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"Change My Heart Oh God"
~ For encouragement and edification ~
~ July 2009 ~
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"Change My Heart Oh God"
~ For encouragement and edification ~
~ July 2009 ~
(If the current date is not displayed, please click
your browser's REFRESH or RELOAD button)
OUR DIFFERENCES - PART 3
One of the things that we can do is recognize where we are at and how we may have separated ourselves from others in the body of Christ. There are several view points that I would like to share with you as we continue our teaching.The first point that we will look at is that we ‘all’ feel that we are right with our beliefs, traditions, teachings and doctrines. However, we know that we are not! But there is a deeper truth that we know and need to recognize and adhere to, and that is that our truth or biblical doctrine was never meant to separate us from one another or puff us up.
The second thing to remember is that those whom God has given to lead us and teach us in the Word of God are not infallible. They are not perfect in any way shape or form! They are men and women of God that He has gifted to present His Word through and help us so that we can grow up into a mature man or woman in Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
What we have done instead is to ‘exalt them to a place’ that is equal to Christ, rather than to esteem them highly for the work of God. 1Th 5:12-13: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
We have exalted them so highly, that they now think that they deserve more than anyone else in the Church! We need to repent for putting them in such an exalted position. If you look at the Apostles of the Lamb, you will see that they started out in the flesh also, but they put away foolish things and were ready to die for the cause of Christ. Have we become a church that only talks the talk but who will never walk the walk? What did the apostles, prophets, men and women that God placed in authority within the early church do differently than those we see on TV today? Did they not suffer for Christ? Were they not persecuted for His name sake? Were they not willing to give up, if necessary, their own lives for Jesus and for His Gospel? Oh, how far we have fallen from His true riches, grace and calling for our lives.
The third thing, that we might need to remember are those who are sent as missionaries or apostles for the work and ministry of Jesus. They are also vessels that have been hand picked by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. They are if sent by the Spirit of the Lord, not picked by men, not by themselves or even members of a special board group. These whom the Lord has called, he has chosen, he has anointed and separated for his own purpose and mission. Many people put these folks up on some ‘spiritual pedestal’ without realizing it, but this too is very dangerous! Listen to what Jesus said in Luke 17:7-10: “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
Can you see the contrast to what people are saying and doing today? We are telling one another and ourselves that we deserve to be looked up too. Some of us are saying, "Look what I have done for the Lord. I deserve the best. I deserve more because I have sacrificed!" This is not what the people of God said and expressed, is it?
Act 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” 2 Th 1:3-5, "We are bound to give thanks to God always to you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.”
Does this mean we can’t believe God for the covenant promises in the Word of God? No, absolutely not! However we need to keep our priorities right and our focus where it needs to be in this last day - That is on Jesus, His Word and the grace he is giving so we can all, together, achieve righteousness in the Kingdom of God.
The last point I would like to look at are those who think so little of themselves that they will do nothing for the King of Kings. They have been looked down upon for so very long that they don’t have any self worth. They aren’t the beautiful people according to the flesh. They are those who people pass every day but think nothing of them. They are the ones for whom Christ died, but seemingly others are not willing to recognize as part of the body. Our eyes have been focused on the TV and magazines and other media so much that we have forgotten who our bother is and who belongs to the world! These ordinary people are loved by Christ and needed to be used in the body. We must speak to one another and encourage one another not because of what we look like or where we come from, but because it is a commandment of God.
Let’s all do our part, building one another up in the admonition of Christ, strengthening one another, accepting one another and loving each other until Christ returns.
In His Service,
Gary Priem
Father's Heart Archives:
Nuggets From the Father's Heart
Choose Your Relationships Prayerfully!
Hinderances To Faith for Healing and Others
Four Progressive Steps to Victory
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