Basically, as we all know, God is dealing with us. He is sifting us, seperating that which can no longer stand from that which has been made pure within us. He is correcting wrong desires, shedding light on assumptions, and truly making Himself to be first in our minds. So we are experiancing correction, chastening, and loss (although what is lost is, and should be counted as nothing more than dung), and as the word states (Heb. 12:11), "... no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:"
These trials can seem to be grievous, and indeed sobering. Recently, I have noticed the somber look upon my friends faces and I let it get to me. You see, although I have been in the same place plenty of times, I somehow cannot stand to see those that I love being sad. (not smiling, being joyeous, etc.) I, three times, let my mouth overide myself and began to basically condemn their sorrow, saying that they should be joyful and that to continue in being that way was wrong and was not wise.
And then came my correction. On my way to work, upon entering in prayer, the Lord began to chasten me about my behavior and that it had been wrong and misinformed. You see the problem lied in how I percieved the situation, and that I percieved it being outside of The Spirit. Outside of The Spirit we see sorrow as painful to the sad, and the observer of the sad. We say no good can come of it and it will lead only to depression or anxiety. This is indeed true, as the sorrow of the world brings no good, and at it's end brings death. Yet, the Truth is that they sorrowed in a Godly manner, and for me to rebuke such a behavior is a shame unto myself. God reminded of this scripture (II Corinthians 7: 10,11)-
10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
What a severe difference! (black and white, life and death). If we live outside of The Spirit in our understanding, even our good intentions are corrupted throughout. If I would have prevented such a wonderful thing from occurring within my friends, I indeed am responsible for them missing out on a carefulness that is to be desired, a washing away of the former things, a righteous anger towards that which is to be despised, a reverant fear of God, a greater desire for the things of Him, an eagerness for His Presence, and revenge upon the wicked one.
...it (Godly sorrow) yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
I in no way want this to seem like some pre-formed, snippet like, devotional. What it is, is an understanding of why we must be in The Spirit, judging all things by Him. A perfect example of the polarization of the spiritual realm in which we are to be ever mindful, skillful soldiers.
Further confirmation:During the same 20 minute ride, I heard "stay in The Spirit" three times. Four hours later, some of the same friends had prayed together, with that understanding being the core of what they recieved. By two or more witnesses let all things be established, Praise God.
Peace and Apologies,
Alex
5 comments:
Alex,
What you say is true and I am thankful to the Lord for giving you this understanding.
In fact, Dave and I were just talking about this last night and the Lord gave me an understanding along these same lines yesterday during my prayer time (during the same time that I received the things posted under "Cease Not From Praying").
The Lord gave me this understanding. That Jesus wept during the time when He came to the grave of Lazarus. Not because He loved Him so much, but because those around Him, the very same people that saw Him do miracles, lacked the faith and understanding that Jesus was the resurrection and the life.
John 11:33-40
33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.35Jesus wept. 36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Jesus groaned within himself (was very sorrowful) because of the lack of faith. He was not only the Messiah, the Deliverer, but He also told Martha the very thing that He would do, and she still doubted Him. The church today is much like Martha. Believing and confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, but not being able to enter in to the rest and peace of God because of unbelief. Very sorrowful indeed.
We should be as Jesus was in these times. Weeping, groaning in the Spirit because of those who have been so close, those who have even tasted and seen that the Lord is good, but will be rejected by the Lord because they did not fill their lamps with oil. They did not allow themselves to be moved by the Spirit of God to act in obedience according to the leading of the Spirit. We must always be mindful of what the Spirit of God is doing and not try to understand in the flesh.
God give us strength to stand, and wisdom to know the end from the beginning.
God bless,
Ryan
I also wanted to say that I am so impressed with the young men and women of our church. You guys love to do what is right, you love truth and you do not harden your hearts to receive the correction of the Lord, although not joyous when it is received.
God will bless you for your obedience. He will see to it that you are protected in the days to come. If you continue to live a life of obedience to God every day, you will see the fruit of your labor and when darkness comes, you will shine as bright as the noon day.
To God be the glory for all that He has done in us. But, still, I am thankful and honored to be able to hear the word of God from the mouths of those I call my brothers and sisters, those that He has joined us to.
Be blessed in Him,
Ryan
Alex,
I have never heard it said better. Now that your are converted, teach the brethren. You, by obedience and faith, have removed the beam from your eye to clearly see. God's people perish for lack of knowledge, all day every day. In the time to come, and soon will be upon us, things (Satan wearing out peoples minds, God sent strong delusion, ect..) will get worse. Redeem the time. Knowing the difference is the difference, it has been given to you to know. It is a precious gift, God has set you free.
1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing (sound familiar? when we see Him, we will be like Him, that is those who endure to His coming, who walk in truth, being set free, indeed) of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, (Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.)even the salvation of your souls. (Wisdom=knowing+doing God's will=sons and daughters)
L,J,P&HG
Dave
Amen Alex, this understanding has helped me. I now that being sorrowful is not fun, however, if I have peace in my spirit I will not change until God shows me another way. A better way, and this, amongst other things, has begun to help me understand this trial even the more. Thank you for being obedient. Thank God for his faithfulness.
God bless, Chad
When we say we do not sin we are liars, God bless you for admitting, confessing your faults young brother, we all fall short, but yet we strive to be pleasing to the Lord, not letting what is behind hold us back from the joy that is awaiting us in The Lord.
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