Category: Discipleship Foundations

Chapter 60: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit Differs from the New Birth

The baptism in the Spirit is a second experience with the Holy Spirit which can take place concurrent with the new birth, but usually afterward. The Spirit comes to indwell every person who is born again to impart Christ’s life, provide an interior witness that we are God’s children, provide guidance, and to teach us the meaning of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is poured out on believers in the baptism in the Spirit to empower and equip us for service to God, especially to be his witnesses.

Now that we have introduced the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and defined it, let’s try to answer a very important question: is the baptism in the Spirit included as part of the new birth and received automatically at the time of justification or is it a separate experience with a different purpose?

With, In, or Upon?

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit can be with, in, or upon us. In the Old Testament, the Spirit was said to be “with” God’s people. He came alongside them to encourage, strengthen, equip, and generally help them. King David illustrates God’s being with his people in the following verse.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

But in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit lives inside those who believe. Jesus promised his disciples:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (ESV)

One of the big secrets of the Christian life is that the Spirit lives Christ’s life in and through us.

After forgiving our sins, Jesus did not leave us on our own. When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in that person. Our human spirit is joined to God’s Spirit and becomes one with him, a remarkable and wonderful mystery.

But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB)

The Spirit of God within us gives us life and develops within us peace and the character of God (the fruit of the Spirit). He affirms that we are indeed Abba Father’s children.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16 (NASB)

But here is a very important point! Every born-again person is one with the indwelling Spirit, but not every child of God is baptized in the Holy Spirit.

If your experience resembles mine, it might be difficult to imagine that you did not receive it “all” when you were born again. My new birth experience was amazing, as was my ongoing relationship with God afterward. When I first started reading and hearing about people who said they were baptized in the Spirit, my first response was, “I don’t need that. I already received everything.” This is a common reaction that reveals two things. First, we tend to mold our theology around our experience rather than asking God to conform our experience to his Word. Secondly, we don’t like to admit that we lack something. But I, as you are most likely, was hungry for more of God.

Herein lies a danger: if we convince ourselves that we already have something, we may stop seeking it and never find it.

Sadly, just such thinking will send many to hell, who have convinced themselves that they already have everything they need from God, despite never having been born again. Thankfully I kept pursuing the baptism in the Spirit and eventually received it by faith with the evidence of speaking in tongues, which opened the door into a new dimension of serving our Lord. This can happen to you, too, if you have an open mind and a hungry heart.

The baptism in the Spirit is when the Holy Spirit comes “upon” us to equip and empower us for ministry.

Jesus received this baptism at the inauguration of his public ministry. If he needed it, how much more do we!

Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14  But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15  But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him. 16  After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17  and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matthew 3:13-17 (NASB)

Later, after being tempted by the devil in the wilderness for forty days, he went back to his hometown, full of the Spirit.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17  And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18  "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19  TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." 20  And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:16-21 (NASB)

Jesus clearly instructed his disciples not even to begin their Great Commission ministry until they received the same empowering.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)

When God poured out his Holy Spirit on the Feast of Pentecost, it was to empower Christ’s followers to be bold witnesses to his resurrection. Today his people are baptized in the Spirit for the same purpose. And here lies a very important distinction between the indwelling Spirit and the outpoured Spirit.

The Spirit lives within us for our sake, but he is poured out upon us for the sake of others, many of whom do not yet know him.

The Record of Acts

All scripture is useful for doctrine.

What the early apostles believed is clearly seen by what they did.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) —

Acts is especially significant because there we see what the apostles believed lived out.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 (ESV)

Peter and Paul both understood that the new birth did not automatically include the baptism in the Spirit. In Acts Chapter Four, Peter and John made a trip to Samaria to lay hands on the new converts for them to receive the baptism in the Spirit.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:14-16 (ESV)

If the baptism in the Spirit had already taken place at the new birth, Peter and John would have simply taught the Samaritans this truth. However, they instead laid hands on them that they might receive the baptism of the Spirit.

Similarly, when Paul was in Ephesus, he encountered some followers of Christ, but he could tell that they had not yet received the baptism in the Spirit. What he asked them is revealing.

And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2 (ESV)

Paul was an apostle, who had the responsibility of laying a foundation of sound doctrine in the early church. (Ephesians 2:20) Surely, he understood whether or not the baptism in the Spirit is automatically received at the new birth! Of course, he did; so, when he asked them if they had received the Spirit when they believed, it shows us that the first does not necessarily include the second.

The Illustration of the Three Major Feasts
The outpoured Spirit can be likened to standing under a waterfall or the large bucket in this picture.

The three major feasts of Israel – Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles – also reveal that the new birth and the baptism in the Spirit are distinct.

Jesus fulfilled Passover to the day by being crucified as the Lamb of God and shedding his blood for the remission of sins. This feast also must be personally fulfilled in our lives through the new birth, if we are to be saved. The blood of God’s Lamb must be applied to our sins.

The Old Testament Feast of Pentecost, which originally marked the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai, was also literally fulfilled to the day when God poured out his Spirit on the disciples in the upper room. Whereas the giving of the Law brought judgment, the giving of the Spirit gave life. Three thousand people died on Mt. Sinai for their rebellion, but 3000 came into the kingdom of God when Peter preached his first Gospel message on Pentecost. God also intends that each of us have a personal fulfillment of Pentecost as well, by receiving the baptism in the Spirit.

Just as Passover was a separate feast from Pentecost, the new birth is separate from the baptism in the Spirit.

Tabernacles, the final harvest, the last major feast, has yet to be fulfilled. I believe that Jesus will complete that feast at his Second Coming. Hallelujah!!! We will all need to have a personal fulfillment of that one, too, by participating in the resurrection of the dead. It is easy for us to see that one cannot be a child of God without having a personal Passover (new birth) and Feast of Tabernacles (resurrection from the dead). Should it not be just as clear to us that we must also have a personal fulfillment of Pentecost? It was to Peter and Paul.

Three Baptisms

The New Testament speaks of three distinct baptisms: into the body of Christ, into water, and into the Holy Spirit. Each of these baptisms has a different baptizer, a different medium, and different evidence, and a different result or purpose, which the chart above illustrates. I encourage you to study this to gain greater understanding.

The baptism into the body of Christ is what happens when we are born again. The Holy Spirit plunges us into Christ, and we become one with him. The evidence is a changed life. Baptism into water by immersion is what another believer does to us, giving us an opportunity to publicly proclaim and acknowledge what God has already done in the Spirit and is our public declaration of allegiance to Jesus. The evidence is that we are wet. Jesus is the One who baptizes us into the Spirit by an outpouring to empower us to be bold witnesses. This outpouring may be likened to standing under a waterfall or a large bucket of water as in the picture above. We are effectively immersed, but its purpose is not identification. Instead, we have the Spirit upon us in power for ministry. The evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues and prophecy. The Holy Spirit baptism is also God’s declaration to the world that we are his children.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Is there any part of the above teaching that needs further clarification?
  • Do you agree that the baptism in the Spirit is distinct from the new birth and is for all disciples?
  • Is there any reason you would not wish to receive this gift?
Want to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, 
which is available on Amazon. Click here to find out more.
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Chapter 59: Introduction to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a very important part of God’s plan called the Great Commission. It is his means to empower and equip the church to do the work of the ministry. Why then is there so much ignorance regarding it? Why is it so often resisted? The devil works hard to keep the church from receiving this amazing gift called “the promise of the Father.”

Let’s begin our journey into greater understanding by reading our Lord’s own words.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV)

There are 1260 promises in the Bible, but only one has the special status of being called “the promise of the Father.”

What is so special about this promise? Jesus commanded his disciples to refrain from public ministry until they received it; therefore, it must be tremendously important.

What Is It?

In this section, I will examine various aspects of the baptism of the Spirit. For now, I will give this definition upon which we can expand later. The baptism in the Spirit is a second experience with the Holy Spirit which can take place concurrent with the new birth, but usually afterward. The Spirit comes to indwell every person who is born again to impart Christ’s life, provide an interior witness that we are God’s children, provide guidance, and to teach us the meaning of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is poured out on believers in the baptism in the Spirit to empower and equip us for service to God, especially to be his witnesses. Later I will give the biblical basis for each of these assertions. For now, we will focus on the big picture.

Jesus: Baptizer in the Holy Spirit

God’s chose John the Baptist to introduce Jesus to the world at the beginning of his public ministry and gave him prophetic insight into Jesus’ identity and mission. John told us that Jesus, the Messianic Son of David and Lord, would have two other key ministry roles. He would die as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world and, after his resurrection and ascension into heaven, would baptize his followers in the Holy Spirit as the Lord of the harvest. The following passage records this prophecy.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:29-33 (NKJV)

Every born-again disciple has come to know Jesus as the Lamb of God who died for our sins. Fewer have grasped the enormity of his power and authority as the risen Lord of Lords, and still less have come to know him as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and Lord of the Harvest.

Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, died for our sins as the Lamb of God to become the Lord of Lords and the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

He forgives men’s sins to make them part of God’s family and enroll them in his army of disciple makers.

Consider that those who fail to receive the baptism in the Spirit are cut off from at least one-third of Jesus’ ministry.

We rightly emphasize what Jesus accomplished by dying as God’s Lamb and rising again. In addition, his ministry of baptizing his followers in the Holy Spirit launched the church into fulfilling the Great Commission and is vital to world evangelization and the expansion of God’s kingdom. We dare not resist or ignore it. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His disciples to equip and empower us to be effective witnesses.

Without this amazing gift, we will not be able to complete properly our assignment to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

 

The Full Gospel

Declaring Christ’s Lamb of God ministry is a foundation stone of the gospel message, but it is only one-third of it. The announcement that Jesus is the soon to return Messianic King and judge and the currently reigning Lord of the Harvest and Baptizer in the Holy Spirit is the other two thirds.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is integral to the Gospel and is God’s means for effectively delivering the Good News to the world.

Jesus announced that his followers would receive the Spirit following his ascension and glorification.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38  “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” 39  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 (NASB)

God fulfilled this promise on the first New Covenant celebration of Pentecost that launched the church on its worldwide mission of disciple making, which will continue until Jesus returns to raise the dead, judge all people, and inaugurate the conclusion of all things.

The baptism in the Spirit is as fundamental to the Gospel message as the new birth, the Second Coming, and the last judgment.

Christ’s miraculous coming (virgin birth), his Spirit-enabled ministry, his rejection and death, his resurrection, his ascension, his sending of the Spirit, and his promised Second Coming are all part of the gospel story, none of which we can leave out if we preach the “full gospel.”

Part of the reason Jesus died was so that we can receive the “promise of the Father,” the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He was so excited about the prospect that he cried out to the throngs in the passage quoted above from John Chapter Seven. This is no small thing.

Receiving what Jesus died to give us is not an option, such as satellite radio on an automobile. This is part of the “engine” of the disciple’s life!

Israel’s Three Feasts

God commanded Israel to observe three major feasts on a yearly basis or be “cut off.” These feasts represent the three major components of Christ’s work. The Old Covenant feast of Passover foreshadowed his death on the cross as God’s Passover Lamb. The Old Covenant experience of Pentecost at Mt. Sinai, fifty days after the first Passover, when the Law was given, foreshadowed the giving of the Spirit fifty days following Christ’s death and resurrection. Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles, which came at the end of the harvest year, predicts Christ’s Second Coming and the final ingathering of people into God’s kingdom family, which is yet to be fulfilled.

Each feast was critical to God’s plan for Israel, and experiencing each New Covenant fulfillment is a requirement for the believer.

Unless we personally experience Passover through the new birth, Pentecost through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the Feast of Tabernacles through the resurrection of the dead, we cannot participate in the fullness of God’s plan and blessing for us in Christ.

Every true Christian will readily agree that experiencing the New Covenant fulfillment of Passover and Tabernacles is required. We understand that every follower of Christ must be born anew and raised from the dead. Why is it not equally obvious that the feast of Pentecost must be experienced in its New Covenant form as the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

A Doorway into More of God

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is also a doorway into experiencing some of the wonders of God’s power and gifts, which are amazing tools for ministry.  Can you imagine Jesus’ ministry without his using spiritual gifts? Jesus relied on the Spirit to give him prophetic insight and the ability to heal, do miracles, raise the dead, and liberate the oppressed. (Acts 2:22)

The power and gifts of the Spirit do not make us “better” Christians in any judicial or moral sense, but they can make us more effective in representing God to lost people.

God intends for the Gospel to be transmitted in both Word and Power. (1 Thes. 1:5) He wants to work with his messengers through signs, wonders, and gifts of the Spirit to confirm the veracity of his Word. (Mark 16:20) The Lord wants all his servants to receive the “promise of the Father” to equip us to do the work of ministry. (Acts 1:4-5)

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

 

You can read more about the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts in Pete's book, Promise of the Father, which is available on Amazon. Click here for the link.
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Chapter 58: Giving to Those in Need

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus included giving to those in need (alms) with prayer and fasting in his list of spiritual disciplines to be done privately for God’s sake, rather than for a public show.

When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:2-4 (NLT)

I covered the practice of tithing in detail in an earlier lesson. As a quick recap, since Jesus is the Lord of our finances, we give ten percent right off the top to God without any questions or decision making on our part. This usually goes to a New Covenant equivalent of the Old Testament “storehouse,” which most consider to be the church.

Tithing is a way of demonstrating that God comes first and that we rely on him to meet our needs when we prioritize him. It also supports the work of the ministry.

Giving to those in need is something we can do with the money left over after we tithe. Jesus assumes that His disciples will give sacrificially to the poor in the passage above. He does not say “if” you give but “when.”

Our Lord wants His followers to compassionately care for those in need.

Jesus gave us the parable of the sheep and goats to emphasize the importance of giving to the poor.

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  Matthew 25:35–40 (NLT) —

Our love for Jesus is demonstrated by our care for those in need.

Jesus lovingly calls such people the “least of these my brethren.” This is likely because they have little to offer the giver in return, which is everyone’s spiritual condition in relationship to the Lord. We are all “poor in spirit,” which means spiritual paupers or beggars.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  Matthew 5:3 (NLT) —

When we give to the poor, our Lord tells us to expect nothing from them in return. God is the one who will reward us.

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”  Luke 14:12–14 (NLT) —

One of the earmarks of godly giving is that it done with enthusiasm.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  2 Corinthians 9:7–8 (NLT) —

The book of Proverbs promises that generosity towards the poor will be rewarded. Here are a few verses.

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9 (NLT) 

If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17 (NLT) 

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty. Proverbs 28:27 (NLT)

When we encounter people in need, we have an opportunity to do something to help alleviate their suffering. It may not be enough to simply pray or offer words of encouragement.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.  1 John 3:16–19 (NLT) —

Faith prompts us to act. In his letter to the church, James wrote that we demonstrate our faith through our loving deeds.

Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, 16 and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. James 2:14-17 (NLT)

We do not save ourselves through doing good works. Rather, we prove that we have saving faith by how we live. God is transforming us on the inside so that our actions match what we profess to believe.

The church can also assist the needy by using its surplus tithe funds or special offerings designated for benevolence. The less overhead a church has, the more money it may be able to use for the poor and to support other ministries. Church leadership may ask various individuals, perhaps ordained deacons, to oversee its benevolence ministry. Although the church can be a great source of funds, often God wants us to give as individuals, too.

Some people “make their living” by requesting churches and other groups to help them financially. Here are some questions to assist in evaluating such requests. Remember that the government provides resources as well. Most of the people who approach you from the outside will also be on some form of government assistance. It is a good idea to determine what their needs are after they receive government benefits.

  1. Do you have family who can help you? The family is our first line of defense. The church is not supposed to let family members “off the hook” by stepping in when they are able and should help. (1 Timothy 5:8) Not surprisingly, most do not have family who can or will help. They are either alienated from their family, have already overtaxed them, or the rest of the family is likewise in bad financial shape.
  2. Do you belong to a local church? Our second line of defense is the local church. Churches should be committed to helping their members through financial difficulties and to meet pressing needs, unless there is some good reason not to do so, such as their refusal to work or bad habits that drain their finances, such as drug abuse. If the needy person has a home church, I ask them if they have petitioned their church for help. The answer to this question can be revealing. I have had some give me the name of the church, but they do not know who the pastor is. Or perhaps they hardly ever attend. Sometimes their church has no more funds to give, which is often the case. Before helping such a person, I recommend contacting the home pastor for advice. If they do not belong to a church, I often invite them to one of our gatherings to meet them face-to-face. This eliminates most people. If they do attend, we almost always help them.
  3. How long have you been in this situation and is there any light at the end of the tunnel? I am disinclined to help someone who has a chronic need that shows little promise of ending unless they are truly disabled and have nowhere else to turn. This is almost never the case, especially since the government has so many programs. If the person is in the church, the request for financial assistance may open the door for financial counseling. Our long-term goal is to help them out of the financial pit in which they find themselves. Usually we will be more devoted over the long haul to those in the church.

For most people, unless we are “professional” con men, it is quite humbling to ask for assistance. We should try to be sensitive to this fact and not act in a way that further humiliates them. However, I expect those asking for aid to humbly submit to valid questions, since we have a responsibility to handle our money wisely and lovingly. If the person becomes angry, this is a red flag. If they remain patient, it is a good sign.

If the need is so pressing that it cannot wait until getting to know them at one of our meetings, then I lean on others to help make the decision. Sometimes people deliberately try to put us in an artificial time bind to try to force us into acting without properly investigating things. For example, they may say they need help by 5 pm or their power will be cut off, but they are usually a couple of months overdue by this time. The urgency is of their own making.

All of us have seen people asking for money on the side of the road. I usually try to go with the leading of the Spirit. Sometimes I give. Other times I do not. We should not give out of guilt. Let us always keep in mind our Lord’s words.

Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42 (NET) —

Here are some further guidelines that may help you.

  • It is usually best to procure what is needed rather than give the person cash. For instance, if gas is needed, go to the gas station with them to fill their tank.
  • If you catch the one asking for help in a lie, that is a huge red flag.
  • If you can employ a person to do some job to “earn” the money, it will contribute to their sense of dignity. You may wish to pay them far more than you normally would for an equivalent job.

Since our Lord expects us to help the those with needs, here are some practical ways to obey God in this area.

  • Give to or serve at ministries that feed and clothe the poor.
  • Give above your tithe to the church benevolence fund.
  • Give secretly to those whom God puts on your heart. You may want to ask a trusted friend or the church to pass this blessing along anonymously.
  • Participate in ministries which assist single moms to do various home and car repairs.
  • Get involved in ministries to ex-felons who are trying to earn a living and support their families.
  • Contribute toward or help with ministries to fatherless children.
  • Take a foster child into your home.

The important thing is for us to allow the Holy Spirit to make our hearts tender towards those in need, wherever we may encounter them, and then follow his leading.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Where is your heart drawn when it comes to giving and ministry to the needy?
  • Have you asked God to tenderize your heart towards “the least of these”?
  • Is the Holy Spirit putting any ministry like this on your heart?
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Chapter 56: Worship

Worship is the natural response of a heart aligned with God. If our hearts have been enlightened through revelation and reading the Bible to understand at least a little of who God is, worship and praise will come forth from our hearts and mouths quite effortlessly. However, we do not always feel like worshiping God, and this makes worship one of the most important spiritual disciplines.

We can worship without regard to our feelings because God is worthy.

We sometimes lose sight of God’s worthiness and glory and take for granted how much he has blessed us. Sometimes we experience heaviness because of the tests and difficulties of everyday life or some particularly difficult circumstance. It is during these times that we can discipline ourselves to worship God because it is the right thing to do.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!  Psalm 30:11–12 (NLT) —

King David commanded his soul (mind, will, and emotions) to worship God, and so can we. We can choose to worship even when we may not feel like it, because God is worthy. We can praise the Lord because of what He has done, is doing, and what he promises to do on our behalf.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalms 103:1-5 (NASB)

Our ultimate desire should be to bring glory to Him because he is glorious and worthy.

"I love You, O LORD, my strength." 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:1-3 (NASB)

Focusing on God’s glory helps us to go beyond ourselves and our own needs. Worship can become more about who he is rather than what he had done, but both are important.

During good times and difficult ones, God remains the same; therefore, the appropriateness for worship is constant.

Our worship is like the aroma of a sacrificial burnt offering that is able to bless the heart of the Almighty.

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB)

Worship includes all we do in loving obedience to God and begins with the surrender of our hearts, but the vocal component is essential.

We are privileged to use our voices to magnify God.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalms 104:33 (NASB)

It takes breath to sing and speak praises. God wants us to use this ability to bring glory to Him. It is a way of acknowledging him both privately and publicly. Those who do not know and serve God often refuse to acknowledge him, which is an affront to the Creator.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Romans 1:21 (NASB95) —

Even though the world tries to suppress the truth about God, we are privileged to acknowledge his glory in worship.

People are going to speak and sing about something. It is built into our nature. The devil hijacked this beautiful ability and often uses it for evil. Our fleshly propensity to sin is all too cooperative. Followers of Christ have the enormous privilege and responsibility to bring our vocal gifts back under the sway of the Holy Spirit. We can do our part by regularly offering up the sacrifice of praise throughout the day.

In the Bible grumbling and complaining against God and our circumstances is a serious sin which is fueled by unbelief and rebellion. We don’t like what is happening to us and cannot see how God can use it for good; so, we grumble and complain. When we are tempted to do this, we can command our souls to give praise instead. We will be amazed at the difference it makes in our lives and the glory it will bring to God.

Praise helps us maintain a faith orientation toward God and his promises.

Spiritual Warfare

Worship also has a spiritual warfare component. It is a powerful way to combat the enemy of our souls.

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, 9 to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!  Psalm 149:6–9 (NLT) —

We know that our battle is not against humans, but against spiritual principalities and powers. Sometimes spiritual wickedness finds expression in people. This happened often in Israel’s history, and still does. When King Jehoshaphat faced a seemingly overwhelming enemy army, through Jahaziel the prophet God promised that Israel would not have to fight, but God would battle for her. The king believed the promise and put praisers out in front of the army. God kept his promise and routed the enemy without the Israeli army having to engage. This is recorded in the following passage.

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.  2 Chronicles 20:21–22 (NASB95) —

Praising God in the face of an enemy assault is a first line of defense and offense. Another similar passage is found in Exodus when Israel was fighting Amalek. As long as Moses kept his hands lifted, which is an attitude of worship and praise, Israel was victorious. When Moses let down his arms, Israel suffered defeat.

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  Exodus 17:11–13 (NASB95) —

If we maintain an attitude of worship as a regular discipline, it will elevate our faith and focus on God and protect us against the enemy.

Worship in Tongues

Jesus told the woman at the well that God wants us to worship in spirit and in truth.

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:23–24 (NLT) —

Worshiping God in truth requires us to know and confess the truth about God written in the Bible. We worship him for who he is, not who we want him to be. Worshiping in truth also means that we come to him honestly, not hypocritically. We open our hearts to him, instead of pretending to be someone we are not. He sees through us already anyway. 

Worshiping in spirit means we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in or worship and service to God.

This includes allowing the Spirit to speak and sing through us with heavenly words.

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.  1 Corinthians 14:2 (NASB95) — 

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26–27 (NASB95) —

Speaking and singing in tongues is a wonderful way to worship.

Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NLT) —

The gift of speaking in tongues is one of the most important and useful of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. When we speak, pray, or sing in tongues, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is speaking through us in a language known to God but not us. The words are untainted by human bias or misunderstanding. They are in perfect alignment with God’s will, too. I teach more on that in another article entitled, “What’s So Great about Tongues?”

Normally tongues are spoken directly to God and is for our personal benefit or the benefit of someone for whom we pray. If tongues are spoken aloud in a meeting in a way that focuses all attention on the speaker, the message should be interpreted so that our hearers will derive some benefit, too.

In a time of worship, when our focus is entirely on the Lord, it is appropriate for people to sing or speak in tongues to the Lord. We are not trying to edify one another. We are glorifying God.

Paul wrote the following.

What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.  1 Corinthians 14:15–19 (NASB95) —

In other words, when everyone is singing in English, we should sing along in the same language. There is a time, however, when the entire congregation can worship together in the spirit or tongues. I have heard some of the most beautiful harmonies while participating in congregational singing in tongues. It is as if we were a heavenly choir being directed by the Holy Spirit.

When I was a new believer, I remember feeling as if I had a “lid” on my worship. I would frequently reach a place where I wanted to express myself further but was unable. After receiving the gift of tongues, I never felt that way again.

Singing in the spirit enables us to perfectly express our worship without being limited by the human mind.

The Widow’s Offering

It is important for us to understand that God wants us to give what we have. Jesus praised the widow who gave a very small amount, but it was all she had.

Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:43–44 (NASB95) —

Some of us have been given immense vocal and musical talent, such as King David. Others of us cannot carry a tune in a bucket. Thankfully, the Bible says to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” (Psalm 66:1 KJV) This noise may be spoken words, a shout, singing aloud, or something musical. All God wants is the best we can give. He wants our hearts more than anything else.

O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.  Proverbs 23:26 (NLT) —

If we give God our hearts, we will worship the way he desires.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever made the decision to praise God during a difficult situation? What was the result?
  • Have you ever received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues?
  • Have you ever worshiped God in the spirit (tongues)?
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Chapter 55: Fasting

Fasting is an important spiritual discipline practiced by people in the Old Testament, our Lord, and followers of Christ. It is a form of self-denial that helps us focus on the Lord and prayer. Fasting does not earn “points” with God or make us more acceptable in His eyes. Instead, it is meant to help us grow relationally with the Lord.

Jesus taught that fasting is a normal part of kingdom life.

In his sermon on the mount, he told us how to fast. 

And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get.17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

Fasting helps us understand that what we need most in life is God Himself, not what He provides.

It helps us to step back from what usually fills our time and thoughts during a normal day so that we can come aside to seek the Lord without distraction. It is a reminder that, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4 NASB)

God has no difficulty speaking to us, but we often have a hard time accurately hearing what He is saying because we are so distracted with the business and cares of ordinary life.

Fasting helps to open our hearts and minds to God.

God wants us to hunger for him more than for food. He will fill the hungry heart.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  John 6:35 (NASB95) —

Usually, we must be desperate to be motivated to deprive ourselves of food. This desperation may stem from our facing an emergency or having a pressing need, but what a blessing it is if our desperation originates from a deep desire to know God better.

Whatever might be our motivation to fast, God promises that if we seek him, we will find Him.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Matthew 7:7–8 (NASB95) —

We get insight into God’s purpose for fasting in Isaiah 58.

"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? 7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, 10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. 11 "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 12 "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:6-12 (NASB) 

Fasting is meant to turn our hearts toward the things that move God to compassion and away from what bring grief and pain to Him, such as our selfishness and sin.

Fasting temporarily separates us from the food that brings comfort and nourishment to us so that we might become part of God’s solution for those who are hurting and helpless. Fasting can be a gateway into practical service, which is evidence the gospel is having sway in our lives. 

It is a good idea to fast when faced with critical needs and challenges that only God can meet.

It helps us come to terms with how much we need God’s help. Old Testament saints frequently fasted and prayed when only God could save them, and He did.

So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.  Ezra 8:23 (NASB95) —

Fasting helps to hone our spiritual “edge” so that we can avoid becoming “dull of hearing” and slow to obey.

Daniel the prophet sought the Lord regarding Israel’s return from Babylonian captivity. He wanted the Lord to reveal to him more about his plan.

During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.  Daniel 9:2–3 (NLT) —

God sent his angel with the answer.

I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.  Daniel 9:20–22 (NLT) —

Often fasting is appropriate prior to taking some big step of faith. We want to make sure that we are hearing God correctly before launching out.

Jesus fasted for forty days before launching his public ministry. Paul spent time fasting after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, after which he received his commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas were part of a group which was fasting and worshiping when they received a commission from the Holy Spirit to go on their first missionary journey.

There are all sorts of ways to fast. One can abstain completely from all food and water or just from food. Some people fast a meal, some all or part of a day, and others fast for several days at a time. How we fast is a matter of what God is speaking to our hearts, our own choice, and what is medically wise for us. Long fasts need to be done with some knowledge of how to stay properly hydrated and nourished and how to properly conclude the fast without producing undesirable effects on our digestive system. Diabetics and those who must eat on a regular schedule may be unable to fast in a traditional sense and choose to fast from other things that will help them focus more on seeking God, such as TV, reading, hobbies, etc.

Remember that fasting is not nearly as important as connecting with God.

If we fast without devoting ourselves to the Lord, we may help ourselves health wise but miss the greater blessing.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever fasted for a spiritual purpose? What good did you derive from it?
  • Is there any reason for you to fast now?
  • How often do you think it would be good to fast as a spiritual discipline?
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Chapter 54: Prayer

Prayer is an important spiritual discipline that deepens our relationship with God. King David knew a lot about God. He wrote the following.

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours...  Psalm 62:11–12 (NLT) —

Prayer is directly related to our knowing God as David did.

God wants us to know that he is loving and powerful enough to answer our prayers.

Just as a relationship between two people thrives when there is open and honest communication, a good prayer life includes speaking, listening, and honesty.

A good example comes from Acts when Peter received the vision of a sheet being lowered from heaven. (Acts 10:9-16) He saw the vision, heard God speak, and responded honestly. Then God spoke again. Peter did not immediately comprehend what God meant, but it quickly became apparent to him and guided his response to a very important request.

Our prayer life grows as we develop our ability to hear God’s voice clearly and accurately.

It is important for us to believe that God can and will speak to us in a way we can understand. Jesus said that we can hear his voice.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  John 10:27 (NASB95) —

Faith is a necessary component of an effective prayer life.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

Faith makes us bold and persistent. We grow in confidence when we believe that God loves us and is predisposed to grant our requests. When we understand our Lord’s ways, it helps us to persevere until we receive what we requested.

God answers our prayers by granting them immediately, denying them, or delaying his response. Instead of reading his lack of immediate response negatively and giving up, God wants us to exercise our faith by being persistent.

Jesus used a parable of a persistent widow who repeatedly asked a judge to act in her behalf to encourage us to pray without giving up. (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus’ point was not that God responds to nagging. He is not an unrighteous judge. Instead, our Lord wants us to persist in the knowledge that he is loving, faithful, and eager to bless us, even if he delays his answer to our prayers.

There are reasons God may delay. Timing is a crucial element to God’s plan and is the part that we often do not understand.

God wants us to grow in patience as we confidently wait for the answer.

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.  Hebrews 6:12 (NLT) —

By delaying his answer, our Lord may allow us to participate in spiritual warfare.

When Daniel persistently prayed and fasted for the nation of Israel, eventually an angel appeared and told him the following.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.  Daniel 10:12–13 (NLT) —

Admittedly, our prayers rarely, if ever, rise to the level of importance of Daniel’s, nevertheless, we may encounter spiritual resistance that must be overcome by faithful persistence.

Sometimes God accumulates prayers until a “tipping point” is reached, at which time he “pours out” his answer. This principle is revealed in the following verses.

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  Revelation 5:8 (NASB95) — 

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.  Revelation 8:3–5 (NASB95) —

Our prayers accumulate until God’s chosen time to answer them.

If we give up before he provides the answer, it may rob us of participating in something glorious.

Our prayers precede the historical outworking of the answer; therefore, prayer, like prophecy, is always out in front of what we experience as the fulfillment.

Only people of faith can live in the tension created by persisting in prayer without seeing immediate fulfillment.

Prayer is also a clear measure of how dependent we are upon God. We often think that we can handle things on our own without turning to God first. It is sometimes only after failure and frustration that it occurs to us to pray.

Prayer reveals our reliance upon God for direction and assistance. Prayer does not provide us with an excuse not to act – far from it. As we listen in prayer, God will give us a better understanding of what we are to do and wisdom regarding how to best proceed. Prayer sharpens the ax, so to speak.

Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.  Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT) —

Prayer transitions us from self-reliance to God reliance.

The Lord wants prayer be one of our top priorities and a spiritual discipline that is well-established in our lives. Jesus gave us the example we are to follow, and Paul reinforced that example with his own life and these words.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

There are various kinds of prayer – praise and thanksgiving, petitions, prophetic proclamations, intercession, and praying “in the Spirit.”

We can use each kind of prayer as appropriate to the situation in which we find ourselves, and always with faith.

Praise

Offering praise and thanksgiving is almost always the right thing to do. Paul wrote:

And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)

Praise should be made in any and every situation since we believe that God is sovereign and is working all things, even the seemingly bad things, for our good and His glory.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NASB95) —
 
Prophetic Proclamations

Praise paves the way for prayers of faith. When we surrender to God afresh by giving Him the praise that is His due, despite what may be happening around us, we open our hearts to hear from Him concerning his perspective and what He wants to do. Once we gain this spiritual insight, we can make petitions based on his will and even declare prophetically what He will do.

Prophetic proclamations are possible when we have faith that God has shown us what He is wants to do.

The word of prophecy can release faith and the power of God into a situation. This all begins with our praise that comes from complete surrender to His will in our lives combined with the faith that he is at work for our good and his glory.

When we ask anything in faith that agrees with God’s will, we can be sure of receiving what we ask for.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)
 
Petitions

Prayer is more than bringing a laundry list of petitions to God. It is coming before our Father and King to be with Him, listen to Him, and ask for what He desires to do as well as for what we need and want. It should be much more than a formalized ritual.

Prayer is based on a relationship with a real Person who governs the universe, loves us beyond comprehension, desires for us to be with him, and is predisposed to bless us.

We have every right, thanks to what Jesus did for us, to come boldly and confidently before the throne of grace with the expectation that our loving Abba Father will generously give us what we need.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

God wants us to bring our petitions to him. Even though he knows ahead of time what we need and want, there is something important about our asking him.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) —

The asking reveals a lot about our relationship with him. If we believe he loves us, we should not be hesitant to ask for his help. If we think he is reluctant or too busy for us, it reveals that we do not yet know him as we should.

Intercession

Intercession is a type of prayer in which we petition God for someone else.

We use our privileged access to God’s presence for the benefit of others. Jesus continually intercedes for us; so, it is our privilege to do the same for others.

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.  Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) —

We may be led to intercede when we begin to understand and perhaps even feel the burdens that others carry. We bring these burdens to God and make an exchange with Him – His peace for our burden.

Only God is strong enough to carry the heavy weight of the burdens of others. Prayer is our way of releasing to God what we cannot carry alone and receiving from Him the grace we need for joyful living.

Praying in the Spirit

Praying in the Spirit is when we allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us with words known only to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2)

When we pray “in tongues,” the Holy Spirit puts words in our mouths that are in perfect alignment with God’s will.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)

Since only God knows exactly what each of us always needs, praying in the Spirit is often the most effective type of prayer we can make. While it may not always be appropriate to pray aloud in tongues, we can never go wrong by praying quietly in the Spirit.

The Prayer of Faith

James wrote that we are to pray in faith just as Elijah did.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.  James 5:16–18 (NASB95) —

God wants us to be unmovable in our faith. The alternative is to be what the Bible calls “double minded.”

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:5–8 (NASB95) —

If we lack faith, we can ask the Lord to help us “in our unbelief.”

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  Mark 9:23–24 (NASB95) —

The Holy Spirit is the one who develops faith in our lives as a fruit. He wants to make us “full of faith” as a lifestyle. In the final analysis, all faith derives from God and is a gift.

Prayer is a way for us to ask for faith, exercise faith, and demonstrate faith.

The important thing is for us to pray. For many of us, prayer is difficult because we tend to want to “do” something instead of coming aside to talk to and be with God. Or maybe we do not really believe that God wants us to be comfortable in his presence. Perhaps we are still afraid of him for some reason or think he doesn’t have time for us. May God deliver us from every lie that seeks to rob us of knowing God more intimately!

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What is the easiest way for you to pray?
  • What is the most challenging aspect of prayer for you?
  • Do you feel that you understand what it means to pray in the Spirit or tongues?
  • Do you think it is right to proclaim aloud what we believe God is going to do?
  • Have you ever persevered in prayer and seen the answer eventually arrive?
  • What did that do for your faith?
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Chapter 50: The Authority of God’s Word

The Bible is God’s revealed Word and has tremendous authority in our lives, but for it to benefit us, we must embrace and submit to its truth.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)  

Every person needs to be taught the truth about God, sin, righteousness, mercy, and what it means to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit through grace. That is why I wrote this series of teachings. None of us is has the capability of going it alone. All of us need constant input from the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and one another. This can only properly happen in the context of the kind of relationships God wants us to have in the church.

In his only letter to the church, James, the Lord’s brother, wrote that we should “humbly accept the Word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (James 1:21b NLT)

Every follower of Christ must decide what relationship he or she will have with the Bible. This is one of the most important life decisions we will ever make.

Some regard the Bible as a book written by men that is full of errors and outdated cultural biases. Others believe the Bible “contains” the Word of God but should not be taken literally. A third “higher” view is that the Bible in its original form is the inspired and infallible Word of God. This is the one that the apostle Paul embraced, as shown in our opening Bible selection. Which view we adopt will affect everything else in our lives.

The first view is an outright rejection of God’s revealed truth.  The second leads us to the edge of the slippery slope where we get to decide what parts of the Bible to accept and what to reject. This cafeteria approach to the Bible makes us arbiters of truth, a position we are not equipped to handle. There is only one Person who is called “the truth,” our Lord Jesus. (John 14:6) He is the only arbiter of truth, and he said that scripture cannot be altered or “broken.”  

And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered… John 10:35a (NLT)

I grew up in the Catholic Church, which regards Scripture to be on an equal footing with church tradition. No one ever told me that I must believe that every Word of the Bible is the truth until after I was born again. Could I submit my life to what is written in the Bible? Could I give the written scriptures the authority to have ultimate sway in my life? How could I resolve this crisis?

The resolution came through the application of Holy Spirit logic. After the Holy Spirit opened the “eyes of my heart” (Ephesians 1:18) to the truth, I knew that Jesus is who the Bible says he is and that He rose from the dead. I figured that being the resurrected Lord of lords qualifies Him as an authority on spiritual matters. Jesus believed that the Scriptures were infallible and the literal Word of God. In fact, he used his faith in the truth of God’s Word to defeat the temptations of Satan.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 (NASB95) —

Like Jesus, we are to live by “every” Word that God has spoken and is recorded in the Bible.

Since Jesus knows a lot more than I do about such matters, I decided to trust His judgment. I made the decision to accept the authority of the Bible as God’s infallible Word.

This means that when the Bible was originally inspired by God’s Spirit and written, it was without error. The Holy Spirit superintended the transmission of the scriptures down through the ages, as shown by the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. The rule of thumb we use is that the older the original manuscript, the more reliable it is. As a result of ongoing archaeological discoveries, translators today have access to much older documents than did the men who worked on the King James Version, for example.

Regardless of how accurate the original documents are, modern translators are tasked with rendering an accurate version of the original in our own language. This has many challenges, not the least of which is what is called translator’s bias. All of us bring our own world view, presuppositions, and theological leanings into the mix. For this reason, it is advisable to know as much as we can about the original languages, read various translations, and use notes and commentaries to help us understand difficult passages. First and foremost, however, we should rely on the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.  1 John 2:27 (NLT) —

Therefore, we should never place our ultimate confidence in any one translation, such as many do with the King James Version. To do so reveals that we have put ultimate confidence in the work of a few translators using less than the best original documents. Instead, let’s put our trust in the Spirit of God who has made sure that the Word of God has been accurately transmitted down through the ages, but that all translations are subject to human error.

In conclusion, it is wise for us to rely on the Spirit of God, multiple translations, and the insights God has given to serious students of the Bible through the centuries.

Each follower of Christ must settle the issue of surrendering to the authority of the Bible, or we will be held back in our spiritual development. It is said that Billy Graham also struggled in this area as a young preacher, but after he decided to accept the Bible without reservation, his ministry took off.

The Bible’s authority is self-authenticating.

There is no higher authority to which we can turn to validate it, except to the Author himself. That is why it is profitable for us to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit who inspired it. As we read and meditate on its words, the Holy Spirit works inside us to convince us of its truth. Once we come to this point, we will be able accept its commands, warnings, and encouragement.

It is important that we accept the words of Bible without deleting or adding anything.

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 (NASB)

Jesus also said:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV)

Jesus’ view of Scripture was and is extremely high. He was able to overcome the devil’s temptations by saying, “It is written.” He was able to make sense out of all the suffering He had to endure by saying, “It is written.”

God’s Word is the key to understanding and navigating life.

Jesus told us that the words written in the Bible have a spiritual component. We cannot approach God’s Word merely intellectually, as we would some subject taught in school. Unless we understand that God’s Word is “alive,” we will miss out on much. Jesus said:

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 (NASB)

The Word of God is not just ink on paper. Jesus is the embodiment or incarnation of the Word of God, the eternal and divine Logos, who came in the flesh as a human being.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 (NASB95) —

When we read and meditate on the Bible, the Holy Spirit enlivens and empowers the words which are powerful and able to discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB)

Peter told Jesus, “You alone have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68)

To reject the Bible’s authority is to reject Jesus as Lord. To accept the authority of God’s Word is to make a place for Jesus to rule in our lives.

If we reject God’s Word, we reject His means of bringing correction, faith, change, and life to us. When our hearts truly hear God’s Word through revelation, faith springs up in our hearts. The Word of God can transform us and is the means of the release of God’s power here on earth. But we must believe it. If we reject God’s Word, we question God’s infinite wisdom and awesome knowledge and understanding. In short, we elevate our puny reasoning above the mind of God! This is a serious mistake and shows that we have a dangerous independence and pride.

Accepting the authority of our Lord and his Word brings humility into our lives. We learn to put more confidence in him and the Bible’s teachings than we do in ourselves or other human authorities.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 (NASB)

God wants us to admit that we do not know all things or are able to even think like God in many cases. His ways and thoughts very often are not like ours at all.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)

Until we come to the place of leaning more on God’s Word than on our own understanding, we are not really disciples at all.

Here is how Jesus put it.

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 (NASB)

A disciple can be easily identified by his or her relationship to God’s Word. A person who highly esteems and bows before the authority of the Word of God is the real deal.

For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2 (NASB)

Once we submit to the authority of the Word, we can use that authority for good. God’s promises can be taken at face value and become the basis for our faith. God’s promise coupled with our faith releases God’s power. God wants his Word to be more real to us than our own reasoning and experience. When we trust in what the Bible says despite contradictory evidence, feelings, or reasoning, we pass the test that Adam and Eve failed and become overcomers. Choosing God’s truth over the lies of the devil is a form of worship. Paul wrote that we can “…walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7) The victory that overcomes the world is our faith. (1 John 5:4) God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Did you ever have crisis of faith relating to the authority of God’s Word?
  • Why must the Bible be self-authenticating?
  • Why is it so dangerous to reject any part of the Bible?
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Chapter 49: Authority to Pray

Jesus gave his disciples the authority to pray. When we ask for something in Christ’s name, we use his authority as ambassadors or representatives.

In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. John 16:23 (NASB)

Many think of God mainly as our provider and treat prayer mainly as a submission of a needs list in the hope he will give us what we want, but prayer is much more than that. It is how we communicate with God and involves both listening and speaking. The Bible makes it clear that God can communicate effectively with us.

“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”  John 10:3 NASB2020

Every true child of God has been given the ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. At first, we may be very unskilled at discerning what he says, but the more we grow in that area, the more clearly we can discern God’s voice.

Prayer helps us to grow in our ability to hear and respond to the voice of God.

Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father is the perfect provider who knows what we need before we even ask. (Mat. 6:32) Our Lord commanded us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, his rule and authority. If we do this, Jesus promised that all we need will be given to us. (Matthew 6:33)

Once we become convinced that God is our loving provider, we understand that He has given us authority to pray persistently and without shame.

Here is how prayer is designed by God to work. God has a plan (his will) with which He wants us to align. He desires that his will become our will. As we seek to discern and obey God’s will, His perfect provision will always be there for us; although, we may need to ask and believe for it.

If we wish to use our God-given authority to pray effectively, we must seek to discern and pray according to God’s will.

Here is what John wrote about this principle.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)

How do we know if we have prayed according to His will? There are no written guarantees that float down out of heaven to assure us when we have prayed a compliant prayer. To align our hearts with God’s, it helps to make a practice of delighting in him.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David wrote the following promise.

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4 (NASB95) —

As we delight in God, he will change our hearts so that we desire what he does. When this happens, we will quite naturally pray from the heart in alignment with his will.

We trust in God’s grace to help us in this area.

Here are some tips used by George Mueller, one of church history’s great prayer warriors, to help us pray according to God’s will.

HOW TO ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF GOD *
  1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the LORD’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
  2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions. I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
  3. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
  4. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.
  5. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

Although Jesus taught that whatever we ask for in faith we will receive (Mark 11:24), thankfully God does not give us everything we ask for.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3 (NASB)

We often ask for things without comprehending God’s purposes and ways. Our prayers may even oppose God’s will at times because we see things from such a limited perspective. This happened to the apostle Peter when he urged Jesus to avoid going to the cross. Sometimes God’s will goes against what we desire. Unless we learn to delight in God, we may have great difficulty praying as Jesus did in the Garden.

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Luke 22:42 (NLT) —

Jesus fully embraced his Father’s will, which allowed him to pray effectively. He expects us to do the same.

It is easy for us to err if we overemphasize a principle of God without regard to other scriptures that properly balance things. Jesus’ promise that God will give us whatever we ask must be balanced with the necessity to be in alignment with his will or we may become quite disappointed or even disillusioned.

Faith does not give us unrestricted authority to get anything and everything for which we pray. Faith presupposes that we are faithful to the Lord and his will.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) —

Real faith always aligns with God’s will. It is a gift that comes from God and is always in agreement with His will. Otherwise, we might do all manner of destructive and selfish things using the power of prayer.

When we delight in and agree with God, we can pray with great authority and faith knowing that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and will answer them. Therefore, prayer should be made with great boldness and the understanding that it is one of our great privileges as children of God who have access to his throne!

The Bible teaches us that through faith and persistence we obtain God’s promises. (Heb 6:12) Jesus gave us two parables to emphasize this principle. The first passage is Luke 11:5-13. Jesus praised the person who shamelessly and persistently asked his friend to get up in the middle of the night to give him some bread to feed his unexpected guests. In a similar passage found in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus praised the widow who shamelessly and relentlessly requested that the unjust judge grant her what she wanted. These two passages indicate that God wants us to demonstrate our faith through our persistence.

We can only be persistent if we believe that God will give us what we request. God wants us to come boldly and confidently to his throne to receive grace to help us in our time of need.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) —

When we discern and pray in unity with God’s will, it allows us to partner with him to shape the future.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us what our heavenly Father plans to do so that we can agree with him for that future and pray it in. This is a significant part of what it means to intercede and links the gift of prophecy to prayer. Once again this emphasizes how important it is to first discern God’s will.

Prayer is the engine that drives the ship. It is powerful but hidden. Those who labor in prayer may not receive much recognition here on earth, but our Father in heaven sees and will reward those who are faithful to pray.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (NASB)

* http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/Mueller.Answers.to.Prayer.html

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What most encourages you to be bold and persistent in prayer?
  • Are you yet comfortable exercising your God-given authority in prayer?
  • Has God ever showed you what he plans to do so that you were able to agree with him in prayer?
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Chapter 45: Authority to Forgive

The authority to forgive is part of the preaching of the gospel. One of our chief themes relating to the proper use of authority is that we must be under authority in order to use authority. God’s servants are messengers or ambassadors carrying the gospel message and the authority of the King of Kings.

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said* to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:22-23 (NASB)

Greek verb tenses in the New Testament writings are significant. In the phrase “their sins have been forgiven them,” the verb is in the perfect tense which signifies completed past action that continues to affect the present.

Our ability to forgive sins is a function of what Christ already accomplished on the cross.

If people believe our presentation of the gospel, their sins are forgiven, not because we personally forgive them, but because they believe our claim that Christ already has. Our presentation is our part in providing them with forgiveness.

When we forgive, it is only because Christ has already forgiven. When we do not forgive, it is because He has not forgiven. Our ministry and message have no validity unless they perfectly correspond to His.

Isaiah 61:1 was Jesus’ theme verse for His ministry here on earth. One of the main components of that ministry was the proclamation of freedom.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;  Isaiah 61:1 (NASB95)

The gospel is a proclamation of deliverance from the penalty and oppression that sin produces.

It is an invitation which requires a response of repentance and faith. The gospel says that forgiveness of sins is available to all who believe in Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.  Acts 13:38–39 (NASB95)

When we announce these words, we use Christ’s authority to declare forgiveness of sins and retention of sins – forgiveness to those who believe the gospel and retention of sins and damnation to those who do not.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:18–21 (NLT) —

We also have a responsibility to forgive sins committed against us personally. When we do this, it is an acknowledgement that we are sinners, too, in deep need of God’s forgiveness. When we release others from whatever debt they may owe us, we both set them free from our judgment against them and liberate ourselves from self-condemnation.

If I refuse to forgive those who offend me, Jesus said that it interferes with my being forgiven by God. Simply put, we reap what we sow.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

It is important to understand, however, that if I refuse to forgive another person, my lack of obedience in this area does not stop God from forgiving that person. The one who sins against me can find forgiveness and freedom from God despite my smallness of heart. Otherwise, the gospel would be limited by the hardness of people’s hearts. Conversely, when we open our hearts to forgive someone, it opens wide God’s heart of mercy toward us.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Matthew 5:7 (NASB95)

The Roman Catholic Church uses the opening verse in today’s meditation to authorize its priests to grant or retain absolution for sins in the confessional. This gives men the power of forgiveness in a way that was never intended by God because it places another mediator between us and God. The Bible is clear that there is only One Mediator, and His name is Jesus.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time. 7 And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-7 (NLT)

One must wonder why a church supposedly representing God would teach people that they need another mediator to stand between them and God. The only logical conclusion is that it is done to manipulate and control. The gospel came to set the captive free, not imprison us under a religious system.

When we sin, the Bible teaches us that forgiveness comes from God alone.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.  Psalm 51:1–4 (NASB95)

However, God wants us to seek forgiveness from those here on earth we offend, too.

So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

Confessing our sins to another human being can have extremely beneficial effects but does not provide us with justification before God. Confession to others is part of our exposing our sins to the “light,” which God uses to help break us free from any residual power of sin in our lives.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV)

Such confession also opens the door for physical healing.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Only God has the power to forgive sins, and this power hinges upon Jesus’ offering of Himself on Calvary.

Since God is just, He could not forgive us unless Someone had paid a perfect ransom price to satisfy his justice.

That is what Jesus did for us at Calvary. Now God is both just and the justifier of those who place their trust in His Son.

For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25 For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. 26 And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26 (NLT)

In conclusion, it is important to realize that Christ died “once for all” to provide forgiveness and justification for all who come to him by faith.

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.  Hebrews 10:14–18 (NASB95)

Those who come to Christ will never be condemned for their sins. (John 5:24 and Romans 8:1)

Those who come to Christ are forgiven for all past, present, and future sins. Some believe this great truth gives us a license to sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Here is Paul’s response to such a suggestion.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Romans 6:1–4 (NLT) —

When Christ liberated us from the guilt and condemnation associated with sin, through the new birth he also changed our hearts and set us free from sin’s power to dominate us.

Now, at last, we are free to serve God from the heart, because it is what we want, not because it is a law. As the woman caught in adultery learned, once we experience God’s forgiveness, we are free to live for him.

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”  John 8:10–11 (NASB95) —
Click here to see the other articles in this series.

 

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. How are we to use the authority God has given to us to forgive sins?
  2. Why is it so important for us to forgive those who have offended us?
  3. Since Christ died for our sins “once for all,” is it still necessary for us to ask forgiveness when we sin?
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Chapter 44: Authority to Preach the Gospel

God gives his disciples the awesome authority, privilege, and responsibility to speak for him when we share the gospel.

You see, we are not like those hucksters—and there are many of them—who preach just to make money. We preach God's message with sincerity and with Christ's authority. And we know that the God who sent us is watching us. 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NLT)

It is our responsibility as Christ’s representatives to share the good news of salvation accurately and completely while maintaining a proper attitude.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB)

Ambassadors speak with the authority of the nation or person they represent. They must accurately communicate what they have been commissioned to speak. Ambassadors are not free agents who can make up their own rules or words on the fly. They are servants who are under authority who must behave wisely and speak exactly. Jesus was just such an ambassador for his Abba Father.

So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17  Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18  Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. John 7:16-18 (NLT)

When we share the good news, we invite our hearers on behalf of God to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.

The gospel is the most wonderful offer the world has ever known, even though the unsaved may reject the message and the messenger as false or worthless. Ambassadors are never responsible for how their message is received. Their job is simply to relay information back and forth between parties and to behave in such a way that will prevent unnecessary complications. Ambassadors are supposed be part of the solution, not instigators of additional problems.

When sharing the gospel, we should strive to avoid causing offense by speaking or acting unwisely or unlovingly.

The gospel is often offensive to us who do not yet know Christ because it addresses our sin and need for repentance. Unless the Holy Spirit brings us to a place to accept it, the gospel is a hard pill to swallow. If our hearers are going to repulse God’s invitation to reconciliation, let us strive to make sure it is because of the nature of the message and not because of something offensive in us. We never want to be a “stumbling block” in the path of person’s coming to God.

One way we can “stumble” people is by pretending to be something we are not. Sometimes we pretend to be better than those to whom we speak. This is a common pitfall for those who have been believers for a long time. We tend to forget that everyone completely depends on the mercy and grace of God. Unsaved people usually see through such hypocrisy. A good friend of mine tells people upfront in the conversation that he is a follower of Christ, but not a very good one. This defuses any suggestion that he is behaving like a hypocrite right from the start. A mountain preacher once invited a neighbor to come to church with him. The neighbor asked why would he want to be with a bunch of hypocrites? The preacher responded, “One more won’t hurt.” Sometimes humor coupled with honesty can work wonders.

An ambassador is backed up by the military power of the nation he or she represents. To mistreat an ambassador is the same as mistreating his or her sponsoring nation. Showing respect to an ambassador is to show respect to his nation.

When we preach the gospel, we are backed up by the authority and power of God and His kingdom.

Even though we have no personal standing with those to whom we speak, our being God’s representatives makes us very significant.

At times it may be appropriate to use our authority as ambassadors to call upon God’s power as we are directed by the Holy Spirit.

An example is when Paul confronted Elymas the sorcerer while preaching the gospel on the island of Cyprus.

But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 9  Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10  Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11  Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12  When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:8-12 (NLT)

Elymas did not attack Paul as a person. Instead, he sought to keep the governor from believing the gospel. Paul pronounced judgment upon this man which God enforced, which convinced the governor that the gospel is true. A rule of thumb might be that we should only do such things at the direction of the Holy Spirit to further the gospel and not simply to protect or avenge ourselves.

We are also authorized by God to pray for healings, miracles, and deliverances to confirm the authenticity of the gospel message.

When Paul preached the gospel at Iconium, the disciples used their authority as God’s representatives to heal in Christ’s name to validate the message.

Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.  Acts 14:3 (NASB95) —

When we share the message of salvation, let us remember that we are God’s ambassadors, which is both a privilege and a sobering responsibility. Our authority to offer forgiveness and reconciliation comes from Christ Himself. After his resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples.

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ Luke 24:47 (NLT)

As Christ’s representatives, let us use our God-given authority to share this message carefully with great boldness.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. Do you believe it is still important today for God to confirm the gospel through signs and wonders?
  2. Have you ever asked God to heal a person with whom you were sharing the gospel? If so, what happened?
  3. Do you feel competent to properly communicate the gospel?
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