Coming up through the pentecostal church in the UK it was the constant pursuit to be 'in God's will.' Sometimes this was used as a threat... that this supposed moving target required a level of holiness I'd better be making sure I had that level. Some displayed their evidence for being in God's will like status symbols in the religious strata of ministry life. Exhausted and unable to reach such heights of holiness... I decided I was disqualified from being in the will of God. Then I read the Bible.
As someone who, by the grace of God, had been saved, I was justified before God. This meant that I was his child, adopted into His family... a son. This also meant that I had nothing to prove. This was God's will. So being justified in Christ is God's will. Can I depart from the ideal path he wants for me while justified in Christ? Of course! Israel spent so much time as God's chosen yet not following the plan. What we find, especially in the 'minor' prophets, is God's wrathful anger towards Israel (incorporating Judah for the sake of simplicity). When they rebelled they willed God's wrath... so in that sense they were in God's will. When they did good and came back to God they were blessed so they were in God's will. So however we respond to God we will incur his will... with one exception.
When Jesus was addressing the church at Laodicea they were sternly rebuked for being neither hot nor cold. They were lukewarm. Jesus says he wants to spit the lukewarm church out of his mouth. Hot churches seem to be the ones who are coming back to God and getting with the task of submitting, yielding and abandoning their lives the Jesus. A cold church seems to be those who have been justified but have little interest in the Lord's sanctification process. Laodicea appears to have had a type of Christianity where it was neither of these. It was acting 'hot' yet these devotional actions covered hearts that had little intention to engage the real work of dying to self to see the Lord glorified.
Israel was often accused as being worse that the pagan nations. Being hot or cold gives the Lord something to work with but having a form or following yet it all being an act to cover nonchalance is sickening to the Lord. GIVE ME SOMETHING TO WORK WITH! I feel like Jesus is saying:
'Either get with the plot or completely disregard me so I can 'wrath' you into submission. But don't play at being spiritual and walking well... That's making me sick.'
Are you in God's will? The question is more like 'Is God in your will?' Meaning when you pursue the aims and objectives of your life (that is in Christ) is God the central factor of all you propose?
Time is short.
Gary Ward
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
'Cross Carrying' Christianity?
Many believers say that their 'cross' is their particular problem they have which is distinct to them. Carrying your cross is termed as putting up with the issue with a good attitude. Actually cross carrying is something entirely different. The aim of God in our walk is to make us in the image of Jesus. This image is not just doing nice things or noble tasks but actually being transformed. Many never get to real cross carrying because they lean on and become dependent on the 'stuff' of church, ministries and personalities.
There is a way of walking an authentic walk and that is to get back to an unhindered walk with the Lord. But then you have to be subject to His ways. That is uncomfortable but Jesus said that disciples must carry their own cross or they can't be His disciples (Luke 14:27). The terminology is used because all followers of Jesus are on a program that leads to the death of 'self.' Cross carriers are heading for a season of crucifixion... a time when several factors come together to destroy our willful selves.
Like real crucifixion the process of death to self has similar elements:
- It hurts so much you will be utterly shocked at it's ferocity
- You cannot avoid it. No matter what you do you are nailed!
- You will cry out for relief from God
- You will think God has forsaken you
- It will feel like past hurts are being exploited
- It is suffocating
- You may shout at God because you are infuriated
Why does this have to happen? Well, it's the only way to have us get fixed from willfulness and self. People like me who have had some difficult things to deal with in life may feel like you could do with a break... not dragged through pain again! That's hard but just imagine this:
In order to save willful and selfish people, the pure, holy and innocent Lamb of God was REALLY crucified. I won't go into the details but this is absolute physical agony. Worse still, in order for me to be united with God, Jesus had to be excluded from the Trinity. The horror of this is unspeakable when we consider He had never experienced separation from his Father. All of this was done by someone who doesn't deserve it. The Father watched as His son endured the cross.
I do deserve that which Jesus did for me. Torturous pain, separation from God and humiliation from people is what I deserve yet I have been let off the hook by God. When pain and agony comes in Christian life it is designed for my betterment. My cross carrying is a real experience but not a punishment. It is designed to heal. While I'm struggling with the cross It feels shockingly hard and painful. However, I know that this is part of God's purposes to fix me. The Lord wants me to be more like Jesus and that is the best thing for me. After a season of pain and suffering there is a season of walking in its result. Whatever it was all for is evidenced in my life and will result in freedom.
When you are in the pain of the cross remember whats coming... Resurrection!
Gary Ward
Thursday, 6 August 2015
"Give careful thought to your ways...." God
When we embark on a leading from the Lord we must be sure that we are in the whole council of God. In other words the sending or calling must be ballpark in God's word. Nothing new has occurred in the journey of the church. It has all happened before: people have always done their own thing and called it 'God.' Israel did it all before we did. They mixed idols with Yahweh worship and branded it as the state religion. We are given these examples so we would learn from them (1 Cor 10:11). I believe the church needs to 'give careful though to its ways' because it does not practice church that is God's way and is more about serving the ideas Man has thought up throughout history.
It is biblical to call for assessment of church practice
To find where my calling is to do this is well documented in these blogs. However I want to underline that this is God's will through the book of Haggai. The context of the book is outlined by the Lord in that the people say the time has not yet come to build the Lord's house. The Hebrew word for 'house' is strongly associated with 'family' as does the one when he says the people have their own covered houses. It is clear that the Lord is referring to the Temple but we all know that a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant. They are told be God to 'give careful thought their ways.' As I have been warning for 15 years at the time of writing, believers need to assess their church practice to make sure they are building the ekklesia the Lord wants and not their own version of church that came from history.
It is biblical to point out that the church is not seeing God's blessing
Next we see the Lord underlining a painful truth. The people had sown but not harvested. This is described in various formats in the text of Haggai. But it is also a painful truth about the church. Mega churches water down the gospel to fill seats, which brings in tithes, which allows more works to be invested in. However, the blueprint for God's involvement is the Book of Acts. I'm not suggesting the exact miracles need to take place to authenticate God's hand. However, it must have some sort of miraculous mark... it is simply God's way when he endorses something. God tells the people they are all about their own building and not about His building and therefore barrenness has been the mark. Today it is not the resultant harvest that is celebrated... it is the sowing, the activity itself that people see as God's blessing. Not according to Haggai. It is God's hand to bring blessing that we should look for and identify as an authentic work of the Lord.
To wait upon God's sending instead of assuming we are called in biblical
next we find that the people hear Haggai's words and obey the Lord. It is given to us the reason for their hearing is because Haggai was sent of the Lord. Care needs to be taken here as it wasn't just anyone who heard this and obeyed. It was the remnant of the people who heard. the remnant were the final surviving portion of the people. In our terms these are those who have survived the system-church and have found this is all about God's glory, not 'my ministry.' Some time ago I had to be schooled by the Lord that people who opt for 'biblical church' are specific people who the Lord can still add new information to. Its not like people can't come... but I have no ability to identify those who are willing to reopen their ears to hear the voice
It is biblical to call for assessment of church practice
To find where my calling is to do this is well documented in these blogs. However I want to underline that this is God's will through the book of Haggai. The context of the book is outlined by the Lord in that the people say the time has not yet come to build the Lord's house. The Hebrew word for 'house' is strongly associated with 'family' as does the one when he says the people have their own covered houses. It is clear that the Lord is referring to the Temple but we all know that a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant. They are told be God to 'give careful thought their ways.' As I have been warning for 15 years at the time of writing, believers need to assess their church practice to make sure they are building the ekklesia the Lord wants and not their own version of church that came from history.
It is biblical to point out that the church is not seeing God's blessing
Next we see the Lord underlining a painful truth. The people had sown but not harvested. This is described in various formats in the text of Haggai. But it is also a painful truth about the church. Mega churches water down the gospel to fill seats, which brings in tithes, which allows more works to be invested in. However, the blueprint for God's involvement is the Book of Acts. I'm not suggesting the exact miracles need to take place to authenticate God's hand. However, it must have some sort of miraculous mark... it is simply God's way when he endorses something. God tells the people they are all about their own building and not about His building and therefore barrenness has been the mark. Today it is not the resultant harvest that is celebrated... it is the sowing, the activity itself that people see as God's blessing. Not according to Haggai. It is God's hand to bring blessing that we should look for and identify as an authentic work of the Lord.
To wait upon God's sending instead of assuming we are called in biblical
next we find that the people hear Haggai's words and obey the Lord. It is given to us the reason for their hearing is because Haggai was sent of the Lord. Care needs to be taken here as it wasn't just anyone who heard this and obeyed. It was the remnant of the people who heard. the remnant were the final surviving portion of the people. In our terms these are those who have survived the system-church and have found this is all about God's glory, not 'my ministry.' Some time ago I had to be schooled by the Lord that people who opt for 'biblical church' are specific people who the Lord can still add new information to. Its not like people can't come... but I have no ability to identify those who are willing to reopen their ears to hear the voice
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Are you a 'son of Issachar?'
1 Chronicles 12:32
from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
This verse is in the middle of an account of David's armies amassing. It is a useful verse but to properly apply it we must make sure we don't think that Israel is 'the church.' Israel are God's chosen people and so are believers. However the Church has not replaced Israel as Paul underlines in Romans 9-11. We must also beware of anyone who wants to categorize believers into the 12/13 tribes. That would be error. I see this question as being in the spirit of... With that understanding I want to ask, Are you (like) a son of Issachar who knows what God's chosen people should do?
In the church it appears that God is separating a remnant for His purposes. Many are finding that the historical church is not preaching the word of God. That someone cares this component is present is a telling factor that you want to honor the Lord and His word. The worship services that repeat choruses forever yet are void of God worship content are getting tiring. The fellowship that focuses on 'your ministry' over the sacred bond of 'brother and sister' is wearing and exhausting to many. In the middle of all this those who are sensitive to the above are fearful of being alone so they stick with the hive.
Of course there are those who don't really care about all this. Church is actually a measure of where they fit into a social dynamic. The message from the church has to be more relevant and contemporary than accurate. Outreach is the fulcrum of the event and winning the lost is what Jesus is solely focused on. The worship has to mimic the music of their culture and the words describe the construct of 'our worship' instead of ascribing worth to the Creator. The word of God is shaped and morphed by the safety of keeping the crowd happy. People aspire to achieve and succeed towards the upper echelon of church society. Many are identifying this sort of meeting as inauthentic, man-led and mimicking the world it is supposed to be separate from.
The painful journey from church to church trying to find a 'word-based' gathering get you labelled as a 'spiritual nomad' and whispers of doom come to fuel the enemy's strategy of doubt. I have some good news for you if this is you. You can break free from the 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for' inner melody by doing what believers should do. It is likely you are called out from the mainstream gatherings to meet under the Lord's directives for 'church.' It's simple...
Get your family together, cook a meal and get some juice and a single loaf. Open your bibles and discuss some scripture, break the bread, eat the meal with the juice and thank the Lord for his sacrifice and his anticipated return. From their the Lord will lead you... lo and behold THIS IS CHURCH! It is how the first Christians met and Paul stated to the Corinthians that they must do this until he comes. Maybe the Lord will add to your number.
In doing this you have departed from something that is off track and unrepentant. You have calibrated your self and family to walking the way the lord always intended it. I will warn you though that it is a tough road to walk as the other way to do church included crutches we didn't even know we used. This transition must be Spirit led and prayerful. It can be disorientating and you will reach out for flesh to somehow help you. With this is view I am sharing my skype name so that we can chat to people who want to chat over a transition like this. This is what God's chosen people must do as we reach the end times scenario.
Skype: garywardframe Facetime: gary.ward.c1@gmail.com
Let's chat over your walk.
Gary Ward
Monday, 13 July 2015
Worry and anxiety?
We all know Jesus said 'do not worry' about anything. However we do. Well done if you don't! I wanted to explore some thoughts around why we worry and can have anxiety. The ideal place to be as a Christian is entirely rooted sourced and anchored into Christ. Jesus is in the process of making this possible and sometimes we have good and bad days at this. What are the barriers to Jesus making us free?
As living entities we exist in this world. To different degrees we are attached to the things of this world. We are anchored into and depend upon the stuff of earth. We can have periods of time where we fail and this exposes our need to have a moment by moment walk with the Lord. Jesus wants us free because He knows that we fail and this causes us pain. Our dependency on the stuff of earth erodes our faith because when we follow through in that dependency it is always a dead end. Subsequently we can go into a low, a sort of spiritual depression.
As we negotiate these things we can fall into worry. Worry is the 'now' experience that can lead to anxiety. Anxiety is more like predicting how the subject of our worry will devastate our lives. Every worry exists because we are not anchored into Christ. We are simply not believing-on-purpose His word. Some have said to me 'I know what the bible says.... I just worry.' I always say that knowing the text is not the same as having applied it to your own life as a reality. God has contained in the Bible some examples and stories and direct statements that amount to one thing:
God, your Father longs for you to trust Him for EVERYTHING.
We can afford to disengage from dependencies other that the Lord. If you've ever had an experience where it seems the Lord was not there for you, you are not alone in FEELING this. In the sanctifying work of the Lord failure is all part and parcel of the package. there are things we can learn from Moses, Joseph and Elijah. They were slapped around pretty good by the Lord. In each case there was an opportunity to turn to God and question his practices. I'm sure they all had their moments... for sure. But the key is to know that the prison, failure, let down, tragedy were all used to break our dependency on this world. God has not invented the trouble but He does use it.
Try this:
1. write down your present worry
2. also write down how you feel the thing will impact your future
3. Identify what you are anchored into other than the Lord
4. State what you need to be thinking about the worry
5. Find scriptures that tell you God has it covered.
Generally Psalm 139 / Ephesians 1 and Matthew 6 of course -
As living entities we exist in this world. To different degrees we are attached to the things of this world. We are anchored into and depend upon the stuff of earth. We can have periods of time where we fail and this exposes our need to have a moment by moment walk with the Lord. Jesus wants us free because He knows that we fail and this causes us pain. Our dependency on the stuff of earth erodes our faith because when we follow through in that dependency it is always a dead end. Subsequently we can go into a low, a sort of spiritual depression.
As we negotiate these things we can fall into worry. Worry is the 'now' experience that can lead to anxiety. Anxiety is more like predicting how the subject of our worry will devastate our lives. Every worry exists because we are not anchored into Christ. We are simply not believing-on-purpose His word. Some have said to me 'I know what the bible says.... I just worry.' I always say that knowing the text is not the same as having applied it to your own life as a reality. God has contained in the Bible some examples and stories and direct statements that amount to one thing:
God, your Father longs for you to trust Him for EVERYTHING.
We can afford to disengage from dependencies other that the Lord. If you've ever had an experience where it seems the Lord was not there for you, you are not alone in FEELING this. In the sanctifying work of the Lord failure is all part and parcel of the package. there are things we can learn from Moses, Joseph and Elijah. They were slapped around pretty good by the Lord. In each case there was an opportunity to turn to God and question his practices. I'm sure they all had their moments... for sure. But the key is to know that the prison, failure, let down, tragedy were all used to break our dependency on this world. God has not invented the trouble but He does use it.
Try this:
1. write down your present worry
2. also write down how you feel the thing will impact your future
3. Identify what you are anchored into other than the Lord
4. State what you need to be thinking about the worry
5. Find scriptures that tell you God has it covered.
Generally Psalm 139 / Ephesians 1 and Matthew 6 of course -
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Gary Ward
Monday, 29 June 2015
Do this until the Lord comes...
It is not disputed that the first Christians met in homes and ate a meal. The big hitting experts all agree that the first century church met in homes around a meal. My stance on the Lords supper is well documented in this blog but to be clear here are several reasons why I would say the bread and wine are part of a full meal that is not optional for ekklesia but is ekklesia itself.
To be absolutely clear this covenant meal was what Paul called ekklesia and the prayer meetings, teaching times existed where the believers were present but cannot be defined as 'ekklesia,' the word we translate 'church' from. What we do is, because people come to 'church'... and the 'church' are the people, whenever the people gather for whatever purpose, it is church. This is not what was occurring in the first century.
In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul is correcting the problem of some believers coming to the gathering early and eating without the others. Verse 33 states clearly that what Paul calls 'ekklesia' (Church) is when they meet to eat together. Paul has qualified what we are talking about in the preceding paragraph by reminding the Corinthians where the command to 'This do...' comes from. Jesus used the bread and wine as emblems of the New Covenant but it is not indicated that there were separated from the Passover and isolated as New Covenant emblems. The taking of the bread and wine as part of a meal is done in remembrance of Jesus and should be done until the Lord returns according to Paul.
Let's examine the idea that Jesus was only talking about bread and wine as isolated emblems meaning the practice of eating a cracker and sipping some wine is valid. This would mean that Paul in verse 33 'when you come together to eat, eat together' is a weird ritual that has no relevance. That Paul was correcting the practice of some eating in sub groups or gorging themselves before others arrived tells us that the very practice of eating together, and eating a meal, was of primary importance as what ekklesia does. God wanted his family to be one and do what families do!
Let's explore another logical conclusion about the Apostles that went on to start ekklesia (churches) in the first century. If Jesus intended the practice of church to be concentrating on the emblems alone the Apostles, having been there when Jesus said 'this do,' would have been clear about what Jesus meant. Such was the enormity of stopping the Passover short and instituting a new covenant I can't imagine any of the 11 sat around partaking would have left the room unclear about what was meant. No-one is recorded as clarifying what Jesus was saying. A Jewish mind would recognize the feast as the subject of 'this do.'
We must also take seriously that Paul had a one to one with Jesus about this very subject (11:23). The early churches did not take the bread and wine as isolated elements but rather celebrated them as part of a full meal. To do otherwise would have been disobeying what Jesus meant when he said 'This do...'
So if Jesus meant 'just use bread and wine' the Apostles disobeyed Jesus. However If he meant 'this do' as in 'eat together' the Apostles obeyed Jesus and Paul corrects the Corinthians because they were not eating a meal together. Having established beyond doubt that Jesus meant eat a meal together (including bread and wine) Paul tells them to do this until Jesus comes.
For many the idea that ekklesia (Church) is about a shared meal with brothers and sisters is challenging. Clearly though, Paul told us to eat the full meal that had a loaf and wine included, together, until the Lord comes to get us. here are other clues you can chase down should you want to explore the possibility that church was something other than the Early Church Fathers told you:
To be absolutely clear this covenant meal was what Paul called ekklesia and the prayer meetings, teaching times existed where the believers were present but cannot be defined as 'ekklesia,' the word we translate 'church' from. What we do is, because people come to 'church'... and the 'church' are the people, whenever the people gather for whatever purpose, it is church. This is not what was occurring in the first century.
In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul is correcting the problem of some believers coming to the gathering early and eating without the others. Verse 33 states clearly that what Paul calls 'ekklesia' (Church) is when they meet to eat together. Paul has qualified what we are talking about in the preceding paragraph by reminding the Corinthians where the command to 'This do...' comes from. Jesus used the bread and wine as emblems of the New Covenant but it is not indicated that there were separated from the Passover and isolated as New Covenant emblems. The taking of the bread and wine as part of a meal is done in remembrance of Jesus and should be done until the Lord returns according to Paul.
Let's examine the idea that Jesus was only talking about bread and wine as isolated emblems meaning the practice of eating a cracker and sipping some wine is valid. This would mean that Paul in verse 33 'when you come together to eat, eat together' is a weird ritual that has no relevance. That Paul was correcting the practice of some eating in sub groups or gorging themselves before others arrived tells us that the very practice of eating together, and eating a meal, was of primary importance as what ekklesia does. God wanted his family to be one and do what families do!
Let's explore another logical conclusion about the Apostles that went on to start ekklesia (churches) in the first century. If Jesus intended the practice of church to be concentrating on the emblems alone the Apostles, having been there when Jesus said 'this do,' would have been clear about what Jesus meant. Such was the enormity of stopping the Passover short and instituting a new covenant I can't imagine any of the 11 sat around partaking would have left the room unclear about what was meant. No-one is recorded as clarifying what Jesus was saying. A Jewish mind would recognize the feast as the subject of 'this do.'
We must also take seriously that Paul had a one to one with Jesus about this very subject (11:23). The early churches did not take the bread and wine as isolated elements but rather celebrated them as part of a full meal. To do otherwise would have been disobeying what Jesus meant when he said 'This do...'
So if Jesus meant 'just use bread and wine' the Apostles disobeyed Jesus. However If he meant 'this do' as in 'eat together' the Apostles obeyed Jesus and Paul corrects the Corinthians because they were not eating a meal together. Having established beyond doubt that Jesus meant eat a meal together (including bread and wine) Paul tells them to do this until Jesus comes.
For many the idea that ekklesia (Church) is about a shared meal with brothers and sisters is challenging. Clearly though, Paul told us to eat the full meal that had a loaf and wine included, together, until the Lord comes to get us. here are other clues you can chase down should you want to explore the possibility that church was something other than the Early Church Fathers told you:
- "Keep the feast" Paul 1 Cor 5
- 'Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts' Acts 2:46a (To NOT DO 2:46b)
- They broke bread in their homes and ate together Acts 2:46b
- 'I will come and eat with you' Rev 3 Laodicean church
- 'This do in remembrance of me' (no questions asked) led to full meals in homes
Gary Ward
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Why zeal and wisdom are needed...
In 2002 I visited Texas and a friend who lives there. I visited his church and the Pastor told a story, every night, about how the Lord had healed him and his wife. This was not just backache or a headache, on one occasion he said his eye fell out of its socket and the Lord put it back for him! I immediately latched onto this guy and saw his scheme. If he could get the people in the church seeing him as spiritually superior to him, this would install an authority he needed to have people follow him. Generally he was saying "see how regularly and powerfully the Lord uses me. You can be like me if you follow me." Note the use of the word 'me.' I've seen this many times and it always leads to Christians feeling inadequate.
There are many people doing things for God and like to tell others how wonderful they are and how their faith does this and that. When someone does this it is an indication that they are lacking in maturity in Christ. Firstly, and indication of this is that one of the Lord's disciplines is to NOT act on your behalf! We ask him for something and it does not come to pass. Those who take the 'Ask Seek Knock' passage to mean we can ask Him for, say, a doughnut, and He will give it to you need to ... well... try it. The Lord takes us through a time in our growth where we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness to ascertain that this is not just a rich Granddaddy relationship. Telling people it's easy to trust God for things often shows you've never really trusted Him. How do I know? Because it's supposed to be hard to trust God! The disciples were rebuked for having little faith and Jesus was stood in front of them!
Secondly, people who are always telling people about Jesus intimidate the likes of me who isn't always telling people about Jesus. It's not because I don't want to... of course I do. It's just that I've been placed in environments where I have to live it out before people.
Matt 5:16
1) Let your light shine before men
2) they will see your good works
3) They will praise your Father in heaven.
Don't get me wrong, if I'm on a plane or something, I'll share for sure. But in the day to day relationships it's the long haul of living through the hard times and good, shining this light.
The third problem with people who say they are greatly used of God, in saying this, are showing how unlike Paul they are. We must say that Paul is the ultimate example of a Christian. His resume is impressive! However he was the one in the wars, he was the chief of sinners and backwards and forwards with his self denial of the flesh (Rom 7). He never told people how great his relationship and powerful works were, he just directed people to the Lord Himself.
The Gospel starts with belonging. There is never a criteria to fit or value system around works. If you, like me, often feel inadequate, useless and insignificant to the Lord and His work, it's probably where He wants you. He doesn't want you spiraling into a free-fall over your self esteem, value or worth. It is the western society that has taught you to value yourself through your works. In Christ you can separate these things for good. You self esteem, value and self worth can be seen through the lens of being entirely accepted, loved and adored by your Father in heaven. He has chosen you so just accept it! Then begin to enjoy NOT having to define yourself through what you do, accomplish or aspire to. Maybe the Lord will use us but it surely will not be while we equate our works with our value.
Gary Ward
There are many people doing things for God and like to tell others how wonderful they are and how their faith does this and that. When someone does this it is an indication that they are lacking in maturity in Christ. Firstly, and indication of this is that one of the Lord's disciplines is to NOT act on your behalf! We ask him for something and it does not come to pass. Those who take the 'Ask Seek Knock' passage to mean we can ask Him for, say, a doughnut, and He will give it to you need to ... well... try it. The Lord takes us through a time in our growth where we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness to ascertain that this is not just a rich Granddaddy relationship. Telling people it's easy to trust God for things often shows you've never really trusted Him. How do I know? Because it's supposed to be hard to trust God! The disciples were rebuked for having little faith and Jesus was stood in front of them!
Secondly, people who are always telling people about Jesus intimidate the likes of me who isn't always telling people about Jesus. It's not because I don't want to... of course I do. It's just that I've been placed in environments where I have to live it out before people.
Matt 5:16
1) Let your light shine before men
2) they will see your good works
3) They will praise your Father in heaven.
Don't get me wrong, if I'm on a plane or something, I'll share for sure. But in the day to day relationships it's the long haul of living through the hard times and good, shining this light.
The third problem with people who say they are greatly used of God, in saying this, are showing how unlike Paul they are. We must say that Paul is the ultimate example of a Christian. His resume is impressive! However he was the one in the wars, he was the chief of sinners and backwards and forwards with his self denial of the flesh (Rom 7). He never told people how great his relationship and powerful works were, he just directed people to the Lord Himself.
The Gospel starts with belonging. There is never a criteria to fit or value system around works. If you, like me, often feel inadequate, useless and insignificant to the Lord and His work, it's probably where He wants you. He doesn't want you spiraling into a free-fall over your self esteem, value or worth. It is the western society that has taught you to value yourself through your works. In Christ you can separate these things for good. You self esteem, value and self worth can be seen through the lens of being entirely accepted, loved and adored by your Father in heaven. He has chosen you so just accept it! Then begin to enjoy NOT having to define yourself through what you do, accomplish or aspire to. Maybe the Lord will use us but it surely will not be while we equate our works with our value.
Gary Ward
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