Love Conquers All

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ while He was physically on earth was nothing less than the operation of the surrounding, abounding, infinite love of God. This is clearly revealed throughout scripture. We see the revelation of the God of love more clearly portrayed in the New Testament.  ^"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10) These are just a few scriptures among many, but they do express God's great unwavering, wonderful love for sinful man.

We only have to look at verses of scripture like these to realize that everything that God does toward humanity is all through love. Even at the treason committed by Adam in the Garden, did not arouse God's wrath toward Adam or the woman. Yes, judgment was past, but it was the result of Adam's transgression not God's wrath. In other words, Adam made the decision, he made the choice to rebel against the one command that God gave to him. The result was what God said would happen, "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) The literal translation says, "In dying you will die." In other words, Adam died spiritually the moment he broke God's commandment and then he died physically 930 years later. God did not bring this upon Adam, he chose it for himself. It was not God's will! It was Adam's choice. I labor this because many believers have been trained to believe that things like sickness, disease, poverty, premature death, natural disasters, etc., are all acts of God's will toward humanity.

Not only do scriptures like John 3:16, Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:10 clearly show us God's loves towards fallen man, we must also keep in mind scripture like John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." God's love is to save humanity not condemn or destroy humanity. If sickness, disease, poverty, premature death, natural disasters, etc., are God's will for humanity, they why did he set in motion before the foundation of the world the redemption of man?  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:3-4) In fact, His redemption for man began before creation but was now being played out in man's history at the fall of man, "So the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)  

God did not stop there, He shed innocent blood to cover mans sin, "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21) This points to innocent blood that would be shed by God again. This time, His own blood. The ultimate sacrifice that would not cover sin but take it away forever. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. However, prior to the death of Jesus we see the love of God in action through Him. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19) "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."  (Acts 10:38)

It should not take much faith to see that love has no part in sickness, disease, poverty, premature death, natural disasters, etc. All of these things are the result of the fall of man, the actions of the devil and the poor choices that people constantly make, not God. In fact, God describes love this way, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Let's be not only honest but logical. If sickness, disease, poverty, premature death, natural disasters, etc. are the will of God, who is love, then let's consider the following; we either have no idea how loves works; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is a misprint and should not be part of the Bible; or love is hatred in disguise. Because we know in our heart that none of these three ideas are true, we also know that sickness, disease, poverty, premature death, natural disasters, etc. are not the work of God nor are they His Will. He is love and all that He does is through love. 

The life and ministry of Jesus is the greatest revelation of the Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan that the Bible records. "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them..." (Matthew 9:35-36) This again is only one incident of many, revealing the love of Father God operating through the life and ministry of Jesus. God has not limited these things from operating today. It is the faithless doctrines of the so called religious wise who have taken the same position of the Pharisees and Sadducee's as recorded in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. "Jesus answered and said to them, well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Mark 7:6-8, 13)  

Food for thought: Is there any parent among you that can say it is your will that your child or children should suffer from sickness or disease? That somehow sickness and disease would be a good and loving thing for your child or children because it has a mysterious purpose to teach them something? That if your child is disobedient, you would like sickness or disease to ravage their body or mind to discipline them? Of course you would not. In fact if your children do become sick or injured your heart cries out for relief so they do not have to suffer. Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him." (Matthew 7:11) "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Next Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday. It is when agape enter Jerusalem for the purpose of setting humanity free. Praise the Lord for His surrounding, abounding love for all people especially His Children!!!      

A Heart For God

 In the last part of the "Parable of the Soils" we see the results of those when the Word of God is sown, "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (Mark 4:20) The good ground represents ground (a heart) that is useful, suitable for the seed to take root. A heart that submits itself to the full influence of truth, not the influences of the world or self. A heart spread open allowing God's Word to take deep root so it can produce a harvest, fruit.

Jesus uses another parable to show us the results of not only what it means to receive the Word when sown, but also the fruit of believers sowing (speaking, confessing) the Word. "And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)

First, as we see in this parable, it is not necessary that one completely understands everything about God's method, but you must understand how to apply it. To put this principle of God to work in our life, we must be obedient to God's Word and do what it says to do. We will never produce a crop (build our faith and receive the promises of God) if we do not sow (confess) His Word. The more we confess God's Word, the more our faith will grow. (Romans 10:17) The more our faith grows the greater understanding (revelation knowledge) we will have of the Word and subsequently, the less chance Satan has to steal it. Next, we must understand that in this parable, God does not sow the seed, man does it. God furnishes the seed, (His Word) but believers must sow it. 

So, what one confesses is of vital importance. If God said it, it is an established truth. But that truth will not necessarily be manifest in our life unless we sow it in our heart. Notice what the Apostle Paul tells us, "...The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart..." (Romans 10:8) The Word is sown from our mouth first and is then received in our heart. This is why God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Again, God's Word is to be spoken first and foremost. 

Another important key in sowing God's Word is, we must agree with it, we must believe it, we must add our faith to it. Then it becomes a seed that is sown in your heart, because faith works in the heart, not in your head. Our mind is not born again. The Apostle Paul tells us, "the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) The "law of God" is referring to is the law of faith. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith." (Romans 3:27) Our minds will not operate in the law of faith, because it was not designed to do so. We think with it and we must also keep in mind that our speech is a product of our thoughts and meditations. This is why Paul tells us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) 
 
As God's Word renews our mind through hearing it, our faith will grow (Romans 10:17) to the place where we will see more and more of God's promises manifesting. However, we must "confess with our mouth and believe in our heart" God's Word constantly, because the scripture does not say faith comes by having heard the Word of God, but faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing, etc., the Word of God. We sow seed (the Word) by speaking the desired promise, (John 16:23) we then add our faith to the word sown and God makes good on His Word. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23)

Notice, it is not the saying alone that causes the manifestation in your life. The saying is not an end in itself. However, saying is involved in causing the manifestation. Think abut it. How could we have what we say if we do not say it first? God will honor His promises. But it is up to the believer to first set the goal (the desired promise),  plant the seed (God's Word), which then causes faith to grow. There are two other things to keep in mind. First, you must be in agreement with God's Word. You must believe that what God said is what He means and what He will do. "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19) "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

The second thing to keep in mind is not to have a double confession, that is, confessing God's Word, His promise that we desire and then if the promise does not manifest as fast as we want it to, make a second confession, that being one of doubt. Doubt. This is a scheme of the devil which will neutralize faith. The interesting thing is, as faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God, so doubt comes by hearing the words of the devil, that is, believing what the devil says more than what God said. If we are confessing doubt, we are confessing the words of the devil. This may be why the promises of God are not manifesting in our life. The way to prevent this from happening is to work at standing on God's Word regardless of what the circumstances may dictate. Of course for most, this is easier said then done, because most have been trained to trust in what their five senses can comprehend, not what the Word of God says.   

So, if the promises of God are not manifesting in our life, do not give up; do not become discouraged, but confess and meditate on scriptures like these, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 11:23) May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ our Lord keep you strong...

No Weeds Here

Looking again at the "Parable of the Soils", next, Jesus explains yet another aspects that reveals the human condition when it comes to the Word of God being sown. "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19) Have you ever been in a situation where your mind is focused on a particular thing when someone says something to you, you hear what they are saying, but when they are finished speaking you barely remember what they said? You heard them, but your mind was consumed with something else so you really did not give them your attention and listen to what they had to say. In the same way, for some, when God's Word is sown, they are so consumed with the cares of the world, the love of money and the possession of material things, the Word of God is choked, blocked, denied of its life giving breath. 

The Word of God shows us the high premium the Lord places on ones soul and how the the world deceives many into believing that wealth and material possessions bring true happiness. Proverbs tells us, "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." (Proverbs 11:4) Jesus tells us,  "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26) The Apostle John shows us that the love of things other than God is not a new thing. Quite the contrary, it began in the Garden of Eden. John tells us, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17) Look at the account that took place in the Garden, "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (lust of the flesh) that it was pleasant to the eyes, (the lust of the eyes) and a tree desirable to make one wise, (the pride of life) she took of its fruit and ate." (Genesis 3:6)   

Jesus also tells us another parable concerning a rich fool, "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21) Jesus also tells us, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

Now before you swear to a life of poverty, having wealth and material things are not contrary to God's Word. For instance, "Both riches and honor come from You (God)..." (1 Chronicles 29:12); "...Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." (Psalm 35:27); "As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor, this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 5:19); "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) As the parable tells us, it is when "the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things" are placed above our love, devotion and service of God, that the problem arises. 

Notice what the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Apostle Paul concerning this matter, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10) Notice, that it is not money itself, but the love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil. Also take note that the love of money causes believers to be led away from the truth producing much grief and pain. The sad thing is, far to many believers in the USA do not realize or maybe they know, but will not admit how the thorns of the world have choked off God's Word from their life. They go to a church service every Sunday, have a Christian vernacular so to speak and even say how God is first in their life, yet not realizing how much hold the world has on them. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)  

If we would take some time and be honest with ourselves, we may find that there are areas in our life that the thorns of the world have taken hold. If this is so, do not try to justify yourself with reasons and do not condemn yourself because it is true, just "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6) Know this very important fact, God cares for you, but the world hates you (John 15:18-19) All that is needed is to become a hearer and a doer of God's Word. (James 1:22) Finally, after the Apostle Paul warned Timothy of the love of money and its consequences, he encourages Timothy in which I also want to encourage you, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...  

Good Habits Build Good Character

One of the areas covered in the "Parable of the Soils" deals with people who lack character within them selves. "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble." (Mark 4:16-17) Jesus explains this as denoting those who hear the gospel, who receive the Word as something new or pleasing, who appear to be greatly delighted with it, and who are full of zeal for it. Yet they have no root in themselves. They have no resolve that comes with the life changing power of God's Word. They are either not true Christians or they to are mere carnal Christians. Their hearts are not changed. Rather than having the eyes of their understanding open through the revelation of who God is and seeing need for transformation of their heart, when they are tried and persecution comes, they fall as rootless grain that withers from the scorching rays of the noonday sun.  

Though they receive the Word with gladness and things seem to be "going their way" they have no inner strength, they lack the character to resist trials or persecution. They have no real love of the Savior nor the Word of God so when times of trial and persecution are placed in their path, they show that they have no real trust in God, the Word, and therefore immediately, quickly, fall away. The soul has not been convinced of its guilt and depravity because the heart (soil) has not been properly plowed nor the rocks removed. The soil (heart) will work just as hard to make a stone produce as it does a seed. It furnishes the same nutrients to a stone as it does to a seed. But the stone will not produce, because there is no life in it. The stones actually rob the moisture and nutrients from the seed because the soil will give as much time, space, moisture and nutrients to a stone as it will to a seed. Peter tells us, "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) James tells us to, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) The Word of God is incorruptible seed and it is full of spirit life. So by removing the stones and sowing the incorruptible seed of God's Word, we change the heart.  

 Although the scripture does not say the seed that is sown on stony ground is one who does not understand God's Word when it is sown, the fact is, unchanged character within believers still comes down to not understanding God's Word. Jesus tells the Sadducees, "...you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) Think about this. Ones attitude toward the Word of God, determines the place that God holds in their daily life. Let us not say that God is first in our life when His Word is rarely sown from our mouth. John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14) God and His Word are One!  

 God's Word should always be understood as the Father speaking to us. It should never be viewed as a message from an ordinary book. It should be as real to us as though Jesus (the Word) stood in the room and spoke to you personally. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "For the Logos of God is a living thing, active and more cutting than any sword with double edge, penetrating to the very division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow scrutinizing the very thoughts and conceptions of the heart. And no created thing is hidden from him; all things lie open and exposed before the eyes of him with whom we have to reckon." (Hebrews 4:12-13 Moffatt) God's Word has power to show what man is. It is like a penetrating sword that lays open and exposes the whole person. This is not to scare people away from God, but to draw them near for the purpose of transforming them into the image of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18)  

Believers must keep in mind that when they were born again, it was the spirit that was recreated, became a new creation, not the soul (mind, will and emotions) or the body. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is why the Apostle Paul tells us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Believers are to dedicate their bodies to God and renew their minds. This is a continuous work on the part of every believer and one of the best way to accomplish this is through sowing, speaking, confessing God's Word.   

 So let us give place to the inner work of the Holy Spirit through the confession of the Word of God so that our character is a reflection of our heavenly Father.    

The Power Of Confession

To confess means "to disclose; to make known; or to admit something." Confessing God's Word is admitting that God's Word is true. By confessing God's Word, it opens the door to possess the things God has already promised us which is revealed in His Word. However, many fail to grasp this Bible truth thereby never possessing the promises of God other than eternal life (1 John 2:25). Still others twist this principle and run into the ditch because they have never fully understood it. The fact is, this is God's principle of faith in action, sowing, that is, confessing God's word, which is one of the ways to possess the promises of God. 

A key to understanding the power behind confessing God's Word as well as the words that we speak in general, is found in what is known as the "Parable of the Soils" spoken and explained by Jesus. Let's keep in mind, as Jesus said, "the seed sown is the Word of God." Next He says, "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts." (Mark 4:15) Before we go any further, we must look at what is revealed in Matthews gospel, because it sheds important light on what is taking place here. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside." (Matthew 13:19) 

Mark says when the seed (God's Word) is sown, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. Notice that the Word was sown in the heart. The heart is described as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions; the spirit. Also notice that in this portion of the parable it would appear that Satan could just come along when God's Word is sown and steal it from your heart any time he wants to. However, taking a closer look at this parable, Matthew tells us, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." This is the reason why Satan steals God's Word from someone's heart. They heard it but they did not understand it. If you understand the Word of God when it is sown, then Satan cannot come along and steal it from you.

Jesus tells us, "...the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) God's Word is spirit and can only be understood by the recreated spirit. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) The natural man here denotes those who are governed and influenced by natural instincts, the carnal mind, and the sin nature, as opposed to those who are influenced by the Spirit of God. This not only refers to unregenerate people, but all who are influenced by the natural instincts, the carnal mind, and the sin nature, this includes Christians.  

The apostle Paul had dealings with the church at Corinth along the same lines, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) As mentioned above, not only do  unregenerate people not understand the Word of God when it is sown, but this is also why many Christians find it so difficult to understand it also. They are not being led by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16) This then gives opportunity for Satan to come along and steal it from the heart.  

Look at what Jesus tells us about hearing and understanding the Word when it is sown, "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus assure us that when we hear and understand God's Word, no one, not even Satan can take it away from us!        

Another interesting fact concerning the Word of God when it is sown and whether or not one understands it, is seen in contrast between two of the many churches the Apostle Paul established in his journey's throughout Asia. The Apostle Paul spent a year and six months teaching in Corinth (Acts 18:11) and they were still carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) and yet he only spent three Sabbaths (three weeks) at Thessalonica (Acts 17:2) and they became a witness of Christ in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8) The main reason why so many Christians do not understand God's Word when it is sown is due to one key element that may be missing. It must be received through faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:2) The writer of Hebrews also tells us, "By faith we understand..." (Hebrews 11:3) and "...without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6) God's Word mixed with faith and then spoken, will cause believers to act and speak just like our Heavenly Father. Why is this so? 

First, let us remember that Jesus said "...the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Paul tells us, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:16) The scriptures are the infusion or communication of ideas or thoughts from God to man; the revelation of God to man. The Apostle Paul's prayer for the church is, "Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:15-18) Paul understood that the faith the believers at Ephesus walked in was due to the revelation that they had received of and from God. The reason why Paul prayed this prayer for the church was that the eyes of their understanding (revelation of God) would be continually enlightened; that they would have a clear view of God, His will, nature, character, purpose and plan. 

Revelation is directly connected to what one believes about God. Without a continuous revelation of God, ones faith will never grow. When I use the phrase "continuous revelation of God" I am not talking about adding to the Bible or subtracting even one word from the Bible. Think about it this way. Did you ever read the same scripture numerous time and then this one particular time you received a greater understanding (a revelation) of that passage? You did not add to the scripture but now you have a greater reality of its meaning. This is a revelation of the scripture that strengthens or increases your faith.

So, let us not longer "give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27) and permit him to steal God's Word from the heart because we may not understand it, but ask the Father to open the eyes of our understanding that we may receive a greater revelation, that is, a word from the Word that will increase our faith. Paul's desire for that church is, "that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:5) This only comes when we truly open our heart to the Word of God and close it to the doctrines of men. When this happens, you can rest assure that we will act, "Just like Dad, our Heavenly Father."

Acting Like Our Father

The Holy Spirit tells us through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) This is not just some casual statement that Paul is making. He literally means that believers are to copy God's actions and speech exactly. It means to act like God Himself. Now for many, this may seem difficult to believe or it might even seem absurd, but there lies the problem, not agreeing with God's Word. Jesus tells a parable that reveals why many people have such a difficult time believing God's Word. He tells us a parable that we have entitled "The Parable of the Soils." He reveals some important information concerning this particular parable by asking two questions, "...Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) So, why is this parable so important for believers to understand? Let's see...

Jesus starts the parable by saying, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." (Mark 4:3) To get a better understanding of this parable, let us look at Jesus' explanation of it a piece at a time. "The sower sows the word" that is, the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) Simply put, to sow is to scatter (seed) over the ground for growing. In this parable the ground in which God's Word is to be sown, is the human heart, man's spirit, for the purpose of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) James tells us to, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21) The more a believer sows God's Word, the more they become imitators of God. The Apostles Paul also says, "...being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Unfortunately, for many believers, they are quick to gloss over this highly important point in this parable. Let's look at why this is so.

In Genesis chapter one we see the account of creation. Nine times we see, "then God said." (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29) In the earth ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus tells us, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) "...I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) "I speak what I have seen with My Father..." (John 8:38) "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) Without doubt, Jesus was imitating God the Father in His words and actions. Do you see the pattern here? "God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20-21, 24, 26-31) Jesus only spoke the words of the Father and I might add, it too, was so. 

It is no different for the believer. Believers are to be imitators of our Heavenly Father just like Jesus was during His ministry on earth. This is one of the most important areas for the believers life, sow (speak) God's Word continuously. Moses went to Pharaoh a number of times and spoke God's Word to Him in saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you saying, Let My people go..." (Exodus 7:16, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 13, ) If we fully read this account, we will see that Moses continually spoke God's Word, the Word eventually prevailed over the circumstances and the children of Israel were released from their bondage. (Exodus 12:31) But it did not stop there. The power behind God's Word spoken from the lips of Moses unleashed ten plagues that covered Egypt, but had no effect on the children of Israel (Exodus 7 - 12) Also, Israel left Egypt with their possessions, all of the Egyptians wealth, (Exodus 12:31-36) and the entire nation had perfect health. (Psalm 105:37) 

God tells Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Notice, the first thing that God tells Joshua concerning His word is, "This Book of the Law (God's Word) shall not depart from your mouth..." God commanded Joshua first and foremost to continuously speak His Word. Why is that? Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) We are to speak, that is, confess God's Word because it causes faith grow. Paul does not say that faith comes by having heard the Word, but hearing and hearing and hearing, etc. the Word of God. The word for "word" in Romans 10:17 is the Greek word "rhema," the spoken word or revelation of the written word, the scriptures.    

Speaking, that is, confessing God's Word is the pattern that God reveals in creation. Throughout the Bible we see the same with the people of God, speaking God's Word. The gospel of John is where we see this in Jesus' ministry on earth which also reveals incredible results. Why is that?  "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) "The Word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) So, we have a choice. We can confess God's Word continuously, have our faith built up and see the salvation of the Lord in incredible ways or we can confess the problems of life and muddle our way through life letting the problems literally squeeze the life out of us. 

Look at the words of a very wise man, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus tells us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) In other words, the words of the flesh or the natural words spoken by mankind, have no intrinsic value because they do not produce life. In fact, as we saw in Proverbs, negative confession literally snares us, traps us, and produces death. I want to encourage you today by saying, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30) Corrupt words do not only mean obscene or filthy conversation, but any words that do not produce good fruit. Yes, corrupt words from our mouth will grieve the Holy Spirit. So, let us begin to speak edifying words by doing as Paul tells us, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Exercising an attitude of thanksgiving in all things will aid us in promoting healthy, edifying, good fruit bearing words, that is, confessing God's Word, because it always bears good fruit. Amen...    

The Sent Ones

God does not desire His people to flounder about trying to figure things out on their own. He has given us His Word that reveals His will, nature, character, purpose and plan. The Apostle Peter tells us, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:2-4) The word "knowledge" is a Greek word defined in English as "precise and correct knowledge."

However, this "precise and correct knowledge" does not arise from human intellect. It comes by way of the Holy Spirit, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) The Apostles and Elders who convened in Jerusalem over the issue of circumcision for Gentiles, was settled by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28) and not the opinions, prejudices or intellect of the men of God who were present. Unfortunately, in many sectors of the church is it said that the gift ministries of apostle and prophet are no longer be needed and they have no place or function in the church today. However, in taking a close examination of the scriptures, we will discover what the it says concerning the validity and necessity of these two important gift ministries for church, not only at its beginning, but also for today. We also will discover that there is no scriptural bases for their termination. So, let us look at what the Bible says concerning the function and benefits of the gift ministry of the apostle and the importance of this gift ministry for the Body of Christ until Jesus returns.

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars." (Revelation 2:2) First we are to test those who say they are apostles with the Word of God. With that said, there are five characteristics, qualifications or marks revealed in scripture that are the litmus test for those who are apostles. The first thing that will separate the ministry of the apostle from other ministries is, it is marked by signs, wonders and miracles, "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." (2 Corinthians 12:12)  The initial sending of Jesus' twelve disciples, which Jesus named apostles, (Luke 6:13), included the commission to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons." (Matthew 10:8)  There must be this kind of supernatural attestation to the Word of God in the ministry of the apostle.While the apostle is not the only ministry that produces signs, wonder, and miracles, a claim of apostolic ministry is certainly put to the test by this mark.

The second mark of an apostle is, God will reveals this gift ministry to independent witnesses. Every divine fact that the Lord wishes to establish to the Church is validated on the basis of two or three independent witnesses. "Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:1-2)  It is clear from the language of this passage that Paul and Barnabas already knew their calling as apostles. The Holy Spirit said to the other three men present (independent witnesses) that He had called Paul and Barnabas to the work of the apostle. 

The third qualification is one of the easiest characteristics to identify in the apostolic ministry. God gives apostles other ministers to work with them in team ministry under their authority. One example of this,  "And Sopater of Berea accompanied Paul to Asia, also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia." (Acts 20:4) Whenever you find the ministry of apostle, you should find individuals like the men mentioned here and others whom God is training in ministry by means of the apostle. The apostle will always have individuals God has given to him to train. He will have young prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors to encourage and prepare for greater ministry than his own. God will call some of them into apostolic ministry as well. True apostles will allow this to happen. False or immature apostles will resist others growing in their own callings.

The fourth characteristic of and apostle is the seal of apostleship. "If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 9:2) The seal of apostleship, coupled with the three characteristics and qualifications above, puts the immature apostle and the pretender to apostleship apart from the true manifestation of this gift. While an individual may have the calling of an apostle, the Church at large should not recognize or honor him as an apostle until he has the seal of apostleship. This seal is to have fully functioning churches under his authority. These churches will be ruled by elders appointed by the apostle who continue to
recognize his authority even as he proceeds to plant other churches in other locations. One thought to add to this is, there are many persons who pioneer a church apparently successfully and with God's grace. However, this does not necessarily make them apostles without fulfilling all the biblical criteria of an apostle.  

The fifth characteristic of apostolic ministry is easily overlooked and for many misunderstood by the Church. The Church seems to believe that ministries that are unopposed and accepted must be blessed, and that ministries that are opposed by others must have something wrong with them. Quite the contrary is true. Those ministries that lead the way in power and renewal will also find great opposition from the enemy. Apostolic ministry can be identified by the amount of opposition it receives. Given the fulfillment of the previous four characteristics listed hereon, how can we not expect serious demonic warfare against the apostle? The apostle seeking to fulfill his ministry calling will encounter demonic opposition in different forms. "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Corinthians 16:9) 

The enemy will seek to overwhelm the apostle before he even gets started. Nevertheless, the apostle will be given all he needs to defend himself and those associated with him. He will successfully bring the battle back to the enemy. The apostle must be experienced in personal spiritual warfare because the enemy will try to launch attacks in a variety of ways. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Serious attacks will come in the form of accusations. "...for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." (Revelation 12:10) This tactic is used against all of God's servants, and particularly the apostle. If the enemy can get the church to believe his lies about an apostle then he can also prevent the local church from becoming what it should be. 
The enemy has been extremely successful in his attempts to convince many that the gift ministry of apostle is nonexistent today. 

Therefore, the Church must be willing to test apostolic claims. The five identifiable features of the apostolic ministry as we have seen revealed in scripture are the litmus test to prove or disprove the validity of this gift ministry. We must get past the intellectual conclusions of faithless teachers and accept the truth of God's Word concerning the importance of the gift ministry of apostle as being as valid today as it was under the earth ministry of Jesus and the early church. If we carefully study the scriptures we will find that in addition to the original twelve apostles, there are at least twelve more apostles, although some of these are hidden by inconsistent translations in English New Testament versions. I pray that the LORD open our hearts to see His truth so that He can build His church as He sees fit. As Peter said, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."