Step by Step

A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? . . . In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. —Proverbs 20:24; 16:9 God is in control of all circumstances that surround my life. Sometimes we may feel we understand these circumstances, but at other times we don't have a clue why certain things happen as they do, and we are mystified. We make our plans. But God always will have His way. There's nothing wrong with making a plan for tomorrow or for next month or next year. But we must always plan with this proviso: the Lord may change our plans and take us in a completely different direction. It is His prerogative to do so; He, not you, is in control of your life. Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." And in the book of Proverbs, the writer asks the question: "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24, NLT). We sometimes call this guiding of our steps "divine providence." Does that mean, then, that bad things never will happen to good and even godly people? No. But it does mean that even when bad things happen, God can bring good out of bad, as Romans 8:28 assures us. All of God's good promises, however, won't be fully realized until we get to heaven. There are some things we can look at in life and say, "That was a really terrible experience, but now as I look back in retrospect, I can see the good that has come from it." But then there are other things we will experience in life that we never will see good come out of—or at least "good" as we understand it. It won't be until we get to the other side and see the Lord face-to-face that we will understand these things. Even so, we entrust our lives to His good hands and His great wisdom and praise Him for directing us step by step. ~Greg Laurie~

God's Reactions to Man's Defections # 12

The Overcomer

Before we proceed to consider more definitely the nature of that 'new cruse' of which we have been speaking, a few further words on the relative aspect of this vessel are needed. In the Scriptures, as we have pointed out, it is clearly seen that all the reactionary instruments of God are of a relative character; that is, that they are related to and on behalf of a body larger than themselves. This is an underlying principle in the progressive activities of God. The point which needs to have extra emphasis is that, in securing all the elect territory, habitation and inheritance, whether as His first choice or as of necessity by reason of so general an apathy and worldliness on the part of His people, the Lord uses what might be termed "advance parties." It is not necessary in this connection to present or argue for any theory or "teaching" concerning "selectiveness", or "partial" or "first-fruits' in the matter of 'rapture.' The historical, literal and time aspect is of secondary importance. What is of primary account is the 'spiritual' fact, and this, we believe, is incontrovertible. It is a principle in every realm of creation and Divine method. There are -

Harbingers In Every Sphere

Originally a harbinger was one who went before to provide lodgings, but the term has now come to be applied to any forerunner. An adequate recognition of the 'spiritual' element in this universe fact, and especially in relation to "the eternal purpose", would correct and adjust much on both sides - acceptance and rejection - of a set teaching of 'partial rapture'. That is, if the vocational factor were kept in view it would supply the motive and stimulus so commonly lacking among many who reject that teaching; which lack has very largely become the strength of the teaching and its propagation. And, on the other hand, it would both obviate the difficulty concerning 'all being of Grace' and not of works, and remove any 'selectiveness' of spirit and temper- as 'the elect of the elect.' Let us repeat with strength: There is undoubtedly an advance party in every movement of God. This is spiritual before anything else, and it is vocational rather than meritorious. That there will be special rewards for such seems quite clear and beyond doubt, but rewards do not contradict grace.

When we contemplate the churches in Asia as presented in the Revelation, and admit the respective age application, it is difficult, if not impossible, in respect of at least five, to conclude that we are dealing with the unsaved and ungodly - with assemblies of religious people without any true spiritual history. It is undoubtedly a case of declension, of failure to go on with the Lord. Are all these to be eternally lost? And yet they represent the majority in every age.

We know that one answer to this is that all will be adjusted at the judgment seat of Christ; but what concerns us is  what about the others, the 'overcomers'? Surely more is involved than being different from the rest and getting a better reward. Yes: the point is that the Lord must and will have His testimony in the earth according to his own mind, and those who provide Him with the instrument for this fulfill a special mission, not only in the earth, but in the heavenlies - both now, and then.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 13)

The Promises of God

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

 

The Christian life rests on a foundation of God's promises for today and for the future. We can trust everything that our heavenly Father has said because His Word shows Him to be...

 

Truthful. The Lord knows what is true and speaks honestly in all matters. We can be assured of this because He is holy; there is no sin in Him. He is also omniscient and understands everything (Heb. 4:12-13). His promises are based on His infinite knowledge and truthfulness.

 

Faithful. Scripture compares the Lord to a shepherd who "gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isa. 40:11 niv). What He has planned for us, He will bring to fruition (Rom. 8:28). Our heavenly Father does not waver in His intentions or will.

 

Loving. God's love for us was demonstrated at the cross. He sent His Son Jesus to die by crucifixion and thereby take the punishment for our sins. The Savior experienced God's wrath against iniquity so we might know only His love. This is the ultimate proof of His devotion to us.

 

All-powerful. Divine power created the world and raised the Savior back to life, so we know God has the ability to carry out all His plans. Our omnipotent Father can keep every one of His promises.

 

A promise is valuable only if the one making it has trustworthy character and the ability to carry through. Our heavenly Father is truthful, faithful, loving, and all-powerful. We can base our entire life on His promises, secure in the knowledge that He will do just as He has said.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

God's Reactions to Man's Defections # 11

The New Cruse (continued)

Causes and Precautions

It would seem necessary to say again here what we have said earlier, that we are not dealing with the matter of cooperation in doubtful methods and on an unspiritual basis, or of a compromise on truth. There will ever have to be separation in these matters. Our point is the spirit of fellowship - that we should not close ourselves up, as though we were apart from and superior to all others. Many of us have to confess to a time when our lives were by no means conspicuous for their spirituality, and we owe much to the spirit of fellowship on the part of others. If so be we feel that, in the mercy of God, we have been given something more than some, we must be out to help, to win, to cherish. Above all, we must keep our hearts open and our spirit pure. It is terribly possible to get to a "set" place where no one can teach us, but we can teach others - they are the ones who are not going on with the Lord. This is entirely fatal to fellowship.

Now we must close this chapter, but with one important reminder. A great safeguard and security to that fellowship without which there is no building and progress in the House of God is to recognize, and bear continually in mind, that the master tactic of the enemy is somehow, by hook or by crook, to get in between the Lord's people and cause strain and break. Our "diligence" must be along the lines of "proving all things'; refusing the opinions and judgments of others - even the most spiritual; not listening to gossip or criticism; not going by appearances; and always keeping a very close walk with the Spirit and listening to Him on all matters.

When the Scripture says that we are to "prove all things" we should apply that especially to the "things" which could serve the evil powers in their propaganda of suspicions, leading to divisions.

We should "prove" whether our judgment of persons and things is absolutely right. We should prove whether the things said by a person, by word or writing, are what we have taken them to mean, or whether they might  mean something that we have not recognized.

We should prove whether a person about whom we have a question is not open to being helped from the Word of God to see differently or better than he now sees.

We should prove whether love has no influence with such, and whether he is "proved" to be bigoted, proud, and unapproachable.

Have we adopted such lines, or hurried to destroy by open attack or by the spread of suspicion?

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 12  (The Overcomer)

The Nature of Conviction

John 16:7-11

 

Jesus assured His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away so that the Helper could come (John 16:7)--God sends Him to convict people of their sin. Since the Holy Spirit is unlimited by time or space, He can reach out to every individual on the planet. However, His work differs with regard to believers and unbelievers.

 

With regard to unbelievers, God's Spirit penetrates the heart and brings awareness of wrongdoing. He reveals that according to God's holy standard, they have sinned and stand condemned by their transgression. Unbelief is the greatest sin against God, so every prick of the heart is meant to point out their need for the Savior.

 

As for believers, the Holy Spirit deals with them on the basis of their relationship with Jesus Christ and convicts us of disobedience to Him. In other words, He makes us aware of specific sins and the Lord's attitude about them. But He also prompts us to be accountable before Christ for our wrongdoing by confessing it and repenting.

 

Convicting believers of sin is an important part of the Holy Spirit's job, but He is equally delighted to make them aware of the Lord's approval. God commends righteous living, obedient actions, and loving acts done in His name.

 

While conviction is often uncomfortable for unbelievers and believers alike, it's a beautiful demonstration of God's love. He desires to bring us into the center of His will and keep us there for our good and His glory. The Holy Spirit's work makes that possible, if we choose to follow His promptings.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

(In Touch Ministries)

God's Reactions to Man's Defections # 11

The New Cruse (continued)

Causes and Precautions

The point is, not that there never was or never will be an absence of this satanic enterprise of smoke to prevent or destroy fellowship, but - what is to be our attitude in such circumstances?

It would be vain to try to deal with all the secondary causes. Sometimes the ground of the adversary's success, either in ourselves or in "them that oppose themselves", is that we may be living in certain respects in some proximity to the "flesh" and the "natural man". Some secret pride may make possible jealousy, criticism, envy, "hurtness', fear of loss, self-pity, comparison, or a wish to be out of the place of difficulty. Sometimes it may be immaturity; sometimes imperfect knowledge or understanding - 'seeing through a glass darkly.' There are worse things than these, too; but there are also such things as are either utterly imaginary, or real only because they seem real to those who register them. That is, the enemy can set up situations which are utterly false in themselves - they have no foundation in fact. They are phantoms - but how terribly real phantoms can be!

How shall we meet all this? It seems hopeless, and would almost drive us to ultra-individualism. Let us not abandon hope until we have been faithful to the exhortations, 'Give diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit' (Ephesians 4:3), and "Prove all things" (1 Thess. 5:21). The final test will, of course, be - Is the Lord present in blessing? If so - and we ought to have spiritual discernment - then up to that point we ought neither to oppose nor to refuse all fellowship.

But before we are so general, perhaps we have a duty which costs a little more.

Seeing how great was the matter involved - no less than the Holy Spirit's presence and ministry - Aquila and Priscilla might easily have labeled Apollos as in error, altogether wrong and wanting, and left him and the assembly of which he was 'pastor'. But they saw the lack and lovingly took him and in a humble spirit helped him to see it (Acts 18:24-28). There is a fine record of the man after this. It could so easily have been a breach and a loss.

We must always be sure that those who seem to us to be wrong are not capable of being helped on those matters of which are absolutely vital to fellowship. What have we done and what do we do in the matter? To come to a conclusion and forthwith to abandon those from whom we differ is a positive violation of scriptural method and instruction. This  is often great loss to the Lord when there might have been gain. It would seem from the Word that the grounds of separation, when established, are brought within a small range as to number, thought of course outweighing all others in importance. They are: the denial of the Person of Christ, that He is truly God come in the flesh; the denial of the necessity for and sufficiency of His death for reconciling men to God (Galatians 1:6-9); the practice of moral evil; the defying of the united judgment of the whole assembly in a matter of wrong doing (Matthew 18:17); and, finally, the refusal to accept authority, in the house of God, of the Apostles and their writings (2 Thess. 3:14-15). All else is gathered up in these.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 12)

Let Us Run With Patience

Let us run with patience (Hebrews 12:1).

To run with patience is a very difficult thing. Running is apt to suggest the absence of patience, the eagerness to reach the goal. We commonly associate patience with lying down. We think of it as the angel that guards the couch of the invalid. Yet, I do not think the invalid's patience the hardest to achieve.

There is a patience which I believe to be harder--the patience that can run. To lie down in the time of grief, to be quiet under the stroke of adverse fortune, implies a great strength; but I know of something that implies a strength greater still: It is the power to work under a stroke; to have a great weight at your heart and still to run; to have a deep anguish in your spirit and still perform the daily task. It is a Christlike thing!

Many of us would nurse our grief without crying if we were allowed to nurse it. The hard thing is that most of us are called to exercise our patience, not in bed, but in the street. We are called to bury our sorrows, not in lethargic quiescence, but in active service--in the exchange, in the workshop, in the hour of social intercourse, in the contribution to another's joy. There is no burial of sorrow so difficult as that; it is the "running with patience."

This was Thy patience, O Son of man! It was at once a waiting and a running--a waiting for the goal, and a doing of the lesser work meantime. I see Thee at Cana turning the water into wine lest the marriage feast should be clouded. I see Thee in the desert feeding a multitude with bread just to relieve a temporary want. All, all the time, Thou wert bearing a mighty grief, unshared, unspoken. Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud; but I would ask more from Thee. I would be, in my cloud, myself a rainbow -- a minister to others' joy. My patience will be perfect when it can work in the vineyard.
--George Matheson

When all our hopes are gone,
'Tis well our hands must keep toiling on
For others' sake:
For strength to bear is found in duty done;
And he is best indeed who learns to make
The joy of others cure his own heartache.

~L. B. Cowman~