Let's begin with a definition.
Christian meditation is a p-r-o-c-e-s-s in which a born again believer focuses on a principle of Scripture for the purpose of securing its accurate interpretation, and then applying it to his/her future beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors.
Failing to make such o-n-g-o-i-n-g adjustments is living a life of willful disobedience to 2Pet. 3: 18. Grow-I-n-g in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is a life-long process that will never be fully mastered here on Earth. The more "answers" one receives through the development of spiritual maturity, the more questions there will be to answer.
There is a need to distinguish the difference between CHRISTIAN meditation from other forms of meditation out there. Meditating on false doctrine or evil opinions can be just as harmful as not meditating at all.
There is a further need to distinguish the all important difference between meditating on the Word of God and simply reading or hearing the Word of God being read.
Every day, our souls are bombarded with all kinds of information, both good and evil. Managing this incoming information plays a major role in the spiritual combat of the Church Age. Managing the daily information involves deciding what information is to be retained and then making the necessary changes in our thoughts and behaviors. No change, no progress.
We ALL manage the information that we take in on a daily basis rather we are aware of it or not. Without any conscious effort, one memorizes the music and lyrics that one hears on a regular basis. Without any effort, we become desensitized to subject matter that we once were offended by as it is presented to us day after day in such things as television sit-coms and the news media.
Interesting to note is how we are seldom being distracted when it is ungodly information being presented, by how this changes when it is godly information that we have the opportunity to receive.
Whatever it is that we develop an appetite for is one of the clear indicators of where our minds are on any given day.
An edified soul structure is the believer's "base of operations." One's soul structure is the primary target of all satanic/demonic attacks. It is there that the spiritual battles of the Church Age are won or lost.
Why?
We are what we think (Proverbs 23: 7). What we think ultimately determines all that we do (or don't do) during our appointed time (Psalms 31: 15/Heb. 9: 27) here on plant Earth. What we overtly do is the manifestation of the choices we make when managing the daily information that we receive.
Much of what most of us become is done without much conscious thought of the blessings or consequences. Without much CONSCIOUS thought or concern about the consequences, fallen Man has an inherent tendency and even a desire to take in and to allow all kinds of ungodly information to become a part of the soul structure.
This fallen nature (Romans 7) is a part of each and every one of us. An advancing disciple cannot afford to overlook it.. Our own fallen nature is one of the most negative influential sources of pressure that is exerted on the soul structure each and every day. It is not until after the inevitable consequences of our choices manifest themselves that we ask ourselves, "What in the world was I thinking?".
We live in the devil's world (Luke 4: 6). The human race was created to glorify God here on Earth in the midst of an ongoing battle in the spiritual realm. This battle (The Angelic Conflict) began before Man ever existed, but runs concurrently with human history.
The daily choices we make is how we take part in this ongoing battle, rather we are aware of it or not. Failing to acknowledge the spiritual issues behind the choices that we make on daily basis is what makes one the most vulnerable.
"Do not love the world nor 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 lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world 1John 2: 15, 16 NASB)."
The "lusts of the flesh" includes, but is NOT limited to the desire to engage in illicit sexual activity. One can "lust" after money, possessions, personal recognition or anything else.
Because we do live in the devil's world (by divine design- John 17: 15), the practicalities of life require that the believer interact with people and systems that promote the devil's agenda.
The believer whose thoughts and/or behavior is not noticeably different from those who think and function according to the ways of the world is living in wandering around in serious spiritual darkness.
The truth is that many "Christians" are not willing to take on the inevitable losses that Biblical discipleship will cost them. This is one of the reasons that many "believers" choose not to meditate on the Word of God. Just hearing it read once a week in Church is more pressure than what such believers care to entertain. At best, such believers may concede that the reading or the sermon/homily "hit home", but fail to make any lasting changes in their day to day living. No change, no progress.
There are no plateau's along the road to spiritual maturity. One is either progressing or regressing at any given time. Progressing without meditating on the Word of God is very unlikely.
Except for one's daily time devoted to the Lord when one should disconnect with the world, the disciple (during his/her time here in the devil's world) is not called to live apart from the world (John 17: 15), but to be a shining light in its darkness (Matt. 5: 16).
Such darkness exists in environments is which the ungodly ways, customs, and practices of devil dominate the activity. Such darkness can be found out in the devil's world or as close as one's own soul structure. It is in the soul structures of the people with who we interact with every day.
The darker the environment, the most noticeable a light will be when it is activated. Light a match on a sunny day at the beach and no one will notice, but have the screen on one's cell phone come on in a darkened theater and no one will miss seeing it.
2Cor. 6: 1 speaks of being separated in one's thinking and behavior as a testimony a-m-o-n-g the unbelievers or back-sliding believers around us. There are some places that an advancing disciple should not go and there are many activities that an advancing disciple should not embrace. Never-the-less, total separation and non-contact with the world around us would make the fulfillment of the Great Commission impossible. Keep in mind that the long-term objective of discipleship is for the evangelization and/or edification of the souls around us.
"Business" has no heart or conscience. The advancing disciple has both a heart and a conscience.
When encountering, addressing, or entering the "dens of iniquity" (ungodly environments), the questions that needs to be asked and answered are who or what is influencing who, and will engaging in any given activity become a stumbling block to oneself or others.
The Lord Jesus Christ had a history of associating and interacting with sinners (Matt. 5: 29, 30), but never did He approve of, endorse, excuse, or entertain any of the sins in which others were involved.
All of us work and share common experiences with both godly and ungodly persons on a daily basis. A godly person, from divine viewpoint, is one who has been born gain (John 3: 5, 7), has a regenerated (Titus 3: 5) human spirit, and is now advanc-i-n-g (an on-going process) in the post salvation spiritual life.
Note that one can be a very religious and relatively moral person, yet be spiritually dead.
When out in the devil's world, the believer has no control over the spiritual status of the people with whom he/she must interact with in the work place, social events, recreational activities, or in the places that one must go to conduct his daily business.
Current day "politically correct" polices are, in some cases, becoming more and more hostile towards promoting the Great Commission in the work place. There may come a time when the advancing disciple will ask him/herself if this where God wants him/her to be.
The two-fold objective of the Great Commission involves the proclaiming of the Gospel Message to unbelievers, and the teaching/sharing of the Word of God with fellow, born again (John 3: 5, 7), believers.
The Bible has much to say about how an advancing disciple is to conduct him/herself while out on the job, socializing, recreating, or at home. Discipleship is a 24-7 lifestyle.
Meditating on the Word of God, and later applying the principles of Scripture no matter where we are or what we are otherwise doing, is what the post salvation spiritual life that ALL born again believers (Christians) have been called to identify and execute is all about. The devil has an unlimited supply of alternatives.
The post salvation spiritual life is certainly to be in view when engaged in ANY activity that consumes a significant part of one's conscious life here on Earth. There is a divine purpose for you being where you are in the course of any given day. Again, the devil has an unlimited supply of alternatives.
The concept of political correctness plays right into the hands of the devil, taking a huge portion (8-10 hrs.) of one's daily time out of the hands of believer who allows him/herself to be pressured into "toning down" his/her participation in the Great Commission while in the work place.
Note, however, that it is the non-verbal "testimony" of an advancing disciple, exhibited in his/her attitudes, and the godly way in which one conducts him/herself (especially under pressure) while interacting with others that God can use to attract inquirers. Such attractions will afford the advancing disciple the opportunity to evangelize or edify them (1Pet. 3: 15).
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, ALWAYS being ready to make a defense (provide an explanation) to everyone WHO ASKS YOU to give an account for the hope that is (that they should see) in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1Pet. 3: 15 italics mine)."
If no one ever asks for you your spiritual input on any given issue, it's time for a 2Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination. Every issue has a spiritual connection, and it is with the spiritual perspective that an advancing disciple should respond. The advancing disciple is like a runner in a torch-relay race. He/she can not pass on to others what he/she has not first taken possession of him/herself.
1Peter 3: 15 is NOT a suggestion, but is among the more than 300 New Testament commandments that apply to Church Age believers.
When it is the inquirer who initiates the interaction or conversation, the likelihood of there later being a politically correct complaint made is greatly reduced.
Having the right answer is the result of having built an edified soul structure and having meditated on its contents BEFORE the need presents itself.
Note that trying to evangelize or edify another soul that God has not prepared to receive what he/she needs to hear will prove to be unfruitful. Further note that the devil will use the ignorance, arrogance, and hostility of those around us to interfere or impede the opportunities that God has created as we engage in the evangelizing or edification of others. Whenever possible, arranging for a distraction-free, one on one, encounter with the one(s) that God brings to us is a good strategy.
At the same time, it may actually be a third party within ear-shot of the conversation who walks away having had the seeds of faith planted in his/her soul structure.
The advancing disciple is not intimidated by demonic pressure that would silence his/her personal testimony, but on the other hand, the advancing disciple will be wise enough not to stir up adversity that can be avoided (Heb. 12: 14). The advancing disciple is also well aware of the "casting of pearls before the swine (Matt. 7: 6)" principle.
"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matt. 7:6 NASB)."
Developing the spiritual discernment to know when it is the time to speak and when it is the time to remain silent (Eccl. 3: 7b) comes from being in intimate fellowship as one walks with the Lord. Note that it is ALWAYS the time to present the non-verbal testimony of one's lifestyle.
The devil and/or one or more of his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil will be right there to counterattack ANY spiritual advancement that might otherwise take place, and to see to it that no good act goes unpunished.
"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12: 14 NASB)."
Have you been sanctified?
Positional sanctification takes place when one is born again, but experiential sanctification is a life-long process. See the Doctrine of Sanctification for further details on this principle.
If a born again believer has to announce his/her connection with the Christian Community, or finds that God the Holy Spirit is not providing him/her with opportunities to participate in the Great Commission, there is something that has not been developed or has gone amiss in his/her post salvation spiritual life that needs to be identified (2Cor.13: 5) adjusted (James 1: 22).
Spiritually dead people, including the merely "religious" ones, do NOT have a post (after) salvation spiritual life. Ss the very wording (post) reveals. the post salvation spiritual life is something that takes place AFTER the issue of one's salvation has ALREADY been resolved. Here, the devil offers religion and good human deeds as alternatives.
Although contact and interaction with ungodly persons and environments are unavoidable and may even be a part of the plan of God, there are other times that we do have choices as to what information and the type of persons that we expose our souls to on a daily basis.
This interaction and exposure can take place in the physical sense, or via the many means of communication (telephone, cell-phone, television, Internet, email, cable, satellite, radio, CD, DVD, books, magazines, Ipads) that we have here in the modern age of technology.
The devil accomplishes much through spiritually dead or spiritually un-edified people. One would expect such things to be taking place out in the devil's world, but sad to say, many of these people are the ones standing, preaching, and teaching behind the pulpits in this apostate phase (1Tim. 4: 1) of the Church Age. "Pulpits" are not limited to the ones found in the "houses of worship," but in include ANY means of communication that one uses to address a listening audience.
Spiritually unedified congregations take in such false information "hook, line, and sinker." While advancing disciples can see the hand of the devil in operation, both the blind teachers and the blind congregations sincerely believe that they are in right standing with the Lord.
Sincerity will do no one any good when he/she is sincerely wrong!
"Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man (pastor/teacher/priest) guides a blind man (congregation) both will fall into a pit (Matt. 15: 14 NASB italics mine)."
I must concede that the "Let them alone" part of this verse can be troublesome. I can only conclude that the Lord was referring to people who had been given warning (Ezek. 33), but chose to ignore it, bringing on whatever consequences there may be on their own heads.
In the Matt. 15: 14 verse, the Lord was giving instructions to HIs disciples in response to the disciples pointing out that His teaching offended the Pharisees. The Pharisees in view were the "religious" authorities of that day, who had just got done hearing the Lord teaching on the meaningless, religious traditions/teachings and practices that are/were/ and will be the products of Man.
"But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men Matt. 15: 9)."
Pointing out the difference between what God has taught and/or established vs. what Man in the name (authority) of religion teaches and promotes will get one in hot water during any dispensation. I believe that when the Lord spoke of leaving them alone, He was pointing out that all false teachings and practices (Prov. 30: 6) will meet their end at the appointed time and "...fall into a pit (Matt. 15: 16 NABS)."
As of the Matt. 15 incident, it was not yet the time for the Lord to go head to head in full force with the Pharisees that would eventually lead to His arrest, false conviction, and His being handed over to the Romans for execution.
It is the job of every pastor teacher to identity and address ANY false teaching or practices that could impact his assigned congregation. A congregation can be of the traditional type or any individual or group that gathers together (Heb. 10: 25) via any of the remote means of communication.
Making a positive impact here in the devil's world without being corrupted or pressured into compromising one's own discipleship (Luke 9: 23) and ambassadorship (2Cor. 5: 20) along the way is not an easy task.
Most of us will face many failures and set-backs along the way. Pastor--teachers are no exception. Daily meditating on the Word of God can greatly reduce our personal vulnerability.
Knowing the significant part that one's spiritual gift plays in the post salvation spiritual life, the devil has spiritual forces (Eph. 6: 12) in place to see to it that born again believer never discovers and/or executes the spiritual gift and accompanying ministry (1Cor. 12) that God has mind for him/her as an individual believer.
The devil will distract some born again believers via "blessings", whereas with others the devil will attack with "adversity." Most with a combination of both to keep the believer off balance and focused on the here and now and NOT of God and/or the things of God.
Having the believer focus and prioritize the good or the bad things of this life here on Earth, over the identification, pursuit, and execution of the post salvation spiritual life is at the top of the devil's "things to do" list when it comes to a born again believer.
In either scenario, be it blessing or adversity, the devil has the same goal in mind. His goal is for the destruction (1Pet. 5: 8) of the born again believer's spiritual appetite and participation in the plan of God. The plan of God is universal in that it applies to everyone, but personal as it calls for each believer as an individual soul to be saved (receive salvation) and then participate in the post (after) salvation spiritual life.
A single brick in a massive brick wall may not seem to be all that significant, but it is the collective body of single bricks that make up the wall. Like a single brick in a large wall, each and every born again believer has his/her place, function, and purpose in the plan of God. Note that when one looks at a large brick wall, it is the missing bricks or bricks that are out of place that draws the attention.
Have you been born again John 3: 5, 7), and therefore become a part of God's "wall"? Have you discovered where your individual place (1Cor. 12: 18) and purpose (1Cor. 12: 7, 9 - 12) is in His wall? Or, have you been deceived/distracted, focused on building your own?
One needs to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e the Word of God on a daily basis if he/she is going to be able to establish, refine, and maintain the type of edified soul structure needed to execute the post salvation spiritual life referenced in Scripture.
Taking in edifying information while blocking and/or eliminating evil information is an o-n-g-o-I-n-g process that we (should) engage in every day. "Evil", in this sense, refers to any information, doctrine, or practice that runs contrary to what is revealed in the Word or God OR that promotes ANY of the devil's agenda. By this definition, evil can be found WITHIN and well as outside of the "Christian" Community at large.
Note that in what is commonly referred to as The Lord's Prayer or the Our Father, we are to pray for the deliverance from evil.
Determining what information is worth listening to and/or retaining, and what information is evil and needs to be blocked or deleted is an important part and purpose of the meditation process.
Everything is rooted in either the plan of God or in the counterplan of the devil. Tracing the roots of ANY issue will bring us to the source and purpose for the information being promoted. If it is from God, it will prove to edifying. If it is from the devil, it will prove to be harmful.
Know that ALL of the information, good or evil, that we allow to become a part of our soul structure are seeds that sooner or later WILL produce its fruit in what we think, say, and do.
The devil and his forces of evil do NOT take a day off from bombarding our souls with garbage and providing all kinds of alternatives to consume the time that we could have used to spend with God.
The advancing disciple knows better than to "lower his guard" by neglecting his daily time with God. Meditating on the Word of God is an essential part of time that one spends with God.
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise (vs.15), making the most of your time, because the days are evil (vs. 16)." - Eph. 5: 15, 15 NASB."
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God is NOT a burden for an advancing disciple. On the contrary, it is the highlight of one's day for a spiritually mature, advancing believer.
Born again believers are accountable for both the quantity (2Peter 3: 18) and the quality (Acts 17: 11) of the spiritual knowledge that they have in their individual soul structures, in light of the opportunities one is given to receive it.
How we choose to respond to these opportunities are choices that each one of us make on a regular basis. We find the means and time to engage in just about everything we really desire. God cannot command us, as He does, to grow in His grace and knowledge (2Pet. 3: 18) and then not provide us with the means to do so. The question is what priority to do we choose to give to such objectives on our daily "things to do" list.
A common response from the "religious" community, when confronted with the fact that their teachings and/or practices are inconsistent with Scripture, is to say, "That's our faith.", or worse, "Don't read the Bible if it confuses you." To the extent that one knows the Written Word of God (The Bible), the same persons knows the Living Word (John 1: 1), the Lord Jesus Christ. The honest and truthful accountant does not fear an audit!
Advancing disciples are obligated to apply (James 1: 22) what they are learning (an on-going basis) to all that he thinks, does, and says with the enabling (John 15: 5) of God the Holy Spirit.
God the Holy Spirit will bring to our conscious minds the information (Bible doctrine) that we (should) have ALREADY stored away in our soul structures in order to enable us to make the right choices (John 14: 26) throughout the course of each and every day.
Applying doctrine to the "little" issues is what prepares us to do the same when major choices are to be made. If one is not faithful in the "little" matters, neither will he/she be faithful when the pressure is on when he/she has to make major decisions. There is no such thing as a little issue when the glorification of God hangs in the balance.
One of the reasons that God allows us to find ourselves in circumstances in which we do not know what to do is to bring to our attention areas of spirituality in which we need to be edified. In the middle of a storm is not the time to be out looking for answers.
God knows what challenges each day or season of our lives are going to bring us. It is His desire, through discipleship, to have us prepared to address the issues BEFORE there is the need This is why there is no such thing as a sermon that does not have something to say to each one of us.
Maybe the subject matter is not something that we will face personally, but it could very well be something that someone else is facing with whom God wants us to minister (serve). The long term objective of discipleship is to be in a position in which we minister (serve) the spiritual needs of others (1Cor. 12: 7).
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God BEFORE the need arises is what prepares (1Pet. 3: 15) us for the unknown challenges that can suddenly come upon us in the course of any given day. These challenges provide the advancing disciple the opportunity to bring glory to God as he/she responds to the storms of life (Matt. 7: 24-27), and when given the opportunity to evangelize or edify others (1Cor. 12: 7).
The more ACCURATE doctrine one has stored away in his soul structure, the more that God the Holy Spirit has to work with to accomplish the divine objectives that God has in mind. At the same time, the more inaccurate or false doctrine we have in our soul structure, the more we can unwittingly be used by the devil to steer people off course.
We make many decisions and choices each and every day that promotes one side and opposes the other side in the ongoing spiritual combat between the forces of good and evil.
Having the "right" answers on hand BEFORE there is the need for them (Matt. 7: 24-27), takes away some of the pressure that our emotions will naturally generate when under attack by the devil as the storms of life hit us.
There will still be pressure applied intending to prevent us from taking the right course of action, but at least, as an advancing disciple, we already know what course of action we are to embrace.
The advancing disciple does NOT ask WHY "bad" things happen, but asks WHAT it is that God has in mind for having either sent or allowed whatever has taken place to materialize. Since there is a divine purpose behind EVERYTHING that God sends or allow to take place, there are no "bad" things in the life of an advancing disciple, just more challenging.
As Job put it, "...Shall we accept good from God and not accept adversity (Job 2: 10 NASB)." The advancing disciple's answer to this question is, "No!".
The Doctrine of Sovereignty teaches that God has the right to do with His creation (including each one of us) as He pleases. In balance, He assures those who live for HIS purposes, that EVERYTHING will inevitably work out for good (Romans 8: 28). Many of God's greatest servants suffered greatly here on Earth, willing to be sacrificed even unto death, in order to receive a greater reward in Heaven. There are even a few who would make the same sacrifices even if there were no promises of reward. Such faith (trust and confidence) will not be found among those who do not meditate on the Word of God.
Discerning the divine purpose behind extreme adversity will require m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-o-n, as our ways of doing things and God's way are NOT always the same (Isa. 55:8).
The ability to establish and maintain a suitable environment to meditate in the midst of adversity will be a challenge for most of us, but when successful, it conveys a powerful message to those who observe us experiencing and exhibiting the kind of peace that "...surpasses all comprehension (Phil 4: 7 NASB)."
It is during such times that the believer is exposed to the reality of living by faith, and not by sight (2Cor. 5: 7).
2Cor. 5: 7 is easily quoted, but not so easily applied, UNLESS one learns to do it with the (John 15: 5) enabling power that God supplies.
The devil will capitalize on the ignorance and the accompanying pressure that un-edified believers will experience when (not if) the Matt. 7: 27 storms of life strike. Both believer and unbeliever will experience the same "shock waves" when adversity strikes, but the difference is if and how quickly one can recover.
"Unedified" believers will not know what to do. One can not apply what one does not already possess. Edified believers may have the answers, by can fail to apply the doctrine that they possess.
Ignorance in the spiritual realm is a CHOICE that born again believers make. Every day that the Bible of a born again believer remains closed, he/she has chosen to turn down God's standing invitation to meditate on His Word.
Bibles are FREE on line. God has a pastor teacher (not a denomination) in mind for each individual believer for each step along the road to spiritual maturity. I have had several, and still to this day, benefit from spending some time listening to, reading, and/or meditating on the information they offer.
While not all information coming from all pulpits is edifying, I have not met another believer or pastor who did not have at least something to offer of an edifying nature. Even a broken clock is right twice day!
Note that the daily choice to meditate or not to meditate on the Word of God will soon enough become a lifestyle. One can be "religious" without daily meditating on the Word of God, but one wil not spiritually mature.
If many so-called Christians spent HALF as much time with God as he/she does listening to what the devil's world has to say, they and the Christian Community at large would be a lot better off.
Many so-called "Christians" find the time EVERY day to listen to what the devil's world has to say, through the conversations they engage in, the media, and various forms of "entertainment", but just "don't have the time" for God and/or the things of God. In this the devil is well-pleased.
Spending an hour or so "in Church" focused on God and/or things of God accounts for less than 1% of the 168 hrs. (24 x 7) that God has given to us each week for HIS glory. One hour a week accounts for less than 1% of the 105 hours of (7x15) daily consciousness.
If you think devoting 1% of your conscious life to God and/or the things of God, and 99% of your life distracted and/or focused on the things going on here in the devil's world is going to spiritually advance you, then you have been seriously deceived.
Only a very small percentage of believers are called to full time ministry behind a pulpit in the capacity of a pastor teacher.
Many pastor-teachers, as in the Apostle Paul, must also hold down secular jobs as well as serve their congregations. Many pastor teachers have dependent wives and children to support.
For other the 99% of the Christian Community, God is fully aware of the realities of every day life that occupies much of their time and attention.
This however, does NOT change the fact that post (after) discipleship is a 24-7 l-i-f-e-s-t-y-l-e. It is when and where we are engaged in the activities of so-called "every day life" that the advancing disciple is to function as Christ's ambassador (2Cor. 5: 20)!
An ambassador is one who is fully versed on the policies and procedures of the kingdom he/she represents while serving in a foreign land. In the spiritual world, the "kingdom" that the Christian ambassador represents is the Kingdom of God, its policies and procedures are documented in the Word of God, and the foreign land is the devil's world, here on planet Earth.
When acting in the capacity of a believer's ambassadorship, one NEVER voices his/her own opinion (without making that distinction known), but only conveys (by conduct and/or speech) the official position of the kingdom he/she represents.
The plan that God has for some disciples (e.g., evangelists) involves exercising one's spiritual gift (1Cor. 12) primarily out in the devil's world, whereas others are called to exercise his/her spiritual gift within one's local assembly.
All believers have been "commissioned - Matt. 28: 19, 20" to evangelize (present the Gospel Message) unbelievers and to edify (share doctrinal principles) with fellow believers with the people they interact with on a daily basis. This is to take place wherever and whenever God gives us the opportunity, no matter where we are or what activity we are otherwise engaged in at the time.
Many believers never reach the stage of spiritual maturity in which they discover, develop, and execute the specific gift and ministry that God has in mind for them. M-e-d-i-t-a-t-I-n-g on such passages as 1Cor. Chapter 12 provides a clear background on the subject of spiritual gifts.
Some believers have their gift and ministry revealed to them almost immediately (Acts 9:15) whereas others don't discover it until many years later. ALL spiritual gifts are related to the evangelization and/or the edification of OTHERS (1Cor. 12: 7).
Christian discipleship begins with oneself, but the long term goal is for the advancing disciple to evangelize and to edify the people in his/her personal periphery. The attitude that the spiritual status of others is none of one's business is totally contrary to the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that identifies what the mission/purpose of the true Church (and its individual members) is all about.
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There is an old saying that a little knowledge can be dangerous. A child, through observation, may learn how to start a car and put it into gear, but without additional knowledge and skills can set the stage for a lethal situation.
Having a little knowledge of Scripture (as most "religious" people do), but not having a concept of the "big picture" on any given spiritual issue, sets one up to misinterpret or misapply the limited information that they do have.
Trust me, "selective" reading and/or application of Scripture can make God or the Bible to a-p-p-e-a-r to say just about anything that a clever speaker desires in order to justify or promote his own agenda. The devil has a long history of doing so, dating back to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and even tried this tactic when interacting with the Humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4/Luke 4).
Meditating is critical if one is going to develop a 24-7 consciousness of the omnipresence (God is anywhere and everywhere at the same time) of God. Note that living in denial of God's omnipresence does NOT make Him go away. One will be amazed of all that he/she will no longer think, say, or do once he/she develops a working consciousness of being in the presence of God 24-7, no matter where he/she is and no matter whatever else he/she may be doing at the time.
God cannot command Church Age believers (as He does) to c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e to g-r-o-w in the k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e of the Lord (1Pet. 3: 18), and then not provide the means for a born again believer to comply.
The truth is that most believers choose the "religious" alternatives that the devil promotes. It is relatively easy to be religious, as opposed to being spiritual. Religion, by design, leaves those involved with a (false) sense of security that they are "right" with God.
You can go days, weeks, months, years, decades, and even scores in the "religious" mode and face no serious challenges,. The devil is wise enough not to "fix" what isn't "broken." However, one can not go through a single day of the post salvation spiritual life referenced in Scripture without facing challenges that true discipleship WILL bring.
The "religious" alternatives are designed to a-p-p-e-a-r to provide the individual/group with the means and opportunity to appease God, but with the convenience of not having to face and to deal with the adversity and challenges that true discipleship will generate.
With most religions, all one has to do is show up, provide financial support, participate in specific rituals when expected, and one usually considered to be a member in good standing. Such requirements can be accomplished by spiritually dead individuals. some of which (water baptism of infants) does not involve any free-will choosing of the one involved.
Spirituality, on the other hand, requires a new birth (John 3: 5,7), a regenerated spirit (Titus 3: 5), and a DAILY conscious walk with the Lord in which the believer continues to grow (1Pete 3: 15) in the knowledge and the application (James 1: 22) of the knowledge that he/she receives. As opposed to religious activity, one can do NOTHING in the spiritual realm apart from God (John 15: 5).
Meditating on the difference between religion and spirituality is an important hurdle to overcome on the road to spiritual maturity. The roots pf "religion" grow deep. Any experienced evangelist or pastor-teacher can tell you that its easier to evangelize, and especially edify, a former atheist than it is to evangelize or edify a soul that comes into the family of God from a "religious" background.
Some religious groups engage in various forms of self-induced, but spiritually void, hardships and rituals, but most of what religion offers its followers is the "crown (rewards) without the cross (self-sacrifice)."
Taking the route of least resistance for maximum gain appeals to the fallen nature in Man, but the call to post salvation discipleship paints a much different scenario. If one does not meditate on the cost of discipleship, he/she is in for a rude awakening.
"If anyone wishes (desires) to come after (follow) Me, let him deny himself (what would otherwise please himself), and take up his cross (of self-sacrifice), and follow Me (Mark 8: 34 NASB italics mine)."
The "cross" of Mark 8:34 is NOT the adversity that is common to all Man, here in the devil's world. Nor is it the self-induced adversity that we generate via the negative choices we make. This cross is the adversity that is the result of the self sacrifices and choices we make that are required of an advancing disciple in order to the TRUE post salvation spiritual life.
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Suffering IS a part of post salvation spiritual life. The advancing disciple will suffer satanic adversity for doing to right thing, and will suffer divine discipline when he/she entertains sin by way of omission or commission. Since an advancing disciple is going to suffer either way, it is better to suffer for God (Phil. 1: 29).
"For to you (advancing disciples) it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him (and reap the benefits), but also to suffer for His sake, (Phil 1: 29 NASB italics mine)."
Since Man naturally desires to avoid suffering, one can see where the devil's offer to receive the crown (rewards) without the cross (suffering) can be so appealing. Many of the "rewards" that the devil and/or his world offers will "improve" one's lot in life while here on Earth, but fails to mention the e-t-e-r-n-a-l consequences (Mark 8: 36).
The crown without the cross alternative was one of temptations that the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ faced when tempted by the devil in the wilderness. See Luke 4: 5 - 7. The devil's alternative would have required the worship of Satan (Luke 4: 7), but would have taken the need for the cross on the part of the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil's objectives there we obvious, but he must have had confidence in his plan to offer the crown without the cross. Humans "sell their souls" to the devil everyday for a lot less than the opportunity to secure world domination!
The plan of God for the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ included the future global reign over the nations of the world here on Earth (Rev.20; 6 ) with the apostles (with delegated authority) ruling over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19: 28). But before this phase of the plan of God was to take place, the Lord Jesus Christ had to accomplish His atoning Work on the Cross to provide the means of salvation for Man. Failure to recognize this was what caused many to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. Even Peter, one of the Lord's closest disciples, had a major problem with this concept (Matt. 16: 21. 22), and received one of the strongest rebukes (Matt. 16: 23) to come from the mouth of the Lord.
If the Lord had accepted the devil's offer, there would have been no cross for Him, and no salvation for us.
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Meditating on the general (Matt. 28: 19, 20) and the specific plan that God has for each Church Age believer (1Cor. 12) will get us and keep us on track. The track I am speaking of is the post salvation spiritual life articulated in Scripture.
Obviously the prevention and/or elimination of the daily meditation in the life of a born again believer is a primary objective of the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil.
True discipleship generates internal conflicts as opposing forces within the Angelic Conflict compete for the immediate control of one's thought processes and accompanying inevitable behavior. True discipleship generates persecution from the devil's world (2Tim. 3: 12).
Scripture (James 4: 4) teach that being in friendship with the world (or worldly minded individuals) makes us enemies of God. Choosing for God and/or the things of God makes us enemies of the world and/or worldly-minded people. Being allied with one side makes us enemies of the other. We are free to choose which side we want to be on, but we are NOT free from having to make that choice.
Our primary choice (of which side of the conflict we choose to be on) is reinforced by the ongoing choices we make each and every day.
"You (spiritual) adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the (devil's) world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world (or worldly-minded individuals) makes himself an enemy of God (James 4: 4 NASB)."
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God will reveal to us in which camp and under who's influence we are functioning at any given time.
As much as the devil would have us believe otherwise, there is NOTHING that we can do to ourselves or that he and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil can do to undo the regenerating (Titus 3: 5) and sealing (Eph. 4: 30) work of God the Holy Spirit that took place (past tense) at the moment of salvation. Salvation and eternal life is NOT something that a born again believer receives as death. Salvation (deliverance from the impending wrath of God) and eternal life (needed to live with God in Heaven) is received at the moment of conversion when one is born again here on Earth. IT is at death, upon leaving the physical body behind, that one experiences the maximum benefit of his salvation and the eternal life that he/she has already received.
The devil will have us believe that God will not make good on His (Rom. 14: 4) promise, assuring the born again believer of his/her safe arrival in Heaven. Many religious authorities, including some within the "Christian Community" at large, take the devil's side on this one, threatening its followers with the fire of Hell if they do not go along with their program.
Religion has a list of things that one can do or fail to do that will (in their blasphemous opinion) result in experiencing the fires of Hell. The truth is that, by divine design, there is only ONE sin that was not atoned for by the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The unpardonable sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18).
It is via one choosing to place his/her total faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, that one is eternally "saved" from Hades and the Lake of fire.
Meditating on the Gospel Message will reinforces these Biblical truths, and will set your free (John 8: 32) from worry or concern for the integrity of the salvation that a born again believer has ALREADY received.
God can not require ANY further payment of ANY kind (penance, good deeds, time in Purgatory, etc.) for a sin (debt) that has ALREADY been stamped PAID IN FULL by the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. To do so, would make null and void the totality of what was accomplished on the cross (1John 2: 2). Either His atoning Work on the cross was completely "finished-John 19: 30 NASB), as He claimed it to be, or it was not. Requirements to "finish" the work through religious rituals are not only false teachings and practices, but amount to blasphemy in that they bring into question both the integrity of Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The loss or delay of salvation is not only a false teaching, it amounts to blasphemy.
Again, there is only ONE sin that one can commit that will result in him/her experiencing the Torments of Hades upon departing tis Earth, and eventually experiencing what the Bible calls the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15). for ALL of Eternity. That ONE sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 15), having personally rejected God's plan of salvation articulated in the true Gospel Message.
What IS true, is that although salvation (residency in Heaven) can not be lost, heavenly REWARDS and accompanying privileges WILL be either received or forfeited on the basis of the "deeds of divine good" that was/was not produced throughout the course of one's post salvation spiritual life.
Meditating on the significant difference between the deeds of human good, symbolized by wood, hay straw, vs. the deeds of divine good symbolized as gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Cor. 3: 12-15), will make it clear on what basis REWARDS (not salvation) will be either received or forfeited.
The devil is not as interested in the loss of the believers' rewards as much as he is in denying God the glory that he would otherwise receive when a believer advances in the post salvation spiritual life. Contrary to viewing us as a beloved child, in the devil's eyes we are no more than an expendable pawn.
Heaven is a place based on the principle of equal opportunity, but what will or will not be experienced there is determined by the choices one makes here on Earth. We are not all given the same spiritual gifts (1COr. 12), but we are ALL given the same opportunity to identify and to execute the individual plan that God has in mind for each and every born again believer.
Our deeds will not be evaluated (1Cor. 3: 12-15) on the basis of what other believers did (or didn't do) with the opportunities that God provided them with, but on the basis of what we (as individuals) did with the opportunities that God gave to us.
Such opportunities include, but are not limited to, the opportunity to spend time studying and meditating on the Word of God on a DAILY basis.
The evaluation of deeds event (1Cor. 3: 12-15) is for the purpose of revealing what rewards and privileges (if any) each one of us will either receive or forfeit. This event has got nothing to do with retaining salvation, but has everything to do with HOW any one of us is going to experience Heaven.
ALL born again believers are assured of permanent residency in Heaven, but Heaven will not be experienced in the same way by all believers. Some born again believers will experience Heaven with great rewards (Matt. 5: 12)and privileges (1Cor. 3: 12-15)); some born again believers will experience Heaven with some rewards and privileges (1Cor. 3: 12-15); and some will experience Heaven with NO reward and privileges (1Cor. 3: 15). Souls that were never born again will not experience Heaven at all, other than being brought to the Court of Heaven, only to be cast out and into the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
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Salvation, being one of the "irrevocable" gifts from God, will never be withdrawn. It is not within human power to "give it back", and there is no power anywhere that undo what God has chosen to permanently establish.
What the devil and the forces of evil CAN do, is to promote false doctrine and generate adversity to shake the confidence of a weak (un--edified) believer. Here, the devil makes full use of Man made "religion" that threatens its followers with the fire of Hell for non-compliance or rejecting its false doctrines and/or practices.
There is clear judgment awaiting those who become stumbling block to a child of God (Matt. 18: 6). Although there was a children in view when this principle was taught, a child of God is anyone who has been born again and, as a result, has God as his/her Father.
A "babe in Christ (1Cor3. 3: 1) is also a child of God of God, but is still at a stage of spiritual growth in which he/she has not yet learned or applied the truth that sets one free (John 8: 32) from the inevitable worry and unwarranted fears that a weak (unedified) believer is bound to experience. Such "babes" cannot "ingest," "digest." or " metabolize" the more advanced doctrines of the faith. (1Cor. 3: 2).
One will not advance in the post salvation spiritual life without daily meditating on the Word of God.
Until a born again believer advances to a corresponding level of spiritual maturity, he/she is very vulnerable to having his/her faith shaken. Faith is not only the act of believing (placing his/her trust and confidence in something), but also includes WHAT he/she believers as well.
There are millions of souls who have just as much confidence and trust (faith) in false gods (Psalms 96) as do Christians do in the true God of the Bible, but their faith will not spare them from the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
Only a strong (edified) believer will d-e-v-e-l-o-p the (John 8: 32) confidence and sense of freedom from bondage that spiritually maturity offers.
A believer who does not meditate on the Word of God is NOT going to spiritually mature, but will be satisfied with the "religious" alternatives that the devil promotes.
Weak believers will misuse the security of their salvation as a license to sin. It is only the spiritually mature believer who will acknowledge that his freedom is not a license to sin, but a license to serve.
I do not intend the use the term "weak" to be taken the wrong way. We ALL have areas fo weakness in the knowledge and/or the application of doctrine, and there is not one believer that I have ever met (including the one I meet in the mirror every day) that is not in need of improvement.
The devil desires to raise doubts in the soul structures of weak believers, as to the reality and the integrity of the salvation that the born again has ALREADY secured. Such deception will serve to impede the identification and the execution of the true post salvation spiritual life spoken of in Scripture.
It is much easier to be "religious," than it is to be "spiritual."
As long as one does the minimum on the check lists provided by religion, the "religious" soul can be satisfied with the resulting false sense of security and conclude that " all is well" between he and God. While the issue of salvation is "all well", one's post salvation spiritual life can be "on the rocks" and/or unproductive. This is where the devil wants all born again believers to be.
Having the right answers (doctrine) and solutions (application) is only half the battle. It will do no one any good to have the right answers and solutions if one does not choose to apply (James 1: 22) the right answers and solutions when challenged to do so.
Failing to recognize the spiritual challenges we face every day is a clear indication that one has been not been m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God. Failing to recognize such things is a clear indication that we have been neglecting this area in our personal walk with the Lord.
Its relatively easy to do the right thing when it pleases oneself and/or when it is the popular thing to do. It's another matter when doing the right thing calls for self-sacrifice and/or taking the heat for choosing to take the path less traveled in order to please God. Doing the right thing almost always taking the path less traveled (Matt. 7: 13, 14).
Hearing/reading the Word of God and m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God are too very different things.
At varying degrees of frequency and personal interest, most who identify themselves as members of the "Christian Community," do read or at least hear the Word of God being read on a regular basis.
When such readings take place when one *goes to Church. The readings are usually the subject matter of an accompanying commentary in the form of a sermon or homily when gathered together for corporate worship.
*Technically, born again believers do not "go to Church", but ARE the Church (1Cor. 3: 16) that gathers together (Heb.10: 25) for such things as corporate worship. The type of buildings, physical altars, and officiating "priests" that many consider to be a "Church", was NOT a part of the Christian Community for the first three hundred years of its history. Such things are among the products of religion that Man has established throughout the course of the Church Age,and are the source of many false teachings and practices within the Christian Community at large.
Others will r-e-a-d the Bible during his/her private, daily sessions with the Lord.
But unless the Word of God is m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e-d on and then applied, there will be NO spiritual growth in individual, post (after) salvation lives of the congregation or individual believers involved. It's like buying the best gym equipment on the market, reading all the material that comes with it, but never making use of it. Without exercise, there will be no development.
For instance, let' say that the reading and/or sermon/homily addresses the issue of forgiveness. Most who hear or read it will agree with it in principle, especially those who are spiritually mature enough to acknowledge their own need to receive it from God and/or the need to extend it to others.
But unless the principles become a part of our future thought processes and behaviors, there will be no spiritual growth experienced in that area of our walk with the Lord.
The forgiveness of God for confessed sin is guaranteed (1John 1: 9). The forgiveness from people is not, nor does it have to be an issue between us and the Lord once the principles of 1John 1: 9 and John 8: 11 have been applied. If others choose not to forgive (us), then that is an issue that they will have to deal with in their own walk with the Lord (Matt. 6: 15).
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Entering the throne room of a monarch uninvited in the ancient world could result in death. Many weak believers have this same perspective when it comes to entering the throne room of God in prayer. Because of sin or ignorance, they live in fear of God.
There should be no fear in approaching the throne of grace (Heb. 4: 16) on the part of a born again believer, but there IS the need to make confession of all known sin (that has not already been addressed - 1John 1: 9) in order to be in fellowship with God. When we confess sin, we are not going to be telling God anything that He does not already know. In fact, in His omniscience, He knew of it in detail when He placed the world's sin debt on the atoning humanity of the crucified Christ while on the cross some 2,000 years ago.
We cannot afford to look lightly on the sin we commit, especially when we consider what the Lord Jesus Christ had to endured on the cross to atone for it. And as James 2: 10 teaches, when we commit one sin we stand as guilty (in the eyes of God) as the one who has broken them all!
Forgiveness (by God) is immediate and complete, but there may be long term consequences for the sins we commit to be endured during our time here on Earth. Through meditation, one can learn what "consequences" are from God in the form of preventative discipline, and what "consequences" (guilt-ridden conscience over past sin(s) that God has forgiven) are self -induced and can be used of the devil to keep us down.
The sin of not forgiving ourselves and/or others is one of the greatest inhibitors to the post salvation spiritual life. Guilt, genuine or imagined, can be the means of manipulation that the devil and self-centered people will use to control the soul that is beseiged by it.
When one learns and applies the TRUTH concerning forgiveness, he/she can be set free from its bondage (John 8: 32). This may take some extended meditation to overcome all the emotional responses that guilt can produce.
Post salation sin is what takes and keeps many believers out of intimate fellowship with God. Show me a person who makes a lifestyle out of ANY known sin, and I will show you someone who is not in intimate fellowship with God. Note that I did not say that such a person cannot be a born again believer, but that his/her post salvation spiritual life is producing no fruit.
The spiritually dead, unsaved, or merely "religious" soul will have no past experience or the present ability to comprehend what it is like to be in intimate fellowship with God.
Such a person's concept of God can range in anything from denial of His existence or of His significance to the other extreme of fear, judgement, and inability to please. Neither of these scenarios are conducive to promoting an intimate relationship with God.
The born again believer who has experienced the intimate fellowship that a personal relationship with God generates will not live in peace with him/herself when such fellowship is lost via post salvation sin. Such an advanced disciple will need no encouraging , but will desire to promptly restore (1John 1: 9) and maintain (John 8: 11) the intimacy of his/her relationship with God.
Post salvation sin does NOT result in the loss of salvation, but takes the believer out of intimate fellowship (2 Cor. 13: 14) with God until the sin is confessed (1John 1: 9) and forsaken (John 8: 11). The sins of refusing to forgive self or others are no exceptions to the James 2: 10 principle.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become (as) guilty (as the one who has violated them) all (James 2: 10 NASB)."
According to the Pharisees, there were over 600 ways in which one could violate The Law of the Old Testament. Advancing Church Age disciples (students of the Word of God) become aware of the more than 300 ways in which one can violate New Testament Scripture.
To the same degree that God the Holy Spirit brings the right answers (appropriate doctrine) that we (should) have stored in our soul structures, our fallen nature (Romans 7), the devil (1Pet. 5: 8), his forces of evil (Eph. 6: 12), and worldly-minded individuals will bring to our conscious minds all the trash and misinformation that we have chosen to stored away in our soul structure, or that they can introduce.
The devil desires that God's people get and remain focused on the issues of the here and now to the extent that they are prioritized over spiritual issues.
There will always be the practical need to attend to the daily affairs of the here and now, but when such things are given more attention and priority over God and the things of God, the devil has us right where he wants us. Choosing not to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e on the Word of God goes along way in favor of the devil achieving his objectives.
One cannot apply to oneself or share with others what he/she has not first made a part of his/her soul structure. No one, clergy or layman, can be used of God to bring another soul any further along in the post salvation spiritual life that where he/she has first arrived for him/herself.
If a born again believer chooses NOT to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, he/she is choosing a lifestyle of disobedience. The principles of 1Peter 3: 15 and 2Pet. 3:18 are NOT "suggestions." These principles are only two of more than 300 commandments to be found in New Testament Scripture. Violating any one of these commands are a sin, and when any one of these sins become a lifestyle, the one involved is "living in sin."
Living is sin is not limited to the sins of fornication and adultery. ANY sin can become a lifestyle, amounting to the one involved living in sin.
Failing to secure the means to receive the information needed to build, refine, and maintain an edified soul structure sets the stage for disaster when the inevitable storms of life (Matt. 7: 24-27) strike.
Such neglect and/or ignorance are CHOICE one makes. A closed Bible results in a closed mind. A closed mind is not open to receiving the DAILY information it needs to built, refine, and/or maintain an edified soul structure. One cannot meditate on the Word of God if the Word of God is not taken in and/or refined each and every day. Every day we make choices, and as a result of those choices, we are filling our minds with either the "mind (thinking) of Christ (1COr. 2: 16 NASB italics mine)", or with one of the many alternatives that the devil promotes.
Attempting to execute the post salvation spiritual life without an edified soul structure would be like a craftsman showing up at the job site with an empty tool box.
Again, ignorance in the spiritual realm is a choice we make.
Failing to grow in the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord (1Pet 3: 18) on a daily basis is the WRONG choice. Choosing not to apply what we (should) have learned to how we think and what we do is the WRONG choice.
Meditating on the Word of God is a critical part of growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Unless one is "brain dead", the mind processes all kinds of internal and external information that it is provided with on a daily basis. The choice not to make the Word of God a part of the information processed each and every day is a serious sin of omission and a deliberate sin of disobedience (2Pet. 3: 18). If one does not (yet) have the spiritual discernment to detect something new in the course of his/her daily time in the Word of God, he/she at least should be reinforcing the doctrine that he/she already received.
Only the arrogant (common place among the "religious" crowd) soul will truly believe that he/she already knows (and applies) everything he/she needs to know concerning God. While it is TRUE that all one needs to know and apply is the Gospel Message in order to be saved, the required amount of knowledge to identify and execute the true post salvation spiritual life of discipleship is an on-going, life long, process.
Just as the good meal in the natural realm we had last week had its benefits at the time, one must make good nutrition a lifestyle if it is going to have any lasting results. The same principle applies to the soul that (should be) nourished every day in the spiritual life. If the typical believer were as concerned with what he/she fills his/her soul with as many are concerned with what they feed their bodies with, many would be a lot better off.
Many of us make sacrifices and spend a lot of time exercising our bodies that sooner or later will become a pile of dust (Gen. 3), but rationalize away the need to make sacrifices and/or to exercise our souls that are going to live on in one environment or another for all of eternity. One verse of Scripture that is not likely to be found on the wall of a gym is 1Tim. 4: 8.
"for bodily discipline (diet and exercise) is only of little profit, but *godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come (1 Tim. 4: 8 NASB italics mine)." *Godliness is the identification and the execution of the post salvation spiritual life.
As good stewards, we are to care for everything that we have received, but when our physical appearance and conditioning is of greater concern than our testimony and spiritual conditioning, we have the wrong set of priorities. Advancing disciples become more and more "Christ-centered" and less and less "self-centered."
The information (good or evil) that we take in does impact our thinking/ It is our thinking that determines the course of our lives (Prov. 23: 7).
What we think determines what we do (Prov. 23: 7), which is a manifestation of what we are.
When many people think of meditation, they get a mental image of someone sitting or assuming some Eastern yoga position and humming or chanting in order to create a relaxed and un-distracted mental state.
Some meditators will use such things as mind-altering drugs, alcohol, music, visual objects, and aroma-producing agents to assist them in developing a mental state of detachment from one's immediate surroundings and environment.
Among the objectives of meditation is the reduction of stress; to get in touch with his/her "inner being"; and/or to set the stage to experience a "spiritual" event. Some of these open the door for demonic influence.
All spiritual experiences and events are NOT from God (1Timothy 4: 2). All teachings are not from God. All practices are not from God. Anything that is not from God is from the devil, or at the very least, can be used by the devil.
Participating in some forms of spiritual activity were/are forbidden in Scripture. Such verses as Eph. 6: 12 (NASB) speak of, "...spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.", and are among the "enemies" of an advancing disciple, here in the Church Age.
Opening one's mind up to receive the wrong information is among the ways and means through which the mind of devil (vs. the mind of Christ - 1Cor. 2: 16) is promoted. It is for this reason that Scripture warns the believer to take care of how and to what one chooses to listen.
Just because the information is coming from a pulpit (2Cor. 11: 14, 15), or from a person who claims to be speaking for God, does NOT necessarily mean that the teaching (1Tim. 4: 1 is from God.
Appearing to speak or to have come from God is what makes Man-made "religion" such a powerful weapon in the hand of the devil.
No clergyman is going to deliberately mislead his congregation (blind leading the blind), but a bullet fired in ignorance can be just as lethal as the one that is fired with malicious intent. Meditating om the Word of God to determine what is "spiritual" and from God, as opposed to "religious" and from Man, is critical part in the developing life of an advancing disciple.
If the teaching of such men as the Apostle Paul was held to Biblical verification (Acts 17: 11), should not what comes from any other man be held to the same level of scrutiny? At that time, the New Testament portion of what was to become "The Bible" was still a work in progress. To this day, it is the focus on the Word of God that separates the advancing disciples from the rank in file born again believers in any given congregation.
At least one "Christian" denomination views the Bible as being a product of the Church, subjecting the interpretation the interpretation of the Word of God to the "authority" of the Church. The same religion promotes its leader as being infallible in the interpretation and/or application of Scripture. It's own track record refutes such a claim.
The birthday of the Church was around 30-33 AD. Much of what has now been accepted into the Christian Community did NOT exist for its first 300 years of history, and is no more than the products and practices of Man made religion.
When evaluating what ANY "Christian" denomination, Christian non-denomination, speaker, or writer offers, the FIRST question to be asked is on what chapter(s) and verse(s) of SCRIPTURE is this teaching or practice based. ANY teaching or practice that runs contrary, adds to, or takes from what can be Biblically substantiated should be rejected. The SECOND question to be asked is if the position of the speaker lines up with the isagogics (historical background) categorical doctrine (taking in to consideration what others passages that address the same issue have to say) and the exegesis (original language) reveal.
This is the primary function of a pastor-teacher, but an advancing disciple will do well to master theses same skills. Otherwise one is left in a position in which he/she processes the information being offered through the filters of what sounds good or feels good to them.
Answering the SECOND question can take some additional research and meditating on the subject matter being presented to insure that what initially may appear to be coming from the Bible is so. "Selective" Scripture citing can make the Bible appear to say just about anything that a clever speaker wants it to say. The devil and many "religious" authorities are masters at twisting the Word of God to suit their agenda. The difference between the two is that the devil does so with malicious intent, whereas as "religious" authorities believe that they are speaking for God. In either case, the end result is false teachings and false practices being promoted.
Once a false teaching or a false practices has been accepted and repeated long enough, its not long before it is elevated (by those involved) to equal status with Scripture.
"But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of Man (Matt. 15: 9 NASB)."
In context, the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to a group of Pharisees and scribes, but the introduction of "religion" into the Christian Community has been (Gal. 3: 1) and will continue to be (1Tim. 4: 1) an objective of the devil throughout the course of the Church Age.
The advancing disciple will not accept ANYTHING that comes from ANY source (Gal. 1:8/2Cor. 11: 4), when what is being offered is inconsistent with what he knows to be the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2: 16) on ANY given subject. Without an edified soul structure enabling the recipient what is and what is not from God, a believer is easy prey for the wolves (false teachers) that are dressed in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7: 15).
Because of meditation's association with some Eastern religions, many Christians shy away from meditating, but the practice (when used as directed) is Biblically sanctioned, and endorsed.
Joshua, upon assuming the leadership role when Moses passed, was commanded to m-e-d-i-t-i-a-t-e on the Word of God, which at that time consisted of the more ancient books of the Old Testament.
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it on day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have success (Joshua 1: 8 (NASB)." The prosperity and success that God spoke of was the mission that He had in mind for Joshua. Like Joshua, the Church and its individual members have a mission to accomplish.
Here in the Church Age, the believer is to meditate on the (complete) Word of God, with special emphasis on the doctrines and the mission (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that apply to the Church Age dispensation in which we are living.
Like Joshua, it is THEN that the Church and each advancing disciple WILL have success in the primary mission it has been given.
Success in the spiritual realm does NOT necessarily mean "success" as the world defines success. Spiritual success often comes with the expense of sacrificing earthly gain/prosperity, and is some cases one's very own natural life.
Scripture speaks of dying daily (1Cor. 15: 31/2Cor. 4: 10). This obviously is not referring to physical death, as one can only die once. The dying daily takes place when we put some of our desires and activities to death (on a daily basis) in order to make room and provide time for development and execution of post salvation spiritual life. One can NOT live for self and for God at the same time (Matt. 6: 24). An advancing disciple is Christ-centered, not self-centered (selfish).Matt. 6: 24
Advancing disciples and worldly-minded souls do NOT play by the same rules. Many who play the game (live) by the ways of the devil's world (Luke 4: 6) WILL experience earthly prosperity for having done so. The advancing disciple must keep in mind that under these conditions who it is that is granting the prosperity. Just as in the case of supernatural or miraculous activity (Exodus 7: 11/Matt. 24: 24), not all "prosperity" comes from God. Scripture (Mark 8: 36) warns about pursuing earthly prosperity at the cost of sacrificing spiritual things. The advancing disciple will be wise to keep this in mind, even though he will be perceived to be a fool in the eyes of the world.
"And the devil said to Him, I will give You all this domain and glory, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish (Luke 4: 6 NASB)."
The devil's track record makes it clear that the "whomever" of Luke 4: 6 is anyone who will willingly or unwittingly promote the devil's agenda.
To the extent that God allows, the devil prospers those who promote the devil's agenda. The prosperity of the wicked has always been a challenge to the people of faith, but the Lord's answer has not changed (Psalms 73/Mark 8: 36). The advancing disciple will view earthly prosperity without God as being no more than wood, hay, and straw (1Cor. 3: 2-15) that will all go up in smoke on the Judgement Day of deeds. Meditating on such passages will keep one from being tripped by the devil.
Advancing disciples and worldly-minded souls do NOT have the same priorities as those who entertain and function via the "ways" of the (devil's) world. If there is no overt difference between your method of operation and the ways of the world, there is something gone amiss that needs to be addressed (2Cor. 13: 5/ 1 John 1:9/John 8: 11).
As the old saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished." True discipleship will be a costly endeavor. An advancing disciple should not expect to go as far, or as fast, here in the devil's world as the one who plays the game by the devil's ways and means. here will be believers that God will bless with Earthly notoriety prosperity (Abraham/David/Solomon, etc.) in order for them to be where they are to fulfil the individual plan that God had/has in mind for them to fulfill. Believers who receive such blessings should have no qualms about enjoying it. It is when one "gets ahead" via ill-gotten gain that the bells and whistles of alarm of one soul's structure should sound.
The Bible has much to say about money (or the desire for it). Money (or the desire for it) influences the daily decisions we make that come to define the type of person we choose to be.
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In order to meditate (as directed), one must establish an environment in which he/she is distraction free. In this sense, the type of meditation that the Bible endorses has its similarity with other forms of meditation.
One of the advantages that "gathering together - Heb. 10: 25 NASB)" in the traditional sense (in a local assembly) is that it (should) offer those present an environment that is distraction-free. One must CHOOSE to be focused on what is taking place in the spiritual realm, and not be focused on other believers present or on issues that can take our minds miles away.
On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of the traditional local assembly is that one can not PAUSE the activity in order to reflect or meditate on a point of information that can be done when worshiping via many remote means of communication (CD/DVD/VIDEO/INTERNET).
Keep in mind that the primary internal (inside)mission of the Church was/is to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God (Matt. 28: 19, 20) out of those who are born again. The teaching of the Word of God and the celebrating of the Lord's Supper (Communion) by Spirit-filled believers are the two main purposes that believers are gather together (physically or via remote means of communication) to worship God, as He desires to be worshiped (John 4: 23, 24).
If one desires to worship God via one of the many remote means of communication, securing a place and a time when he/she will be distraction free is a primary concern. Other people will not always afford the same respect or consideration that one might receive while "in Church".
As in the case of ANY other spiritual activity, the believer engaging in meditation should first conduct a 2 Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination and make whatever adjustments (1 John 1: 9/John 8: 11) such an examination reveals in order to insure that one is in fellowship (2Cor. 13: 14) with God.
Why so?
When not in fellowship with God, one is NOT in a state of mind to receive the maximum benefit from ANY spiritual activity.
Going through the motions when out of fellowship with God, I believe, is why so many "attending" Church seem to "get nothing" out of it. Unfortunately there are pulpits within the Christian Community that do not offer much when it comes to the spiritual edification (making of disciples) of the congregation. If this is the case, its time to move on to a pulpit that is doing its job. If one's present pulpit IS doing its job, but one is not taking in or applying what is being presented to him/her, that too, is a situation that needs to be addressed.
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Once the location (physical or remote) has been secured and the appropriate (distraction-free) environment has been established, the next step is to conduct a self-examination (2Cor. 13: 5) and make whatever adjustments (1John 1: 9/John 8:11) such an examination reveals. THEN the advancing disciple is NOW ready for the i-n-t-a-k-e part in the meditation process.
As one reads Scripture, the a-d-v-a-n-c-i-n-g disciple will become more and more sensitive to "hearing" the inaudible voice of God the Holy Spirit speaking to him/her personally. It is on these "personal" points that the advancing disciple needs to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e.
"Religious" people, or those who are not advancing in the post salvation spiritual life, will hear the same words, but to them, it will be just another repeating of the same old material they have heard (with their ears of their body, but NOT with ears of their soul) many times before.
The advancing disciple will soon discover how God will use the SAME passage of Scripture to convey different personal messages each time he/she reads it, no matter how many times it is read on a daily basis throughout the course of one's post salvation spiritual life. EVERY time the Word of God is read, it should either be reinforcing doctrine that one already has received, or revealing something new. If it is reinforcing something that one already knows, the follow-up question is how well it is being applied. If it is something new, the question is what adjustments one has to make in the accuracy of the doctrine (or accompanying practices) that one has in his/her soul structure.
Such points of personal application address ongoing issues that God brings to our attention, or what we need to know concerning a situation that God knows is on the way.
It is when a principle "jumps off the page" and/or otherwise makes a direct impact on one's soul structure that one is to pause, reflect, and identify what adjustments he/she has to make in his/her soul structure or in the application of what he/she already knows.
THIS is the type of meditation that the Bible endorses.
One's preparation, level of spiritual maturity and the doctrine one ALREADY has in his/her soul structure will largely determine the frequency and the intensity of the impact that the reading of Scripture will have on any given day. For most believers, his/her spiritual growth will be experienced in leaps and bounds when he/she first gets involved with Biblical discipleship, whereas it will be mostly a matter of making minor adjustments along the way once one has a solid foundation and an edified soul structure.
For the advancing disciple, the more accurate doctrine he/she learns and applies, the greater the desire there will be to receive and apply more. Spending time hearing, reading and meditating on the Word of God will not be a burden, but one of the highlights of each and every day.
If one is not prepared, distracted, or out of fellowship with God, the only benefit that he/she can receive on that day from reading the Bible is to sense that something has gone amiss in one's walk with the Lord and needs to be addressed. It would be like sitting down to eat one's favorite meal, but then not have the appetite to consume it.
God speaks to us each and every time the Bible is read, but WE on not always in the frame of mind to hear Him. Sometimes we already have a sense about what He is going to say to us, but we are having issues about applying it.
As one reads along the selected passage of the day, sometimes it will only take a few words, a few sentences, or a few paragraphs before one senses a principle being conveyed that is of personal application. When one is not receiving any points of personal application, it is usually because he/she has been distracted or is our of fellowship with God.
For instance, a thinking people would not even get past the first three or four words of the Bible, " In the beginning, God...(Gen. 1: 1 NABS), before realizing that there are principles to be established if much of the rest of the Bible is going to be understood.
"In the beginning of what?
It's NOT the beginning of eternity. Like God, eternity never had a beginning and will never have an end. The concept of eternity in itself is hard for Man, being time-oriented, to digest.
Advancing disciples can tell you that the phrase, "In the beginning...(Gen. 1: 1 NASB)", is referring to the "beginning" of events that would, at the appointed time, have a direct bearing on human race when it was time for Man to be created.
Self-centered Man has a problem acknowledging the fact that there was a time in eternity past when the human race did not exist.
The Bible is God's record of what He desires to make known concerning past, present, and future events that pertain to Man. It was NEVER intended to reveal ALL that has taken place, but does reveal ALL that we need to know.
Accordingly, only to the extent that an event of eternity past had a bearing on the human race (not yet created) did God reveal it to the human authors of Scripture. The Bible did not, does not, and will not tell us all the details of what we may want to know.
God has told us all that we NEED to know.
In order to generate faith (Heb. 11: 6), God chooses what details and information He would withhold and when to disclose the "secret things (Deut. 29: 29 NASB)" of God."
Believers that go beyond what is revealed in Scripture are subject to an embarrassing outcome (Prov. 30: 6) that the devil will use to discredit their personal testimony and/or ministry in the future.
"Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you and you be proved to be a liar (Prov. 30: 6 NASB)."
Moses, the human author the Book of Genesis, wrote of the creation and restoration of planet Earth that had obviously taken place BEFORE the creation of Man.
The background of the Angelic Conflict that originated before Man was created, into which Man was to participate in is documented in Scripture. See the Doctrine of the Angelic Conflict.
Again, by NO means was the Bible ever intended to report to us EVERYTHING that took place in eternity past nor does it contain or reveal everything that is going to take place in eternity future.
God, in HIs wisdom, determines when and what information Man was/is to receive or be allowed to discover.
Until such disclosure, the information that God withholds is what is referred to in Scripture (Det. 29: 29 NASB) as the "secret things" of God. Because Man (or God's Bible) does provide an answer to every question we may have, does not mean that there is NOT an answer to be revealed at a later time. The Bible was written to provide us with what we need to know, and NOT all of what we may want to know.
The primary reason that God withholds some of the information that He has, is because He dose NOT want us to come to Him ONLY on the basis of tangible evidence, but on the basis of faith (Heb. 11:
Faith can consist of what we know and/or the act of believing (placing our trust and confidence in something). In the (Heb. 11: 6) sense of the word "faith", it is referring to the action of believing that He exists and that HIs Word is valid.
God did/does provide us with enough information (Eccl. 7: 11/John 3: 16) and tangible evidence so that Man is without excuse (Romans 1: 18 ), as to the existence and way (John 14: 6) in which Man is to connect with God and the things of God.
At the same time, God withholds some information so that the soul must come to Him on the basis of faith, and not only on available evidence.
There is a "gap" between how far our faith (based on facts) can take us, and the point at which we arrive at a position of belief. This gap is there by divine design, requiring one to cross the gap in an act of belief to arrive at our objective.
The devil has a long history of distorting what God actually said and/or is recorded in the Bible.
The devil and those who do his bidding often points to the lack of detailed information that Man would like to know in an attempt to try to discredit the veracity of the Bible. Un-edified believers are his easiest targets.
Meditation plays a major role in discipleship (the study and application of the Word of God. God made the Gospel Message, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, understandable so that a soul can make a one time choice to believe it, securing his/her salvation for all of eternity. Once saved, however, growing (increasing) in God's knowledge (2Pet. 3: 18), and the proper application of it (Jame 1: 22) will require ongoing meditation.
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Let's begin with a definition.
Christian meditation is a p-r-o-c-e-s-s in which a born again believer focuses on a principle of Scripture for the purpose of securing its accurate interpretation, and then applying it to his/her future beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors.
Failing to make such o-n-g-o-i-n-g adjustments is living a life of willful disobedience to 2Pet. 3: 18. Grow-I-n-g in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is a life-long process that will never be fully mastered here on Earth. The more "answers" one receives through the development of spiritual maturity, the more questions there will be to answer.
There is a need to distinguish the difference between CHRISTIAN meditation from other forms of meditation out there. Meditating on false doctrine or evil opinions can be just as harmful as not meditating at all.
There is a further need to distinguish the all important difference between meditating on the Word of God and simply reading or hearing the Word of God being read.
Every day, our souls are bombarded with all kinds of information, both good and evil. Managing this incoming information plays a major role in the spiritual combat of the Church Age. Managing the daily information involves deciding what information is to be retained and then making the necessary changes in our thoughts and behaviors. No change, no progress.
We ALL manage the information that we take in on a daily basis rather we are aware of it or not. Without any conscious effort, one memorizes the music and lyrics that one hears on a regular basis. Without any effort, we become desensitized to subject matter that we once were offended by as it is presented to us day after day in such things as television sit-coms and the news media.
Interesting to note is how we are seldom being distracted when it is ungodly information being presented, by how this changes when it is godly information that we have the opportunity to receive.
Whatever it is that we develop an appetite for is one of the clear indicators of where our minds are on any given day.
An edified soul structure is the believer's "base of operations." One's soul structure is the primary target of all satanic/demonic attacks. It is there that the spiritual battles of the Church Age are won or lost.
Why?
We are what we think (Proverbs 23: 7). What we think ultimately determines all that we do (or don't do) during our appointed time (Psalms 31: 15/Heb. 9: 27) here on plant Earth. What we overtly do is the manifestation of the choices we make when managing the daily information that we receive.
Much of what most of us become is done without much conscious thought of the blessings or consequences. Without much CONSCIOUS thought or concern about the consequences, fallen Man has an inherent tendency and even a desire to take in and to allow all kinds of ungodly information to become a part of the soul structure.
This fallen nature (Romans 7) is a part of each and every one of us. An advancing disciple cannot afford to overlook it.. Our own fallen nature is one of the most negative influential sources of pressure that is exerted on the soul structure each and every day. It is not until after the inevitable consequences of our choices manifest themselves that we ask ourselves, "What in the world was I thinking?".
We live in the devil's world (Luke 4: 6). The human race was created to glorify God here on Earth in the midst of an ongoing battle in the spiritual realm. This battle (The Angelic Conflict) began before Man ever existed, but runs concurrently with human history.
The daily choices we make is how we take part in this ongoing battle, rather we are aware of it or not. Failing to acknowledge the spiritual issues behind the choices that we make on daily basis is what makes one the most vulnerable.
"Do not love the world nor 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 lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world 1John 2: 15, 16 NASB)."
The "lusts of the flesh" includes, but is NOT limited to the desire to engage in illicit sexual activity. One can "lust" after money, possessions, personal recognition or anything else.
Because we do live in the devil's world (by divine design- John 17: 15), the practicalities of life require that the believer interact with people and systems that promote the devil's agenda.
The believer whose thoughts and/or behavior is not noticeably different from those who think and function according to the ways of the world is living in wandering around in serious spiritual darkness.
The truth is that many "Christians" are not willing to take on the inevitable losses that Biblical discipleship will cost them. This is one of the reasons that many "believers" choose not to meditate on the Word of God. Just hearing it read once a week in Church is more pressure than what such believers care to entertain. At best, such believers may concede that the reading or the sermon/homily "hit home", but fail to make any lasting changes in their day to day living. No change, no progress.
There are no plateau's along the road to spiritual maturity. One is either progressing or regressing at any given time. Progressing without meditating on the Word of God is very unlikely.
Except for one's daily time devoted to the Lord when one should disconnect with the world, the disciple (during his/her time here in the devil's world) is not called to live apart from the world (John 17: 15), but to be a shining light in its darkness (Matt. 5: 16).
Such darkness exists in environments is which the ungodly ways, customs, and practices of devil dominate the activity. Such darkness can be found out in the devil's world or as close as one's own soul structure. It is in the soul structures of the people with who we interact with every day.
The darker the environment, the most noticeable a light will be when it is activated. Light a match on a sunny day at the beach and no one will notice, but have the screen on one's cell phone come on in a darkened theater and no one will miss seeing it.
2Cor. 6: 1 speaks of being separated in one's thinking and behavior as a testimony a-m-o-n-g the unbelievers or back-sliding believers around us. There are some places that an advancing disciple should not go and there are many activities that an advancing disciple should not embrace. Never-the-less, total separation and non-contact with the world around us would make the fulfillment of the Great Commission impossible. Keep in mind that the long-term objective of discipleship is for the evangelization and/or edification of the souls around us.
"Business" has no heart or conscience. The advancing disciple has both a heart and a conscience.
When encountering, addressing, or entering the "dens of iniquity" (ungodly environments), the questions that needs to be asked and answered are who or what is influencing who, and will engaging in any given activity become a stumbling block to oneself or others.
The Lord Jesus Christ had a history of associating and interacting with sinners (Matt. 5: 29, 30), but never did He approve of, endorse, excuse, or entertain any of the sins in which others were involved.
All of us work and share common experiences with both godly and ungodly persons on a daily basis. A godly person, from divine viewpoint, is one who has been born gain (John 3: 5, 7), has a regenerated (Titus 3: 5) human spirit, and is now advanc-i-n-g (an on-going process) in the post salvation spiritual life.
Note that one can be a very religious and relatively moral person, yet be spiritually dead.
When out in the devil's world, the believer has no control over the spiritual status of the people with whom he/she must interact with in the work place, social events, recreational activities, or in the places that one must go to conduct his daily business.
Current day "politically correct" polices are, in some cases, becoming more and more hostile towards promoting the Great Commission in the work place. There may come a time when the advancing disciple will ask him/herself if this where God wants him/her to be.
The two-fold objective of the Great Commission involves the proclaiming of the Gospel Message to unbelievers, and the teaching/sharing of the Word of God with fellow, born again (John 3: 5, 7), believers.
The Bible has much to say about how an advancing disciple is to conduct him/herself while out on the job, socializing, recreating, or at home. Discipleship is a 24-7 lifestyle.
Meditating on the Word of God, and later applying the principles of Scripture no matter where we are or what we are otherwise doing, is what the post salvation spiritual life that ALL born again believers (Christians) have been called to identify and execute is all about. The devil has an unlimited supply of alternatives.
The post salvation spiritual life is certainly to be in view when engaged in ANY activity that consumes a significant part of one's conscious life here on Earth. There is a divine purpose for you being where you are in the course of any given day. Again, the devil has an unlimited supply of alternatives.
The concept of political correctness plays right into the hands of the devil, taking a huge portion (8-10 hrs.) of one's daily time out of the hands of believer who allows him/herself to be pressured into "toning down" his/her participation in the Great Commission while in the work place.
Note, however, that it is the non-verbal "testimony" of an advancing disciple, exhibited in his/her attitudes, and the godly way in which one conducts him/herself (especially under pressure) while interacting with others that God can use to attract inquirers. Such attractions will afford the advancing disciple the opportunity to evangelize or edify them (1Pet. 3: 15).
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, ALWAYS being ready to make a defense (provide an explanation) to everyone WHO ASKS YOU to give an account for the hope that is (that they should see) in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1Pet. 3: 15 italics mine)."
If no one ever asks for you your spiritual input on any given issue, it's time for a 2Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination. Every issue has a spiritual connection, and it is with the spiritual perspective that an advancing disciple should respond. The advancing disciple is like a runner in a torch-relay race. He/she can not pass on to others what he/she has not first taken possession of him/herself.
1Peter 3: 15 is NOT a suggestion, but is among the more than 300 New Testament commandments that apply to Church Age believers.
When it is the inquirer who initiates the interaction or conversation, the likelihood of there later being a politically correct complaint made is greatly reduced.
Having the right answer is the result of having built an edified soul structure and having meditated on its contents BEFORE the need presents itself.
Note that trying to evangelize or edify another soul that God has not prepared to receive what he/she needs to hear will prove to be unfruitful. Further note that the devil will use the ignorance, arrogance, and hostility of those around us to interfere or impede the opportunities that God has created as we engage in the evangelizing or edification of others. Whenever possible, arranging for a distraction-free, one on one, encounter with the one(s) that God brings to us is a good strategy.
At the same time, it may actually be a third party within ear-shot of the conversation who walks away having had the seeds of faith planted in his/her soul structure.
The advancing disciple is not intimidated by demonic pressure that would silence his/her personal testimony, but on the other hand, the advancing disciple will be wise enough not to stir up adversity that can be avoided (Heb. 12: 14). The advancing disciple is also well aware of the "casting of pearls before the swine (Matt. 7: 6)" principle.
"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matt. 7:6 NASB)."
Developing the spiritual discernment to know when it is the time to speak and when it is the time to remain silent (Eccl. 3: 7b) comes from being in intimate fellowship as one walks with the Lord. Note that it is ALWAYS the time to present the non-verbal testimony of one's lifestyle.
The devil and/or one or more of his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil will be right there to counterattack ANY spiritual advancement that might otherwise take place, and to see to it that no good act goes unpunished.
"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12: 14 NASB)."
Have you been sanctified?
Positional sanctification takes place when one is born again, but experiential sanctification is a life-long process. See the Doctrine of Sanctification for further details on this principle.
If a born again believer has to announce his/her connection with the Christian Community, or finds that God the Holy Spirit is not providing him/her with opportunities to participate in the Great Commission, there is something that has not been developed or has gone amiss in his/her post salvation spiritual life that needs to be identified (2Cor.13: 5) adjusted (James 1: 22).
Spiritually dead people, including the merely "religious" ones, do NOT have a post (after) salvation spiritual life. Ss the very wording (post) reveals. the post salvation spiritual life is something that takes place AFTER the issue of one's salvation has ALREADY been resolved. Here, the devil offers religion and good human deeds as alternatives.
Although contact and interaction with ungodly persons and environments are unavoidable and may even be a part of the plan of God, there are other times that we do have choices as to what information and the type of persons that we expose our souls to on a daily basis.
This interaction and exposure can take place in the physical sense, or via the many means of communication (telephone, cell-phone, television, Internet, email, cable, satellite, radio, CD, DVD, books, magazines, Ipads) that we have here in the modern age of technology.
The devil accomplishes much through spiritually dead or spiritually un-edified people. One would expect such things to be taking place out in the devil's world, but sad to say, many of these people are the ones standing, preaching, and teaching behind the pulpits in this apostate phase (1Tim. 4: 1) of the Church Age. "Pulpits" are not limited to the ones found in the "houses of worship," but in include ANY means of communication that one uses to address a listening audience.
Spiritually unedified congregations take in such false information "hook, line, and sinker." While advancing disciples can see the hand of the devil in operation, both the blind teachers and the blind congregations sincerely believe that they are in right standing with the Lord.
Sincerity will do no one any good when he/she is sincerely wrong!
"Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man (pastor/teacher/priest) guides a blind man (congregation) both will fall into a pit (Matt. 15: 14 NASB italics mine)."
I must concede that the "Let them alone" part of this verse can be troublesome. I can only conclude that the Lord was referring to people who had been given warning (Ezek. 33), but chose to ignore it, bringing on whatever consequences there may be on their own heads.
In the Matt. 15: 14 verse, the Lord was giving instructions to HIs disciples in response to the disciples pointing out that His teaching offended the Pharisees. The Pharisees in view were the "religious" authorities of that day, who had just got done hearing the Lord teaching on the meaningless, religious traditions/teachings and practices that are/were/ and will be the products of Man.
"But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men Matt. 15: 9)."
Pointing out the difference between what God has taught and/or established vs. what Man in the name (authority) of religion teaches and promotes will get one in hot water during any dispensation. I believe that when the Lord spoke of leaving them alone, He was pointing out that all false teachings and practices (Prov. 30: 6) will meet their end at the appointed time and "...fall into a pit (Matt. 15: 16 NABS)."
As of the Matt. 15 incident, it was not yet the time for the Lord to go head to head in full force with the Pharisees that would eventually lead to His arrest, false conviction, and His being handed over to the Romans for execution.
It is the job of every pastor teacher to identity and address ANY false teaching or practices that could impact his assigned congregation. A congregation can be of the traditional type or any individual or group that gathers together (Heb. 10: 25) via any of the remote means of communication.
Making a positive impact here in the devil's world without being corrupted or pressured into compromising one's own discipleship (Luke 9: 23) and ambassadorship (2Cor. 5: 20) along the way is not an easy task.
Most of us will face many failures and set-backs along the way. Pastor--teachers are no exception. Daily meditating on the Word of God can greatly reduce our personal vulnerability.
Knowing the significant part that one's spiritual gift plays in the post salvation spiritual life, the devil has spiritual forces (Eph. 6: 12) in place to see to it that born again believer never discovers and/or executes the spiritual gift and accompanying ministry (1Cor. 12) that God has mind for him/her as an individual believer.
The devil will distract some born again believers via "blessings", whereas with others the devil will attack with "adversity." Most with a combination of both to keep the believer off balance and focused on the here and now and NOT of God and/or the things of God.
Having the believer focus and prioritize the good or the bad things of this life here on Earth, over the identification, pursuit, and execution of the post salvation spiritual life is at the top of the devil's "things to do" list when it comes to a born again believer.
In either scenario, be it blessing or adversity, the devil has the same goal in mind. His goal is for the destruction (1Pet. 5: 8) of the born again believer's spiritual appetite and participation in the plan of God. The plan of God is universal in that it applies to everyone, but personal as it calls for each believer as an individual soul to be saved (receive salvation) and then participate in the post (after) salvation spiritual life.
A single brick in a massive brick wall may not seem to be all that significant, but it is the collective body of single bricks that make up the wall. Like a single brick in a large wall, each and every born again believer has his/her place, function, and purpose in the plan of God. Note that when one looks at a large brick wall, it is the missing bricks or bricks that are out of place that draws the attention.
Have you been born again John 3: 5, 7), and therefore become a part of God's "wall"? Have you discovered where your individual place (1Cor. 12: 18) and purpose (1Cor. 12: 7, 9 - 12) is in His wall? Or, have you been deceived/distracted, focused on building your own?
One needs to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e the Word of God on a daily basis if he/she is going to be able to establish, refine, and maintain the type of edified soul structure needed to execute the post salvation spiritual life referenced in Scripture.
Taking in edifying information while blocking and/or eliminating evil information is an o-n-g-o-I-n-g process that we (should) engage in every day. "Evil", in this sense, refers to any information, doctrine, or practice that runs contrary to what is revealed in the Word or God OR that promotes ANY of the devil's agenda. By this definition, evil can be found WITHIN and well as outside of the "Christian" Community at large.
Note that in what is commonly referred to as The Lord's Prayer or the Our Father, we are to pray for the deliverance from evil.
Determining what information is worth listening to and/or retaining, and what information is evil and needs to be blocked or deleted is an important part and purpose of the meditation process.
Everything is rooted in either the plan of God or in the counterplan of the devil. Tracing the roots of ANY issue will bring us to the source and purpose for the information being promoted. If it is from God, it will prove to edifying. If it is from the devil, it will prove to be harmful.
Know that ALL of the information, good or evil, that we allow to become a part of our soul structure are seeds that sooner or later WILL produce its fruit in what we think, say, and do.
The devil and his forces of evil do NOT take a day off from bombarding our souls with garbage and providing all kinds of alternatives to consume the time that we could have used to spend with God.
The advancing disciple knows better than to "lower his guard" by neglecting his daily time with God. Meditating on the Word of God is an essential part of time that one spends with God.
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise (vs.15), making the most of your time, because the days are evil (vs. 16)." - Eph. 5: 15, 15 NASB."
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God is NOT a burden for an advancing disciple. On the contrary, it is the highlight of one's day for a spiritually mature, advancing believer.
Born again believers are accountable for both the quantity (2Peter 3: 18) and the quality (Acts 17: 11) of the spiritual knowledge that they have in their individual soul structures, in light of the opportunities one is given to receive it.
How we choose to respond to these opportunities are choices that each one of us make on a regular basis. We find the means and time to engage in just about everything we really desire. God cannot command us, as He does, to grow in His grace and knowledge (2Pet. 3: 18) and then not provide us with the means to do so. The question is what priority to do we choose to give to such objectives on our daily "things to do" list.
A common response from the "religious" community, when confronted with the fact that their teachings and/or practices are inconsistent with Scripture, is to say, "That's our faith.", or worse, "Don't read the Bible if it confuses you." To the extent that one knows the Written Word of God (The Bible), the same persons knows the Living Word (John 1: 1), the Lord Jesus Christ. The honest and truthful accountant does not fear an audit!
Advancing disciples are obligated to apply (James 1: 22) what they are learning (an on-going basis) to all that he thinks, does, and says with the enabling (John 15: 5) of God the Holy Spirit.
God the Holy Spirit will bring to our conscious minds the information (Bible doctrine) that we (should) have ALREADY stored away in our soul structures in order to enable us to make the right choices (John 14: 26) throughout the course of each and every day.
Applying doctrine to the "little" issues is what prepares us to do the same when major choices are to be made. If one is not faithful in the "little" matters, neither will he/she be faithful when the pressure is on when he/she has to make major decisions. There is no such thing as a little issue when the glorification of God hangs in the balance.
One of the reasons that God allows us to find ourselves in circumstances in which we do not know what to do is to bring to our attention areas of spirituality in which we need to be edified. In the middle of a storm is not the time to be out looking for answers.
God knows what challenges each day or season of our lives are going to bring us. It is His desire, through discipleship, to have us prepared to address the issues BEFORE there is the need This is why there is no such thing as a sermon that does not have something to say to each one of us.
Maybe the subject matter is not something that we will face personally, but it could very well be something that someone else is facing with whom God wants us to minister (serve). The long term objective of discipleship is to be in a position in which we minister (serve) the spiritual needs of others (1Cor. 12: 7).
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God BEFORE the need arises is what prepares (1Pet. 3: 15) us for the unknown challenges that can suddenly come upon us in the course of any given day. These challenges provide the advancing disciple the opportunity to bring glory to God as he/she responds to the storms of life (Matt. 7: 24-27), and when given the opportunity to evangelize or edify others (1Cor. 12: 7).
The more ACCURATE doctrine one has stored away in his soul structure, the more that God the Holy Spirit has to work with to accomplish the divine objectives that God has in mind. At the same time, the more inaccurate or false doctrine we have in our soul structure, the more we can unwittingly be used by the devil to steer people off course.
We make many decisions and choices each and every day that promotes one side and opposes the other side in the ongoing spiritual combat between the forces of good and evil.
Having the "right" answers on hand BEFORE there is the need for them (Matt. 7: 24-27), takes away some of the pressure that our emotions will naturally generate when under attack by the devil as the storms of life hit us.
There will still be pressure applied intending to prevent us from taking the right course of action, but at least, as an advancing disciple, we already know what course of action we are to embrace.
The advancing disciple does NOT ask WHY "bad" things happen, but asks WHAT it is that God has in mind for having either sent or allowed whatever has taken place to materialize. Since there is a divine purpose behind EVERYTHING that God sends or allow to take place, there are no "bad" things in the life of an advancing disciple, just more challenging.
As Job put it, "...Shall we accept good from God and not accept adversity (Job 2: 10 NASB)." The advancing disciple's answer to this question is, "No!".
The Doctrine of Sovereignty teaches that God has the right to do with His creation (including each one of us) as He pleases. In balance, He assures those who live for HIS purposes, that EVERYTHING will inevitably work out for good (Romans 8: 28). Many of God's greatest servants suffered greatly here on Earth, willing to be sacrificed even unto death, in order to receive a greater reward in Heaven. There are even a few who would make the same sacrifices even if there were no promises of reward. Such faith (trust and confidence) will not be found among those who do not meditate on the Word of God.
Discerning the divine purpose behind extreme adversity will require m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-o-n, as our ways of doing things and God's way are NOT always the same (Isa. 55:8).
The ability to establish and maintain a suitable environment to meditate in the midst of adversity will be a challenge for most of us, but when successful, it conveys a powerful message to those who observe us experiencing and exhibiting the kind of peace that "...surpasses all comprehension (Phil 4: 7 NASB)."
It is during such times that the believer is exposed to the reality of living by faith, and not by sight (2Cor. 5: 7).
2Cor. 5: 7 is easily quoted, but not so easily applied, UNLESS one learns to do it with the (John 15: 5) enabling power that God supplies.
The devil will capitalize on the ignorance and the accompanying pressure that un-edified believers will experience when (not if) the Matt. 7: 27 storms of life strike. Both believer and unbeliever will experience the same "shock waves" when adversity strikes, but the difference is if and how quickly one can recover.
"Unedified" believers will not know what to do. One can not apply what one does not already possess. Edified believers may have the answers, by can fail to apply the doctrine that they possess.
Ignorance in the spiritual realm is a CHOICE that born again believers make. Every day that the Bible of a born again believer remains closed, he/she has chosen to turn down God's standing invitation to meditate on His Word.
Bibles are FREE on line. God has a pastor teacher (not a denomination) in mind for each individual believer for each step along the road to spiritual maturity. I have had several, and still to this day, benefit from spending some time listening to, reading, and/or meditating on the information they offer.
While not all information coming from all pulpits is edifying, I have not met another believer or pastor who did not have at least something to offer of an edifying nature. Even a broken clock is right twice day!
Note that the daily choice to meditate or not to meditate on the Word of God will soon enough become a lifestyle. One can be "religious" without daily meditating on the Word of God, but one wil not spiritually mature.
If many so-called Christians spent HALF as much time with God as he/she does listening to what the devil's world has to say, they and the Christian Community at large would be a lot better off.
Many so-called "Christians" find the time EVERY day to listen to what the devil's world has to say, through the conversations they engage in, the media, and various forms of "entertainment", but just "don't have the time" for God and/or the things of God. In this the devil is well-pleased.
Spending an hour or so "in Church" focused on God and/or things of God accounts for less than 1% of the 168 hrs. (24 x 7) that God has given to us each week for HIS glory. One hour a week accounts for less than 1% of the 105 hours of (7x15) daily consciousness.
If you think devoting 1% of your conscious life to God and/or the things of God, and 99% of your life distracted and/or focused on the things going on here in the devil's world is going to spiritually advance you, then you have been seriously deceived.
Only a very small percentage of believers are called to full time ministry behind a pulpit in the capacity of a pastor teacher.
Many pastor-teachers, as in the Apostle Paul, must also hold down secular jobs as well as serve their congregations. Many pastor teachers have dependent wives and children to support.
For other the 99% of the Christian Community, God is fully aware of the realities of every day life that occupies much of their time and attention.
This however, does NOT change the fact that post (after) discipleship is a 24-7 l-i-f-e-s-t-y-l-e. It is when and where we are engaged in the activities of so-called "every day life" that the advancing disciple is to function as Christ's ambassador (2Cor. 5: 20)!
An ambassador is one who is fully versed on the policies and procedures of the kingdom he/she represents while serving in a foreign land. In the spiritual world, the "kingdom" that the Christian ambassador represents is the Kingdom of God, its policies and procedures are documented in the Word of God, and the foreign land is the devil's world, here on planet Earth.
When acting in the capacity of a believer's ambassadorship, one NEVER voices his/her own opinion (without making that distinction known), but only conveys (by conduct and/or speech) the official position of the kingdom he/she represents.
The plan that God has for some disciples (e.g., evangelists) involves exercising one's spiritual gift (1Cor. 12) primarily out in the devil's world, whereas others are called to exercise his/her spiritual gift within one's local assembly.
All believers have been "commissioned - Matt. 28: 19, 20" to evangelize (present the Gospel Message) unbelievers and to edify (share doctrinal principles) with fellow believers with the people they interact with on a daily basis. This is to take place wherever and whenever God gives us the opportunity, no matter where we are or what activity we are otherwise engaged in at the time.
Many believers never reach the stage of spiritual maturity in which they discover, develop, and execute the specific gift and ministry that God has in mind for them. M-e-d-i-t-a-t-I-n-g on such passages as 1Cor. Chapter 12 provides a clear background on the subject of spiritual gifts.
Some believers have their gift and ministry revealed to them almost immediately (Acts 9:15) whereas others don't discover it until many years later. ALL spiritual gifts are related to the evangelization and/or the edification of OTHERS (1Cor. 12: 7).
Christian discipleship begins with oneself, but the long term goal is for the advancing disciple to evangelize and to edify the people in his/her personal periphery. The attitude that the spiritual status of others is none of one's business is totally contrary to the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that identifies what the mission/purpose of the true Church (and its individual members) is all about.
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There is an old saying that a little knowledge can be dangerous. A child, through observation, may learn how to start a car and put it into gear, but without additional knowledge and skills can set the stage for a lethal situation.
Having a little knowledge of Scripture (as most "religious" people do), but not having a concept of the "big picture" on any given spiritual issue, sets one up to misinterpret or misapply the limited information that they do have.
Trust me, "selective" reading and/or application of Scripture can make God or the Bible to a-p-p-e-a-r to say just about anything that a clever speaker desires in order to justify or promote his own agenda. The devil has a long history of doing so, dating back to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and even tried this tactic when interacting with the Humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4/Luke 4).
Meditating is critical if one is going to develop a 24-7 consciousness of the omnipresence (God is anywhere and everywhere at the same time) of God. Note that living in denial of God's omnipresence does NOT make Him go away. One will be amazed of all that he/she will no longer think, say, or do once he/she develops a working consciousness of being in the presence of God 24-7, no matter where he/she is and no matter whatever else he/she may be doing at the time.
God cannot command Church Age believers (as He does) to c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e to g-r-o-w in the k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e of the Lord (1Pet. 3: 18), and then not provide the means for a born again believer to comply.
The truth is that most believers choose the "religious" alternatives that the devil promotes. It is relatively easy to be religious, as opposed to being spiritual. Religion, by design, leaves those involved with a (false) sense of security that they are "right" with God.
You can go days, weeks, months, years, decades, and even scores in the "religious" mode and face no serious challenges,. The devil is wise enough not to "fix" what isn't "broken." However, one can not go through a single day of the post salvation spiritual life referenced in Scripture without facing challenges that true discipleship WILL bring.
The "religious" alternatives are designed to a-p-p-e-a-r to provide the individual/group with the means and opportunity to appease God, but with the convenience of not having to face and to deal with the adversity and challenges that true discipleship will generate.
With most religions, all one has to do is show up, provide financial support, participate in specific rituals when expected, and one usually considered to be a member in good standing. Such requirements can be accomplished by spiritually dead individuals. some of which (water baptism of infants) does not involve any free-will choosing of the one involved.
Spirituality, on the other hand, requires a new birth (John 3: 5,7), a regenerated spirit (Titus 3: 5), and a DAILY conscious walk with the Lord in which the believer continues to grow (1Pete 3: 15) in the knowledge and the application (James 1: 22) of the knowledge that he/she receives. As opposed to religious activity, one can do NOTHING in the spiritual realm apart from God (John 15: 5).
Meditating on the difference between religion and spirituality is an important hurdle to overcome on the road to spiritual maturity. The roots pf "religion" grow deep. Any experienced evangelist or pastor-teacher can tell you that its easier to evangelize, and especially edify, a former atheist than it is to evangelize or edify a soul that comes into the family of God from a "religious" background.
Some religious groups engage in various forms of self-induced, but spiritually void, hardships and rituals, but most of what religion offers its followers is the "crown (rewards) without the cross (self-sacrifice)."
Taking the route of least resistance for maximum gain appeals to the fallen nature in Man, but the call to post salvation discipleship paints a much different scenario. If one does not meditate on the cost of discipleship, he/she is in for a rude awakening.
"If anyone wishes (desires) to come after (follow) Me, let him deny himself (what would otherwise please himself), and take up his cross (of self-sacrifice), and follow Me (Mark 8: 34 NASB italics mine)."
The "cross" of Mark 8:34 is NOT the adversity that is common to all Man, here in the devil's world. Nor is it the self-induced adversity that we generate via the negative choices we make. This cross is the adversity that is the result of the self sacrifices and choices we make that are required of an advancing disciple in order to the TRUE post salvation spiritual life.
* * *
Suffering IS a part of post salvation spiritual life. The advancing disciple will suffer satanic adversity for doing to right thing, and will suffer divine discipline when he/she entertains sin by way of omission or commission. Since an advancing disciple is going to suffer either way, it is better to suffer for God (Phil. 1: 29).
"For to you (advancing disciples) it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him (and reap the benefits), but also to suffer for His sake, (Phil 1: 29 NASB italics mine)."
Since Man naturally desires to avoid suffering, one can see where the devil's offer to receive the crown (rewards) without the cross (suffering) can be so appealing. Many of the "rewards" that the devil and/or his world offers will "improve" one's lot in life while here on Earth, but fails to mention the e-t-e-r-n-a-l consequences (Mark 8: 36).
The crown without the cross alternative was one of temptations that the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ faced when tempted by the devil in the wilderness. See Luke 4: 5 - 7. The devil's alternative would have required the worship of Satan (Luke 4: 7), but would have taken the need for the cross on the part of the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil's objectives there we obvious, but he must have had confidence in his plan to offer the crown without the cross. Humans "sell their souls" to the devil everyday for a lot less than the opportunity to secure world domination!
The plan of God for the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ included the future global reign over the nations of the world here on Earth (Rev.20; 6 ) with the apostles (with delegated authority) ruling over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19: 28). But before this phase of the plan of God was to take place, the Lord Jesus Christ had to accomplish His atoning Work on the Cross to provide the means of salvation for Man. Failure to recognize this was what caused many to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. Even Peter, one of the Lord's closest disciples, had a major problem with this concept (Matt. 16: 21. 22), and received one of the strongest rebukes (Matt. 16: 23) to come from the mouth of the Lord.
If the Lord had accepted the devil's offer, there would have been no cross for Him, and no salvation for us.
* * *
Meditating on the general (Matt. 28: 19, 20) and the specific plan that God has for each Church Age believer (1Cor. 12) will get us and keep us on track. The track I am speaking of is the post salvation spiritual life articulated in Scripture.
Obviously the prevention and/or elimination of the daily meditation in the life of a born again believer is a primary objective of the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil.
True discipleship generates internal conflicts as opposing forces within the Angelic Conflict compete for the immediate control of one's thought processes and accompanying inevitable behavior. True discipleship generates persecution from the devil's world (2Tim. 3: 12).
Scripture (James 4: 4) teach that being in friendship with the world (or worldly minded individuals) makes us enemies of God. Choosing for God and/or the things of God makes us enemies of the world and/or worldly-minded people. Being allied with one side makes us enemies of the other. We are free to choose which side we want to be on, but we are NOT free from having to make that choice.
Our primary choice (of which side of the conflict we choose to be on) is reinforced by the ongoing choices we make each and every day.
"You (spiritual) adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the (devil's) world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world (or worldly-minded individuals) makes himself an enemy of God (James 4: 4 NASB)."
M-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God will reveal to us in which camp and under who's influence we are functioning at any given time.
As much as the devil would have us believe otherwise, there is NOTHING that we can do to ourselves or that he and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil can do to undo the regenerating (Titus 3: 5) and sealing (Eph. 4: 30) work of God the Holy Spirit that took place (past tense) at the moment of salvation. Salvation and eternal life is NOT something that a born again believer receives as death. Salvation (deliverance from the impending wrath of God) and eternal life (needed to live with God in Heaven) is received at the moment of conversion when one is born again here on Earth. IT is at death, upon leaving the physical body behind, that one experiences the maximum benefit of his salvation and the eternal life that he/she has already received.
The devil will have us believe that God will not make good on His (Rom. 14: 4) promise, assuring the born again believer of his/her safe arrival in Heaven. Many religious authorities, including some within the "Christian Community" at large, take the devil's side on this one, threatening its followers with the fire of Hell if they do not go along with their program.
Religion has a list of things that one can do or fail to do that will (in their blasphemous opinion) result in experiencing the fires of Hell. The truth is that, by divine design, there is only ONE sin that was not atoned for by the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The unpardonable sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18).
It is via one choosing to place his/her total faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, that one is eternally "saved" from Hades and the Lake of fire.
Meditating on the Gospel Message will reinforces these Biblical truths, and will set your free (John 8: 32) from worry or concern for the integrity of the salvation that a born again believer has ALREADY received.
God can not require ANY further payment of ANY kind (penance, good deeds, time in Purgatory, etc.) for a sin (debt) that has ALREADY been stamped PAID IN FULL by the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. To do so, would make null and void the totality of what was accomplished on the cross (1John 2: 2). Either His atoning Work on the cross was completely "finished-John 19: 30 NASB), as He claimed it to be, or it was not. Requirements to "finish" the work through religious rituals are not only false teachings and practices, but amount to blasphemy in that they bring into question both the integrity of Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The loss or delay of salvation is not only a false teaching, it amounts to blasphemy.
Again, there is only ONE sin that one can commit that will result in him/her experiencing the Torments of Hades upon departing tis Earth, and eventually experiencing what the Bible calls the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15). for ALL of Eternity. That ONE sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 15), having personally rejected God's plan of salvation articulated in the true Gospel Message.
What IS true, is that although salvation (residency in Heaven) can not be lost, heavenly REWARDS and accompanying privileges WILL be either received or forfeited on the basis of the "deeds of divine good" that was/was not produced throughout the course of one's post salvation spiritual life.
Meditating on the significant difference between the deeds of human good, symbolized by wood, hay straw, vs. the deeds of divine good symbolized as gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Cor. 3: 12-15), will make it clear on what basis REWARDS (not salvation) will be either received or forfeited.
The devil is not as interested in the loss of the believers' rewards as much as he is in denying God the glory that he would otherwise receive when a believer advances in the post salvation spiritual life. Contrary to viewing us as a beloved child, in the devil's eyes we are no more than an expendable pawn.
Heaven is a place based on the principle of equal opportunity, but what will or will not be experienced there is determined by the choices one makes here on Earth. We are not all given the same spiritual gifts (1COr. 12), but we are ALL given the same opportunity to identify and to execute the individual plan that God has in mind for each and every born again believer.
Our deeds will not be evaluated (1Cor. 3: 12-15) on the basis of what other believers did (or didn't do) with the opportunities that God provided them with, but on the basis of what we (as individuals) did with the opportunities that God gave to us.
Such opportunities include, but are not limited to, the opportunity to spend time studying and meditating on the Word of God on a DAILY basis.
The evaluation of deeds event (1Cor. 3: 12-15) is for the purpose of revealing what rewards and privileges (if any) each one of us will either receive or forfeit. This event has got nothing to do with retaining salvation, but has everything to do with HOW any one of us is going to experience Heaven.
ALL born again believers are assured of permanent residency in Heaven, but Heaven will not be experienced in the same way by all believers. Some born again believers will experience Heaven with great rewards (Matt. 5: 12)and privileges (1Cor. 3: 12-15)); some born again believers will experience Heaven with some rewards and privileges (1Cor. 3: 12-15); and some will experience Heaven with NO reward and privileges (1Cor. 3: 15). Souls that were never born again will not experience Heaven at all, other than being brought to the Court of Heaven, only to be cast out and into the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
* * *
Salvation, being one of the "irrevocable" gifts from God, will never be withdrawn. It is not within human power to "give it back", and there is no power anywhere that undo what God has chosen to permanently establish.
What the devil and the forces of evil CAN do, is to promote false doctrine and generate adversity to shake the confidence of a weak (un--edified) believer. Here, the devil makes full use of Man made "religion" that threatens its followers with the fire of Hell for non-compliance or rejecting its false doctrines and/or practices.
There is clear judgment awaiting those who become stumbling block to a child of God (Matt. 18: 6). Although there was a children in view when this principle was taught, a child of God is anyone who has been born again and, as a result, has God as his/her Father.
A "babe in Christ (1Cor3. 3: 1) is also a child of God of God, but is still at a stage of spiritual growth in which he/she has not yet learned or applied the truth that sets one free (John 8: 32) from the inevitable worry and unwarranted fears that a weak (unedified) believer is bound to experience. Such "babes" cannot "ingest," "digest." or " metabolize" the more advanced doctrines of the faith. (1Cor. 3: 2).
One will not advance in the post salvation spiritual life without daily meditating on the Word of God.
Until a born again believer advances to a corresponding level of spiritual maturity, he/she is very vulnerable to having his/her faith shaken. Faith is not only the act of believing (placing his/her trust and confidence in something), but also includes WHAT he/she believers as well.
There are millions of souls who have just as much confidence and trust (faith) in false gods (Psalms 96) as do Christians do in the true God of the Bible, but their faith will not spare them from the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
Only a strong (edified) believer will d-e-v-e-l-o-p the (John 8: 32) confidence and sense of freedom from bondage that spiritually maturity offers.
A believer who does not meditate on the Word of God is NOT going to spiritually mature, but will be satisfied with the "religious" alternatives that the devil promotes.
Weak believers will misuse the security of their salvation as a license to sin. It is only the spiritually mature believer who will acknowledge that his freedom is not a license to sin, but a license to serve.
I do not intend the use the term "weak" to be taken the wrong way. We ALL have areas fo weakness in the knowledge and/or the application of doctrine, and there is not one believer that I have ever met (including the one I meet in the mirror every day) that is not in need of improvement.
The devil desires to raise doubts in the soul structures of weak believers, as to the reality and the integrity of the salvation that the born again has ALREADY secured. Such deception will serve to impede the identification and the execution of the true post salvation spiritual life spoken of in Scripture.
It is much easier to be "religious," than it is to be "spiritual."
As long as one does the minimum on the check lists provided by religion, the "religious" soul can be satisfied with the resulting false sense of security and conclude that " all is well" between he and God. While the issue of salvation is "all well", one's post salvation spiritual life can be "on the rocks" and/or unproductive. This is where the devil wants all born again believers to be.
Having the right answers (doctrine) and solutions (application) is only half the battle. It will do no one any good to have the right answers and solutions if one does not choose to apply (James 1: 22) the right answers and solutions when challenged to do so.
Failing to recognize the spiritual challenges we face every day is a clear indication that one has been not been m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God. Failing to recognize such things is a clear indication that we have been neglecting this area in our personal walk with the Lord.
Its relatively easy to do the right thing when it pleases oneself and/or when it is the popular thing to do. It's another matter when doing the right thing calls for self-sacrifice and/or taking the heat for choosing to take the path less traveled in order to please God. Doing the right thing almost always taking the path less traveled (Matt. 7: 13, 14).
Hearing/reading the Word of God and m-e-d-i-t-a-t-i-n-g on the Word of God are too very different things.
At varying degrees of frequency and personal interest, most who identify themselves as members of the "Christian Community," do read or at least hear the Word of God being read on a regular basis.
When such readings take place when one *goes to Church. The readings are usually the subject matter of an accompanying commentary in the form of a sermon or homily when gathered together for corporate worship.
*Technically, born again believers do not "go to Church", but ARE the Church (1Cor. 3: 16) that gathers together (Heb.10: 25) for such things as corporate worship. The type of buildings, physical altars, and officiating "priests" that many consider to be a "Church", was NOT a part of the Christian Community for the first three hundred years of its history. Such things are among the products of religion that Man has established throughout the course of the Church Age,and are the source of many false teachings and practices within the Christian Community at large.
Others will r-e-a-d the Bible during his/her private, daily sessions with the Lord.
But unless the Word of God is m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e-d on and then applied, there will be NO spiritual growth in individual, post (after) salvation lives of the congregation or individual believers involved. It's like buying the best gym equipment on the market, reading all the material that comes with it, but never making use of it. Without exercise, there will be no development.
For instance, let' say that the reading and/or sermon/homily addresses the issue of forgiveness. Most who hear or read it will agree with it in principle, especially those who are spiritually mature enough to acknowledge their own need to receive it from God and/or the need to extend it to others.
But unless the principles become a part of our future thought processes and behaviors, there will be no spiritual growth experienced in that area of our walk with the Lord.
The forgiveness of God for confessed sin is guaranteed (1John 1: 9). The forgiveness from people is not, nor does it have to be an issue between us and the Lord once the principles of 1John 1: 9 and John 8: 11 have been applied. If others choose not to forgive (us), then that is an issue that they will have to deal with in their own walk with the Lord (Matt. 6: 15).
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Entering the throne room of a monarch uninvited in the ancient world could result in death. Many weak believers have this same perspective when it comes to entering the throne room of God in prayer. Because of sin or ignorance, they live in fear of God.
There should be no fear in approaching the throne of grace (Heb. 4: 16) on the part of a born again believer, but there IS the need to make confession of all known sin (that has not already been addressed - 1John 1: 9) in order to be in fellowship with God. When we confess sin, we are not going to be telling God anything that He does not already know. In fact, in His omniscience, He knew of it in detail when He placed the world's sin debt on the atoning humanity of the crucified Christ while on the cross some 2,000 years ago.
We cannot afford to look lightly on the sin we commit, especially when we consider what the Lord Jesus Christ had to endured on the cross to atone for it. And as James 2: 10 teaches, when we commit one sin we stand as guilty (in the eyes of God) as the one who has broken them all!
Forgiveness (by God) is immediate and complete, but there may be long term consequences for the sins we commit to be endured during our time here on Earth. Through meditation, one can learn what "consequences" are from God in the form of preventative discipline, and what "consequences" (guilt-ridden conscience over past sin(s) that God has forgiven) are self -induced and can be used of the devil to keep us down.
The sin of not forgiving ourselves and/or others is one of the greatest inhibitors to the post salvation spiritual life. Guilt, genuine or imagined, can be the means of manipulation that the devil and self-centered people will use to control the soul that is beseiged by it.
When one learns and applies the TRUTH concerning forgiveness, he/she can be set free from its bondage (John 8: 32). This may take some extended meditation to overcome all the emotional responses that guilt can produce.
Post salation sin is what takes and keeps many believers out of intimate fellowship with God. Show me a person who makes a lifestyle out of ANY known sin, and I will show you someone who is not in intimate fellowship with God. Note that I did not say that such a person cannot be a born again believer, but that his/her post salvation spiritual life is producing no fruit.
The spiritually dead, unsaved, or merely "religious" soul will have no past experience or the present ability to comprehend what it is like to be in intimate fellowship with God.
Such a person's concept of God can range in anything from denial of His existence or of His significance to the other extreme of fear, judgement, and inability to please. Neither of these scenarios are conducive to promoting an intimate relationship with God.
The born again believer who has experienced the intimate fellowship that a personal relationship with God generates will not live in peace with him/herself when such fellowship is lost via post salvation sin. Such an advanced disciple will need no encouraging , but will desire to promptly restore (1John 1: 9) and maintain (John 8: 11) the intimacy of his/her relationship with God.
Post salvation sin does NOT result in the loss of salvation, but takes the believer out of intimate fellowship (2 Cor. 13: 14) with God until the sin is confessed (1John 1: 9) and forsaken (John 8: 11). The sins of refusing to forgive self or others are no exceptions to the James 2: 10 principle.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become (as) guilty (as the one who has violated them) all (James 2: 10 NASB)."
According to the Pharisees, there were over 600 ways in which one could violate The Law of the Old Testament. Advancing Church Age disciples (students of the Word of God) become aware of the more than 300 ways in which one can violate New Testament Scripture.
To the same degree that God the Holy Spirit brings the right answers (appropriate doctrine) that we (should) have stored in our soul structures, our fallen nature (Romans 7), the devil (1Pet. 5: 8), his forces of evil (Eph. 6: 12), and worldly-minded individuals will bring to our conscious minds all the trash and misinformation that we have chosen to stored away in our soul structure, or that they can introduce.
The devil desires that God's people get and remain focused on the issues of the here and now to the extent that they are prioritized over spiritual issues.
There will always be the practical need to attend to the daily affairs of the here and now, but when such things are given more attention and priority over God and the things of God, the devil has us right where he wants us. Choosing not to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e on the Word of God goes along way in favor of the devil achieving his objectives.
One cannot apply to oneself or share with others what he/she has not first made a part of his/her soul structure. No one, clergy or layman, can be used of God to bring another soul any further along in the post salvation spiritual life that where he/she has first arrived for him/herself.
If a born again believer chooses NOT to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, he/she is choosing a lifestyle of disobedience. The principles of 1Peter 3: 15 and 2Pet. 3:18 are NOT "suggestions." These principles are only two of more than 300 commandments to be found in New Testament Scripture. Violating any one of these commands are a sin, and when any one of these sins become a lifestyle, the one involved is "living in sin."
Living is sin is not limited to the sins of fornication and adultery. ANY sin can become a lifestyle, amounting to the one involved living in sin.
Failing to secure the means to receive the information needed to build, refine, and maintain an edified soul structure sets the stage for disaster when the inevitable storms of life (Matt. 7: 24-27) strike.
Such neglect and/or ignorance are CHOICE one makes. A closed Bible results in a closed mind. A closed mind is not open to receiving the DAILY information it needs to built, refine, and/or maintain an edified soul structure. One cannot meditate on the Word of God if the Word of God is not taken in and/or refined each and every day. Every day we make choices, and as a result of those choices, we are filling our minds with either the "mind (thinking) of Christ (1COr. 2: 16 NASB italics mine)", or with one of the many alternatives that the devil promotes.
Attempting to execute the post salvation spiritual life without an edified soul structure would be like a craftsman showing up at the job site with an empty tool box.
Again, ignorance in the spiritual realm is a choice we make.
Failing to grow in the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord (1Pet 3: 18) on a daily basis is the WRONG choice. Choosing not to apply what we (should) have learned to how we think and what we do is the WRONG choice.
Meditating on the Word of God is a critical part of growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Unless one is "brain dead", the mind processes all kinds of internal and external information that it is provided with on a daily basis. The choice not to make the Word of God a part of the information processed each and every day is a serious sin of omission and a deliberate sin of disobedience (2Pet. 3: 18). If one does not (yet) have the spiritual discernment to detect something new in the course of his/her daily time in the Word of God, he/she at least should be reinforcing the doctrine that he/she already received.
Only the arrogant (common place among the "religious" crowd) soul will truly believe that he/she already knows (and applies) everything he/she needs to know concerning God. While it is TRUE that all one needs to know and apply is the Gospel Message in order to be saved, the required amount of knowledge to identify and execute the true post salvation spiritual life of discipleship is an on-going, life long, process.
Just as the good meal in the natural realm we had last week had its benefits at the time, one must make good nutrition a lifestyle if it is going to have any lasting results. The same principle applies to the soul that (should be) nourished every day in the spiritual life. If the typical believer were as concerned with what he/she fills his/her soul with as many are concerned with what they feed their bodies with, many would be a lot better off.
Many of us make sacrifices and spend a lot of time exercising our bodies that sooner or later will become a pile of dust (Gen. 3), but rationalize away the need to make sacrifices and/or to exercise our souls that are going to live on in one environment or another for all of eternity. One verse of Scripture that is not likely to be found on the wall of a gym is 1Tim. 4: 8.
"for bodily discipline (diet and exercise) is only of little profit, but *godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come (1 Tim. 4: 8 NASB italics mine)." *Godliness is the identification and the execution of the post salvation spiritual life.
As good stewards, we are to care for everything that we have received, but when our physical appearance and conditioning is of greater concern than our testimony and spiritual conditioning, we have the wrong set of priorities. Advancing disciples become more and more "Christ-centered" and less and less "self-centered."
The information (good or evil) that we take in does impact our thinking/ It is our thinking that determines the course of our lives (Prov. 23: 7).
What we think determines what we do (Prov. 23: 7), which is a manifestation of what we are.
When many people think of meditation, they get a mental image of someone sitting or assuming some Eastern yoga position and humming or chanting in order to create a relaxed and un-distracted mental state.
Some meditators will use such things as mind-altering drugs, alcohol, music, visual objects, and aroma-producing agents to assist them in developing a mental state of detachment from one's immediate surroundings and environment.
Among the objectives of meditation is the reduction of stress; to get in touch with his/her "inner being"; and/or to set the stage to experience a "spiritual" event. Some of these open the door for demonic influence.
All spiritual experiences and events are NOT from God (1Timothy 4: 2). All teachings are not from God. All practices are not from God. Anything that is not from God is from the devil, or at the very least, can be used by the devil.
Participating in some forms of spiritual activity were/are forbidden in Scripture. Such verses as Eph. 6: 12 (NASB) speak of, "...spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.", and are among the "enemies" of an advancing disciple, here in the Church Age.
Opening one's mind up to receive the wrong information is among the ways and means through which the mind of devil (vs. the mind of Christ - 1Cor. 2: 16) is promoted. It is for this reason that Scripture warns the believer to take care of how and to what one chooses to listen.
Just because the information is coming from a pulpit (2Cor. 11: 14, 15), or from a person who claims to be speaking for God, does NOT necessarily mean that the teaching (1Tim. 4: 1 is from God.
Appearing to speak or to have come from God is what makes Man-made "religion" such a powerful weapon in the hand of the devil.
No clergyman is going to deliberately mislead his congregation (blind leading the blind), but a bullet fired in ignorance can be just as lethal as the one that is fired with malicious intent. Meditating om the Word of God to determine what is "spiritual" and from God, as opposed to "religious" and from Man, is critical part in the developing life of an advancing disciple.
If the teaching of such men as the Apostle Paul was held to Biblical verification (Acts 17: 11), should not what comes from any other man be held to the same level of scrutiny? At that time, the New Testament portion of what was to become "The Bible" was still a work in progress. To this day, it is the focus on the Word of God that separates the advancing disciples from the rank in file born again believers in any given congregation.
At least one "Christian" denomination views the Bible as being a product of the Church, subjecting the interpretation the interpretation of the Word of God to the "authority" of the Church. The same religion promotes its leader as being infallible in the interpretation and/or application of Scripture. It's own track record refutes such a claim.
The birthday of the Church was around 30-33 AD. Much of what has now been accepted into the Christian Community did NOT exist for its first 300 years of history, and is no more than the products and practices of Man made religion.
When evaluating what ANY "Christian" denomination, Christian non-denomination, speaker, or writer offers, the FIRST question to be asked is on what chapter(s) and verse(s) of SCRIPTURE is this teaching or practice based. ANY teaching or practice that runs contrary, adds to, or takes from what can be Biblically substantiated should be rejected. The SECOND question to be asked is if the position of the speaker lines up with the isagogics (historical background) categorical doctrine (taking in to consideration what others passages that address the same issue have to say) and the exegesis (original language) reveal.
This is the primary function of a pastor-teacher, but an advancing disciple will do well to master theses same skills. Otherwise one is left in a position in which he/she processes the information being offered through the filters of what sounds good or feels good to them.
Answering the SECOND question can take some additional research and meditating on the subject matter being presented to insure that what initially may appear to be coming from the Bible is so. "Selective" Scripture citing can make the Bible appear to say just about anything that a clever speaker wants it to say. The devil and many "religious" authorities are masters at twisting the Word of God to suit their agenda. The difference between the two is that the devil does so with malicious intent, whereas as "religious" authorities believe that they are speaking for God. In either case, the end result is false teachings and false practices being promoted.
Once a false teaching or a false practices has been accepted and repeated long enough, its not long before it is elevated (by those involved) to equal status with Scripture.
"But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of Man (Matt. 15: 9 NASB)."
In context, the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to a group of Pharisees and scribes, but the introduction of "religion" into the Christian Community has been (Gal. 3: 1) and will continue to be (1Tim. 4: 1) an objective of the devil throughout the course of the Church Age.
The advancing disciple will not accept ANYTHING that comes from ANY source (Gal. 1:8/2Cor. 11: 4), when what is being offered is inconsistent with what he knows to be the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2: 16) on ANY given subject. Without an edified soul structure enabling the recipient what is and what is not from God, a believer is easy prey for the wolves (false teachers) that are dressed in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7: 15).
Because of meditation's association with some Eastern religions, many Christians shy away from meditating, but the practice (when used as directed) is Biblically sanctioned, and endorsed.
Joshua, upon assuming the leadership role when Moses passed, was commanded to m-e-d-i-t-i-a-t-e on the Word of God, which at that time consisted of the more ancient books of the Old Testament.
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it on day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have success (Joshua 1: 8 (NASB)." The prosperity and success that God spoke of was the mission that He had in mind for Joshua. Like Joshua, the Church and its individual members have a mission to accomplish.
Here in the Church Age, the believer is to meditate on the (complete) Word of God, with special emphasis on the doctrines and the mission (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that apply to the Church Age dispensation in which we are living.
Like Joshua, it is THEN that the Church and each advancing disciple WILL have success in the primary mission it has been given.
Success in the spiritual realm does NOT necessarily mean "success" as the world defines success. Spiritual success often comes with the expense of sacrificing earthly gain/prosperity, and is some cases one's very own natural life.
Scripture speaks of dying daily (1Cor. 15: 31/2Cor. 4: 10). This obviously is not referring to physical death, as one can only die once. The dying daily takes place when we put some of our desires and activities to death (on a daily basis) in order to make room and provide time for development and execution of post salvation spiritual life. One can NOT live for self and for God at the same time (Matt. 6: 24). An advancing disciple is Christ-centered, not self-centered (selfish).Matt. 6: 24
Advancing disciples and worldly-minded souls do NOT play by the same rules. Many who play the game (live) by the ways of the devil's world (Luke 4: 6) WILL experience earthly prosperity for having done so. The advancing disciple must keep in mind that under these conditions who it is that is granting the prosperity. Just as in the case of supernatural or miraculous activity (Exodus 7: 11/Matt. 24: 24), not all "prosperity" comes from God. Scripture (Mark 8: 36) warns about pursuing earthly prosperity at the cost of sacrificing spiritual things. The advancing disciple will be wise to keep this in mind, even though he will be perceived to be a fool in the eyes of the world.
"And the devil said to Him, I will give You all this domain and glory, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish (Luke 4: 6 NASB)."
The devil's track record makes it clear that the "whomever" of Luke 4: 6 is anyone who will willingly or unwittingly promote the devil's agenda.
To the extent that God allows, the devil prospers those who promote the devil's agenda. The prosperity of the wicked has always been a challenge to the people of faith, but the Lord's answer has not changed (Psalms 73/Mark 8: 36). The advancing disciple will view earthly prosperity without God as being no more than wood, hay, and straw (1Cor. 3: 2-15) that will all go up in smoke on the Judgement Day of deeds. Meditating on such passages will keep one from being tripped by the devil.
Advancing disciples and worldly-minded souls do NOT have the same priorities as those who entertain and function via the "ways" of the (devil's) world. If there is no overt difference between your method of operation and the ways of the world, there is something gone amiss that needs to be addressed (2Cor. 13: 5/ 1 John 1:9/John 8: 11).
As the old saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished." True discipleship will be a costly endeavor. An advancing disciple should not expect to go as far, or as fast, here in the devil's world as the one who plays the game by the devil's ways and means. here will be believers that God will bless with Earthly notoriety prosperity (Abraham/David/Solomon, etc.) in order for them to be where they are to fulfil the individual plan that God had/has in mind for them to fulfill. Believers who receive such blessings should have no qualms about enjoying it. It is when one "gets ahead" via ill-gotten gain that the bells and whistles of alarm of one soul's structure should sound.
The Bible has much to say about money (or the desire for it). Money (or the desire for it) influences the daily decisions we make that come to define the type of person we choose to be.
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In order to meditate (as directed), one must establish an environment in which he/she is distraction free. In this sense, the type of meditation that the Bible endorses has its similarity with other forms of meditation.
One of the advantages that "gathering together - Heb. 10: 25 NASB)" in the traditional sense (in a local assembly) is that it (should) offer those present an environment that is distraction-free. One must CHOOSE to be focused on what is taking place in the spiritual realm, and not be focused on other believers present or on issues that can take our minds miles away.
On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of the traditional local assembly is that one can not PAUSE the activity in order to reflect or meditate on a point of information that can be done when worshiping via many remote means of communication (CD/DVD/VIDEO/INTERNET).
Keep in mind that the primary internal (inside)mission of the Church was/is to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God (Matt. 28: 19, 20) out of those who are born again. The teaching of the Word of God and the celebrating of the Lord's Supper (Communion) by Spirit-filled believers are the two main purposes that believers are gather together (physically or via remote means of communication) to worship God, as He desires to be worshiped (John 4: 23, 24).
If one desires to worship God via one of the many remote means of communication, securing a place and a time when he/she will be distraction free is a primary concern. Other people will not always afford the same respect or consideration that one might receive while "in Church".
As in the case of ANY other spiritual activity, the believer engaging in meditation should first conduct a 2 Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination and make whatever adjustments (1 John 1: 9/John 8: 11) such an examination reveals in order to insure that one is in fellowship (2Cor. 13: 14) with God.
Why so?
When not in fellowship with God, one is NOT in a state of mind to receive the maximum benefit from ANY spiritual activity.
Going through the motions when out of fellowship with God, I believe, is why so many "attending" Church seem to "get nothing" out of it. Unfortunately there are pulpits within the Christian Community that do not offer much when it comes to the spiritual edification (making of disciples) of the congregation. If this is the case, its time to move on to a pulpit that is doing its job. If one's present pulpit IS doing its job, but one is not taking in or applying what is being presented to him/her, that too, is a situation that needs to be addressed.
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Once the location (physical or remote) has been secured and the appropriate (distraction-free) environment has been established, the next step is to conduct a self-examination (2Cor. 13: 5) and make whatever adjustments (1John 1: 9/John 8:11) such an examination reveals. THEN the advancing disciple is NOW ready for the i-n-t-a-k-e part in the meditation process.
As one reads Scripture, the a-d-v-a-n-c-i-n-g disciple will become more and more sensitive to "hearing" the inaudible voice of God the Holy Spirit speaking to him/her personally. It is on these "personal" points that the advancing disciple needs to m-e-d-i-t-a-t-e.
"Religious" people, or those who are not advancing in the post salvation spiritual life, will hear the same words, but to them, it will be just another repeating of the same old material they have heard (with their ears of their body, but NOT with ears of their soul) many times before.
The advancing disciple will soon discover how God will use the SAME passage of Scripture to convey different personal messages each time he/she reads it, no matter how many times it is read on a daily basis throughout the course of one's post salvation spiritual life. EVERY time the Word of God is read, it should either be reinforcing doctrine that one already has received, or revealing something new. If it is reinforcing something that one already knows, the follow-up question is how well it is being applied. If it is something new, the question is what adjustments one has to make in the accuracy of the doctrine (or accompanying practices) that one has in his/her soul structure.
Such points of personal application address ongoing issues that God brings to our attention, or what we need to know concerning a situation that God knows is on the way.
It is when a principle "jumps off the page" and/or otherwise makes a direct impact on one's soul structure that one is to pause, reflect, and identify what adjustments he/she has to make in his/her soul structure or in the application of what he/she already knows.
THIS is the type of meditation that the Bible endorses.
One's preparation, level of spiritual maturity and the doctrine one ALREADY has in his/her soul structure will largely determine the frequency and the intensity of the impact that the reading of Scripture will have on any given day. For most believers, his/her spiritual growth will be experienced in leaps and bounds when he/she first gets involved with Biblical discipleship, whereas it will be mostly a matter of making minor adjustments along the way once one has a solid foundation and an edified soul structure.
For the advancing disciple, the more accurate doctrine he/she learns and applies, the greater the desire there will be to receive and apply more. Spending time hearing, reading and meditating on the Word of God will not be a burden, but one of the highlights of each and every day.
If one is not prepared, distracted, or out of fellowship with God, the only benefit that he/she can receive on that day from reading the Bible is to sense that something has gone amiss in one's walk with the Lord and needs to be addressed. It would be like sitting down to eat one's favorite meal, but then not have the appetite to consume it.
God speaks to us each and every time the Bible is read, but WE on not always in the frame of mind to hear Him. Sometimes we already have a sense about what He is going to say to us, but we are having issues about applying it.
As one reads along the selected passage of the day, sometimes it will only take a few words, a few sentences, or a few paragraphs before one senses a principle being conveyed that is of personal application. When one is not receiving any points of personal application, it is usually because he/she has been distracted or is our of fellowship with God.
For instance, a thinking people would not even get past the first three or four words of the Bible, " In the beginning, God...(Gen. 1: 1 NABS), before realizing that there are principles to be established if much of the rest of the Bible is going to be understood.
"In the beginning of what?
It's NOT the beginning of eternity. Like God, eternity never had a beginning and will never have an end. The concept of eternity in itself is hard for Man, being time-oriented, to digest.
Advancing disciples can tell you that the phrase, "In the beginning...(Gen. 1: 1 NASB)", is referring to the "beginning" of events that would, at the appointed time, have a direct bearing on human race when it was time for Man to be created.
Self-centered Man has a problem acknowledging the fact that there was a time in eternity past when the human race did not exist.
The Bible is God's record of what He desires to make known concerning past, present, and future events that pertain to Man. It was NEVER intended to reveal ALL that has taken place, but does reveal ALL that we need to know.
Accordingly, only to the extent that an event of eternity past had a bearing on the human race (not yet created) did God reveal it to the human authors of Scripture. The Bible did not, does not, and will not tell us all the details of what we may want to know.
God has told us all that we NEED to know.
In order to generate faith (Heb. 11: 6), God chooses what details and information He would withhold and when to disclose the "secret things (Deut. 29: 29 NASB)" of God."
Believers that go beyond what is revealed in Scripture are subject to an embarrassing outcome (Prov. 30: 6) that the devil will use to discredit their personal testimony and/or ministry in the future.
"Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you and you be proved to be a liar (Prov. 30: 6 NASB)."
Moses, the human author the Book of Genesis, wrote of the creation and restoration of planet Earth that had obviously taken place BEFORE the creation of Man.
The background of the Angelic Conflict that originated before Man was created, into which Man was to participate in is documented in Scripture. See the Doctrine of the Angelic Conflict.
Again, by NO means was the Bible ever intended to report to us EVERYTHING that took place in eternity past nor does it contain or reveal everything that is going to take place in eternity future.
God, in HIs wisdom, determines when and what information Man was/is to receive or be allowed to discover.
Until such disclosure, the information that God withholds is what is referred to in Scripture (Det. 29: 29 NASB) as the "secret things" of God. Because Man (or God's Bible) does provide an answer to every question we may have, does not mean that there is NOT an answer to be revealed at a later time. The Bible was written to provide us with what we need to know, and NOT all of what we may want to know.
The primary reason that God withholds some of the information that He has, is because He dose NOT want us to come to Him ONLY on the basis of tangible evidence, but on the basis of faith (Heb. 11:
Faith can consist of what we know and/or the act of believing (placing our trust and confidence in something). In the (Heb. 11: 6) sense of the word "faith", it is referring to the action of believing that He exists and that HIs Word is valid.
God did/does provide us with enough information (Eccl. 7: 11/John 3: 16) and tangible evidence so that Man is without excuse (Romans 1: 18 ), as to the existence and way (John 14: 6) in which Man is to connect with God and the things of God.
At the same time, God withholds some information so that the soul must come to Him on the basis of faith, and not only on available evidence.
There is a "gap" between how far our faith (based on facts) can take us, and the point at which we arrive at a position of belief. This gap is there by divine design, requiring one to cross the gap in an act of belief to arrive at our objective.
The devil has a long history of distorting what God actually said and/or is recorded in the Bible.
The devil and those who do his bidding often points to the lack of detailed information that Man would like to know in an attempt to try to discredit the veracity of the Bible. Un-edified believers are his easiest targets.
Meditation plays a major role in discipleship (the study and application of the Word of God. God made the Gospel Message, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, understandable so that a soul can make a one time choice to believe it, securing his/her salvation for all of eternity. Once saved, however, growing (increasing) in God's knowledge (2Pet. 3: 18), and the proper application of it (Jame 1: 22) will require ongoing meditation.
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