THE PROVISIONS OF GOD (For The Road Less Traveled)

The Lord gives WISDOM willingly, wholeheartedly, and abundantly to those who ask. The only condition on this promise is the request must be made in faith with no wavering, hesitation or doubting. Saints, we all need wisdom all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (James 1:5-8)

The lord gives DIRECTION, making straight and plain the pathway of His children. There are three conditions on this promise: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do not lean on... rely on, your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him. Saints, we all need direction, all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The Lord gives STRENGTH... Grace under pressure, to help in our times of need. The only condition on this promise is that we approach God’s throne of Grace fearlessly and confidently and boldly, since we have a great High Priest (Jesus) who has already ascended through the heavens, and is now seated at the right hand of Father God. Saints, we all need strength, all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (Hebrews 4:16)

Wisdom, Direction, and Strength energize the Spirit led life and must be cultivated. These provisions will foster an attitude of absolute faith – the “though He slay me” trust of Job – and fearless boldness as we acknowledge God in every aspect of life, refusing to rely on our own strength, understanding and abilities. Our dependence on our Father must be absolute (not qualified or diminished in any way), unconditional (not subject to any conditions), unreserved (complete and without reservations), unequivocal (leaving no doubt), categorical (explicit and direct) and indisputable (unable to be challenged or denied).Herein lies the road less traveled… the road our Savior walked!

ENERGIZING THE SPIRIT LED LIFE

HOLINESS: THE FRUIT OF SLAVERY

Holiness is the fruit of becoming a slave to God: “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Saints, we are, one and all, born enslaved to sin. Our redemption frees us from sins slavery allowing us to choose our master. When we choose Christ as our Lord we willfully embark on the process of “becoming” slaves of God. A slave must totally submit to the lordship of his Lord, divesting himself of all Self interest, giving deference to the will, wishes, and ways of his Master. It is in this “deference” process that God’s holiness – the nature of Christ -- emerges as the fruit of our new life (slave) in Him. Notice holiness has an end, a purpose… eternal life with our holy God.  

Holiness is not an entitlement, rather the results of obedience – the lifestyle of a good slave, and is perfected -- brought to completeness -- in the fear of God: “Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Jesus taught the “Fear of God”: “Fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell … Fear Him … who has the power to cast into hell.” There is much wisdom and respect in a healthy fear of God. He is, after all, God, and fear is a strong motivator as we grow into love’s perfection.   

Holiness is the expectation of a holy God.  Saints our body, specifically our heart, is the dwelling place of God here on planet earth. Our heart is His Holy of Holies. So holiness is not only reasonable, rational, and intelligent service to God, but spiritual worship of the highest order: “For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are … You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood … I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Notice we “are being built up” into holiness… holiness is not a singular instantaneous event, rather a lifelong process of change into the nature of Christ. The road to holiness begins when we make a decisive dedication of ourselves, body, soul and spirit, as a living sacrifice to God, submitting to the Lordship of Christ.

Holiness is part of our calling from God who does not spare the rod of discipline; He rebukes, chastens, and scourges to encourage us to partake of His holiness: “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness … He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.” Notice God invented progressive discipline: Rebuke – To express sharp disapproval or criticism. Chasten – To restrain, subdue, humble. Scourge – To inflict great trouble, affliction, adversity. God loves us too much to leave us the way we are, and has at His disposal all the things of life to encourage our participation in His holiness.

Holiness is a prerequisite to seeing God… experiencing the presence of God, and should, therefore, be diligently pursued:   “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

The Apostle Peter spoke of the end times when the heavens and earth would be dissolved by fire, the elements melting with the fervent heat of God’s judgment, and posed a chilling question to us:   “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God’?

“FOR THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY”

(Rom. 6:22, 12:1; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Cor. 3:17; 1 Thess. 4:7; Heb. 12:5-11, Heb.12:10 Amp. Bible; Heb. 12:14; 2 Peter 3:7-13; Ps. 99:9; Matt. 10:28; Lk. 12:4-5)

WILLING TO DO GOD’S WILL

Jesus said, “If anyone wills to do His (God’s) will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” What are the takeaways from this profound statement by our Lord:

* The first “will” (Gr. thelo) is to will with active volition and purpose. In the present subjunctive it expresses continuous action with some condition. Here the condition is “to do His will”, God’s will.

* The second “will” (Gr. thelema, the neutered noun of thelo) has the definite article denoting God’s will, His disposition toward something, what God Himself does of His own good pleasure. Here referring directly to the doctrine... the teachings, of Jesus.

* “The word “Know” is very significant in that it is translated from the Greek ginosko which means to know through personal experience… intimate relationship, through fellowship with God.

* “The doctrine” has the definite article denoting God’s doctrine... God’s will… The Truth.

Jesus is “The Truth”, and only spoke The Truth... God’s will, for He only said and did what he received from the Father. To continually will to do God’s will is the focused response of a heart owned by and submitted to God. Such a heart will do God’s will as best it knows how. And through “doing” The Truth – Christ -- is known and experienced personally and intimately. This is a progressive spiritual process. If anyone – that’s you and I – consistently wills to do God’s will we shall know “The Truth”… Jesus, and personally experience Him in progressive revelation. 

And, of course, the converse is also true: If anyone does not will to do God’s will he shall not know The Truth. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”: In these last times we know that people will be drawn away from The Truth by doctrines that scratch the itch in their heart... doctrines that please and satisfy the desires of their fleshly nature... Self. The twenty-first century church has lost its spiritual rudder and is adrift in the sea of Self-appeasing doctrine; its compass no longer points to Jesus… The Truth. The church no longer “wills to do His (God’s) will.”

Captured in this small verse is the essence of a life pleasing to God: Submission to the Lordship of Jesus and commitment to doing God’s will as best one can. This is the willingness to do God’s will no matter what, disregarding the inconvenience, personal sacrifice, and opinions of others. This is “Walking in The Light”, having fellowship with one another, cleansed from all sin.  This is being “Led by The Spirit” as sons and daughters of God. This is abiding in The One abiding in us, as a branch joined to The Vine, bearing fruit. “And you shall know The Truth (Jesus), and The Truth (Jesus) shall make you free”

AND YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH

(Jn. 7:17, 14:6,10, 5:19, 12:49,50, 8:28, 32, 15:4;2 Tim. 4:3; Rom. 8;14; 1 Jn. 1:7

STOPS ON THE JOURNEY:

How God Transforms Lives…

How We Become Christlike…

God’s goal and therefore our life’s purpose is our Transformation, the metamorphosis of sin stained spiritual cripples into beacons of radiant light reflecting the holy nature of Christ to a world drowning in sin’s darkness. In transformation we experience the resurrection power of the indwelling Christ-life and, relinquishing our own Self-life, become ever more fully possessed of His divine life. We become Christlike. Transformation can be described as a series of ten stops on our spiritual journey:

(1) Ignorance of the concept or existence of sin: Life along the “Wayside.”

(2) Aware of and indifferent to sin: Life in “Stony Places.”

(3) Concern about the implications of personal sin: Life in the “Thorn Bushes.”

(4) Confession of and forgiveness for sin: Salvation begins.

(5) Commitment to faith activities: Self puts on religion.

(6) Experiencing a prolonged period of spiritual discontent: Transformation begins.  

(7) Experiencing personal brokenness: Self goes to the Cross.

(8) Choosing to surrender and submit fully to God: Lordship begins.

(9) Enjoying profound intimacy with and love for God: The presence of God.

(10) Experiencing profound compassion and love for humanity: Life on “Good Ground.”

Note references to the Sower Parable in stops one through three. In the sower parable Jesus spoke of four heart-soils and how each responded to God’s seed-word. Another application of this parable is to think of these four heart conditions as the transformation process from out of covenant and lost, through salvation, and into spiritual maturity, our perfection... Christlikeness. Normal Christian life is life in the Thorn bushes where the progressive process of transformation occurs as we overcome Self and the world, becoming people of one thing… Jesus!

According to the research of George Barna, most Americans never get beyond stop three with only 11% getting past stop five and only 2% getting past stop seven. Among those who become “professed” born again Christians, most never move past stop five. And, most church programs are designed to help people get to stop five of the journey – where “faith activities” can so easily become religious activities -- but not to move farther down the road into Christlikeness. Note: George Barna developed these ten stops from his extensive polling research, which were subsequently modified/renamed by the writer.

Stop seven, spiritual brokenness, is the most important and most challenging stop: In order to complete the journey one must be broken of their carnal/fleshly nature Self, with its misplaced love for the riches, pleasures, cares, and non-spiritual things of earth life. The willingness to crucify Self leads directly to our submission to the Lordship of Jesus (stop eight). America’s culture serves as a strong barrier to people being willing to completely abandon their Self and the world in favor of listening to, obeying and enjoying God.

Salvation is a will driven process, and within it spiritual transformation is, likewise, a will driven process. Transformation is the regenerating life process of “Submit -- Crucify – Renew – Transform”, which completes the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit as the believer grows into Christlikeness. In Transformation we willfully submit to the Lordship of Christ, dying daily to Self and Self’s interests, while willfully setting our minds on things above... renewing our mind to reflect Christ’s mind, all willful, purposeful acts. Christlikeness is the destination and destiny of all who “wills to do His will”, allowing His life to live through their physical body as their life.

TRANSFORMATION:

THE JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS

AND FREEDOM

OUR BLESSED HOPE

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the BLESSED HOPE and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

So here’s what we know:

*Jesus has prepared a dwelling place for the saints of God, a place with God so it will be filled with the glory of God. Awe… Wonder… Indescribable in every sense… yes, all that and more! The human terms of a finite mind cannot comprehend what God has prepared for His children!!!

* Jesus will come again to fetch us home to be with Him.

*To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. The very instant we die we, our soul and spirit, are transported into the presence of our Lord.

* Those who “sleep in Jesus”, dead saints, will return with the Lord (i.e., soul and spirit) when He returns to gather upward the saints who are alive and remain on earth.

* We won’t all sleep, but we will all be changed.

* Our corruptible mortal bodies will be transformed into incorruptible immortal ones -- instantly. 

* The dead in Christ will rise first; the dead bodies of departed saints will rise first to be reunited with their soul and spirit in the air.

* Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (i.e., the dead in Christ) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

*And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

*Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Endnote:

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ... Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

“THEREFORE … BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE,

ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD,

KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD …

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS”

(Titus 2:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Jn. 14:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-58)

THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Natural Man: Natural, the Greek psuchikos, means of the senses and is unrenewed man in communion with the world, the nature we are born with. The Greek sarx/sarkikos, translated carnal or fleshly, is the propensity to indulge and satisfy our Natural Man with the sinful appetites and desires of this fallen world, to live according to the flesh -- what John called the Lust of the Eyes, Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life. Desire for the world’s material things, physical appetites, pride, prestige, independence, power..., these are the tentacles of carnality that draw us to the world. The Natural Man loves to be in control and is naturally carnal, naturally lives life in concert with the desires of his flesh. The Natural Man’s real name is Self.

The Spiritual Man: Spiritual, the Greek pneumatikos, means pertaining to or proceeding from the Holy Spirit, persons who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, enjoying the influences, graces, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pneumatikos is renewed man in communion with God, clothed in the nature Christ died to provide for us. Spiritual Man is the product of one’s new birth into God’s Kingdom through a willful heartfelt confession in the atoning work of Jesus and repentance for sin. The Spiritual Man is the implanted nature of Christ... the Christ-Life, which will be made manifest by the Holy Spirit in the new believer’s life.  This, in essence, is what makes one a “New Creation” upon their confession of faith: Their enslavement to sin is broken – they now have the freedom of choosing whom they will serve. And, the Holy Spirit takes up habitation in their physical body allowing the nature of our Savior to be downloaded into their heart. As they willfully submit to the Lordship of Christ Self is nailed to the cross, bit by bit, replaced by the nature of Christ.  The maturing of our Spirit Man, what Jesus called our “perfection” is a lifelong process.

Self will want to maintain control and will resist the emergence of Christ’s nature, setting the stage for a lifelong battle between Self and the Christ-Life. Self must die or his carnal nature will bleed over into the Christ-Life producing “Carnal Christians”. Self will not go quickly or quietly... it won’t be a quick death.   “I am crucified with Christ … I die daily.” The daily moment by moment choices we make determine which nature is emerging and in control. This is the process of being conformed... molded, into the image… nature, of God’s Son, sharing inwardly His nature. This is progressive transformation, the normal Christian life.

I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

I DIE DAILY

PROGRESSIVE TRANSFORMATION

(1 Jn. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 15:31; Matt. 5:48)