seen them healed, fed the hungry, helped the poor and given purpose and hope to the dispossessed. 

Paul wasn’t referring to some utopian society but was talking about their actions and faith in the face of adversity and grief.  Revelation 2:2 speaks about their labors and good deeds, but Jesus had some strong words against them for leaving their first love.  Faith requires works to show it is vibrant and alive but never mistake works for the love which is to motivate them.  If you lost that love and struggle to care, motivated only by habit or the good feeling you get by the recognition of your acts, you are in danger of God’s judgment.  Faith requires works but MUST be motivated by love.

The beauty of their FIRST LOVE was their love for Jesus which motivated the good works Paul was mentioning.  It was their love for our Savior that motivated him to give glory to God on their behalf and to pray for their continued progress in that love and deeds.  Ask yourself; do your acts and the motivation behind them shine for the world to see?  God is willing to put you on a pedestal as long as it is to lift HIM higher.

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Of all the motivations behind his prayer Paul desired they receive the wisdom of God.  Following a close second he desired they receive God’s revelation and prophetic leading.  I’ve heard lying prophets, wishful prophets and confused prophets.  I guess you could say that the last two haven’t arrived and the first one never will.  People lie to make themselves look better and some read 1 Corinthians 14:1 and just KNOW that God has made them a prophet.  I suspect God would be more willing to give the prophetic and revelatory gifts to those who are not so quick to pad their utterances with some personal hurt feelings here and there. 

If your motivation is not to raise up God while maintaining your humility (difficult in the best of times for powerful prophets), then God has no use for you.  He will not share His glory with us.  He honors us enough to allow us to walk along side Him in this life.  There is a certain glory we are given as you can read in the following verse.

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ask yourself a question.  Would you say that the body of Christ in its entirety is enlightened?  I sometimes wonder what percentage of ‘Christians’ have never asked Jesus into their hearts to forgive their sins.  How many believe in speaking in tongues or the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit as given in 1 Corinthians 12:8-.  Why have so many churches raised the office of bishop to the highest office and denied the present apostolic movement of the Spirit of God. 

We’re supposed to be healthy, not by a visit to your local doctor, but by Jesus’ stripes.  I have been reading a WONDERFUL book on forgiveness by T.D. Jakes entitled, “Let It Go.”  In this book he explains how we drain ourselves emotionally and physically by holding onto unforgiveness while expecting to receive all the blessings of our Lord’s forgiveness.  In another book written by Joel Osteen’s father John Osteen he speaks of our constantly growing faith as it says in Romans 1:17.  Your faith isn’t just there all at once.  You get a small measure with salvation but it is up to you to make it grow.

Faith is a process and not a destination.  The great preacher and friend of orphans, George Mueller once said that you must first learn to believe for toothpaste before you can believe for Steak dinners.  One of his orphan children said, “Pastor Mueller, I’m hungry.”  He asked the child, “Have you prayed?”  When the child said he didn’t know how to pray George led him in prayer.  A short time later one of the local women realized she had purchased too many groceries for her household and asked if the orphanage could use the extra food.  Faith is a process like body building.  Exercise it.

You may spend a lot of time in Gold’s Gym, but how much time do you spend in God’s Gym?  (Gold’s Gym is a well known gymnasium in America)

I have frequently heard of wealthy parents who disowned their undisciplined and lazy children, preferring to give their wealth to an organization that will help people in need.  All the blessings and wealth of God is available for our use but He will not release it to you unless He knows where it will go and what it will accomplish.  Sitting on the sidelines comes from failing to develop and faithfully operate your gifts.  God needs YOU to know that YOU will do what HE WANTS with what He gives you. 

It’s not a surprise to HIM but often is to each individual He tests.  Peter stepped out on the water and stumbled afterwards; but it did build his faith.  He denied Jesus again and again, but it continued to build his faith.  At the end people were healed by the touch of his shadow alone.  Failures need not drive you out of the promise if they move you to greater steps of faith.  I’ve heard people say, “Do not attempt…do.”  I say, “Continue to attempt until you do.”  Growth is a process.  Sometimes you stumble.  Don’t let someone bury you after a failure.  Get it right and get on with it.  Do better next time.

F.B. Meyer said:  “Fit yourself for God’s service; be faithful.  He will presently appoint thee…  In some unlikely corner, in a shepherd’s hut, or in an artisan’s cottage, God has His prepared and appointed instrument.  As yet the shaft is hidden in His quiver, in the shadow of His hand; but at the precise moment at which it will tell with the greatest effect, it will be produced and launched on the air.”

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Look at verse 19.  What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us?  It isn’t good enough to say the greatness of His power toward us but the EXCEEDING greatness; surpassing and going beyond any expectation we had any right to hope for.  I am reminded of king Joash during a time when Elisha was sick and about to die (2 Kings 13:14).  In this case he told Joash to shoot an arrow out the window Eastward toward Syria who had been plaguing Israel.  He gave the king direction and made sure the shot went true so the strength of Israel would not be misdirected. 

That first part was guided and directed by God Himself through the prophet.  In the second part God tested the king to see where his heart was.  Was Joash passionate in his hatred of this enemy of God’s people?  Did a fire burn that would consume their enemies?  In verse 18 Elisha told the king to take several arrows and strike the ground.  Notice God did not give an explanation for this act.  He did not tell Joash through Elisha that this was both a test and a promise.  Joash took hold of the arrows and struck the ground three times. 

The purpose was not to seek the help of our triune God or past, present or future or any other cute analogy a preacher might come up with.  The purpose was to determine the FIRE in Joash’s heart.  His hatred and fury toward God’s ancient enemy should have caused him to take the arrows in both hands and strike the ground until his breath came in ragged gasps.  Elisha was furious.  His final prophecy for his people, God’s people and this king wasted it.  He failed to show a passion and zeal for God’s service.  Israel would not destroy Syria; they would only defeat them three times.  Today, thousands of years later, Syria is still a thorn poking Israel in the side; all because of a weak king.

In John 2:15, Jesus drove the bankers out of the house of God in fury.  This caused his disciples to remember that in Psalms 69:9 it was written, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”  Has the zeal for God’s work eaten you up yet?  How can you expect to receive the EXCEEDING GREATNESS of God’s power if you do not passionately desire it and FIGHT FOR IT? 

It is rarely SAFE to receive the ‘exceeding greatness’ of God’s power.  The danger does not come from God Himself, but from all the principalities and powers of wickedness that strive to prevent your success.  YOU have a part in this great work.  Your part is not to merely be a vessel for the power of God to flow, but to be driven and motivated by your love of God to accomplish great works using His power.  Do you have the heart for it?

You may die or be hated for using this power in its fullness.  Jesus did.  You may be tortured and abused.  Peter, Isaiah and Paul were.  I have always found it amusing to hear that a preacher retired.  How can you be a man or woman of God and retire.  If we are in Christ, our rest comes after we are dead.  It is not safe to walk in Christ but it is rewarding.

In the verse above we see that God has seated Christ at his right hand.  The right hand is a place of power and authority.  Where are we while our Lord sits in this exalted position?  We are seated at God’s right hand of course.  We are the body of Christ.  He is the head.  The head sits upon the body so the body is in the seat.  If we are seated the victory is won.  God is fighting.  Matthew 22:44 says, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

The amplified version says it this way, “21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.”

We stand above presidents and potentates; above situations and financial status.  We are not beneath.  If you live in a mud shack in the middle of a field of dirt you are greater than the wealthiest sinner on Earth.  The question I suppose is whether or not you are ready for this honor or will you fall short like Joash?  Only God knows but you have a great deal to say about it.  Scripture says we will rule and reign over cities in the world to come. 

Mankind largely misses the fact that this planet we live on is temporary.  God never intended it to hold us forever.  Most would rather call faith in God foolishness and reduce the benefits of life in joy in Christ so they can preserve this fallen globe in the politically correct name of Greenpeace or the Sierra Club.  I was raised to respect this home God has given us and to treat it with respect as a gift from God but I NEVER forget that WE are created in the image and likeness of God and it is an important planet only because WE live here and not some gorilla in Africa or rodent in South America.  We are the reason for God’s notice, not this ball of dirt.

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

All things are under Christ’s feet and therefore under the church’s feet.  We carry the head.  We are the body, the fullness of HIM that fills all in all.  We are the fullness of Christ and send His power out to others.  We bring the saving Word of God to the lost and unsaved.  We smite the sin of the Earth with arrows of faith until we utterly defeat our enemies. 

Beloved, do not allow your fears to steal what God has promised.  Always remember that it is not dependent upon God alone.  You too must do your part and fulfill your purpose.  The very first commandment of God says that you must love the Lord with all your heart; your soul; your mind AND your strength (Mark 12:30).  You must POUR yourself into this life so God can use every bit of you to accomplish His purpose. 

YOU MATTER BELOVED.

Bishop J

James Chapter 4 - You Want What?

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself (Philippians 4:11).  How many church members can say this applies to them?  It’s one thing to have a passion for your work or to want to succeed.  It’s another to want what someone else has and work to get it away from them.  That is lust and according to this verse it causes our very members to combat one another.  With the fields white (past the point of harvest) with wheat what do we do in the church?  Try to win someone else’s members.  I do understand finding the church God has chosen for you but why would you want to take from another church or saint of God?  James is not writing to the unsaved alone here but also to the church.

The unsaved often run to these lusts and desires, but the church frequently falls into the very same ones.  This is a sad truth which displays a serious lack of integrity and consecration on our part.

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Cain had a brother who loved him but Abel did what was right in God’s sight and that angered Cain.  He killed Abel.  Joseph had ten brothers and God began to receive visions and dreams from God.  He was his father’s favorite and Jacob gave him many gifts.  Jealous brothers sold him into slavery.  David took another man’s wife and slept with her making her pregnant.  Then he had the husband killed when the man proved to be too honorable to go home and enjoy his wife while all Israel lived in tents on the battle field.  David had him killed. 

In the last case God rebuked David by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7-8).  He told David that had he but asked God would have given him even more wives and concubines.  Because he took what was not his God allowed David’s son Absalom to rise up against David’s house and defile all his concubines before all of Jerusalem.  Ultimately, even after repenting, David was forced to see his own son killed and God would not allow David to be the one who built the temple.

Many of us fail to ask God for our hearts desire.  Perhaps we saw our neighbor’s wife or car or other ‘thing’ and chose to take it.  It’s likely we never asked God for one like that because we refused to stand in faith.  Because we failed to ask God, our eyes remained focused upon that which belonged to another.  Because we stretched forth our hands and took that unrighteous thing God brought great sorrow down upon our house.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

BJV - Ye church folks ask and receive not, because your heart is wrong and you only want it because someone else has it.  Remember, James is writing primarily to church members.  Even then the faith movement was alive and well.  Not sure how you say, ‘name it and claim it’ or ‘blab it and grab it’ in Greek, but there was a faith group, a holiness group, a traditional group and every other group we still have today.  There were Christian looking false sects and gross ignorance as well.

Well does scripture say, “there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).”  Lessons like this aren’t saying you can’t pray in faith.  They say you need to pray in faith, be holy, be diligent, be humble, be bold, be gracious and loving, be unyielding, be flexible.  All these attributes, even those that seem to be contradictory, are necessary in the body in their season and in their proper time.  I know I’m going to get slammed here but I still believe there are those who will experience great hardship and privation because God expects us to have some understanding of what people are going through.  Not everyone will be wealthy and that is not such a terrible thing. 

The Bible lets us know that it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy man or noble man to get into Heaven (Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25).  Some saints are weak and some are strong.  God tailors our life to keep us spiritually safe and in a place where we can continue His work and purpose for our lives.  Just as some can partake of food offered to idols with no fear, others must avoid that same food because it is not in their faith to feel secure in that area.  Know thyself.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

In the previous verse James spoke of lust and now he clearly is calling church members adulterers and adulteresses, men and women of God who cheat on their Lord and have made bed partners of the world.  I wrote earlier about those who frown on interracial marriage but think nothing of marrying someone unsaved and not of the same species (we are God breathed, not dead flesh).  We are a new creation and should live as such.  If you are too in love with the world to live a sanctified (set apart) life toward God then you have made yourself an enemy of God.  You are living in two worlds, half and half, and that makes you lukewarm.

Partnering with the world does not merely mean in marriage.  It also means in business practices or how you deal with others.  If you allow the current throat cutting business practices to be part of your life, then you do not allow God to help others through your choices.  You have become an enemy in business, love, social circumstances and life in general.

God will spit you out.

5-- Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

I was thinking of someone who said, “I have to get me one of these.”  I look at all the ultralight aircraft and hang gliders and think, “I really want one of those.”  When I was a kid watching a movie and they dumped a brand new motorcycle into a lake so there was no evidence I said, “Noooooo!!!”  I wanted it.  When Paul wrote, “I have learned that in what ever state I find myself, to be content,” he was writing about a Godly spirit and not the flesh spirit that rules this current world.

Thou shalt not covet is one of the ten commandments.  It’s right up there with thou shalt not commit murder and thou shalt not steal.  You may ask what makes envy so terrible.  Corinthians says, “God divides to us special gifts, He gives several to each of us as He desires.”  Each and every one of us has these gifts.  We look at the gift to make money (and it is a gift) and the gift to lead people and we think, “I want those.”  We look at our own gifts and say, “No!  Not those.  I don’t want my gift to work that way.”  Here we are, angry with God over a gift He has given us and haven’t even stopped to consider that God, the Creator of the universe has specifically chosen our gifts to operate a specific way.  How can we possibly not want that?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Scripture says to let the one who would be ruler of all first be the servant of all.  There’s a song we have sung in church often, “Victory, victory is mine.  Victory, victory is mine.  If I hold my peace and let the Lord fight my battles, victory, victory shall be mine.”  If we know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, then where do we get the idea we should be arrogant and cocky?   I have made many mistakes over the years and suppose I will still make my share no matter how much I pray or study His Word.  Children can teach me how to praise and a babe in Christ might give me a much needed infusion of zeal.

I have said and done things over the years that I am not particularly proud of and am thankful for God’s saving and forgiving grace.  In the wisdom I have gained after more than thirty years in this life I understand certain things.  Most important of all after salvation itself is that God has a use for me.  It might not be what I am naturally talented at but it will use all my spiritual gifts.  Frankly, I am happiest repairing broken things and I suppose this pours out over my walk with God allowing me to help mend broken lives.

Neither gift is mine to lord over, because they all come from God above.  As long as I remember who I am in Him and remain faithful to His purpose for my life, I believe He will continue to use me to His glory and will have no need to ‘put me in my place (Luke 14:8-11).”  God rejoices in exalting His children but too often we make His job a long one by exalting ourselves which forces Him to abase us so we can be exalted to a higher position while still maintaining our humility.  Humility is good.  Arrogance?  Not so much. 

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The loudest argument offered by non-Christians is that we are out of step with the times and that things have changed.  I have it on good authority that the more things change, the more they remain the same.  God has given us absolutes and we strive to whittle those down into something we find more comfortable.  During Roman times they had temple prostitutes, now we have the internet sites that cater to our every whim and desire.  The only difference between people when Jesus walked on the Earth and now is that we are more technologically savvy.  Intellectually and spiritually  there is no difference.

We struggle to find meaning to life while watching more hours of television or playing more video games than we do working, much less getting to know our neighbors and bringing the knowledge of the Word of God to those around us.  People of other religions are moving into our neighborhoods and inviting US to come over for dinner so they can win our souls to their god.  If we are serious about this life, if we really intend to continue in it then we need to live it His way and for His purposes.  Our will must die so His might bear fruit.

Satan will not go quietly into the night.  He will fight you tooth and nail for the souls you win.  I wonder how many of us really believe that when we pray, “Satan the Lord rebuke you,” he must flee.  I hope we’re not like the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:14) who sought to stand in a power they did not understand or believe in and get beat down to their underwear.  It would be a shame to hear demon possessed say, “Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are YOU?” 

We are required to resist the devil.  That means to stand against him forcefully.  When an airplane propeller turns it pushes against the air.  You can’t see it but the force is enough to push the plane down the runway and up into the sky.  Our power is greater and just as invisible.  When we pray in the spirit realm, Satan is forced to acknowledge our superior power and flee from us.  The problem is that if we do not believe in our OWN power in Christ, how are we going to apply that power to our spiritual warfare.  The battle may be invisible but it is mighty and it is vicious.  Satan asks for no quarter and offers none.  He will kill you if he can.  The promise of God says he will flee from before you.  Believeth thou this?

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

What a wonderful truth that God rejoices, honors and blesses His children when they draw close to Him.  One of the greatest revivals in US history, the Azusa Street Revival began as one man humbled himself, bowed his head in an empty wood crate, and prayed until God moved in a powerful way.  He wasn’t the smartest or most famous; he was simply the faithful and most hungry for God’s presence.  His sacrifice bubbled up and flowed over thousands of lives and ministries.

Are your hands clean?  Pray with me.  Lord, forgive me for my sins.  I have fallen short in so many ways and my heart’s desire is to fulfill your will in my life.  Cleanse me Father.  Purify my soul and strengthen me to be faithful and to obey your will.  I love you Lord and desire to serve you fully.  Make me strong and full of your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Once you have prayed and sought God’s grace and mercy, you need to abstain from all the ‘mess’ you have filled your mind with and pray that God’s Word will work great miracles in your life.  Let the words of your mouth and the attitudes of your heart be fully and completely sold old to God.  It is easy to surrender to flesh and sin.  Living in the spirit takes a real effort of will, yours and His.

Once your hearts have been purified by God’s grace, it’s time to embrace and walk in His Word.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  No matter how much you might want to do a thing, if you don’t focus on God and release all the various inconsequential parts of your life to Him, you will never truly succeed.  You can only serve one master.  Save yourself a great deal of pain and make that master God.  Sin and flesh are terrible and wanton taskmasters who are never full. 

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Most of us read this and think … what?  We don’t understand why we should be afflicted or mourn or weep, but the truth is this passage speaks to those who have chosen the world’s system of happiness and joy rather than God’s.  All worldly pleasures will come to an end.  Illegal pleasures will end quicker still as this fallen flesh we live in ages and decays.  The fifteen year old who fights against her parents and authority will soon be thirty, possibly unemployed or raising children alone without help.  Perhaps she’ll get her act together and shine, but without God her every choice just leads her deeper down that road of sin and shame.

I watched this nice kid, Justin Bieber, who gradually made bad choice after bad choice and because of his money he gets away with his decisions for a season.  He has money, fame and finds himself in trouble regularly because of immature choices.  It’s possible he may remain on top or find someone who inspires him to do better, but with certainty, one day, his life will end and his truth begin.  Fame and wealth will prove fleeting in the face of a God who demands obedience and reverence. 

God does not allow us to carry our sin into the Christian walk.  It must die as we must die to self.  He gave us skills and insists they be used for His glory.  Whatever is not done in faith to God and according to His Word is sin, and sin cannot live in the sight of God.  We will not live forever and we must choose to serve God or not while in this life.  If we choose not we will weep and howl and lose everything.  If yes, we have a chance to grow.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Our God has no problem making a positive example of us, i.e. making us famous or wealthy.  He says, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.”  God wants to save souls.  If that means we will be raised to a level in Christ where we can be seen and set an example, so be it.  Hard nails get hammered.  Soft material gets sanded and shaped.  There is a difficult process for us all but if we look to Him, the author and finisher of our faith, we will be used for great things.  We are the body of Christ and in that position, we must be lifted up if we are to lift Him up.  Our problems come when we are lifted in pride and forsake HIS honor.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

During my military years this was explained to me a certain way, but I can’t use that example.  Let me try to make this clear.  There are few examples of speaking evil of one another that come across as powerfully as the educational system in America today.  From the grade school to university there  is more than a bit of pride to be found in school teachers and professors.  Everybody wants to believe that their way of teaching is superior to the person next to them.  They back stab and back bite one another regularly, especially if you are a college professor with your doctorate and some upcoming whippersnapper tries to shoot down your thesis or theories. 

We talk about others for their hair, their relationships, their intelligence, their direction in life, their jobs, their life habits, their strengths, their weaknesses.  I could go on for hours here because it seems to be a part of the fallen human condition that if someone is different from us, there is something wrong with them.  The one thing I noticed when I traveled to Kenya a couple years ago was the lack of racism.  Racism is prevalent in the United States and appears to fall within that same concept, you’re different; I don’t like you.

Racism falls apart when two people get to know one another and discover a kindred spirit.  This makes those on the outside crazy because all they can see is the differences and fail to make the connection of your valid interconnection with someone else based on deeper things than skin color or sex.  Because they are unable to see what you see from their shallow understanding, they are by our very human nature quick to throw stones of disgust and anger.  The ultimate judge is alluded to in verse 12 below.  It is He and He alone that can truly choose what is right or wrong.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Verse 11 and 12 speak a warning to our human arrogance and judgmental spirit.  The words ought to be spoken with authority and more than a hint of threat.  “WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE MY SERVANT!!!  DID YOU CREATE THE WORLD?  WAS IT YOU WHO SET THE UNIVERSE IN MOTION?  I ALONE AM GOD AND I ALONE AM JUDGE!!!” 

Think of these things the next time that old nature rises up in your hearts and you want to scream, “You Moron!!!” when someone cuts you off on the freeway or you don’t like a decision a court has made.  Remember that God is the judge and He will make everything right in His time.  Your dislike of a situation is not the problem, your failure to trust God to make it right is.”

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

A few years ago I was riding my motorcycle up in Washington State.  I might have told myself, “When we get done riding tonight I’m going to buy the biggest steak dinner they have at that restaurant.”  Five minutes later I was sliding down the road with a 900 pound motorcycle pinning me to the highway after it had hammered me in the chest and almost stopped my heart.  Miraculously, though I was bleeding internally, I got up and walked over to my motorcycle and picked it up, got on it, and continued my ride.  Sixty miles later I began to get dizzy and pulled over, collapsing over my handlebars where my riding partner found me and thought I was dead.

An hour later I was in the cardiac ward of the Olympia Washington St. Bernardine hospital with tubes running into my arm and my pelvis and hip swollen to the size of a football with my own blood.  They told me I could not go home because my heart was bruised badly and might tear during the night.  Enjoy the jello.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

I still ride that motorcycle though I am a bit more careful these days.  My hip hurts every day where the bike pinned me to the moving highway.  I can hear my heartbeat in my left ear because of the damaged valve and my doctor is reluctant to go in there and fix it because heart surgery is not like getting a tooth worked on.  You might live.  You might not.  I’ve never been a good gambler.  My heart, he says, is strong and healthy.  Let’s just watch it for a while.

I’ve been electrocuted, dropped onto concrete, slid down a highway and fallen out of innumerable trees.  I have scars, aches, pains and both shoulders hurt when it rains due to operations.  Not once did I start my day and think, “I’ll go out and fall off a ladder onto my back on the concrete today.  That sounds like fun.”  We can plan our days and keep our hands busy but lately my one prayer has become, “Lord, more than anything else, I want Your direction.”  MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE…I want Your direction. 

More than fame, health, wealth, love, safety, joy, happiness, I want God’s direction.  I feel confident praying this because even though I have thrown myself onto God’s mercy and trust Him for my future, He loves me more than I love myself.  One way or another, I will have the live I need and didn’t even know it.  It’s not by my wisdom or ability, but by His love and compassion that I find myself in this place today.  I trust Him!

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

I am pretty good at putting a sentence together.  I have a gift of gab (I can talk).  There are other skills and gifts that God has given me and oddly enough, they do not work without His input.  I can rejoice in how God uses me for His glory but I cannot rejoice in my boasting.  I can’t say, “I have done all this by my skills and talents.”  Nebuchadnezzar tried this and God put him in the penalty box for a long long time (Daniel 4:30).

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Your gifts were given to you to bless God and man.  They were not given to fill you with pride and arrogance.  God does not approve of pride nor does he put up with it.  I often watch famous performers parade their opinions out for others to hear, acting all the world like their words carry the voice of God by reason of their fame.  For the most part they live lives of sin and consumption while looking down upon the very people who made those lives possible.  They give no credit to the very God who gave them the gift they exploit to their own benefit.  The wages of sin are death and using your gifts to your benefit and not God’s is also sin.

Beloved, identify your gifts.  Ask God how you might honor Him by using your gifts accordingly. 

Blessings,

Bishop J

James Chapter 3 - If You Must Rule…Rule Well!

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

For a somewhat clearer understanding, let’s look at verse one in the Amplified version.  (Amp) Not MANY of you should become teachers, self- constituted censors and reprovers of others my brethren, for you know that we teachers will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation.

Matthew 23 makes this even more clear.  “8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” 

If I teach this lesson and allow my own will to enter in I have become a transgressor.  Ministers who teach anything without specific scripture to back them up will receive the greater condemnation.  I know of teachers whose personal beliefs ran against scripture who have gotten involved in the intimate lives of married couples.  The things they taught against were not even mentioned in scripture.  They taught their own opinions based upon what made them uncomfortable and presented it as coming from God.  Some things they themselves practiced went against scripture though I believe we have a grace in Christ that the Jews do not. 

Our prejudices often come to the forefront in our words though God Himself does not subscribe to the same prejudices.  I have read in scripture that righteousness has no place with unrighteousness and a born again saint of God must not marry a sinner.  In this country we would rather teach that God is against interracial marriage when our God says He is against interspecies marriage.  Why interspecies you ask?  Because my Bible tells me that if I am in Christ I am a new creature; old things are passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).  If I am in Christ I am a heavenly creature and am now living on a higher plane than those creatures I have left behind.  Though we have similar DNA we are no longer what they are spiritually and that is what matters to God.  In His grace God has made an allowance for those of us who are already married to unsaved people, but the allowance is so the sinner may be sanctified by the believers faith in hopes they will themselves come to God for themselves.  God does not allow for a saint to marry a sinner.  Sadly, this not only occurs but is prevalent in today’s church.  We would rather marry into the world than live without carnal affection for a season to allow God to change us or prepare a godly mate. 

Apostle Paul was extremely careful when presenting Biblical truths and when he came to an area where he was uncomfortable or had a personal opinion he was quick to say it was his opinion and not the Lord’s commandment (1 Corinthian 7:6-11).  Jesus railed upon the scribes and Pharisees who according to Him would cross oceans to make one convert and then make that person a worse child of the devil than they themselves (Matthew 23:15).  Not only is it wrong to teach your own opinions in the place of scripture, but God Himself takes personal interest in every word that proceeds out of your mouth in His name.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Once again, let’s look at the Amplified version.  2 For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech never says the wrong things, he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. 

Perhaps I’m the only one who has struggled with his tongue over the years.  I came from the land of say the first thing that comes to mind and that place will never bring you to any level of maturity and success in Christ Jesus.  Verse two is accurate.  We often stumble and fall and offend.  We are spiritual beings and yet we live in a body that is a bundle of impulses and desires.  It wants what it wants and without proper scriptural training our brains think what our body wants.  We must have our minds renewed by the Word of God.  Out of the abundance of the heart (spirit) the mouth speaks.  The Word of God must go through your mind to get to your spirit.  Living scripturally is anti-common sense.  God wants you to have uncommon senses.

The carnal mind cannot understand the concept and so it must be turned into the renewed godly mind.  Only then will your mouth speak as the oracles of God.  If you renew your mind and thought processes with God’s Word and as the preacher said in service today, meditate day and night, you will have a spirit that allows only the words of life to come forth.

 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses 'mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

You cannot put a bit in a horse’s mouth and expect the horse to obey unless the horse has been trained.  An untrained horse will stomp you into the ground as they did to Jezebel (2 Kings 9:35).  The real point of this verse is that your mouth must be trained.  Your heart must be obedient.  Your mind must WANT to obey God and that DEMANDS training.  Have you ever read the responses that follow online news reports?  There are always a few Christians who offer a godly response to the report.  The posts that follow are usually violently angry and rude toward the Christian.  Our way of life is hated by the earth dwellers (unsaved) and you will never be able to stand in this way of life if you are not fully committed and trained.  Once a saint of God is trained the faintest whisper by the Holy Spirit will move you wherever God chooses.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

I have spoken rashly in my younger days and caused pain to others.  I have been rudely spoken to by others throughout the years and if I had not been strongly committed to God I might have backslidden.  How you mumble and complain about your treatment is a strong indicator of the state of your heart.  That ship in verse four requires an exquisitely balanced rudder to properly guide it.  A badly designed ship’s rudder will make a ship dangerous and hard to steer during foul weather.  Only by intelligence and wisdom is a child of God led by His Spirit.  Without that wisdom and an ear to hear we live in great peril.

One wrong word spoken in the ear of an immature saint will bring their godly walk to a screeching halt.  God expects us to endure hardness and that requires maturity and a heart to serve above all else.  Saints who walk around with a chip on their shoulder will never become successful until they grow up and learn to endure insults and rudeness.  I frequently hear born again saints tell me they do not have to put up with this or that.  Hogwash!  They absolutely DO have to put up with it.  Does this mean you have to accept physical or emotional abuse from someone day after day?  No.  For those who simply refuse to change or grow up there is a time to cut them loose and allow God to lead them down the road of hard knocks. 

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

I think we can see how hard it is to control our tongues.  Far too many saints don’t even try.  They are babes, unable to handle strong meat, drinkers of milk.  To handle strong meat we must learn how to spit out the bones before they stick in our throat and choke us.  In the same manner we must learn to spit out insults and threats before they choke our peace and begin to damage our spiritual walk.  Of all people, Christians should not wear their emotions on their sleeve to be pummeled by others.  Our GOD GIVEN love ought to have a strong enough hold upon us to allow us to walk away with peace.

Does it make us stronger to move against every person who speaks out against us?  I’m not talking about someone who is actually harming us, just about that person who talks about us or cusses us out.  Most of our discomfort will be words rather than physical threats.  Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is full of actual physical danger leading to death.  In these cases you enter an entirely different arena.  In this country the threats are usually to our self-esteem or feelings.  That is a tremendous area of weakness in American Christians.  We believe we have a right to feel good about ourselves and be universally loved.  Anyone who assaults that right makes us angry.  Our spiritual control should be greater than that.  God expects us to walk in His Peace (John 14:27).  If God has told us not to be afraid or troubled He must have given us the ability to walk in that level of faith.

I am adding to this because of a news story from Syria.  A Christian pastor was out preaching the gospel last week when the Muslims came and murdered all four of his sons in cold blood and left them laying on the ground.  The oldest looked to be about fifteen.  He was asked if he would stop preaching the gospel.  He said he would NEVER stop preaching the gospel and in the midst of his weeping said, “I will preach the Gospel of my Lord Jesus with every breath I possess.” 

Would you?

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

We have a tremendous ability to control the world around us.  One powerful example of anti-God attitude is the movement over the past few decades to give animals rights and remove any marks of mankind from the Earth.  Animals were given to us for our pleasure and we have chosen to worship them, humanize them and relate to them.  There is nothing wrong with treating animals humanely but there is a serious problem placing their needs over man’s.  They are here to serve us and make our life better.  It’s foolish to destroy entire species of animals out of ignorance, greed and wanton destruction but it is insulting to God on a personal level to place the needs of an animal over mankind’s.  Man is created a spirit just like God’s Spirit.  Animals are natural beasts without spirit.  They are not in the same league as we are.

It always astounds me how God shows me real life examples to reveal not only how we are supposed to rule this earth but how we might fail Him so extraordinarily.  In the news today was a group called 269life who often heat a branding iron like we use on cattle and brand themselves.  Their purpose is to show solidarity with animals we raise for food.  They call all meat eaters the ‘Nazi’s’ of the animal kingdom.  They drag their member examples from cages by chains around the neck and after heating a branding iron with the number 269 on it, press it toward the member’s flesh.  What caught my attention this particular time was the most recent example was done to an Israeli man in Tel Aviv Israel who allowed himself to be branded. 

The Jews ARE God’s chosen people.  Gentile Christians are loved by God but we will never have that particular status though we are part of the spiritual Abraham.  God specifically told the Jews which animals He was allowing them to eat.  The ones they were NOT allowed to eat were unclean, not more noble.  Only man is created in the image and likeness of God; in other words, we are spiritual creatures and animals are not.  They are carne, flesh, while we are pneuma, spirit.  They have taken a white calf marked with the number 269 as their symbol.  This entire group and their symbolic actions are an affront to God on many levels. 

God demanded the sacrifice of a lamb on the day of Passover so His death angel would pass over the Jews and spare their first born.  The death of an animal for our sins has existed since the time of Adam and Eve.  Animals have always been sacrificed for our sins, a life for a life.  It is something we should not take lightly.  The Egyptians worshipped cattle and that practice caused Aaron and Israel to sin with the golden calf.  The fact that a Jew has placed himself on a level with cattle and has allowed himself to be branded for what amounts to a religious belief of equality must be viewed by God as a terrible sin.  We have chosen to identify with a creature God made us masters over and spit on the living spirit that is a human.  Satan has once again shown his hand by raising up this terrible sin in Israel itself.

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

My parents used to tell me, “If you don’t have something good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.”  That good advice aside, it rarely prevents others from offering an opinion about those around them.  I can’t recall my father having much to say against others.  He went about his life assisting others whenever he could and I rarely saw him angry toward another person.  Scripture is full of examples of wagging tongues speaking against others.  I have been cursed by people all over the world.  In most cases it came from my inability or unwillingness to help someone financially when THEY felt I should. 

If we trust God to be both the author AND the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) we ought to trust God to be the preserver and builder of our relationships with one another.  We should also trust Him to ensure our needs are met and direction is given.  That seems to be the most difficult for us, to trust Him for direction and guidance.  Proverbs 3:5-6 is pretty specific.  If we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge Him, He shall direct our paths.  Fussing about others because we do not approve of their actions toward us is not trusting God.  Prayer is a much better use of your time.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Once again we read that we are made after the similitude of God.  He does not say this about any creature on the face of the earth except man.  We are a living spirit.  Our spirit is made alive, made connected with God’s Spirit by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.  We alone are capable of being redeemed.  There is no such gift for the other living beasts on the earth.  They are alive and capable of reproduction in a natural sense but not in a spiritual sense.  God has given us humans alone that blessing.  This is why it so offends God to see us worship animals or place them on the same level as us.  He sent His Son to die for mankind, not animal kind. 

Animals are little more than reproducing machines with limited intelligence.  They used to flee from us until we bred them to be used as food animals.  They have no rights nor can they.  How foolish is it to allow yourself to be branded so you, a higher level being made in the image of God can feel kinship with a dumb animal.  What an incredible insult for our God when we do so.  Treating them with kindness or even dispatching them as painlessly as possible so they do not needlessly suffer is a gracious thing offered from a higher being to a lower one; but do not anthropomorphize them in your mind to being human.  They are not.

You might ask what this has to do with your tongue; but if you esteem mankind to be on the same level as animals and believe yourself to be more noble because of your position, you place yourself in the position of cursing man AND God, telling Him that His great gift to us is unappreciated and that we consider the dumb beasts of the field (who we still worship in parts of the world), to be of equal importance with those He sent His Beloved Son to die for.  If God destroyed us outright for this sin rather than giving us freedom to one day grow up and accept His wonderful gift then there would be few of us left alive to come to Him.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

God made us male and female.  He called homosexuality an abomination.  He created animals to serve us as barely thinking servants.  He made us living spirits capable of being reborn into fellowship with His Spirit.  Man has chosen to curse those who tell them they are not free to love and have sexual relationships with whoever they wish if it goes against the Word of God.  They mock us for believing something which God decided millennium ago and tell us we need to get with the times.  If you do not believe there is a press toward this lifestyle of sin and degradation, watch the news and other sites.  Whenever you see a tearing down of Christian standards of living or those calling sodomy and twisted sexual practices noble, you are seeing direct action of Satan in the lives of man.  To see an Israeli on the news this week placing himself on the same level as cattle shows just how much Satan has sought to destroy the work of God.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Notice it says the meekness of wisdom.  Wisdom simply states her case and then rests.  She does not strive or insist on having her own way.  You may choose to do what you will.  This is what free will means for mankind.  God will not force you to serve Him, though He will judge you eventually for your decision.  If you are two men and want to have the same opportunities as a married man and woman your hearts are filled with bitter envy and it causes you to bring strife toward those around you.  God is not impressed with your arguments or cute turns of phrase.  He is calling you to cease from your glorying and stop lying against God’s law.  He will always prove His law and calling Him a liar is not the way to survive.  Your time on the earth will end quickly and then the judgment. 

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Where it says, ‘this wisdom’ it speaks of the wisdom of man and Satan’s demonic touch.  Notice it says it is earthly, SENSUAL and devilish.  It comes from your wayward bodies which God has often called you to get under subjection.  That you feel like you are a homosexual is not an excuse nor a reason before God to become one.  It is just a feeling and God is greater than our feelings.  Notice in the previous verse it was bitter envy and strife and now it is simply envy and strife.  The natural man does not want to serve God and fights against His commands.  The natural mind brings confusion and even greater evil to bear against the forces of God and good.   They lash out in ever increasing ways against God’s people and eventually will try to bring an end to the life of God’s children. 

We are even now approaching such a thrust of anger and rage against the church.  Many godless organized churches will welcome those sinners with open arms and not require any change in their lives.  The churches that believe God’s Word will be regularly attacked and held in derision by both the sinner and supposed saint who like the Sadducees believes only in what comforts them and not the truth which will make them free.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

As a saint of God I do not rail on those who have left God.  I pray for them, encourage them to do better and hope they will draw close to God and make proper decisions.  Our motivation is above all pure.  We are not striving to take money.  Giving is part of our walk but not our motivation.  Salvation is.  We are peacemakers and gentle.  The Southern church that has preached so much hatred toward homosexuals is not this sort of church.  They are drama seekers and rage multipliers.  We are easy to be entreated.  You can talk to us, tell us where you’re at and solicit our help in drawing closer to God. 

We are merciful and our lives are full of godly fruit.  We do not judge anyone’s worth or value to God since He Himself has chosen them and is their judge and strength.  We are only here to help and live honestly before you in truth without hypocrisy or lies.  Satan is the big hypocrite.  He calls truth a lie and a lie truth.  He can paint any picture to seem beautiful and if you do not know God’s Word you can be made to stumble.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

I have seen those who lie and do not do the truth.  I have seen them fall short and be filled with hatred and rage.  We are supposed to be peaceful and filled with righteousness.  Our peace is passed from saint to saint but it will also cause the unrighteous to hate us.  They have no peace and will threaten all those who do.  They want what we have and cannot obtain it any other way but God’s.  This is not acceptable to them and they continue to rage against us.

Beloved, trying times are coming to try our faith and labor of love.  I pray you hold to that love and keep your faith.

Bishop J