Victory in the Evil Day # 1
I am constantly receiving correspondence stressing the evil of the days in which we live. Ought we to be surprised that the days are evil? Are we not living in a dispensation when satan is yet the 'god of this world'? Has he ever proved to be the author of anything but evil? The important thing surely is that the Scriptures never disguise the fact that the days are evil, but insist that the Church is invested with power to stand unshaken in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13). We shall do well, therefore, to remind ourselves of two supremely important facts. In the first place, the root cause of the evil around us is the ceaseless activity of "the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). In the second place, we may, if we will, be armed with the complete armor of God, which ensures complete and overwhelming victory. I propose to examine the armor provided for us, because through each piece there is unveiled to us the lines of attack by which the forces of evil plan to render us impotent.
First - truth. The rank and file of the Church today are impotent because they are almost unarmed as far as a strong personal grasp even of the basic truths of the Christian faith are concerned. Our failure to grasp the fact that the Spirit has indeed been given to lead us as individuals into all truth,and that He can reveal all we need direct to us through Scripture, has played right into satan's hands. Jonathan Goforth telling of the transformation of his whole Christian service,and God's leading into days of revival and triumph for the Gospel in China, wrote, "Restless and discontented, I was led to a more intensive study of the Scriptures. This desperate agonizing after the truth of the power of the Holy Spirit brought him to the place of liberty and effective service. If we are to triumph it will never be through the cheap, shallow aids to Bible study, which are provided for our spoon-feeding today, the cliches, the attractive alliterations, etc. All these minister to the fleshly mind, and are as easily forgotten as they are assimilated. The wisdom of Solomon still has a call for each one of us, "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that these incline thine heart unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. Yes, if thou criest after knowledge,and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of His mouth cometh understanding ..." (Proverbs 2:1-6).
The modern fallacies of security and provision of need without personal effort and sacrifice are eating into the care of the Church's thinking; leaving her deploring the evil about her, but utterly unable to cope with it. We seem to prefer to take the line of least resistance, to listen, to enjoy or to criticize but we do not stir ourselves to search for the treasure which the Spirit of Truth is waiting to show us, because that search demands time and labor.
Next - righteousness. The history of revivals has always been the story of sin put right; and a powerful Church is always a purged Church with a tender conscience. But we must remember that even the confession and pardon of sins against God and man, although absolutely vital as a first step to victory, is not the whole story. Righteousness is a very positive word, and Christian righteousness is no less a thing than the "the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith" (Romans 1:17). Even among Christians there is a strong tendency to judge questions of sin and righteousness from purely human standards. And yet Jesus told His disciples, "I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20); and a Christian is described in Romans 8:4 as one in whom "the righteousness of the law" (God's law) is to be fulfilled. satan has managed to obscure this issue, and we must face the fact that if the Church is to prevail against him it will only be when, as John Wesley says, "We so preach faith in Christ as not to supersede, but produce holiness; to produce all manner of holiness, negative and positive, of the heart and of the life." The days will remain evil without relief, and satan unnecessarily powerful until the Church will permit God the Holy Spirit to sit as judge, and unveil sin as it is visible to the eyes of God. To quote Goforth once again, "Let us not delude ourselves by thinking that all is well with our old established Churches at home. It is sin in individual Church members, whether at home or on the foreign field, which grieves and quenches the Holy Spirit." A letter recently received from a missionary says, "The Lord had to convict me of my shut mouth, and that had to be put right openly. The hindrance out of the way new light began to dawn from the Word itself ... new light about our death with Christ, and the need of abiding in it if we are to abide in "life" at all. Here is s soul being liberated for victory and revival, and invested with the breastplate of righteousness. She passed from repentance, and confession to an understanding of her place as dead to sin, but alive as a partaker of God's righteousness.
~Jessie Penn-Lewis~
(continued with # 2)
A Proliferation of Christian Devotionals and Sermons
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
The Power of Weakness
[Bible quotes are taken from the Conybeare Translation, an early translation taken from the original Greek and Hebrew words in the Bible]
The Power of Weakness
One of the most difficult lessons that the Christian, who is seeking to 'go all the way with God', has to learn is the power of weakness, the glory of being placed in positions where he can do literally nothing, and when perhaps even God seems silent. Yet it is probably just here that the greatest victories are won, and the greatest work accomplished for the salvation of souls. I have had great help along this line from the accounts given in the gospels of the arrest of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane. Matthew's account contains the significant question, "Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?' (Matthew 26:53).
Why was that prayer never uttered? Because His Father had revealed to Jesus that only through Calvary could salvation be secured for a lost world. He had accepted this fact with all His heart, therefore He could neither call upon the armies of heaven, nor descend from the Cross when taunted by His enemies, and His weakness' constituted the mightiest power the world has ever known.
How far does the Church of Christ stand in a similar position today? How far have we violated the law of the Cross in recent years, and counted mainly upon our organizations,societies, meetings,conferences, written propaganda,and such like? How far have we in this way given satan the opportunity to weaken our witness, and nullify its effectiveness?
Is it not possible that God is today answering the cry of so many of His people for a movement of the Holy Spirit, by stripping the Church of all that she considers to be her equipment and armaments for conflict? Perhaps in this way only can He make her helpless enough to be mighty.
But let us bring things right down to the individual. After all, the one factor that, ever since Calvary, has been effective in overcoming the devil's plans to blot out the witness of the gospel has been the individual life brought into living union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Am I as an individual prepared to share the suffering of a distracted world, leaving myself in the hands of God, and not trying to insist on the appearance of the 'legions of angels' on my behalf? Can I, if necessary, leave my pulpit, my study, my routine, my quiet life of ordered service, and die to all these things that I may get next to the man or woman who is driven here and there by the stress of modern life, and perhaps even facing the disruption of all that seems to make this life worth living? Can I forget my own needs in the great, burning, overwhelming purpose to be God's instrument for the salvation of others?
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who made Himself of no reputation ... and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross" (Philippians 2:5-8), wrote Paul, who could also say, "Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft ..." (2 Corinthians 11:23, 28). The conversation of Paul was picked out by the first Lord of Birkenhead as one of the 'turning points of history. The apostle had learned the lesson of power through weakness; and if the Church of Christ is to be an instrument in the hand of God to bring about another 'turning point of history' you and I will also need to learn this lesson.
Now shall we turn to Mark's vivid account? "And Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves to take me? I was daily with you in the Temple teaching, and ye took me not; but the scriptures must be fulfilled.' And they all forsook Him and fled" (Mark 14:48-50).
How wonderfully God was working to program. How quietly He, Who 'knows the end from the beginning,' was bringing His gracious purposes to fruitian. He also has His program for His Church today. The earthly ministry of His Son was carried through under His Own eye, and with the protection of all the powers of Heaven, until Calvary. Then the protection was removed. But even so, all that happened, happened by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God". The ministry of the Church is also prepared beforehand by God (Ephesians 2:10). If, according to His purpose, we too must face our Calvary, what shall we say? Human nature neither understands nor can it face the Cross. His closest followers, not as yet endued with power by God the Holy Spirit, all forsook Him and fled. There are differing ideas among Christians as to what constitutes "the fullness of the Spirit", some of them strange and unbalanced. Of one thing we may be taught, guided, and enabled to walk the way of the Cross. If "He, through the Eternal Spirit, offered Himself" (Hebrews 9:14), we too shall offer ourselves when the same Spirit fills us. It will not then make any odds if our protection is removed, and we find ourselves utterly alone for the sake of the salvation of others. The Holy Spirit Who is aiming to conform us to the image of Christ will, if we are willing, finish the work He has begun.
Luke adds a striking detail not given by the other Evangelists. He leaves on record that Jesus said to the officers who arrested Him, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness" Luke 22:53. He has just, by an act of sovereign mercy, healed the ear of Malchus, cut off in the impetuous attack of Simon Peter. Now He calmly faces the awful unleashing of satanic powers against Himself, accepting by faith as well the present position as the assured triumph to follow. The story of Job shows clearly that it is God Who sets the limit to the extent of the devil's activities and power. He may go to the very last inch of the bounds permitted to him BUT he may not pass them. From the human angle the Cross SEEMED complete. But "the weakness of God is stronger than men" or demons, and by the power of weakness having "spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (in the Cross) (Colossians 2:15).
Centuries have passed since then. Today the Church of Christ stands at a place where her power and influence seem to have ebbed almost away. Even the civilization that her triumphs wan for the nations seems to be in the process of violent disintegration. Such a situation provokes many questions. How will it all end? Will God grant a great revival? Is the coming of the Lord really imminent? And so on. Perhaps the real battleground is our heart attitude as Christians. There is a verse of a hymn I often find myself humming in these days.
Jesus triumphant: when in work for Thee
Sad and disheartened no result we see:
When gathered force of evil seems to win,
And work for God seems lost in work of sin.
Can I stand firm and unafraid, facing the enemy; not pretending he is not there, nor becoming so occupied with him that his might fills my whole horizon? Can I say, "This is your hour,and the power of darkness, BUT the conflict does not end here. Victory is with the Lion of the tribe of Judah. There will be countless souls delivered from you now, in our day and generation, and soon you will finally and for ever be bruised under our feet"? Surely you and I can afford to be radiantly triumphant. God is teaching us to use the power of weakness, and once we learn to wield it aright, we shall be moving on towards a mightier triumph than we can well realize.
Last comes John's version! Here we find the majesty of almighty Kingship mysteriously interwoven with obedient Sonship. "Whom seek ye?" Jesus asks His captors. "Jesus of Nazareth," comes the reply. "I AM", declares the One Who is indeed "God of God, Very God of Very God", and "They went backward, and fell to the ground". He thought it not robbery to be equal with God", and we, too, if we are His, are "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ". We can and should rejoice greatly in such a relationship with the Living God; and there will be times when men will have to recognize the reality of that relationship. This manifestation of deity was soon followed, however, by the rebuke to Peter, "Put up thy sword into the sheath, the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11).
What a wealth of love lies behind this question! The Father had put a cup into the hand of His dearly loved Son. That cup was bitter, full to the brim with a world's sin and woe, but it came from the Father's hand. That made all the difference. Since that was so it could be drunk without fear or doubt. The Father's purposes were bound to end in untold blessing. "His way is perfect". Fallen human nature might have fretted and fought to be free from the suffering and darkness that lay ahead, but He would not attempt to save Himself. He loved the Father too greatly for that.
Do you not think that the Father covets our love too? That He values it more than all our knowledge and activities in Christian work? "Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:7-8). Does not God plan every detail of the lives of those who yield themselves to Him? If He grants us peaceful surroundings, religious freedom, and useful spheres of service, do we not praise Him for His goodness to us? If he permits us to be placed in circumstances of strife, persecution, or seeming lack of opportunity for Christian work, what shall we say?
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So shall I choose aright
Take Thou my cup and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.
This is no passive attitude, but one of active ambition to see the pleasure of the Lord prospering in His hand under any and every circumstance. A radiant spirit, thoughtful for Him and others, is of priceless worth in these days. Such a spirit will always triumph. It will have learned the central lesson of Christian service, the power of weakness, the way of the Cross.
~Jessie Penn-Lewis~
(The End)
The Power of Weakness
One of the most difficult lessons that the Christian, who is seeking to 'go all the way with God', has to learn is the power of weakness, the glory of being placed in positions where he can do literally nothing, and when perhaps even God seems silent. Yet it is probably just here that the greatest victories are won, and the greatest work accomplished for the salvation of souls. I have had great help along this line from the accounts given in the gospels of the arrest of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane. Matthew's account contains the significant question, "Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?' (Matthew 26:53).
Why was that prayer never uttered? Because His Father had revealed to Jesus that only through Calvary could salvation be secured for a lost world. He had accepted this fact with all His heart, therefore He could neither call upon the armies of heaven, nor descend from the Cross when taunted by His enemies, and His weakness' constituted the mightiest power the world has ever known.
How far does the Church of Christ stand in a similar position today? How far have we violated the law of the Cross in recent years, and counted mainly upon our organizations,societies, meetings,conferences, written propaganda,and such like? How far have we in this way given satan the opportunity to weaken our witness, and nullify its effectiveness?
Is it not possible that God is today answering the cry of so many of His people for a movement of the Holy Spirit, by stripping the Church of all that she considers to be her equipment and armaments for conflict? Perhaps in this way only can He make her helpless enough to be mighty.
But let us bring things right down to the individual. After all, the one factor that, ever since Calvary, has been effective in overcoming the devil's plans to blot out the witness of the gospel has been the individual life brought into living union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Am I as an individual prepared to share the suffering of a distracted world, leaving myself in the hands of God, and not trying to insist on the appearance of the 'legions of angels' on my behalf? Can I, if necessary, leave my pulpit, my study, my routine, my quiet life of ordered service, and die to all these things that I may get next to the man or woman who is driven here and there by the stress of modern life, and perhaps even facing the disruption of all that seems to make this life worth living? Can I forget my own needs in the great, burning, overwhelming purpose to be God's instrument for the salvation of others?
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who made Himself of no reputation ... and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross" (Philippians 2:5-8), wrote Paul, who could also say, "Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft ..." (2 Corinthians 11:23, 28). The conversation of Paul was picked out by the first Lord of Birkenhead as one of the 'turning points of history. The apostle had learned the lesson of power through weakness; and if the Church of Christ is to be an instrument in the hand of God to bring about another 'turning point of history' you and I will also need to learn this lesson.
Now shall we turn to Mark's vivid account? "And Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves to take me? I was daily with you in the Temple teaching, and ye took me not; but the scriptures must be fulfilled.' And they all forsook Him and fled" (Mark 14:48-50).
How wonderfully God was working to program. How quietly He, Who 'knows the end from the beginning,' was bringing His gracious purposes to fruitian. He also has His program for His Church today. The earthly ministry of His Son was carried through under His Own eye, and with the protection of all the powers of Heaven, until Calvary. Then the protection was removed. But even so, all that happened, happened by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God". The ministry of the Church is also prepared beforehand by God (Ephesians 2:10). If, according to His purpose, we too must face our Calvary, what shall we say? Human nature neither understands nor can it face the Cross. His closest followers, not as yet endued with power by God the Holy Spirit, all forsook Him and fled. There are differing ideas among Christians as to what constitutes "the fullness of the Spirit", some of them strange and unbalanced. Of one thing we may be taught, guided, and enabled to walk the way of the Cross. If "He, through the Eternal Spirit, offered Himself" (Hebrews 9:14), we too shall offer ourselves when the same Spirit fills us. It will not then make any odds if our protection is removed, and we find ourselves utterly alone for the sake of the salvation of others. The Holy Spirit Who is aiming to conform us to the image of Christ will, if we are willing, finish the work He has begun.
Luke adds a striking detail not given by the other Evangelists. He leaves on record that Jesus said to the officers who arrested Him, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness" Luke 22:53. He has just, by an act of sovereign mercy, healed the ear of Malchus, cut off in the impetuous attack of Simon Peter. Now He calmly faces the awful unleashing of satanic powers against Himself, accepting by faith as well the present position as the assured triumph to follow. The story of Job shows clearly that it is God Who sets the limit to the extent of the devil's activities and power. He may go to the very last inch of the bounds permitted to him BUT he may not pass them. From the human angle the Cross SEEMED complete. But "the weakness of God is stronger than men" or demons, and by the power of weakness having "spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (in the Cross) (Colossians 2:15).
Centuries have passed since then. Today the Church of Christ stands at a place where her power and influence seem to have ebbed almost away. Even the civilization that her triumphs wan for the nations seems to be in the process of violent disintegration. Such a situation provokes many questions. How will it all end? Will God grant a great revival? Is the coming of the Lord really imminent? And so on. Perhaps the real battleground is our heart attitude as Christians. There is a verse of a hymn I often find myself humming in these days.
Jesus triumphant: when in work for Thee
Sad and disheartened no result we see:
When gathered force of evil seems to win,
And work for God seems lost in work of sin.
Can I stand firm and unafraid, facing the enemy; not pretending he is not there, nor becoming so occupied with him that his might fills my whole horizon? Can I say, "This is your hour,and the power of darkness, BUT the conflict does not end here. Victory is with the Lion of the tribe of Judah. There will be countless souls delivered from you now, in our day and generation, and soon you will finally and for ever be bruised under our feet"? Surely you and I can afford to be radiantly triumphant. God is teaching us to use the power of weakness, and once we learn to wield it aright, we shall be moving on towards a mightier triumph than we can well realize.
Last comes John's version! Here we find the majesty of almighty Kingship mysteriously interwoven with obedient Sonship. "Whom seek ye?" Jesus asks His captors. "Jesus of Nazareth," comes the reply. "I AM", declares the One Who is indeed "God of God, Very God of Very God", and "They went backward, and fell to the ground". He thought it not robbery to be equal with God", and we, too, if we are His, are "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ". We can and should rejoice greatly in such a relationship with the Living God; and there will be times when men will have to recognize the reality of that relationship. This manifestation of deity was soon followed, however, by the rebuke to Peter, "Put up thy sword into the sheath, the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11).
What a wealth of love lies behind this question! The Father had put a cup into the hand of His dearly loved Son. That cup was bitter, full to the brim with a world's sin and woe, but it came from the Father's hand. That made all the difference. Since that was so it could be drunk without fear or doubt. The Father's purposes were bound to end in untold blessing. "His way is perfect". Fallen human nature might have fretted and fought to be free from the suffering and darkness that lay ahead, but He would not attempt to save Himself. He loved the Father too greatly for that.
Do you not think that the Father covets our love too? That He values it more than all our knowledge and activities in Christian work? "Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:7-8). Does not God plan every detail of the lives of those who yield themselves to Him? If He grants us peaceful surroundings, religious freedom, and useful spheres of service, do we not praise Him for His goodness to us? If he permits us to be placed in circumstances of strife, persecution, or seeming lack of opportunity for Christian work, what shall we say?
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So shall I choose aright
Take Thou my cup and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.
This is no passive attitude, but one of active ambition to see the pleasure of the Lord prospering in His hand under any and every circumstance. A radiant spirit, thoughtful for Him and others, is of priceless worth in these days. Such a spirit will always triumph. It will have learned the central lesson of Christian service, the power of weakness, the way of the Cross.
~Jessie Penn-Lewis~
(The End)
Friday, December 16, 2016
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 5
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 5
Many Bible commentators note her connection with Rome because of the seven mountains on which she sits (Rome was famous for its location upon seven hills), as well as her dominance at the time of John's revelation (Rev. 17:9, 18). However, this false religious system, although manifested in the Roman Catholic Church, is not limited to that system. The great harlot is called "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth." (Rev. 17:5). This harlot is the mother of all false and idolatrous religion. Portrayed in Revelation 17 in her consummate form at the end of this age, she includes outward Christendom.
This great harlot has fornication with the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:2). The Roman emperor Constantine the Great united his worldly empire with the emerging Romans Catholic Church. He presided over the first ecumenical council at Nicea in 325 A. D. This illicit union (the fornication" with the kings) continued later under the Holy Roman Empire, which began when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor in 800 A. D. The mixing of the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church with the affairs of the Holy Roman Empire continued for centuries. The fornication of this harlot is simply her communion with the world, its rulers and its ways. This harlot as a religious system is not a chaste virgin for Christ, as the church in its reality is (2 Cor. 11:2), but she is a harlot in union with this world system.
The product of the harlot's illicit union with the world is "the wine of her fornication." This wine is the intoxicating influence of the mixture of this religious system. The mixed system does not try to sort out the things of God from those not of God. It mixes them all together into one confusing mass. This mixture influences all people on the earth in the realm of religion. All people, including genuine Christians, are put into a stupor, being unable to discern the pure truth concerning knowing, serving and following God. They are influenced by the teachings, and the natural and worldly philosophies, ways and practises of this religious system, Babylon. As a result, people cannot distinguish between the holy and the unholy.
Significantly, Jesus prophesied this very mixture within Christendom: "And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Luke 13:20-21). Jesus was here describing that aspect of the kingdom of God which would be the outward appearance of God's kingdom, not the kingdom viewed in its spiritual reality. Leaven always represents some evil in the Bible. In Matt. 16:11-12 it speaks of false doctrines. In Luke 12:1 Jesus said plainly that the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy. Paul pointed out that the leaven of sin in the Corinthians assembly would contaminate the whole assembly if tolerated (1 Cor.5:1-8). He also warned that legalistic doctrines were leaven (Gal. 5:9). So, in this prophetic parable in Luke 13 Jesus was indicating that various evils would be so mixed with the meal (representing the purity of Christ; Lev. 2:1-3), that the whole system would be corrupted by the mixture. Note that a woman is said to have caused this mixture. This figure of an evil woman corrupting God's church is seen twice in Revelation (Rev. 2:20; 17:1-6).
Christendom today contains much mixture of the holy and the unholy. Consider some of the mixtures: believers are mixed with unbelievers; man made traditions are mixed with the word of God; truth is mixed with error; entertainment is mixed with worship and church activities; worldly promotion is mixed with evangelism and service; business is mixed with ministry; human organization is mixed with the body life; psychology is mixed with preaching and counseling. Of course, the most basic problem is that the energy of man's flesh is mixed with the Spirit of God. Most appallingly, the great majority of believers and "leaders" do not sense the mixture at all. They are drunk with the wine of Babylon. They have no discernment between the holy and the unholy.
The Call to the Genuine Priesthood
God desires believers to be New Testament priests,serving Him in His house, the church, and building up the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Cor. 14:12, 26). Yet, He surely wants us to discern the difference between the holy things and the unholy things in our work of building up.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it... How if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. (1 Cor. 3:10-13).
God desires us, His people and His servants, to affirm and embrace the holy things in our worship and service to Him. He most certainly wants us to reject the unholy things - all the ways, practises, traditions, doctrines and philosophies that come from men or this world system.
God is indeed calling His people to come out of this mixture. "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her (Babylon), my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Rev. 18:4-5)
For us to fulfill this priestly calling necessitates that we be spiritually sober, as well as willing to pay the price of discipleship. We need to acknowledge the influence that the great harlot, Mystery Babylon, can have over believers, even us, with her stupefying mixture. Then, we must be willing to repent of any unholy thing that we have allowed in our Christian practice. We must seek the Lord's light and test everything we do by the word of God. The word of God must become supreme for us. We must submit to it and be willing to cast aside any tradition that contradicts it. If we do this, God will use us to build His church in spiritual reality, not in the appearance of outward glamour, numbers, fame and success. Your path may be lonely at times, for few will travel the narrow way of strict obedience (Matt. 7:13-14). Be assured that when you follow the Lord in building this way you will be misunderstood and perhaps rejected by those who practice the way of mixture. This is to be expected as a disciple of Jesus. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12). Rejection and persecution may even come from our brothers in Christ.
A key verse concerning our effectiveness in building up God's house is found in Isaiah:
"Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build for Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand was made, and all those things exist," says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word." (Isaiah 66:1-2).
To be poor means that we realize we are destitute of resources within ourselves to do anything for God. One who is "poor" is inwardly reaching out to God for His supply of grace for every step and every task. To be contrite means that we are sorrowful over anything that might offend a holy God.
God will look upon us, and God will use us to build His house, if we humble ourselves before Him with a contrite spirit and honor His word in obedience. Recall that the holy things of tabernacle were holy because of two factors: 1. they were in God's tabernacle for service because He had so ordered them by His word; and (2) they were anointed with oil, symbolizing the presence of God's Spirit. We can be holy priests unto God, discerning and choosing only the holy things, by these same two factors. First, we ourselves need God's Spirit, His anointing, to be holy. His anointing Spirit comes to us when we are inwardly poor and have a contrite spirit before Him. Take note of the following beautiful verse in the Amplified version:
"For thus says the high and lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent - bruised with sorrow for sin. (Isaiah 57:15)
Then, secondly, we need the greatest reverence for the word of God in our ministry unto Him. We need an ear to hear what the word says and how it applies to our situation. Then, we need to faithfully follow His word, regardless of how different our actions are from those of others.
Finally, let us be always mindful that Christ will evaluate how we build the church on that coming day when we appear before Him at His Judgment Seat (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, let us reject service unto Him in the way of mixture as this way profanes the Lord and dishonors Him. Let us pursue building up the church only in the way of holiness, so that He will be glorified in our midst. If we serve the Lord Jesus in this way, then we will be rewarded on that day with His commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matt. 25:21).
~Tom Finley~
(The End)
____________________________
As a reminder: things that are unholy:
Idolatry, blasphemy, taking the name of God in vain, profanity, false preaching, murder, homosexual relations, adultery, deceit, lying, anger, theft, hatred, strife, drunkenness, pride, evil thoughts, ultimate rejection of Christ Jesus.
Many Bible commentators note her connection with Rome because of the seven mountains on which she sits (Rome was famous for its location upon seven hills), as well as her dominance at the time of John's revelation (Rev. 17:9, 18). However, this false religious system, although manifested in the Roman Catholic Church, is not limited to that system. The great harlot is called "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth." (Rev. 17:5). This harlot is the mother of all false and idolatrous religion. Portrayed in Revelation 17 in her consummate form at the end of this age, she includes outward Christendom.
This great harlot has fornication with the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:2). The Roman emperor Constantine the Great united his worldly empire with the emerging Romans Catholic Church. He presided over the first ecumenical council at Nicea in 325 A. D. This illicit union (the fornication" with the kings) continued later under the Holy Roman Empire, which began when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor in 800 A. D. The mixing of the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church with the affairs of the Holy Roman Empire continued for centuries. The fornication of this harlot is simply her communion with the world, its rulers and its ways. This harlot as a religious system is not a chaste virgin for Christ, as the church in its reality is (2 Cor. 11:2), but she is a harlot in union with this world system.
The product of the harlot's illicit union with the world is "the wine of her fornication." This wine is the intoxicating influence of the mixture of this religious system. The mixed system does not try to sort out the things of God from those not of God. It mixes them all together into one confusing mass. This mixture influences all people on the earth in the realm of religion. All people, including genuine Christians, are put into a stupor, being unable to discern the pure truth concerning knowing, serving and following God. They are influenced by the teachings, and the natural and worldly philosophies, ways and practises of this religious system, Babylon. As a result, people cannot distinguish between the holy and the unholy.
Significantly, Jesus prophesied this very mixture within Christendom: "And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Luke 13:20-21). Jesus was here describing that aspect of the kingdom of God which would be the outward appearance of God's kingdom, not the kingdom viewed in its spiritual reality. Leaven always represents some evil in the Bible. In Matt. 16:11-12 it speaks of false doctrines. In Luke 12:1 Jesus said plainly that the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy. Paul pointed out that the leaven of sin in the Corinthians assembly would contaminate the whole assembly if tolerated (1 Cor.5:1-8). He also warned that legalistic doctrines were leaven (Gal. 5:9). So, in this prophetic parable in Luke 13 Jesus was indicating that various evils would be so mixed with the meal (representing the purity of Christ; Lev. 2:1-3), that the whole system would be corrupted by the mixture. Note that a woman is said to have caused this mixture. This figure of an evil woman corrupting God's church is seen twice in Revelation (Rev. 2:20; 17:1-6).
Christendom today contains much mixture of the holy and the unholy. Consider some of the mixtures: believers are mixed with unbelievers; man made traditions are mixed with the word of God; truth is mixed with error; entertainment is mixed with worship and church activities; worldly promotion is mixed with evangelism and service; business is mixed with ministry; human organization is mixed with the body life; psychology is mixed with preaching and counseling. Of course, the most basic problem is that the energy of man's flesh is mixed with the Spirit of God. Most appallingly, the great majority of believers and "leaders" do not sense the mixture at all. They are drunk with the wine of Babylon. They have no discernment between the holy and the unholy.
The Call to the Genuine Priesthood
God desires believers to be New Testament priests,serving Him in His house, the church, and building up the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Cor. 14:12, 26). Yet, He surely wants us to discern the difference between the holy things and the unholy things in our work of building up.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it... How if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. (1 Cor. 3:10-13).
God desires us, His people and His servants, to affirm and embrace the holy things in our worship and service to Him. He most certainly wants us to reject the unholy things - all the ways, practises, traditions, doctrines and philosophies that come from men or this world system.
God is indeed calling His people to come out of this mixture. "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her (Babylon), my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Rev. 18:4-5)
For us to fulfill this priestly calling necessitates that we be spiritually sober, as well as willing to pay the price of discipleship. We need to acknowledge the influence that the great harlot, Mystery Babylon, can have over believers, even us, with her stupefying mixture. Then, we must be willing to repent of any unholy thing that we have allowed in our Christian practice. We must seek the Lord's light and test everything we do by the word of God. The word of God must become supreme for us. We must submit to it and be willing to cast aside any tradition that contradicts it. If we do this, God will use us to build His church in spiritual reality, not in the appearance of outward glamour, numbers, fame and success. Your path may be lonely at times, for few will travel the narrow way of strict obedience (Matt. 7:13-14). Be assured that when you follow the Lord in building this way you will be misunderstood and perhaps rejected by those who practice the way of mixture. This is to be expected as a disciple of Jesus. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12). Rejection and persecution may even come from our brothers in Christ.
A key verse concerning our effectiveness in building up God's house is found in Isaiah:
"Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build for Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand was made, and all those things exist," says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word." (Isaiah 66:1-2).
To be poor means that we realize we are destitute of resources within ourselves to do anything for God. One who is "poor" is inwardly reaching out to God for His supply of grace for every step and every task. To be contrite means that we are sorrowful over anything that might offend a holy God.
God will look upon us, and God will use us to build His house, if we humble ourselves before Him with a contrite spirit and honor His word in obedience. Recall that the holy things of tabernacle were holy because of two factors: 1. they were in God's tabernacle for service because He had so ordered them by His word; and (2) they were anointed with oil, symbolizing the presence of God's Spirit. We can be holy priests unto God, discerning and choosing only the holy things, by these same two factors. First, we ourselves need God's Spirit, His anointing, to be holy. His anointing Spirit comes to us when we are inwardly poor and have a contrite spirit before Him. Take note of the following beautiful verse in the Amplified version:
"For thus says the high and lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent - bruised with sorrow for sin. (Isaiah 57:15)
Then, secondly, we need the greatest reverence for the word of God in our ministry unto Him. We need an ear to hear what the word says and how it applies to our situation. Then, we need to faithfully follow His word, regardless of how different our actions are from those of others.
Finally, let us be always mindful that Christ will evaluate how we build the church on that coming day when we appear before Him at His Judgment Seat (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, let us reject service unto Him in the way of mixture as this way profanes the Lord and dishonors Him. Let us pursue building up the church only in the way of holiness, so that He will be glorified in our midst. If we serve the Lord Jesus in this way, then we will be rewarded on that day with His commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matt. 25:21).
~Tom Finley~
(The End)
____________________________
As a reminder: things that are unholy:
Idolatry, blasphemy, taking the name of God in vain, profanity, false preaching, murder, homosexual relations, adultery, deceit, lying, anger, theft, hatred, strife, drunkenness, pride, evil thoughts, ultimate rejection of Christ Jesus.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 4
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 4
Now we turn to the fundamental reason why those Old Testament priests had no discernment.
"Do not drink wine ... when you go into the tabernacle of meeting" (Lev. 10:9)
It seems most probable that Nabad and Abihu lost their discernment due to drinking intoxicating wine or drink. Thus we have God's command concerning the priests, that the priests should not drink wine or intoxicating drink when they were to enter the tabernacle to serve. But what about the priests in Ezekiel's day, those who were serving in Jerusalem during the time of Babylon's rule over the city? Why had they lost their discernment, as we have noticed in Ezekiel 22:26?
To answer this question we must turn to the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied 100 years or somewhat more before the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B. C. Here is what Isaiah prophesied concerning the priests:
"But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." (Isaiah 28:7).
"They also" in this verse, according to commentaries, speaks of the spiritual leaders in Judah. Isaiah either had insight into the condition of the priests at the time he spoke, or he foresaw the situation in future days. In either case, we can see that God's word emphatically tells us that there was a real drinking problem with the spiritual leaders in Jerusalem,and this led to their lack of judgment. Therefore, we can conclude that most probably the failure of the priests in Ezekiel's day to distinguish between the holy and the unholy things was again caused by drinking intoxicating drink. Lack of discernment by the priests seems to have a definite cause in Scripture: drunkenness with wine. Even in the future temple these matters are again placed together (Ezekiel 44:21-23).
There must be a spiritual lesson here for New Testament application. Spiritually speaking, it must mean that spiritual leaders, or any New Testament believer as a priest to God, can be under some intoxicating influence that causes them to lose discernment concerning the holy and the unholy things. We can see from the three examples in today's church given above that this lack of discernment, and thus the drunkenness, is quite prevailing.
What is this intoxicating influence that seems to have universal effect?
The answer lies, I believe, in the book of Revelation:
"Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, 'Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Revelation 17:1-3).
The great harlot here has this name on her forehead: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth." (Rev. 17:5). This final form of Babylon, at least in part, is a spiritual counterfeit of God's kingdom, the New Jerusalem pictured in Rev. 21 and 22. The theme of Babylon stretches across the pages of Scriptures, and
develops over time. It is a great theme full of significance. To understand some of its significance, one must look at the origin of Babylon in Scripture. The seeds of beginnings in Scripture topics always give us light.
Babylon had its beginning as outlined in Genesis 11. The original Semitic name of the city was Bab-il, which meant "gate of God." This name certainly means that the focus of the city was religious worship. History tells us that ancient towers or terraced ziggurats were built for the worship of pagan cities. The tower at Babel was most surely one of these temple-towers.
When God confused the languages there, He called the place Babel, which was a word play on the original name, because the Hebrew word Babel sounded similar to Bab-il. However, the word Babel meant "confusion" in reference to the confusion of the languages by God. This noun derives from the root word "balal", which means to mix, and it was for a thorough mixing of oil with flour in the meal offering (Lev. 2:4-5). According to the dictionary, the idea of confusion involves the mixing of things together so that it is difficult to discern the individual elements. Thus, the cardinal principle of Babylon (the Greek name for Babel) is that of mixture. Mystery Babylon, as seen in Revelation 17, is a religious system where things of God are mixed together with things not of God.
This system is a "great harlot." She is not the wife of Christ, but this is part of her pretension by claiming to be God's church. She is dressed outwardly as a queen, being "arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls." (Revelation 17:4). The gold and precious jewels denote things of God (Rev. 21:18-19), such as some Bible truths. Yet, she is not pure, but a mixture, because in addition to her outward adorning of jewels she holds "in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." (Rev. 17:4).
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 5)
Now we turn to the fundamental reason why those Old Testament priests had no discernment.
"Do not drink wine ... when you go into the tabernacle of meeting" (Lev. 10:9)
It seems most probable that Nabad and Abihu lost their discernment due to drinking intoxicating wine or drink. Thus we have God's command concerning the priests, that the priests should not drink wine or intoxicating drink when they were to enter the tabernacle to serve. But what about the priests in Ezekiel's day, those who were serving in Jerusalem during the time of Babylon's rule over the city? Why had they lost their discernment, as we have noticed in Ezekiel 22:26?
To answer this question we must turn to the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied 100 years or somewhat more before the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B. C. Here is what Isaiah prophesied concerning the priests:
"But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." (Isaiah 28:7).
"They also" in this verse, according to commentaries, speaks of the spiritual leaders in Judah. Isaiah either had insight into the condition of the priests at the time he spoke, or he foresaw the situation in future days. In either case, we can see that God's word emphatically tells us that there was a real drinking problem with the spiritual leaders in Jerusalem,and this led to their lack of judgment. Therefore, we can conclude that most probably the failure of the priests in Ezekiel's day to distinguish between the holy and the unholy things was again caused by drinking intoxicating drink. Lack of discernment by the priests seems to have a definite cause in Scripture: drunkenness with wine. Even in the future temple these matters are again placed together (Ezekiel 44:21-23).
There must be a spiritual lesson here for New Testament application. Spiritually speaking, it must mean that spiritual leaders, or any New Testament believer as a priest to God, can be under some intoxicating influence that causes them to lose discernment concerning the holy and the unholy things. We can see from the three examples in today's church given above that this lack of discernment, and thus the drunkenness, is quite prevailing.
What is this intoxicating influence that seems to have universal effect?
The answer lies, I believe, in the book of Revelation:
"Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, 'Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Revelation 17:1-3).
The great harlot here has this name on her forehead: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth." (Rev. 17:5). This final form of Babylon, at least in part, is a spiritual counterfeit of God's kingdom, the New Jerusalem pictured in Rev. 21 and 22. The theme of Babylon stretches across the pages of Scriptures, and
develops over time. It is a great theme full of significance. To understand some of its significance, one must look at the origin of Babylon in Scripture. The seeds of beginnings in Scripture topics always give us light.
Babylon had its beginning as outlined in Genesis 11. The original Semitic name of the city was Bab-il, which meant "gate of God." This name certainly means that the focus of the city was religious worship. History tells us that ancient towers or terraced ziggurats were built for the worship of pagan cities. The tower at Babel was most surely one of these temple-towers.
When God confused the languages there, He called the place Babel, which was a word play on the original name, because the Hebrew word Babel sounded similar to Bab-il. However, the word Babel meant "confusion" in reference to the confusion of the languages by God. This noun derives from the root word "balal", which means to mix, and it was for a thorough mixing of oil with flour in the meal offering (Lev. 2:4-5). According to the dictionary, the idea of confusion involves the mixing of things together so that it is difficult to discern the individual elements. Thus, the cardinal principle of Babylon (the Greek name for Babel) is that of mixture. Mystery Babylon, as seen in Revelation 17, is a religious system where things of God are mixed together with things not of God.
This system is a "great harlot." She is not the wife of Christ, but this is part of her pretension by claiming to be God's church. She is dressed outwardly as a queen, being "arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls." (Revelation 17:4). The gold and precious jewels denote things of God (Rev. 21:18-19), such as some Bible truths. Yet, she is not pure, but a mixture, because in addition to her outward adorning of jewels she holds "in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." (Rev. 17:4).
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 5)
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 3
Discerning Between the Holy and the Unholy # 3
Then where do the Christmas and Easter holidays (derived from "holy day"_ come from? Both traditions started hundreds of years after the apostles. The Roman Catholic Church, in its efforts to bring in heathen converts, adopted pagan festivals and labeled them as belonging to Christ. In the case of Christmas, a drunken pagan festival in celebration of the winter solstice (celebrated as the birth of the sun god) was absorbed and relabeled as Christ's birthday. Easter derived from a celebration in honor of Ishtar, the goddess of spring and fertility, which accentuated her quality of fertility with eggs and rabbits. From the beginning these holidays were a mixture of unholy things with holy things. Is the celebration of these days of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Let us think for a minute how these three examples act to profane God, to make Him appear unholy or quite common. In the case of clerical titles, a hierarchy is erected in the realm of God's church, displaying His assembly as just another worldly organization with one or more layers of superiors who have higher ranks and titles, give the orders, and perhaps have special privileges. Jesus pointed this out when He stated: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and those who exercise authority over them are called (by the title) "benefactors." (Luke 22:25). This thought is in utter contrast to the reality of Christ's life and the way of service to one another in His body. Jesus went on to say: "But no so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among us, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves." (Luke 22:26-27). Rather than special title, rank and privilege, the elders are not to be lords over others, but examples of godly living and serving. And, they are to serve willingly, not for the purpose of monetary gain for themselves, but for the benefits of those served (1 Peter 5:2-3; Acts 20:32-35).
Now let us think about the forming of denominations. All the people of the world are divided from one another by culture, race, class, etc. This is simply the reality of fallen humanity. But the one new man in Christ is completely different. It does away with all differences and natural divisions (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:10-11). The body of Christ is one (Romans 12:5), and God desires that the world see this oneness (Jn. 17:20-23). God is glorified (His holiness is expressed) when Christians assemble in a testimony of oneness (Jn. 17:22-23). Any divisive standing, practise, or attitude is condemned by the word of God (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4; 11:17-19). Therefore, when we divide from another by taking a name for some exclusive grouping, we profane God (make Him appear common, natural and worldly) by our way of assembling. The wonderful testimony of oneness accomplished by the work of Christ is lost, and the world just sees another example of man's divisive ways.
In the two major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter we see a great debasing of God. Many Christians long for Christ to be wonderfully testified by these times, and they may even look upon these times as "positive", in spite of all the "non Christian" holiday trappings, because Christ's name is put forth in public. Yet, I beg you to see God's perspective. Because these days have been from their beginning, filled with unholy things such as partying, drinking, and decorations having demonic and idolatrous meanings, instead of God being exalted by being mentioned, He is debased by being associated with these unholy things. A holy God is brought down to days of revelry, fleshly indulgence, Santa Clause, symbols of sexual fertility and the like. And, sad to say, the spirit of fleshly fun and indulgence is strongly present even among God's people in these celebrations. All of this is offensive to a holy God. Brothers and sisters, God wants holiness and purity, not a mixture of Himself with the things of the flesh and the world.
These are only three examples. There are other practices in Christendom that call for discernment and scrutiny. Those Old Testament priests serving in the tabernacle and the temple had no discernment. Now, we are the New Testament priests serving in the house of God, His church (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Tim. 3:15). If we would serve in a way that pleases a holy God, then we must learn to distinguish between the holy and the unholy. In our service, we should only serve in ways that are holy before a holy God.
We must realize that there are many traditions of men which contradict the word of God. This is a basic problem with the unholy practices that exist today in Christendom.
"He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.' " (Mk. 7:6-8).
Spiritually speaking, any tradition we will not give up that violates the word of God is really an idol. An idol does not have to be something tangible carved out of wood or stone. There is also idolatry that is just a matter of the heart, where the person worships something in his heart, which thus becomes an idol (Ezek. 14:3). It is here that we begin to touch the real principle of idolatry. An idol replaces the true and living God for us (Ex. 20:3-5; 1 Thess. 1:9). An idol replaces God by competing with God for our devotion. An idol can be anything that competes with the honor, the love, the devotional, the allegiance, the attention or the service that belongs to God alone.
Given this spiritual understanding of idols, we may say that one of the most common idols is religious tradition. Man made traditions exist today that are unsupported by the Bible, yet these are permitted and followed with devotion by Christian churches. If one tries to point out that a tradition is unscriptural, you can be assured that most probably such a correction will be met with resistance or outright antagonism. No one may dare touch these revered idols! They hold a sacred place in the hearts of their adherents.
May the Lord open our eyes to this matter of traditions. May we see how offensive unbiblical traditions are to a holy God. To mix unscriptural traditions with scriptural practices in the house of God is one example of a New Testament equivalent of what the priests in Ezekiel's day did by placing idols in the sanctuary.
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 4)
Then where do the Christmas and Easter holidays (derived from "holy day"_ come from? Both traditions started hundreds of years after the apostles. The Roman Catholic Church, in its efforts to bring in heathen converts, adopted pagan festivals and labeled them as belonging to Christ. In the case of Christmas, a drunken pagan festival in celebration of the winter solstice (celebrated as the birth of the sun god) was absorbed and relabeled as Christ's birthday. Easter derived from a celebration in honor of Ishtar, the goddess of spring and fertility, which accentuated her quality of fertility with eggs and rabbits. From the beginning these holidays were a mixture of unholy things with holy things. Is the celebration of these days of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Let us think for a minute how these three examples act to profane God, to make Him appear unholy or quite common. In the case of clerical titles, a hierarchy is erected in the realm of God's church, displaying His assembly as just another worldly organization with one or more layers of superiors who have higher ranks and titles, give the orders, and perhaps have special privileges. Jesus pointed this out when He stated: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and those who exercise authority over them are called (by the title) "benefactors." (Luke 22:25). This thought is in utter contrast to the reality of Christ's life and the way of service to one another in His body. Jesus went on to say: "But no so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among us, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves." (Luke 22:26-27). Rather than special title, rank and privilege, the elders are not to be lords over others, but examples of godly living and serving. And, they are to serve willingly, not for the purpose of monetary gain for themselves, but for the benefits of those served (1 Peter 5:2-3; Acts 20:32-35).
Now let us think about the forming of denominations. All the people of the world are divided from one another by culture, race, class, etc. This is simply the reality of fallen humanity. But the one new man in Christ is completely different. It does away with all differences and natural divisions (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:10-11). The body of Christ is one (Romans 12:5), and God desires that the world see this oneness (Jn. 17:20-23). God is glorified (His holiness is expressed) when Christians assemble in a testimony of oneness (Jn. 17:22-23). Any divisive standing, practise, or attitude is condemned by the word of God (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4; 11:17-19). Therefore, when we divide from another by taking a name for some exclusive grouping, we profane God (make Him appear common, natural and worldly) by our way of assembling. The wonderful testimony of oneness accomplished by the work of Christ is lost, and the world just sees another example of man's divisive ways.
In the two major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter we see a great debasing of God. Many Christians long for Christ to be wonderfully testified by these times, and they may even look upon these times as "positive", in spite of all the "non Christian" holiday trappings, because Christ's name is put forth in public. Yet, I beg you to see God's perspective. Because these days have been from their beginning, filled with unholy things such as partying, drinking, and decorations having demonic and idolatrous meanings, instead of God being exalted by being mentioned, He is debased by being associated with these unholy things. A holy God is brought down to days of revelry, fleshly indulgence, Santa Clause, symbols of sexual fertility and the like. And, sad to say, the spirit of fleshly fun and indulgence is strongly present even among God's people in these celebrations. All of this is offensive to a holy God. Brothers and sisters, God wants holiness and purity, not a mixture of Himself with the things of the flesh and the world.
These are only three examples. There are other practices in Christendom that call for discernment and scrutiny. Those Old Testament priests serving in the tabernacle and the temple had no discernment. Now, we are the New Testament priests serving in the house of God, His church (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Tim. 3:15). If we would serve in a way that pleases a holy God, then we must learn to distinguish between the holy and the unholy. In our service, we should only serve in ways that are holy before a holy God.
We must realize that there are many traditions of men which contradict the word of God. This is a basic problem with the unholy practices that exist today in Christendom.
"He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.' " (Mk. 7:6-8).
Spiritually speaking, any tradition we will not give up that violates the word of God is really an idol. An idol does not have to be something tangible carved out of wood or stone. There is also idolatry that is just a matter of the heart, where the person worships something in his heart, which thus becomes an idol (Ezek. 14:3). It is here that we begin to touch the real principle of idolatry. An idol replaces the true and living God for us (Ex. 20:3-5; 1 Thess. 1:9). An idol replaces God by competing with God for our devotion. An idol can be anything that competes with the honor, the love, the devotional, the allegiance, the attention or the service that belongs to God alone.
Given this spiritual understanding of idols, we may say that one of the most common idols is religious tradition. Man made traditions exist today that are unsupported by the Bible, yet these are permitted and followed with devotion by Christian churches. If one tries to point out that a tradition is unscriptural, you can be assured that most probably such a correction will be met with resistance or outright antagonism. No one may dare touch these revered idols! They hold a sacred place in the hearts of their adherents.
May the Lord open our eyes to this matter of traditions. May we see how offensive unbiblical traditions are to a holy God. To mix unscriptural traditions with scriptural practices in the house of God is one example of a New Testament equivalent of what the priests in Ezekiel's day did by placing idols in the sanctuary.
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 2
Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 2
If we have spiritual insight, we can see that only these things which are in accordance with God's Word, and which have their source and energy from God's Spirit, can be holy.
We need to be absolutely clear about the matter of "holy versus unholy." We are not talking about "good versus evil." The Bible is making the distinction between what is OF God and what is NOT OF God. In the service of the tabernacle, the priests were failing their duty, the people were not being properly taught, and God Himself was being profaned - all because the priests could not make this distinction (Ez. 22:26). This matter is of the utmost importance if we are to serve God!
For something to be holy then, it must pass a two fold test. Firstly, does it line up with the word of God? Secondly, is the anointing of the Spirit upon it?
Someone may offer something - some worship or service perhaps - to God. But, if it is not OF God, in accordance with His Word and from His Spirit, then it cannot be holy. It is only common. It is only of man and of the world. It will be as unholy offering, like the fire offered by Aaron's sons. Nothing can be holy simply because it is offered to God.
The Terrible Result of No Discernment
We have already seen what happened with Nabab and Abihu when they offered something to God without discernment. Now, let's look at the situation in Jerusalem in Ezekiel's day. The setting is at the time of the Babylonian rule over Jerusalem (beginning in 605 B. C.), which culminated in the actual siege and fall of Jerusalem to its captors in 586 B. C. During this period, here is what Ezekiel says of the priest who were in charge of the temple and its service.
"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,so that I am profaned among them" (Ez. 22:26).
What does the Scripture mean here when it says that the priests "profaned My holy things?" The holy things refers to God's house (the temple) and all the furniture, instruments, garments, priests, etc. involved in the service of the house (Lev. 8:30; Num. 4:4-15). What had the priests done to profane the things in God's house? If we search the Scriptures, we can see that some terrible things were going on right in the temple of God. Here are the passages that show us these profanations in the temple:
"Therefore, as I live", says the Lord God, "surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all you detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity" (Ez. 5:11).
"For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, says the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name to pollute it" (Jeremiah 7:30). (Jeremiah was a contemporary of Ezekiel. He also prophesied concerning the evils taking place in Jerusalem at that time.)
He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abomination that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abomination." So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall there was a door. And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there." So I went in and saw, and there - every sort of creeping thing,abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up - So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house; and there ... were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east" (Ez. 8:3-16).
The priests had brought idols and images from the nations into the very sanctuary of God. All kinds of idolatrous worship was taking place right in the temple itself! The priests had profaned the holy things of God's house by the presence of unholy things from the nations. This was against God's law, which not only forbade idols, but also carefully prescribed what things were to be set apart for God for the priestly service in His sanctuary. Therefore, we can clearly understand God's charge against the priests: "they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy." (Ez. 22:26).
The priests had mixed unholy things with the holy things due to their terrible lack of discernment. The final and most devastating result of this act, according to God, was: "I am profaned among them." (Ez. 22:26). This means that the holy God, with His unique holiness of character, was made to appear unholy, quite common.
The great mistake of today's believers is to think that anything that is done for God will be a benefit to His kingdom. So, for example, the world's ways of promotion, advertising and entertainment are utilized, instead of God's way of fervent prayer and waiting upon the working of the Spirit. And, for example, man's natural ingenuity and ability in planning, organization and execution are used apart from the leading, control and power of the Holy Spirit. The result of these choices may bring a larger crowd to a meeting, but, in the process, a holy God is made to appear quite common, very much a part of this world system and its human ways. When a person drives down a street in America and sees a church building, what is his or her impression? Is the person struck with the thought of a holy God among His people, or does the person just see an institution of human society? If that person goes inside to a meeting, how strongly will he or she be struck with the holiness of God versus the atmosphere of a humanly organized religious meeting, fueled by man's energy?
To make God appear common (unholy) does not seem to be a consideration at all by those who would use worldly and fleshly means to carry out the services within God's house. Yet, if we have spiritual insight, this is a great offense to our holy God.
The Test of the Word of God
Today in Christendom there is a lot of activity. There are many programs, conferences, organizations, ministries, and churches of various types. How many of their ways and their doings are holy? How many are just of man, thus unholy in God's eyes? Can you discern between the holy and the unholy things there?
The test concerning whether the Spirit of God is behind and upon any supposed Christian work may be somewhat subjective. Even if there is true fruit (such as conversions) this does not mean everything in the activity is indeed holy. God may always honor His word when it is presented (Is. 55:11), and He will always meet any seeking heart.
The test of the word of God, however, is much more objective and sure. There are significant practises today in Christendom which are contrary to the word of God. Yet, for the great majority of God's people, including "leaders", there seems to be no discernment of this fact. "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy..." (Ex. 22:26). Notice that this verse from Ezekiel indicates that the priests in Jerusalem had violated God's law (His Word). This is what gave ground for the unholy things in the temple to come in. And this is what gives ground for unholy practises to come into the church of God today - a disregard for God's Word.
Here Are Some Examples:
The use of titles for "clergy." The word of God says: "But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:8-12). In context, Jesus was addressing the problem of exalting religious leaders above the people by the use of titles. But the use today of titles, such as Reverend, Father, Pastor, etc., is very common. And, this practise is only a part of a larger unscriptural practise, the clergy-laity system. Is this practise of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Denominationalism: The word of God says: "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, " am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Denominationalism is the practise of forming a group with a standing narrower than the whole body of Christ, and naming it in accordance with a particular doctrine, practise or person. This practise divides the body of Christ and separates believers. Today, we have: "I am a Lutheran. I am a Wesleyan. I am an Episcopalian. I am a Baptist. I am a Pentecostal." Is the forming of denominations of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Christian Holidays: The word of God says: "And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, A"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). The Lord Jesus gave us a clear word on what to practise in order to remember Him. Is there any hint in the Bible that we should celebrate holidays or seasons like Christmas, Easter and Lent? Paul feared that the Galatians would turn back to weak and bankrupt rituals through the celebration of special days (Gal. 4:9-11).
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 3)
If we have spiritual insight, we can see that only these things which are in accordance with God's Word, and which have their source and energy from God's Spirit, can be holy.
We need to be absolutely clear about the matter of "holy versus unholy." We are not talking about "good versus evil." The Bible is making the distinction between what is OF God and what is NOT OF God. In the service of the tabernacle, the priests were failing their duty, the people were not being properly taught, and God Himself was being profaned - all because the priests could not make this distinction (Ez. 22:26). This matter is of the utmost importance if we are to serve God!
For something to be holy then, it must pass a two fold test. Firstly, does it line up with the word of God? Secondly, is the anointing of the Spirit upon it?
Someone may offer something - some worship or service perhaps - to God. But, if it is not OF God, in accordance with His Word and from His Spirit, then it cannot be holy. It is only common. It is only of man and of the world. It will be as unholy offering, like the fire offered by Aaron's sons. Nothing can be holy simply because it is offered to God.
The Terrible Result of No Discernment
We have already seen what happened with Nabab and Abihu when they offered something to God without discernment. Now, let's look at the situation in Jerusalem in Ezekiel's day. The setting is at the time of the Babylonian rule over Jerusalem (beginning in 605 B. C.), which culminated in the actual siege and fall of Jerusalem to its captors in 586 B. C. During this period, here is what Ezekiel says of the priest who were in charge of the temple and its service.
"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,so that I am profaned among them" (Ez. 22:26).
What does the Scripture mean here when it says that the priests "profaned My holy things?" The holy things refers to God's house (the temple) and all the furniture, instruments, garments, priests, etc. involved in the service of the house (Lev. 8:30; Num. 4:4-15). What had the priests done to profane the things in God's house? If we search the Scriptures, we can see that some terrible things were going on right in the temple of God. Here are the passages that show us these profanations in the temple:
"Therefore, as I live", says the Lord God, "surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all you detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity" (Ez. 5:11).
"For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, says the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name to pollute it" (Jeremiah 7:30). (Jeremiah was a contemporary of Ezekiel. He also prophesied concerning the evils taking place in Jerusalem at that time.)
He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abomination that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abomination." So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall there was a door. And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there." So I went in and saw, and there - every sort of creeping thing,abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up - So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house; and there ... were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east" (Ez. 8:3-16).
The priests had brought idols and images from the nations into the very sanctuary of God. All kinds of idolatrous worship was taking place right in the temple itself! The priests had profaned the holy things of God's house by the presence of unholy things from the nations. This was against God's law, which not only forbade idols, but also carefully prescribed what things were to be set apart for God for the priestly service in His sanctuary. Therefore, we can clearly understand God's charge against the priests: "they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy." (Ez. 22:26).
The priests had mixed unholy things with the holy things due to their terrible lack of discernment. The final and most devastating result of this act, according to God, was: "I am profaned among them." (Ez. 22:26). This means that the holy God, with His unique holiness of character, was made to appear unholy, quite common.
The great mistake of today's believers is to think that anything that is done for God will be a benefit to His kingdom. So, for example, the world's ways of promotion, advertising and entertainment are utilized, instead of God's way of fervent prayer and waiting upon the working of the Spirit. And, for example, man's natural ingenuity and ability in planning, organization and execution are used apart from the leading, control and power of the Holy Spirit. The result of these choices may bring a larger crowd to a meeting, but, in the process, a holy God is made to appear quite common, very much a part of this world system and its human ways. When a person drives down a street in America and sees a church building, what is his or her impression? Is the person struck with the thought of a holy God among His people, or does the person just see an institution of human society? If that person goes inside to a meeting, how strongly will he or she be struck with the holiness of God versus the atmosphere of a humanly organized religious meeting, fueled by man's energy?
To make God appear common (unholy) does not seem to be a consideration at all by those who would use worldly and fleshly means to carry out the services within God's house. Yet, if we have spiritual insight, this is a great offense to our holy God.
The Test of the Word of God
Today in Christendom there is a lot of activity. There are many programs, conferences, organizations, ministries, and churches of various types. How many of their ways and their doings are holy? How many are just of man, thus unholy in God's eyes? Can you discern between the holy and the unholy things there?
The test concerning whether the Spirit of God is behind and upon any supposed Christian work may be somewhat subjective. Even if there is true fruit (such as conversions) this does not mean everything in the activity is indeed holy. God may always honor His word when it is presented (Is. 55:11), and He will always meet any seeking heart.
The test of the word of God, however, is much more objective and sure. There are significant practises today in Christendom which are contrary to the word of God. Yet, for the great majority of God's people, including "leaders", there seems to be no discernment of this fact. "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy..." (Ex. 22:26). Notice that this verse from Ezekiel indicates that the priests in Jerusalem had violated God's law (His Word). This is what gave ground for the unholy things in the temple to come in. And this is what gives ground for unholy practises to come into the church of God today - a disregard for God's Word.
Here Are Some Examples:
The use of titles for "clergy." The word of God says: "But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:8-12). In context, Jesus was addressing the problem of exalting religious leaders above the people by the use of titles. But the use today of titles, such as Reverend, Father, Pastor, etc., is very common. And, this practise is only a part of a larger unscriptural practise, the clergy-laity system. Is this practise of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Denominationalism: The word of God says: "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, " am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Denominationalism is the practise of forming a group with a standing narrower than the whole body of Christ, and naming it in accordance with a particular doctrine, practise or person. This practise divides the body of Christ and separates believers. Today, we have: "I am a Lutheran. I am a Wesleyan. I am an Episcopalian. I am a Baptist. I am a Pentecostal." Is the forming of denominations of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?
Christian Holidays: The word of God says: "And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, A"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). The Lord Jesus gave us a clear word on what to practise in order to remember Him. Is there any hint in the Bible that we should celebrate holidays or seasons like Christmas, Easter and Lent? Paul feared that the Galatians would turn back to weak and bankrupt rituals through the celebration of special days (Gal. 4:9-11).
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 3)
Monday, November 28, 2016
Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 1
Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 1
Brethren, do we discern the difference between the holy things of God and those things that are unholy? This is a great matter before God. Consider that three times in the Old Testament God expressed great concern that His priest distinguish between the holy and the unholy.
"Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, not your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the clean and the useless, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses" (Lev. 10:8-11).
"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean;and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,so that I am profaned among them" (Ez. 22:26).
"No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court ... and they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ez. 44:21-23).
The first passage quoted above is from a portion of the law, where God gave instructions concerning the offerings and the service of the priesthood unto Him.
The second passage was written by Ezekiel while he is in exile in Babylon. Here God expresses one of the reasons for His judgment upon Judah that led to the fall of Jerusalem and the exile. The practise of the priests, in not distinguishing between the holy and the unholy, led to a shocking and unbelievable result - God Himself was profaned (made to appear unholy) among them. What could be more serious than this - the person of God being debased?
The third passage looks forward to a future temple in Israel, probably in the millennium.
Let us see what we might learn from these potent passages, including their application to us as New Testament believers.
A graphic Lesson From Leviticus Chapter Ten
The instructions for the priesthood noted in the first passage above were preceded by, and precipitated by, the dramatic story of God's judgment upon Nadab and Abihu. We see below how the story and the instructions are tied together.
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So,fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be glorified."
So Aaron held his peace. Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp". So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said. And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, "Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled. You shall not go from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses.
Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a stature forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the unclean and the clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses." (Lev. 10:1-11).
It seems evident that Nadab and Abihu offered something unholy to a holy God - the profane fire. Because of that failure, the Lord set up a statute for the priests that they should not drink wine when they entered the tabernacle,so that they would have discernment while serving God. This discernment was to be between the holy things and the unholy, and also between the clean and unclean. The reference to holy and unholy things referred to the service in the tabernacle covered in Lev. 1:9, whereas the clean and the unclean referred to the instructions about personal cleanliness given in Lev. 11:15. Some Bible teachers feel there is a strong indication here that Nadab and Abihu were probably drunk when they offered the profane fire. I concur with this thought.
Just prior to Nadab's and Abihu's failure, fire had come out from God to consume the burnt offering on the altar (Lev. 9:24). That act of God with fire was a statement of His acceptance of the offering. The instructions concerning the offerings were given to Leviticus chapters one through seven. In chapter eight the priests were ordained and in chapter nine the priests began to offer sacrifices for the people. At this point, the Bible records: "Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar." (Lev. 9:23, 24). God was pleased with the offerings because they were performed in accordance with all that he had prescribed.
The fire from God was still burning on the altar after God consumed the burnt offering because the ordinance was that this fire was not to go out (Lev. 6:13). The fire from God was then available for all future offerings. However, Nadab and Abihu chose to procure fire from another source. This was not in accordance with God's command. "Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them." (Lev. 10:1).
All of these details give us some strong indications for understanding the discernment between the holy and the unholy.
The Holy and the Unholy
An object, place, season or person was considered holy in the Old Testament if it was set apart from common use and dedicated to God. The tabernacle and all its furnishings and utensils were considered holy (Numbers 4:4-5). The offerings were holy (Lev. 2:3; 6:25; 7:1). All of the priests were consecrated in holiness (Ex. 39:30; Lev. 8:9, 30). The Sabbath day was holy (Ex. 20:8).
A key factor, however, was that only those things which God designated to be holy, according to His word, could indeed be holy. The Scripture notes that God commanded the laws of the various offerings (Lev. 9:7, 10, 16). Thus, they were holy, consecrated to God, because God so ordered them. Herein lies the problem with the profane fire offered by Nadah and Abihu. "Then Nadab and Abihu ... offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them." (Lev. 10:1). All of the tabernacle objects and the priests were holy because they were separated unto God in accordance with His command, which reflects His will. God's word, then, proved to be the validation of their holiness.
A second aspect of holiness in the Scriptures, seen especially clearly in the New Testament, has to do with the ethical quality of something, the quality of purity and godliness. As God alone is holy, so His very element must be involved in something in order for that thing to be holy. The items for service in the tabernacle were holy in being set apart for God, but they were also anointed with the anointing oil,symbolizing that God's spirit was upon them, constituting the vital holiness of the object (Lev. 8:10, 30).
In this regard, we should remember that the fire God wanted Nadab and Abihu to use had God as its source. The fire had fallen from God upon the altar in Lev. 9:24). The vital energy of the fire was of God Himself.
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 2)
Brethren, do we discern the difference between the holy things of God and those things that are unholy? This is a great matter before God. Consider that three times in the Old Testament God expressed great concern that His priest distinguish between the holy and the unholy.
"Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, not your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the clean and the useless, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses" (Lev. 10:8-11).
"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean;and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,so that I am profaned among them" (Ez. 22:26).
"No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court ... and they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ez. 44:21-23).
The first passage quoted above is from a portion of the law, where God gave instructions concerning the offerings and the service of the priesthood unto Him.
The second passage was written by Ezekiel while he is in exile in Babylon. Here God expresses one of the reasons for His judgment upon Judah that led to the fall of Jerusalem and the exile. The practise of the priests, in not distinguishing between the holy and the unholy, led to a shocking and unbelievable result - God Himself was profaned (made to appear unholy) among them. What could be more serious than this - the person of God being debased?
The third passage looks forward to a future temple in Israel, probably in the millennium.
Let us see what we might learn from these potent passages, including their application to us as New Testament believers.
A graphic Lesson From Leviticus Chapter Ten
The instructions for the priesthood noted in the first passage above were preceded by, and precipitated by, the dramatic story of God's judgment upon Nadab and Abihu. We see below how the story and the instructions are tied together.
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So,fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be glorified."
So Aaron held his peace. Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp". So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said. And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, "Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled. You shall not go from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses.
Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a stature forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the unclean and the clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses." (Lev. 10:1-11).
It seems evident that Nadab and Abihu offered something unholy to a holy God - the profane fire. Because of that failure, the Lord set up a statute for the priests that they should not drink wine when they entered the tabernacle,so that they would have discernment while serving God. This discernment was to be between the holy things and the unholy, and also between the clean and unclean. The reference to holy and unholy things referred to the service in the tabernacle covered in Lev. 1:9, whereas the clean and the unclean referred to the instructions about personal cleanliness given in Lev. 11:15. Some Bible teachers feel there is a strong indication here that Nadab and Abihu were probably drunk when they offered the profane fire. I concur with this thought.
Just prior to Nadab's and Abihu's failure, fire had come out from God to consume the burnt offering on the altar (Lev. 9:24). That act of God with fire was a statement of His acceptance of the offering. The instructions concerning the offerings were given to Leviticus chapters one through seven. In chapter eight the priests were ordained and in chapter nine the priests began to offer sacrifices for the people. At this point, the Bible records: "Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar." (Lev. 9:23, 24). God was pleased with the offerings because they were performed in accordance with all that he had prescribed.
The fire from God was still burning on the altar after God consumed the burnt offering because the ordinance was that this fire was not to go out (Lev. 6:13). The fire from God was then available for all future offerings. However, Nadab and Abihu chose to procure fire from another source. This was not in accordance with God's command. "Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them." (Lev. 10:1).
All of these details give us some strong indications for understanding the discernment between the holy and the unholy.
The Holy and the Unholy
An object, place, season or person was considered holy in the Old Testament if it was set apart from common use and dedicated to God. The tabernacle and all its furnishings and utensils were considered holy (Numbers 4:4-5). The offerings were holy (Lev. 2:3; 6:25; 7:1). All of the priests were consecrated in holiness (Ex. 39:30; Lev. 8:9, 30). The Sabbath day was holy (Ex. 20:8).
A key factor, however, was that only those things which God designated to be holy, according to His word, could indeed be holy. The Scripture notes that God commanded the laws of the various offerings (Lev. 9:7, 10, 16). Thus, they were holy, consecrated to God, because God so ordered them. Herein lies the problem with the profane fire offered by Nadah and Abihu. "Then Nadab and Abihu ... offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them." (Lev. 10:1). All of the tabernacle objects and the priests were holy because they were separated unto God in accordance with His command, which reflects His will. God's word, then, proved to be the validation of their holiness.
A second aspect of holiness in the Scriptures, seen especially clearly in the New Testament, has to do with the ethical quality of something, the quality of purity and godliness. As God alone is holy, so His very element must be involved in something in order for that thing to be holy. The items for service in the tabernacle were holy in being set apart for God, but they were also anointed with the anointing oil,symbolizing that God's spirit was upon them, constituting the vital holiness of the object (Lev. 8:10, 30).
In this regard, we should remember that the fire God wanted Nadab and Abihu to use had God as its source. The fire had fallen from God upon the altar in Lev. 9:24). The vital energy of the fire was of God Himself.
~Tom Finley~
(continued with # 2)
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Returning to God
Returning to God
Every evil, whether inward or outward, should only teach you one truth: man has unmistakably lost his first divine life in God, and no possible comfort or deliverance is to be expected except through Christ. Though man lost God, God became man so that man might again be alive in God, as he was in the beginning. All the misery and distress of human nature, whether of body or mind, comes about solely because God is not in man, nor man in God, as the condition of his nature requires. Man has lost the first life of God by turning his will, thoughts, and desires into a taste for the good and evil of this beastial world.
Now, there are two things that have taken the place of the life of God in man. First, "self", or selfishness, was brought forth by man's choosing to have a wisdom of his own, contrary to the will and instruction of his Creator. Secondly, an earthly, bestial, mortal life and body were brought forth when man ate the food that poisoned his paradisaical nature. Both of these must therefore be removed; that is, a man must first totally die to self, to all earthly desires, views, and intentions, before he can again be in God as his nature and first creation requires.
But now, as long as he is a selfish, earthly-minded creature, must be deprived of his true life - the life of God, the spirit of heaven, in his soul. In light of this truth, everything is changed! For then, there is no life that ought to be as dreaded as a life of worldly ease and prosperity. There is great misery, a great curse, in everything that gratifies and nourishes our self-love, self-esteem, and self-seeking! On the other hand, there is great happiness in all spiritual and physical troubles when they force us to feel and to know the hell that is hidden within us and the vanity of everything around us. Our troubles turn all our self-love into self-abhorrence, and they force us to call upon God to save us from ourselves, to give us a new life, new light, and a new spirit in Christ Jesus.
The Spirit of Prayer
Your present and past distresses should bring you to acknowledge this twofold truth that I have stressed over and over again: first, you are nothing but darkness, vanity, and misery in and of yourself; secondly, you cannot help yourself to light and comfort by any effort of your own. I know that many people seem to assent to these two truths, but their belief has no depth or reality, and so it is of little or no use. However, some people, and perhaps you, have opened their hearts to a deep and full conviction of these truths. If you believe these two truths with as much certainty as you know that two plus two equals four, then you, like the prodigal son, have come to your senses, and more than half your work is done.
Now, if you fully possess these two truths, you will feel them in the dame degree of certainty as you feel your own existence. Under this awareness, you are to give up yourself absolutely and entirely to God in Christ Jesus, as if you were falling into the hands of infinite love. It is a great and infallible truth that God's will for you consists only of infinite love and an infinite desire to make you a partaker of His divine nature. It is absolutely impossible for the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to refuse to give you all the good and life and salvation that you need.
Drink deeply from this cup, for the precious water of eternal life is in it! Turn to God with this faith; cast yourself into this abyss of love; and then you will be in the state that the prodigal son was in when he said, "I will arise and go to my father,and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son" (Luke 15:18). And everything will be fulfilled in you that is recorded of the prodigal son.
Therefore, make this the twofold practise of your heart: first, bow yourself down before God in the deepest acknowledgment of our own nothingness and vileness; then, look up to God in faith and love, and consider Him as always extending the arms of His mercy toward you. God is full of an infinite desire to dwell in you as He dwells in the angels in heaven. Content yourself with this inward and simple exercise of your heart for a while, and seek the things that nourish and strengthen this state of your heart.
"Come unto me," said Jesus, "all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). This is more for you to rest upon - more light for your mind and more blessing for your heart than all the volumes of human instruction can provide. Take hold of the words of Jesus, and beg Him to be the light and life of your soul. Love the sound of His name, for Jesus is the love, the sweetness, and the compassionate goodness of the Deity, who became man so that man might have "power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12). Love every soul in the world; dwell in love, and then you will dwell in God; hate nothing but the evil that stirs in your own heart.
Teach your heart the following prayer, until you continually say it: "Holy Jesus, meek Lamb of God, Bread that came down from heaven, Light and Life of all holy souls, help me to have a true and living faith in You. Open Yourself within me, with Your holy nature, Spirit, and inclinations, so that I may be born again in You. Make me a new creature, revived, led, and governed by Your Holy Spirit." When you practise this prayer, it will become the life of your soul and the true food of eternity. Remain in this state of supplication to God, and then you will infallibly be raised out of the vanity of time into the riches of eternity.
Do not expect to have the same degree of fervor each and every time you pray. This is not where the heart of the matter lies. Your human body will have its share in the praying, but the ups and downs of that are to be overlooked. When your will is set in the right place, the changes of human fervor do not lessen your union with God.
The heart, which is an unfathomable depth of eternity within us, is as much above outward fervor as heaven is above the earth. It is the heart that works our way to God and unites us with heaven. This depth of the heart is the divine nature and power within us, which never calls upon God in vain. Whether assisted or deserted by outward fervor, the heart penetrates through the outward nature as easily and effectively as our thoughts can leave our bodies and reach into the regions of eternity.
The poverty of our fallen nature, the depraved workings of the flesh, the corrupt tendencies of our polluted birth into this world, do us no harm as long as the spirit of prayer works contrary to them and longs for the first birth of the light and Spirit of heaven. All our natural evil ceases to be our own evil as soon as our wills turn from it. Then it changes its nature, loses all its poison and death, and only becomes our holy cross on which we happily die to self and this world and enter the kingdom of heaven.
Do you want to be free of error, reservations, and delusion about where you stand with God? Consider the Deity to be the greatest love, the greatest meekness, the greatest sweetness. Consider His eternal, unchangeable will to be a blessing to every creature. Then recognize that all the misery, darkness, and death of fallen angels and fallen men came about because they lost their likeness to this divine nature. You and the entire fallen world have nothing to wish for except that rays and sparks of this divine, meek, loving, tender nature of God will be drawn into the life of your soul by the spirit of prayer. Consider Jesus as the gift of God to your soul, which begins and completes the birth of God and heaven within you, in spite of every spiritual or physical enemy. When you have heartily embraced these infallible truths and made them the nourishment of your soul, you way to heaven will be shortened and secured, and there will be no room for error, reservations, or delusion.
You can expect no life, light, strength, or comfort except from the Spirit of God dwelling and manifesting His own goodness in your soul. The best men and the best books can only do you good insofar as they turn you to seek and receive every kind of good from God alone - not a distant or an absent God, but a God living, moving, and always working in the spirit and heart of your being.
Those who seek God with their minds and their ideas will never find God, because God is the highest Spirit and the highest life, and only a similar spirit and life can unite with Him or know anything about Him. Therefore, faith, hope, and love, when they are turned toward God, are the only possible and infallible means of obtaining a true and living knowledge of Him. The reason for this is clear: trough the spiritual of life within us, we seek the God of life where He is; we call upon Him with His own voice; we draw near to Him by His own Spirit. For no physical body, no flesh and blood, can breathe forth faith and love and hope to God without having the Spirit and life that is of God.
The most infallible truth in the world is that neither reasoning nor learning can ever introduce a spark of heaven into our souls. Therefore, you have nothing to seek, and nothing to fear, from reason. Life and death are the things in question; although neither contributes to the growth of reasoning or learning, each is s state of the soul. Their only difference is that life is the enjoyment of the soul's highest good, and death is the lack thereof.
Therefore, reason and learning have no power here. Their attempts to keep the soul insensitive to life and death - one of which is always developing in the soul according to the will and the desires of the heart - are in vain. If you were to add intelligence to a vegetable, you would be adding nothing to its life or death. Its life and fruitfulness lie only in the soundness of its root, the goodness of the soil, and the riches it derives from air and light. It is the same for man.
This is how heaven and hell grow in the soul of every man. His heart is the root, and if the heart is turned away from all evil, it is then like a plant in good soil. When it hungers and thirsts after the divine life, it then infallibly draws the light and Spirit of God into it, which are infinitely ready and willing to live and bear fruit in the soul. For the soul has its breath, its being, and its life for no other purpose than that the triune God may manifest the riches and powers of His own life in it.
Giving Up All For God
Everything that lives partakes of life, every being hungers after the source of its existence, and every creature can only find its rest in the place from which it came. Dead as well as living things bear witness to this truth: the stones fall to the earth and "the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7) only because everything must go back to the place from which it came. If the souls of men were not breathed forth from God as real offspring of the divine nature, it would be as impossible for them to have any desire for God as for stones to go upward and the flame to go downward. The spirit of prayer is the one thing that proves that you came from God, and it is your certain way of returning to Him.
Therefore, when it is the never ceasing desire of our hearts that God may be the beginning and end, the reason and motive, the rule and measure, of all that we do, then we are offered up to the eternal Spirit of God. Our lives will be in Him and from Him, and we will be united to Him by the spirit of prayer that is the comfort, support, strength, and security of the soul. By the help of God, we will travel through the vanity of time into the riches of eternity.
In order to have this spirit of prayer, let us willingly give up all that we inherit from our fallen nature, so that we may hunger and thirst after God alone. Our only care ought to be how we can be wholly His devoted instruments, His adoring, joyful, and thankful servants in everything. We must be sure to shut our eyes and cover our ears to everything that is not a step in the ladder that reaches from earth to heaven.
Reading, listening, talking, and meditating are all good things, but they are only good at certain times and to a certain degree. They must be used with much caution, or they will bring forth in us the fruits of intemperance. But the spirit of prayer is for all times and all occasions; it is a lamp that is to be always burning, a light to be ever shining. Everything calls for it, and everything is to be done in it and governed by it. Indeed, the spirit of prayer is nothing else but the spirit of a man wholly and incessantly given up to God, to be all that He pleases.
This state of absolute yieldedness, naked faith, and pure love of God is the highest life of those who are born again from above and have become sons of God through the divine power. It is exactly what our blessed Redeemer called us to aspire to when He spoke these words: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). It is to be sought with the simplicity of a little child, without being captivated by any mysterious speculations. Everything about it should bring us nearer to God, should force us to forget and renounce everything for Him; should cause us to do everything in Him, with Him, and for Him; and should spur us to give every breath, movement, intention, and desire of our hearts, souls, spirits, and lives to Him.
Notice what our blessed Lord said of the place, the power,and the origin of truth. He did not refer us to the current doctrines of the times, or to the systems of men, but to His own name, His own nature, and His own divinity hidden in us. "My sheep," He said, "hear my voice" (John 10:27). Here, the whole matter is decisively determined, both where truth is and who can have any knowledge of it.
Heavenly truth is spoken only by the voice of Christ,and it is only heard by the power of Christ living in the hearer. He is the eternal Word of God, who speaks forth all the wisdom and wonders of God. He alone is the Word, who speaks forth all the life, wisdom, and goodness that can be in any creature. The soul can have no goodness or wisdom or life except what it has in Him and from Him. This is the one unchangeable boundary of truth, goodness, and every perfection of men on earth or angels in heaven.
Literary learning, from the beginning to the end of time, will always have very little of heavenly wisdom and very much of worldly foolishness. Its nature is one and the same through all ages; what it was in the Jew and the heathen, it is in the Christian, too. Its name and its nature are unalterable, for it is always foolishness in the eyes of God.
Recommendations to the Christian
Allow me to take a few more pages in this chapter in order to recommend the following actions to you.
First, willingly receive every spiritual and physical trouble, every disappointment, pain, uneasiness, temptation, darkness, and desolation. These are true opportunities and blessed occasions for dying to yourself and entering into a fuller fellowship with your self-denying, suffering Saviour. Do not look at spiritual or physical trouble in any light; reject every thought about it. Then, every kind of trial and distress will become the blessed day of your prosperity.
Secondly, be afraid of seeking or finding comfort in anything but God alone, for anything else that gives you comfort will take your heart away from God just a little bit more. What constitutes a pure heart? In a pure heart, God alone is totally and purely sufficient, and God alone gives delight.
Thirdly, when you have the highest faith in God and the fullest submission to Him, then you are in the best spiritual state. Strive to reach this state.
Fourthly, what do you need most, and what do you desire most? Is it not that God may be all in all in you? But how can this be, unless all human good and evil become nothing in you and mean nothing to you? You would do well to pray this prayer: "O my soul! Rid yourself of everything that is earthly and therefore changeable." While you are waiting for and expecting your Bridegroom, who is the Creator of all beings, let it be your one and only concern that He may find your heart free from all worldly things whenever it pleased Him to visit you.
Be assured of this: sooner or later, we will come to believe that everything in ourselves is evil by nature, and must be entirely given up. We will know for certain that nothing that is human or created can make us better than we are by nature. Therefore, all those spiritual or physical trials that being us to this conviction are a blessing to us. It is best that we may be driven to seek everything from God with the whole strength of our souls, without the least thought or hope of any other relief. When we have come to this point, we will be made true partakers of the Cross of Christ, and from the bottom of our hearts we will be able to say, with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14).
Give yourself up to God without reservation. This implies a state of the heart that does nothing of itself, or from its own reason, will, or choice. Rather, it always stands in faith, hope, and absolute dependence upon God, being led by the Spirit into everything that is according to His will. The heart that is yielded to God will seek nothing by its own plans, thoughts, or reason. Instead, it will deal with everything that every day brings as something that comes from God and as something that is to be received and gone through just as Jesus would have done.
I consider this an attainable degree of perfection for all of us. By having Christ and His Spirit always in our view, and nothing else, we will never be left to ourselves, nor will we be without the full guidance of God.
~William Law~
(The End)
Every evil, whether inward or outward, should only teach you one truth: man has unmistakably lost his first divine life in God, and no possible comfort or deliverance is to be expected except through Christ. Though man lost God, God became man so that man might again be alive in God, as he was in the beginning. All the misery and distress of human nature, whether of body or mind, comes about solely because God is not in man, nor man in God, as the condition of his nature requires. Man has lost the first life of God by turning his will, thoughts, and desires into a taste for the good and evil of this beastial world.
Now, there are two things that have taken the place of the life of God in man. First, "self", or selfishness, was brought forth by man's choosing to have a wisdom of his own, contrary to the will and instruction of his Creator. Secondly, an earthly, bestial, mortal life and body were brought forth when man ate the food that poisoned his paradisaical nature. Both of these must therefore be removed; that is, a man must first totally die to self, to all earthly desires, views, and intentions, before he can again be in God as his nature and first creation requires.
But now, as long as he is a selfish, earthly-minded creature, must be deprived of his true life - the life of God, the spirit of heaven, in his soul. In light of this truth, everything is changed! For then, there is no life that ought to be as dreaded as a life of worldly ease and prosperity. There is great misery, a great curse, in everything that gratifies and nourishes our self-love, self-esteem, and self-seeking! On the other hand, there is great happiness in all spiritual and physical troubles when they force us to feel and to know the hell that is hidden within us and the vanity of everything around us. Our troubles turn all our self-love into self-abhorrence, and they force us to call upon God to save us from ourselves, to give us a new life, new light, and a new spirit in Christ Jesus.
The Spirit of Prayer
Your present and past distresses should bring you to acknowledge this twofold truth that I have stressed over and over again: first, you are nothing but darkness, vanity, and misery in and of yourself; secondly, you cannot help yourself to light and comfort by any effort of your own. I know that many people seem to assent to these two truths, but their belief has no depth or reality, and so it is of little or no use. However, some people, and perhaps you, have opened their hearts to a deep and full conviction of these truths. If you believe these two truths with as much certainty as you know that two plus two equals four, then you, like the prodigal son, have come to your senses, and more than half your work is done.
Now, if you fully possess these two truths, you will feel them in the dame degree of certainty as you feel your own existence. Under this awareness, you are to give up yourself absolutely and entirely to God in Christ Jesus, as if you were falling into the hands of infinite love. It is a great and infallible truth that God's will for you consists only of infinite love and an infinite desire to make you a partaker of His divine nature. It is absolutely impossible for the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to refuse to give you all the good and life and salvation that you need.
Drink deeply from this cup, for the precious water of eternal life is in it! Turn to God with this faith; cast yourself into this abyss of love; and then you will be in the state that the prodigal son was in when he said, "I will arise and go to my father,and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son" (Luke 15:18). And everything will be fulfilled in you that is recorded of the prodigal son.
Therefore, make this the twofold practise of your heart: first, bow yourself down before God in the deepest acknowledgment of our own nothingness and vileness; then, look up to God in faith and love, and consider Him as always extending the arms of His mercy toward you. God is full of an infinite desire to dwell in you as He dwells in the angels in heaven. Content yourself with this inward and simple exercise of your heart for a while, and seek the things that nourish and strengthen this state of your heart.
"Come unto me," said Jesus, "all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). This is more for you to rest upon - more light for your mind and more blessing for your heart than all the volumes of human instruction can provide. Take hold of the words of Jesus, and beg Him to be the light and life of your soul. Love the sound of His name, for Jesus is the love, the sweetness, and the compassionate goodness of the Deity, who became man so that man might have "power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12). Love every soul in the world; dwell in love, and then you will dwell in God; hate nothing but the evil that stirs in your own heart.
Teach your heart the following prayer, until you continually say it: "Holy Jesus, meek Lamb of God, Bread that came down from heaven, Light and Life of all holy souls, help me to have a true and living faith in You. Open Yourself within me, with Your holy nature, Spirit, and inclinations, so that I may be born again in You. Make me a new creature, revived, led, and governed by Your Holy Spirit." When you practise this prayer, it will become the life of your soul and the true food of eternity. Remain in this state of supplication to God, and then you will infallibly be raised out of the vanity of time into the riches of eternity.
Do not expect to have the same degree of fervor each and every time you pray. This is not where the heart of the matter lies. Your human body will have its share in the praying, but the ups and downs of that are to be overlooked. When your will is set in the right place, the changes of human fervor do not lessen your union with God.
The heart, which is an unfathomable depth of eternity within us, is as much above outward fervor as heaven is above the earth. It is the heart that works our way to God and unites us with heaven. This depth of the heart is the divine nature and power within us, which never calls upon God in vain. Whether assisted or deserted by outward fervor, the heart penetrates through the outward nature as easily and effectively as our thoughts can leave our bodies and reach into the regions of eternity.
The poverty of our fallen nature, the depraved workings of the flesh, the corrupt tendencies of our polluted birth into this world, do us no harm as long as the spirit of prayer works contrary to them and longs for the first birth of the light and Spirit of heaven. All our natural evil ceases to be our own evil as soon as our wills turn from it. Then it changes its nature, loses all its poison and death, and only becomes our holy cross on which we happily die to self and this world and enter the kingdom of heaven.
Do you want to be free of error, reservations, and delusion about where you stand with God? Consider the Deity to be the greatest love, the greatest meekness, the greatest sweetness. Consider His eternal, unchangeable will to be a blessing to every creature. Then recognize that all the misery, darkness, and death of fallen angels and fallen men came about because they lost their likeness to this divine nature. You and the entire fallen world have nothing to wish for except that rays and sparks of this divine, meek, loving, tender nature of God will be drawn into the life of your soul by the spirit of prayer. Consider Jesus as the gift of God to your soul, which begins and completes the birth of God and heaven within you, in spite of every spiritual or physical enemy. When you have heartily embraced these infallible truths and made them the nourishment of your soul, you way to heaven will be shortened and secured, and there will be no room for error, reservations, or delusion.
You can expect no life, light, strength, or comfort except from the Spirit of God dwelling and manifesting His own goodness in your soul. The best men and the best books can only do you good insofar as they turn you to seek and receive every kind of good from God alone - not a distant or an absent God, but a God living, moving, and always working in the spirit and heart of your being.
Those who seek God with their minds and their ideas will never find God, because God is the highest Spirit and the highest life, and only a similar spirit and life can unite with Him or know anything about Him. Therefore, faith, hope, and love, when they are turned toward God, are the only possible and infallible means of obtaining a true and living knowledge of Him. The reason for this is clear: trough the spiritual of life within us, we seek the God of life where He is; we call upon Him with His own voice; we draw near to Him by His own Spirit. For no physical body, no flesh and blood, can breathe forth faith and love and hope to God without having the Spirit and life that is of God.
The most infallible truth in the world is that neither reasoning nor learning can ever introduce a spark of heaven into our souls. Therefore, you have nothing to seek, and nothing to fear, from reason. Life and death are the things in question; although neither contributes to the growth of reasoning or learning, each is s state of the soul. Their only difference is that life is the enjoyment of the soul's highest good, and death is the lack thereof.
Therefore, reason and learning have no power here. Their attempts to keep the soul insensitive to life and death - one of which is always developing in the soul according to the will and the desires of the heart - are in vain. If you were to add intelligence to a vegetable, you would be adding nothing to its life or death. Its life and fruitfulness lie only in the soundness of its root, the goodness of the soil, and the riches it derives from air and light. It is the same for man.
This is how heaven and hell grow in the soul of every man. His heart is the root, and if the heart is turned away from all evil, it is then like a plant in good soil. When it hungers and thirsts after the divine life, it then infallibly draws the light and Spirit of God into it, which are infinitely ready and willing to live and bear fruit in the soul. For the soul has its breath, its being, and its life for no other purpose than that the triune God may manifest the riches and powers of His own life in it.
Giving Up All For God
Everything that lives partakes of life, every being hungers after the source of its existence, and every creature can only find its rest in the place from which it came. Dead as well as living things bear witness to this truth: the stones fall to the earth and "the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7) only because everything must go back to the place from which it came. If the souls of men were not breathed forth from God as real offspring of the divine nature, it would be as impossible for them to have any desire for God as for stones to go upward and the flame to go downward. The spirit of prayer is the one thing that proves that you came from God, and it is your certain way of returning to Him.
Therefore, when it is the never ceasing desire of our hearts that God may be the beginning and end, the reason and motive, the rule and measure, of all that we do, then we are offered up to the eternal Spirit of God. Our lives will be in Him and from Him, and we will be united to Him by the spirit of prayer that is the comfort, support, strength, and security of the soul. By the help of God, we will travel through the vanity of time into the riches of eternity.
In order to have this spirit of prayer, let us willingly give up all that we inherit from our fallen nature, so that we may hunger and thirst after God alone. Our only care ought to be how we can be wholly His devoted instruments, His adoring, joyful, and thankful servants in everything. We must be sure to shut our eyes and cover our ears to everything that is not a step in the ladder that reaches from earth to heaven.
Reading, listening, talking, and meditating are all good things, but they are only good at certain times and to a certain degree. They must be used with much caution, or they will bring forth in us the fruits of intemperance. But the spirit of prayer is for all times and all occasions; it is a lamp that is to be always burning, a light to be ever shining. Everything calls for it, and everything is to be done in it and governed by it. Indeed, the spirit of prayer is nothing else but the spirit of a man wholly and incessantly given up to God, to be all that He pleases.
This state of absolute yieldedness, naked faith, and pure love of God is the highest life of those who are born again from above and have become sons of God through the divine power. It is exactly what our blessed Redeemer called us to aspire to when He spoke these words: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). It is to be sought with the simplicity of a little child, without being captivated by any mysterious speculations. Everything about it should bring us nearer to God, should force us to forget and renounce everything for Him; should cause us to do everything in Him, with Him, and for Him; and should spur us to give every breath, movement, intention, and desire of our hearts, souls, spirits, and lives to Him.
Notice what our blessed Lord said of the place, the power,and the origin of truth. He did not refer us to the current doctrines of the times, or to the systems of men, but to His own name, His own nature, and His own divinity hidden in us. "My sheep," He said, "hear my voice" (John 10:27). Here, the whole matter is decisively determined, both where truth is and who can have any knowledge of it.
Heavenly truth is spoken only by the voice of Christ,and it is only heard by the power of Christ living in the hearer. He is the eternal Word of God, who speaks forth all the wisdom and wonders of God. He alone is the Word, who speaks forth all the life, wisdom, and goodness that can be in any creature. The soul can have no goodness or wisdom or life except what it has in Him and from Him. This is the one unchangeable boundary of truth, goodness, and every perfection of men on earth or angels in heaven.
Literary learning, from the beginning to the end of time, will always have very little of heavenly wisdom and very much of worldly foolishness. Its nature is one and the same through all ages; what it was in the Jew and the heathen, it is in the Christian, too. Its name and its nature are unalterable, for it is always foolishness in the eyes of God.
Recommendations to the Christian
Allow me to take a few more pages in this chapter in order to recommend the following actions to you.
First, willingly receive every spiritual and physical trouble, every disappointment, pain, uneasiness, temptation, darkness, and desolation. These are true opportunities and blessed occasions for dying to yourself and entering into a fuller fellowship with your self-denying, suffering Saviour. Do not look at spiritual or physical trouble in any light; reject every thought about it. Then, every kind of trial and distress will become the blessed day of your prosperity.
Secondly, be afraid of seeking or finding comfort in anything but God alone, for anything else that gives you comfort will take your heart away from God just a little bit more. What constitutes a pure heart? In a pure heart, God alone is totally and purely sufficient, and God alone gives delight.
Thirdly, when you have the highest faith in God and the fullest submission to Him, then you are in the best spiritual state. Strive to reach this state.
Fourthly, what do you need most, and what do you desire most? Is it not that God may be all in all in you? But how can this be, unless all human good and evil become nothing in you and mean nothing to you? You would do well to pray this prayer: "O my soul! Rid yourself of everything that is earthly and therefore changeable." While you are waiting for and expecting your Bridegroom, who is the Creator of all beings, let it be your one and only concern that He may find your heart free from all worldly things whenever it pleased Him to visit you.
Be assured of this: sooner or later, we will come to believe that everything in ourselves is evil by nature, and must be entirely given up. We will know for certain that nothing that is human or created can make us better than we are by nature. Therefore, all those spiritual or physical trials that being us to this conviction are a blessing to us. It is best that we may be driven to seek everything from God with the whole strength of our souls, without the least thought or hope of any other relief. When we have come to this point, we will be made true partakers of the Cross of Christ, and from the bottom of our hearts we will be able to say, with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14).
Give yourself up to God without reservation. This implies a state of the heart that does nothing of itself, or from its own reason, will, or choice. Rather, it always stands in faith, hope, and absolute dependence upon God, being led by the Spirit into everything that is according to His will. The heart that is yielded to God will seek nothing by its own plans, thoughts, or reason. Instead, it will deal with everything that every day brings as something that comes from God and as something that is to be received and gone through just as Jesus would have done.
I consider this an attainable degree of perfection for all of us. By having Christ and His Spirit always in our view, and nothing else, we will never be left to ourselves, nor will we be without the full guidance of God.
~William Law~
(The End)
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