Hearing and Confessing

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:19-25)

"But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, 'Do not say in your heart, '''Who will ascend into heaven?'''(that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, '''Who will descend into the abyss?'''(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:6-10)

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(Romans 10:17)

Part of doing the word, after having heard, is to confess it. Confessing the Lord Jesus, in obedience to the word, awakens, reminds, and quickens those who are willing to persevere in His calling. He is our hope and His life our confession: from the new birth through to our bearing our cross, following Him. The word of faith in Christ Jesus!

What Faith Is Now

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."

"By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:1-7)

Certainly, faith is an empowering understanding which turns us to God. The chapter is filled with testimony of those received it.

"And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did 

not receive the promise, God having provided something BETTER for us, that they should not be made PERFECT apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those mentioned in Chapter 11), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 11:39-12:2)

A good testimony becomes better ("perfect") in the name of Jesus Christ; through faith in Him, believing. Those who seek Him will receive every empowering understanding.

As It Is Fitting (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, AS IT IS FITTING, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgement (discernment) of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because OUR testimony among you was believed.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would COUNT YOU WORTHY of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

We are passing through a season through which some of our clothes fit differently. :) But let me ask you, brethren, how these words from Paul to the church of the Thessalonians are fitting you?

John writes, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask (contextually, according to His will), we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14,15)

This devoted church has been recognized by Paul and is held up as an example to the other churches. Clearly, they are "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ", although the garment of His salvation may become loose or tight according to our approach in devotion. If we will ask according to His will, He hears and tailors!

Fulfilling the Word of God

Colossians 1:19-29, 2:1-3

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of the cross."

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight---if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily."

"For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 

BY the gospel of Jesus Christ, the will of God, Paul became a minister. BY understanding and "fill (ing) up in his flesh the afflictions of Christ, Paul became a minister according to the stewardship from God to fulfill His word.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Paul mentions preaching Christ so that we may present every man "perfect in Christ Jesus". The Lord says His strength is "made perfect in weakness". Attain to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God. The Lord knows how to reconcile all things to Himself: He MADE peace through the blood of the cross!

Sinners Resist and Reject Him

"So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, 'Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.' He answered and said, 'Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.' Then they said to Him again, 'What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?' He answered them, 'I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?' "

"Then they reviled him and said, 'You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.' The man answered and said to them, 'Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.' They answered and said to him, 'You were completely born in sins, and you are teaching us?' And they cast him out." (Excommunicated him)

"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son of God?' He answered and said, 'Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?' And Jesus said to him, 'You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.' Then he said, 'Lord, I believe!' And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, 'For judgement I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.' Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, 'Are we blind also?' Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.' "(John 9:24-41)

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to those who call upon Him. For 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "(Romans 10:12,13)

Recognize the difference in approach between he who was blind, and those who "see". At His commands, he who was blind was willing to obey. Those who thought they could see resisted and rejected Him. At every turn toward His words, sinners are being made righteous as they practice righteousness!

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14,15)

Above All Things

"The Elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I wish ABOVE ALL THINGS that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." (3 John v.1-4, KJV)

"...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far ABOVE all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put ALL THINGS UNDER His feet, and gave Him to be head OVER ALL THINGS to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:19-23, NKJV)

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up IN ALL THINGS into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."(Ephesians 4:11-16, NKJV)

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, not things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:35-39, NKJV)

Conquerors, in this context, receive the understanding of these things, grow up in these things, prosper in these things, and ultimately are found above these things, in Christ Jesus, glorifying God. They will not be separated from His love.

A Sign from Heaven

"Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, 'When it is evening you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red"; and in the morning, "It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening." Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.' And He left them and departed."
(Matthew 16:1-4)

"This is He who came by water and blood---Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. AND THERE ARE THREE THAT BEAR WITNESS ON EARTH: THE SPIRIT, THE WATER, AND THE BLOOD; AND THESE THREE AGREE AS ONE. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

(1 John 5:6-11)

"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief 
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.' 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.' " (Matthew 16:21-25)

Peter might as well have said, 'Far be it from me, Lord; I don't want this to happen to me.'  Of course, Peter did not retain that sentiment. Neither will anyone who has the witness of God's Son in himself!