The victor over encroaching darkness: Jesus

The world is filled with darkness. The news is filled with stories of death and destruction.  We have holidays that even embrace and celebrate darkness such as Halloween. There is an ever-growing trend of what is good being called evil and what is evil called good, such as the non-dualist moral framework of that which impedes desire is evil.  Recently this writer visited Brazil and one of wife’s family commented how Brazil used to be a safe place, but it is not safe anymore. He even commented about Southern Brazil experiencing a cyclone (tornado), something unheard of in Brazil.  So darkness is ever encroaching.

No a reader may ask what is meant by darkness.  Darkness is that which is evil, that which shows no light. Now many philosophical and religious systems out there do talk about good and evil, light and dark.  Yet the definitions vary. Essentially it focuses on the battle of evil impulses with those of good impulses.  There is a focus on benefiting the world at large, building it up, or being destructive and tearing it down.

There is acknowledgement in the world at large at pretty significant issues and areas of darkness. The world at large focuses on crime, disease, poverty, climate change,  and intolerance as areas of primary darkness. There are plans and scopes made to find and arrange political solutions to these problems. There is a hope of a New Era Dawning and folks that work toward facilitating a New World order, all in the name to fighting what they consider to be things of darkness.

The Christian world view is quite contrary to the world’s approach to problems.  The Christian view is not about finding political solutions. It is not about finding ways to all work together.  The Christian worldview sees darkness as defeated.  The encroaching darkness is something that is but temporary.  The evil within each of us evidenced by our on-going selfishness has been dealt with, a person simply needs to choose to accept the solution and turn from self and surrender to God.  The answer to darkness if found in the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. 

Now, there are many that distort the Gospel and change the message of Jesus. There are many who believe they embrace light, when they reality is they are exchanging one darkness for another.  The number of things that appear to be light when they are truly dark is numerous.  Even within those that profess following the Gospel there are many deceptions and ways of darkness that can take one-off the path.  There are many who think they have embraced truth when still lost.

The fact is the forces of darkness know that time is short. They are working hard to deceive many and bringing destruction. The forces of darkness celebrate each choice that leads to death.  The forces of darkness want to take all to the reality of hell and eternal separation from God. 

Yet, while darkness is growing stronger and many are deceived, darkness is defeated. There will be those that turn from light to darkness, there will be those that seek to aid darkness, thinking the darkness is good.  Yet, the end result is all darkness is already defeated.  A time is soon coming when Jesus will return and implement the victory of darkness and bring wrath and judgment.  The question for each of us, is what choice have you made. At death or upon Jesus return it will not be about how often you did good things over embracing your dark impulses, because one thing done selfishly is disqualifying.  Light and darkness do not coexist and are not interdependent.  So the question is what keeps the reader from embracing and walking in the light? What source of darkness have you embraced?  What is your response to God’s offer of redemption through Jesus the Messiah?  Jesus is the light, there exists no other. Jesus is the victory over all that is dark.

News Commentary: Fort Hood shooting- Things done in the name of god.

Well the news is filled with stories of the tragic shooting on 11/5/2009 at Fort Hood in Texas.  The current numbers stand at 13 dead and 30 injured. This tragedy has capture the attention of many in this country.  It is a sad, sad story.

The internet is filled with descriptions of the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan.  He was reported to be calm and methodical, shouting “Allahu Akbar!” (god is great) before engaging in his shooting spree.  The Washington Post reported he had made several attempts to be discharged from the army and avoid being sent to Afghanistan. He did not support the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. He also was reported to be of the Muslim faith.  The article also reported he had been investigated for a while based on online comparisons of Islamic suicide bombers and kamikaze pilots. The article printed this quote:  “To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate,” the posting read. “It’s more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause.”  

For me this tragic shooting  brings a couple thoughts to mind. The first is the sadness over what people do in the name of god while serving their own agenda.  Clearly Major Hasan had significant personal issues. He appears to have turned to principles in Islam as a defense for the rightness of his actions.  Such actions certainly are not something the one true God would desire. However, many times even those of us who follow the one true God, do things in His name that are not consistent with what God desires.  We often substitute our thoughts for God’s thoughts, and our desires for God’s desires. 

The sad thing is that for those that do not follow the one true God and miss the truth of the narrow path, the end result one way or another can lead to destruction.  Major Hasan made choices related to his desires and fueled by his concept of god, based on Muslim theology.  He felt a need to destroy to serve god.  It is a sad and tragic but happens all to frequently.

Now, an important thing to note is such a tragedy will be used to push the false peace of “tolerance.” The argument may be made if Major Hasen was never harassed for his Muslim faith, this incident would never have happened. Such incidents will serve to give folks impetus to encourage tolerance laws that would serve to restrict those who take an exclusive view related to truth and relationship with the one, true God.  Yet, such laws are a matter of time, if not this shooting by Major Hasen, it would be some other incident. 

What happens politically will happen sooner or later, it is nothing to fear. Rather, those of us who follow the one true God, need to find ways to reach out to those around us lost in love and examine whether we input our own agenda and be following our agenda in God’s name.

In closing this commentary, I want to encourage people to pray for the victims and victim’s families.  The shooting is tragic. Yet, find a way to reach out in love to others, and reflect the love of the One True God.  I also want to encourage people to examine their relationship with God.  Do you have the true peace, that which comes from surrender to the One True God? If not, today is the day to reconsider, as none of us can know when we may be at the receiving end of someone making destructive choices.

Video Selections:The necessity of Hell-Tim Conway Sermon

 

Video Selections: Heaven or Hell

Is Halloween harmless?

We have come to the end of the month of October and the “holiday” known as Halloween. Now many consider it a day of harmless fun for children allowing them to dress up and receive goodies from others. For many it is considered a day of harmless fun. Growing up, I participated in all the fun that goes along with Halloween. My family educated me about the good and the bad but still allowed us to participate in the fun of Halloween. Personally I do not yet have children where need to make decisions on how to deal with this cultural holiday. Last year I focused on discussing three elements at the foundation of Halloween: fear, selfishness, and deception in a blog article. This year the thought on my mind is whether the day can be considered harmless. My answer to the question is a resounding no.

Now, did celebrating the holiday cause me any long term spiritual harm? I do not believe so, but in thinking about reactions to the day growing up, I know it was not harmless. In examining my own responses I notice three particular ways that what the day celebrates and teaches is harmful. The first of the three areas of harm is that the day really does encourage unbridled desire. It at the heart teaches to embrace what you want and to let go of inhibition. For children the day is about accumulating as much candy as possible, which often gets consumed quickly. The whole concept of “trick or treat” even is about getting what you want or inflict consequences on those who may be inhibiting the desire. Unchecked desire leads to increased selfishness and embracing of an approach of focusing on desire fulfillment.

The second danger is related to desire fulfillment, and that is promotion of disinhibition. Meaning, Halloween promotes the giving in to impulse, to not holding back. Personally when growing up, I found myself more willing to do things I would not do otherwise, simply because it was Halloween and pranks are to be expected. So it was okay to think about egging someone in the neighborhood. Usually the folks at the end of the pranks were folks disliked for some reason or another. Sometimes things were done just because it seemed funny at the time. Admittedly, there were such actions done at other times while growing up, but Halloween just had an atmosphere of allowance.

The third danger I want to comment on is that of desensitization. Halloween is known for attention paid to things that generate fear. The things that are generally considered dark are embraced. The ultimate result of the focus and celebration of darkness results in minimizing the reality of the dangers. Children dress as witches, vampires, zombies, and other assorted demonic monsters with the net result of making evil things seem to be simply matters of child’s play and stories to generate fear. The reality of the forces of darkness is ultimately minimized. When evil is minimized or ultimately made light of, it is far more easily embraced.

So these three identifiable ways Halloween is harmful are significant. Yet, many in the culture hold actually value the focus on desire fulfillment, disinhibition, and desensitization. These are values that are contrary to a Biblical view of love. Ultimately, each of these spiritual dangers make it easier for people to fall into the traps of darkness.  These dangers make it easier to embrace the darkness and forces of evil.

Whatever a parent decides to do with their children regarding Halloween, I encourage you to consider these factors. Whatever you do, take time to teach children the value of loving God and loving others. Take time to teach children that there is real spiritual evil, that evil is not just stories and imaginations of man. Take time to teach the power of light, which is only found in Jesus, and casts aside all darkness. Seek wisdom and ask God to lead your steps in training your children the path of truth.

Now perhaps you are simply a reader who has not accepted the Gospel. You do see Halloween as harmless and find my thoughts to be simply over-reactive. I challenge you to take time and examine further. Look at your own life and see how desire fulfillment, disinhibition, and desensitization have played out in your life. Take time to examine the light found in the Gospel and in Jesus the Christ.

One last thought to close this article. There is very really danger that occurs on Halloween for many adults and children. There is very real harm perpetrated on this day. The folks who engage in harming others on this day, do so ultimately to grow their own personal power. The real spiritual darkness feeds on people being harmed and destroyed. So whether you think I over-react to the elements of Halloween and the harm it produces, there is really harm done to many.

 

News Commentary: Death follows author of The Secret

Recently the Star Tribune posted an article about Liz Neuman who died while attending a New Age retreat which uses sweat lodges and billed itself as a spiritual warrior retreat.   The primary focus seems to be on the large number of people involved in the sweat lodge ritual.  She is the third person to die during self-help guru James Arthur Ray’s retreat.

James Arthur Ray is a self-help guru promoted by Oprah Winfrey. He is the author of Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want and The Secret. There also has been a movie made promoting The Secret in which James Arthur Ray also appears.  He promotes the new age concept of Law of Attraction which generally is about directing your thoughts to think positively about what you want.

Now according to a New York Post article these recent deaths are not the first time trouble has followed James Arthur Ray.  In July of 2009, Colleen Conaway committed suicide by jumping off a mall balcony. James Arthur Ray also was reported to bully a women into shattering her hand at one of his seminars. 

The recent incidents have police considering charges.  In a recent article, a least one witness has come forward describing the events of the retreat as purposeful deprivation and embracing suffering.  It was all a focus on “mind of matter” that is part and parcel to the “law of attraction” mindset of James Arthur Rays teaching.  It seems the central tenet is that in order to overcome anything hindering you from what you want, you need to train your mind to overcome suffering.

Some of the focus on what went wrong at the retreat pertains to the construction of the sweat lodge.  Certainly the sweat lodge design may have contributed to the tragedy.  Yet the mindset and teaching of James Arthur Ray contributed significantly to the deaths and injuries suffered.  Cries of warning and signs of distress were ignored.   This is really because the teaching center on using the mind to control the universe. A central tenant the law of attraction is that life is illusory. You can get what you want by focusing your thoughts. You can overcome barriers by controlling your mind and thinking.  You can even overcome felt suffering by controlling you mind. These teachings are not new and are central to many eastern and new age religious practices and constructs. 

James Arthur Ray has turned such teachings in to  a well marketed means of income generation.  The ill-fated retreat is one costing attenders at least 10,000 grand.  He has sold millions of books, well aided by Oprah and other celebrity endorsements.  James Arthur Ray certainly has gotten what he has wanted.  Yet, James Arthur Ray star is now fading because of these deaths. It was recently reported that his publishing firm has delayed upcoming book releases due to the recent tragedy.

It is the position of this blog writer, that James Arthur Ray is more than just a slick con man separating fools from their money.  There are very real spiritual elements going on.  Now while the focus here is on fulfilling desires by training the mind, there are spiritual forces at work as well.  The spiritual practices embraced lead to opening doors to spiritual forces of darkness.  Death is around, because the forces behind The Secret and other such teachings want to destroy people.  There is always the promise of having desires fulfilled.  There is always promises of great success.  But the powers behind the words are all about destroying lives.  The suicide of the woman could be pointed at the psychological manipulations of James Arthur Ray, but in reality much darker elements were likely at work.  A clear indication of spiritual darkness at work was James Arthur Ray’s reaction to a sliver of light poking into the sweat lodge. It brought an angry outburst over light intruding on the religious ceremony.  What James Arthur Ray teaches is pure darkness.

Now there is an alternative to the teachings of James Arthur Ray.  The alternative though is not about getting what you want or having your desires met.  The alternative is about achieving true peace.  The alternative is about a spiritual power far greater.  The alternative is the Gospel.  The alternative is Jesus the Messiah.  The only true peace is found in being reconciled with the creator, and being right with God.  What James Arthur Ray offers in training your mind to deny suffering.  What Jesus and God offers is peace in the midst of suffering.  What James Arthur Ray offers is getting what you want now. What Jesus and God offers is love and true life that is not about self, but about that which is far greater and everlasting.  The choice is always in front of you.  Turn to God or find ways to seek to elevate self.  One path is life, one path is death.

Worship in spirit and truth: How do we?

Well I never did give the second talk as posted on the blog. Originally was going to give a combined talk during a Wednesday prayer service but that also was set aside. Instead we video recorded this combined talk. I believe this combined talk does a more concise job of making both points. I hope to be able to have the video available on the blog at some point but in the meantime is his the combined text about worship in spirit and truth. May God bless all who read this.

____________________________________________________________

Good evening, it is a joy and privilege to be speaking here and I thank Pastor Lon for the privilege of sharing what God has put on my heart. When Pastor Lon asked me to speak what was put on my heart by God was to talk about what it means to worship in spirit and truth. So we will take a look at what it means to worship in both spirit and truth.

 

The main text for this topic is John 4:20-24 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

First we need to have a general definition and understanding of worship before we can examine what it means to worship in spirit and worship in truth. There are two key passages that highlight a general definition of worship: Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. And John 3:30 “He must increase, I must decrease.”

 

Those verses really define worship as God being placed at the forefront; it involves elevating God and surrendering self. Worship is all about our relationship with God. It is all about knowing God. This is even made clear in the source passage. Samaritans and Jews had significant issues of who held the proper place of temple and followed God truly. Samaritans believed that the temple belonged at Mount Gerizim, Jews in Jerusalem. Samaritans claimed they simply followed the commands as written whereas the Jews had the interpretations of the law. They really were at strong conflict; they did not like each other at all. They disagreed over both the place and form of following God. Jesus response was contrary to both views. Jesus told the Samaritans that they worshiped what they did not know, while the Jews worshipped what they did know. So Jesus was response pointed to something different than either party engaged in. He stated true worshipers will worship in both spirit and truth. Tonight, we are going to examine those relationships. What are the relationships described as worship in spirit and worship in truth? First we will examine the dynamics of worship in spirit than we will examine worship in truth, and will conclude on how such worship can impact the world.

 

In order to understand what it means to worship in spirit first we need to understand what is spirit? The bible has multiple references to spirit. 348 references in the Old testament, 350 references in the new testament. Now not all those references are referring to the human spirit, some reference the Holy Spirit, some reference evil spirits. But the bible does speak specifically about the human spirit. Here are some verses to give an example:

Psalm 51:11 “Create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me”

Matthew 5:3 “blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

Mark 14:38 “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”

Rom 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”

The spirit is the inner most part of man. The bible tells us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you think about it, the Holy of Holies is symbolic of the human spirit. The spirit is the deepest part of humanity. The spirit is the place that Holy Spirit indwells:1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.

 

Worship in spirit is all about God with us. It is about being indwelt with the Holy God in our spirit. It takes things away from rightness of place and into being indwelt and surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

It is all about a covenant relationship with the almighty God, where God is within us, leading us daily.

It is a change from the past. If you read Exodus 19 and 20 you will find that Israel initially was simply to hear God’s voice and obey. However, they got frightened of God’s voice and wanted a different covenant. The result was the need for a mediator and a set of mediated instruction known as Torah/the law. But now because of Jesus Christ we no longer need a mediator. We have a relationship with access to God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is not just hearing God’s voice. It is not just following God’s mediated instructions. It is being indwelt by the Holy and living God through the Holy Spirit.

 

We will look at three passages to understand how this works. The first passage is Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The key part of the passage is the second part of the verse. Christ in us the hope of glory. This indicates that it is Christ in us that everything points to, it is the essential point. Yet, we know Jesus is in heaven as indicated in the next verse; Hebrews 9:24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. So here the verse says Jesus is in heaven appearing before the father on our behalf. So is Christ in us or in heaven, how does that work. It is explained in Ephesians 3:16, 17a that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–

So this indicates that Jesus is in us, through the Holy Spirit residing in our spirit. . God is truly with us. His presence abides in us. So here is how it works. Jesus is in heaven with the father, interceding on our behalf. Our faith enables us to be redeemed through His sacrifice for our sins. This enables us to be filled with God’s presence through the Holy Spirit in our spirit. This is the dynamic of worship in the spirit. We have the Holy Spirit who communicates to Jesus who goes before the father. So since the Holy Spirit resides in us we can begin to understand worship in spirit. It really is about an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit and as such with God. It involves ultimately Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

Let’s look at understanding relating with the Holy Spirit a little bit more, how do relate with the Holy Spirit? Four passages help explain this better. The first passage is Ephesians 5:19 Do not be drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, but be being filled with the Holy Spirit. We all know what it is like to be drunk with wine. It is a loss of self control. The imagery stands in contrast to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit involves a release of self, and letting the Holy Spirit fill. It is an ongoing process. Actually most English translations describe the passage as be filled with the Holy Spirit but if you look at what the literal translation is, it is be being filled. It is an ongoing process.

Another verse that helps understand relating to the Holy Spirit is Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Now you may be thinking what that verse has to do with the Holy Spirit. Well, if you examine the meaning of yoke it is clear it points to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to the right way of living. There are actually two ways the word yoke was used that help us to understand this. A Rabbi’s instruction for students is called a yoke. It is how a Rabbi expects his disciples to live. Now we have a more common understanding of a yoke in relation to animals. A yoke guides them in the right path or direction and keeps them from heading their own way or direction. In the same way the Holy Spirit is our guide and leads in the right path.

The next passage is really two separate verses but they really emphasize the same point. Galatians
5:16 & 25 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” & “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” We always have a choice, walk in self or live by Spirit. Go our own way, or follow the Holy Spirit. It is up to us, choose to submit to the Holy Spirit, God within, or we follow the way of self. Let’s look at this in another verse: John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
How do we abide in Christ, what was Jesus talking about here? Well, it is worship in the Spirit and surrender to the Holy Spirit. Worship in spirit is daily following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is daily surrendering self to His presence. It is abiding in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

 

When we engage in such daily surrender God gives us many benefits. It is not about some external manifestation. It is not about some internal mystical experience. It is about God with us and daily abiding in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a quick look at some of what we gain when we surrender to the Holy Spirit. The best way I can summarize this is that the Holy Spirit changes, teaches, empowers, and intercedes for us.

In terms of changing us it starts with conviction of sin: John 16:8-11 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Holy Spirit also enables us to overcome our sinful desires and attractions of the flesh as seen in Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

The Holy Spirit also teaches us as seen in John 14:26: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. It is also seen in John 16:13:When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. So the Holy Spirit is our teacher. His teaching leads to the Holy Spirit empowering us.

 

The Holy Spirit empowers us, enabling us to bear witness to the truth
Act 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” His empowerment includes giving us the gifts of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. When we worship in spirit and surrender we receive these things in the midst of our circumstances. They come from surrender to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit also empowers us by given gifts or manifestations. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Not only does the Holy Spirit empower us in many ways, but will also intercede for us: Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

So there are lots of ways the Holy Spirit helps us. Worship in spirit is surrender to the Holy Spirit and not relying on own strength. Worship in spirit is surrendering to God on a daily basis and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is ongoing relating with God. It is God dwelling in us and leading us on His path. Now it can involve righteous behavior. It can involve internal, mystical experience. It can involve outpouring and external manifestations. It can involve supernatural activity. There are places where we sense the Holy Spirit active, such as in this church. But none of these are worship in spirit. Worship in spirit is daily, ongoing surrender of self to the Holy Spirit.

 

So now we understand the relationship that is worship in the spirit. Let us now look at the relationship known as worship in truth. The relationship with the Holy Spirit is pretty straight forward, it is little more difficult to understand having relationship with truth. How can we relate to truth?

 

In order to have a relationship we need to have knowledge about what it is we are supposed to be in a relationship with. So we need to get an idea of what the meaning of truth Jesus is referring to here. Now some may focus on worship in truth as being about the right way of worship or having the right mindset. Truth defined as doing it the right way. Yet, the Jews and Samaritans both professed attempts at doing it the right way. So Jesus was clearly talking about more than a right way of worship.

In order to better understand what Jesus meant, let us look at the meaning of the word used in this passage for truth. It is the Greek word Alethia (all-lay-thay-ah). Now in a lot of cases the word is simply used to refer to veracity or correctness, however the Gospel of John is about relationship with Jesus and the words chosen are ones that convey specific meanings as understood within the culture. The word Alethia has far deeper meaning in Greek culture than correctness. In examining the word several words came up consistently regarding the meaning of the word including: unhidden, revealed, unforgotten, reality, real, genuine, and sincere.

For me the words that came to mind that summarize the full meaning of Alethia came down to this: remembered revealed reality.

    

Therefore, worship in truth far transcends the idea of correctness and is something of lasting impact on the individual. It is about a genuine response to the revelation of God which has life changing impact. Since worship in truth starts with the revelation of God we need to examine what the revelation of God is and how it impacts us as individuals. By understanding each of those areas will get a better grasp at the genuine response to God known as worship in truth.

 

God does reveal himself in many ways including creation and other people. The primary sources of revelation are twofold. In talking about worship in the spirit, we discussed the Holy Spirit teaching us, so therefore the Holy Spirit is one clear source God’s revelation. Yet, God did not just leave us with the Holy Spirit but also with His written revelation of self, the Word of God, the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us: ^“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”
and in Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. and Jesus himself stated in John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” So clearly God has revealed himself in scripture. Scripture is truth, ultimately truth about our relationship with God.

 

Now God’s revelation is not just about revealing God but it also reveals what is right for us. Psalms 119:105 states: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” In other words, God’s revealed word gives us the light we need so we do not stray from the right path. It gives us the way to walk. The second part of 2 Timothy 3:16 also makes this point by outlining the uses of God’s word, it useful for teaching, correcting, confronting, and training; all means of our walking rightly, and as such worshipping in truth.

 

So the God’s word reveals about God and what is right for us, but neither of those to areas are really the central theme of God’s revelation. Yes, the central theme is still about God and our relationship with God but the central theme is really all wrapped up in Jesus the Messiah. It is about as stated in Colossians 1:27
Christ in you, the hope of glory. The whole of scripture is about Jesus. Jesus fills the whole of scripture with meanings. This is shown in a few places in scripture. Let’s start with what Jesus himself said: Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. The word translated for fulfill actually is better translated as fills them up with meaning. Jesus gives the meaning to the whole of scripture. Everything that was part of Jewish life in following Torah pointed to Jesus.. Paul in Colossians 2:17 puts it: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Jesus is the substance to the truth of the Gospel. And regarding Prophecy, John wrote in Revelation 19:10 the last half of the verse that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
So as you can see, the word of God is all about Jesus and our being restored to relationship with God. It is the essence of God’s revelation. More simply put Jesus is the truth. Jesus himself proclaimed in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” The word Jesus used here is the same one we are examining related to worship in truth, alithea. Jesus is the remembered revealed reality.

 

There is one more verse I want to touch on in discussing God’s revelation through His word, and that is John 1:1-5:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
This verse again really highlights that Jesus is the revelation of God. The word used here is the Greek word Logos, which is generally translated as reason, and in usage points to a concept of God’s reason. There are really three dimensions to the Greek concept of Logos: divine nature, source of all life, and a mediator between the divine and the natural. This is in essence what God’s revelation is all about. John further points out that God’s divine reason then brings light. Jesus himself proclaims this in John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. So Jesus is not just the living embodiment of the Word of God, but the source of light that in turn directs our path.

 

So now that we have examined what God’s revelation is about, which is Jesus, who is the remembered revealed reality it is time to look at how God’s revelation impacts us. The heart of understanding worship in truth also comes in understanding the impact of God’s revelation in our lives, or more importantly how we are changed by Jesus and the response it draws. The impact of God’s revelation can be looked at in three areas: our identity in Jesus, our place in God’s kingdom, and our genuine response.

Let us first examine God’s revealed truth regarding our identity. Here is the fact, each of us at one point were not part of the kingdom of God, we were enemies. This is true for even people like myself who accepted God’s grace at first choice. We were born into darkness, as enemies to God’s kingdom. We were born as sinful, selfish people. As it says in Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Now through Jesus we are no longer enemies. We have peace with God Romans 5:1-2: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And remember it is Christ in us that is the hope of glory as seen in Colossians 1:27. Because of the revelation of Jesus and His redemption of sins, we are no longer God’s enemies if we accepted the gift of Jesus through faith.

Our identity is more than being no longer enemies who have been brought to peace with God. God has not just indwelt us with the Holy Spirit allowing Christ in us as we examined talking about worship in spirit. God has also changed us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone who is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.”
God moves us away from our own selfish way of doing things into a new way. We are made new. We are changed from people of darkness to people of the light. And not only have we been made new and at peace with God, we have been set free from bondage and adopted into God’s family as seen in Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

 

In fact being made at peace with God, being made new, being set free, being adopted are really all part and parcel to becoming children of God and as such heirs. So the truth is God has done much for us, he has brought us out of darkness into light and not only have we been brought to peace and made new but made into children with an inheritance. This the identity of those of us who submit to God, something far greater than anything we could do of our own accord in our own worlds.

 

Now being we are heirs and children of God, this brings us to examining an understanding of our place in God’s kingdom. As children of God and heirs, God has in mind specific tasks and has gifted us accordingly. Even before we entered into the kingdom of God, God took His time in creating each one of us. Psalms 139:13-15 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. We see evidence throughout scripture of God using varied people for His plans and purposes. Being Children of God he has a plan for each of us. He has given us talents to use and invest and gives us spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
So God has given each of use gifts to use and invest in the kingdom. He created us with purpose to build up one another and work toward the common good of the kingdom of God. So, it is important for use to use the gifts God has given and not only that, be thankful for what God has given. 1 Corinthians 12-14 really is worth spending time examining regarding the gifts God gives to His children. It is important to note that in that passage the point is made is we are all different parts of the body. This point is also emphasized in Romans 12:4-8 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. We need to accept what God has given us and move in the areas God leads. We need to not withhold our talents and gifts but use them. We also are not to think highly of ourselves and become prideful. Not to be envious of how God has gifted others, but praise God and accept what the King has given to His child to serve Him.

 

So we have looked at God’s revelation and impact on us, it is time to turn our attention to understanding our response to all that God has done and revealed. Understanding our genuine response to God’s truth, the remembered revealed reality, is really at the core of understanding worship in truth. It is all about what we do in response to what God has revealed and done in our lives. It is our response to His grace.

 

Now I want to give you an illustration that highlights the nature of genuineness. This past week me and my wife decided to buy some watches. Now these watches are not ordinary watches, they are replicas of famous expensive watches such as Cartier, Rolex, and Armani. They look and function like the genuine article. You look at them and cannot really tell the difference from the real thing. However, that appearance is external. The internal workings of the watch are not genuine, but something functional. These watches only appear to be genuine. The genuine article is true on both the inside and outside. So when we consider worship in truth as being a genuine response to God, it gets beyond appearance and to what flows from the inside. What is on the outside reflects the inner workings.

 

A key passage in understanding genuine response is found in James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Now upon hearing this portion of the word of God, did you hear James discussion the very essences of the word for truth John used. Each element of remembered revealed reality is evident.

 

The first element being remembered. James clearly points out the differences between remembering and forgetting and using the picture of looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like upon leaving. Yet, for many of us, we spend a lot of time forgetting. We go to church, read the bible, pray, and such yet as soon as finish, we forget. When we forget we are not walking in truth. Spending time focusing on God’s revelation serves as a reminder.

The second element is the revelation, this is what we are to remember. Everything mentioned tonight are things we need to continually remember. The greatness of God’s gift in Jesus and our being made children of God who serve His purposes is vital to us. All this is revelation to be remembered.

And the third element is that of reality. Remember revelation only become reality in one way, by action. As James points out, faith without works is dead. So than what are we to do, what are the works God requires of us?

 

Well the apostle John put it this way in 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Is it simply doing things the right way, following a code or instructions the right way or has God got something more in mind? Remember both the Jews and Samaritans tried to do things the right way, so clearly there is something more involved. Well John did define God’s commandments earlier in 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. So the key here clearly is to walk in love, love of God and love one another. Jesus himself stated Mark 12:30-31 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And adds in Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

So essentially it comes down to this. Love God with your whole self. The designations of heart, soul, mind, and strength for some can be confusing so let me give some clarity. These four areas are the elements of self. Self is made up of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. God wants us to love Him with our complete self. The second command is to love others. This is evident throughout the New Testament in with discussions of interactions with one another. Some examples of our directions are: submit to authorities, submit to one another, bless those who curse you, and love your enemies. Words easily said, sometimes easily agreed to, but difficult to live by. Yet, the genuine response to God’s revelation results in our living in love. It is reflected in our deeds. It is not about style, or substance, or place, or any “thing.” Worship in truth is about walking in love. It is how Jesus walked, with genuine love. Our genuine response is to be imitators of Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Now it is worthwhile to point out here, that we all fall short of this standard continually. We all fail to walk in full love, our self gets in the way, way too often. Yet, God is aware of that. Anyone who imitates another does not do so purely. We key in on some part of the greater whole and reflect part of the character. The key is that we reflect God’s love. God does not expect us to do it perfectly, but to seek to do it with all that we are. As we do so, we imitate and reflect God. This reflection is a key concept. Jesus called us the light of the world in Matthew 5:14 and directs us in Matthew 5:16 to Let our light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven. Yet, Jesus also referred to Himself as the light of the world in John 8:12. So how does that work? Jesus is the light. He gives us His light, which we in turn reflect to the world. Our walking in love of God and others reflects Jesus. Our genuine response is not something that happens in a void. What we do is seen by others.

 

This leads us to the final portion of today’s message. All of this understanding of worshiping in spirit and truth leads us to how this impacts the world. Our having an ongoing submitted relationship to God through submission to the Holy Spirit and reflected in a genuine response to God through living in love has impact on the world. Given God’s remember revealed reality and being a temple of the Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility. We are as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. What this means, is we are God’ representatives on earth. Does he need us to draw those in darkness to the truth? Not really. But he chooses to use us, so that His love can be seen through us. It all comes down to that passage in Colossians 1 :27, Christ in us, the hope of glory.

 

Now there is a very really danger for each us as we are in the world. The danger comes in forgetting God’s revelation and being tempted to conform to the things of the world or love them. Romans 12:2
states: Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Clearly the ways of the world run contrary to what God desires of us, the world seeks to derail us from a life of submitted relationship that results in a genuine response to God’s revealed reality. This is also emphasized in 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

So then the question is how do we keep from being captivated by the world? Well Colossians 3:2
put it this way “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
It is a matter of what you value. The temporary things of the world, or the eternal things of God. This is pointed out in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
So we need to continually focus our thoughts that this life is momentary, God has more for us.

 

So here is a central point of understanding worship in spirit and truth. When we walk in submission and exhibit genuine response to God’s remembered revealed reality, we let our lights shine. Recently I have come to understand the moon as a symbol of the church. The moon reflects the suns light, in the same way we reflect the light of Jesus to the world. In addition the amount of light we reflect does vary. We have moments where we reflect very little light, just a sliver. There are times we shine brightly giving the full reflection we can give. It all varies as to whether we are walking in submission and responding genuinely or following our own ways. When we walk in loving God fully and loving others, the light shines brightly, when we look after self, we reflect less light.

 

So how do we move in reflecting more light? How do we walk more clearly in worshipping in spirit and truth? There are some basic steps we can do.

 

Ask Holy Spirit to show you what you need to change and wisdom on how to chance

Submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading and let the Holy Spirit empower you

Turn from the things that inhibit walking in love of God and others.

Focus your mind on things above, not on things of this earth.

Remember who God is and what He has done.

Respond with genuine giving of yourself.

 

 

 

In the face minor trials: Musings on how to rejoice in the Lord

It can be difficult when we face the assorted trials of life.  Currently been in the midst of a trial in the form of an intestinal virus that has lingered.  The virus has prevented me from spending time with my brother and his family. It is hard to follow God`s directive to consider it pure joy.  This test is a difficult challenge and last night clearly  reached the lowest point . 

I know the illness and trial is temporary but the hardest part is that it is getting in the way of something I want, time with family.  What I want is good and even appropriate and is prevented.  The question is, is what I want at such a high level that I cannot turn to the Lord and submit to consider it pure joy.

The fact is always these kinds of trials serve to refine us.  Now there are people who have things ongoing far more permanent and have losses far more significant than time with family.  Yet, the emotions of frustration and the felt loss is significant.  Yet, in all things God works together for the good. 

In all things our directive is to rejoice in the Lord.  Here is the thing, God is constant.  We have momentary ups and downs.  We even may have long-term losses.  God is constant through them all.  God remains faithful.  Yet, it is easy to say and hard to bring my emotions and even body into line with this truth.  It is an honest struggle and rejoicing in the Lord here is beyond my strength.  I really would prefer to spend time with family.  We do not get to see each other often.  It is also hard knowing that they have been enduring a long trial with the wife of my brother`s mother dying of breast cancer.  Yet, perhaps in all this, God has allowed illness not only in myself but my father as well, to give them some time of quiet. 

Of course that conclusion is my own mind trying to make sense out of what is going on and trying to sort out a conclusion that I can understand. Only God truly knows why this was allowed and the purposes being served for His glory.  It is hard to see, hard to understand.  Rejoicing in the Lord and resting in His peace is difficult here.  Yet, in all things I serve God and His kingdom.  It is such a time as this that I suffer discomfort and emotional loss of time with those I love. 

 The important process here is I believe to focusing on the suffering and struggles and that of which I recognize and am aware of as struggles and turn to God.  There is a step here from being self-focused and self-aware and being God-focused and God aware.  It is real easy to be caught up in the loss and the minor suffering. If I could will myself to health, I would be healthy.  Yet it is all about God.  To quote the worship song Jesus Lover of my soul, “It is not about me, as if you should do things my way. You alone are God, and I surrender to your ways.”

This is what it comes down to in such minor trials.  The act of considering it pure joy and rejoicing in the Lord are acts of surrender.  Trials always bring a confrontation of self with both real and perceived loss.  It involves a tough step of surrender in the face of self.  It is true here with me, with an intestinal virus that is causing loss.  May God be glorified in this loss.  May my brother and his family get rest even though also facing a loss of what they expected and planned to help recharge them for the difficult days ahead.

So pray for me and my family. Pray for health and peace and strenght. Ultimately pray that we each grow in our ability to walk in surrender and grow in our God focus as we turn from attention to our suffering and loss. And whether a trial to us is minor or major, in the grand scheme of God`s plans, it is all but temporary and minor.

Helpful articles: The Last God to Go-

Recently I was direct to this article which gets to the heart of a matter of buidling your own kingdom or ministry versus serving God.  The article is one that calls each person to question matters of the heart.  This fits well with the worship in spirit and truth messages recently wrote/gave. The website is found here: http://awildernessvoice.com/LastGod.html

 

The Last god to Go

By George Davis and Michael Clark

John closed his first epistle with these words, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John.5:21).

The Amplified Bible reads, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).”

The New Century Dictionary defines an idol as “. . .any person or thing that is the object of blindly adoring regard or inordinate devotion.” In short, an idol is anything, other than God, we ascribe worship to.

Christendom today venerates one icon above all others. It is the most deceitful, illusive and beloved idol known to religious man. While other idols are more obvious and more readily cast off, this one object of worship is often the last god to go. It is talked about on every “Christian” television and radio broadcast and is the topic of an untold number of “Christian” books. Many people spend their lives in undying devotion, burning incense to it from the wee hours of the morning to the late hours of the night. What is this idol that bewitches so many well-meaning Christians today? Is it a statue of some Phoenician god set up in a secret sanctum? No. It is more subtle than that. It is the god of ministry.

Behind this idol is an even more beguiling and sinister object of worship. As in the movie “The Wizard of Oz,” if you pull back the curtain behind the flash, fire, and smoke of a lot of “ministry” today, you often discover a different culprit altogether. Cowering behind the curtain called “My Ministry” is the self-exalting fraud of self-interest. Much of what is done in the name of ministry today comes from an inordinate romance with our own reputations, and resembles a PR campaign, complete with regular mental polling to determine your ratings. At the end of the day, success is determined by going down an unseen checklist of all the people that can hurt or help your cause and realizing that all of them have been placated. Yes, “nothing succeeds like the appearance of success” (Christopher Lasch).

Jesus contrasted this idolatry to His own devotion to the Father. He told the Pharisees, “I don’t receive glory from men, but I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves. I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:41-44) Let’s ponder these words for a moment.

One predominate trait of this idolatry is expressed in Christ’s words, “If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” How often have we seen this? Great crowds gather to hear and see men of renown who come in their own name, but he who is true, who seeks the honor of the One true God, and refuses to accept honor from men is not received. One of the unwritten qualifications for this good ol’ boys club is “You pat my back and I’ll pat yours.”

How often do we see men in ministry coming in their own names? There is Bobby ____ Ministries, Kenneth _____ Ministries, ________ and Associates, _____ _____ University, ______ Bible Institute and so on. Carnal man loves to have his name in lights. Carnal followers love to be identified with big name personalities. Can you see John the Baptist with a huge sign on the cliff above the Jordan that read, “John the Baptist Ministries” or “Baptisms are Us”? No, John did not come in his own name. When messengers from the religious leaders in Jerusalem asked who he was, he simply answered, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” John did not come to lift himself up, but to make the path straight for the only One who God wanted to glorify, the very Son of God.

Jesus told those Pharisees, “I don’t receive glory from men. But I know you . . . ” There is little doubt what Christ is saying here. Because these Pharisees did not have God’s love IN them nor seek God’s honor, they did not truly worship God. Instead, they honored themselves. They looked for honor from men and not the honor that comes from God alone. Their religious cloak was only a ploy to gain power over the righteous.

Paul puts it this way, “But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For (because) it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). Elsewhere he wrote, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). It doesn’t get any plainer than this. If the favor of men is our focus, we cannot be the servants of Christ. We are not true if we do not seek the glory that comes from God alone. To receive glory in this life for the work of God is to miss receiving it from Him in the next. He will say to us as we stand in judgment, “I say unto you, you have had your reward.”

When our sense of accountability is horizontal toward man rather than vertical toward God, we cannot possibly be faithful to Christ. When we look for praise from man, jealousy and unbelief creep in. Jesus said, “How can you believe, who receive glory from one another?” Belief is more than adhering to a system of doctrine; it is faithfulness to God’s leading and obedience to Him alone. You live what you really believe.

Man’s Good Ol’ Boy Networks

Unless a man is free from private ambition and free from the need for man’s approval, he cannot be a true servant to the people of God. Paul wrote, “For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:19, Darby) You cannot truly serve another and do what is best for them if you are fearful of falling into their displeasure. This fear is what makes today’s good ol’ boy networks work. In associations like these, the members are constantly trying to make themselves look better and win the approval of the power clique in hopes of moving up the ladder.

One ministry that is making great inroads on today’s apostolic/prophetic community has a single man at the top who instructs the other ministries under his venue to cut off anyone who will not yield to their authority. He and his ruling board also advocate removing pastors who will not come under their power from their ministries. Having been raised in the Catholic Church, I (Michael) see the same controlling, top-down structure here in this Protestant group that I saw in my youth. The proverb has once again been proven, “Like mother, like daughters” (see Ezekiel 16:44-45).

This movement goes by different names, such as Third Day, Third Wave, or New Apostolic Reformation, and is the religious equivalent of the New World Order of the governments of the Beast system. These Third Day ministries professes to think outside the box, but a closer analysis of their structure reveals the same old box with a new look. The thing that they will not touch is the hierarchical structure that has been in place for the last 1700 years. If anything, what is coming is a greater concentration of power to the few at the top. These elite few are taking to themselves the titles of apostles and prophets. The thinking goes, “If we just tack scriptural names and titles on what we have built in the past, then God will bless it.” Nothing has really changed. The controlling spirit behind it is still the same.

This is the same method that David and Uzzah used to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. Since the Philistines sent the ark back to Israel on an oxcart, they thought a new oxcart would be ideal to bring it on up to Mount Zion. God was not impressed then and he is not impressed now. Every oxcart needs people to steady it. Invariably the ox–those burdened with making the new system work–stumbles. People and movements always die and eventually all that is left is another cold denomination.

In order for the presence of God to return in power in HIS temple, the body of Christ, God must be true and all men be liars. God will not share His glory or power over the church with men, even if they are priests. God struck Uzzah dead because he and his priestly sons failed to follow the due order. We are not speaking of a cast of priests doing the work of the ministry. In the New Testament every man and woman is a priest and minister unto the Lord, set completely apart to follow Him alone.

Men Who Would Be Kings

One of the unwritten laws of good old boy networks is that the ruling members are to make the other ruling members look good at all times. You are never to dress down another leader in front of the “laity.” An appearance of solidarity must always be maintained before the faithful or they might loose faith in your right to rule over them.

I, Michael, was in one such ministry in my youth. The head minister who supervised everyone with an iron hand instructed us to lift him up in the eyes of the public, mentioning his name in glorious terms at all times. If we did, he would build us up in the eyes of others, too, and we would all look good. What ever happened to Jesus’ words, “If I be lifted up, I WILL draw all men nigh”? Carnal man wants his own name lifted up above Christ. This is the very essence of antichrist, which not only means against Christ, but also to displace Christ.

If we are slaves to the fear of man we cannot do what is best for them or ourselves. We will be too fearful to correct people when the Spirit shows us that they are out of order and teaching false doctrines. The fear of man is two-sided. One side is the love of being seen and praised; the other side is the fear of rejection and scorn.

If Christ had looked for honor from man, no one would be saved today. The last place He would have gone was to the shameful and humbling death of the cross. Thank God that He shouldered his cross, bore it outside the camp, and suffered and died for our sins.

The Last God to Go

In the kingdom that Jesus came to establish, there is no priestly cast that rules over the saints. Paul planted believers in Christ. He did not plant churches or make himself head over them! Wherever two or more of these believers were found, that was the church in that area. God was autonomous over them as HIS priests. God’s mind has not changed. Jesus is still building HIS church in one heart at a time. His church is built after the pattern in the heavens and cannot be aided by worldly, romanistic methods.

Paul cried out to the Corinthians,

“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly–and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted–you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:1-4, NKJV).

Can anyone read this and not feel Paul’s heart? Where are our hearts? Are we espoused to one Husband or have our ministers espoused us to themselves? Who and what are WE in love with? God’s words, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ring as true today as they did back then. “But my people have forgotten me, they burn offerings to a delusion; they have stumbled in their ways, in the ancient roads, and have gone into bypaths, not the highway” (Jeremiah 18:15 RV). Do we burn offerings to a delusion or worship the one true God? Do we erect secret shrines and burn incense to our own image–our own ministries?

Paul wrote that the events of the Old Testament “happened. . .by way of example; and they were written for our admonition” (1 Corinthians 10:11 ASV). Its types and shadows are examples that often apply, in amazing detail, to God’s current work in the Church.

Today many people are fulfilling that same idolatrous vision that Ezekiel saw in chapters eight and nine.

And He said to me, Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each man in the rooms of his image? For they are saying, Jehovah does not see us, Jehovah has forsaken the earth. . .And he brought me into the inner court of the house of Jehovah. And, behold, at the opening of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty five men with their backs to the temple of Jehovah. (Ezekiel 8:12 and 16a GLT).

The chapter starts out with these elders of Jerusalem sitting with Ezekiel in his house, looking good to the outward glance. But the prophet is taken out of this inner circle by an angel and shown what they are doing in the hidden chambers of their hearts. He is taken in a vision to the inner court of the temple and there he sees each man bowed down before his own image (imagination or conceit; see Hebrew meaning of image) in the inner court of the temple of God. They are driven by the god of Jealousy (Hebrew – envy). Under the guise of ministering to the people, they turned their backs on the temple of God built with living stones.

God then orders His angel in white linen (the garment of the true priests of His inner court [see Ezekiel 44:17-18] to go forth and mark the foreheads of all those who are mourning: “And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’” (Ezekiel 9:4, NKJV). Then the judgment falls on all that are not so marked.

Be warned. God has once again sent out his angels to mark the foreheads of all who are weeping over the fallen state of today’s self-seeking church leadership. The unmarked who are profiting from this current apostasy and going along with it will be dealt with. Judgment begins first in the house of the Lord.

Are We Betrothed to One Husband?

How quickly we trade the living Son of God for other idols! Paul betrothed new believers to Jesus Christ Himself, not Paul, not a hierarchy! As the friend of the Bridegroom, he presented them as chaste virgins to Jesus, the only Bridegroom. They were not of Paul, nor Apollos, nor Cephas. Because they belonged to Jesus alone, all things were theirs in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3).

Men in ministry are still betrothing the bride to themselves, constantly referring to my ministry, my congregation, or my church. They act as if THEY are the rightful bridegroom. If one of these men had been sent by Abraham to purchase a bride for Isaac, Isaac would still be waiting for his bride in Canaan (see Genesis 24). This self-seeking is perverse and sick and yet the people of God are taken in by this craftiness. Instead of following Jesus, they follow a man who tells them that HE has the NEW way to get to Jesus or the keys to all truth.

Paul warned the Ephesian Church:

“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31, NKJV).

Savage wolves that devour the flock of God will never produce a new wineskin that God’s new wine can be poured into. They are IN the box, will never think outside the box, and will not allow others under their domain to do so either. Jesus spoke of the antichrist (in place of Christ) spirit when he said to the Jewish leaders, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for neither do you go in [yourselves], nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13). They can repaint the whitened sepulcher as often as they like, but inside it still holds a rotting corpse that kills everything that comes in close contact with it.

Today Christians still put up with those who are of another spirit, preaching another gospel, and portraying another christ. The more things change, the more they remain the same. But there is hope. We get letters from dear saints who are finding the truth in the One who said, “I am the Truth.” The latest movements always point to themselves and their apostolic names, positions and titles. They want to rule over the believers, so they rarely point them to Christ. If these men and women were honest, they would adopt the country song by Toby Keith as their theme song. “I wanna talk about me, talk about I.”

The Heart Motivation

The motive of the heart determines whether you are true or not in the eyes of God. The current preoccupation with accountability in the church is to insure that the ones at the top remain there. The ambitious who are climbing toward the top use submission to get their piece of bread. Solomon wrote: “To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress” (Proverbs 28:21, NKJV). These people can be bought and in fact have been. They sell themselves for promotion in the eyes of honored men. As Jesus put it, “No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and will love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). No wonder the church is filled with apostasy these days.

Man cannot maintain true accountability to men and remain faithful to God. If fear of being called to task by man motivates us, we are not truly serving God, but are bowing before lesser gods. One of the first lessons about God that I (George) learned as a child was, “God sees everything!” You can run but you cannot hide. He is around when there’s no one else present. It is a sub par “Christianity” that requires man’s scrutiny to force God’s children into obedience. These accountability systems destroy any sense of the believer’s responsibility of doing “all things as unto the Lord.” The victims of this system find themselves doing all things unto church dictators. Paul spoke of this in the context of slaves and masters. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:6-7).

I, Michael, remember the paralysis that I felt when I was sent out to do a task for my master in the ministry group I mentioned earlier. Invariably, something would come up that was not covered by the leader’s instructions, and I would be forced to make a decision on my own. No matter how hard I tried, I would always make the wrong choice and the inevitable dressing down followed. The fear (of man) has torment. I have since learned that this is typical cult behavior.

Our Lord “made Himself of no reputation.” He didn’t come to win friends and influence enemies or use soul power to build a large following. Jesus did not render eyeservice and He was not a man-pleaser. His eyes were trained on the Father and He did only the things He saw the Father doing. Who was Jesus accountable to? Who did He honor? Who did He receive honor from?

In today’s Church, we promote ministries like the world promotes rock stars. “Come and see Dr, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Brother Wonderful! He moves in all nine gifts of the spirit and possesses all five ministry gifts in his humble little soul. He will be preaching a barn burner of a message and miracles in Holy Spirit power will follow (on demand).” It has taken lots of time, effort, and publicity, but some have finally reached superstar status, not caring who they used or stepped-on along the way.

Raise Yourself Up!

Today there is a mentality that says, “If I am raised up before all men, then I can draw all men to Christ.” This is a flat out lie from Satan himself. Jesus was constantly pressured to promote Himself. An example is found in John 7. The feast of tabernacles was at hand, and His brothers scoffed at him, “Go where your followers can see your miracles!. . . You can’t become a public figure if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, prove it to the world!” (John. 7:3-4 NLT). Christ was not concerned with becoming a public figure. He had come to bear witness to His Father, not Himself. “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory” (John 7:18). Those who speak their own words from their own authority seek their own glory, but those who are sent by God seek only His. These are the genuine article.

The way of Christ is to decrease, not increase. It is the way of lowly service, not ruling over. It is the way of the cross, not the way of gilded thrones and posturing over the priests of God.

Choose the cross, dear saint, not the way that seems right to men but ends in death. Jesus is the Pattern Son. Follow Him alone. Then when you stand before Him you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” not “I say unto you, you have already had your reward.”

Worship in truth: Planned 2nd talk at Fellowship of Maceio

The plan was for me originally to give 2nd talk on 10/10/2009 during English service. Turns out that Pastor Lon had forgotten about a visiting team of missionaries and everyone who spoke English was busy elsewhere translating.  The plan now is for a combination of two talks on 10/14/2009. At any rate here is the intended text of the talk for 10/10/2009. The content will likely be edited and reduced for the combination talk in 10/14/2009.  The text to that talk will also be post on the blog.

_________

I am grateful again for the opportunity to speak. I trust God used the seeds from the last talk to draw you into closer relationship with the Holy Spirit. This week we want to focus in on what it means to worship in the truth.  The starting text again is John 4:20-24   Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 Last time we focused on worship in the spirit, which we examined to be about a relationship of ongoing surrender to the Holy Spirit. We defined worship as being about elevating God and reducing self. I want to expand on that definition a little further. Worship is all about our relationship with God. It is all about knowing God.  In the source passage, Jesus told the Samaritans that they worshiped what they did not know, while the Jews worshipped what they did know.  We know that the Jews knew God and the temple was the place of God’s presence. We know we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and have God with us. It is an ongoing submissive relationship. Jesus referenced true worshipers worship in both spirit and truth. The relationship with the Holy Spirit is pretty straight forward, it is little more difficult to understand having relationship with truth.  How can we relate to truth? Well tonight we will explore that more fully, how do we relate to truth?  

In order to have a relationship we need to have knowledge about what it is we are supposed to be in a relationship with. So we need to get an idea of what the meaning of truth Jesus is referring to here.  Now some may focus on worship in truth as being about the right way of worship or having the right mindset. Truth defined as doing it the right way.  Yet, the Jews and Samaritans both professed attempts at doing it the right way.  So Jesus was clearly talking about more than a right way of worship.

It is worthwhile to examine a little bit of the meaning of the word used. It is the Greek word Alethia (all-lay-thay-ah).  Now in a lot of cases the word is simply used in relation to veracity or correctness, however the Gospel of John is about relationship with Jesus and the words chosen are ones that convey specific meanings as understood within the culture. The word Alethia has far deeper meaning in Greek culture than correctness.  In examining the word several words came up consistently related to meaning including: unhidden, revealed, unforgotten, reality, real, genuine, and sincere.

For me the words that came to mind that summarize the full meaning of the word came down to this: remembered revealed reality. It is something that far transcends the idea of correctness and it is something of lasting impact on the individual.  Now given this understanding of the word used worship in truth is really about a genuine response to the revelation of God. It has life changing impact. Since it is about the revelation of God we need to examine what the revelation of God is, how it impacts us as individuals and how that revelation impacts the world. By understanding each of those areas will get a better grasp at the genuine response to God known as worship in truth.

 So if the truth is about revealing God we need to be aware of what are the sources.  As stated last time, a benefit of being indwelt with the Holy Spirit is being led to greater understanding of God, being led to truth.   Yet, God did not just leave us with the Holy Spirit but also with His written revelation of self, the Word of God, the Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us:  ^“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” and in Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. “ and Jesus himself stated in John 17:17  “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” So clearly God has revealed himself in scripture. Scripture is truth, ultimately truth about our relationship with God.

 It is also worth noting that even without the Holy Spirit or God’s word God  reveals himself in creation. In scripture this is seen in two passages: Psalms 19: 1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”  and Romans 1:20  “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” God has made it so without any further revelation, God can be known.

 Now recognizing that God reveals Himself and use the Holy Spirit, Creation, and His Word it is important to note that His revelation not only reveals Himself, about also what is right for us.  Psalms 119:105 states: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” In other words, God’s revealed word gives us the light we need so we do not stray from the right path.  It gives us the way to walk.  The second part of 2 Timothy 3:16 also makes this point by outlining the uses of God’s word, it useful for teaching, correcting, confronting, and training; all means of our walking rightly, and as such worshipping in truth. 

Now it is important to be aware what the centrality of God’s revelation is about.  Yes, it is about God and our relationship with God, which is all wrapped up in Jesus the Messiah.  It is about as stated in Colossians 1:27   Christ in you, the hope of glory.  The whole of scripture is about Jesus. Jesus fills the whole of scripture with meanings.  This is shown in a few places in scripture.  Let’s start with what Jesus himself said: Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”  The word translated for fulfill actually is better translated as fills them up with meaning. Jesus gives the meaning to the whole of scripture.  Everything that was part of Jewish life in following Torah pointed to Jesus.  Paul in Colossians 2:17 puts it: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Jesus is the substance to the truth of the Gospel. And regarding Prophecy, John wrote in the Revelation of Jesus verse 19:10 the last half of the verse that  “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” So as you can see, the word of God is all about Jesus and our being restored to relationship with God.  It is the essence of God’s revelation.  More simply put Jesus is the truth.  Jesus himself proclaimed in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” The word Jesus used here is the same one we are talking about related to worship in truth, Aletheia.  Jesus is the remembered revealed reality.       

There is one more verse I want to touch on in discussing God’s revelation through His word, and that is John 1:1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This verse again really highlights that Jesus is the revelation of God.  The word used here is the Greek word Logos, which is generally translated as reason, and in usage points to a concept of God’s reason.  There are really three dimensions to the Greek concept of Logos: divine nature, source of all life, and a mediator between the divine and the natural.  This is in essence what God’s revelation is all about.  John further points out that God’s divine reason then brings light.  Jesus himself proclaims this in John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  So Jesus is not just the living embodiment of the Word of God, but the source of light that in turn directs our path.  Given that Jesus is the light, it really leads us to the next area of discussion and that is how God’s revelation impacts us.

 The heart of understanding worship in truth also comes in understanding the impact of God’s revelation in our lives, or more importantly how we are changed by Jesus and the response it draws.  The impact of God’s revelation on us really comes down to three areas: our identity in Jesus, our place in God’s kingdom, and our genuine response. 

 Let us first examine God’s revealed truth regarding our identity.  Here is the fact, each of us at one point were not part of the kingdom of God, we were enemies.  This is true for even people like myself who accepted God’s grace at first choice. We were born into darkness, as enemies to God’s kingdom. We were born as sinful, selfish people. As it says in Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  Now through Jesus we are no longer enemies. We have peace with God. Romans 5:1-2:  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And remember it is Christ in us that is the hope of glory as seen in Colossians 1:27.  Because of the revelation of Jesus and His redemption of sins, we are no longer God’s enemies.   

Our identity is more than being no longer enemies who have been brought to peace with God. God has not just indwelt us with the Holy Spirit allowing Christ in us. God has also changed us.  As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone who is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.” God moves us away from our own selfish way of doing things into a new way.  We are made new.  We are changed from people of darkness to people of the light. And not only have we been made new and at peace with God, we have been set free from bondage and adopted into God’s family as seen in Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

In fact being made at peace with God, being made new, being set free, being adopted are really all part and parcel to becoming children of God and as such heirs.  So the truth is God has done much for us, he has brought us out of darkness into light and not only have we been brought to peace and made new but made into children with an inheritance. This the identity of those of us who submit to God, something far greater than anything we could do of our own accord in our own worlds.

Now being we are heirs and children of God, this brings us to examining an understanding of our place in God’s kingdom.  As children of God and heirs, God has in mind specific tasks and has gifted us accordingly.  Even before we entered into the kingdom of God, God took His time in creating each one of us.  Psalms 139:13-15  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  We see evidence throughout scripture of God using varied people for His plans and purposes.  Being Children of God he has a plan for each of us.  He has given us talents to use and invest and gives us spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.   So God has given each of use gifts to use and invest in the kingdom.  He created us with purpose to build up one another and work toward the common good of the kingdom of God.  So, it is important for use to use the gifts God has given and not only that, be thankful for what God has given.  1 Corinthians 12-14 really is worth spending time examining regarding the gifts God gives to His children.  It is important to note that in that passage the point is made is we are all different parts of the body. This point is also emphasized in Rom 12:4-8 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

We need to accept what God has given us and move in the areas God leads. Not to think highly of ourselves and become prideful. Not to be envious of how God has gifted others, but praise God and accept what the King has given to His child to serve Him. And guess, what, in going about the path as God leads and walking in his path with you and according to your gifts, if you lack anything, just ask and God will not withhold!   1 John 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.  He will always give us what we need, if it corresponds to His will and His call in our life.  We are His children and heirs called to the tasks He set us on. So being aware that as His children God give us gifts and has plans for our serving His kingdom, this leads us to the examining our response.

 Understanding our genuine response to God’s truth, the remembered revealed reality, is really at the core of understanding worship in truth.  It is all about what we do in response to what God has revealed and done in our lives.  It is our response to His grace. Now before I go any further I want to give you an illustration that highlights the nature of genuineness.  This past week we decided to buy some watches. Now these watches are not ordinary watches, they are replicas of famous expensive watches such as Cartier, Rolex, and Armani.  They look and function like the genuine article. You look at them and cannot really tell the difference from the real thing.  However, that appearance is external.  The internal workings of the watch are not genuine, but something functional.  These watches only appear to be genuine.   The genuine article is true on both the inside and outside.   So when we consider worship in truth as being a genuine response to God, it gets beyond appearance and to what flows from the core.  What is on the outside reflects the inner workings. 

 A key passage in understanding genuine response is found in   James 1:22-25  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Now upon hearing this portion of the word of God, did you hear James discussion the very essences of the word for truth John used.  Each element of remembered revealed reality is evident. The first element is being remembered.  James clearly points out the differences between remembering and forgetting and using the picture of looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like upon leaving. Yet, for many of us, we spend a lot of time , sforgetting. We go to church, read the bible, pray, and such yet as soon as finish, we forget.  When we forget we are not walking in truth, spending time focusing on God’s revelation serves as a reminder. The second element is the revelation, this is what we are to remember.  Everything mentioned tonight are things we need to continually remember.  The greatness of God’s gift in Jesus and our being made children of God who serve His purposes is vital to us. All this is revelation to be remembered. And the third element is that of reality.  Remember revelation only become reality in one way, by action.  As James points out, faith without works is dead. So than what are we to do, what are the works God requires of us.  Well the apostle John put it this way in 1 John 5:3    For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Is it simply doing things the right way, following a code or instructions the right way or has God got something more in mind? Remember both the Jews and Samaritans tried to do things the right way, so clearly there is something more involved.  Well John did define God’s commandments earlier in 1 John 3:23  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. So the key here clearly is to walk in love, love of God and love one another.  Jesus himself stated Mark 12:30-31  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And adds in Matthew 22:40  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

So essentially it comes down to this. Love God with your whole self.  The designations of heart, soul, mind, and strength for some can be confusing so let me give some clarity. These four areas are the elements of self.  Self is made up of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. God wants us to love Him with our complete self.  The second command is to love others. This is evident throughout the New Testament in with discussions of interactions with one another. Some examples of our directions are: submit to authorities, submit to one another, bless those who curse you, and love your enemies. Words easily said, sometimes easily agreed to, but difficult to live by.  Yet, the genuine response to God’s revelation results in our living in love. It is reflected in our deeds.  It is not about style, or substance, or place, or any “thing.” Worship in truth is about walking in love. It is how Jesus walked, with genuine love.   Our genuine response is to be imitators of Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Now it is worthwhile to point out here, that we all fall short of this standard continually.  We all fail to walk in full love, our self gets in the way, way too often.  Yet, God is aware of that.  Anyone who imitates another does not do so purely.  We key in on some part of the greater whole and reflect part of the character.  The key is that we reflect God’s love. God does not expect us to do it perfectly, but to seek to do it with all that we are.  As we do so, we imitate and reflect God.  This reflection is a key concept.  Jesus called us the light of the world in Matthew 5:14 and directs us in Matthew 5:16 to Let our light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.  Yet, Jesus also referred to Himself as the light of the world in John 8:12.  So how does that work? Jesus is the light. He gives us His light, which we in turn reflect to the world.  Our walking in love of God and others reflects Jesus.  Our genuine response is not something that happens in a void.  What we do is seen by others.

And ultimately all of this understanding of worshiping in spirit and truth leads us to how such behavior impacts the world.  Our having an ongoing submitted relationship to God through submission to the Holy Spirit and reflected in a genuine response to God through living in love has impact on the world.  Given God’s remember revealed reality and being a temple of the Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility.  We are as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  What this means, is we are God’ representatives on earth.  Does he need us to draw those in darkness to the truth?  Not really.  But He chooses to use us, so that His love can be seen through us.  It all comes down to that passage in Colossians 1:27, Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Now here is a fact, just as Jesus was despised and rejected of men, it means as we reflect him, we will be despised and rejected by those lost in darkness.  In fact Jesus stated in Matthew 5:11    ”Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Jesus also prayed to the father before the events of crucifixion John 17:14-18  I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.   So we are hated by the world and still sent into the world.  Now being in the world there is a very real danger.  The danger comes in forgetting God’s revelation and being tempted to conform to the things of the world or love them.  Romans 12:2 states: Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Clearly the ways of the world run contrary to what God desires of us, the world seeks to derail us from a life of submitted relationship that results in a genuine response to God’s revealed reality. This is also emphasized in 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

So then the question is how do we keep from being captivated by the world.  Well Colossians  3:2 put it this way  “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  Of course this is easy to say but hard to do.  It is real easy to get caught in the things of the world, rather than displaying God.  What we value is often of self and not God’s kingdom.   If you look at our lives, at times they do not reflect God.  The biggest barrier to God’s kingdom is our getting caught in darkness, even though it is temporary.  The temporariness of the world is evidenced in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So God clearly puts and emphasis on how life is temporary. So we need to continually focus our thoughts that this life is momentary, God has more for us.

 The fact is when we walk in submission and exhibit genuine response to God’s remembered revealed reality, we let our lights shine.  Recently I have come to understand the moon as a symbol of the church.  The moon reflects the suns light, in the same way we reflect the light of Jesus to the world.  In addition the amount of light we reflect does vary. We have moments where we reflect very little light, just a sliver.  There are times we shine brightly giving the full reflection we can give.  It all varies as to whether we are walking in submission and responding genuinely or following our own ways.  When we walk in loving God fully and loving others, the light shines brightly, when we look after self, we reflect less light.

 

So we need to walk in submission with a genuine response to God’s remembered revealed reality.  So where to we go from here?

Ask Holy Spirit to show you what you need to change and to give you strength.

Submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading and let the Holy Spirit give you strength

Turn from the things that inhibit walking in love of God and others.

Focus your mind on things above, not on things of this earth.

Remember who God is and what He has done.

Respond with genuine giving of your self.

This is an ongoing process, it is not just a one time action, we need to follow these steps continually.  When we do that, we truly are worshiping in spirit and truth.