By Bill Gothard
5 BASIC STEPS TOWARD BECOME A “WHOLE PERSON”
In order to become a whole person, we must first be made alive in our spirits and then allow our spirits to become the center of our lives. This objective is incorporated in the following five steps:
1. BE REBORN IN YOUR SPIRIT
2. REBUILD YOUR THOUGHTS
3. REFOCUS YOUR EMOTIONS
4. REDIRECT YOUR GOALS
5. REPRODUCE YOUR LIFE IN OTHERS
Only through our spirits can we discover that third dimension of life and gain the personal fulfillment which our beings long to achieve. The following pages illustrate the potential development of these objectives.
THE BASIC CONFLICTS OF INNER NATURES
* Two forces within us become quite obvious as we attempt to fulfill that which we know to be right. One force seeks to draw our attention to the wrong impulses; the other seeks to draw our attention to the right impulses. The resulting struggle is well-describing in the words of Romans 7:15-25.
* “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
“Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
HOW TO BE “REBORN” IN YOUR SPIRIT
* “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
* “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
* “But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
* “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
* “If you will confess with your mouth Jesus as your Lord, and if you will believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
PRAY THIS:
“Dear God, thank you for loving me and sending your Son to die for my sin. Right now I do confess Jesus as my Lord. I ask Him to come into my life and cleanse me of all my sin, and make me your child from this moment on. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering it through Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Expect some resistance from your lower nature as you follow these steps. “The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17).
STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR SOUL
* Once we have been born again by the Spirit of God, we will continue to experience conflicting struggles in our mind, will and emotions. But now the Spirit and Word of God make it possible to
“Be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2).
* Determine areas of personal character deficiency and find large sections of Scripture relating to them. Take these sections through the following steps of action:
* MEDITATION INVOLVES ALL THREE OF THESE STEPS
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).
1. MEMORIZE
“The entrance of thy words give light” (Psalm 119:130). “It is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you” (Proverbs 22:18).
2. VISUALIZE
Picture each word. “If you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding: If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then shall you understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:3-5).
3. PERSONALIZE
Put Scripture into the first-person and quote it back to God. “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).
HOW TO REBUILD THOUGHT STRUCTURES
God’s Spirit is the author and interpreter of Scripture. Once He enters our spirit, He is able to rebuild our thoughts, emotions, and will around a comprehension of His Word (John 16:13; 14:26).
1. MEMORIZE GOD’S THOUGHT STRUCTURES
If we are to think God’s thoughts after Him, we must be able to comprehend and appreciate His structure of thinking as presented in Scripture. The best way to do this is to memorize whole thoughts and ideas from Scripture.
The very fact that many sections are hard for us to understand underscores the truth of Isaiah 55:8 & 9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts…”
SECTIONS TO BEGIN MEMORIZING:
* James 1 - How to prepare for temptations
* Matthew 5,6,7 - How to find happiness
* Hebrews 12 - How to appreciate God’s chastening
* John 15 - How to grow spiritually
* Colossians 3 - How to refocus affections
* Romans 5-8 - How to conquer lusts
* Galatians 5,6 - The lower nature
* 1 Corinthians 13 - How to develop genuine love
* Psalm 1, 15, 34, 63, 139
2. SATURATE YOUR MIND WITH SCRIPTURE
The literal concept behind the word, “meditation,” is that of a cow chewing its cud. Just as it brings up again and again that which it has eaten, so we should recall in our minds over and over again that which we have memorized.
One day a family living on the edge of a desert was amazed to see that seeds had sprouted in the salty desert sands behind their home. No one could figure out how this happened, since they had often tried to grow things there with no results. The mystery was solved when they discovered that every day the mother had thrown her dishwater out the back door. After months and months, the salt which had hindered any growth was washed out of the sand. Then one day she threw some seeds out the back door. A short time later the plants began to sprout.
In the same way, as we saturate our minds with God’s Word, it will wash out thoughts opposed to Scripture and will reconstruct other ideas around God’s principles. “Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy Word is truth” (John 17:7). “Now you are clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3).
HOW TO REDIRECT YOUR WILL
* The second step is to visualize each word and then ask God to show you how to turn that word into action which will build Christian character and lead others to salvation.
1. PURPOSE TO BECOME A LIVING TRANSLATION OF GOD’S WORD
In every age and within every society God has certain specific goals which He wants to accomplish. He looks for men through whom He can reach these objectives.
As we live in Scripture and compare the needs of our society with similar situations in Scripture, we will gain an understanding of some of the goals which God wants to accomplish.
2. ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOD’S WORD AND REPUTATION
Just as there are many physical members within one person, so there are many Christians within the body of Christ. Each one is to be sensitive to certain needs within and without the body which he can become personally responsible for.
As we begin laying down our lives for the brethren, the Word of God will become a living force through us.
3. EXPAND THE MEANING OF KEY WORDS AND TRANSLATE THEM TO ACTION
One of God’s greatest problems in using words to communicate His ideas is our inability to comprehend the thought concepts behind the words. Several helps can be used in expanding key words- a concordance to look up other verses in which the word is used, an expository dictionary to express the meaning of the word as used in the original language, a dictionary to look up the full meaning of the English word.
HOW TO REFOCUS EMOTIONS
* The third step toward making God’s Word live in our hearts is allowing it to become the full expression of our emotions.
1. PERSONALIZE THE SCRIPTURE YOU HAVE MEMORIZED
God delights to hear His own Word, especially when we are using it to express our own desires and emotions. To do this, we can take the same sections which we have memorized and add personal pronouns wherever possible. This process is illustrated in the following verse:
ORIGINAL JOHN 15:7
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.”
PERSONALIZED JOHN 15:7
“Lord, I will abide in you and allow your words to abide in me. Then, whatever I ask shall be done unto me.”
2. EXPRESS IRRITATIONS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, HEARTACHES THROUGH SCRIPTURE
The book of Psalms was written by a man after God’s own heart. It expresses the very heart of God and should express our hearts. However, there is a wide spectrum of emotions within
Psalms, and much of this spectrum we may not yet have experienced.
Therefore, God will allow certain situations in our lives to expose us to new sections of this spectrum, and thereby gain a wider sensitivity and insight into the nature of God and the feelings of others. Many sections in Psalms are already written in the first person, and therefore become excellent material to help us refocus our emotions.
HOW TO GET STARTED
* If we desire to build Scripture into our lives, we must realize that it demands the central focus of our concentration. The very nature of its operation requires that we build our schedules around it rather than trying to fit it into our present routine.
1. SELECT A MEANINGFUL SECTION OF SCRIPTURE
A meaningful sections of Scripture is one that relates directly to a question or a problem or a particular interest which you have. The Scripture I suggested earlier is recommended for this purpose.
2. GIVE GOD THE DAY THAT BELONGS TO HIM
One of the first questions in regard to memorizing is, “When will I ever find time?” The best time to invest in this project is the time that already belongs to God. This involves one day a week.
3. BEGIN THE DAY IN THE EVENING
The significance of our day beginning in the evening is that the last important thoughts on our minds in the evening remain on our subconscious minds throughout the night and consciously or unconsciously set our mental attitudes for the day.
Thus, God emphasizes the need to go to sleep while meditating on His Word. “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:5,6).
(END OF SERIES)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Successful Living part 1
By Bill Gothard
THE FOUNTAIN OF TRUE SUCCESS
Meditation:
Psalm 119:98 - Wisdom
Psalm 119:99 - Understanding
Romans 10:17 - Faith
Psalm 119:165 - Peace
Psalm 63:5 - Joy
Psalm 1:2,3 - Prosperity
Proverbs 16:22 - Life
Joshua 1:8 - Success
* My lack of scholastic ability became quite obvious to my teachers and to me as far back as the first grade.
It required nine years and a lot of teachers’ patience and sympathy to get me through the first eight years of school. At the bottom of those eight passing report cards were those familiar
words, “PASSED ON PROBATION.”
Prior to my entering high school, I sincerely purposed to make good grades; but with four to six hours of study each night, I only managed to “achieve” average grades.
Then a Christian friend challenged me to begin a certain “project” in my Christian life which at first seemed quite impossible.
However, I diligently worked on this “project” for a semester. At the end of that semester the school grades rose to an A-average!
The “project” was continued during the remaining years of high school whereupon I graduated as a member of the National Honor Society.
This “project” was maintained “off and on” during college and graduate school. To my amazement, in direct proportion to my faithfulness in this “project”, my grades went either up or down.
THE BASIC REQUIREMENT…
…Which God has established for life, wisdom and success is meditation. Whenever God speaks of success in Scripture, He relates it to the continuous inner activity of meditation.
1. YOU WILL HAVE GOOD SUCCESS
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
2. WHATEVER YOU DO WILL PROSPER
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2,3).
3. YOU WILL EXCEL IN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day…I understand more than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:97,100).
4. YOU WILL HAVE NEW POWER OVER SIN
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word…Thy word have I had in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:9,11).
5. YOU WILL DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE
“he taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live” (Proverbs 4:4).
6. YOUR SUCCESS WILL BE OBVIOUS TO ALL
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:15).
* “The project that this Christian friend introduced to me was memorizing and meditating on a chapter of Scripture each week.
“God does not promise success for memorizing Scripture, but He does promise success for anyone who will meditate in His Word day and night.
“The continuous mental discipline of memorizing and meditating on Scripture rebuilt my thought structures, refocused my emotions, and redirected my goals.
“Very logical by-products of this activity were increased memory span, greater ability to concentrate and an improved reading rate.
“The absence of these had been some of the major causes for poor grades in school.
“As this project continued many other beneficial by-products began to appear. When it was discontinued there was a noticeable decline in the success of what I attempted to accomplish.
“One of the reasons God has guaranteed success in whatever we do if we meditate on His Word (Psalm 1:3) is that meditation brings a greater ability to discern ahead of time which ventures will be successful and which ones will not be successful.”
THE PRICE OF SUCCESSS: PERSONAL DISCIPLINE
1. THE PROBLEM OF GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD DAILY
My good intentions defeated me. I knew how important it was to read God’s Word daily and wanted to spend at least one hour, but since I didn’t have this much time in the morning, I purposed to do it after school.
After school, interruptions came and I decided to put it off until after dinner. But the pressure of homework caused me to postpone it until right before going to sleep. Then I was too tired so I resolved to get up earlier the next morning. But the next morning I reasoned that sleep was important and I’d do it right after school. This discouraging routine was repeated over and over again. It caused me to wonder if it really was important to read God’s Word every day.
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IN GOD’S WORD DAILY
“Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (Proverbs 8:34).
“…he wakens morning by morning, he wakens mine ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3).
3. A CAUTION BEFORE MAKING A VOW TO READ DAILY
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).
* “Even before that Christian friend introduced me to the inward exercise of meditation, another friend suggested that I make a decision which would be a big step toward helping me include God’s Word in my daily schedule.
“He suggested that I make a vow to God that I would spend at least ten minutes every day reading His Word. Previously I had made many promises and resolutions to myself that I would be more faithful in reading Scripture, but these never carried the same weight as did a vow to God.
“A vow to God is a very serious matter - as emphasized in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6. I was urged to consider this before making it.
“Shortly after making that vow, I discovered that it did remove one of my biggest hindrances to consistent Christian living - that of getting started in God’s Word every day. Once I started reading the Word, the time usually went well beyond the ten-minute minimum.
“The first big test to this vow came during the week after making it. One day I completely forgot about it until I was in bed and almost asleep. All of a sudden God reminded me about it - as He has faithfully done every day since. I realized that if I debated for even one minute, I’d fall asleep, and the words of Ecclesiastes 5:4 quickly came to mind.
“After jumping out of bed, I struggled to keep my eyes open for the ten minutes. I didn’t get too much from the reading that night, but this taught me a big lesson. Up to that point I was trying to fit God’s Word into my schedule rather than building my schedule around God’s Word. This became an important turning point in my whole outlook on life.”
TRUE SUCCESS DEFINED
Success is not determined by what we are but rather by what we are compared to what we could be. It is not measured by what we have done but rather by what we have done compared to what we could have done.
* OUTWARD SUCCESS BUT INWARD FRUSTRATION
A bewildered and very concerned young man revealed deep inward frustration which was becoming heavier by the day. His friends considered him to be very successful since he had achieved the high educational, social and financial goals he had set for himself. Inwardly, however, he was becoming more and more perplexed over a deep sense of unfulfillment. He was unaware of its cause.
* THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING A “WHOLE PERSON”
The first step toward an answer came when he learned that one of the basic parts of his total being had been made alive and integrated with the other parts of his being.
He had taken care of the needs of his body and the needs of his mind, but life was designed to be lived on three levels, and he had neglected his spirit (pneuma). In spite of his accomplishments, he had not yet become a whole person. His life was lived on a dull “two-dimensional” one. He was outwardly successful but inwardly dissatisfied. He was outwardly busy but inwardly bored.
(The following material was then explained to him…)
THE CAUSE OF BOREDOME
Each person has a total set of aptitudes, interests, and capacities in his spirit, his soul, and his body. If we are only able to integrate part of these aptitudes and capacities into our lifework, the remaining part will constitute our boredom factor.
1. SPIRITUAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Comprehending the essential nature of God (natural light)
Discerning right and wrong (conscience)
Comprehending the basic meaning of life (wisdom)
Sensing the spirit of others (sensitivity)
Directing basic drives and emotions (creativity)
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Thinking, reasoning, remembering
Feeling various emotions
Exercising the will and making choices
3. PHYSICAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Seeing
Feeling
Hearing
Smelling
Tasting
* In determining the total potential of our lives, we must add up all the above aptitudes and abilities. If we only develop and integrate 30 percent of our total aptitudes and capacities into our lifework, then we will have a 70 percent boredom factor in our lives.
NOTE: The above divisions are designed as a teaching aid. Man is a unity and is difficult to divide into parts; however, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 we have a three-fold division. “…and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless…” The Greek word “KAI” which is translated “and” is used between spirit and soul as well as between soul and body. This grammatical construction clearly shows that the spirit differs from the soul and the soul differs from the body.
THE BASIS OF MAKING CORRECT DECISIONS
* Just as our physical sense are the windows to the physical world, so our spiritual senses are our windows to the spiritual world. If any senses are dulled, we will not be able to gain the data necessary for proper decisions.
PHYSICAL DATA NECESSARY FOR DECISIONS
SEEING
HEARING
FEELING
TASTING
SMELLING
SPIRITUAL DATA NECESSARY FOR DECISIONS
“SEEING” (Ephesians 1:18)
“HEARING” (Galatians 3:2)
“FEELING” (James 4:8)
“TASTING” (Psalm 34:8)
“SMELLING” (2 Corinthians 2:16)
THIS IS CONTINUED…
THE FOUNTAIN OF TRUE SUCCESS
Meditation:
Psalm 119:98 - Wisdom
Psalm 119:99 - Understanding
Romans 10:17 - Faith
Psalm 119:165 - Peace
Psalm 63:5 - Joy
Psalm 1:2,3 - Prosperity
Proverbs 16:22 - Life
Joshua 1:8 - Success
* My lack of scholastic ability became quite obvious to my teachers and to me as far back as the first grade.
It required nine years and a lot of teachers’ patience and sympathy to get me through the first eight years of school. At the bottom of those eight passing report cards were those familiar
words, “PASSED ON PROBATION.”
Prior to my entering high school, I sincerely purposed to make good grades; but with four to six hours of study each night, I only managed to “achieve” average grades.
Then a Christian friend challenged me to begin a certain “project” in my Christian life which at first seemed quite impossible.
However, I diligently worked on this “project” for a semester. At the end of that semester the school grades rose to an A-average!
The “project” was continued during the remaining years of high school whereupon I graduated as a member of the National Honor Society.
This “project” was maintained “off and on” during college and graduate school. To my amazement, in direct proportion to my faithfulness in this “project”, my grades went either up or down.
THE BASIC REQUIREMENT…
…Which God has established for life, wisdom and success is meditation. Whenever God speaks of success in Scripture, He relates it to the continuous inner activity of meditation.
1. YOU WILL HAVE GOOD SUCCESS
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
2. WHATEVER YOU DO WILL PROSPER
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2,3).
3. YOU WILL EXCEL IN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day…I understand more than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:97,100).
4. YOU WILL HAVE NEW POWER OVER SIN
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word…Thy word have I had in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:9,11).
5. YOU WILL DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE
“he taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live” (Proverbs 4:4).
6. YOUR SUCCESS WILL BE OBVIOUS TO ALL
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:15).
* “The project that this Christian friend introduced to me was memorizing and meditating on a chapter of Scripture each week.
“God does not promise success for memorizing Scripture, but He does promise success for anyone who will meditate in His Word day and night.
“The continuous mental discipline of memorizing and meditating on Scripture rebuilt my thought structures, refocused my emotions, and redirected my goals.
“Very logical by-products of this activity were increased memory span, greater ability to concentrate and an improved reading rate.
“The absence of these had been some of the major causes for poor grades in school.
“As this project continued many other beneficial by-products began to appear. When it was discontinued there was a noticeable decline in the success of what I attempted to accomplish.
“One of the reasons God has guaranteed success in whatever we do if we meditate on His Word (Psalm 1:3) is that meditation brings a greater ability to discern ahead of time which ventures will be successful and which ones will not be successful.”
THE PRICE OF SUCCESSS: PERSONAL DISCIPLINE
1. THE PROBLEM OF GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD DAILY
My good intentions defeated me. I knew how important it was to read God’s Word daily and wanted to spend at least one hour, but since I didn’t have this much time in the morning, I purposed to do it after school.
After school, interruptions came and I decided to put it off until after dinner. But the pressure of homework caused me to postpone it until right before going to sleep. Then I was too tired so I resolved to get up earlier the next morning. But the next morning I reasoned that sleep was important and I’d do it right after school. This discouraging routine was repeated over and over again. It caused me to wonder if it really was important to read God’s Word every day.
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IN GOD’S WORD DAILY
“Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (Proverbs 8:34).
“…he wakens morning by morning, he wakens mine ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3).
3. A CAUTION BEFORE MAKING A VOW TO READ DAILY
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).
* “Even before that Christian friend introduced me to the inward exercise of meditation, another friend suggested that I make a decision which would be a big step toward helping me include God’s Word in my daily schedule.
“He suggested that I make a vow to God that I would spend at least ten minutes every day reading His Word. Previously I had made many promises and resolutions to myself that I would be more faithful in reading Scripture, but these never carried the same weight as did a vow to God.
“A vow to God is a very serious matter - as emphasized in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6. I was urged to consider this before making it.
“Shortly after making that vow, I discovered that it did remove one of my biggest hindrances to consistent Christian living - that of getting started in God’s Word every day. Once I started reading the Word, the time usually went well beyond the ten-minute minimum.
“The first big test to this vow came during the week after making it. One day I completely forgot about it until I was in bed and almost asleep. All of a sudden God reminded me about it - as He has faithfully done every day since. I realized that if I debated for even one minute, I’d fall asleep, and the words of Ecclesiastes 5:4 quickly came to mind.
“After jumping out of bed, I struggled to keep my eyes open for the ten minutes. I didn’t get too much from the reading that night, but this taught me a big lesson. Up to that point I was trying to fit God’s Word into my schedule rather than building my schedule around God’s Word. This became an important turning point in my whole outlook on life.”
TRUE SUCCESS DEFINED
Success is not determined by what we are but rather by what we are compared to what we could be. It is not measured by what we have done but rather by what we have done compared to what we could have done.
* OUTWARD SUCCESS BUT INWARD FRUSTRATION
A bewildered and very concerned young man revealed deep inward frustration which was becoming heavier by the day. His friends considered him to be very successful since he had achieved the high educational, social and financial goals he had set for himself. Inwardly, however, he was becoming more and more perplexed over a deep sense of unfulfillment. He was unaware of its cause.
* THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING A “WHOLE PERSON”
The first step toward an answer came when he learned that one of the basic parts of his total being had been made alive and integrated with the other parts of his being.
He had taken care of the needs of his body and the needs of his mind, but life was designed to be lived on three levels, and he had neglected his spirit (pneuma). In spite of his accomplishments, he had not yet become a whole person. His life was lived on a dull “two-dimensional” one. He was outwardly successful but inwardly dissatisfied. He was outwardly busy but inwardly bored.
(The following material was then explained to him…)
THE CAUSE OF BOREDOME
Each person has a total set of aptitudes, interests, and capacities in his spirit, his soul, and his body. If we are only able to integrate part of these aptitudes and capacities into our lifework, the remaining part will constitute our boredom factor.
1. SPIRITUAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Comprehending the essential nature of God (natural light)
Discerning right and wrong (conscience)
Comprehending the basic meaning of life (wisdom)
Sensing the spirit of others (sensitivity)
Directing basic drives and emotions (creativity)
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Thinking, reasoning, remembering
Feeling various emotions
Exercising the will and making choices
3. PHYSICAL APTITUDES AND ABILITIES
Seeing
Feeling
Hearing
Smelling
Tasting
* In determining the total potential of our lives, we must add up all the above aptitudes and abilities. If we only develop and integrate 30 percent of our total aptitudes and capacities into our lifework, then we will have a 70 percent boredom factor in our lives.
NOTE: The above divisions are designed as a teaching aid. Man is a unity and is difficult to divide into parts; however, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 we have a three-fold division. “…and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless…” The Greek word “KAI” which is translated “and” is used between spirit and soul as well as between soul and body. This grammatical construction clearly shows that the spirit differs from the soul and the soul differs from the body.
THE BASIS OF MAKING CORRECT DECISIONS
* Just as our physical sense are the windows to the physical world, so our spiritual senses are our windows to the spiritual world. If any senses are dulled, we will not be able to gain the data necessary for proper decisions.
PHYSICAL DATA NECESSARY FOR DECISIONS
SEEING
HEARING
FEELING
TASTING
SMELLING
SPIRITUAL DATA NECESSARY FOR DECISIONS
“SEEING” (Ephesians 1:18)
“HEARING” (Galatians 3:2)
“FEELING” (James 4:8)
“TASTING” (Psalm 34:8)
“SMELLING” (2 Corinthians 2:16)
THIS IS CONTINUED…
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Purpose in Life part 2
By Bill Gothard
1. KNOWING THE TRUTH
We are born with a sin nature, yet we are able to recognize truth and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. “…I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts…” (Hebrews 8:10).
2. DISCOVERING MORE TRUTH
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19,20).
3. REJECTING BASIC TRUTH
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19,20).
4. SEARCHING FOR NEW IDEAS
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
5. DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18,19).
6. REVISING THE PHILOSOPHY
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:5,7).
AN ILLUSTRATION:
A certain young man sensed a growing conviction for his many sinful ways. One day a friend invited him to attend a Gospel meeting. For the first time he listened to the realities of hell and judgment which God has pronounced on evil. With fearfulness, he responded to the invitation to become a Christian.
A few days later, he began to consider the changes that would have to come in his life as a result of being a Christian. He decided that the minister had used fear tactics to get him to make a decision. He then rejected both the minister and the message.
With awakened conscience, he now began to investigate other religions and philosophies. He was sure he could find one that was not so strict about evil.
After much studying of philosophy and religion, he devised his own views of God and moral decisions. He became very skilled in discussing these with others and debating their merits.
The conflicts of his moral relationships convinced him that his philosophy was not as good as he had hoped it would be, so he looked around for new ideas to revise his philosophy. But whenever he heard someone speaking of the judgment of God on evil, he violently reacted to it.
CONFIRMING SALVATION…
* BY CONFESSION OF THE MOUTH
“If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10).
One day a young man on a farm experienced a flood of doubts about whether or not he really was a Christian. He walked outside behind the barn, knelt down, and prayed. His prayer contained the following: “Thank you, God, for loving me and sending your son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to die for me, a sinner. Right now, I do receive Him and ask you to cleanse me by His blood and make me your child. Thank you for raising Him up from the dead as a living Savior, and thank you for hearing and answering this prayer.”
He finished his prayer, pounded a wooden stake in the ground and wrote the date on it. About two weeks later, the doubts came back again. This time he had a ready and very effective reply,
“All right, Satan. Come with me!”
He walked out behind the barn, pointed to the stake and said, “See Satan. Here’s the date and here’s the place I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. And God has promised that if I call upon the name of the Lord, I shall be saved” (Romans 10:3).
Since that time, the doubts never returned.
* BY CONFIRMATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).
* BY CONFESSION THROUGH BAPTISM
When the early Christians were baptized, for many it meant being disowned, persecuted and rejected.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Baptism is beginning life on a new basis. It is like living on borrowed time. It is dying to our rights, possessions, plans, etc., and being raised up to a new level of living. Everything belongs to God and Christ lives His life through us--one day at a time.
6 EVIDENCES OF SALVATION
1. NEW AWARENESS OF RIGHT AND WRONG
There will be a greater awareness of words, thoughts and actions which do not please the Lord.
“…He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). “For I know that in me…dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18:25). “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness” (1 John 5:19).
2. HUNGER FOR GOD’S WORD
Certain sections will begin to stand out to you with new meaning and understanding. “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). “…Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). “But strong meat belongs to them that…have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
3. DESIRE FOR A CHANGED LIFE
There will be a genuine desire for a changed life and a new delight in the direct commandments of the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
4. INCREASE IN TESTING
There will be an immediate increase in personal testing, often from those closest to you who do not understand salvation or from other Christians who have lost their first love. “Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you” (Luke 6:22). “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
5. LOVE FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS
There will be sincere enjoyment in the fellowship of other Christians. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:7-13).
It is essential that every Christian become an active member of a local church. This church must be true to the Word of God and active in proclaiming the Gospel to others who have not yet heard it.
6. DESIRE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
One of the first signs of a genuine born-again Christian is that he will want to share his experience with others. It is important to provide opportunities for him to tell others who will encourage him rather than discourage him. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” (Psalm 107:2). “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15).
THE CALLING OF SEPERATION
* One of the greatest causes of diminishing the potential of our life message is the failure to turn from all the thoughts, words and actions which we know grieve the Spirit of God.
* Either we separate ourselves from our sins, or our sins will separate us from fellowship with God.
“Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood (of not warning the wicked - Ezekiel 3:18); and your fingers with iniquity (moral impurity - Psalm 51:2); your lips have spoken lies (broken promises and vows - Ecclesiastes 5:4); your tongue hath muttered perverseness (wrong attitudes)” (Isaiah 59:2,3).
* Many don’t realize how far reaching the scope of Satan’s realm of power really is. There is a small section of spiritual light. That is God’s realm. However, there is double that section for Satan’s realm which includes spiritual darkness as well as what the world and some Christians call “gray areas.” “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (1 Corinthians 11:14).
* We are not only to separate ourselves from those things which cause us to stumble but also from the practices which cause our “weaker brothers” to be offended:
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let…no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walk thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:12-15).
THE CALLING OF DEDICATION
Dedication is the mature action of giving to God what really belongs to Him already. We are then free to set our affections on things above rather than on things of this earth.
* It is not enough to turn from that which is evil. We must also turn to that which is good.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).
“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge…” (2 Peter 1:5). As we dedicate ourselves to God’s Word, we gain knowledge for greater dedication.
THE CALLING OF SERVICE
* Add to your knowledge temperance (enkrateia): self-control; holding passions and desires in check. Self-control is the basis of fruitful Christian service. With self-control we do not serve ourselves, but we are morally free to serve one another in love.
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
* Service involves laying up treasures in heaven and building spiritual maturity in the lives of those around us.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
* Men keep looking for better methods and God keeps looking for better men.
THE CALLING OF SUFFERING
“Add to your temperance endurance…” (2 Peter 1:6).
“Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice…” (1 Peter 4:12). Suffering is essential in order to experience the final three callings.
* Suffering will usually come from people you would least expect.
Our Lord was rejected by the very people whom He taught and fed and healed. He was put to death by those who were more familiar with Scriptures than anyone else.
* Suffering is designed to open up new sections of Scripture to us.
We don’t fully appreciate Scripture until we experience it. When we do, new insights are revealed that we will need in our life message.
After being turned upon by friends, the following verses take on new meaning: “I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother…but in my adversity they rejoiced…” (Psalm 35:14,15). “For it was not an enemy that reproached me: then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company” (Psalm 55:12-14).
Meditation will reveal new insights not only in these verses but in the chapters which surround them.
* Suffering is God’s way of freeing us from that which hinders us from “setting our affections on things above” (Colossians 3:2).
When the three friends of Daniel were thrown into the fiery furnace, the only things that the fire burned were the ropes that tied them down. God’s purpose is the same for us. He wants to free us from the multitude of cares which we think are essential, but which in reality only hinder us from true achievement.
* Suffering is most painful when we are partly at fault.
When we suffer after doing everything right, we are able to sing for joy as Paul and Silas did in prison. But usually most of our “fiery furnaces” are the result of doing the right things in the wrong way. God intends to use the fire to purify our lives from wrong motives, attitudes, words, or actions. For this purpose it is essential to spend much time in Scripture.
THE CALLING OF HUMILITY
“Add to your endurance godliness…” (2 Peter 1:6).
When we humble ourselves through the suffering God allows, He gives us more grace both to respond to our offenders and to see new, rich insights in His Word. Humility is the basis of godliness.
* Godliness (eusebeia) involves worth-ship or reverence paid to worth, whether in God or man.
* A godly response to those who offend us would be to recognize that God has only used them to put us through a “fire” that will be for our ultimate benefit if we respond to it and to them in the right way.
* God is far more concerned with our response than He is with our experience.
His purpose is that we “be partakers of His divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Toward this goal “All things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28).
THE CALLING OF UNDERSTANDING
“Add to your brotherly kindness love…” (2 Peter 1:7).
The reward of going through suffering and responding to it in the right way is a new ability to understand the real needs of those around us.
* Brotherly kindness (philadelphia) involves love of the brethren, alertness to their needs, and gentleness in meeting them.
* Before we go through the “fire” we may tend to regard Christian work on the basis of its being merely an organization and people functioning as a part of it. But when the fire burns away the stubble of human achievement, we have a new ability to sense the real needs of the people around us.
* We can sense when they have been hurt, and they are able to sense that we would understand if they told us about it.
This is the reward of suffering. “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
THE CALLING OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY
“Add to your brotherly kindness love…” (2 Peter 1:7).
When others sense that we would understand if they told us about their problems, and if we gained insights from Scripture through our suffering, we have the basis of leading many to spiritual maturity.
* God does not want our work for Him to be in vain or to lack lasting results.
“I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8).
* Lasting results will not occur unless we respond to all eight callings.
“But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
* God allows us to go through “fires” so that we can build in others what we learn through them.
“The God of all comfort (counsel) comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
* Before we go through the “fire” we can go and tell others about the Christian life, but after we respond properly to our “fire” they come to us for this information.
“If you suffer for righteousness sake…sanctify the Lord God in your heart: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:14-15).
* Those we lead to Christ will be far more faithful if we prepare them for suffering and if they see that we have gone through that same suffering.
Before Christ died His disciples forsook Him and fled in the face of suffering. Afterward they endured it with joy.
* Each time God takes us through these eight callings our understanding of them grows deeper, and our ability to lead others to spiritual maturity grows greater.
(End of this Series)
1. KNOWING THE TRUTH
We are born with a sin nature, yet we are able to recognize truth and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. “…I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts…” (Hebrews 8:10).
2. DISCOVERING MORE TRUTH
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19,20).
3. REJECTING BASIC TRUTH
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19,20).
4. SEARCHING FOR NEW IDEAS
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
5. DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18,19).
6. REVISING THE PHILOSOPHY
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:5,7).
AN ILLUSTRATION:
A certain young man sensed a growing conviction for his many sinful ways. One day a friend invited him to attend a Gospel meeting. For the first time he listened to the realities of hell and judgment which God has pronounced on evil. With fearfulness, he responded to the invitation to become a Christian.
A few days later, he began to consider the changes that would have to come in his life as a result of being a Christian. He decided that the minister had used fear tactics to get him to make a decision. He then rejected both the minister and the message.
With awakened conscience, he now began to investigate other religions and philosophies. He was sure he could find one that was not so strict about evil.
After much studying of philosophy and religion, he devised his own views of God and moral decisions. He became very skilled in discussing these with others and debating their merits.
The conflicts of his moral relationships convinced him that his philosophy was not as good as he had hoped it would be, so he looked around for new ideas to revise his philosophy. But whenever he heard someone speaking of the judgment of God on evil, he violently reacted to it.
CONFIRMING SALVATION…
* BY CONFESSION OF THE MOUTH
“If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10).
One day a young man on a farm experienced a flood of doubts about whether or not he really was a Christian. He walked outside behind the barn, knelt down, and prayed. His prayer contained the following: “Thank you, God, for loving me and sending your son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to die for me, a sinner. Right now, I do receive Him and ask you to cleanse me by His blood and make me your child. Thank you for raising Him up from the dead as a living Savior, and thank you for hearing and answering this prayer.”
He finished his prayer, pounded a wooden stake in the ground and wrote the date on it. About two weeks later, the doubts came back again. This time he had a ready and very effective reply,
“All right, Satan. Come with me!”
He walked out behind the barn, pointed to the stake and said, “See Satan. Here’s the date and here’s the place I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. And God has promised that if I call upon the name of the Lord, I shall be saved” (Romans 10:3).
Since that time, the doubts never returned.
* BY CONFIRMATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).
* BY CONFESSION THROUGH BAPTISM
When the early Christians were baptized, for many it meant being disowned, persecuted and rejected.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Baptism is beginning life on a new basis. It is like living on borrowed time. It is dying to our rights, possessions, plans, etc., and being raised up to a new level of living. Everything belongs to God and Christ lives His life through us--one day at a time.
6 EVIDENCES OF SALVATION
1. NEW AWARENESS OF RIGHT AND WRONG
There will be a greater awareness of words, thoughts and actions which do not please the Lord.
“…He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). “For I know that in me…dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18:25). “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness” (1 John 5:19).
2. HUNGER FOR GOD’S WORD
Certain sections will begin to stand out to you with new meaning and understanding. “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). “…Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). “But strong meat belongs to them that…have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
3. DESIRE FOR A CHANGED LIFE
There will be a genuine desire for a changed life and a new delight in the direct commandments of the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
4. INCREASE IN TESTING
There will be an immediate increase in personal testing, often from those closest to you who do not understand salvation or from other Christians who have lost their first love. “Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you” (Luke 6:22). “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
5. LOVE FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS
There will be sincere enjoyment in the fellowship of other Christians. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:7-13).
It is essential that every Christian become an active member of a local church. This church must be true to the Word of God and active in proclaiming the Gospel to others who have not yet heard it.
6. DESIRE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
One of the first signs of a genuine born-again Christian is that he will want to share his experience with others. It is important to provide opportunities for him to tell others who will encourage him rather than discourage him. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” (Psalm 107:2). “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15).
THE CALLING OF SEPERATION
* One of the greatest causes of diminishing the potential of our life message is the failure to turn from all the thoughts, words and actions which we know grieve the Spirit of God.
* Either we separate ourselves from our sins, or our sins will separate us from fellowship with God.
“Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood (of not warning the wicked - Ezekiel 3:18); and your fingers with iniquity (moral impurity - Psalm 51:2); your lips have spoken lies (broken promises and vows - Ecclesiastes 5:4); your tongue hath muttered perverseness (wrong attitudes)” (Isaiah 59:2,3).
* Many don’t realize how far reaching the scope of Satan’s realm of power really is. There is a small section of spiritual light. That is God’s realm. However, there is double that section for Satan’s realm which includes spiritual darkness as well as what the world and some Christians call “gray areas.” “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (1 Corinthians 11:14).
* We are not only to separate ourselves from those things which cause us to stumble but also from the practices which cause our “weaker brothers” to be offended:
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let…no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walk thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:12-15).
THE CALLING OF DEDICATION
Dedication is the mature action of giving to God what really belongs to Him already. We are then free to set our affections on things above rather than on things of this earth.
* It is not enough to turn from that which is evil. We must also turn to that which is good.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).
“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge…” (2 Peter 1:5). As we dedicate ourselves to God’s Word, we gain knowledge for greater dedication.
THE CALLING OF SERVICE
* Add to your knowledge temperance (enkrateia): self-control; holding passions and desires in check. Self-control is the basis of fruitful Christian service. With self-control we do not serve ourselves, but we are morally free to serve one another in love.
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
* Service involves laying up treasures in heaven and building spiritual maturity in the lives of those around us.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
* Men keep looking for better methods and God keeps looking for better men.
THE CALLING OF SUFFERING
“Add to your temperance endurance…” (2 Peter 1:6).
“Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice…” (1 Peter 4:12). Suffering is essential in order to experience the final three callings.
* Suffering will usually come from people you would least expect.
Our Lord was rejected by the very people whom He taught and fed and healed. He was put to death by those who were more familiar with Scriptures than anyone else.
* Suffering is designed to open up new sections of Scripture to us.
We don’t fully appreciate Scripture until we experience it. When we do, new insights are revealed that we will need in our life message.
After being turned upon by friends, the following verses take on new meaning: “I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother…but in my adversity they rejoiced…” (Psalm 35:14,15). “For it was not an enemy that reproached me: then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company” (Psalm 55:12-14).
Meditation will reveal new insights not only in these verses but in the chapters which surround them.
* Suffering is God’s way of freeing us from that which hinders us from “setting our affections on things above” (Colossians 3:2).
When the three friends of Daniel were thrown into the fiery furnace, the only things that the fire burned were the ropes that tied them down. God’s purpose is the same for us. He wants to free us from the multitude of cares which we think are essential, but which in reality only hinder us from true achievement.
* Suffering is most painful when we are partly at fault.
When we suffer after doing everything right, we are able to sing for joy as Paul and Silas did in prison. But usually most of our “fiery furnaces” are the result of doing the right things in the wrong way. God intends to use the fire to purify our lives from wrong motives, attitudes, words, or actions. For this purpose it is essential to spend much time in Scripture.
THE CALLING OF HUMILITY
“Add to your endurance godliness…” (2 Peter 1:6).
When we humble ourselves through the suffering God allows, He gives us more grace both to respond to our offenders and to see new, rich insights in His Word. Humility is the basis of godliness.
* Godliness (eusebeia) involves worth-ship or reverence paid to worth, whether in God or man.
* A godly response to those who offend us would be to recognize that God has only used them to put us through a “fire” that will be for our ultimate benefit if we respond to it and to them in the right way.
* God is far more concerned with our response than He is with our experience.
His purpose is that we “be partakers of His divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Toward this goal “All things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28).
THE CALLING OF UNDERSTANDING
“Add to your brotherly kindness love…” (2 Peter 1:7).
The reward of going through suffering and responding to it in the right way is a new ability to understand the real needs of those around us.
* Brotherly kindness (philadelphia) involves love of the brethren, alertness to their needs, and gentleness in meeting them.
* Before we go through the “fire” we may tend to regard Christian work on the basis of its being merely an organization and people functioning as a part of it. But when the fire burns away the stubble of human achievement, we have a new ability to sense the real needs of the people around us.
* We can sense when they have been hurt, and they are able to sense that we would understand if they told us about it.
This is the reward of suffering. “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
THE CALLING OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY
“Add to your brotherly kindness love…” (2 Peter 1:7).
When others sense that we would understand if they told us about their problems, and if we gained insights from Scripture through our suffering, we have the basis of leading many to spiritual maturity.
* God does not want our work for Him to be in vain or to lack lasting results.
“I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8).
* Lasting results will not occur unless we respond to all eight callings.
“But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
* God allows us to go through “fires” so that we can build in others what we learn through them.
“The God of all comfort (counsel) comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
* Before we go through the “fire” we can go and tell others about the Christian life, but after we respond properly to our “fire” they come to us for this information.
“If you suffer for righteousness sake…sanctify the Lord God in your heart: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:14-15).
* Those we lead to Christ will be far more faithful if we prepare them for suffering and if they see that we have gone through that same suffering.
Before Christ died His disciples forsook Him and fled in the face of suffering. Afterward they endured it with joy.
* Each time God takes us through these eight callings our understanding of them grows deeper, and our ability to lead others to spiritual maturity grows greater.
(End of this Series)
Purpose in Life part 1
Written by Bill Gothard
One of the most persistent questions in the minds of both youth and adults is: “What is my purpose in life?” Well, in order to understand why God made us and what His will is for our lives, it is essential to know the ways and callings of God.
THE WAYS OF GOD
Each of us can expect that God’s major dealings with us will be in harmony with His basic ways. He wants us to know these ways so we can properly respond to the events He brings into our lives.
BIRTH OF A VISION
Each one of us has special purposes for being here. God wants to reveal them to us:
* ABRAHAM had a vision of being the father of a great nation.
* JOSEPH had a vision that he would be a great leader and that many would bow down to him.
* MOSES had a vision of leading his people out of the bondage of Egypt.
* THE DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ had a vision of establishing and being an important part of the Kingdom of God.
* A GRAIN OF WHEAT has a “vision” of reproducing itself and many more grains of wheat.
DEATH OF A VISION
The expectations God gives are powerful motivations to continue during discouragement.
* SARAH (Abraham’s wife) was barren and became too old to have children.
* JOSEPH’S BROTHERS sold him to some merchants and he became a slave. Later he was
falsely accused and condemned to spend his years in prison.
* PHARAOH as well as his own people drove Moses out of Egypt after his first attempt to relieve their bondage.
* JESUS was killed by the very ones He came to save, and the disciples saw Him buried in a tomb.
* THE GRAIN dies in the ground
SUPERNATURAL FULFILLMENT OF THE ORIGINAL VISION
He usually fulfills our expectations in ways that we never would have thought.
* GOD gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age who became the father of a great nation.
* GOD allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker and later the king,
whereupon, he was made a ruler in the land.
* GOD gave Moses signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh and his people that God was speaking through him to lead the nation to Canaan.
* GOD raised Jesus from the dead, and great miracles were performed by the disciples until the Gospel had spread through all the world.
* A HARVEST springs up out of the very process of “death” in the ground.
THE NEED FOR THE DEATH OF A VISION
God said of His own people, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, it is a people that do err in their heart, and have not known my ways” (Psalms 95:10).
When we begin to understand His ways, we see the great value in going through the Death of a Vision.
BIRTH OF A VISION:
* Faith : “Visualizing what God intends to do in my life.”
DEATH OF A VISION:
* Hope : “Anticipating and expecting God to work out His revealed will in my life even when it doesn’t seem possible.”
FULFILLMENT OF A VISION
* Love : “The motivation to reproduce Christ’s character in others as He has done in me.”
A. GOD’S “BUILDING PROGRAM” DURING THE DEATH OF A VISION:
Since God is far more concerned with our becoming like Jesus Christ in character than He is with our doing good works to further His kingdom, He needs this time of “waiting” to accomplish character building.
The “vision” provides the motivation not to become discouraged. This time of “death” and character building prepares us for a greater ministry when He does fulfill the vision.
Notice the qualities that are sure to be developed during this time: Patience, in waiting God’s time; Faith, in knowing what He will do; Meekness, in yielding personal rights; Self-control, in not running ahead of God, and many, many others.
B. SATAN’S “BUILDING PROGRAM” DURING THE DEATH OF A VISION:
Satan’s purpose is to destroy God’s work in our lives and also as much of the potential for achieving God’s work as he can. To do this during this time he comes as an “angel of light” to deceive as many as possible (2 Corinthians 11:14).
He prompts us to try in our own energy and wisdom to fulfill the original vision. He doesn’t want us to learn God’s qualities, and whenever we follow his leading, conflict results.
A classic example is Abraham trying to fulfill God’s promise of a great nation by having a son by
Hagar. Conflict has resulted ever since between their descendents.
DEFINING GOD’S PURPOSE IN LIFE
God’s ultimate purpose for each one of us is that we become more and more like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, His purpose is that we reproduce His life in the lives of those around us. Paul travailed as in birth that those with whom he worked would have Christ formed in them (Galatians 4:19).
A. GOD’S PURPOSE: SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Whatever our vocation in life may be, our primary life goal should be that of Colossians 1:28. “Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (or mature) in Christ Jesus.”
B. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BRING EVERY MAN TO HIS FULL MATURITY?
It means building the principles of God’s Word into a person’s life so that he is equipped to understand and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in knowing how to respond to any situation with Christ-like attitudes.
C. HOW DOES GOD PREPARE US TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?
He allows problems, irritations, and responsibilities to come into our lives so that we are motivated to search out His Word and develop the full potential which He put within our lives.
SPIRIT: God has given us certain spiritual aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
SOUL: He has also given to us mental, emotional and volitional aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
BODY: We also have been given physical aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
God knows that, left to ourselves, many of us would only develop a small portion of the aptitudes, abilities and capacities which He has put within us.
To the degree that we didn’t develop the rest, we would experience boredom in our lives.
Therefore, in order to direct and motivate us in developing the rest, God chooses to bring into our lives certain problems, irritations and responsibilities.
BASIC INSIGHTS ON KNOWING GOD’S WILL
1. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES PEOPLE
God so loved a world of people that He gave His Son…It is all too easy for us to become more concerned about things and organizations than people. If this happens we will miss the real joy of knowing God’s will.
2. KNOWING BASIC NEEDS REMOVES FEAR OF PEOPLE
Many people have a fear of talking to other people. There is a way, however, of overcoming this fear. If we were walking down a neighborhood street and happened to see a gathering of people sitting in the front room of one of the homes, we would probably experience a certain fear about the idea of intruding in their gathering.
If, however, we saw that the roof of their home was on fire, we would overcome our fear. We would be sure that the message we had to give them was one which they needed to hear. We would also be quite confident that they would immediately recognize the importance of our message.
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness…There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:17,18).
3. GOD HAS A SPECIAL CONCERN FOR CHRISTIANS
It is quite easy for us to become discouraged with the spiritual immaturity of some Christians and decide that we will not bother with them but instead will concentrate on reaching those who have never heard the Gospel.
It is important for us to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard. But when there are already Christians in an area, their immaturity will cause others to stumble, and we won’t know how to solve similar immaturity in those we lead to Christ.
This is one reason we are to “do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
In determining God’s will for our lives, one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is: “How can I help the Christians around me to mature and by so doing, beautify the body of Christ?”
4. WE ARE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPUTATION OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST
When one member of the body of Christ sins or displays spiritual immaturity, the reputation of Christ is damaged and the whole body of Christ then suffers. When David sinned with Bathsheba, Nathan the Prophet stated: “…by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme…” (2 Samuel 12:14).
Because of this, we are to “exhort one another daily…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Just as the corpuscles in our blood surround a wound in the skin and die in order to stop the infection from spreading, so we are to “lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
5. THREE TYPES OF CHRISTIANS EXIST IN MOST CHURCH GROUPS
When I had the privilege of working directly with many churches and youth groups, I could always expect to find three types of Christians: those who were cold, those who were spiritually hot, and those who were in between.
I soon learned why the in-between or “lukewarm” Christians are so nauseating to God. Hot Christians are in need of Christ. Cold Christians are in need of the world. However, the lukewarm Christians say, “I am in need of nothing.”
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor how: I would rather that you were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and know not that thou art wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17).
When others see a “lukewarm” Christian, they say, “He’s closer to God than I am, but he does the same things I do!”
When others see a “hot” Christian, they say, “His life is so different from mine. I’d better start doing something about it.”
“If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).
6. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES LEADING THOSE FOR WHOM WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
When we determine which individuals are under our spiritual care and purpose to give ourselves to the high calling of leading them to spiritual maturity, we have established the basis for a fulfilling ministry in our lives. Then, as God allows us to experience death to our natural inclinations and discover His way of responding to life situations, we are “able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
7. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO DEEPEN OUR MESSAGE; GOD IS RESPONSIBLE TO
BROADEN OUR MINISTRY.
We are prone to be concerned with how many people we are reaching with the Gospel. But God is concerned that we bring those we reach to spiritual maturity. “That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). Those who become mature are then able to reproduce the life and character of Christ in others as well.
If we love Christ, we are to show it by keeping His commandments and feeding His sheep (John 14:15; John 21:15-17). Sheep reproduce sheep as the shepherd feeds them.
8. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES THE “MESSAGE” WE DEVELOP MORE THAN THE “JOB” WE ARE DOING
As each one of us dies to natural inclinations which are contrary to the Word of God, and as we experience the life of Christ by applying the principles of His Word to our daily lives, we build a “life message.”
God desires that each one of us becomes a “living epistle” (2 Corinthians 3:2). As we do, we experience more and more joy (Proverbs 15:23).
God has chosen us and ordained us that we should go and bring forth fruit and that our fruit should remain (John 15:16).
9. ACHIEVING SPIRITUAL MATURITY INVOLVES RESPONDING TO EIGHT CALLINGS
In 2 Peter 1:4 we learn that there are “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Then we are given eight specific “callings” and told to give all diligence in following them.
DISCOVER PURPOSE THROUGH 8 CALLINGS
1. Repentance of SALVATION
* FAITH
Give the Lord Jesus Christ His rightful place at the center of your life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
2. Separation from DARKNESS
* VIRTUE
Discern and turn from evil in all its forms. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
3. Dedication to the LIGHT
* KNOWLEDGE
Commit yourself to the light of Scripture. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
4. Investment in SERVICE
* SELF-CONTROL
Become involved in lasting achievement. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6:19).
5. Endurance in SUFFERING
* ENDURANCE
Expect to be misunderstood. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12).
6. Humility in RESPONSES
* GODLINESS
Respond as God would to those who wrong you. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).
7. Alertness in SHARING
* BROTHERLY KINDNESS
Be alert to others who have been hurt. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
8. Reproduction of MATURITY
* LOVE
Guide them through the same steps God has taken you. “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29).
Our “WITNESS” increases as we fully obey each CALLING.
PURPOSE: To become the most effective “TRANSLATOR” of spiritual truth.
Who is a “star” witness? One who has a vital message and is available at all times to share it.
THE CALLING OF SALVATION
To the degree that we respond to each of the 8 callings, we increase the scope of our “life message” and thereby experience the will of God for our lives. The very first step is to receive eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:3).
A. RECEIVE SALVATION BY “GRACE” THROUGH FAITH…
Paul explains the “grace of God” as an active work of God within us to do His will, since all men are born sinners, and “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). God’s first work of saving grace within us is to call us to repentance. “the goodness of God leads thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4). “By grace are you saved” (Ephesians 2:8).
When we respond to His grace by confessing that we are sinners and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are born again by the Spirit of God and receive more “grace” to live the Christian life. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Paul explains the work of God’s grace in him as a Christian in 1 Corinthians 15:10. “But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
B. NOT BY WORKS OR RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE
Whenever I ask a group of people the following question, some in the group say, “Yes,” and others say, “No”: “Can a non-Christian person sincerely believe that he can cast demons out of another person by the power of God?” Christ’s answer startles those who say, “No.”
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in They name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22,23).
5 CAUSES OF DOUBTING SALVATION
Large numbers of those who have professed to receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior continue to have doubts from time to time as to whether or not they really are Christians. Here are some of the major causes of those doubts.
1. “SECOND THOUGHTS” ABOUT CHILDHOOD DECISIONS
It is very important to explain the Gospel to children and to encourage them to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. However, it is also very important to encourage those same children to reaffirm their childhood decisions when they reach the teenage years.
Questioning childhood decisions not only results in doubts about salvation, but may motivate some to doubt God’s existence.
2. AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT TOWARD AN OFFENDER
Bitterness toward one or more individuals has been a major cause of doubts about salvation. The words of Jesus Christ would certainly explain why. “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
3. AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE PAST OFFENSES RIGHT
If we have wronged someone in the past and are not willing to ask their forgiveness and make any necessary restitution, doubts about salvation often result. The very guilt of the situation causes us not to have an open fellowship with the Lord.
4. A PARTICULAR SIN WE ARE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP
When a person says, “I want to become a Christian, but there is one thing I don’t want to give up,” he is laying the foundation for all kinds of future doubts. Becoming a Christian means receiving and “confessing Jesus as Lord.” If He is the Lord or “boss,” then He decides what all our activities should be.
5. A POINT OF PRIDE IN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
Many have experienced doubts about salvation and couldn’t understand why. Upon questioning, it was learned that they had decided to become Christians their way. One purposed she would never “walk forward” in a meeting. If this has become a point of pride, it will cause doubts.
THIS BLOG IS CONTINUED…
One of the most persistent questions in the minds of both youth and adults is: “What is my purpose in life?” Well, in order to understand why God made us and what His will is for our lives, it is essential to know the ways and callings of God.
THE WAYS OF GOD
Each of us can expect that God’s major dealings with us will be in harmony with His basic ways. He wants us to know these ways so we can properly respond to the events He brings into our lives.
BIRTH OF A VISION
Each one of us has special purposes for being here. God wants to reveal them to us:
* ABRAHAM had a vision of being the father of a great nation.
* JOSEPH had a vision that he would be a great leader and that many would bow down to him.
* MOSES had a vision of leading his people out of the bondage of Egypt.
* THE DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ had a vision of establishing and being an important part of the Kingdom of God.
* A GRAIN OF WHEAT has a “vision” of reproducing itself and many more grains of wheat.
DEATH OF A VISION
The expectations God gives are powerful motivations to continue during discouragement.
* SARAH (Abraham’s wife) was barren and became too old to have children.
* JOSEPH’S BROTHERS sold him to some merchants and he became a slave. Later he was
falsely accused and condemned to spend his years in prison.
* PHARAOH as well as his own people drove Moses out of Egypt after his first attempt to relieve their bondage.
* JESUS was killed by the very ones He came to save, and the disciples saw Him buried in a tomb.
* THE GRAIN dies in the ground
SUPERNATURAL FULFILLMENT OF THE ORIGINAL VISION
He usually fulfills our expectations in ways that we never would have thought.
* GOD gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age who became the father of a great nation.
* GOD allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker and later the king,
whereupon, he was made a ruler in the land.
* GOD gave Moses signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh and his people that God was speaking through him to lead the nation to Canaan.
* GOD raised Jesus from the dead, and great miracles were performed by the disciples until the Gospel had spread through all the world.
* A HARVEST springs up out of the very process of “death” in the ground.
THE NEED FOR THE DEATH OF A VISION
God said of His own people, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, it is a people that do err in their heart, and have not known my ways” (Psalms 95:10).
When we begin to understand His ways, we see the great value in going through the Death of a Vision.
BIRTH OF A VISION:
* Faith : “Visualizing what God intends to do in my life.”
DEATH OF A VISION:
* Hope : “Anticipating and expecting God to work out His revealed will in my life even when it doesn’t seem possible.”
FULFILLMENT OF A VISION
* Love : “The motivation to reproduce Christ’s character in others as He has done in me.”
A. GOD’S “BUILDING PROGRAM” DURING THE DEATH OF A VISION:
Since God is far more concerned with our becoming like Jesus Christ in character than He is with our doing good works to further His kingdom, He needs this time of “waiting” to accomplish character building.
The “vision” provides the motivation not to become discouraged. This time of “death” and character building prepares us for a greater ministry when He does fulfill the vision.
Notice the qualities that are sure to be developed during this time: Patience, in waiting God’s time; Faith, in knowing what He will do; Meekness, in yielding personal rights; Self-control, in not running ahead of God, and many, many others.
B. SATAN’S “BUILDING PROGRAM” DURING THE DEATH OF A VISION:
Satan’s purpose is to destroy God’s work in our lives and also as much of the potential for achieving God’s work as he can. To do this during this time he comes as an “angel of light” to deceive as many as possible (2 Corinthians 11:14).
He prompts us to try in our own energy and wisdom to fulfill the original vision. He doesn’t want us to learn God’s qualities, and whenever we follow his leading, conflict results.
A classic example is Abraham trying to fulfill God’s promise of a great nation by having a son by
Hagar. Conflict has resulted ever since between their descendents.
DEFINING GOD’S PURPOSE IN LIFE
God’s ultimate purpose for each one of us is that we become more and more like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, His purpose is that we reproduce His life in the lives of those around us. Paul travailed as in birth that those with whom he worked would have Christ formed in them (Galatians 4:19).
A. GOD’S PURPOSE: SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Whatever our vocation in life may be, our primary life goal should be that of Colossians 1:28. “Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (or mature) in Christ Jesus.”
B. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BRING EVERY MAN TO HIS FULL MATURITY?
It means building the principles of God’s Word into a person’s life so that he is equipped to understand and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in knowing how to respond to any situation with Christ-like attitudes.
C. HOW DOES GOD PREPARE US TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?
He allows problems, irritations, and responsibilities to come into our lives so that we are motivated to search out His Word and develop the full potential which He put within our lives.
SPIRIT: God has given us certain spiritual aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
SOUL: He has also given to us mental, emotional and volitional aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
BODY: We also have been given physical aptitudes, abilities and capacities.
God knows that, left to ourselves, many of us would only develop a small portion of the aptitudes, abilities and capacities which He has put within us.
To the degree that we didn’t develop the rest, we would experience boredom in our lives.
Therefore, in order to direct and motivate us in developing the rest, God chooses to bring into our lives certain problems, irritations and responsibilities.
BASIC INSIGHTS ON KNOWING GOD’S WILL
1. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES PEOPLE
God so loved a world of people that He gave His Son…It is all too easy for us to become more concerned about things and organizations than people. If this happens we will miss the real joy of knowing God’s will.
2. KNOWING BASIC NEEDS REMOVES FEAR OF PEOPLE
Many people have a fear of talking to other people. There is a way, however, of overcoming this fear. If we were walking down a neighborhood street and happened to see a gathering of people sitting in the front room of one of the homes, we would probably experience a certain fear about the idea of intruding in their gathering.
If, however, we saw that the roof of their home was on fire, we would overcome our fear. We would be sure that the message we had to give them was one which they needed to hear. We would also be quite confident that they would immediately recognize the importance of our message.
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness…There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:17,18).
3. GOD HAS A SPECIAL CONCERN FOR CHRISTIANS
It is quite easy for us to become discouraged with the spiritual immaturity of some Christians and decide that we will not bother with them but instead will concentrate on reaching those who have never heard the Gospel.
It is important for us to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard. But when there are already Christians in an area, their immaturity will cause others to stumble, and we won’t know how to solve similar immaturity in those we lead to Christ.
This is one reason we are to “do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
In determining God’s will for our lives, one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is: “How can I help the Christians around me to mature and by so doing, beautify the body of Christ?”
4. WE ARE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPUTATION OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST
When one member of the body of Christ sins or displays spiritual immaturity, the reputation of Christ is damaged and the whole body of Christ then suffers. When David sinned with Bathsheba, Nathan the Prophet stated: “…by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme…” (2 Samuel 12:14).
Because of this, we are to “exhort one another daily…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Just as the corpuscles in our blood surround a wound in the skin and die in order to stop the infection from spreading, so we are to “lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
5. THREE TYPES OF CHRISTIANS EXIST IN MOST CHURCH GROUPS
When I had the privilege of working directly with many churches and youth groups, I could always expect to find three types of Christians: those who were cold, those who were spiritually hot, and those who were in between.
I soon learned why the in-between or “lukewarm” Christians are so nauseating to God. Hot Christians are in need of Christ. Cold Christians are in need of the world. However, the lukewarm Christians say, “I am in need of nothing.”
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor how: I would rather that you were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and know not that thou art wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17).
When others see a “lukewarm” Christian, they say, “He’s closer to God than I am, but he does the same things I do!”
When others see a “hot” Christian, they say, “His life is so different from mine. I’d better start doing something about it.”
“If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).
6. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES LEADING THOSE FOR WHOM WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
When we determine which individuals are under our spiritual care and purpose to give ourselves to the high calling of leading them to spiritual maturity, we have established the basis for a fulfilling ministry in our lives. Then, as God allows us to experience death to our natural inclinations and discover His way of responding to life situations, we are “able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
7. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO DEEPEN OUR MESSAGE; GOD IS RESPONSIBLE TO
BROADEN OUR MINISTRY.
We are prone to be concerned with how many people we are reaching with the Gospel. But God is concerned that we bring those we reach to spiritual maturity. “That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). Those who become mature are then able to reproduce the life and character of Christ in others as well.
If we love Christ, we are to show it by keeping His commandments and feeding His sheep (John 14:15; John 21:15-17). Sheep reproduce sheep as the shepherd feeds them.
8. GOD’S WILL INVOLVES THE “MESSAGE” WE DEVELOP MORE THAN THE “JOB” WE ARE DOING
As each one of us dies to natural inclinations which are contrary to the Word of God, and as we experience the life of Christ by applying the principles of His Word to our daily lives, we build a “life message.”
God desires that each one of us becomes a “living epistle” (2 Corinthians 3:2). As we do, we experience more and more joy (Proverbs 15:23).
God has chosen us and ordained us that we should go and bring forth fruit and that our fruit should remain (John 15:16).
9. ACHIEVING SPIRITUAL MATURITY INVOLVES RESPONDING TO EIGHT CALLINGS
In 2 Peter 1:4 we learn that there are “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Then we are given eight specific “callings” and told to give all diligence in following them.
DISCOVER PURPOSE THROUGH 8 CALLINGS
1. Repentance of SALVATION
* FAITH
Give the Lord Jesus Christ His rightful place at the center of your life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
2. Separation from DARKNESS
* VIRTUE
Discern and turn from evil in all its forms. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
3. Dedication to the LIGHT
* KNOWLEDGE
Commit yourself to the light of Scripture. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
4. Investment in SERVICE
* SELF-CONTROL
Become involved in lasting achievement. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6:19).
5. Endurance in SUFFERING
* ENDURANCE
Expect to be misunderstood. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12).
6. Humility in RESPONSES
* GODLINESS
Respond as God would to those who wrong you. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).
7. Alertness in SHARING
* BROTHERLY KINDNESS
Be alert to others who have been hurt. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
8. Reproduction of MATURITY
* LOVE
Guide them through the same steps God has taken you. “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29).
Our “WITNESS” increases as we fully obey each CALLING.
PURPOSE: To become the most effective “TRANSLATOR” of spiritual truth.
Who is a “star” witness? One who has a vital message and is available at all times to share it.
THE CALLING OF SALVATION
To the degree that we respond to each of the 8 callings, we increase the scope of our “life message” and thereby experience the will of God for our lives. The very first step is to receive eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:3).
A. RECEIVE SALVATION BY “GRACE” THROUGH FAITH…
Paul explains the “grace of God” as an active work of God within us to do His will, since all men are born sinners, and “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). God’s first work of saving grace within us is to call us to repentance. “the goodness of God leads thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4). “By grace are you saved” (Ephesians 2:8).
When we respond to His grace by confessing that we are sinners and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are born again by the Spirit of God and receive more “grace” to live the Christian life. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Paul explains the work of God’s grace in him as a Christian in 1 Corinthians 15:10. “But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
B. NOT BY WORKS OR RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE
Whenever I ask a group of people the following question, some in the group say, “Yes,” and others say, “No”: “Can a non-Christian person sincerely believe that he can cast demons out of another person by the power of God?” Christ’s answer startles those who say, “No.”
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in They name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22,23).
5 CAUSES OF DOUBTING SALVATION
Large numbers of those who have professed to receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior continue to have doubts from time to time as to whether or not they really are Christians. Here are some of the major causes of those doubts.
1. “SECOND THOUGHTS” ABOUT CHILDHOOD DECISIONS
It is very important to explain the Gospel to children and to encourage them to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. However, it is also very important to encourage those same children to reaffirm their childhood decisions when they reach the teenage years.
Questioning childhood decisions not only results in doubts about salvation, but may motivate some to doubt God’s existence.
2. AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT TOWARD AN OFFENDER
Bitterness toward one or more individuals has been a major cause of doubts about salvation. The words of Jesus Christ would certainly explain why. “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
3. AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE PAST OFFENSES RIGHT
If we have wronged someone in the past and are not willing to ask their forgiveness and make any necessary restitution, doubts about salvation often result. The very guilt of the situation causes us not to have an open fellowship with the Lord.
4. A PARTICULAR SIN WE ARE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP
When a person says, “I want to become a Christian, but there is one thing I don’t want to give up,” he is laying the foundation for all kinds of future doubts. Becoming a Christian means receiving and “confessing Jesus as Lord.” If He is the Lord or “boss,” then He decides what all our activities should be.
5. A POINT OF PRIDE IN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
Many have experienced doubts about salvation and couldn’t understand why. Upon questioning, it was learned that they had decided to become Christians their way. One purposed she would never “walk forward” in a meeting. If this has become a point of pride, it will cause doubts.
THIS BLOG IS CONTINUED…
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