When Sneaky creepy creatures infiltrate

Jude is a book rarely mentioned from the pulpit. It is small but explosive in its denunciation of heretical and immoral creepy creatures infiltrating the Church. We must remember that the Christian Faith transformed people, especially Gentiles, from a depraved and decadent societies (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Their testimony must have shaken family, friends and workmates. Unfortunately Satan and his disciples would not want that to go uncontested. The best attack was infiltration with moral corruption and doctrinal corrosion especially about the Son of God, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

This letter called upon Christ's people to 'contend for the Faith' and 'to build yourself up in your most holy Faith.' The Greek word means to engage as a combatant. It's a an intense encounter demanding the utmost of a believer's knowledge of Scripture and a personal and fresh relationship with Jesus. In Ephesians 6:11-18 we have the classic example of being equipped to contend for the faith. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 is a lesser known requirement about walking in obedience to and with Christ. At the moment in the Western world the Christian disciple is more likely to be dressed in casual gear of leisure and tolerance.

There is another word describing another creepy, sneaky type of spiritual creature. It is mentioned in 2 Timothy3:6 as perverts in camouflage especially seeking out susceptible  women. The Greek word indicates such creatures 'dress to deceive.' Today, many of this sneaky creepy spiritual vermin enter homes via Television and social media. How are they uncovered? By a person checking their doctrine in the light of God's Word. It is also from the type of 'fruit' they produce. Does it honour the Lord Jesus and uphold His work on the cross. To eat of their 'produce' does it fill you with the fragrance of Christ and enrich your worship and participation in the Lord's Supper?

Jude and Paul and the other Biblical writers may express it in their own style but they all point to Know the Lord Jesus through His word, continually. I like the way Peter expresses it, 'Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen' 2 Peter 3:18.

We are to uncover them and dissipate their influence by naming and shaming them. We are not to 'burn them at the stake' but leave them for the Lord to deal with as foretold in Matthew 13:24-30.

It is wise advice for those I leadership of the local congregation to set an example in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity and take heed of the doctrine. This has been delivered once and for all time.

Next week. Saints beware of  being a 'termite'.

God's will - our Joy.

There are books galore about guidance, knowing the will of God and related subjects. Most are helpful and motivational. Fortunately, Jesus didn't have the books by religious or secular gurus to explain how many steps you need to be sure of where you are going. He had a direct link with the One who would guide Him. Also, Jesus relied upon a book to refresh His mind and calling. Today, that book is maligned or marginalised to the detriment of a faith relationship with the Lord.

Christians know that doing the will of God is fundamental to their life, worship and service and the joy inherent in them all. Jesus made a promise to His followers in John 15:11."These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and your joy may be filled." (Nestle's Greek text). Therefore, if the joy Jesus knew and which carried Him through the cross can be ours, what is the key to it?  Defining the source of His joy pushes us to realising it is 'doing His Father's will." John 7:16-17 reveals an unbreakable, invisible and invincible link which wrapped itself around Jesus and The Father. 'Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."'

Why then are there so many miserable and spineless Christians roaming around churches today? They have no doctrinal strength in their mind and no joy in their heart. Why? Because they are either ignorant of, or playing loose with the will of God! It was the joy of doing the Father's will which gave added strength to Christ on the cross. It is that joy which He gives to fair dinkum, true blue disciples. (Australian slang for faithful, committed people). Peter wrote about such folk in 1 Peter 1:8 'Having not seen (Him) you love ... yet believing you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' The believers to whom Peter wrote were experiencing their own form of Calvary. What bound them to their Cross and turned it into a platform of praise and joy? Love for Jesus which grew out of Faith in Him which was woven in them when they heard the Gospel of the Cross. Now they were able to see beyond the pain to the glory of an unfading inheritance.

That invisible, invincible and incredible link between the true blue believer and Christ stems from the Father. This is grasped from Matthew 17:5. There, on what we call 'the mount of Transfiguration' came The Father's expressed will: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear Him!" Why is this important? Let the apostle John explain. 'He that does the will of God abides forever.' ( 1 John 2:17) 'This is His (The Father's) commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ...' (1 John 3:23). What do we know about the Name, that is the very person we call Jesus? Read the Old Testament for insights to the promised One. Read the Gospels to understand about the Word (title for Jesus) becoming flesh and blood and  His dependence upon the Will of The Father. Read the other books to discern how the Holy Spirit unveiled The Son in, to and through the Apostles to us.

Many are the fruits of knowing and doing the will of the Father, expressed to us in the person and work of Jesus. As you set your heart and mind on knowing and doing 'His will' a sense of the wonder of unquenchable joy infiltrates and permeates your life. That's summed up by the apostle Paul in his "Rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice!"

Copyright 22 Oct. 2017. Ray Hawkins.

First things must remain first

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1.

As Ministers of the Gospel we are not under the constraints of the Old Covenant. Being a Gentile or non Levite would have precluded us from the glorious privilege of ministry. Nevertheless some excellent principles can be garnered from Yahweh’s call to the priests. From Malachi some great insights come to nourish our hearts and minds.

 Malachi 2:5 is such a challenge. ‘My covenant was with him (Levi)…and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.’ It’s easy to be familiar with the divine revelation of God in Christ and lose the sense of awe. Once we trembled at His word but have we now taken it for granted? Has the awe faded and reverence (or fear) been lost? May the Holy Spirit constantly arrest our hearts with the glory of our Lord and Saviour. Then what Malachi wrote will also apply to us.

Malachi 2:6 makes three comments about the life of Levi because of his appreciation of Yahweh. ‘True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.’ These three expressions of a relationship with the Eternal can also be found in our ministries.

One deals with having true instruction in his mouth because the Truth was stored in his heart! Are we convinced that Jesus has the words of eternal life and is the Holy One of God (John 6:68–69)?  How is our desire to remain loyal to Him regardless of the cost? Do we still have a passion which motivates us to let others hear about Him? Remember the heart feeds the mouth. Many passages can be found dealing with the importance of the lips.

The second comment declared that Levi walked with the Lord. Can two walk together unless they agree? (Amos 3:3) The apostle John placed that principle in more graphic terms. We can only have fellowship with our Lord and each other when we walk in the Light. This unity requires constant maintenance and cleansing by His poured out life. There is no way we can maintain our walk with Jesus Christ if we insist on teaching our prejudices or wisdom. Yes He does give us room to move in a number of areas of daily life and experiences. That doesn’t apply to His unchanging commands and doctrines. Over and over again in ministry the hardest thing to say is, ‘Not my will but yours be done!’ Without it there isn’t any hope of being in step with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The third comment made is that Levi turned many from sin. To be God’s instrument in reclaiming a person from sin’s grip is an incomparable joy. To have the privilege of seeing them transformed into trophies of His grace is wonderful. How is it possible for this to take place? 1Timothy 4:16: ‘Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.’ It isn’t emotionalism: it isn’t ‘Christian entertainment’: it isn’t soft pedalling God’s Word. It is however living the Truth: teaching the Truth: feeding on the Truth and allowing the Spirit of Truth to strike another’s heart through speaking the Truth.

Malachi 2:7 explains the reason. A man or woman of God is His messenger! They are not delivery boys or girls of the latest religious theory or fashion. Messengers of The Most High have knowledge of Him to publish abroad. They have personalised God’s instruction through experience and devotion so as to show its relevance. Where does he or she receive all this? From the Holy Spirit making His Word alive and active to the Messenger! Then with burning heart and quivering lips the minister makes it known to all with ears to hear.

Reflection: Am I more awe struck about Jesus today than a year ago?  How do I display my reverence for Him?