2016. Sow what?!

As we enter the new year, I am sure many of us want to see change in our lives. Obviously if we continue to do what we have done in the past we cannot expect a different outcome in the future. Someone once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." In other words, if you keep sowing the same seed, you cannot expect to reap a different harvest!

What will you sow into?

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7,8

The seed we sow will either be destructive or constructive. If we sow seed to please our sinful desires, we will reap the negative consequences but if we sow to please the Holy Spirit, we will reap fullness of life.

Sowing to please the Spirit does not come naturally. The apostle Paul even says that the desires of the sinful nature are contrary to the Spirit and that they are in conflict with each other (Gal. 5:17). In order to sow to please the Spirit, the believer must make a disciplined effort to overcome his or her natural desires. A great example of this is found in Matthew 26:36-46 where the disciples gave in to "sleeping and resting" instead of "watching and praying." Jesus said that "the spirit is willing but the body is weak" and so we need to understand that in order to sow spiritual seed, we must overcome the weakness of the body. In Gethsemane, Jesus overcame His emotions (26:38), His will (26:39) and His physical tiredness (26:40) to fulfill the will of the Father. If Jesus "learned obedience" then surely we need to as well (see Hebrews 5:7-10)!

All of us sow seed. The question is, "Are we sowing seed to please ourselves or to please the Holy Spirit?"

How much will you sow?

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corintians 9:6

We must sow generously if we what to reap generously. In order to sow generously we must be prepared to sow beyond natural expectations and boundaries. Supernatural harvest comes from supernatural investment - sowing that is beyond the natural.

As stewards of what God entrusts us with whether gifts, talents, finances, time, energy, relationships, revelation, etc, we can use these for ourselves, to bless or to invest. We see these three principles in Matthew 25:1-46 where Jesus teaches on the believer's need to be ready (25:1-13), the believer's need to invest (25:14-30) and the believer's duty to bless (25:31-46). All three parables deal with stewardship and the consequences of wise investment whether for ourselves, for others or for the Kingdom. Generosity is commended because it reflects the very heart of the Father toward all creation. God gives beyond the boundary and those who are of Him will do the same! If we sow generously, we will reap generously!

So as we enter 2016, consider what you will sow into and how much you will sow to determine what you want to reap and how much you want to reap!

Consider what you want to reap in the future and how much you want to reap concerning:

• Your relationship with God.
• Your own life: spiritually, physically and emotionally.
• Your family: salvation , care, reconcilliation, provision, honour.
• Your relationship with others: forgiveness, reconcilliation, care, support, investment.
• The salvation of the lost: prayer, sharing the Gospel, caring, supporting.
• The needy: provision, support, love.
• Your church: serving, investing, supporting, honouring, spiritual gifts.
• Your work: attitude, colleagues, honour.

"Each man should give what he has decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

May God bless you richly as you generously sow into what the Spirit desires in 2016!

2016. Wie säen wir weiter?!

Gerade jetzt, ganz am Anfang des Neuen Jahrs, bin ich sicher, dass sich viele von uns Veränderung in ihrem Leben wünschen. Es ist aber klar, dass keine veränderten Ergebnisse erwarten können, wenn wir weiterhin das tun, was wir in der Vergangenheit auch getan haben. Jemand sagte einmal “Es ist geisteskrank immer und wieder dasselbe zu tun und andere Resultate zu erwarten!“ Mit anderen Worten, wenn Du weiterhin denselben Samen aussäst, kannst du nicht erwarten, eine andere Ernte einzubringen!

Wo hinein wirst du säen?

"Irrt euch nicht, Gott lässt sich nicht verspotten! Denn was ein Mensch sät, das wird er auch ernten. Denn wer auf sein Fleisch sät, wird vom Fleisch Verderben ernten; wer aber auf den Geist sät, wird vom Geist ewiges Leben ernten" Galater 6:7,8

Das Saatgut, das wir aussäen, wird entweder destruktiv oder konstruktiv sein. Wenn wir das säen, was unserer sündigen Natur gefällt, werden wir negative Konsequenzen ernten; aber wenn wir das säen, was dem Heiligen Geist gefällt, werden wir die Fülle des Lebens ernten.

Das zu säen, was dem Geist Gottes gefällt, liegt nicht in unserer menschlichen Natur. Der Apostel Paulus sagt sogar, dass die Wünsche der sündigen Natur konträr zum Geist sind und dass sie miteinander im Konflikt stehen. (Gal. 5:17). Um aber dem Geist Gottes gefallend zu säen, muss der Gläubige sich diszipliniert bemühen, seine eigenen, natürlichen, Wünsche zu überwinden. Ein großartiges Beispiel dafür finden wir in Matthäus 26:36-46 wo die Jünger sich hängen ließen und "schliefen und ruhten" anstatt zu "wachen und beten." Jesus sagte dazu: "der Geist willig, aber das Fleisch ist schwach". Und so müssen wir verstehen, dass wir, um geistliche Samen zu säen, die Schwachheit unseres Leibes überwinden müssen. In Gethsemane, hat Jesus all seine Emotionen (26:38), seinen Willen l (26:39) und auch seine physische Müdigkeit (26:40) überwunden, um den Willen des Vaters zu erfüllen. Wenn selbst Jesus "Gehorsam lernte”  dann müssen wir das sicherlich auch (siehe Hebr. 5:7-10)!

Wir alle säen etwas. Die Frage ist “Säen wir, um uns selbst zu gefallen, oder um dem Heiligen Geist zu gefallen?“

Wieviel wirst du säen?

"Erinnere dich an dies: Wer sparsam sät, wird sparsam ernten; und wer segensreich sät, wird auch segensreich ernten." 2. Kor. 9:6

Wir müssen großzügig säen, wenn wir großzügig ernten wollen. Um großzügig zu säen, müssen wir bereit sein, über unsere natürlichen Erwartungen und Begrenzungen hinaus zu säen. Eine übernatürliche Ernte kommt von einem übernatürlichen Investment – Alson das säen, was über das Natürliche hinausgeht.

Als Verwalter dessen, was Gott uns anvertraut – ob nun bezüglich unserer Gaben, Talente, Finanzen, Zeit, Energie, Beziehungen, Offenbarung, etc., können wir diese Dinge für uns selbst, zum Segen anderer oder als Investition nutzen. Wir sehen diese drei Prinzipien in Matthäus 25:1-46, wo Jesus darüber lehrt, dass die Gläubigen bereit sein (25:1-13), investieren (25:14-30) und segnen (25:31-46) sollten. Bei allen drei Gleichnissen geht es um Verwalterschaft und die Konsequenzen von weisen Investitionen; ob für uns selbst, für andere oder für das Königreich. Großzügigkeit wird empfohlen, weil dies das Herz des Vaters für seine Schöpfung wiederspiegelt. Gott gibt uns über alle Grenzen hinaus und die, die von ihm abstammen, tun dasselbe. Wenn wir großzügig säen, werden wir großzügig ernten!

Nun in 2016, bedenke, wohinein du säen möchtest und wie viel du hinein säen möchtest – den das wird festlegen, was du ernten möchtest und wieviel! Bedenke, was du in folgenden Bereichen zukünftig ernten möchtest und wieviel: 

• Deine Beziehung zu Gott.
• Dein eigenes Leben: Geistlich, physisch, emotional.
• Deine Familie: Errettung, Fürsorge, Versöhnung, Versorgung, Ehre.
• Deine Beziehung zu anderen: Vergebung, Versöhnung, Versorgung, Unterstützung, Investition
• Die Errettung der Verlorenen: Gebet, das Evangelium weitergeben, Unterstützen, Fürsorge
• Die Bedürftigen: Versorgung, Unterstützung, Liebe.
• Deine Gemeinde: Dienen, investieren, unterstützen, ehren, geistliche Gaben.
• Deine Arbeit: Haltung, Kollegen, Ehre.

"Jeder gebe, wie er sich in seinem Herzen vorgenommen hat: nicht mit Verdruss oder aus Zwang, denn einen fröhlichen Geber liebt Gott. Gott aber vermag euch jede Gnade überreichlich zu geben, damit ihr in allem allezeit alle Genüge habt und überreich seid zu jedem guten Werk."  Korinther 9:7 und 8
Möge Gott euch reichlich segnen, so wie ihr großzügig in das hinein sät, wonach sich der Geist Gottes in 2016 sehnt!

Pray without ceasing!

"Ransomed men need no longer pause in fear to enter the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His Presence and live our whole life there. This is to be known to us in conscious experience. It is more than a doctrine to be held, it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day." A.W.Tozer

Prayer is life in Christ. 1 John 5:12
Prayer is being God-conscious - a life lived in the reality of God's presence. Heb. 11:1,6
Prayer is remaining - a life that abides in the enveloping experience of Jesus. John 15:4
Prayer is participating - a life that feeds on the Bread of heaven and is filled with Him. John 6:57
Prayer is communing - a life entwined in dialogue with God. Matthew 17:5
Prayer is reflecting - a life unveiled in the face of God and echoing His glory. 2 Cor. 3:18

Through our faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God. We, therefore, not only have access to God, but are called to live our lives in God's presence all the time. To pray continually is to live in Christ, to be aware of Him, to remain in Him, to draw from Him, to interact with Him and to reflect His very being as we are filled with Him. Prayer is not an occasional spiritual discipline but a continuing spiritual necessity for life. Let us live our lives in Christ. Let us pray!

Pray without ceasing! 1 Thess. 5:17

Müssen wir unvollkommenen Leitern gehorchen?

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,,Gehorcht euren Führern und fügt euch ihnen." Hebräer 13,17

Voraussetzung für Gehorsam

Der häufigste Einwand, warum man einem Leiter nicht gehorsam sein will, besteht darin, dass er oder sie es nicht verdient hätte! Offensichtlich ist es eine Voraussetzung für vollständigen Gehorsam, dass der Leiter perfekt ist und dass er perfekt leitet. In seiner Weisheit hat Gott jedoch in der Gemeinde und auch in der Welt unvollkommene Leiter eingesetzt. Da haben wir’s! Wir sind fein raus. Da müssen wir ja keinem Leiter gehorchen, richtig?

Eine Herzensangelegenheit

Eine ähnliche Frage wurde Jesus gegenüber aufgeworfen. Nachdem ein Gesetzes-Experte die korrekte  Antwort hinsichtlich des größten Gebots gegeben hatte, fragte der Gesetzes-Experte Jesus selbstgefällig: „Und wer ist denn mein Nächster?“ (siehe Lukas 10,25-37). Jesus durchschaute allerdings die Selbstgerechtigkeit im Herzen des Mannes, dessen Frage eigentlich lautete: „Wer verdient es überhaupt, geliebt zu werden?“ Als Entgegnung erzählt Jesus das Gleichnis vom barmherzigen Samariter und dreht damit die Frage um, indem er den Gesetzes-Experten fragte: „Welcher von diesen Dreien ist deiner Meinung nach nun der Nächste dessen gewesen, der unter die Räuber gefallen ist?“. Jesus geht damit gegen den Zustand des Herzen Mannes an, das gesetzlich geprägt war. Die Frage ist nicht: „Wer verdient es, geliebt zu werden?“ Die Frage lautet vielmehr: „Wie ist deine Herzenshaltung anderen gegenüber?“ Genauso ist die falsche Fragestellung: „Wer hat es verdient, dass wir ihm gehorchen?“ Vielmehr müssen wir fragen: „Wie ist deine Herzenseinstellung Leitern und Autoritäten gegenüber?“

Gott oder Menschen gehorchen?

Manche mögen hier einwenden: „Solange ich Gottes Autorität gehorche, muss ich mich keinem Menschen unterordnen“. Das Problem mit dieser Einstellung ist, dass unser gewöhnliches Verhalten unseren geistlichen Zustand widerspiegelt. Johannes spricht genau dieses Prinzip an, wenn er schreibt: „Wenn jemand sagt: »Ich liebe Gott«, und hasst doch seinen Bruder, so ist er ein Lügner; denn wer seinen Bruder nicht liebt, den er sieht, wie kann der Gott lieben, den er nicht sieht? Und dieses Gebot haben wir von ihm, dass, wer Gott liebt, auch seinen Bruder lieben soll“ (1. Johannes 4,20-21). Wir unterliegen einer Selbsttäuschung, wenn wir denken, wir könnten ein gehorsames Herz Gott gegenüber haben, ohne uns menschlichen Leitern unterzuordnen. Gottgegebene Autorität dient dazu, gehorsame Herzen zu entwickeln, die unsere Haltung Gott gegenüber dadurch enthüllt, wie wir uns einander unterordnen. „Ihr Knechte, gehorcht euren leiblichen Herren mit Furcht und Zittern, in Einfalt eures Herzens, als dem Christus … dient mit gutem Willen dem Herrn und nicht den Menschen“ (Epheser 6,5-7). Das gleiche Prinzip gilt auch für Ehepartner, für Eltern und Kinder und sogar für die Unterordnung unter staatliche Gewalt (siehe Römer 13,1-2). Natürlich sollen wir uns nicht ungöttlichen Leitern oder ungöttlicher Führung unterordnen die den Willen Gottes nicht tun, aber das ist nicht der Punkt, den ich hier machen möchte. Es geht mir hier vielmehr ganz generell um die allgemeine Herzenseinstellung gegenüber Autorität.

Wie kann man eine bessere Einstellung gegenüber Autorität und unvollkommene Leiter und Führung entwickeln?

„Gehorcht euren Führern und fügt euch ihnen; denn sie wachen über eure Seelen als solche, die einmal Rechenschaft ablegen werden, damit sie das mit Freuden tun und nicht mit Seufzen; denn das wäre nicht gut für euch! Betet für uns!“ (Hebräer 13,17-18)

Unsere Haupt-Motivation für aufrichtige Unterordnung muss es sein, der Mission zu dienen! Gott ernennt Leiter, damit sie die Menschen so führen, dass sie seine Absichten umsetzen. Leiter haben einen Auftrag auszuführen und sie brauchen dabei Unterstützung. Leiter trainieren den Leib Christi und rüsten ihn so aus, dass er geistlich wächst und dazu in der Lage ist, dass jeder seinen Auftrag ausführen kann (siehe Epheser 4,11-16). Unterordnung unter Leiter dient dem höheren Anliegen, dass Gott verherrlicht wird. Es geht nicht um den Leiter! Es geht um die Mission, die auszuführen ist. Unsere Einstellung einem Leiter gegenüber wird ihn/sie entweder behindern und belasten, oder sie wird ihm/ihr bei seiner/ihrer Leitungsaufgabe Freude bereiten. Wenn man nur alles kritisiert oder ständig die Unvollkommenheiten des Leiters herausstellt, dann hilft das in keiner Weise bei der Aufgabenerfüllung. Aber Unterstützung, Hilfe und Gebet für den Leiter werden hilfreich bei der Erfüllung der Aufgabe sein. Es nützt auch den „Gefolgsleuten“ überhaupt nichts, dem Leiter unnötige Lasten aufzubürden, sondern es behindert nur das gemeinsame Werk. Wir müssen im Hinterkopf behalten, dass wir einem übergeordneten Ziel dienen, und dass es diesem Ziel dient, wenn wir die Verantwortung des Leiters achten und ehren. Leiter sind nicht deshalb Leiter, weil sie vollkommen sind. Sie sind Leiter, weil ihnen eine Verantwortung übertragen wurde.

Ich möchte euch ermutigen, dass ihr entschlossen ein gehorsames Herz gegenüber Autoritäten und Leitern in eurem Leben entwickelt. Macht Ihre Verantwortung zu einer Freude! Und so geht es:

• Bete für eure Leiter (Eltern, Lehrer, Chefs, Regierungsbeamten, Pastoren usw.)
• Ermutigt eure Leiter
• Unterstützt eure Leiter nach Kräften
• Dankt euren Leitern

Why follow imperfect leaders?

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"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority." Hebrews 13:17

Condition for obedience

The most common objection to obeying a leader is that s/he doesn't deserve to be obeyed! It seems that the condition for perfect obedience requires perfect leaders and perfect leadership. However, in God's wisdom, He has placed imperfect leaders who lead imperfectly in the Church and in the world. So that's it. We're off the hook. We don't need to obey any leaders then. Right?

A matter of the heart

A similar question was raised with Jesus. After giving Jesus the correct answer concerning the greatest commandments, the expert in the law smugly asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" (see Luke 10:25-37). Jesus saw right through the man's self-righteous heart that was actually asking, "Who deserves to be loved?" In response, Jesus tells the parable of the merciful Samaritan and turns the question around by asking the expert in the law, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" Jesus addresses the condition of the expert in the law's heart. The question is not "Who deserves to be loved?" Rather, the question is, "What is your heart attitude toward others?" Similarly, the question is not, "Who deserves to be obeyed?" Rather it is, "What is your heart attitude toward leaders and authority?"

Obedience to God or man?

Some may object and say, "As long as I am obedient to God's authority, I don't need to submit to any man." The problem with this attitude is that what we are in the natural is a reflection of what we are in the spiritual. John addresses this very principle when he writes, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:20,21). We deceive ourselves when we think we can have a submissive heart toward God but not to human leaders. God-given authority serves to develop submissive hearts that reveal one's attitude toward God by the way we submit to one another. Paul writes, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ....Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord." (Ephesians 6:5,7). The same principle applies to husbands and wives, parents and children as well as to submitting to governing authorities (see Romans 13:1,2). Obviously we are not to submit to ungodly leaders or leadership but that is not the issue I want to address here but rather the attitide of our hearts toward authority in general.

How can one develop a better attitude toward authority and imperfect leaders and leadership?

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us." Hebrews 13:17-18

Our primary motivation for sincere submission must be to serve the mission! God appoints leaders to lead people to fulfill His purposes. Leaders have a job to do and they need help. Leaders teach and equip so that Body of Christ will mature and be equipped so that everyone can do his or her work (see Ephesians 4:11-16). Submission to leaders serves the greater purpose to glorify God. It is not about the leader! It is about the mission that needs to be fulfilled. Our attitude toward a leader will either hinder him or her and burden him or her or it will help make his or her leadership a joy. Criticizing and exposing the leader's imperfections does not help get the job done. Supporting, helping and praying for the leader will help get the job done. When the leader is burdened, it is of no advantage to the "followers" because the work is hindered. We must keep in mind that we are serving the greater good and that honouring the leader's responsibility will help get the job done. Leaders are not leaders because they are perfect. They are leaders because they carry a responsibility.

I want to encourage you to be purposeful about developing a submissive heart toward authority and leaders in your life. Make their responsibility a joy! Here is how:

• Pray for your leaders (parents, teachers, bosses, presidents, pastors, etc).
• Encourage your leaders.
• Help your leaders.
• Thank your leaders.

Who are you following?

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Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6

The Way

Jesus is the Way or the Gate through which we can enter to have fullness of life as God intended us to have. Through faith in Jesus, we have access to His life and become part of His fold.

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:9,10 (emphasis mine)

The Truth

Jesus is the Truth, the Shepherd whom we follow and look to as our example. The apostle Paul writes,

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul modelled a life that was lived according to the example of Christ. The apostle always pointed to his Shepherd as the Truth and the example of fullness of life. Fully aware of his own weaknesses and failings, Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith and not to make his apparent failings an excuse for not doing what is in line with the truth (see 2 Cor 13:5-9)!

Many Christians look for a spiritual leader that they can follow. Once they find someone they admire, they begin to trust and follow that person. As they do so, they begin to follow his or her example and find security in having someone lead them who apparently has it all together. All is well until the image of a perfect spiritual leader is destroyed by the realisation and the fact that the leader has weaknesses and failings like every other human being. Sadly the pattern is often repeated and the "follower" looks for someone else they admire to lead them until they are let down again.

However, Jesus is the leader we are to follow because He is our Great Shepherd and the Truth by which we model our lives.

Imperfect leaders are not an excuse for believers to lower Christ's example of righteousness for their own lives!

The Life

Jesus is the Life. Jesus is the way to fullness of life. Jesus is the example of fullness of life and Jesus is the provider of fullness of life. The believer must go to Jesus to have life. He is the Source of living water. Jesus says,

"These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." John 5:39,40

Jesus invites us to have fellowship with Him and to participate in Eternal Life. The words eternal life don't only refer to the duration of life but more importantly they refer to a quality of life, the substance of life that originates from God Himself in Christ. We are invited to drink deeply from the river of delights (Ps 36:8) and to be filled with life to the full! Our Shepherd enables us to come in and go out and find pasture. It is Christ Himself who empowers us to live the life He modelled. Hallelujah!

How about you?

So let me ask you:

• Do you trust in Jesus as the Way to life? 
• Do you look to Him as the Truth of how you should live? 
• Do you depend on Him for fullness of life?

The Invisible Umpire

"Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace." 2 Corinthians 1:12
  
The apostle Paul writes with great confidence that his conduct in the world and towards his fellow believers is right before God. The questions that his boast raises are the following: 

How can Paul be so sure that he is right and who or what determines what is right and wrong?

Although Paul did not depend on his conscience to determine whether he was right before God, he regarded his conscience as the umpire of his life.

"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:3,4

The One who determines what is right or wrong is God Himself. We cannot depend on human wisdom or the world's wisdom or even on our own wisdom to determine what is right and what is wrong. However, we can choose who or what will govern our conscience.

The conscience is the invisible umpire who judges according to one's own standard, the world's standard or God's standard.

 
For example, if I choose my feelings and desires to govern my conscience, I will live according to what I desire and will be ok with that. Or, if I choose to let what is socially acceptable or that which the media communicates is acceptable to govern my conscience I will live according to the world's standard and be ok with that. Likewise I can choose to let my conscience be governed by what I, myself consider to be right and live according to my wisdom and be ok with that.

The problem, however, is that what is ok for me may not be ok for you. In that case, who is to say what is right and what is wrong?

A quick test will help you think about this question of what determines what is right or wrong:

• Is same sex marriage ok? Why or why not?
• Is murder ok? Why or why not?
• Is incest ok? Why or why not?
• Is adultery ok? Why or why not?
• Is fornication ok? Why or why not?
• Is stealing ok? Why or why not?

Perhaps your general answer would be something along the lines of: as long as I don't harm another person, I can do what I like and that's ok.

The problem, once again is, who determines what is harmful to another person?

As a believer in God as the Judge of all, I choose to align my conscience to the righteousness (that which is ok before God) that is at work in my life by the influence of the Holy Spirit and revealed by His Word. Every believer has received the gift of righteousness that is at work in his or her life (see Romans 5-7). Together with God's revealed will (the Bible), the Holy Spirit makes God's heart and willl known to the believer's conscience so that s/he can have the confidence that s/he is living according to God's standard with integrity and godly sincerity. God's gift of His presence and the revelation of His will is the grace by which the believer is called to live his or her life.

Can we say with Paul, "Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace."?

The Joy of True Fellowship

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"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make (y)our joy complete." 1 John 1:3,4

True fellowship with one another comes out of the fellowship each one of us has with God.  At the same time, true fellowship with one another is hindered when we don't have true fellowship with God.

"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7

The fruit of fellowship with God should be that the believer lives by the truth.

"The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4

When believers don't live by the truth, they will hinder true fellowship with one another. The greatest joy is found when believers walk in the light and together have unhindered fellowship with God.

As much as I believe that God always works despite us, I also believe that God is looking for a people who are committed to fellowship with Him and fellowship with one another.

Unity is a very powerful thing. Where there is true fellowship, God will pour out His Spirit (Psalm 133). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is inexpressible joy. The joy and love we experience when we are reconciled to those we love will be poured over a people who are committed to living in unity and love.

My prayer is that the Church would receive revelation, would experience and would live according to what Christ has purchased for us by His blood. The truth is that Christ's death has opened the way for man to have true fellowship with God and one another (Ephesians 2:14-22). Through faith in Jesus, the believer is made one with God and with every other believer. This is a divine mystery that could only be accomplished by God. To live "by the truth" is to live according to the reality of our union with God and one another. The question is, "Will we live according to this amazing truth and be devoted to fellowship with God and one another?"

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:9-12

The anarchy of the soul

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The oxford dictionary defines the word anarchy as:

1. a state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems
2. absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a political ideal.

Origin: mid 16th cent: via medieval Latin from Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an - 'without' + arkhos 'chief,ruler'.

The Bible makes it clear that society is moving towards a state of lawlessness -

"For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work" (2 Thess 2:7).

The power of lawlessness that is driven by the man of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:3) opposes God and the truth so that people are deceived and "refuse to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thess 2:10).

"God is not a God of disorder," Paul writes but is the God who is the highest authority and in whom true freedom is found.

James writes, "the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).

The deception is in the idea that true freedom is the absence of a governing authority and any controlling system. In the name of tolerance and enlightened thinking, we are developing a society that is turning its back on God's authority and will and we wonder why our young generation is confused, abandoned, dislocated, hopeless and angry. The truth is that when man is left to himself, he moves toward the anarchy of the soul.

Without the governing presence of the Spirit of God within man, sinful man, who is seperated from God, is given over to the desires of the flesh (see Romans 1:18-32)! His mind, his emotions and his will are influenced by every sinful desire and every influence of the world. Left to himself, man experiences the anarchy of the soul that ultimately leads to self-destruction. The prodigal son left the place of authority and order (his father and home) to live a life of freedom. What that led to was the anarchy of the soul that led him to the pigs.

God wants His creation to live in fullness of life. Creation will only experience freedom when it submits itself to the authority and will of God. Creation is waiting to be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom 8:21)! Those who are governed by the Spirit of God are the sons of God who live in the glorious freedom of God's order (Rom 8:14). Hallelujah!

I believe God is calling His people to renew their trust in His absolute authority and His good, pleasing and perfect will. Only a people who rely on the authority and wisdom of God will experience true freedom and live life as God purposed it for man.

"Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5