Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19
I used to think God was saying the same thing twice in this verse; that vengeance equaled paying someone back for the evil they’d done to me. But no, that is not what this verse is saying!
I was a partner in a company that had done over a million dollars worth of business in its first full year of operation. One day I came to the office and everything had been cleared out by the other two partners. Over the next two weeks it became clear to me that I was going to be held responsible for most of the debt obligations the company had incurred, even though the means of paying those obligations had been taken from me. I had a young family (5 kids under 7 years of age), a mortgage, car payments, and the means to support myself and my family had been immorally taken from me.
I tried for a year and a half to float everything, but in the end I had to declare bankruptcy, a very humiliating thing. Within a year after that, I had been restored as whole, financially, as I had ever been. Most importantly, I had no ill will toward the two ex-partners who had robbed me. I credit the truth of the above verse with doing both for me… restoring me financially, while protecting my heart from any bitterness or anger or hostility of any kind. Rather, I gloried in God’s provision and love for me!
Here’s how it happened: When my whole financial well-being began to crumble, due to the crookedness of my partners, I went to this verse, praying for God to protect my heart from becoming bitter. That is when God taught me what this verse really means, and it saved my soul from destruction, as well as my finances!
When I decided to research this verse, the first thing I did was read the verses before and after, as my manner is, in order to make sure I was understanding the proper context of what God was saying:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, acceptable unto God, which is your logical religious service. Romans 12:1
Since Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11 are parenthetical, Romans 12:1 can be read immediately after Romans 8:39.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
Therefore, because I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate me from God’s love, found in Christ, I am positioned to present my body (figure of speech, synecdoche… a part representing the whole… my body, representing everything that makes me, me) a living sacrifice. That is, every aspect of my life is rightfully at God’s disposal.
And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
To “prove” means to put to the test, to the end that what you think is true actually produces the promised results in your life. This proving eliminates the need for dogma in anyone’s life. Dogma is what we think is true but which is unproven in our life; that is, that which we think is true has not been put to the test to the end it has produced fruit (the promised result) in our life. Dogma is unproven beliefs, unfruitful beliefs.
All the rest of Romans 12, and all the way through to the end of Romans, is the material (knowledge, thoughts, call to action, etc.) we need to put to the test the love of God in our lives, which love is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the context of Romans 12:19, speaking of vengeance.
Now let’s take a look at the verses before and after Romans 12:19.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men: If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. (Then verse 19) Therefore, if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17, 18, 20, 21.
The heaping of coals of fire on one’s head was a cultural expression of warmth and invitation. Not having matches to start fires, neighbors would band together, taking turns keeping the fire going overnight. Early in the morning, especially a chilly morning, the one who was responsible would heap coals from the night’s fire into a large metal bowl, carrying it on their head (warming them) as they went around to the neighbors, giving them coals to start their own fires.
So how does not recompensing evil for evil, living peaceably with all, providing necessities for enemies, and overcoming evil with good fit in with paying someone back for the evil they have done to you? How does vengeance fit in with me not being overcome by evil, instead paying back my partners for them screwing me out of, what was to me at the time, a small fortune?
I pondered these things, and then God opened up the eyes of my understanding, and I realized the “paying back” (recompense, repayment) was talking about God paying me back for what had been stolen from me. He would take care of the vengeance on those two partners, and He would have a right to do so, because he was “buying” their debt to me by paying me back that debt. Yup, that is what Romans 12:19 is saying.
Ever heard of a factoring service? You’ve probably used one, whenever you bought something on time. When you buy a $2,500 bedroom set, for instance, with “No money down and 12 months to pay,” you’re using a factoring service… or rather, the furniture company is. The furniture company sells the $2,500 debt to the factoring company for, say, $2,300.00, giving the factor the right to collect the $2,500 from you. This is what God is saying here. I’ll buy the right to enact vengeance on whoever stole from you, by paying you back whatever was stolen from you.
Oh what sweet release! When God revealed to me the truth of verse 19, I was set free in an instant of time. I’d been taken for over $100,000, and in that instant of time I “sold” that debt to God, along with any need for vengeance toward those two ex-partners. Over the next 2-3 years, God repayed me plus interest! And any time I ever thought of those two men, even to this day, I think, “It’s up to God to exact vengeance for what they’ve done to me. I wouldn’t want to be them.” And really? I hold not one bit of animosity toward them at all. I often think, “I wouldn’t want to be them. Better to be taken than to do the taking.”
God paid me back that entire $100,000, and freed my heart from any bitterness, anger or animosity of any kind. That is the power of the truth of God’s love for me, all contained in the spirit of Christ which resides within me, and from which I will never be separated.
If you have been wronged or robbed, been treated horribly or unfairly, and carry any bitterness in your heart whatsoever toward others because of it, I encourage you to “sell” that debt to God Himself. He will pay back to you every single thing that is owed you, freeing you from the burden of needing to exact revenge. Leave the vengeance up to God, knowing that He is a just judge. That debt will be repaid to Him, whether by the wrongdoer himself, or by the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.
I’ll be paying you back whatever’s been stolen from you; you leave the revenge against your wrongdoers up to me, says the Lord. ___________________________________
Related Studies
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The topics covered in the 10 indexed studies listed below are:
How any type of bondage eliminates the ability to love How life is different from mere existence Is Jesus the only way to God? Yes and no. No one is a minister of Biblical research. What is its purpose? Think you understand Genesis 1 re: creation? Maybe so, maybe not. Man says to be a master, self control comes first. God says otherwise. Who or what exactly is God? Understand Jesus’ relationship with his Father and you can know God. Who or what is this Holy Spirit? What a life in balance looks and feels like. How to get it. Its benefits.
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Love Requires Freedom – Having a debt or obligation to any person or thing will get in the way of our ability to love others. God’s love operates only within total freedom, including the freedom to not love.
What is Life? – The meaning of life is dependent on its context. When the context is God, then life is severely differentiated from mere existence. It has qualities and characteristics which are the very nature of God, and it is the primary thing required in order for us to have a relationship with Him.
Is Jesus the Only Way to God? – Most Christians believe that believing in Jesus is the only way to God, but that is inaccurate. There is another way, but the God thus encountered is not as enjoyable. Eternal life is also obtainable without believing in Jesus, but at what risk?
The Role of Bible Research – Many are the Biblical researchers who fancy themselves ministers of God, but there is no ministry of biblical researcher in the Bible. So what is the role of biblical research? To prove your doctrine to others? To put together an awesome teaching? To make others dependent on your knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Let’s take a look.
What Difference Does it Make – Genesis 1 contains the record of creation. Many think they understand it, yet have never read it in depth. This study goes line by line, and for every answer there seems to come another question. In the end, what difference does it make to our relationship with God?
Self Control Comes Last– In order to get ahead in life, the world teaches that the first thing to be laid hold of is self control. We are to will our way to our goals and our success in life. But in the economy of God, self control actually comes last, and then only as a result of the obtaining of a number of other qualities, love being the first, out of which all other qualities flow.
Who and What is God – Impossible to grasp with the human mind, God is truly revealed to those who have His nature. What is that nature, and what are the qualities which accompany that nature? His nature is what He is. How He interacts with us is who He is.
Jesus and his Father – To understand who Jesus actually was and is, and what he actually was and is, study what his relationship with God was and is. And then be lifted up by the realization that what Jesus was and is; that’s what we are to be also. Take a look at how Jesus related to his Father, God; and thus you’ll be able to come into a clearer, more powerful realization of what is possible for you.
Who or What is the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the least understood of the three members of the Holy Trinity. Why is that? Well, let’s take a close look in the Bible at this vital truth. Is the Holy Spirit a he or an it? Why is Holy Spirit capitalized sometimes, and not sometimes? What is the holy spirit’s relationship with Jesus, with God, with the Father, with us? Does the Holy Spirit have specific functions, or jobs, different from Jesus or the Father? This study and the one immediately above can set you on a new, much more powerfully enlightening course in your Biblical study.
The Perfectly Balanced Life – It is impossible for a man to bring his life into perfect balance, though he spend all his years endeavoring to do just that. Most think their lives already are in balance (well, except for these couple minor, insignificant things). The balance that Jesus Christ can bring your life is incredibly different from anything you’ve experienced before, and it allows the living of our lives to be faster, smoother and more enjoyable – like driving a car on the interstate with all wheels balanced. _______________________________________
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Impeach: – to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice).
I ran across a thread on facebook the other day, involving a number of Christians who were discussing whether a person who was divorced and then got remarried was an adulterer (adulteress) or not. If so, could he/she be forgiven, seeing as they were living in this sin of adultery, being married to another. Of course they were using the Bible to try and come to a definite conclusion. This was a very serious discussion among very serious Christians.
For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress;…Romans 7:2a, 3a
Many ideas were offered, and some were quite unceremoniously shot down, especially mine, which sought to instruct as to the truth that we are no longer under the law. I find it interesting that in discussing what they believe to be true, people can wander so far from it as regards their behavior and attitudes toward those with whom they do not agree! As if dogmatic agreement is much more important than loving one another and walking in peace and joy!
So today I was in my morning reading of Scripture, and ran across these verses in Colossians:
And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind (logic center of thought) by wicked works, yet now has he (Jesus) reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable (unimpeachable, blameless) in His (God’s) sight; Colossians 1:21, 22
When I read these verses this morning, the question which came to my mind was, are we unreproveable, blameless, unimpeachable now, in this day? Or is this speaking about a condition which occurs when we are gathered together with the Lord, at the rapture? If we are blameless today, then it is wrong to spend so much time focusing on sin like so many Christians do.
E. W. Bullinger, in his Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament has this to say of the word “unimpeachable” – not accused, with nothing laid to one’s charge (as the result of public investigation); though blamed, yet undeserving of blame.
As regards possible wrongdoing by a person in public office, an investigation occurs to determine whether or not charges should be brought. If there is a determination made that blame for some behavior should be brought to bear, based on an accepted standard of behavior, a person in public office is impeached.. Only then, after being impeached, are charges formally made and the person brought to trial, at which trial a final determination of guilt or innocence is made.
Since after the return of Christ there will be no “investigations” made into any of the believers’ thoughts, attitudes or behaviors, Colossians 1:22 must be speaking of today! Today, though a believer behave in a manner which would (or might) instigate an investigation, a determination is made in each case that no charges are to be brought against the believer; there is no sin for which a verdict of guilt will be sought. Today, there is no blame to be laid at the believer’s feet by God! For anything!
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? God, Who justifies? Who is he that condemns? Christ who died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us?Romans 8:33,34
This word “unreproveable” from Colossians 1:22, (“unimpeachable, blameless”) is the Greek word anegkletos, and is used four other times in the New Testament, each being translated “blameless.” This word anegkletos differs from the five other Greek words translated blameless, in that it includes the strong idea that a thorough investigation of someone has been carried out before the decision is made to lay no charges, to assign no blame. Something has been investigated – some behavior, action, attitude – but, in the end, that thing is decided to not be worthy of seeking to assign guilt.
Who (our Lord Jesus Christ) shall also confirm you unto (eos – until) the end, blameless (anegkletos) in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:8
Hey, you did something not quite right here. We need to investigate! Okay, as a result of our investigation into what you did, a decision has been made to not bring you to trial. You are free to go.
Here’s a good example. Let’s say I own an apple orchard which produces an abundance of delicious apples. Late one night I get drunk and I take a chain saw and cut down a number of apple trees. In the morning, my neighbor sees the destruction and calls the police, who come and do an investigation. They discover that I got drunk on my own property, and that I destroyed my own trees. My behavior was immature, destructive and stupid. But, after the investigation is completed, it is decided not to bring charges against me. Even though what I did was not the brightest or beneficial, I broke no laws in doing them. I am unimpeachable.
How can we who believe be counted guilty of sin (which means “to miss the mark”) when we are the mark! How can laws and judgments which were applied to servants of God, for the purpose of determining how well, or how poorly they were performing, be used against children of God, whose seating at God’s own right hand is already an accomplished finality? We are so far beyond all those rules and regulations and laws and judgments!
For He (God) has made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Christ).
II Corinthians 5:21
If I keep doing what I did that one night when I got drunk, I’m going to become physically broken down and will no longer have an apple orchard in a very short period of time. Nonetheless, even if that were to happen, no charges would ever be brought against me because no law is being broken. I am unimpeachable. And so, as children of God and joint heirs of all of creation with Christ (it’s all ours!), even though we at times speak and act poorly, destructively, uncharitably; we are unimpeachable – because it all belongs to us anyway!
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. I Corinthians 3:21-23
Today in the heavenly economy of the church, the body of Christ, there exists no carnal law to which a son of God who is in Christ is subject (the law is for the ungodly). Each believer, being re-created in the image of God as a beloved child, is an heir of all creation. We are literally born of His being, of His nature. Any “sin” a believer commits in this day of redemption is only something stupid, destructive, immature and is absolutely not disqualifying in any way. No charges are ever brought by God or by Jesus Christ against one in whom the spirit of Christ dwells, for no law is broken, seeing as believers are not under the law which God gave to Moses for the nation of Israel.
(There may be consequences/punishment meted out by civil governmental authorities for poor behavior which breaks governmental laws – this possibility is not being addressed by this study).
Likewise must the deacons (diakonous – those who serve) be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre (dishonorable gain); Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve in their function, being blameless. (anegkletos) I Timothy 3:8-10
Obviously these “deacons” were not expected to be perfect in all ways – without error, free from mistakes. They were simply exhorted to perform their service within the “confines” of Christ. In the spirit of Christ there is no law which deals with the flesh. No charges can be brought against the believer who carries out his service to the body of Christ in the spirit of Christ. Mistakes will be made. Errors in judgment will occur. The devil will trick and trip with his deceit, but no charges will ever be brought by God against the believer who is in Christ.
If any be blameless (anegkletos), the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For an overseer must be blameless (anegkletos), as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker (lashes out at others), not given to filthy lucre (dishonorable gain); But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Titus 1:6-8
One of the necessary traits for those with a responsibility of service in and to the body of Christ is not that they are without sin, but that they learn how to live their lives within the spirit of Christ, unimpeachable. They learn to live in the judgment of Christ and not the judgment of the law or the judgment of men. The only way to live an unimpeachable life is to live in the justification which only the life of Christ brings.
If you live under the law which governs the flesh, then you have not fully accepted the gift of Christ. Like all those Christians who spent so much time arguing about whether or not someone who had remarried was, or could be forgiven, you are yet in your sinful flesh. We who serve our Lord Jesus Christ are not required to be without error – we are simply unimpeachable! And in that freedom which accompanies unimpeachability, we are free to grow forever greater in Christ.
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Dispensationalism – the belief that the Bible is divided into different epochs of time, during which different sets of rules governed God’s affairs with mankind; how God interacted with man, and man with God.
It is obvious that the whole Bible can not be understood and applied as if addressed to us today, and yet people do it all the time. “Well, this is what Jesus said.” “Well this is what it says in Deuteronomy!” “Well, the book of Revelation says this.”
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Hebrews 10:4
When was the last time you killed an animal as a blood sacrifice in order to assuage God’s anger toward your sins? The religious practice of Israel in the Old Testament was a very bloody one indeed!
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Hebrews 10:16-20
From the fall of man until the coming of the Messiah, the restoration of God’s true intent for man was impossible. The law of Moses had nothing directly to do with God’s restoration (man’s redemption), and still does not today. The law came to make sin exceedingly sinful; that is, painfully obvious to man’s mind. Its coming never carried God’s ultimate intention, not having the ability to restore or redeem mankind.
Now we know that whatever things the law says, it says to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the intimate knowing of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Romans 3:19-21
From the fall of man, detailed in Genesis 3, all of the various epochs of time, which I and many others call “administrations” (also known as dispensations), were and are steps along the way to God’s ultimate plan.
That in the dispensation (administration) of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. Ephesians 1:10
I’ve seen 8 different “administrations” of God in the Bible. The names given to them are not as important as their specific and individual attributes – the different rules which governed how man could relate to God, and and how God would relate to man.
The word “dispensation” in the Bible is translated from the Greek word oikonomia. It comes from two Greek words; oikos – house, and nomos – law. and can be defined thusly: “Administration of a household. Actively, the administrative activity of the owner or the steward; passively, that which is administered. A disposition or arrangement of things, a scheme or dispensation.” An administration of God is the specific and peculiar manner in which God deals with man during that administration.
There has been and continues to be no end to the confusion in Biblical understanding which is able to vex men’s souls because they do not discern the specific administration in force in each context of God’s dealings with man. When you read the Bible, you must be aware of which administration is in force in the section you are reading; otherwise, you could be applying things which were true then (or which will be true in the future), but are not true today. For example, today is not the age of the law of Moses, yet many many men continue to live as if obedience to the law of Moses is God’s requirement for man today! This is a very harmful error in understanding
Following are the eight administrations I have seen in the Bible.
Original Paradise. Genesis 1-3. Began when Adam was “made in the image of God” (spirit). Ended when he and Eve ate of the tree they were commanded not to eat of. The agreement God had with man was described by God as follows:
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress (work) it and to keep (protect) it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. Genesis 2:15-17
2. Individual Covenants (also known as the Patriarchal Period). Genesis 3 – Exodus 20. Began the day that Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whereby they lost the spirit of God. Ended with the coming of the Law of Moses.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; (For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed (attributed) when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them who had not sinned after the similar manner of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure (tupos – type, exemplar, pattern) of him who was to come (the Christ). Romans 5:12-15
God had individual agreements with different individuals, and those who were of their family or tribe shared in their blessing. Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are some of the individuals God had individual covenants with. For example:
And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make an ark of gopher wood… And (after the flood) God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish (fill) the earth.
Genesis 6:12-14a; 9:1
Now the Lord had said unto Abram (Abraham), Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto a land that I will show you; And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; And I will bless them who bless you, and curse him who curses you; and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3
3. The Law (of Moses). Exodus 20 – Acts 2. The descendants of Jacob (whose God-given name was Israel) had become a nation of people while living in Egypt. Over two million people! While in Egypt, Israel lived by the rule of Pharoah. When they first left Egypt, they had only Moses’ rule to live by, but Moses couldn’t successfully judge every situation which arose (he tried for a while). Rather than be ruled by the subjectivity of a patriarch, a law came into being which could govern this nation out of which the Messiah would come. This administration began the day Moses received this law from God, and ended legally the day that Jesus was raised from the dead, having completely fulfilled the law (lived his entire life unto his death without ever disobeying one single law). It ended in reality on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. Unfortunately, it continues to exist in practice today for those who have not accepted and who do not understand the new covenant of the glorified Christ.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He didn’t say, “And to seeds,” as of many; but as of one, “And to your seed,” which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance (of the world) be of the law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise (and it is received by faith, not by working for it). Galatians 3:16-18
There were something like 613 (by some count) laws of Moses which needed to be adhered to by the nation of Israel. The only Gentiles (anyone not of Israel) who were ever under the law were those who by their free will chose to subject themselves to it (either proselytes – those becoming Jews, with circumcision, baptism, etc.; or “God-fearers,” those who believed the God of Israel was the true God, but did not become Jews. Example: Acts 10:1,2)
Every law had its blessing and its consequence, and until Jesus, no man ever perfectly obeyed the law. Consequences for not adhering to a law could be ameliorated (lessened) by means of blood sacrifice. Because the consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23), God allowed that an innocent animal’s life could be sacrificed in place of man’s death. In fact, the laws of Moses required a lot of blood letting!
(4. Jesus’ Ministry). Matthew 3:13 – Acts 2:1. I put this in parentheses because this period of time actually includes the last days of the law of Moses. It was, however, different from the rest of the time of the law of Moses, in that the son of God (who had to obey the law perfectly), brought the ministry of God’s holy spirit, though only to Israel. His primary two purposes in life were 1) to make the true God known and to bring to pass His perfect will; and 2) To defeat the devil and his works, (sin unto death).
He healed the sick and the psychologically damaged, forgave sin, raised the dead, and defeated the enemy of God who was the god of death. He was able to do all this in anticipation of his very own blood sacrifice. This administration began with the earthly ministry of Jesus, upon his returning from his forty days in the wilderness, and it ended with his ascension into heaven, forty days after his resurrection. His baptism was representative of death and rebirth – then followed by 40 days trial in preparation for what would follow. Finally occurred his actual death and rebirth – then followed by 40 days on the earth until his ascension, in preparation for what would follow.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him(led Him out into the open).
John 1:17, 18
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers(the patriarchs). Romans 15:8
But he (Jesus)responded and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18 (The law was fulfilled when Jesus died, but the prophets are not fulfilled until the time of the end of the book of Revelation).
5. The Church (the Mystery Revealed). Acts 2:1 – I Thessalonians 4:17. This administration began on the day of Pentecost, and it ends at the moment of the gathering together, also known as the “rapture.” This is the period of time in which we live today. Jesus has sent into the world the spirit (Christ) which His Father gave him, to make sons of all who receive the spirit of His son (the promised redeemer). No longer under the bondage of the law of Moses, this spiritual body of believers comes from both Jews and Gentiles, and is called a “new creation.” (also called the body of Christ, the temple of God, the church [literally, the “called out”] of God). What takes place in and among us believers today is actually what God has intended for mankind all along; the ultimate of His ability, known as the “glory of God.”
It is very important to understand that what became spiritually true when the holy spirit was first given in Acts 2, took a bit of time for its truth to be revealed to men’s minds and hearts. Why? Because its truth couldn’t even begin to be made known until its reality had begun. The truth of the ministry of the spirit of Christ could only begin to be made known to the hearts of man once it had itself come into the world. This “mystery of Christ” was hidden in God (Ephesians 3:9) until the spirit of Christ in man began to reveal its truths. Therefore, you can not assume that everything which was taught or which occurred during this time, especially in the book of Acts, is doctrinally true.
In truth, the Bible itself states that the man named Paul, who was an apostle and a prophet, was the man to whom God entrusted the revealing of the truths of this period of time, also known as “the administration of the grace of God.”
If you have heard of the administration (oikonomos) of the grace of God which was given to me for you. How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery…. Ephesians 3:2, 3a
It even took time for Paul to have the depths of this mystery of Christ revealed within him. If you read I Thessalonians (the first of his epistles to be written), and then Ephesians (one of the last to be written) you will see a big difference in the depth of Paul’s spiritual understanding! All correct understanding of the truths of today must line up with the revelation given to Paul. Any Scripture in the entire Bible which one desires to interpret or understand in the light of present day circumstances and application must be interpreted in harmony with the revelation of the mystery of Christ as revealed by Paul.
6. The Tribulation/Wrath of God. II Thessalonians 2:8 – Revelation 19:10. There is great peace and prosperity on the earth after the saints are gathered off the earth by Christ, but that period sets mankind up for domination by the prince of darkness, as he marshals his forces to destroy the earth. This marshalling of his dark forces was hindered by the spirit of Christ indwelling his saints, until they leave the earth. This ugly period ends with the coming of Jesus to rule upon the earth for a thousand years.
And now you know what’s holding him back, that he (the wicked one)might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness does already work; only he who is now holding (him) back, until he be taken out of the way (at the gathering together). And then shall that wicked one be revealed…. II Thessalonians 2:6-8a
7. The Millenial Reign of Christ. Revelation 19:11 – 20:15. It begins with Jesus and his saints coming upon the earth and defeating the armies of unrighteousness in the battle(s) of Armageddon. The beast and false prophet are condemned, and Satan is bound. The just are raised up from the dead unto eternal life, having been judged. It ends with Satan being loosed, who immediately stirs up rebellion, which is put down immediately. Satan is condemned and cast into the lake of fire. All the dead are raised up and judged at what is known as the White Throne judgment. Those whose names are not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, to die the second death. The earth is destroyed at the end of this time.
8. A New Heaven and a New Earth. Revelation 21:1 – 22:21. The earth we know has been destroyed. We live on a new earth. It is a new heaven, because Satan and his spirits no longer exist. Only righteousness exists in this new period of time, and everything that occurs is the stuff of eternity. Paul speaks of this time in II Corinthians 12:1-5.
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Is adherence to the law of Moses a requirement for eternal life? Then why did Jesus need to come and die? What about those who lived prior to the law being given? Do men live by the grace of God during the time Jesus ruled on the earth? Could anyone who lived between Adam and Jesus, who did not have the spirit of God, actually know the true God, Who is spirit? What are the rules by which God deals with man during the Tribulation and Wrath? What’s life going to be like in this new heaven and new earth? God wants you to understand the answers to these questions, so that the Bible makes much more sense when you read it. ______________________________________________
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Dispensationalism – the belief that the Bible is divided into different epochs of time, during which different sets of rules governed God’s affairs with mankind; how God interacted with man, and man with God.
I was recently involved in a thread on fb where one person dismissively discounted anything I’d said previously, because I was a “dispensationalist.” Well, I’m not a dispensationalist, I’m a believer of Jesus Christ and the Word of God and a student of the Holy Scriptures. I’m a son of God, a joint heir with Christ. Regarding doctrine, I know that some people love to discount anything and everything someone says which they disagree with by putting them in a box, and then setting that box on fire!
I remember one incident where I was witnessing to a young man in a store in the local mall. The store was empty, and so we had time to talk. I discovered that he was already a Christian believer, and he was getting very excited as I explained to him, from the Bible, some of the things I understood regarding the gifts of the spirit (which the Bible labels as “manifestations of the spirit.”). In an area where he had had so many unanswered questions, or had gotten only conflicting answers, it was starting to make powerful sense. “Where did you learn all this?” he asked excitedly. When I told him, he instantly closed his heart to me and my teaching, saying, “Oh, you’re a part of that group.” And he didn’t want to hear another thing I had to say!
I could tell you so many stories of exactly what I’ve described above, each one a heartbreaking tale of how God was touching the heart of a person, only to have the devil reach in and shut that heart down to the beautiful truth of Christ. Today, I just tell people that I learned it in the Bible, because if I say, “God taught me,” they’ll think I’m just “doing my own thing” (which is of itself a box to light on fire!). The truth of it is that what I share on this website God did teach me, and the Bible confirms it!
The truths regarding dispensationalism do not negate the fact that some truths are true in all administrations; that is, throughout the Bible. But some are not. Knowing which truths are true during the period of time in question is of paramount importance in having an accurate understanding of the Scriptures.
The word “dispensation” in the Bible is translated from the Greek word oikonomia, which is also translated “stewardship” (though I like the word administration). It comes from two Greek words; oikos – house, and nomos – law. The Greek word is only used 7 times in the New Testament, 3 times in the Gospels and 4 times in Paul’s epistles. E.W. Bullinger, in his “A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament” defines the word thusly: Administration of a household. Actively, the administrative activity of the owner or the steward; passively, that which is administered. A disposition or arrangement of things, a scheme or dispensation.”
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of you? give an account of your stewardship (oikonomia); for you may be no longer steward (oikonomon). Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me the stewardship (oikonomia); I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship (oikonomia), they may receive me into their houses. Luke 16:2-4
These 3 verses contain the 3 uses of oikonomia in the Gospels. A wealthy man would have a steward, an administrator, who ran the affairs of his household. That steward, within any boundaries imposed upon him by his master, had total discretion as to how he administered the affairs of his master’s household. Today you might call him a manager, or a CEO. Each steward, or manager, would bring his own methods and style to the running of the household. Today, each CEO will bring his/her own unique brand of managing to the job.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel; For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation (oikonomia) of the gospel is committed unto me. I Corinthians 9:16, 17
This is the first use of oikonomia in the Pauline epistles. Paul was entrusted with the stewardship of the gospel, with administering, or managing it. But what gospel is being spoken of in this verse? Did John the Baptist preach this “gospel?” (“Gospel ” simply means good message). Did Jesus preach the same gospel that Paul preached? Didn’t Peter and John and the other apostles and disciples preach “the gospel” that Paul preached?
John the Baptist preached, but it wasn’t called a gospel. He was telling people to get right with God, because His rule (kingdom) was coming very soon!
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (For this (John) is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.) Matthew 3:1-3
Jesus preached a gospel, the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came unto Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14, 15
The gospel of the kingdom of God is the administering, or dispensing of the rule of God as King, and requires the presence of that king (or, in this case, his prince son). It was good news, because Jesus was sent by God to do those things he spoke of in Luke.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor (in heart); He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are broken down, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18, 19
Did Peter and the other apostles preach the same gospel as Jesus?
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of (which is) the holy spirit. Acts 2:36-38
This is different than the gospel Jesus preached, for Jesus’ gospel said nothing of anyone being able to receive remission of sins or receive the gift of the holy spirit at that time. The holy spirit did not come until after Jesus left the earth and was glorified.
(Jesus speaking) He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this he spoke of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the holy spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified). John 7:38, 39
So what Peter preached was indeed a gospel, but it differed from the good message which Jesus himself preached. Jesus never preached the remission of sins nor the giving of the gift of holy spirit, only in a prophetic manner regarding that which would happen in the future. Now Paul comes along and states that a dispensation (oikonomia) of the gospel is committed, or entrusted unto him. Was his gospel different than Peter’s and the apostles’? It is true that during the time of his ministering in the book of Acts, Paul preached “the kingdom of God;” however, toward the end of his ministry, his understanding of the things of Christ had grown, so that…
(Paul speaking) …so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify (bear full witness to) the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24b
If you have heard of the dispensation (oikonomia) of the grace of God which is given to me for you. Ephesians 3:2
Neither the gospel Jesus preached, nor the gospel which Peter and the other apostles preached was ever referred to as the “gospel of the grace of God.” No other New Testament author mentions the gospel of the grace of God, or even the administration (dispensation, stewardship) of the grace of God, but Paul. This was a responsibility which Paul took very seriously.
Of which (the church) I am made a minister, according to the dispensation (oikonomia) of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:25-27
The mystery can only be made known and thus practical in the life and heart of a believer by means of the working of the spirit of Christ. There is absolutely no work of man which can effectuate this working; therefore it is completely by the ongoing grace (generosity) of God that the truth of the Christ within continues to be operational. Man need do nothing, can do nothing in order to obtain it. This message of the mystery is a new one in the Bible, and the only writings we have detailing its message are Paul’s.
So we see that there were different gospels mentioned in the Bible, from the time of Jesus until Paul. The truth of the gospel was an evolving, unfolding thing, as more and more became available. John’s preaching wasn’t called a gospel, because Jesus’ ministry hadn’t begun. Jesus preached a gospel which involved the rule of God on the earth, which was very good news indeed, but which, as regarding that present time, still included the law of Moses and the proper behavior of man.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17
Jesus’ gospel did not include the remission of sins, because he had not yet died to pay for sins, and had not yet been raised from the dead and been seated at the right hand of God in his glory to be able to send the holy spirit. Peter preached a gospel which included the remission of (complete payment of the penalty for and restoration needed because of) sins and the giving of the holy spirit to whoever believes, but he did not receive the revelation of the grace of God and the mystery of Christ (as far as we know). Paul preached a gospel of the grace of God regarding the mystery of Christ. His is the ultimate gospel, because it regards God’s fulfillment of His ultimate purpose of all the ages.
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things (by Jesus Christ is not in the text). To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be experienced by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Ephesians 3:8-11
John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, James and Jude addressed their ministries to Israel. But Paul included the Gentiles.
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24
For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles: Galatians 2:8
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1
In the next study, we’ll conclude our study of the different dispensations (administrations) found in the Bible. We’ll see how the rules which govern God’s dealings with man changed throughout the Bible, and what an understanding of those changes can mean not only to our understanding of the Bible, but to our walk and our relationship with God today. __________________________________
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A definition of a wormhole, from Wikipedia: A wormhole is a speculative structure linking disparate points in spacetime… A wormhole can be visualized as a tunnel with two ends at separate points in spacetime (i.e., different locations, or different points in time, or both). More precisely it is a transcendental bisection of the spacetime continuum… The cross of Christ links the two disparate points of the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light; of us spiritually lifeless in trespasses and sins to us as sons of God with eternal life; of us walking in the limitations of our fleshly understanding, where we allow feelings to guide our logic and our ways to us walking in the limitlessness of God’s wisdom, where the spirit of Christ’s love illuminates and empowers us at all times and in all ways. ___________________________
Generally speaking, Christians regard the cross of Christ as an event which occurred about 2,000 years ago, when a man named Jesus, a man born in Bethlehem to a woman who was a virgin at the time of her conception by the holy spirit of God, and who was brought up in a city called Nazareth; who, after his baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and subsequent 40 days of fasting and solitude in the desert regions, proclaimed himself to be the God-ordained Christ, both by word and by deed (signs, miracles and wonders), and after a relatively short periof of active ministry on the earth, was tortured and put to death on a cross (crucified) by the Romans of Jerusalem at the urging of the top Jewish leaders.
These Christians believe that that event paid for the sins of anyone who believes on that event, thus allowing God to forgive that person, to give them eternal life and to welcome him or her back into His good graces. And those Christians wouldn’t be wrong!
But the cross of Christ is more than that! It didn’t just qualify us to be acceptable to God; it is also the doorway – the wormhole – into another dimension – the spiritual dimension. The cross of Christ transports a person, in a moment of time, from living in a world where darkness and despair and death dominate the landscape into living in what is known as the kingdom of God, where light and life and love have the dominating power over everything. This transportation from a kingdom of darkness and despair and death to a kingdom of life and light and love does not occur a single time, but every time a person comes to the cross of Christ!
Giving thanks unto the Father, Who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has transported us into the kingdom of the son of His love. Colossians 1:12, 13
I have often spoken of the need that believers not just stand in the doorway to heaven (which the cross of Christ is), but to then enter into and inhabit the land which God has provided for us. However, I have not sufficiently addressed the need which arises whenever and wherever a believer departs from that spiritual land of light and life and love; when he goes back to his sinful ways, back into the arms of the adversary of God, back into darkness and despair – when he walks in a forgetfulness of what God has made him to be in and by the spirit of Christ. The cross of Christ is not a one-time-usage doorway, crumpled up and thrown away after being used the first time. The cross of Christ is our access to the kingdom of God always!
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them who are perishing foolishness; but unto us who are being saved, it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:17, 18
A barbell with 200 lbs. of weight on it is very useful for someone wanting to build up his muscles and endurance, but that same 200 lb. weight is useless to someone wanting to buy groceries. A winter coat is useless to someone at the beach during the summer, but it means life and survival to someone living in Alaska during the winter. So the cross of Christ is really very useless to someone who is satisfied with his life in the world of darkness. In fact, the preaching of the cross of Christ is as useful as a mosquito to that person – it is simply an annoyance! But to us who desire the wholeness of being which describes living in the kingdom of truth and light and love, the cross of Christ is our access, our passageway, a veritable wormhole for us to be transported again from the land where all is dark and deadly and into the presence of God, where all is alive and fresh and energizing.
For the love of Christ constrains us (to constrain means to invite again and again – it doesn’t just happen once); because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; And that he died for all, that they who live should not from now on live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again. Wherefore from now on we know no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh (those men back then who lived when he lived); yet now from now on we know him no more (after the flesh). Therefore if any man be in Christ (having availed himself of the cross of Christ), he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, And all things are of God …. II Corinthians 5:14-18a
The first time we come to the cross of Christ, we are not only transported to a different place, but we are also transformed into a different creature. We go from being a finite being to becoming an infinite being. We become once and for all time that new creation, bought with the blood of Christ which was spilled upon his cross. What is not completed in that moment of time is our growing awareness of who we are as that new creation.
That is the reason for our ongoing need for the transportation provided by the cross of Christ, taking us from finite understanding and selfish motivations and into the kingdom of God’s limitlessness again and again. You see, a man is once again transported into the kingdom of the son of God’s love when he once again comes to the cross of Christ. The difference is that all subsequent transportations after that initial one are but reconnections in his awareness with the new creation he was made to be that first time.
The new birth, that happens once; but the growing up into Christ, that is an ongoing process! And that process doesn’t occur without interruption! Because again and again, once transported into the spiritual plane of God’s dominance, man is drawn back into his old way of thinking and interpreting events and allowing feelings to rule his life and logic. Growing up into Christ is an ongoing process in the believer’s life. Though the cross of Christ is a one-and-done thing, growing up into Christ is not! That is why the cross of Christ stands ready, any time we come to it, to once again transport us back into the kingdom of God’s life, light, power and love.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel (“of Christ” is not in the text – rather, it is the gospel of the cross of Christ); for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
You see, the good news we share is the cross of Christ, because it is the way into the kingdom of God. Once there, God Himself, via the spirit of Christ, becomes our teacher and guide.
For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified… And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power; That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Corinthians 2:2,4,5
But the anointing (spirit of Christ) which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him. I John 2:27
The cross of Christ never gets old, never becomes irrelevant for our lives. It was and continues to be our way into, (whether for the first time or the 5,000th) the presence of God, into His kingdom and His power and His glory. Through the work of His son, God has provided a spiritual inheritance for each of His children, and through that same work of His son, God continues to provide the means by which we access that glorious spiritual inheritance of light and life and love. Through the cross of Christ we have been saved. But also, through the cross of Christ we gain access to furthering our salvation. May we continue to avail ourselves of the “wormhole” of the cross of Christ, which will continue to transport us into the kingdom of God’s loving delight whenever we come to it.
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled, In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight; Colossians 1:20-22
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The word “ministry” in the Bible is most often the Greek word diakonia, from the Greek root word diako, which means “to run errands.” Related words are the verb “to minister” and the noun “minister.” So the understanding of these words is: minister – errand runner to minister – to run errands ministry – the manner in which errands are run; or, the type of errands which are run
Many think of a minister as someone who went to a seminary and got a theological degree or diploma, was ordained by his or her denomination (that is, they put the title “Reverend” before their name), and/or is the leader of his or her organized church. This understanding differs greatly from what the New Testament has to say about ministers and ministry. First of all, a minister according to the Bible is one who serves the will of Jesus Christ. His or her primary devotion and obligation is not to a denomination or congregation – it is to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his Father, God. If a minister does not have that relationship in an exalted position in his heart, then he is not Christ’s minister, but only man’s.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
The word “servant” in this verse is the Greek word doulos and means “one whose will and capacities are at the service of another.” This “another” is the one who determines what and how and when that doulos “runs errands.” Do you think if you were the master, you would have all your servants doing exactly the same thing? Or doing everything the exact same way? Of course not. Neither are Christ’s errand runners to be compared with one another.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same function; So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us (God’s generosity provides the specific giftings to each member of the body), whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry (diakonia), let us wait on our ministering (diakoneo), or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation; he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that takes the lead, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)
You can see that there is a lot of crossover with these different “categories.” Someone might take the lead and do it with cheerfulness. Another might minister by prophesying. Do you see? All these ways to minister are not separate categories, they are simply characteristics or functions or descriptions of them. And if they serve Christ, then they are a result of a gifting of God’s spirit. There seems to be no comparison between these different descriptions. One is not better than another. Another is not of more importance than one. Thus, ways and manners in which believers serve Christ are not learned from one another by comparison, but rather are taught by the Lord Jesus Christ himself, by the revealing of his spirit within. The more you listen to and believe on Christ, the more you grow into your own unique gifting/ministry.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. And he (the Christ within) gave some apostles (to his church), and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:7, 11)
There it is! You grow in your service to the body of Christ as you grow closer to Christ. Your ministry does not grow out of a biblical education (alone), adherence to a religion or denomination, graduating from a seminary, or leadership of a congregation (though any of those things do not disqualify you); it grows out of the revelation of Christ within. He, by means of the revealing of himself within each believer, is bringing each believer to the place of being able to serve him by running his errands in service to the body of his believers.
Are you upbeat? Be upbeat for Christ. Are you quietly pensive? Be quietly pensive for Christ. Are you studious and communicative? Be so as the spirit of Christ directs you. Do you have a beautiful voice? Sing as he inspires. Do you see things that need to be done that others don’t see? Don’t compare yourself. Express your service for and because of Christ and not for the accolades, power, fame or glory.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think (of himself is not in the text) more highly (attributing his own thoughts as coming from God) than he ought to think; but to think soberly (soundly); according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
The “sound thinking” this verse speaks of is the revelation of Christ (and the faith which comes with it as per Romans 10:17) which God deals to every man. Do you think that reading a specific book about leadership or servant hood or a specific author is going to equip and qualify you to run errands for Christ? Of course not! Do you think you can and should pattern yourself after another servant? Perhaps it starts out that way, but it is the revelation of the Christ within which equips, authorizes and directs your ministry. Seek him! As Christ is revealed within you, your expression of that revelation will determine your ministry, which is a beautiful symbiotic working between the spirit of Christ within and your interests and inclinations and proclivities. God never messes with your individual free choice.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters,; but God who gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God; you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:6-9)
Growing up is enjoyable. You understand and realize new things, relationships, abilities, knowledge, etc. You’re able to do more, appreciate more, get more out of life. So growing up spiritually is meant to be enjoyable, as you grow into an understanding of how God works with you through the Christ within in a most unique, special, individualized way. The more you know of Christ, the more you come into your own as his specialized errand runner, the doing of which fulfills you in a way nothing else does, because it is so uniquely, powerfully you!
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts (the ones which seem to be meant for you in particular, which connect with you, and which fill specific needs in the body of Christ): and yet show I unto you a more excellent way (the way of love – how you do anything is more important than what you do) (I Corinthians 12:29-31)
Yes, greatly desire to see your own unique brand of errand running for Christ develop in your heart and soul. Be an errand runner for Christ – what you do, how you do it, when you do it will be a powerful expression of the Christ within you. And let the love which comes with his revelation be your motivation. Be filled to overflowing with that love He has for you and you for Him, and then let yourself explore the inventive, quirky, unique, powerful manner in which you express the overflow of that love to the believers and the world around you.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers (bringers) of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (I Corinthians 4:1,2)
There’s no one else like you, especially as you develop your unique errand running ability in and for Christ. Set your course, enjoy every day of your journey, and bask in the reward of an ever-closer relationship with your heavenly Father. _____________________________________________
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.“What does the Word say?” That used to be the response to so many questions I had about life, about God, about Christianity, about myself, about Jesus, the gospel, about relationships. Of course what I meant when I said that (or heard it said) was, “What does God say in the Bible?” Or simply, “What does the Bible say?” I have been discovering that that question is the wrong question. The right question is not, “What does the Word say,” it’s “What does the Word reveal?”
First of all, the Bible doesn’t say anything. The Bible is simply words on a page, brought to you by a publisher and a printing press. If the Bible sits on a table, and no one is in the room, the Bible says nothing. Now if I go read a specific verse in the Bible, I will (probably) get something out of it; but if another person comes and reads that same specific verse, will he/she get the exact same thing out of it? A good chance the answer would be “no.” That’s because the Bible does no objective speaking – it only has meaning when and where it finds a home in the understanding of a man’s heart. It has no meaning sitting there on the table with no one around.
I was just witness to a fairly strong discussion online about the subject of water baptism. There were mainly two people in this discussion. One thought water baptism necessary for salvation, the other didn’t believe there was any necessity at all to be water baptized. And both were quoting the same Bible. One man kept quoting John 3:
Jesus responded, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5
That man believed “born of water” means getting water baptized. The other man pointed out to him that it means the physical birth, indicating the rupture of the amniotic sac. (He went to the verses immediately before and after to strengthen his viewpoint, which both mention the physical birth). This second man pointed out that water baptism was never referred to in the Bible as “being born,” but rather always referred to a cleansing, whether actual or figurative. Despite this evidence, and now knowing what this second man believed about that verse, the first man kept quoting it as proof for the need for water baptism. So both these believers were referencing the exact same verse, and getting two entirely different truths out of it, to the point of strong debate (polite words for an argument). Neither person changed his own or the other’s point of view.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6
A logical thinker would read that verse and come to the (correct) conclusion that the Bible itself is telling us not to trust what we understand it to be saying. Rather, we are to trust the Lord. But how can we trust a Lord we do not know, much less be able to acknowledge Him in all our ways? Well of course we can’t!
… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10b
Prophecy is God speaking now. The spirit of God speaking now is the testimony, or witness of Jesus. Since all the problems of mankind have been solved by God working through His son, Jesus is exactly who or what needs to be preached and testified of, and that takes God speaking now! Since all the inheritance which God has promised that His children will possess forever has been secured for us by God working through His son, Jesus is the one who needs to be sought and found, his spirit revealed within us, which takes God speaking now.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. II Peter 1:16-18
, (Prior to these verses, Peter had told the beloved believers he was writing to, that he would be sure they were reminded of the truths he had just shared, even after his death. Keep this in mind as we go through the rest of the verses in chapter 1.)
The above verse is referencing what has come to be called the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17), where Peter and John and James heard the voice of God speaking, calling Jesus His Son. God Himself testified that Jesus was the Christ, His Son. As far as I know, it’s the only record in the gospels where other men (other than Jesus himself and John the Baptizer) heard God testify of His Son. Let’s continue in Peter.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; unto which you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; II Peter 1:19
What is this “more sure word of prophecy?” I’ve heard it said that our Bible is the more sure word of prophecy. Can’t be! Why? Because the Bible didn’t exist at the time Peter wrote this, yet Peter indicates that this more sure word of prophecy was in the possession of those he was writing to at that time! How could he (and they) “have” and be referring to something that didn’t exist?
What was translated “also” is really “and,” and should be at the beginning of the sentence. Also, the translators translated the definite article (the) as the indefinite (a). Thus, “a” should be “the.” The definite article “the” always indicates a specific thing. “The more sure word of prophecy” is speaking about a specific prophecy, and is not referring to prophecy in general.
A more proper translation of the first part of this verse could be as follows: And we have the more sure word (logos – that which is spoken) of prophecy.” “And” starts the verse, because it’s a continuation of what came just before. Peter is telling the readers, “We heard God testify that Jesus was His Son, the Christ.” What is the spirit of prophecy? The testimony of Jesus. Who did it first? God! The “more sure” word of prophecy Peter is talking about is what he just wrote about in the verses before! It’s what God had spoken from heaven. That’s more sure than what any man says, because God Himself spoke it into the ears of men! This is “the more sure word of prophecy” Peter is speaking of.
Furthermore, the second part of verse 19 confirms that the “more sure word of prophecy” is talking about what God said of His Son, by telling us that the result of us “taking heed to it” (paying attention to it) will be that the day star (referring to the spirit of Christ) will “arise” (be revealed) in our hearts.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, To reveal his Son in me…. Galatians 1:15, 16a
The more sure word of God speaking now (today) is what He testifies of His son, through the same spirit which inspires the prophets, which results in us having the spirit of His son revealed to our hearts. THAT is how we get to know the Lord whom we are to trust in, and how we become able to acknowledge him in all our ways.
(I, Paul)Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge(epignosis – thorough experiential knowing,) of him. Ephesians 1:16, 17
How perfectly fit together is the correct understanding of the written word of God, how deeply unified its meaning and true intention. It’s primary purpose for existence is to point us in the direction of the revelation of the spirit of Christ within us. Wouldn’t you know it, this is also the primary purpose of the spirit of God.
But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26
And now we’ll take a look at the last two verses of II Peter 1, and how they fit perfectly together with this entire subject of how true prophecy today seeks to reveal within us the spirit of God’s son, Christ. Following is a correct translation of these last two verses, based on the original texts.
Knowing (gnosko’ing) this first, that every prophecy of scripture (in writing) is not of its own interpretation (figuring out). For prophecy was not at any time brought forth by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke (what was) brought forth by the holy spirit. II Peter 1:20, 21
Peter is saying that the first, primary thing to experience when reading any prophecy (God speaking) is that what you are reading is not man’s explanation of the original prophecy. The prophecies which are written down are not the writer’s explanation of what he thought the spoken prophecy meant, they were simply written down as is. As you read this study, know that it is my explanation of what I believe the scriptures mean. This study is not prophecy (though it may contain prophecy).
The spoken prophecies which were recorded in writing are simply that – recordings of prophecies; they are not explanations of those prophecies. These prophecies didn’t originally come by man’s will but by being brought forth by (the inspiration of) the holy spirit. And we know from John 15:26 that Christ is intended to be made known by them.
When prophecy first comes, directed by the working within of the holy spirit, it is spoken by a prophet at the right time, to the right audience, with the right message. When it is written down, so much of that can be lost. Therefore, when reading what God has spoken through His prophets, we must never trust our own understanding to come up with what we think it means, or meant, but rather must allow the spirit of God to today speak to us once again, and to make known the Christ within us.
You are the Christ, the son of the living God. Blessed are you Simon, bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father who is in heaven… And upon this rock will I build my church. Matthew 16:16b, 17, 18b
The church of the body of Christ is being built today by the revelation of the spirit of the Son of God within us. God’s prophets today are speaking for God, continuing to make that spirit of Christ manifest to the world. Praise the Lord!
But now (the mystery of Christ) is made manifest, and by the writings of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for (eis – unto) the obedience of faith. Romans 16:26
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