Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14);
Because
it is written, Be
holy; for I AM HOLY (1 Peter 1:16);
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see
God (Matthew
5:8);
That
He might present it to Himself a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27);
Then
said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24);
Teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus
2:12);
Wherefore
come out from
among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:17);
Not every one that says unto Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father
which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21);
For the time is come that judgment
must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end
be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if
the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the
sinner appear? (1
Peter 4:17-18);
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
THE GOSPEL OF
SELFISHNESS
One of the most influential and powerful NEGATIVE FORCES at work in a
believer’s life and in the Church is the GOSPEL
OF SELFISHNESS.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves … (2 Timothy 3:2);
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:4);
For all seek their own, not the things
which are Jesus Christ's (Philippians 2:21).
What? know you not that your body is
the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19);
Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and
steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where
your treasure is, there will your HEART be
also (Matthew
6:19-21);
But godliness with
contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:6-7).
The most
influential and powerful POSITIVE FORCE at work in a believer’s life and in the Church is DISCIPLESHIP
which is attained by CRUCIFYING SELF!
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come
after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me
(Matthew
16:24);
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all
that he has, he cannot be My disciple
(Luke 14:33);
Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so
shall you be My disciples (John 15:8).
TEN TESTS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Bearing your cross
daily (Matthew
10:38; Luke 9:23);
Bold confession of
Christ (Matthew
10:32-33);
Denying oneself (Matthew 10:39;
Romans 8:1-13).
Family persecution (Matthew
10:34-36; 19:29);
Fearless
consecration (Matthew
10:28);
Fearless faith (Matthew
10:29-31; Hebrews 11);
Fearless preaching (Matthew
10:26-27);
Following Christ (Matthew 10:38;
John 10:27);
Putting God first (Matthews
10:37; 22:37);
World persecution (Matthew 10:25;
John 15:18).
HOW MUCH SELF
HAVE YOU CRUCIFIED?
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24).
In John 3:30, it is recorded that John the
Baptist said, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the apostle Paul said, “I
die daily.” In Galatians 2:20, he wrote:
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20);
Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin
(Romans 6:6);
And they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24);
Lie not one to another, seeing that you
have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him (Colossians 3:9-10).
Now, I’m going to ask
you a few questions.
WHAT is more important to you—who Jesus
is, or what He can do for you?
WHO do you love more—Jesus or your SELF?
WHO are you living to please?
GOD? (John 8:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 11:5-6)
SATAN? (Romans 6:16; 2 Timothy 2:26)
MEN? (Galatians 1:10; Colossians 3:22; Ephesians 6:6)
THE HOLY
SPIRIT? (James
4:7)
SATAN? (Romans 6:16; 2
Timothy 2:26)
SELF, or the CARNAL FLESH
and MIND? (Romans 7:18; 8:6-8; Galatians 5:19-21)
THE BODY OF MAN
The BODY
is merely a shell—a temporary dwelling place for the HEART, SOUL and SPIRIT, the components that make up
the REAL YOU. God is a Spirit. He created you in His image, after His
likeness. Therefore, you also are a
spirit being, but you need a BODY to
live in this physical world. The human BODY is corruptible and upon physical
death, is committed to the ground where it returns to dust (Genesis 1:26; 2:7; John 4:24). The immortal components of man live on in
eternity, either in Heaven or in Hell.
Is your BODY
submitted to God? Does it glorify
Him? (Matthew
5:16; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 9:27)
The Stomach Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Glutton king? (Proverbs 23:21)
The Food Addiction king? (Philippians 3:19)
The Stomach Ailment? (Romans 16:18; 1 Timothy 5:23)
The Eye Kingdom (Matthew 5:29; 18:9)
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Lust & Pornography twin kings? (Matthew 5:28;
Jude 1:16)
The Worldly king? (Exodus 20:3; Colossians 2:8)
The Ear Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Gossip & Slander twin kings? (Proverbs
11:13; 18:8; 26:20,22; Romans 1:29)
The Worldly king? (Exodus 20:3; Colossians 2:8)
The Cursing & Swearing twin kings? (Exodus 20:7; Proverbs
30:11; Matthew 5:33,37; James 3:10)
The Foolishness king? (Ephesians 5:4; Titus 3:9)
The Tongue Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Accusing king? (Revelation 12:10)
The Blasphemy king? (Matthew 12:31; Colossians 3:8)
The Complaining king? (Numbers 11:1; Job 7:11; Jude 1:16)
The Critical & Judgmental twin kings? (Proverbs 30:14;
Matthew 7:1; John 7:24; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:23)
The Cursing & Swearing twin kings? (Exodus 20:7; Proverbs
30:11; Matthew 5:33,37; James 3:10)
The Foolish Folly king? (Ephesians 5:4; Titus 3:9)
The Gossip & Slander twin kings? (Proverbs
11:13; 18:8; 26:20,22; Romans 1:29)
The Hate & Murder twin kings? (Proverbs 26:24; John 8:44; 1 John 3:15)
The Lying king? (Proverbs 6:17; 10:18; 12:22; 26:28; Revelation 21:8)
The Worldly king? (Exodus 20:3; Colossians 2:8)
The Lips Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Sensuous king or queen? (Proverbs 5:3; 7:21; 30:20)
The Circulatory Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Addiction king? (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy
2:26)
The Heart & Lung Ailment twin kings?
The Brain Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Philippians 2:5; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Nicotine king? (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy
2:26)
The Pornography king? (Job 31:1; Proverbs 6:25; Psalms 101:3;
Matthew 5:28-29; 1 John 2:16)
The Illegal Drug king? (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy
2:26)
The Alcohol king? (Proverbs 23:31-32; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
The Gambling king? (Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 27:35; Luke
16:13; 1 Timothy 6:10,17)
The Reproductive Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Adulterous king? (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32-33; 29:3; 1
Corinthians 6:9)
The Fornicating king? (1 Corinthians 6:9-10,18; Galatians 5:19; 1
Thessalonians 4:3)
The Homosexuality & Lesbian twin kings? (Leviticus
18:22; Romans 1:26-27)
The Abortion king or queen? (Exodus 20:13; Proverbs 6:17; Isaiah 10:1; Matthew
18:10; Luke 18:16)
The Respiratory Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Nicotine king? (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy
2:26)
The Illegal Drug Inhalation king? (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Timothy
2:26)
The Hands Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Sinful Touch king? (Matthew 5:30; 1 Corinthians 7:1)
The Feet Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15; Revelation
17:14; 19:16)
The Mischievous king? (Proverbs 1:16; 6:18,28; 19:2; Mark 9:45)
THE SOUL OF MAN
The SOUL is immortal and is the seat of feelings,
emotions, desires and appetites. Upon
death, the SOUL
departs the body and rises to Heaven or descends to Hell (Luke 16:19-31).
The Emotions Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Angry king? (Ecclesiastes 7:9; Proverbs 15:18; 22:24-25; 29:22;
Galatians 5:20)
The Bitter king? (1 Samuel 1:10; Job 7:11; 10:1)
The Cast Down king? (Genesis 4:5; Psalms 43:5)
The Fearful king? (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18)
The Grieving & Sorrowful twin kings? (Psalms 31:9;
Mark 14:34)
The Hateful king? (Proverbs 10:18; 26:25; Psalms 34:21; Galatians 5:20 1
John 3:15)
The Lust king? (Proverbs 6:25; 1 Peter 2:11; Galatians 5:15,24; James
1:14-15; 1 John 2:16)
The Snared king? (Proverbs 22:25)
The Troubled king? (Psalms 88:3; John 12:27; 14:1)
The Vexed king? (Judges 16:16; Matthew 15:22; Luke 6:18)
The Weary king? (Jeremiah 31:25; Matthew 11:28; Galatians 6:9)
The Desires Kingdom
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Psalms 37:4; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Self-Centered, Selfish king? (Matthew 6:33;Ephesians 2:3; 2 Timothy
3:2,4; James 4:3)
THE SPIRIT OF MAN
The SPIRIT of man is given by God. It is the seat of intellect, understanding, revelation,
the mind, the will, the conscience, reasoning, rationale, perception and discernment. It is the immortal, incorruptible part of man
that communicates with God and worships Him in spirit and in truth. It is the candle of the Lord, searching all
of the inward parts. (Job 32:8; Ecclesiastes
12:7; Proverbs 20:27; Mark 2:8; John 4:23; Ephesians 4:23; 1 Peter 3:4)
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings? (Luke 10:27; Philippians 2:5; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
The Arrogant, Haughty & Proud triplet kings? (Proverbs
16:18-19; 29:23; 30:13)
The Broken king? (Proverbs 17:22; Psalms 51:17)
The Erring king? (Isaiah 29:24; Matthew 22:29; James 5:19)
The Failing king? (Psalms 143:7)
The Grieved king? (Isaiah 54:6)
The Hardened king? (Hebrews 3:8)
The Hasty king? (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9; Proverbs 14:29)
The Impure Thoughts king? (Matthew 15:19; 2 Corinthians 10:5)
The Overwhelmed king? (Psalms 77:3;
142:3; 143:4)
The Prayer-less king? (1 Samuel 12:23;
Hosea 7:7; James 4:2-3)
The Rebellious & Stubborn twin kings? (1 Samuel
15:23; Acts 7:51)
The Reprobate Mind king? (Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy
3:8)
The Restless king? (2 Corinthians
2:13)
The SELF king? (Matthew 16:24; Philippians 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:2)
The Sorrowful king? (1 Samuel 1:15)
The Troubled king? (John 11:33; 13:21)
The Unruly king? (Proverbs 16:32; 25:28)
The Vain Imagination king? (Romans 1:21)
The Vexed king? (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Judges 16:16; Matthew 15:22; Luke
6:18)
The Wounded king? (Proverbs 18:14; Luke 4:18)
THE HEART OF MAN
The HEART is the inner, hidden man. It is the center of human life. It includes the SOUL and SPIRIT and is immortal. It is the seat of intent and motive. It is the source of good or evil; faith or
unbelief. It influences and controls
speech, determines character and is examined by God. Once renewed, it is to be diligently
guarded. (Proverbs 4:23; 23:7; Psalms 22:26; 26:2;
Jeremiah 17:9; Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 12:34; 15:18-19; Mark 12:30; Luke 6:45;
Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 4:12; 10:22; 1 Peter 3:4).
Jesus Christ, the King of
Kings? (Luke 10:27; James 4:7; Revelation 17:14;
19:16)
The Adulterous king? (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32-33; 29:3; 1
Corinthians 6:9)
The Bitter king? (Psalms 64:3; Proverbs 14:10; Acts 8:23; Romans 3:14;
Hebrews 12:15)
The Blind king? (John 12:40; Ephesians 4:18)
The Broken king? (Psalms 34:18; 51:17; Luke 4:18)
The Burdened & Worried twin kings? (Matthew
6:25-34; 11:28; Luke 21:34)
The Carnal & Fleshly twin kings? (Romans 7:18;
8:6-8; Galatians 5:19-21)
The Covetous king? (Jeremiah 22:17; 2 Peter 2:14)
The Deceitful & Desperately
Wicked king? (Jeremiah
17:9)
The Deceived king? (James 1:26)
The Disobedient king? (Deuteronomy
8:2; Galatians 3:1; 5:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17)
The Double-Minded king? (James 4:8)
The Doubting king? (Matthew 14:31; Mark 11:23; John 20:25)
The Ensnaring king? (Ecclesiastes 7:26; 1 Timothy 3:7)
The Envious & Jealous twin kings? (Proverbs
14:30; 23:17; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:21)
The Evil Imagination king? (Psalms 140:2; Proverbs 6:18; Jeremiah 7:24; Luke 1:51; 2
Corinthians 10:5)
The Fainting king? (Deuteronomy 20:3; Isaiah 1:5; Galatians
6:9)
The Far from God king? (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8)
The Fearful king? (Psalms 27:3; Isaiah 35:4; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1
John 4:18)
The Foolish king? (Psalms 14:1; 53:1; Proverbs 12:23; 15:7;
22:15; Mark 7:22)
The Fornicating king? (1 Corinthians 6:9-10,18; Galatians 5:19; 1
Thessalonians 4:3)
The Froward (Perverse) king? (Psalms 101:4; Proverbs 6:14; 12:8; 17:20)
The Gross king? (Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:27)
The Hard & Stony twin kings? (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26; Mark 10:5; 16:14;
Romans 2:5)
The Hateful king? (Leviticus 19:17; Proverbs 6:16,18; 11:20)
The Haughty & Proud king? (Proverbs 18:12; 21:4; Jeremiah 48:29;
49:16)
The Heavy (depressed) king? (Proverbs 12:25)
The Idolatrous king? (Exodus 34:14; Ezekiel 14:3-4; 1 Corinthians
6:9; Revelation 21:8)
The Influenced by Satan king? (Matthew 16:22-23; John 13:2; Acts 5:3)
The Judicially Hardened king? (Exodus 4:21; Joshua 11:20)
The Lustful king? (Proverbs 6:25; Matthew 5:28; Galatians
5:16; James 1:14; 1 John 2:16)
The Lying king? (2 Chronicles 18:21-22; Psalms 31:18; 120:2; Proverbs
6:17; Revelation 21:8)
The Madness king? (Ecclesiastes 9:3)
The Mischievous king? (Psalms 28:3; 140:2)
The Obstinate king? (Deuteronomy 2:30)
The Partying king? (Luke 15:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3)
The Rebellious & Revolting king? (Jeremiah 5:23;
Acts 7:51)
The Secretive king? (Psalms 44:21; Ephesians 5:12)
The SELF-Indulging king? (Numbers 15:39)
The Sorrowful king?
(Proverbs
13:2; 15:13)
The Troubled king? (John 11:33; 13:21; 14:1)
The Unbelieving king? (Matthew 10:33; Mark 16:14; Hebrews 3:12)
The Unclean king? (Psalms 51:10)
The Unrepentant king? (Romans 2:5)
The Vain Imagination king? (Jeremiah 4:14)
The Worldly king? (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:12;
Colossians 2:8; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
The Wounded king? (Proverbs 18:14; Psalms 109:22; Luke 4:18)
We should bear in mind that God sees into every
kingdom within us and already knows the answers to these questions. Therefore, we should carefully examine
ourselves daily to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Self-examination is especially needed before
we partake of Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11:28).
Every believer is commanded to be holy, but many
do not choose to consecrate themselves to serve God and be conformed in all
things to His Will. Personal holiness
demonstrates growth and maturity in a number of areas, and it is developed
gradually under many hindrances and through confrontation and temptation. This is why believers are admonished to WATCH,
PRAY
and PERSEVERE.
EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
A greater love for the Word (Psalms 119:96-97)
A greater love for others (1 John 3:11; 4:12,21)
An insatiable appetite for fresh insight from the
Word
A more evident influence and effect on the
Spirit-empowered heart (Philippians 2:12-13)
CONFRONTATION & TEMPTATION
Moral growth
cannot occur without choice-making. No
one goes through life without being confronted with alternatives. And with confrontation comes temptation. While conflict is evidenced in the carnal
believer, it is not a problem for a Spirit-filled Christian who has consecrated
his life and service to the Lord.
The difference
between the temptation of a Spirit-filled Christian and a carnal one is like
day and night. In the case of a carnal
believer, temptation serves to stir up and bring forth the fruit of a corrupt HEART. However, the purified HEART of the Spirit-filled
Christian doesn’t respond to Satan’s temptations to sin. Having crucified SELF, he hates sin and has lost all desire to sin.
SURRENDERING VS. INDULGING SELF
Many believers
resist CRUCIFYING SELF
because they have personal goals and ambitions outside of God’s Will. They are afraid that they will have to
forsake them when they surrender SELF
to God. What they don’t realize is that
the person who is totally surrendered to God is so excited about doing God’s
Will, when he knows what it is, that he willingly and enthusiastically pursues
it. God never intended His children to
settle for lack of ambition or mediocrity.
There is no greater sense of satisfaction than knowing that your will
and God’s Will are one and the same!
WHAT TOTAL COMMITMENT REQUIRES
Commitment requires TRUST
and CONFIDENCE,
not in SELF and the FLESH, but in God! Therefore, a believer should entrust the
following to God:
His talents (Matthew
25:14-30);
His time (1 Peter 1:17);
The care of his BODY, which is the temple of the Holy
Spirit (1
Corinthians 3:16; 9:27);
The care of his HEART or his treasure (Malachi 3:6-12; Matthew 6:21);
The care of his SOUL (Philippians 4:8-9);
The care of his SPIRIT (Proverbs 3:5).
A CHRISTIAN’S PRIORITIES
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus revealed the
believer’s priority: “SEEK YE FIRST
THE KINGDOM OF GOD ….” And according to the apostle Paul in Colossians
3:1-10, nothing is more important than having a personal
relationship with God. The two steps
to God’s priority system are:
Your Relationship to His Person
Your
BODY (Colossians 3:5)
Your
SOUL (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Your
SPIRIT (Colossians 3:9-10)
Your
HEART
(Proverbs
4:23)
Five Areas of Your Relationship to His Purpose
Family
Church
World
Job
Leisure
Time
God’s purpose
for you includes all five areas. So we
shouldn’t feel guilty when a specific area assumes momentary priority. Since our daily schedules may, at times,
include all five areas, it is imperative that a healthy balance be achieved to
prevent spiritual conflict. This can
be achieved if we are:
Completely
honest with God and with yourself
Sensitive
to circumstances
Willing
to pay any price to fulfill God’s purpose
Dependent
upon the Holy Spirit to reveal which matters are most important
WARNING! God’s
priority system must not be abused!
In other words, a believer should not use it to rationalize the
fulfillment of a purely SELFISH
purpose. We must be careful not to
devote too much time and effort to one criteria, or ignore or reject one or
more of them. To illustrate, a
‘workaholic’ Christian is one whose primary priority is work to the extent that
he neglects or ignores the other four areas.
A lazy, slothful believer is an example of the opposite extreme. Neither represents a healthy balance.
DEALING WITH TEMPTATION
A believer should not
be afraid of temptation because temptation is:
Natural. Everyone is confronted with it regularly (1 Corinthians
10:13);
Neutral. In and of itself, temptation does not constitute
sin. ACTING on the temptation IS SIN!
Necessary. Temptation tests a believer to see if he will
choose to obey or disobey God (James 1:2-4; Romans 7:22-25; 8:1-4).
To express it
another way, temptation develops character!
Matthew
4:1-11 records that Jesus was tempted in the same three areas that
we are: physically, psychologically and
spiritually. Satan couldn’t get a
foothold in any area of Jesus’ life, however, because Jesus had CRUCIFIED SELF and was filled
with the Spirit of God. Having a cleansed,
purified HEART,
Jesus had no desire to sin. Because His
Love for His Father was perfected, He wanted to please His Father by being
obedient. So, when Satan tempted Jesus,
He simply counter-attacked what Satan said, with the Word of God, or the Sword
of the Spirit. Every believer today can
follow Jesus example and do to the devil exactly what Jesus did! (Ephesians 6:17; 1 John 4:4).
James 1:12 reveals that
believers who face temptation victoriously as Jesus did, will receive the
“crown of life.”
OBEDIENCE
Obedience
applies to all of us. From Genesis to
Revelation, God stresses the importance of obedience. In Genesis, He commanded Adam to obey His
spoken Word, to protect him and Eve from the forbidden tree that, if partaken
of, would bring spiritual and physical death.
In Revelation, we see that obedience leads directly to the Tree of Life (Genesis
2:15-17; Revelation 22:14).
THE PRINCIPLES OF OBEDIENCE
LOVE—Jesus equates our obedience to
loving Him and friendship with Him (John 14:21; 15:14).
CONFIDENCE—Obedience
requires perfect confidence in God. This
confidence is of the SPIRIT, not of the imperfect SOUL (mind, will, thoughts,
emotions) (Psalms
1:1-2; James 2:20-24).
INSIGHT, OPPORTUNITY and RESPONSE—God
will reward you with more insight each time you obey Him. The rate of growth is entirely up to
you. It is imperative that you be
sensitive to God’s timing. Missing God
can bring disastrous results. Remember,
when you say NO to God’s Will, you
are choosing to assume the consequences of disobedience (Psalms 111:10).
LAG TIME—This is one of Satan’s most
subtle weapons. Lag-time is the period
of time between the moment God reveals His Will to you, and the time that
passes before you carry out His Will. If
you say NO, it is no longer
lag-time; it is disobedience! Lag-time
can be caused by such human weaknesses as insecurity, fear, inferiority, a
sense of failure, or a carnal mind.
Lag-time can also be caused by demonic
hindering spirits (Daniel 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:18).
OBEDIENCE DESCRIBED
Is a blameless walk (Luke 1:6;
Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:14)
Is a delight, not
grievous (Psalms
37:4; 40:8; 112:1; 1 John 5:2-3)
Is a race to be
finished (Hebrews
12:1)
Is better than
sacrifice (1
Samuel 15:22)
Is bringing into
captivity, every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Is by faith (Hebrews 11:8)
Is ceasing to sin (Hebrews 12:1;
1 Peter 4:1-2; 1 John 3:9; 5:18)
Is doing the Will of
God (Psalms
40:8; John 4:34; 6:38; 7:17; 9:31; Hebrews 10:9,36; 1 Peter 4:1-2; 1 John 2:17)
Is essential to hearing
God (John
10:3-4,14,27)
Is essential to
membership in God’s family (Matthew 12:49-50; Mark 3:34; Luke 8:21)
Is essential to abiding
in Christ (John
15:7,10; 1 John 2:17; 3:24)
Is evidence of
discipleship (John
8:31)
Is evidence of
friendship with God (John 15:14)
Is evidence of knowing
God (1 John
2:3-4)
Is evidence of
light-bearing (John
3:21)
Is evidence of loving
God (John
14:15,21,23; 1 John 5:2-3)
Is evidence of
perfected love (1
John 2:5)
Is evidence of the
spiritual rebirth (1 John 2:29)
Is fearing God (Deuteronomy
5:29; Job 1:1; Psalms 111:10; 128:1; Colossians 3:22)
Is holy-living (1 Peter
1:13-15)
Is keeping God’s
commandments (Deuteronomy
11:1; John 15:10; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 1 John 3:24)
Is learned by suffering
(Hebrews
5:8-9)
Is obeying God
diligently (Exodus
15:26; Deuteronomy 28:1; Ezra 7:23; Zechariah 6:15)
Is obeying God rather
than men (Acts
5:29)
Is rewarded (2 Samuel
22:21-22)
Is seeking God (2 Chronicles
7:14; Psalms 119:2; Hosea 10:12)
Is the base rock of character
(Matthew
7:24)
Is the imperative duty
of life (Acts
5:29)
Is the key to spiritual
knowledge (John
7:17)
Is the price of success
(Joshua 1:8)
Is the test of HEART-condition
(Deuteronomy
8:2-3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4)
Is the whole duty of
man (Ecclesiastes
12:13; Acts 5:29)
Purifies the SOUL
(1 Peter
1:22)
Repels fear (1 Chronicles
22:13; Isaiah 51:7; 1 John 4:18)
Results in fulfilled
promises (Hebrews
10:36)
Secures entrance into
God’s Kingdom (Matthew
7:21; Luke 6:46; 8:21; Hebrews 5:8-9)
Secures the blessing of
Divine Fellowship (Job 8:20; John 14:23; 1 John 2:17)
WHOLEHEARTED obedience is required (Deuteronomy
26:16; 32:46)
PROMISES OF OBEDIENCE
Abiding forever (1 John 2:17)
Access to the
New Jerusalem and Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14)
Adoption (Exodus 19:5;
Deuteronomy 28:1; Jeremiah 7:23)
Answered prayer (Psalms 34:15; John
9:31; 15:7)
Blessings (Deuteronomy
11:27; Psalms 112:1; 119:2; Luke 12:43; Revelation 1:3)
Desires
fulfilled (Psalms
37:4-5)
Divine favor (Proverbs
11:27)
Divine
fellowship (Job
8:20)
Divine love and
presence (John
14:22,23; 15:10)
Divine mercy (Deuteronomy
4:30-31)
Divine promises (Hebrews 10:36)
Divine
protection (Exodus
15:26; Leviticus 25:18; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalms 91:9-12; Ecclesiastes 8:5)
Dwelling in
safety (Leviticus
25:18)
Established
thoughts (Proverbs
16:3)
Eternal
salvation (Hebrews
5:8-9)
Exalted status (Matthew 5:19;
John 12:26; 21:22; Ephesians 5:1)
Forgiveness of
sins (2
Chronicles 7:14; 1 John 1:9)
Generational
blessings (Deuteronomy
7:9)
Guidance of the
still, small Voice (1 Kings 19:12; John 10:27; Romans 8:14)
Happiness (Job 36:11;
Proverbs 29:18; John 13:17)
Healing and
Health (Exodus
15:26; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 91:9-12)
Inheritance (Deuteronomy
30:20; Proverbs 8:21)
Joy, Knowledge,
Understanding and Wisdom (Psalms 111:10; Ecclesiastes 2:26; John 7:17)
Justification (Roman 2:13)
Life (Leviticus
18:5; Galatians 3:12)
Peace with
enemies (Proverbs
16:7)
Prolonged life
and well-being (Deuteronomy
4:40; 5:29; 1 Kings 3:14; Isaiah 3:10; Jeremiah 7:23)
Prosperity and
good success (Deuteronomy
29:9; Joshua 1:7-8; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Proverbs 8:21; Isaiah 1:19)
Rest (Jeremiah 6:16)
Revelation (Luke 6:47;
John 8:20-31)
Stewardship (Zechariah 3:7)
Strength (2 Chronicles
27:6; Isaiah 40:31)
The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32)
IN CLOSING
Brothers
and Sisters, it is imperative that we get our priorities and lives in order
because Jesus is coming back soon! The
increase in, and severity of, earthquakes, famines, pestilences and plagues,
natural disasters, violent storms, and signs and wonders in the heavens all
testify that the whole of Creation is groaning in anticipation of His Second
Coming! Can you not discern that we
are living in the Last Days?
But of the times and the seasons,
brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly
that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall
say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon
a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the
children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of
darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and
be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God
has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one
another, even as also you do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which
labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem
them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among
yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none
render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,
both among yourselves, and to all men (1
Thessalonians 5:1-15).
Even more
important, do you REALLY BELIEVE that Jesus is coming back for a
“glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians
5:27)” REPENT and BELIEVE,
Church, because God is not a man that He should lie! (Numbers 23:19)
Blessings!
Resources:
Dynamics of Discipling, ©1984
(Missouri: Beacon Hill Press)
Disciples Are Made Not Born, ©1974 Walter
A. Henrichsen (Illinois: SP Publications, Inc.)
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