2 Cor. 3: 2-3 - “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is , of the heart.”
One of Satan’s most effective strategies in our time has been to keep the Kingdom message merely intellectual, not allowing the message of the Kingdom (present day reality of Holy Spirit) to become lodged in our hearts. The effect of this strategy has reduced the Kingdom experience to a system of religious traditions that has left the church bereft of passion and power. Instead of being the solution to life’s problems, the church has become just another human institution that exists for its own benefit.
God’s original plan for the church has become so distorted by religion that it carries only the bombed out, distorted image of God’s original intent that believers would be a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9), “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6) exercising dominion and governing with Kingdom power and authority in earth.
The key to understanding God’s original purpose is not to be found in perfect doctrine for there will always be differing opinions over doctrinal beliefs, but in relationship with the Living Word (Logos) through Holy Spirit releasing (rhema). The true purpose for accurate doctrine is to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Rom. 8: 29 - “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Paul further explained to the Galatians, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19).
The process of conforming us to the image of Christ is the work of Holy Spirit in our lives. Holy Spirit is Teacher, Revealer, and Administrator of the New Covenant ushered in through the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ.
Human tendency is to make the Holy Bible and more specifically the New Testament into another Law. The Holy Bible (scripture) was never intended to be a part of the Trinity. To elevate the Bible to that level is a form of idolatry. The scriptures were never intended to replace Holy Spirit, but to provide guidelines while promoting freedom to hear Holy Spirit.
2 Tim.3:16 - “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Living Word (Logos- Jesus Christ) must have priority. It is Holy Spirit Who illuminates the scriptures revealing the Logos; then breathes into the written scriptures bringing His Will and Word (rhema) to life. Revelation of the scriptures through Holy Spirit is required for our message to become “spirit and life” (Jn. 6:63) confirmed through signs and wonders.
The Old Testament prophets understood the necessity of their lives becoming the message. Jeremiah testified, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16).
Ezekiel was instructed by God to be the message as well, “Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness” (Ez. 3:1-3).
These scriptures illustrate the necessity of our becoming the message God speaks to the world around us. We must assimilate the written Word (scriptures) so we can become One with the Logos so that He becomes a part of us. Then when we speak the power of Holy Spirit impregnates our words with power.
John begins his gospel with the Word of God (Logos) becoming flesh and living among us (Jn. 1:1-14). Jesus Christ was God’s message to the world. Jesus Christ was the perfect expression of the heart of the Father – the Living Word, His Love Letter to man. Just as Jesus Christ was the perfect expression of God’s heart, our words are the expression of our hearts as well. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12: 34).
The message we carry is what is in our hearts. It is vital we protect our hearts by meditating on the scriptures thus experiencing Lord Jesus Christ (Pr. 4:20-23). Our eyes and ears are gates that provide access to our hearts. What we see and hear settles in our hearts and comes out our mouths. Words are containers filled with the contents of the heart. Words are powerful.
Pr. 18:21 - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Words create and destroy, justify and condemn. Words establish or destroy destiny. A man’s heart is easily exposed by what he says. Our speech identifies where we spend our time listening and viewing.
The message of our lives is comprised of our words and actions.
Rev.19:10 states, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Jesus spoke only what He heard from the Father and did only what He saw the Father doing (Jn. 5:19-21, Jn. 8: 26; Jn. 12:49). Just as the Spirit of prophecy empowered Jesus, so also Holy Spirit empowers believers to speak and act.
Is the message of our lives consistent with the gospel of the Kingdom, or does our message speak something else? Now is a good time to take stock of what our life’s message is speaking to the world around us. It may just be that we need to repent and change our direction. To repent means to change your mind. This change of mind always results in a new direction for your life. John the Baptist introduced the kingdom, and later Jesus confirmed the kingdom’s arrival and what our initial response should be, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17)!
The world is longing to see and hear a message that transforms and empowers lives. Let your life become that message to expand the kingdom of God, here and now. Amen.
One of Satan’s most effective strategies in our time has been to keep the Kingdom message merely intellectual, not allowing the message of the Kingdom (present day reality of Holy Spirit) to become lodged in our hearts. The effect of this strategy has reduced the Kingdom experience to a system of religious traditions that has left the church bereft of passion and power. Instead of being the solution to life’s problems, the church has become just another human institution that exists for its own benefit.
God’s original plan for the church has become so distorted by religion that it carries only the bombed out, distorted image of God’s original intent that believers would be a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9), “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6) exercising dominion and governing with Kingdom power and authority in earth.
The key to understanding God’s original purpose is not to be found in perfect doctrine for there will always be differing opinions over doctrinal beliefs, but in relationship with the Living Word (Logos) through Holy Spirit releasing (rhema). The true purpose for accurate doctrine is to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Rom. 8: 29 - “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Paul further explained to the Galatians, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19).
The process of conforming us to the image of Christ is the work of Holy Spirit in our lives. Holy Spirit is Teacher, Revealer, and Administrator of the New Covenant ushered in through the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ.
Human tendency is to make the Holy Bible and more specifically the New Testament into another Law. The Holy Bible (scripture) was never intended to be a part of the Trinity. To elevate the Bible to that level is a form of idolatry. The scriptures were never intended to replace Holy Spirit, but to provide guidelines while promoting freedom to hear Holy Spirit.
2 Tim.3:16 - “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Living Word (Logos- Jesus Christ) must have priority. It is Holy Spirit Who illuminates the scriptures revealing the Logos; then breathes into the written scriptures bringing His Will and Word (rhema) to life. Revelation of the scriptures through Holy Spirit is required for our message to become “spirit and life” (Jn. 6:63) confirmed through signs and wonders.
The Old Testament prophets understood the necessity of their lives becoming the message. Jeremiah testified, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16).
Ezekiel was instructed by God to be the message as well, “Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness” (Ez. 3:1-3).
These scriptures illustrate the necessity of our becoming the message God speaks to the world around us. We must assimilate the written Word (scriptures) so we can become One with the Logos so that He becomes a part of us. Then when we speak the power of Holy Spirit impregnates our words with power.
John begins his gospel with the Word of God (Logos) becoming flesh and living among us (Jn. 1:1-14). Jesus Christ was God’s message to the world. Jesus Christ was the perfect expression of the heart of the Father – the Living Word, His Love Letter to man. Just as Jesus Christ was the perfect expression of God’s heart, our words are the expression of our hearts as well. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12: 34).
The message we carry is what is in our hearts. It is vital we protect our hearts by meditating on the scriptures thus experiencing Lord Jesus Christ (Pr. 4:20-23). Our eyes and ears are gates that provide access to our hearts. What we see and hear settles in our hearts and comes out our mouths. Words are containers filled with the contents of the heart. Words are powerful.
Pr. 18:21 - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Words create and destroy, justify and condemn. Words establish or destroy destiny. A man’s heart is easily exposed by what he says. Our speech identifies where we spend our time listening and viewing.
The message of our lives is comprised of our words and actions.
Rev.19:10 states, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Jesus spoke only what He heard from the Father and did only what He saw the Father doing (Jn. 5:19-21, Jn. 8: 26; Jn. 12:49). Just as the Spirit of prophecy empowered Jesus, so also Holy Spirit empowers believers to speak and act.
Is the message of our lives consistent with the gospel of the Kingdom, or does our message speak something else? Now is a good time to take stock of what our life’s message is speaking to the world around us. It may just be that we need to repent and change our direction. To repent means to change your mind. This change of mind always results in a new direction for your life. John the Baptist introduced the kingdom, and later Jesus confirmed the kingdom’s arrival and what our initial response should be, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17)!
The world is longing to see and hear a message that transforms and empowers lives. Let your life become that message to expand the kingdom of God, here and now. Amen.