Raised To Preside And Fill

Ephesians 1:15-23; 11,12

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may (may be able to?) give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 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, 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."


We can see what the Most High has in mind for those who have faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints: with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, those might have enlightened understanding regarding His calling for this life, His glorified inheritance toward us, His power to resurrect. This truth is available to all BELIEVERS. But, what the Father gave specifically to Jesus will not be available to another: Head over ALL things to the church. The good news is that Jesus, the head over all things to the church, has a resurrected place for each believer. It appears that Jesus was not given His place by the Father UNTIL He laid His life down for friends.


"In Him, also, we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."


Ask the Lord to increase your faith in Him and love for all the saints. He will show you how to prepare, gird yourself and serve, in Him!

 

You can reach the writer of this blog at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com

The Law As Tutor (As The Backboard Helps the Shooter)

Please Read Galatians 3:19-25

 

"What purpose then does the law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept (confined) for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor (in a household, the guardian responsible for the care and discipline of the children) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor".


The promise is the availability of everlasting life, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus to/in those who believe. Faith is the understanding (like the inherent knowledge within that we must eat to live. Babies even, while understanding little else, know that they are hungry) that Jesus Christ is, and accompanied by the works of that understanding (if we are willing to obey His inspiration), Jesus Christ builds His church, and the gates of Hell shall NOT prevail against what He is able to build in us, individually and as a body.


The game of basketball, most people know, is played on a rectangular "court". The goals are anchored to a backboard - a solid, hard surface that assists in shot-making and also keeps errant shots from rolling far away from the GOAL. Young players are directed to "use the backboard" for their shots. As players develop, they use the backboard less and at the highest levels of play, the backboard is used in a small percentage of shots taken - the players have become proficient in scoring the ball WITHOUT the backboard. The coaches hardly bother to recommend it.


The Galatian church had become tempted to go back to the backboard, the tutor, as the scripture describes. But, the tutor had been made obsolete by the indwelling of the Righteous One- Christ in us, the hope of glory!


Paul asks them, "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:2) "Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:5)


God has manifested Himself to man through supernatural occurrence from the beginning; from the initiation of the writing of His Book to the finishing of the same. Only don't be tempted to go back to what was the tutor and try to find or experience Him. The new wine comes from Jesus' words in the gospels and the words He inspired through man.


The Galatian church was a new testament church in every regard yet they were tempted, probably by peer pressure from the Jewish people who were against Jesus as the Christ, to make themselves more like those who were being tutored according to the law. You see, life would be easier for them without the gnashing teeth of unbelievers. This exercise exposed the Galatian's will and, ultimately, the correction by Paul. There was an assault by satan-inspired thieves to steal what the Holy Spirit brings - a life of victory in Christ Jesus.

You can write to the author of this study at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com

Not Unqualified, Disqualified.

2 Corinthians 13:1-6

"This will be the third time I am coming to you. 'By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established'. I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare - since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are DISQUALIFIED. But I trust that you will know that WE ARE NOT disqualified."

The image comes to me of a track meet - specifically the 100 meter dash. The participants have lined up and are ready to go, so they presume. They have been evaluated and found to be competitive. The starter informs them to take their mark. One or more of the participants jumps out early, trying to gain an edge on the others. That (those) runners have accomplished a false start and are disqualified by the track and field rules. They may not compete for the prize. Those who started falsely weren't UNQUALIFIED but were DISQUALIFIED.

I perceive admonishment in Paul's third approach to the church at Corinth. They seek proof of Christ speaking in him who is not weak toward them but mighty in them. Paul informs them that Christ was crucified in weakness yet lives by the power of God. Paul says the same is true in/for him and, by extension for Christians IF they are willing to allow it. He beseeches them to examine themselves as to whether they are in the faith; to remember that Jesus Christ is in them. To have to be reminded that Jesus Christ is in you might mean that you are not weak in Him but strong to yourself! Your carnal approach to this life in Christ dominates. Truly the Corinthian church had been qualified - born again from above by the Holy Spirit! Yet in that Spiritual empowerment they were DECIDING to ignore Paul's admonishments that represented our God's attempt to bring them stronger meat.

The apostle Paul informs that the Corinthian church should know that he (and those with him) are not disqualified. He is concerned that they (CC) will not stand the test.

 

You can reach the writer of this blog at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com

Transforming Themselves

Read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; John 10:1,2,12


"But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which we boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."

The context of this passage of scripture indicates what Paul, in Christ Jesus, was willing to do for the Corinthian church to break them free from their carnality. He was acting as a minister of transformation, compelled by THE minister of transformation, Jesus Christ.

"Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters BY THE DOOR IS THE SHEPHERD of the sheep." Jesus goes on to say that He is the door of the sheep. He says that a hireling, who is not the shepherd (or not sent out from the Shepherd, like Paul) abandons the sheep when trouble comes. Paul didn't abandon the sheep in Corinth - instead he laid his life down for them, just like his Master did for all men.

How did Paul go from one who persecuted believers to one who laid down his life for the sheep? He turned over his reign of his life to Jesus Christ. He trusted Him as He transformed him. In all his ways he acknowledged the King of Righteousness. False apostles were presenting themselves to the Corinthian church. They had a form of godliness but lacked the power thereof. They transformed themselves, and presented themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end, Paul said, would be "according to their works". Beware of these, Jesus said (Matthew 7:15,16), as they come in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. He said we will know them by their fruits! Ministers who transform themselves inevitably produce after their own kind- fruitless or relatively unfruitful disciples!

We are individually unable to transform ourselves. It must be in and through Him. As we allow Him, he replaces selfish carnality with selfless spirituality. Transformation in/through Him produces fruit that His creation has been designed to partake of.

Open Your Hearts To Us

 Read 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+7&version=ESV

"Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one."

"I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation."

"Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you may suffer loss from us in nothing, for godly sorrow produces REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: WHAT DILIGENCE IT PRODUCED IN YOU, WHAT CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, WHAT INDIGNATION, WHAT FEAR, WHAT VEHEMENT DESIRE, WHAT ZEAL, WHAT VINDICATION! In all things you proved YOURSELVES TO BE CLEAR in this matter."

"Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.............and his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything (or every thing)."

"Finally, brethren, farewell. BECOME COMPLETE. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and to the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11)

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The Corinthian church, referenced in Paul's first letter, was UNABLE to accept the meat of the word of God. If it did come, they would throw it up just as a baby would adult food. Adult food requires chewing- you have to work at it! The meat of God's word requires attention, and, even more than that, a clearing of yourself to make room for it. Milk is much easier for the self-fulfilled soul to accept.

In this study, Paul is commending the Corinthian church for their willingness to come to a place where completion may commence. Affliction applied produces the opportunity for repentance leading to salvation. So what did the Corinthian church do to take the path to completion rather than carnality? In the affliction - or godly sorrow - they received Titus, and what he had to minister to them, with fear and trembling. They began to open their hearts to those who were in a position to assist them!

The writer of this blog can be reached at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com.

Being Saved, Being Transformed

2 Corinthians 2:14-16; 3:18

 

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are BEING SAVED and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life LEADING to life."


"But we all, with unveiled face (having turned to the Lord; having made a definitive decision to receive the Father's salvation through Him), beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are BEING TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."


When I was accepted into Texas Chiropractic College, having met that institution's REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION, I began matriculation through its curriculum. In retrospect, I knew little about the profession and even less about the school. Through their ACCREDITED curriculum, I heard what they had to offer with regard to that discipline. Upon graduation, I would have told you that I was ready to practice what I had learned. Honestly, at the time of the last professional adjustment delivered, after 19 years in practice, I understood that I was still learning how to correctly administer the discipline; how to perform in such a way as to do no harm to the patient, insurance carriers etc. Without question, the Most High was the Rock behind that understanding. My education, formal and in private practice, TRANSFORMED me from one who, even AFTER acceptance, was immature and unwise in all things in chiropractic to the image of what the public would want from a professional: to help and do no harm.


To many in Christianity, the example of my professional education and practice parallels their experiences, particularly in Christ. The truth is this: the transformation from glory to glory is as real as the home builder who lays a foundation and builds one component at a time. Jesus Christ, the Bread that came down from heaven and still comes by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, builds "line upon line and precept upon precept." Those "lines and precepts" pierce even "between soul and spirit." After the piercing, the same lines and precepts heal, and we come to know Him just as we are already known!

You can reach the writer of this blog at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com.

Tribulation And Consolation For The Sake Of Others

 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation WHICH IS EFFECTIVE FOR ENDURING THE SAME SUFFERINGS WHICH WE ALSO SUFFER. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that AS YOU ARE PARTAKERS OF THE SUFFERINGS, SO ALSO YOU WILL PARTAKE OF THE CONSOLATION.


consolation- the act of consoling (Webster's)
console- to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow or disappointment of (Webster's)


"We are joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may ALSO be glorified together (with Him)."
(Romans 8:17)


"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
(Hebrews 12:1)


Who is it that can adequately explain the sufferings of Christ to us? Or the consolation? What form will the sufferings of Christ take? Certainly we know there will be enemies that curse, hate, spitefully use and persecute. Weakness and sickness come, even death if we partake unworthily of communion with Him. He consoles by revealing Himself through the Holy Spirit alleviating the grief, sorrow and disappointment of the soul that knows Him only in part.


As the sufferings of Christ come, documented in the lives of Job, Peter and Paul, so also the consolation abounds through Christ. It is imperative that we, who are being saved, understand how important this process is for our brothers/sisters to see in us. We must be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we are comforted by God. The consolation or comfort goes hand in hand with the willingness to submit to Him. All are suffering, whether they know it or not. Most are suffering apart from Him, few with Him. Paul writes that he HOPES that we will be willing to partake of the Christ's consolation.

The writer of this blog can be reached at  ngm0811gdh@gmail.com.