The book of Jude is an intense book. It is like the writer has x-ray vision. Jesus is the deity whose influence stretches the length of history... enemies are predestined because the kingdom they unwittingly serve is old... spiritual warfare is real... fallen angels are beings rattling chains in a set location... intense.
I want to crawl into Jude's head and see what he sees. He isn't hiding anything. It is right out there.
"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." - Jude 1:3-4 ESV
Wow. This is the heart of the book. This man wants to write and fellowship with us but he sees danger. He is like a person who sees his friend and waves a greeting across a crowded street but then he sees a tractor-trailer closing in on his buddy and his tone changes and he must yell, 'Watch out!'.
"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." - Jude 1:17-21 ESV
I don't want to be the guy who talks about hell and demons. I want to hug people, fellowship and feed people but spiritual warfare is real and the time is short. Life is short. Jesus is the Ark that will ave people from the coming storm and people need to know that truth.
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Monday, October 28, 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019
Functioning In Divine Enablement
Thinking tonight about need, taking responsibility to act, authority and divine enablement... they are all interlinked.
Here is an example. Married people have authority from God to be intimate. They can do things for (or against) their spouse that no one else can. They see needs no one else can see. A man can assume the responsibility to cover and love his woman. He won't have power to do it unless he operates by faith in the divine enablement given to him because he is a husband. He needs to realize his authority and lay down his life. Power is there but it is 'borrowed' power. It is grace power that can only be given to a husband for his wife. God will enable him to be a Godly spiritual husband. Not a perfect man but a perfect husband moment by moment as this man walks by faith.
Evangelism has it's own mix. I see a person and know that everyone of us has a God shaped hole in our hearts. I act on the need I see by looking for ways to present Christ. (That is all the spouse is doing also. He is 'winning' his wife's soul by giving her Jesus) Seeing the person isn't enough. I must then move by faith in divine enablement and open my mouth. I have the Gospel. God has made me and every believing person an 'able minister of the Gospel'. I walk in authority as I go because I have taken responsibility to go. That doesn't mean the person I speak to will receive anything that is said but how else will they hear? If I don't go who will?
Then on the other side of things there are examples like Balaam. He tried to curse Israel but God never gave the divine enablement to do that. The man took responsibility to do something he had no authority to do. Balaam wasted his life and time working at something that had the promise of riches but God wasn't in it.
We can live passive lives. We can also have power to walk in what God has but choose to do something else instead. The power can lay dormant as potential energy that is never exercised but what a shame that would be. History has always been made by people who dared to step up and take responsibilty. Identifying the need is just the first step. We can walk in the power of love everyday and I believe God wants to enable us to do what we are called to do.
You are important. You are gifted. God wants to 'lend' you his power to live and not just exist. Don't let fear, guilt and shame deceive you into thinking that your actions don't matter. They do matter. What only you have is needed everywhere you go. I need you. They need you. We need you. We don't need what you can do alone. We need what you can say or do because God is enabling you to do it.
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Here is an example. Married people have authority from God to be intimate. They can do things for (or against) their spouse that no one else can. They see needs no one else can see. A man can assume the responsibility to cover and love his woman. He won't have power to do it unless he operates by faith in the divine enablement given to him because he is a husband. He needs to realize his authority and lay down his life. Power is there but it is 'borrowed' power. It is grace power that can only be given to a husband for his wife. God will enable him to be a Godly spiritual husband. Not a perfect man but a perfect husband moment by moment as this man walks by faith.
Evangelism has it's own mix. I see a person and know that everyone of us has a God shaped hole in our hearts. I act on the need I see by looking for ways to present Christ. (That is all the spouse is doing also. He is 'winning' his wife's soul by giving her Jesus) Seeing the person isn't enough. I must then move by faith in divine enablement and open my mouth. I have the Gospel. God has made me and every believing person an 'able minister of the Gospel'. I walk in authority as I go because I have taken responsibility to go. That doesn't mean the person I speak to will receive anything that is said but how else will they hear? If I don't go who will?
Then on the other side of things there are examples like Balaam. He tried to curse Israel but God never gave the divine enablement to do that. The man took responsibility to do something he had no authority to do. Balaam wasted his life and time working at something that had the promise of riches but God wasn't in it.
We can live passive lives. We can also have power to walk in what God has but choose to do something else instead. The power can lay dormant as potential energy that is never exercised but what a shame that would be. History has always been made by people who dared to step up and take responsibilty. Identifying the need is just the first step. We can walk in the power of love everyday and I believe God wants to enable us to do what we are called to do.
You are important. You are gifted. God wants to 'lend' you his power to live and not just exist. Don't let fear, guilt and shame deceive you into thinking that your actions don't matter. They do matter. What only you have is needed everywhere you go. I need you. They need you. We need you. We don't need what you can do alone. We need what you can say or do because God is enabling you to do it.
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