Are You Committed?

Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

Committed to the Lord, makes it easier to be committed to each other.   The burden and weight of "human" commitment is lifted and replaced with a commitment we could not give by our own strength but only by God's love.  God's love in us allows us to love one another.  For God's love works in us as we walk in our salvation in Christ Jesus.

That is why there should be encouragement in belonging to the body of Christ.  

Committed to Christ Jesus- and everything else will follow. 

Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort. Disciple 3

Several years ago I asked the Lord about the passage in Ezekiel 1:18-21.   I asked specifically what were these wheels covered with eyes.   “The rims of the four wheels were awesomely tall, and they were covered with eyes all around the edges.  When the four living beings moved, the wheels moved with them.  When they flew upward, the wheels went up, too.  The spirit of the four living beings was in the wheels.  So wherever the spirit went, the wheels and the living beings went, too.  When the living beings moved, the wheels moved.  When the living beings stopped, the wheels stopped.  When the living beings flew into the air, the wheels rose up.  For the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.”

It was late and not getting an answer my mind drifted and so I went to bed.  Later that night the Lord showed me what these wheels were.   There I stood on an enormous wheel with many others.   The circle in which we stood was so big that I couldn’t see the people on the other side of the circle.   In front of each person was a line that went to the center of this wheel.   

When I woke, I remembered the event, but to be completely honest I forgot what I had asked the Lord the night before until he reminded me that the dream was the answer to my question the night before.

To the understanding I was given, the wheels were the churches and the lines in front of each person led to the center where the Spirit was.  The body of Christ is standing on these wheels and is directed by the Spirit of God who is the Holy Spirit.  We move as directed by the Spirit of God.  We (the body of Christ) are all one, connected to Spirit.

 "‘For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:28

When I read the next verse below I was reminded of this experience the Lord showed me.

Ephesians 4:11-16 says” And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints of the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head- Christ- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does it share, causing growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Edifying the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:3 “But he who prophesies speaks edification, and exhortation and comfort to men.” (NKJV)

I believe this doesn’t just go for prophets of God but all followers of Christ.  When you speak you it should edify and reflect God.   Your smallest words and actions either will glorify God or won’t glorify God.  When you speak it should be a stance that is confident, steadfast, assured and full of conviction in and from God.  When you speak it should be of comfort that is full of purpose God is giving you.     

So what do these words, “edification, exhortation and comfort” mean according to the bible concordance.  Below the definitions are scripture examples.

Edification:

1.     The act of building, building up.

2.     The act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness.

3.     A building (i.e. the thing built, edifice.)

Romans 14: 19, Romans 15:2, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:26,  2 Corinthians 5:1

Exhortation:

1.     A calling near, summons, esp. for help.

2.     Importation- (The process of importing what God gives.), supplication, entreaty

3.     Exhortation, admonition- (A mild, kind, yet earnest reproof.  Cautionary advice or warning), encouragement

4.     Consolation – (comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment) comfort, solace (he sought solace in his faith in God); that which affords comfort or refreshment.

5.     Persuasive discourse, stirring address.

6.     Instructive, admonitory- (conveying a warning or reprimand), conciliatory, powerful hortatory- (a strong urging) discourse

Acts 9:31, Acts 13:15, Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:3, Hebrews 12:5, Hebrews 13:22

Comfort:

1.     Any address, whether made for the purpose of persuading, or of arousing and stimulating, or of calming and consoling.

1 Corinthians 14:3

God wants us to use our spiritual gifts well to serve one another.   If we have a speaking role, which we all do in some measure, we are to do it well.  No matter if we are a pastor, evangelist, teacher or speaking to another sibling in Christ, our family member or our neighbors.  We are to speak the truth in love to promote one another’s growth in Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another.”

I remember talking to a guy named Chad, who was a missionary, after service a few years ago.   A sigh of boredom came from his lips as his eyes surveyed the room of others snacking on goodies and appetizers.  I don’t remember my response to his sigh but he answered,  “I am tried of being around saved people.  I want to go out and find some unsaved people.”

His comment has stayed with me since then and I didn’t understand what he meant until now.  It wasn’t like he hated being around other Christians, he just wanted to be used by God, he wanted to make a difference, he wanted to reach out into the body of Christ and the world and teach and tell people about Jesus and see Jesus working.   He wanted to be an “active” disciple not someone who was "comfortable".  We were giving the impression we had no need of anything.  We were giving the impression that we had no need for him in our circle which gave him godly purpose.  He came to encourage us but he wasn't feeling very encouraged.

"When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours."  Romans 1:12

That doesn't just go for missionaries but those around us.  We need to stimulate each others faith by sharing what God doing in our lives.  What is he teaching you.  What has he done in your life and in the lives others.  Now if we haven't been seeking God and looking for what God is doing then where is the encouragement from God you are suppose to be fueling yourself up in to be salt and light?
   
I hate when it feels like I am just doing “nothing”.  I am zealous about the word of God, especially the word God brings in season and is making alive and real.  This living word of God makes me want to share it with others, which stimulates and edifies those in Christ and stirs those with curious ears. 

It also gives me a "part" in the circle of Christ and when I don’t get to use my gift in the circle of Christ I get discouraged and even frustrated because I know God doesn’t just give me this godly wisdom and encouragement to keep to myself but to make a difference in other people’s lives.

So as the Holy Spirit directs, speak edification, exhortation and comfort to others in humility and love of Christ.

Again: “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry and do not sin:  do not let the sun go down on your wrath, not give place to the devil.  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:25-32

Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  (Micah 6:8) 

The Body Of Christ Jesus

The last few weeks or maybe even months it seems like God has been showing me how the church is supposed to be and where it has fallen short.  Actually it’s more then that but that is the nice way of saying it.   He has actually and figuratively, for our benefit, has drawn a line in the sand to show us what side of the line we are standing on and where our faith and love measures up in his eyes and if we have found ourselves on the wrong side of the line we can make a change.

I am not here to judge or convict but encourage you in Christ and share those things God has laid on my heart.  Hopefully these words I share stimulate us both so they don’t just swim around in our minds or some fog to be lost but go to our hearts.   I am sure no matter our maturity in Christ we all need to continue to draw from God and let that knowledge fill out hearts to overflowing.  Then when things start to get more difficult we won’t lose hope because we just had the mind knowledge but we will persevere because we had the knowledge of God working already in our hearts.

Let’s start here:

“And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him.  For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.  Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.  Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins.   There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.   Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who trample on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy.  Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.  For we know the one who said, ‘I will take vengeance.  I will repay those who deserve it.’  He also said, ‘The Lord will judge his own people.’” Hebrews 10:23-30 (NLT)

God wants us to take him very seriously and question how we treat Jesus and his blood by our actions.

When I read Hebrews 10:24-25 in the AMP Bible I couldn’t help but see this needs to be one of major focuses in the church today.    

²⁴ And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

²⁵ Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. (AMP)

This is understood, as you and I are to be loving disciples to each other in the body of Christ.

 

We are disciple.  We are to share.  We are to be liability partners.  We are our brothers and sisters keepers looking out for each other’s spiritual well being.  We in Jesus Christ are to be healthy loving spiritual family of all ages and backgrounds, using our spiritual gifts in helpful deeds and noble activities.  We as the family of Christ are to behave differently then the world behaves.

The family of Christ: is to love one another as God defines love. God’s people will speak in love and the truth.  We are to warn, urge and encourage one another.  Sometimes the truth is hard to take but it’s easier to swallow if spoken and given in love and humility.   

“Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you.   Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:12-13

“And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

As individuals in the family of Christ: we are to think of others better than ourselves, which allows people to open up in honesty and integrity and sincerity and unite in Spirit and focus.   We are to not speaking negatives into and about someone.   We are to not speaking curses over someone else’s life and to speak goodness and blessings instead.  You speak to a brother or sister in Christ about God and what God is teaching you and they share with you what God is teaching them and it stimulates and stirs up and reminds each other how we need to live in Christ.   God’s people aren’t to pretend they know all the answers or are perfect but live in Jesus Christ who is love and the answer.  God’s people have stories and testimonies of God working in their life.  These stories and testimonies are to be shared and reflected on.  What God showed them and what God showed them after they wished they had trusted and listened to God in the first place.  God’s people are to be humble and approachable. God puts us together with our brothers and sisters in Christ so we can strengthen one another in his love 

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from his love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another and working together with one heart and purpose.   Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.  Be humble thinking of others as better than yourself.   Don’t think only about your own affairs but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.” Philippians 2:1-4

“Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sister, this is not right!  Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?”  James 3:9-11

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What’s more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. “1 Peter 2:5

As the family of Christ: we are to put away selfishness for the gain of knowing Christ better and to help those around us to know Christ better.

“But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.”  Romans 2:8

As the family of Christ: we are to not gossip, murmur and complain about each other for there is no honoring Christ when you do such things.   We are accountable to God for what we say or say in return. We stay out of the affairs of others unless we are asked to listen to situation by the individual in the situation.   God’s people are not to take sides and prove strength for the case of division but put God first seeking the cause for harmony amongst siblings in Christ Jesus.   

“For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response.  I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.” 2 Corinthians 12:20 

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10

“Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.”  Galatians 5:26

As individuals in the family of Christ: we are to deny or die to our selfish ways - to find and save our life is to live in Christ.  We depend not on our selfish human understanding but on Jesus who gives us life and life more abundantly.  Through Christ one has life and eternal life.  

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.   And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” Matthew 16:24-27

“Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right by trying to keep the law.  For the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’ Galatians 3:11

“I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  I say it again- it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19:23-24

The family of Christ: isn’t to compromise with the world concerning the things of God.

Jesus told them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to Father except through me.” John 14:6

“Salt is good for seasoning.  But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer.  It is thrown away.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:34-35

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.   Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires.   Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.  God’s terrible anger will come upon those who do such things.  You used to do them when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get ride of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds.   In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.”  Colossians 3:5-10

The family of Christ: is to reflect Christ and his teachings.

“Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These teachings promote a godly life.” 1 Timothy 6:3

“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.   This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not ourselves. ” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” Psalm 119:105

The family of Christ: listens to and recognizes Jesus’ voice.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”  John 10:14-16

"My sheep recognize my voice; I know them and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.  No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.  So no one can take them from me.  The Father and I are one.” John 10:27-30

The family of Christ: has the power of God working within them.   God helps them endure and manifest his attributes to them as they look to and trust him.  God’s people live in and are guided by the Holy Spirit. God’s people are profitable in God.   Not material wealth but spiritual wealth.   God’s people will always give God the glory and praise.

“As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.   He called us to receive his own glory and goodness!  And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises.  He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.  So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life.  Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence.  A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.  Knowing God leads to self-control.  Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.  Godliness leads to love for other Christians and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.   The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge or our Lord Jesus Christ.  But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or at least very shortsighted.   They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.  So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.  Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away.  And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:3-11

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The family of Christ: believes in prayer.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength from his Spirit.”  Ephesians 3:16

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

“I urge you, first of all, pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” 1 Timothy 2:1

“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” 1 Timothy 2:8

“Are any of you sick?  You should call the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16

A Word of Warning

Churches that fall under social norms of societies have given up their Christian convictions to win human approval.   This process has only gained them the world and a foothold for the world to continue to push its fleshly wants and agenda upon them. 

Jesus is the only way to heaven.  There is no other way and those who say there is are not Christians.   I don’t even want to imagine the terrible fate that awaits such people.  I cannot even imagine the souls they have doomed to hell by their lies of false hopes.  God bring those souls to the truth in Jesus Christ before it is too late.

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them.   In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.” 2 Peter 2:1

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”  Colossians 2:8

“For the time is coming when people will no longer listen to the sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3

“And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God said: ‘I will live in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.  Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them,’ says the LORD.  ‘Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.  And I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18   

“Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God.  Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison. “ Hebrews 12:15