Trained and Taught By Holy Spirit

This morning I am continuing my reflection on living in the spiritual realm, and continuing reading from Paul's letter to the Romans.  Here the verses I am thinking about this morning - Romans 8:26-30 NIV:

[26] "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." 

[28] "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

There were two thoughts I had this morning as I read these verses, first, that Holy Spirit helps us (vers 26) and will intercede for us!  There are those that take the "wordless groans" to mean speaking in tongues, and while I think that has some merit, I don't know that completely satisfies Paul's meaning here.  In other places he writes about speaking in tongues and is very clear in the language he uses (See 1 Cor 12-14), here he could of said the same thing, and he doesn't, so I believe he means something deeper, something that we may not even be aware of - a hear to heart - Holy Spirit to Father to Son intercession.  I think Paul must have experienced something more, having caught a glimpse of this deep intercession, as he prayed over churches and peoples.  Whatever the experience, the fact is that the Holy Spirit is helping us, and interceding for us, personally, from His vantage point of living within us!  Jesus referred to this In John 14-17, and here Paul brings it back to our mind.  

We should be greatly encouraged by this fact!  The Holy Spirit, One of the Trinity, is bringing our needs, even when we don't know how to even ask, to the very throne room of God and pleading for us with the Father and Son!  Wow!  Our case and need is being heard in the highest court in all eternity!  As I mentioned yesterday, the enemy is trying to convince us that God has forgotten us, or is displeased with us, and here the Truth is that our needs, in our weakness, are being brought to the Throne Room by Holy Spirit!  Nothing could be farther from the lies the enemy is proffering!

My second thought was that I would have added one more bit to the end of verses 30.  Paul talks about how we as sons and daughters are predestined, called, justified and glorified, which are all the result of God's actions and motivation of love!  I would have added, as He did in letter to the Ephesians, that God has also equipped us and will train us, so that we will be able to fulfill the call!  Again, this is probably implied, but think its a good addition, at least for my mind!  If God, in His great wisdom and love, has done everything else, why would He stop short of equipping us and training us to live up to His calling.  Part of that calling for all of us is living in the spiritual realm, and we clearly need help in this area, especially those of us in the Western Church, where our teaching and training in this area (from man) has been lacking.

This thought brings me right back to the Holy Spirit's intercession for us, His help for us in our weakness. He knows we are weak in this area, and I am convinced that He means to help us!  He knows the state of our hearts, minds and spirits, and He knows the lack we experience in this area.  I believe the reason I am being directed to pursue this, is exactly because the Holy Spirit is directing me and leading me to grow and learn from Him!  As I said before, we have in Holy Spirit the greatest expert in this field of knowledge and experience, so we can be assured that He will train us up correctly.  However, as in all things, God always allows us to operate in our free-will, and thus what would normally be required classes and training is an elective (hope you follow that school image).  In other words, while this is one of the key areas of knowledge and experience all Christians should have, we need to choose this, desire and ask for it!  

I am reminded of the many things my earthly Father knew and could have showed me and trained me in, but He didn't force these things upon me, instead he allowed me to express interest and ask, then He would show me!  I am sure that there were areas He would have loved for me to take interest in that I didn't pursue or request in my immaturity or selfish focus.  In fact, just the other day I was thinking about how I wish I would have had my Dad teach me to paint as an artist.  I know I have some ability in this area, but other than the classes I took from him in junior high, I never asked him to teach me more.  He had years of experience and had been trained in many different techniques, and now that he is in heaven, that opportunity to be trained by him is lost to me.  

The good news is all we need to do is ask, and Holy Spirit will deliver!  We, even in our weakness, are not able to interfere in God's plans, for He has been interceding for us all along!  He has been preparing and aligning everything for our calling!  

This morning I am greatly encouraged that Holy Spirit is personally bringing my needs, even in my weakness to the Throne.  God, in His Omnipotence is working all things for my good, for I do love Him!  (See verse 28 above).  He is personally invested in my success, in my ability to fulfill the calling He has in my life!  He hasn't forgotten about me, and is not disappointed in me, in fact He speaks about me in His Throne Room!  I am encouraged to choose to enroll in this class, learning to live in the Spiritual Realm, and i have been assigned the best teacher possible!  I am encouraged that Holy Spirit is stirring this theme in my life because He wants me to grow and mature in my knowledge and field of experience! 

Amen!  Come quickly Holy Spirit to teach me and train me!

Our Life in the Spiritual Realm

This morning my heart was once again drawn back to the theme of the spiritual realm, and as I thought about where to read in my Bible, I was reminded of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically chapter 8.  Here are a few verses that I am reflecting on this morning - Romans 8:5-11,14-17 NIV:

[5] "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. [6] The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. [7] The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. [8] Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 

[9] "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." 

[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship (& daughtership). And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

The first that stood out to me in this section was verse 9, "You.... are in the realm of the Spirit", for this statement is fact, whether we know it or not.  If we have received salvation, then the Holy Spirit lives within us, and gives us life.  The same Holy Sprit who raised Jesus from the dead gives life to our mortal bodies, and life is given because of the righteousness that Jesus purchased for us!  

Again, this is accomplished in us all, for this is His gift, for each of us, there are no favorites (Romans 2:11). There are no people who have experienced His salvation that have been left out.  If you think it isn't true for you, you are believing a lie from the pit of hell.  Paul goes on to confirm this very thing, for he indicates that one of the very first things the Holy Spirit does is confirm our identity as God's children.  We are His son or His daughter, adopted into His family, with the full rights of a family member!  The Holy Spirit testifies to this in our lives... if we learn to listen to Him, or if we remember that first sense of belonging that we experienced when we were saved, we will see this truth.  We sometimes talk about this as the first-love, but it meant to be experienced over the whole of our lives.

The enemy spends much of his time trying to convince us that we are some sort of second class family member, some forgotten son or daughter, or some child that is in trouble with the Father.  He is trying to get us to focus on fear (see verse 15 above) of punishment, fear of disappointing the Father.  Again, these are lies from the pit of Hell, and are meant to get us focused on the wrong things, and subject ourselves to the wrong realm.  If he can get us to lay down our identity, and live like this is not true, or live in such a way that we are unaware of the Spirit, he is able to get us to live in his realm, unaware of our inheritance, unaware of our authority, and unaware of our rights!  

This is a bit like what happened to the slaves in Texas who lived as slaves for 2 years, after they had been emancipated.  No one told them they were free, and I am guessing that someone purposely didn't tell them they were free.  This is the historical event that was recently celebrated as Juneteenth, when they were told they were actually free.  (See: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth).

In the same way, we need to be told, and or reminded that we no longer belong to the realm of the flesh!  We are no longer slaves to fear!  We are no longer subject to the laws of the kingdom of darkness, for we have been set free, and we have been given the Holy Spirit, who now lives within us and gives us life, and confirms our identity as sons and daughters of God!

Paul continues on a bit later in this chapter, hammering home this message!  Romans 8:34-39 NIV:

[34] "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

[37] "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Nothing an separate us from His Love!  Nothing can nullify His sacrifice!  Nothing can cause us to lose our salvation!  Nothing can cause the Holy Spirit to stop living within us!  Nothing can change this truth!

We can, however, choose to live as if they are not true.  We can choose to live our lives focused on the wrong things, investing in the wrong things, listening to the wrong things!  I believe this is the foundational truth of learning to live in and by the Spirit, WE have the choice as to which realm we live in and which we listen to!  Nothing can force us to lose this love, this life, this gift of the Holy Spirit, but we can ignore it, and live in such a way that our experience of this reality is limited!

So this morning, my question is how much am I embracing these truths?  Am I learning to listen to the Holy Spirit, bringing my mind into alignment with these truths?  Am I investing my time, my thoughts and my awareness in the realm of the Spirit?  Am I choosing to live as a son of God, as a Co-Heir with Christ, or am I living as a slave to fear, my flesh and the lies of the enemy?

One thing important to note, the slaves that were set free on Juneteenth were not at fault for their having lived under slavery even after they were set free by the President's decree.  In the same way, God does not accuse us or blame us if we have been living under the lies of the enemy, or giving ourselves to the wrong realm.  He doesn't blame us for being deceived or convinced of some lie, He blames the liar!  He is continually releasing His truth, so that we might be set free, that we might hear the truth and embrace our true identity as His son or daughter!

I am encouraged by the great love, mercy and compassion of God!  I am encouraged that He has made a way for me to live in the realm of the Spirit, and provided me everything I need, because He loves me and is interceding for me!  He is my greatest champion, my greatest cheerleader, my greatest teacher, my greatest guide, and my Father!

Amen and Amen!

Don't Get Off The Elevator Too Early!

This morning I found myself being reminded of the theme I started to reflect on before my vacation, that of the spiritual realm, and our need to understand more about that realm, as we are affected by it, even if we don't realize it is there.  Anyway, as I was thinking about that theme and asking the Lord what scripture I should read I felt led to read from Joel, and remembered there were verses that Peter quoted out of Joel on Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out in great power.  As I turned to that chapter, I realized that it was much more than just those verses quoted by Peter and that he, in choosing those verses, saw the context as well, that led him to conclude that those verses were being fulfilled that day.  

Here are the verses Peter quoted - Joel 2:28-32 NIV:

[28] “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. [29] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. [30] I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. [31] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. [32] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls."

Here is how it was recorded in Acts 2:17-21 NIV

[17] “ 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. [20] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. [21] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

A quick review of the differences show that Peter, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, added the "and they will prophesy:" and changed slightly the word that described the day of the Lord from dreadful to glorious!  I checked and part of that change is the NIV translation.  Regardless, the point is that Peter, after experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, concluded this was what Joel was talking about.  

It is interesting that Joel, in the preceding verses was prophesying that there would be a great army that would overrun Zion, and there would be great trouble (Joel 2:1- 11).  That was followed by a call to repent, to turning back to God (Joel 2:12-17), and God in response pours out blessing and abundance, and repays them for the years the Locust have eaten (Joel 2:18-27).  It is at that point that Joel prophesied about the outpouring of the Spirit of God on all people!  

In reflecting on these verses, I can understand why the Jews thought that when the Messiah came, that there would be a physical Kingdom, and they would be blessed like they were during the reign of David and Solomon.  The promises of abundance and blessing and homes and property, grain and wine in abundance and the complete defeat of the horde that had overrun the land.  Looking at the time of Jesus' coming, the Roman's had overrun most of the western world, and the tax burden was heavy.  In looking at these verses in Joel, I can definitely see an understanding that relates to a physical kingdom.  I believe that most of the Jews would have been completely satisfied if God's promise and fulfillment ended at Joel 2:27, but that is what I heard in my heart today, God wasn't satisfied, He had more that He wanted to pour our, and it had to do with Holy Spirit!  

As I was reflecting on that I realized that many of us, myself included, would be satisfied if we just experienced God's abundant provision in our lives.  If He poured out increased finances, health, security, peace and happiness in our lives we would be just peachy!  The issue is that God wants us to experience more, He wants us to operate in the realm of the Spirit!  He wants us to be empowered and aware, flowing in the Holy Spirit, seeing visions, having dreams, prophesying, and experiencing signs and wonders!  He has made a way in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, and this is the fullness of His plan for us!  Joel's prophecy didn't stop at verse 27, but went on and proclaimed this day of pouring out the Holy Spirit on all people, and that includes us!  

I just had a funny phrase pop into my mind, "don't get off the elevator too early!"  The picture in my mind that accompanied it was myself getting off one floor below the top floor.  The top floor had the penthouse (interesting word parallel there) and was the best view allowing one to see all sides and live in the best condominium by far!  Getting off a floor early enabled one to have a higher view and a regular condo, and that would be just grand, except the penthouse is where we belong!

This morning I am encouraged to press on, to look for that penthouse/pentecost experience of all that the Lord has for me, including the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit into my life!

Amen, come Lord!

Pools of Living Water

Yesterday, during worship, I was looking at Isaiah 35, and reflecting on the Glory of the Lord, present on the earth.  We were singing several different songs about the presence of Lord, the power of Jesus' Name, etc.  As we were singing I was understanding that the Glory of the Lord and the manifest presence of Jesus are essentially the same things, and that when Jesus shows up, He is going to Glorify and Magnify the Father, as He did all through His earthly ministry.  We as the Church, the Body of Christ, are called to do the same, for we are just an extension and continuation of His ministry.  I shouldn't say "just" for His ministry is the revelation of the Heart of the Father!

Anyway, here are the verses I was reflecting upon, Isaiah 35:1-10 NIV:

[1] "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, [2] it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. 

[3] Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; [4] say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 

[5] Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [6] Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. [7] The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 

[8] And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. [9] No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, [10] and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Verses 5-7 are clearly Messianic in nature for it was not until the ministry of Jesus that we see these fulfilled.  He healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, the sick and the demonized!   The following verses from Matthews Gospel are parallel verses to these from Isaiah - Matthew 15:30-31 NIV:

[30] "Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. [31] The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel."

Jesus spoke of the stream of living or bubbling water in His conversation with the woman  at the well in John 4:13-14 NIV:

[13] "Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

It seems to me that faith is this bubbling water, this spring that bursts forth in the desert.  For it is through faith in Him that salvation is available, through knowing Jesus, and accepting His Gospel of Grace.  I guess we could also say the Kingdom of God is this spring of Living water, for it does include all who have experienced salvation in Him. The world is the desert, and all over the world this spring of water is welling up and overflowing!  Oh that the waters of salvation would cover the earth!

Finally, we are called to represent this same ministry to the world today!  As Jesus commissioned His followers, so are we commissioned.  He sent out his followers with these directions, "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." ( Matthew 10:7-8 NIV) 

- and - 

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV:

[18] "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

We have been given His authority, and we operate through the same Holy Spirit, and are called to let this flow out to all the world!  It is not just words but signs and wonders that prove to the world that our words and our faith in Him are true.  We are called to show the world the Glory of God, and invite them into "The Way" to Eternal life, and it is in and through Jesus.

Lord, we pray that we might rightly represent You, and glorify Your Name in all the earth!  Let our witness be streams of living water, creating pools in the dry lands!

Amen and Amen!

Growing in Spiritual Awareness

This morning my mind and heart are being drawn back to the reflection I had on Tuesday, relating to the progressive revelation of the spiritual realm.  As I was reading briefly through Paul's letters this morning, I was conscious of a few things.  

First, the call to the Kingdom is something that is primarily a spiritual reality, as I wrote earlier this week. Paul wrote the following, (notice the last two sentences) to the Colossians 1:9-14 NIV:

[9] "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. [13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Paul writes about our need to grow in wisdom and understanding (progressive revelation) and our inheritance is in the Kingdom of Light.  Thus, we are expected to grow in this area, to understand more and more, and if it is a spiritual inheritance, it seems to me that part of this growing and maturing must be in our ability to operate or be aware of this realm.

Second, we have in us the Holy Spirit, and we have in Him the greatest guide and teacher about all things spiritual, for He is God and Spirit, and over everything! Paul writes in the section above how the Holy Spirit is who provides us this wisdom and understanding, and since He is Spirit, we must have the ability to interact with the spiritual realm.  This is not some weird thing, but how we are clearly built, and as natural to us as thinking and feeling.  Much of our need is to become aware and attuned to His voice, that we might listen and learn!   Jesus spoke the following,  "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you." (John 16:13-14 NIV)  If Jesus said the Holy Spirit will speak to us, then we must be able to hear what He is saying!

Thirdly, at times people become fearful of the spiritual realm, but we have in us the Holy Spirit, who clearly has authority over all spirits and over the whole of the spiritual realm.  Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, following His time in the wilderness after His baptism (see Luke 4:14), apparently has no fear of the spiritual forces, for He constantly confronts and defeats harmful spirits.  We have many examples, but the story where he heals the demoniac (see Mark 5:1-20) probably demonstrates this authority clearest, for He fearlessly deals with a "legion" of demons and casts them out of the man, who is becomes completely restored to his right mind and goes on to become one of Jesus' earliest evangelists!   

Later, when Jesus sends out the twelve and the seventy-two to minister He gives them this same authority to cast out demons, and we are told the seventy-two come back with this report - Luke 10:17-20 NIV:

[17] "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 

[18] He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. [20] However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

I can't imagine that the disciples who went out were afraid of the spiritual forces anymore, for they saw that they had, in Jesus' name and by His authority, power over these spirits.  We, as co-heirs with Christ Jesus, have in us the same Holy Spirit, the same power that Jesus operated in during His ministry, and thus, we can operate in this same authority!  We have nothing to fear!

Going back to our ability to perceive the spiritual realm, clearly Jesus demonstrated some of this was possible in His comments about "seeing Satan fall like lightning".   The Greek word used by Luke is "theoreo" and it is defined as follows by Strong's: " to be a spectator of, that is, discern, (literally, figuratively [experience] or intensively [acknowledge]): - behold, consider, look on, perceive, see."   It is clear that Luke was recording after the fact what Jesus said, but I believe that this is specifically recorded to help us understand that this ability to perceive what is happening in the spiritual realm is possible.  

As I sit here this morning, I realize that, by and large, I am operating as a mostly spiritually blind man.  I do believe I can hear from the Holy Spirit, and that I am aware of His guidance, but I am generally unaware of other spiritual realities around me.  More often than not, I am operating in the this realm by faith, believing that what Jesus has taught is true, but having limited awareness of anything that I am perceiving or experiencing guiding me.  There have been times that I was "aware" of changes in the spiritual atmosphere, other times I have understood what the Lord is doing, often through a word of knowledge, but most of the time I am at best dull, like walking in a dark room with sunglasses on!

Lord, I know there is more, and I know much of my limitation is within my mindset and way of thinking.  I pray that You might enlighten me, and encourage me in this area.  I believe that You are encouraging this focus in my time, because You desire to see me grow and mature in my ability to operate, see and have authority in this realm, as Your son!  For many years I have worked on hearing and listening, and it seems to me that I am to enter into a time of training and learning to see!  Help me, for You clearly know my limitations and dullness in this area!

I am reminded of Jesus' prayer to the Father in John 17, and want to close with the final lines of His prayer.  John 17:24-26 NIV:

[17] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. [25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” 

Amen and Amen!  Help us to SEE Your glory!

Spiritual Realities and Progressive Revelation

This morning as I opened my Bible, I turned back to Paul's letter to the  Ephesians, and I was thinking about the reality of spiritual warfare, which Paul talks about in Chapter 6:10-17.  As I was thinking about this subject, I realized that in many ways this theme was also the subject of progressive revelation in the scriptures. 

By progressive revelation, I mean that over time, centuries even, there was more and more revealed about the situation by God, so that earlier writers would have had a different, or less complete understanding about the subject than later writers.   We understand this principle in most every other subject, including science and math, and see this at work in all of our lives, for we surely know more now about many subjects than we knew 20 or 30 years ago, if we are that old.  

This is actually one of the more helpful things I have learned in my reading of scripture, for God's character is revealed in every book, but it is often not fully understood, and later revelation brings additional clarity.  The culmination of the revelation of God's character is found in the life of Jesus Christ, for he represented the Father perfectly on earth. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews describes this idea this way - Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV:

[1] "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.."

Thus, when I read the Old Testament, I am getting a pre-"revelation of Jesus" understanding of God, and His character, and ascribing motivation to Him.  However, in reading these words in the Old Testament, I must then understand them through the grid of understanding that Jesus provides us in His words and actions.  Any other way of understanding would be an incomplete understanding.

So why does this matter in the subject of the spiritual realm?  That is the subject of my reflection this morning, for the exact same question came to mind, and I realized that Jesus spoke quite often about the spiritual realities, and we would be right in giving His words proper perspective, as the supreme authority.  I have read many authors who tend to downplay Jesus' comments and descriptions of the spiritual realities as being simplistic and even superstitious, due to the underdeveloped understanding of the people He was speaking to, for science was not well understood.  There is a certain sense or line of thought that says we, now that we understand more of science, don't need to listen to anything that speaks of the spiritual realm, for we can't really quantitatively study it.  

If we take this approach we find that we have to explain away or discount many things in scripture that talk about spiritual things, and that, I believe is dangerous.  Jesus spoke more about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven than any other subject, and that is a primarily a spiritual reality!  So, if we, in embracing this type of thinking, must discount anything spiritual, we would be having to explain away much of the teaching of Jesus.  

One of the struggles the Jews had was this very thing, Jesus was talking about a Kingdom that was spiritual, and they were looking for a real kingdom here on earth, one they could see and experience, one that had geographic boundaries, and a King they could see that acted like other kings.  In fact, some of the last words of Jesus had to do with His Kingdom, in his conversation with Pilate (See John 18:33-37).  In fact Jesus specifically addresses the nature of His Kingdom in John 18:36 NIV:  "Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 

My question this morning is what if everything Jesus said about the spiritual realm was actually true?  What if He was actually speaking as the Highest Authority on the spiritual realities and was actually giving us insight to things that normally are hidden to our physical eyes and senses?  What if He wasn't just addressing "spirits" because the locals believed in them, but was actually operating in a realm that most cannot see and few seem to understand?  

What I find interesting is that many other cultures around the world, don't struggle as much with believing the spiritual realm descriptions of Jesus' ministry, for the simple reason that these teachings match their experiences.  We, in America and the western-mindset, tend to poo-poo this as once again being uninformed, or uneducated superstition.  Again, my question is, 'what if this is not the result of lack of understanding, but is actually more advanced understanding'?  What if we really should have a worldview that includes spiritual realities?  

I was just thinking about Jesus' ministry and the number of times He was described as dealing with spirits (evil or impure) and came across this from early in the Gospel of Mark 1:21-27 NIV:

[21] They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. [22] The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. [23] Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, [24] “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are---the Holy One of God!” 

[25] “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 

[26] The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. [27] The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching---and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

While this is not an earth-shattering story, it does demonstrate Jesus dealing with a spiritual entity, and having authority over that spirit, and people recognizing His authority.  This fit their world-view, and one wonders how we, of western mid-set, would explain this situation? Would we explain it away as epilepsy, or some other psychotic or psychological affliction?  Again, what if Mark's description here is actually the true reality?  

Personally, I believe there is a spiritual realm, and while I am most of the time unaware, I do believe it exists.  I do believe that Jesus was effectively lifting the veil on what is often hidden and allowing us to both experience and understand some of this reality.  As I mentioned at the beginning, Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is describing our need to be aware of this reality, and prepared for the struggle that ensues from this reality.  Quoting him again - Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV:

[10] "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

[18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

My prayer today is that I might learn to more fully embrace this reality, and learn to understand and operate in this reality, as a co-heir with Christ.  I pray that the eyes of my understanding may be opened, and that my spiritual eyes might be opened.  I pray that I might grow in knowledge and that I might change the way I think to align more closely with the reality Jesus taught about and demonstrated!  My prayer is that we might welcome His revelation as superior to our own experience. 

Amen!

Judgment Against Nations or Peoples?

This morning I am reading from Psalm 79 which is a Psalm asking God to pay back the nations that destroyed Jerusalem, and it is an interesting thing to think about in light of the revelation of Christ Jesus.   Here are the verses - Psalm 79:1-13 NIV:

[1] "O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. 

[2] They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.

[3] They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. 

[4] We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. 

[5] How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? 

[6] Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; 

[7] for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland. 

[8] Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 

[9] Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. 

[10] Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. 

[11] May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die. 

[12] Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. 

[13] Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise."

The first thing that comes to mind, is wondering if this would fit in line with Arminianism, or more Calvinism?  I think clearly Calvinism, as that view would see those, that are the focus of the called down judgment, as the unsaved.  I have done a fair bit of reading and thinking about these two approaches and I find my heart just doesn't believe this line of thinking (Calvinism).  I believe the Lord died for all men (John 3:16-17), and that salvation is available to any and all that would turn to Jesus, from every nation and people (Matt 28:19-20), regardless of how they have treat the Jews or Christians (in light of this particular Psalm).  I believe we are called to love our enemies (Matt 5:44), to call down blessing upon them, and to pray for them.  I struggle with a loving God, one who is creator of each and every one of the men and women on earth, condemning any of them to eternal judgment, from the moment of their conception.  I believe we have free will to choose and each person has the opportunity to choose, however that option is presented. I will stop there as that conversation can go on and on. 

Yesterday, I was reading from 1 Peter and he was talking about the need to be a witness, regardless of the circumstances, and that we should, "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." ( 1 Peter 2:17 NIV)  At the time he wrote those verses, Nero was the Emperor, and the church had been persecuted and was going back into heavy persecution, and yet his encouragement was to be true witnesses to God in the midst of that, even to honoring a pagan emperor, rather than calling down judgment on him.

The ministry of Jesus, which represents the truth of the Father's heart, was not one to condemn or call down judgment or condemnation.  He spoke of the final judgment, and the reasons people would be judged and surprisingly, it had nothing to do with nationality. (For more on this see Matt 25:31-46)

These verses from Aspah are written under the Old Covenant of the Law, which was based on the revelation of the Jews being the chosen people and nation of God.  They were those to whom the Law was given, and they were in relationship with God primarily as the God of their nation!  There were those who experienced this relationship differently, like the Prophets, David, and some of the psalmists, but in general the people understood they were a people and nation, set-apart by God.  With the words of Jesus in Matt 28:1-20 and the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit to Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, it is clear that the salvation bought by Jesus is available to those outside the Jewish nation, even gentiles, and the revelation of personal salvation, regardless of national affinity, is brought to light fully.  We had seen glimpses of this in Jesus' ministry, but it was now fully recognized and embraced.

That being said, it seems to me that prayers like those in Psalm 79 are not really valid to pray anymore towards a people group or nation, as the revelation of the nation of chosen people has been expanded to include all nations possibly!  Peter again writes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV)  Since all nations are welcomed into the Body of Christ, if they so choose, we should be praying for mercy, compassion, and grace to come upon every nation that they might experience and receive salvation.

One questions whether the mind-set that the Church (the Body of Believers) now replaces the  nation of Israel in verses such as these, so that we can pray this kind of prayer towards non-Christians, especially those that persecute us?  Again, I find the teaching of Jesus quite at odds with this mindset, for the reasons mentioned above, for non-Christians are all potentially our future brothers and sisters.  

If we need to pray against our enemies, then we should focus on the real enemy, satan and his fallen co-hort.  Paul makes it quite clear who our enemy is in letter to the Church of Ephesus.  Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV:  "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

In summary, I am encouraged to pray blessing, mercy, compassion and grace upon all who have yet to experience salvation!  I am encouraged to pray for the Church, for my brothers and sisters all across the earth, regardless of their nationality, for we are all in the same family!  I am encouraged to embrace the forgiveness and salvation available in Christ Jesus, choosing to represent His love to all.  Finally, if I need to pray condemnation against an enemy, I will do so against the enemies of the faith in the spiritual realm, not against flesh and blood, for Jesus died for all men, and if He paid that price for them, who am I to call down condemnation?

Lord, I pray that Your Word and Love would so penetrate my life that those I meet would meet You!  I pray that I might be a witness to You in word, deed and even in my thoughts!  I pray that my legacy would be one of salvations, kindness, love and honor.

Amen and Amen!