Posts – Page 45 – Kingdom Life Principles

22 Feb 2016

Audio Talks, Phase 1 New Christian: Sins are forgiven, focus on adding virtue while turning from sin, Step 1: adding your diligence (to the divine promises), employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy)

Step 1: With All Diligence Add Virtue To Your Faith – Audio

“For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy)…” [2 Peter 1:3-5 AMP] 2 Peter 1:3-5 “[4] We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you — your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. [5] So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character,” (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

AUDIO MESSAGE Week 1: The Overview of Level 1, The New Christian is A Spiritual Infant

AUDIO MESSAGE Week 2: Level 1, Turn From Sin and Replace Sin with Virtue

AUDIO Week 3: Level 1, By Grace Make Progress and Leave Your Old Lifestyle Behind

The Lord Jesus died for you. He bought you from the terrible slave master, Satan, with His own blood at the cross of Calvary, over 2000 years ago. Your sin [the one or many criminal acts of disobedience to God’s Law] kept you under God’s wrath and final judgment as you lived and acted like the devil. God’s wrath and demand for justice is the same as the demand for justice that the U.S. government issues for all criminals who break the law. The same disgust that anyone has for the rape and murder of a little child, is the same feeling and hatred that God has toward all spiritual crimes of sin.

But if you are now born again, as a new believer, you have your sins forgiven [1 John 2:12], but like a newborn baby, you are totally weak and helpless to do that which is right before God. You are now a new spiritual creation, but like an infant with no strength, you are weak and can only lay helpless and drink the milk of God’s Word. It takes months of life before the newborn can be strong enough to lift his head, control his arms, sit up, crawl, and stand up and finally walk.

The intent of the parent and God is for the child to forever leave behind that helplessness and weakness to the end that he can get up and walk and talk for the rest of his life. At this point they are only interested in these basic developments and are not yet concerned in the infant going to college, riding a bike, or playing baseball.

Just like physical weakness and helplessness is the state of a new baby, sin is the overpowering force that spiritually weakens and overwhelms all mankind. And like a baby, this weakness must be overcome completely and left behind forever so that standing and walking in the Spirit is the new way of life.

God’s will is plain, he wants you to put all your faith into a powerful resolve to completely and totally repent [turning away] from all sin, overcoming all sinful acts, breaking all sinful habits, and learning to walk victoriously in the Spirit of freedom and obedience, as you follow Jesus.

You are a brand new, born again “Child of Obedience.” Peter makes it clear:

1 Peter 1:14-19 AMP

14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel].

15 But as the one Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.

16 For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. [Lev 11:44,45.]

17 And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short].

18 You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,

19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

God’s will then is for you to take your first action step, which is to concentrate on your repentance. Like an addict who fights to be free using a sponsor, group meetings, and every means necessary for deliverance, so you must focus your attention using all diligence [Greek word from Bible = to “speed” (“study”), i.e. urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication to await eagerly :- (make, with) haste unto.] What this means is, if it takes a year or more of constant struggle and effort, do not let anything distract you from this process, because this is God’s will for your life!

So where do you begin? Remember at first an infant is so weak it can only drink milk. So, too, you need to start by drinking the milk of God’s Word, you will need spiritual strength. And yes, the Bible is big and has a lot to say. But wait a minute, like an infant, only concentrate on the milk, not the whole Bible. You will have plenty of time later to get into the meaty stuff. So what is the milk? The Bible tells us…

“By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food. [13] All those who live on milk lack the experience to talk about what is right. They are still babies. [14] However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.”

“[6:1] With this in mind, we should stop going over the elementary truths about Christ and move on to topics for more mature people. We shouldn’t repeat the basics about turning away from the useless things we did and the basics about faith in God. [2] We shouldn’t repeat the basic teachings about such things as baptisms, setting people apart for holy tasks, dead people coming back to life, and eternal judgment. [Hebrews 5:12-6:2 God’s Word]”

First, notice you must begin drinking the milk that focuses on telling you what is right and what is wrong. You must look for the places that explain what sin is [what is wrong to do] and also find what the Bible says what to do [righteousness]. You will have to put great effort into this, you must drink much and often in this one area until your mind is “trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.”

Therefore start with the Ten Commandments as explained in Exodus 20. Read Gal 5:19-21 AMP: “Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Find in the Bible the places that people will say are negative, the places that tell you what sin is. Look up the words until you understand them. Be thorough in your pursuit of the truth.

Paul told the young believer Timothy; “Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life — a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.” (1 Tim 6:10-12 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

You must understand the habits, bondage, and evil of the “normal person,” without Jesus. God’s perspective is far different than people! This is why much time is spent in the New Testament explaining this sinful condition and the difference between right and wrong. God says all Christians’ past, your past, before new birth, was a demonic, devil-inspired life of total selfish evil. Most do not feel that about themselves, instead, they feel like they are basically good.

Listen carefully to Ephesians 2:1-3 [AMP] “AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins in which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.”

Then read and study Matthew 5-7 looking for the commands of your Lord Jesus. You probably will not comprehend what he wants you to do, or you may find yourself too weak to do them. But, do not lose heart, begin exercising your muscles like the infant, step by step working at the commands.

If you watch a little child they never give up trying to reach things, touch things, and taste things. There is an unexplained desire to grow up even when it seems no changes happen for days. Slowly and almost unnoticed they get stronger and stronger and after months make steps of progress. After failing many, many times they achieve a new level, whether it is rolling over, or finally standing up.

You too have a powerful ally working inside your spirit, the mighty Holy Spirit of God is training you to walk in obedience. As He releases grace it starts all kinds of desires to please God, He points you to important scriptures, convicts you of wrong and blasts your conscience as you blow it and disobey. You will find growing desires to please God, growing willfulness to stop your disobedience, and slowly you will find increased strength and longings to be free from the bondage of sin, accompanied with new power to stand up in righteous living.

My experience was excruciating because I was ignorant and had no mentor or teacher to explain to me what was happening. I cried out to God with many tears because this longing for freedom grew to such a feverish pitch I thought God was not listening to me. I was not patient like a baby but felt abandoned by God. I was wrong!

These feelings were the direct result of great grace releasing inside of me by the Holy Spirit to “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” [2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV]

Do not underestimate this powerful grace! The standard of the Law that convicts sinners to eternal judgment is the normal lifestyle of a Spirit-born Christian empowered by this steady release of grace.

As Paul explains, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]” [Gal 5:24-25 AMP]

Do not neglect this first step of the Christian life. Just like the normal development of a child, you cannot go to school until you learn to walk and talk, feed yourself, etc. And remember infants get bruises and bloody lips attempting to walk, but they do eventually walk. You will honor God by the intensity of your efforts to please your Heavenly Father. Leave the overwhelming ignorance and weakness that sin does to you and take the promises of grace and power forcibly to the level of walking in the Spirit!

“And so I insist — and God backs me up on this — that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. [18] They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. [19] They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

[20] But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! 21 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. [22] Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, [23] a life renewed from the inside [24] and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.”

Randy Bell

25 Dec 2016

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Step 2: adding all diligence [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)

Step 2: With All Diligence Add Knowledge To Your Virtue

and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)..: [2 Peter 1:5 AMP]

When you read John’s description of the third phase of Kingdom Life you see the three areas of learning and training necessary for the immature believer to grow into a spiritual adult. Meaning that while you are in phase two, the goal and focus must be to graduate in all of the three areas before God considers you mature, which is what a phase three Christian is: a strong, spiritual adult.

John says, ” I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14 AMP] Three clear areas, means three clear steps must be achieved and obediently practiced before our Lord pronounces us spiritually mature. And Peter helps us understand what these next steps of obedience are, with the same command to use all diligence to first 1] add knowledge, 2] next add self-control, 3] and then add endurance. So we must focus our efforts on each step, one right after the other, until we complete all three.

Here’s what he says, “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)..: [2 Peter 1:5 AMP] With the same focus and drive needed to thoroughly repent and leave your old sinful life behind, now you must add knowledge!

You are no longer an infant, now you are an immature spiritual child. Children learn, learn, and learn. Children go to school, mimic their parents, and copy their friends as they grow up, and growing up is hard to do. God’s goal is to turn you into strong, dedicated, intelligent, and powerful spiritual warriors who can defeat the enemy, withstand temptation, and join the workforce of the King. This is the same goal for kids today, parents want them to grow up, go to college, get a job, and do great things.

If you studied Step 1, which you need to, you will remember that Hebrews 5 listed the milk, or fundamental knowledge needed to understand the will of God. His educational process is well designed for life change, character change, and ministry preparation. God demands that you become a disciplined learner, a disciple of Jesus.

You must understand that this is school! Yes, the thing you might have hated if you are now an adult. Church is not to be a relaxing, fun-filled spiritual shot to make you feel good until next week. Church is a gathering place for committed believers to gather for strength from God’s Word, to build each other up, to reach others for Christ, to pray together to pull down Satan’s power in their community and to examine themselves for spiritual health and purity.

Remember you have a lot to learn, God has a clear plan for you, and you must take action! Do not lose focus.

Start with “the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment…” (Heb 6:1-2 AMP)

STEP 1 – Repentance of sin and abandonment of dead works

Remember when you leave sin you must replace it with good works, not to earn salvation, but prove your salvation. Children of obedience live their lives and spend their time doing the things Jesus would be doing if He were still here. The Holy Spirit in each believer has strong desires to accomplish the same good work in our day that Jesus did in His time.

Acts 26:20 [AMP] illustrates this expectation; “But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.”

“He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” (Eph 2:10 from THE MESSAGE) Once you are living a holy life [walking in obedience], you are ready for your education. Yes God intends to train you to graduate from school and get to work, just like your parents expected you to finish school and grow up and get a job!

STEP 2 – Develop Knowledge

Use the strength of your virtue (character) to graduate from Christ’s school of obedience and ministry… You must do like you did in worldly education, start in elementary school and establish the foundations. You must use your brain and “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” [2 Tim 2:15 AMP] God will let you know when you graduate from His school!

First the Milk: An introduction of the ABC’s of spiritual learning are:

1/ “The faith [by which you turned] to God” [Hebrews 6:1 AMP]

[Explained in Session 1 of the Spiritual Growth Seminar] To really understand the faith, you must read the Bible from the beginning to see the history of sin and mankind, God’s solution for your sin, and the promises of eternal life through Christ Jesus and not by your own sacrifice, as explained in the four gospels of the New Testament. You must understand the full picture, the complete story of redemption! Do not get lazy here, you read more than this in elementary school. You must understand what happens when you are born again.

2/ “…teachings about purifying” [Heb 6:2 AMP]

The original Greek is “baptisms” in the plural, meaning that you must understand water baptism, and Holy Spirit baptism. [See Baptism: The Sign of Joining Christ and His Church; and What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?] The outpouring or immersing of water is a symbol of inward change similar to a wedding band is a symbol of a new covenant and relation. But the outpouring of the Spirit is a powerful outward presence of God that does what it did in Acts 2, deeply convicting sinners of their evil and causing them to repent and truly be converted. This powerful flow of God’s grace is why we are saved today, 2000 years after the church first began.

3/ “…laying on of hands” [Heb 6:2 AMP]

This is the principle of authority, not some mystical secret, that must be studied and learned. This is illustrated in Acts 13 by the first church to make it clear spiritual authority is foundational knowledge. “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” [Acts 13:2,3]

God established the church, not man! He organized it to work as a team to fulfill His purposes under established authority that He gives in His word. We are told in the Word, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct… Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” [Hebrews 13:7,17 NKJV]

You must understand that God works through the human authorities that He establishes to mold you into a mature Christian. [See Romans 13 and the book of Ephesians]

It is essential to learn that you must submit to earthly authority to be obedient to God, otherwise you weaken and hurt the church, which is His plan for all Christians. Think of a sport with a coach, if the players refuse to submit to the coach and work together they lose! The Lord demands that local Christians obey Him by grouping together as local churches, and obey His purposes. Read Revelation 2 and 3 and see how He oversees teams [churches], not individuals, and expects every individual believer to submit to the leaders and get busy fulfilling His Kingdom assignments.

4/ “…the resurrection from the dead” [Heb 6:2 (AMP)]

This world is only the very beginning for Christians, the Lord Jesus died two thousand years ago, but He also was resurrected from the grave three days after His death. All the prophecies of the Old Testament were literally fulfilled in Jesus Christ that predicted His birth, death and resurrection. This shows us that our future which is promised in the Word of God, is true and will literally come to pass.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” [1 Thess 4:13-18 (NKJV)]

“‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak,14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” [2 Cor 4:13-15 (NKJV)]

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” [Rev 20:5-6 (NKJV)]

5/ “…and eternal judgment and punishment” [Heb 6:2 (AMP)]

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” [1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)]

“Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints) 15 To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” [Jude 1:14-15 (AMP)]

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [Rev 20:11-15 (NKJV)]

Next the Meat

Next, we must understand the meat of the word and this means digging deep into the teachings of Jesus as found in the four gospels, Matthew through John. Build on the Lord’s commands found in the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7]. We know this is true from the great commission, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt 28:18-20 (NKJV)]

1/ The Commands of Christ

In Acts, it says the apostle’s doctrine was the primary teaching to all new disciples of Jesus. It reads, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” [Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV)] The church gathered fearlessly together and learned the apostles’ doctrine which is exactly what Jesus commanded them to do “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”.

Study carefully the words of Jesus until you understand the commands He established for all believers. Use all the scriptures for background and culture, context, and answers to questions raised in His commands. Make sure you know how to fully comply to your Lord.

2/ The Priority and Application of Christ’s Commands in Your Life and Church Ministry

Next study the scriptures to the end of establishing the purposes of God into your life. Five grand purposes are revealed by our Lord. Here are the first two, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matt 22:36-40 (NLT)]

Then the next three purposes are revealed, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt 28:18-20 (NKJV)]

Basically stated you must understand where God’s will is for your life so that you can follow the Lord Jesus fully and freely. Understand the full implications of what it is to love the Lord and your neighbor. Read and study John and 1 John to get started.

We will explain more in the later steps of maturity also. [see STEPS 5-7]

It is very important to also understand the part you must play in making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them. Each believer must play a part in the local church assisting the leaders in these tasks. God’s purpose is for every believer to share the Good News with friends and family, and invite neighbors to God’s salvation. Then accepting and loving the new followers of Christ is what baptism means for you as a member of the family. And getting to a place that you teach and mentor your friends and family is all a part of God’s will for your life. Learn to do them! Learn by watching and helping the leaders until you can take responsibility.

3/ The Hard To Understand Teachings of Paul

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 3:14-18 (NKJV)]

Most of the New Testament books are the letters of Paul. They will expand and build upon the basic principles and commands of Jesus. These writings are to further your education after you have a strong foundation. They help you apply Christ’s teaching and embrace the underlying principles of God’s way of life. For example, 1 Timothy introduces the importance of clearing your conscience, along with many other things. The freedom of moral purity releases you from frustration, guilt and the fear of the future. The need to have harmony in your home is explained in Ephesians, again with many other things.

Since a basic human need is an intimate fellowship with others you must study Paul’s letters for clear instruction for close friendships and relationships. Family and friendships are very different and very important, protect yourself with God’s direction and wisdom.

Remember kids go to school for many years and just like that, this stage of spiritual growth is an extended process of years. You have spent years going to school, this is a million times more important because it glorifies your Creator. With all diligence develop your spiritual knowledge!

Randy Bell

26 Dec 2016

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Step 3: adding all diligence to [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control

Step 3: With All Diligence Add Self-Control

To become strong enough in character to overcome temptation takes a huge amount of time and learning. God will not hit you over the head with a magic wand and say, “Now you have received the gift of strength, go now and sin no more!” His grace is constantly being released to the humble believer giving them stronger and stronger desires to withstand the devil’s temptations and also more and more strength to do God’s will.

Remember, Peter plainly teaches us because of salvation and God’s promises we can supernaturally change. He says, “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), ⁶ And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), ⁷ And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.”

And a humble disciple must study long and hard and know God’s Word inside and out (step 2). You must have true spiritual knowledge from the leading of the Holy Spirit within you, and the reading and meditating of His truth with your mind. Your training is for moral and mental toughness to be able to stand against everything Satan throws at you to discourage you from fulfilling your mission from God. You must use your knowledge to gain the next step!

Let’s look at the life of Christ to help you comprehend this important factor. When Christ was twelve, he went to Jerusalem with His family and got involved with the scholars of Judaism. His family lost track of him and were frantic until they found Him in the temple with the religious leaders. Luke describes the reaction of the leaders, “After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies.” [Luke 2:46-47 AMP]

He had such knowledge that He blew away the smartest and most scholarly religious leaders of the whole nation as a twelve-year-old, but He was not ready for His mission. His knowledge needed to be exercised for the next eighteen years to strengthen him for His amazing task. “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually] obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.” [Luke 2:51,52 AMP]

For eighteen years Jesus waited for his mission and obeyed His earthly parents, learned to interact with His brothers and sisters, trained and became a carpenter, and exercised His knowledge to love His Father and His earthly family. He served His family and gained wisdom and full understanding through this life experience.

Our Lord needed to have self-control, an inward strength that never caves in under pressure or temptation, to satisfy the Father and fulfill His mission of the salvation of mankind. His learning development was more than just saying, ‘He was God in the flesh.’ The flesh part still made Him a human, and therefore He had to learn strength through hard trials and experiences.

In Hebrews we find this description,”Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.” [Hebrews 5:8 from THE MESSAGE] I hope through this verse you will understand that God’s will for you is to be a spiritual adult that is strong and obedient just like Christ.

Your training must be understood to be all-encompassing as a professional football coach would train his players. Read carefully this next portion of scripture and change your mind about discipleship and serving Christ.

We read in the Luke 4:1-2 from the Amplified Bible, “THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit [2] For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ( tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.” [Deut. 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8.]

The coach, the Holy Spirit, pushed Jesus into isolation, with no food, and he was allowed to be ruthlessly attacked by the devil until he was near starvation. This trial was overwhelming without the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit releasing His strength within the Lord as stated in Luke 4. And remember it says He was tempted and tested exceedingly! Without the inward strength of self-control, no man would have survived such an onslaught but would have given in and sinned against God.

Does this say anything to you about your attitude of sin and the cheap “I can ask for forgiveness later” mentality? God’s will for you through self-control is to stand against temptation without failing and sinning again and again. Football players get tougher and stronger through tough practices and games by playing against strong opponents who fight with all their might to defeat them. Therefore if you fail, God does not quit with a true believer, but increases the training as He directly compares you to Jesus…

“Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps 110:1.]”

“[3] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. [4] You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.

“[5] And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; [6] For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.”

“[7] You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?” [Heb 12:2-7 AMP]

You might not want this kind of training, but believe me, it does not matter what you like. The Father unleashes the Holy Spirit, your coach also, to drag you into obedience through trials and tribulation, so submit to His mighty hand because His will is for you to get tough and stand strong against the devil, just like Jesus did!

The apostle Paul agrees and states, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. [11] Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.”

“[12] For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. [13] Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].” [Eph 6:10-13 AMP]

The Lord’s final exam, ending the Lord’s training, was the terrible temptations for 40 days in the wilderness. He finished those 40 days to be given three more choices that demanded every bit of self-control He had.

As he was starving and He had no sign of the wilderness experience being over, Jesus was tempted to use the supernatural power He possessed to turn stones into food without specific permission from the Father. He needed the knowledge He had at twelve and quoted the scripture, but he also needed the strength and power of character He learned through the things that He suffered to say no and wait for the Father’s time.

The other two temptations were just as important, and He passed His final exam. He entered the battle controlled by the Spirit but… “Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.” [Luke 4:14 AMP]

Now He had power from the Holy Spirit covering Him like a blanket, He was now strong in the Spirit as all Christians are offered! If He had used His own power He would not be our example, because we do not have such power. He then entered into His Father’s business and fulfilled His mission.

But He overcame the devil in the exact way all believers can, through the combined “armor of God”:

1/ knowledge [the belt of truth];

2/ virtue/character [the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God (AMP)];

3/ faith [shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. (AMP)];

4/ preparation [His 18 years of waiting are what we see in Eph 6:15 “And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.” [Isa 52:7.] (AMP)];

5/ grace [helmet of salvation which is the mighty power of grace pouring out of His spirit]

6/ and God’s Word [the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. (AMP)]

In school, you spend a lot of time learning before you are given your final exams and graduate. This is why Paul taught it so clearly in the book of Ephesians. What do you think God wants you to strongly stand up against?

He wants you to “resist and stand your ground.” He wants you to stand and not fall from “the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” The plain sense is this, just like the devil tried everything in His power to trick and con Jesus into sinning, He wants to convince you that “you are not perfect,” and “everyone has a weakness, so sin some, Jesus is merciful and forgives you constantly.” You must know His lies and resist temptation with the power of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit! Until you do, you will not be mature [Hebrews 12:2].

Remember you will only be considered mature “because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14b AMP]

You must focus on your preparation and training, to gain the strong and vigorous ability of self-control, which is an inward strength that gives you the power to say no to sin and the devil. And remember, only by being surrounded by and pressed by unkind people, angry family members, temptations and struggles over an extended period of training and preparation will you find the ever increasing strength of self-control.

It takes everything you have learned from the Bible, and the strong righteous desires from grace, along with diligence, to successfully withstand temptation and sin and be considered by God, a mature Christian of self-control. Give God time to change you by the power of His Holy Spirit.

And of course, you will never be able to say you are perfect. First, Jesus only saves sinners. Newsflash, you are already are on the imperfect list. But, that does not take away the power of self-control given to every Christian from the Holy Spirit. After all, it is a GIFT! Instead, remember John’s words from 1 John 2 because everyone quotes from chapter 1 but most forget to keep reading into chapter 2.

1 John 2:1-6 (NLT)
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. ² He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. ³ And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. ⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. ⁵ But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. ⁶ Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Olympic athletes never focus on their inability to be perfect but aim at perfection anyway. Many Christians focus on imperfection and accept frustration, apathy, and defeat. Please, please, please reread the words of John again and then focus your attention from this day forward on victory and the freedom of the mighty gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Let God hold you up He promises us victory! “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

Throw yourself into the arms of God. He promises what He says in His Word is true and He will fulfill it in your life and mine.

Randy Bell

20 Jan 2017

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Step 4: adding all diligence to [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance)

Step 4: With All Diligence Add Steadfastness (Endurance) To Your Self Control

“and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance)…” 2 Peter 1:6 AMP

I hope you have read Step 3 already because it is necessary before you will understand this next major action of your spiritual training. It is one thing to finally get enough strength to defeat an opponent in one contest, but quite another to become the reigning champion with the steadfastness to continue over time, to defeat the challengers from that day forward, one battle after another. In military battles, there is finally one crushing victory that changes the tide of the whole war, and the victor becomes stronger and more powerful. From that moment on everything has changed!

Do you remember the description of the third phase of a Christian’s life? John stated, “I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14 AMP] The Greek word, nikao means “to subdue (literal or figurative) :- conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.” The true strength of the mature saint is expressed in these words.

Using your self-control (especially continence), you must begin the process of training for the spiritual marathon that lays ahead of you. Under constant trials and pressures, the Spirit of God leads you to a place where you will sustain a “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy :- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).”

Your Master calls you, the young, vigorous and strong because the Word of God always reigns in your heart, to join in the spiritual fight for your generation! As a disciple of Jesus this huge task will look hopeless, the victory, impossible, and the future very dark for the world around us. Only God converts the wicked. You must have trust in God that you are important to His mission, and therefore not give up, no matter what you face!

The calling is clear!

“Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be). [Matt 28:18-20 AMP]

Every Christian is called to follow Christ in this eternal mission

This is not a command to preachers and missionaries, but to every disciple of Jesus. And since a spiritual war is so trying, God trains His saints through circumstances to strengthen them to be able to have the endurance and faith to press forward in this fight throughout their generations.

This is explained in James, chapter 1, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Yes, all the rough trials are just basic training to turn you into the strong Christian that you must become to complete your mission and not turn back or give up.

The enemy of God, Satan the Tyrant, holds the people of the world in his blinding grasp to haul them with him, into eternal damnation in hell. If you take this command of Christ to heart, your days will be filled with problems and trials because you take up the fierce war for the souls of men. Like a secret agent movie, for example, the 007 series, you must not allow anything the devil throws at you to keep you from your holy mission. Only as your faith is stretched and tested will patience be produced in you.

Let me allow the apostle Paul explain this to you.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke, ”we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. [2 Corinthians 4:3-18 NKJV]

Every Christian needs to see that their mission is to join this cause, because their generation will pass away quickly. God has written His Word to instruct the church in the training up of a team of spiritual giants who carry the love of God to their cities and communities, but not in their own abilities. Instead, invested with the mighty power of God resting upon them, they proclaim the Good News. This invisible power has everything to do with the devil and his demons, not some kind of trickery to convince the lost world they need Jesus.

Paul already tells us, “However, their minds became closed. In fact, to this day the same veil is still there when they read the Old Testament. It isn’t removed, because only Christ can remove it. [15] Yet, even today, when they read the books of Moses, a veil covers their minds. [16] But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. [18] As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” [2 Cor. 3:14-18 GW]

Satan, Your enemy, will try to destroy you

So while we persevere in spreading the Good News of Jesus, every force, distraction and lie Satan can muster to stop you from your mission will be flung upon you. Only while you stand strong under this relentless attack from the dark forces of hell, will the seed of God’s Word be planted in the hearts of men, and the grace of God save many. If you give up, the attacks will stop, but the people around you will die and go to hell. If you are strong and vigorous, and endure by sharing “the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts)”, your experience will be “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; …perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Opposition from every side is proof that you are in the middle of the war, and God is using you to bring life to the perishing, even during times when you cannot see any victory or success. This happened to Jesus, in Luke we read, “… when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. 14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. 15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.” [Luke 4:13-15 NKJV]

What proof am I speaking of?

Well if all you think Jesus was famous and crowds followed him like a rock star or movie star, you have missed the whole point. The mobs demanded that He give them free food, medical treatments, and deliverance from the Roman tyrants. The Lord was covered in the Spirit’s power, but Jesus preached repentance for the people to turn from their greedy, immoral lifestyles, a multitude of other sins and demanded they completely turn back to full obedience to the law of God.

He told them to love their enemies, and that He did not come to start a war. As He refused to give the crowds what they wanted, and he pressed them to repent, they turned against him.

Even at the very beginning of His public preaching ministry the crowds savagely attacked Him, attempting to murder Him! For example, in Luke, we find their vicious character. “Everyone in the synagogue became furious when they heard this. [29] Their city was built on a hill with a cliff. So they got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the cliff. They intended to throw him off of it. [30] But Jesus walked right by them and went away.” [Luke 4:28-30 GW] He needed protection from the devil, and the dynamic power of God miraculously preserved His life!

He was steadfast as the scribes and Pharisees followed Him everywhere like the paparazzi, but not to get pictures to sell to the crowds, instead, they wanted to find some dirt they could use to shut Him up. His message of repentance was relentless, and the spiritual hypocrites hated Him because they loved their sin. Finally, the crowds refused to hear Him, so Christ started preaching cute little stories, and explained why in Matthew 13:

“Because it has been given to you [the disciples of Jesus who repented] to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,

And seeing you will see and not perceive;

15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears bare hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed,

Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.’

Now it was hard enough with all the opposition from those controlled and blinded by satan attacking Him the entire three years of His ministry, but then most of His disciples also quit following Him. John describes it this way, “When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father’ 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” [John 6:61-66 NKJV]

All the way to the cross Christ endured being “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; …perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” The large crowds cried for Him to be crucified, they spit at Him, jeered and taunted Him, and in a maddening rush of hatred watched Him die. Only a very small band of rag, tag followers mourned for Him.

Remember God is your strength

Our God wants you to endure all things by “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” [Hebrews 12:2-4 NKJV]

The sad thing is, few people who go to church are willing to follow Christ and do these things that God demands. And so, the vast majority of people go to hell, and their blood is on our heads. [Ezekiel 3:18]

Now be sure of this, you will not progress to true spiritual maturity until you have suffered the testing of your faith. And this always means conflict with a dying, blinded world around you who do not want to believe in Jesus or stop doing their thing. They are very comfortable living in sin and rebellion against God, just like all their best friends and heroes.

Also, you must understand that you are not being tested because your car broke down, man-made things break and wear out. Do you think your faith is being tested because you suffered an accident, or you lost someone in an accident? The Lord says no! [See Luke 13] Only when you attempt to share the gospel with your community and face the wrath and rejection of the self-righteous are you being tested. Then you are facing the largest test of all, just like the Lord Jesus and all the apostles and saints from the past.

Will you proceed and obey the great commission, or quit and quietly be a silent Christian, allowing “your life to be your testimony because you do not judge anyone”? Even if all you have left is a little strength in you, at least pray for your enemies, and not give up. Remember hope in your God! Waiting for God to convert sinners is different than quitting, and losing your faith.

Also don’t forget, self-control, the power to not give into temptation as a permanent lifestyle, leads to the cheerful, strong patience that believes God will give the gift of eternal life to the blind and wicked people all around you. In His way and in His time. Never, never, never give in!

1 John 2:1-6 (NLT)
¹ My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
² He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
³ And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.
⁵ But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.
⁶ Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.