Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Pulling the wool..?
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Ecu-manicle
by David Robinson
Beyond the siren's call, are crashing waves and rocks.
Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Behind the dangling carrot is a very big stick.
When "wolves in sheep's clothing" smile in your direction, do not take it as a compliment!
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Justice and Righteousness
by Belinda Jabore
Isaiah 42 and 43:1-19 Things are coming to us! There is a change happening to us right now! Justice and Righteousness is here - it is happening right now. My people are a people of justice and righteousness and there is a spear head - an arrow head (a wheel within a wheel) that is being released out into the realms of the Spirit. It will penetrate the realms of the Spirit to bring forth My plans and purpose right now. Unity, unity… Great signs and wonders… Cry out, moan and groan and bring to birth all the words which can’t be spoken. We are weak but you are strong Lord.
Too many things to mention - let the cry and the moans go out of righteousness and justice. Those who fear My name will have the heritage and the promises of the kingdom plan and purpose. My plans and promises that I have promised you are coming - they are coming to you. Get ready to receive My promises they have been released and they are drawing to you like a heat seeking missile nothing will stop it and they will come to you. This is your reward for the battle that lay ahead and what you have endured. You will need these things to accomplish the plan I have for you. Many great promises are coming, many things are coming…… There is a roaring in the Spirit - there is a moaning in the Spirit - there is a birthing in the spirit of the issues and things on My heart… roar , moan, and birth in the Spirit… We cry out for mercy… Mercy Lord…
The arrow is penetrating and it’s a wheel within a wheel… God’s government, God’s leaders, God’s servants and worshipers marching to the sounds of justice and righteousness the foundations of His throne.
Psalm 89:14
Mercy and Truth go before Your face.
Too many things to mention - let the cry and the moans go out of righteousness and justice. Those who fear My name will have the heritage and the promises of the kingdom plan and purpose. My plans and promises that I have promised you are coming - they are coming to you. Get ready to receive My promises they have been released and they are drawing to you like a heat seeking missile nothing will stop it and they will come to you. This is your reward for the battle that lay ahead and what you have endured. You will need these things to accomplish the plan I have for you. Many great promises are coming, many things are coming…… There is a roaring in the Spirit - there is a moaning in the Spirit - there is a birthing in the spirit of the issues and things on My heart… roar , moan, and birth in the Spirit… We cry out for mercy… Mercy Lord…The arrow is penetrating and it’s a wheel within a wheel… God’s government, God’s leaders, God’s servants and worshipers marching to the sounds of justice and righteousness the foundations of His throne.
Psalm 89:14
Mercy and Truth go before Your face.
Keys To Walking In The Spirit
by Ps. Margaret OchsnerKEYS TO WALKING IN THE SPIRIT: PRAY DAILY.
1. Embrace life. Embrace enjoyment of life.
Embrace Him, who is life itself and all that He has for you that day.
2. Put on the armour of God. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
Romans 13:14 "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Galatians 3: 27 ….have put on Christ. (I picture putting on the Lord Jesus Christ as I put on the armour of God.) He is our truth, our peace, our shield , our faith, our righteousness, our salvation and the Living word of God. When we put Him on in all that He is, when the fiery darts come from the enemy, He will deflect them.
3. Submit your mind to Christ. – conscious, subconscious, unconscious mind, your imagination, every facet of your thinking to come in line with him. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:16. Ask God to alert you if you get off track.
4. Submit your will to Him. Ask Him to help you be obedient to what He wants that day. (To love Him is to obey Him. We are not our own. We are bought by the precious blood of Jesus. 1Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19. Give Him permission to alert you if you get off track.
5. Submit your emotions to Him. Ask Him to birth His heart in you. To help you, love with His love, operate in His compassion and strength.
6. Ask Him to shield you from hurt, so as long as you are in right standing with Him nothing else matters.
7. Submit your tongue to Him. Ask Him to purify and sanctify your tongue. Ask for His words of encouragement and life to be on our tongue, His words in our mouths. Give Him permission to zip your tongue until your mind is in gear with Him.
8. Free others to be where they are at. We are all in different places on our journey of life and God loves and accepts us where we are at. Ask Him to help us love and accept them also.
9. Come and get a fresh download of anointing - for what you need and more to give out of for that day. ASK, BELIEVE and RECEIVE by FAITH God’s love, peace, wisdom, strength and grace to fill you and more to give out of to others. Receive whatever else you may need e.g. acceptance, affirmation, validation, His power, authority, provision, protection, guidance etc. (Everything that is Christ’s is yours ) Romans 8:17
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Poem - Asking The Right Questions
by David Robinson
Forerunners Ministries UK
Whilst being poured a drink of life, I was asked to, “Say ‘WHEN.’”
I said, “WHAT?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I said, “WHY?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “HOW did you know I needed a drink?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “WHO are you?”
He sang, “WHEN I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…”
Forerunners Ministries UK
Whilst being poured a drink of life, I was asked to, “Say ‘WHEN.’”
I said, “WHAT?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I said, “WHY?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “HOW did you know I needed a drink?”
He said, “No WHEN.”
I asked, “WHO are you?”
He sang, “WHEN I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…”
Friday, 21 March 2014
Hearts Hardening and Growing Cold
by Belinda Jabore
I saw an onslaught of small to medium meteorites coming at us this year and hitting us (the body of Christ).
On asking the Lord what this is, I believe He showed me that this year there was going to be much testing and trials and hearts hardening and growing cold towards the Lord and people. There will have to be a greater level of obedience to the Lord and dying to oneself and to the things we thought were going to happen. Some Apostles and Prophets have been through this already and are out the other side but it will come to the body of Christ this year in a larger scale and we will feel like we are getting bombarded with this stuff to distract us from our call and focus on the Lord. But the Lord wants us to be pre-warned about these things which will in fact bring us closer to Him.
These things that will come against our mind, our will, our heart and our emotions in the way of Disappointments; Bitterness; Resentment; Grief; Sorrow; Anxieties; Sickness; Depression; Feeling like we will loose our mind; Things not going the way we thought they would go; False and ungodly expectations towards others and the ones you hold closest (letting that go); Loved ones doing the wrong thing against you; Finances stretched to the max and little of them, (a glimpse of a Job experience) and the loss of friends and things we love more than the Lord. The intent if we let it, is to bring a hardening of our hearts and turning cold towards the Lord which allows in unbelief, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to reside in our hearts. We will say things like: “How could this have happened to me? Why is this happening to me and my family? Lord, what is going on?” We will feel like fainting and giving up but I want to encourage you not to give up and keep focused on the Lord. Running into Him and not away from Him and even though we feel we can’t feel Him or see Him through these things, be assured that He is at hand and with you in it.
Any of the things above that I have mentioned - take them, feel them, don’t just put on a ‘stiff upper lip’ and move on - examine them as to why they are there and your reaction to them. Separate the issue from the person and confess them to the Lord. Sort the issues out with Him. Refuse and repent of them if they do not line up with His heart and apply His promises and His Words to them. Say to Him, “I don’t know why this has happened Lord but I choose to trust and hope in You no
matter what.”
Philippians 4:4-14 I have had this scripture on me for at least 2 years now and in the tough times it got me through even when I thought I wouldn’t make it but you see the Lord guarded my heart and mind in Him, either I believe that He gave me that word or not. It is that simple but that complex. I would picture Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit put His hand over my heart and mind when I felt like I was going to loose it. When I would panic about being sick or becoming anxious over an issue (the ‘what ifs’). I would picture Him there knowing He was there with me in it and through it. When things seemed hopeless He was my only hope. He was always faithful to me and would always rescue me from myself mostly. Unfortunately some of these things do not go away straight away but don’t be fearful of them. Jesus himself was acquainted with grief and sorrow and all these things that I have mentioned above (the ‘what ifs’) but He took them on the cross for us. He overcome them for us today! We know this in our head but is it in our heart? Even though we may feel weak and defeated and have failed. The truth is the Lord has not left us in the trials and testings as He will never leave us in our darkest hour or forsake us in our darkest hour. He is with us in and through the trials and testings and this will show what we are made of. In our weakness He is strong! He is in it with us and we must look for Him in it.
Weaknesses are then turned and they become an agent of strength in Him. Psalm 116:15 says Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. So we will go through a greater dying to oneself daily further and further into Him, not letting anything or any one stop us. He will deliver us in due time. We will have a lot of deliverance this year too if we let Him. Things must drop off as well as anything that will hinder us from His presence. Then we will walk into our promised land that He has promised us if we are willing to die to anything that would keep us from Him and whatever these trials and testings throw at us. We must cry out in our hearts and say to our Lord Jesus, our Father and the Holy Spirit, “I can’t live if living is without you” as the Harry Nilsson song states and “I can’t do anything unless you are with me Lord” and humble ourselves under the Mighty hand of God. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Keep your eyes on Him and keep pressing forward to your call never giving up. If you do not know your call, keep on fixing your eyes and ears on Him and hang (belong) with the body of Christ that he has put you with, in relationship with, not forsaking the assembly of the saints. Be-long…….. Never give up! Lighten the load of life’s pressures if you have to and keep it simple. Whatever He has called you to, do not give up just because of people and circumstances that come around you and please don’t blame the Lord and turn your heart away from Him. One of the things to be aware of in the times ahead are getting bitter and being resentful in our hearts. Bitterness is a wormwood that the Bible speaks about that we are to be aware of. People and loved ones’ choices and circumstances may do things to you but people and loved ones can get us caught up in the bitterness and resentment of it all (if we let it). It might not be our fault but their choices will affect us if we let them. If someone does something wrong or not what you wanted, or how you would have liked it done to you - we then can become disappointed in the outcome and become bitter. Sometimes the other party can more easily move on and repent and forget about it and what they have done leaving us with the disappointment/bitterness of it all.
We must move on and not get left holding the ball of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness which then pollutes us bringing in torment, self pity, harassment to our mind and lack of peace in our heart and mind. This then affects our relationship with that person and the Lord leaving our hearts cold. Did you know that our heart actually thinks! Selah. It’s a very big thinker, our heart, and the Bible says to guard our heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life. The issues of life come through people and a lot of the time those closest to us. Bitterness comes from disappointments and expectations of someone or something, expectations we thought were going to happen. If we are truly with the Lord and work through it with Him this will not affect us. If it comes in we must give it to the Lord quickly over and over until we release it to Him fully.
Smith Wigglesworth said, ” One of the greatest mercies that you will have will be a revelation to your heart of how to get rid of yourself.” It would be wise for us to keep short accounts and be quick to have true repentance in our heart of the issues that can come through those closest to us, in our work place, with our husband, wife, children etc…. Let your gentleness be made known to all men and say the Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Him and move on, keeping in mind, some things take longer than others do, depending what it is but if we have the Lord there in it with us directing us we can’t loose. Remember it is a process he will deliver us in time - keep saying I know You are with me Lord even though I can’t feel You in it yet but by faith I know You are there. Trust in Him, Hope in Him and rely and believe He is there. When trials and testings come God will be judging some things to see what you are made of, then you will come out as gold and you will realise that things cannot touch you as they used to do.
You can do it in Him.
I saw an onslaught of small to medium meteorites coming at us this year and hitting us (the body of Christ).
On asking the Lord what this is, I believe He showed me that this year there was going to be much testing and trials and hearts hardening and growing cold towards the Lord and people. There will have to be a greater level of obedience to the Lord and dying to oneself and to the things we thought were going to happen. Some Apostles and Prophets have been through this already and are out the other side but it will come to the body of Christ this year in a larger scale and we will feel like we are getting bombarded with this stuff to distract us from our call and focus on the Lord. But the Lord wants us to be pre-warned about these things which will in fact bring us closer to Him.
These things that will come against our mind, our will, our heart and our emotions in the way of Disappointments; Bitterness; Resentment; Grief; Sorrow; Anxieties; Sickness; Depression; Feeling like we will loose our mind; Things not going the way we thought they would go; False and ungodly expectations towards others and the ones you hold closest (letting that go); Loved ones doing the wrong thing against you; Finances stretched to the max and little of them, (a glimpse of a Job experience) and the loss of friends and things we love more than the Lord. The intent if we let it, is to bring a hardening of our hearts and turning cold towards the Lord which allows in unbelief, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to reside in our hearts. We will say things like: “How could this have happened to me? Why is this happening to me and my family? Lord, what is going on?” We will feel like fainting and giving up but I want to encourage you not to give up and keep focused on the Lord. Running into Him and not away from Him and even though we feel we can’t feel Him or see Him through these things, be assured that He is at hand and with you in it.
matter what.”
Philippians 4:4-14 I have had this scripture on me for at least 2 years now and in the tough times it got me through even when I thought I wouldn’t make it but you see the Lord guarded my heart and mind in Him, either I believe that He gave me that word or not. It is that simple but that complex. I would picture Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit put His hand over my heart and mind when I felt like I was going to loose it. When I would panic about being sick or becoming anxious over an issue (the ‘what ifs’). I would picture Him there knowing He was there with me in it and through it. When things seemed hopeless He was my only hope. He was always faithful to me and would always rescue me from myself mostly. Unfortunately some of these things do not go away straight away but don’t be fearful of them. Jesus himself was acquainted with grief and sorrow and all these things that I have mentioned above (the ‘what ifs’) but He took them on the cross for us. He overcome them for us today! We know this in our head but is it in our heart? Even though we may feel weak and defeated and have failed. The truth is the Lord has not left us in the trials and testings as He will never leave us in our darkest hour or forsake us in our darkest hour. He is with us in and through the trials and testings and this will show what we are made of. In our weakness He is strong! He is in it with us and we must look for Him in it.
Weaknesses are then turned and they become an agent of strength in Him. Psalm 116:15 says Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. So we will go through a greater dying to oneself daily further and further into Him, not letting anything or any one stop us. He will deliver us in due time. We will have a lot of deliverance this year too if we let Him. Things must drop off as well as anything that will hinder us from His presence. Then we will walk into our promised land that He has promised us if we are willing to die to anything that would keep us from Him and whatever these trials and testings throw at us. We must cry out in our hearts and say to our Lord Jesus, our Father and the Holy Spirit, “I can’t live if living is without you” as the Harry Nilsson song states and “I can’t do anything unless you are with me Lord” and humble ourselves under the Mighty hand of God. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Keep your eyes on Him and keep pressing forward to your call never giving up. If you do not know your call, keep on fixing your eyes and ears on Him and hang (belong) with the body of Christ that he has put you with, in relationship with, not forsaking the assembly of the saints. Be-long…….. Never give up! Lighten the load of life’s pressures if you have to and keep it simple. Whatever He has called you to, do not give up just because of people and circumstances that come around you and please don’t blame the Lord and turn your heart away from Him. One of the things to be aware of in the times ahead are getting bitter and being resentful in our hearts. Bitterness is a wormwood that the Bible speaks about that we are to be aware of. People and loved ones’ choices and circumstances may do things to you but people and loved ones can get us caught up in the bitterness and resentment of it all (if we let it). It might not be our fault but their choices will affect us if we let them. If someone does something wrong or not what you wanted, or how you would have liked it done to you - we then can become disappointed in the outcome and become bitter. Sometimes the other party can more easily move on and repent and forget about it and what they have done leaving us with the disappointment/bitterness of it all.
We must move on and not get left holding the ball of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness which then pollutes us bringing in torment, self pity, harassment to our mind and lack of peace in our heart and mind. This then affects our relationship with that person and the Lord leaving our hearts cold. Did you know that our heart actually thinks! Selah. It’s a very big thinker, our heart, and the Bible says to guard our heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life. The issues of life come through people and a lot of the time those closest to us. Bitterness comes from disappointments and expectations of someone or something, expectations we thought were going to happen. If we are truly with the Lord and work through it with Him this will not affect us. If it comes in we must give it to the Lord quickly over and over until we release it to Him fully.Smith Wigglesworth said, ” One of the greatest mercies that you will have will be a revelation to your heart of how to get rid of yourself.” It would be wise for us to keep short accounts and be quick to have true repentance in our heart of the issues that can come through those closest to us, in our work place, with our husband, wife, children etc…. Let your gentleness be made known to all men and say the Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Him and move on, keeping in mind, some things take longer than others do, depending what it is but if we have the Lord there in it with us directing us we can’t loose. Remember it is a process he will deliver us in time - keep saying I know You are with me Lord even though I can’t feel You in it yet but by faith I know You are there. Trust in Him, Hope in Him and rely and believe He is there. When trials and testings come God will be judging some things to see what you are made of, then you will come out as gold and you will realise that things cannot touch you as they used to do.
You can do it in Him.
Monday, 3 February 2014
Prophetic Word for FRANCE
by Ruth PaddonThe fields are ripe for the harvest - Disillusionment has set in but I am allowing this vacuum, that only I can fill. I will draw those to me who will know me and obey me. There are many who are searching for Me in this land.
My cry to this nation is Repentance from dead works. You think you are rich and have no need of me. Come to me the well of living water. The Fire of God will purify the church. Spiritual streams will spring up across this land. Behold I stand at the door and knock. Those who hear My voice and will let Me in will receive the living water I have promised them.
I have seen the seeds of the martyr’s blood sown into your soil. I will multiply the increase. From this sacrifice multitudes will come to Me because of the sowing of these seeds. My church needs to continually pray for righteousness in the government at all levels. As My prophets and apostles rise up in the church and the market place, My church will be purified and powerful through the right governmental authority and doctrine.
Ruth Paddon
Nice, France
January 2014
The Concept of LAW
by Tony Clark
There are many laws in existence that relate to humanity and the world around us. Laws of nature; state and federal laws; religious laws and rituals; moral laws and the law of God for example. Some people think they are a law unto themselves. Laws are set into place to protect something or someone. For example without the law of gravity we would all float off into space and living on this planet would never have been possible. Laws are meant to preserve things. Laws are meaningless without an enforcer, and without a penalty or consequence for breaking the law. Lawlessness abounds when there is no fear of God or of consequences, because seemingly I can transgress the law and no penalty is forthcoming.
There is also rebellion present and disregard towards God at the base level of human fallen nature. But we are told in the Bible that at the appointed time (which is an exact, precise and predetermined time) all will be judged and held accountable for their sin (transgression of the law) and also that God’s patience although great has a limit and the time comes when He judges situations and people, whether they know it is the judgement of God or not is another story.
God has made His law clear and has documented it within His Word. But an understanding of this law or the requirement of God upon us can be misunderstood if we have not learnt this law. Some laws are obvious to most, even without being taught i.e. thou shalt not kill. Although some do not have a knowledge or feeling of moral law, for example some serial killers, others continually rationalise their actions despite the pang of their conscience, causing their conscience to be seared so that it no longer condemns them of wrong.
This is the reason for laws: that a standard might be set, and governed by an authority who ensure penalty for transgression of that law, to maintain order and freedom in society and protection for its citizens. The highest law, is the law of Love. To “love” God and each other is to fulfil the whole law of God. It is not within our fallen nature to obey the law of God naturally. It is within our nature to serve ourselves. It is the conversion of the soul to Jesus Christ and the infilling with the Spirit of Christ that enables us to fulfil the law of God because we receive His nature. We then need to learn to deny our old nature and instead learn to do His will as it is revealed to us by Him and walk in newness of life according to the new nature within us. This does take time, and God chastens His own, and corrects, and purges them of sin. This is a process. By the renewing of the mind we are transformed and made able to live His Word and Will, and our conscience can be restored to a state of health according to His law, and no longer distorted or defiled by the rationalisation of man’s behaviour or incorrect views of what is right and wrong. The Bible says to be mature is to know the difference between right and wrong, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14.
A mature believer is a discerning believer, who by practise, has become able to divide between right and wrong – which interestingly enough shows that they have come into harmony with the Spirit of Christ in them, this nature, that shows them a new way, by the renewing of the mind by the word of God.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Renewing of the mind by the Word of God (actual truth) is essential, because all of us have learnt different things, have made different conclusions about what truth is and about reality. Without an absolute standard there is no truth or reality, but only perceived truth and reality. And without an absolute standard of right and wrong, there is in effect no actual right or wrong, only man made laws and systems to suit mans’ own ends. So it all really comes down to what you believe. If you value and honour and believe the Bible to be the actual word of God that reveals His righteous requirements and truth, then you have an absolute standard to measure yourself by. If you don’t believe this then you are a law unto yourself and in effect lawless, in your own eyes, but if in actual fact God does exist and the Bible IS his revealed Will, then it doesn’t matter what you believe – you will be judged by God according to His Law/ Word/ Justice and choosing.
If God be real…we better obey. Because if He exists, then His ordained consequences for sin will be the punishment for our transgression whether we like it or not. If He doesn’t exist, all well and good, we have no Judge. All of the excuses under the sun will not suffice in that day, for God Himself says:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21
God has made a way that we can be freed from the guilt of our sin, in that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for us, the penalty of sin being death. If God exists, and the Bible is His Word, then in the end it will be the way He has said, not the way we have rationalised or wanted it to be. If He is not real, and the Bible is not the Word of God, then there’s nothing to worry about – where God is concerned, although there is still plenty to worry about, for we are a mere accident, and have no future hope other than nothingness. Some may have made peace with that, but if He is real, that peace will be short lived. This all comes down to our way or His way. If He is real, our way, if it opposes His way, is sin. If He is not, then there is only our way, and it matters not.
There are many laws in existence that relate to humanity and the world around us. Laws of nature; state and federal laws; religious laws and rituals; moral laws and the law of God for example. Some people think they are a law unto themselves. Laws are set into place to protect something or someone. For example without the law of gravity we would all float off into space and living on this planet would never have been possible. Laws are meant to preserve things. Laws are meaningless without an enforcer, and without a penalty or consequence for breaking the law. Lawlessness abounds when there is no fear of God or of consequences, because seemingly I can transgress the law and no penalty is forthcoming.
There is also rebellion present and disregard towards God at the base level of human fallen nature. But we are told in the Bible that at the appointed time (which is an exact, precise and predetermined time) all will be judged and held accountable for their sin (transgression of the law) and also that God’s patience although great has a limit and the time comes when He judges situations and people, whether they know it is the judgement of God or not is another story.
God has made His law clear and has documented it within His Word. But an understanding of this law or the requirement of God upon us can be misunderstood if we have not learnt this law. Some laws are obvious to most, even without being taught i.e. thou shalt not kill. Although some do not have a knowledge or feeling of moral law, for example some serial killers, others continually rationalise their actions despite the pang of their conscience, causing their conscience to be seared so that it no longer condemns them of wrong.
This is the reason for laws: that a standard might be set, and governed by an authority who ensure penalty for transgression of that law, to maintain order and freedom in society and protection for its citizens. The highest law, is the law of Love. To “love” God and each other is to fulfil the whole law of God. It is not within our fallen nature to obey the law of God naturally. It is within our nature to serve ourselves. It is the conversion of the soul to Jesus Christ and the infilling with the Spirit of Christ that enables us to fulfil the law of God because we receive His nature. We then need to learn to deny our old nature and instead learn to do His will as it is revealed to us by Him and walk in newness of life according to the new nature within us. This does take time, and God chastens His own, and corrects, and purges them of sin. This is a process. By the renewing of the mind we are transformed and made able to live His Word and Will, and our conscience can be restored to a state of health according to His law, and no longer distorted or defiled by the rationalisation of man’s behaviour or incorrect views of what is right and wrong. The Bible says to be mature is to know the difference between right and wrong, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14.
A mature believer is a discerning believer, who by practise, has become able to divide between right and wrong – which interestingly enough shows that they have come into harmony with the Spirit of Christ in them, this nature, that shows them a new way, by the renewing of the mind by the word of God.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Renewing of the mind by the Word of God (actual truth) is essential, because all of us have learnt different things, have made different conclusions about what truth is and about reality. Without an absolute standard there is no truth or reality, but only perceived truth and reality. And without an absolute standard of right and wrong, there is in effect no actual right or wrong, only man made laws and systems to suit mans’ own ends. So it all really comes down to what you believe. If you value and honour and believe the Bible to be the actual word of God that reveals His righteous requirements and truth, then you have an absolute standard to measure yourself by. If you don’t believe this then you are a law unto yourself and in effect lawless, in your own eyes, but if in actual fact God does exist and the Bible IS his revealed Will, then it doesn’t matter what you believe – you will be judged by God according to His Law/ Word/ Justice and choosing.
If God be real…we better obey. Because if He exists, then His ordained consequences for sin will be the punishment for our transgression whether we like it or not. If He doesn’t exist, all well and good, we have no Judge. All of the excuses under the sun will not suffice in that day, for God Himself says:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21
God has made a way that we can be freed from the guilt of our sin, in that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for us, the penalty of sin being death. If God exists, and the Bible is His Word, then in the end it will be the way He has said, not the way we have rationalised or wanted it to be. If He is not real, and the Bible is not the Word of God, then there’s nothing to worry about – where God is concerned, although there is still plenty to worry about, for we are a mere accident, and have no future hope other than nothingness. Some may have made peace with that, but if He is real, that peace will be short lived. This all comes down to our way or His way. If He is real, our way, if it opposes His way, is sin. If He is not, then there is only our way, and it matters not.
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