“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, `My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” (Ps91:1,2)

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Journal,

When David speaks of the shelter of God, or the shadow of God, or even the secret place of God, he often has in view the holiest of holies. But David was also seeing past the symbolisms of the tabernacle and into the very heart of redemption.

David often spoke of Jesus. David was’t the only Old Testament prophet who had visions of Jesus. In fact the underlying theme of the entire Old Testament centered on the coming Messiah.

It begins in Genesis:

“[To Satan] And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”" (Gen 3:15 NASB)

From the Old Testament prophets to the apostles the message never changes:

“[Preaching of Peter] And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” (Act 3:17-18 NASB)

Think God for the prophets of old

“How great is Your goodness, which YOU HAVE STORED for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men!

“You hide them in THE SECRET PLACE of Your presence, from the conspiracies of man; You keep them in THE SHELTER from the strife of tongues.” (Psalm 31:19,20 nasb.) - Words in bold are for emphasis only -

The Hebrew for “the secret place of Your presence”, can equally be translated, “the secret of Your face.” The idea is that God hides His people from the view of their enemies, that is, by bringing them to the very place that He Himself dwells.

David also speaks of God’s people as being, ‘the hidden ones.’

“They make shrewd plans against Your people, and conspire together against Your TREASURED ones.” (Psa 83:3 NASB)

Hidden in Christ

This wonderful truth is brought to fulfillment in the new covenant. The lives of all true believers are hidden with God in Christ. In the new covenant we are brought into heaven’s holiest of holies.

Let’s see how the tabernacle sets forth this truth of our hiding place. The only furnishing in the holiest of holies was the ark of the covenant. Two angels have their gaze firmly fixed on the golden mercy seat. Their wings touch in the center. Above the mercy seat was a brilliant light. In the light was a form.

Peter explains the prophetic intent of the holiest of holies. Notice how Peter connects the Old Testament prophets, with the apostles, and with the two angels over the mercy seat:

“It was revealed to them [the Old Testament prophets] that they were not serving themselves, but you [true believers in Christ; the treasured ones], in these things which now have been announced to you from heaven [by the apostles]-things into which ANGELS long to look.” (1Peter 1:12)

In the Light over the mercy seat was a form that only Moses was allowed to see. The form was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. We see this by tying the Old Testament and the New Testament together.

When the Lord rebuked Miriam and Aaron over their presumptuous attitude towards Moses, He said to them,

“Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds THE FORM OF THE LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?” (Num 12:7-8 NASB)

Who did Moses see? He saw the image of the invisible God. This is exactly who Jesus is. To the Jews, God’s Messiah was known as the form of God, the glory of God, the image of God, the Word of God, and at times even the Shekinah of God.

Now listen carefully. Paul said of Christ,

“Although HE EXISTED IN THE FORM OF GOD, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…” (Phi2:6)

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Now back to the tabernacle.

John wrote,

“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)

- Transpose ‘the Word’ with any of these terms, ‘the Glory’, ‘the Form’, ‘the Image’, etc. All these words were part of the ancient Hebrew expressions for Messiah.

Actually the Greek word for ‘dwelt‘ calls attention to the holiest of holiest in the tabernacle. The glory that rested over the mercy seat was now tabernacled in Jesus Christ. The Greek for ‘dwelt’ is ‘skenoo‘. In Revelation 7:15 this word is translated, ‘spread His tabernacle’.

Also note that John speaks of Jesus as ‘the Father’s glory.’ Now note how Paul specifically calls Jesus, “The Lord of glory”

“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY.“ (1Co 2:7-8 NASB)

“And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.” (Mat17:2)

But why David would speak of the holiest of holies as the hiding place for God’s people? David could see by the Spirit into the redemption of Christ. He saw past the veil, and into God’s redemption plan that would stretch across eternity past and eternity future.

Another picture we have of our hidden life is with the high priest. When the high priest entered into the holiest of holies, he carried over his heart all of Israel. The twelve stones on his vestment represented the twelve tribes. And so when the high priest entered past the veil, he carried with him and over his heart all of God’s people.

Listen carefully to the apostle:

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

“…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:11-12,14 NASB)

And again,

“… even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:5-7 NASB)

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The ever present reality

The mercy seated of the tabernacle represented the very throne of God. We have been raised up together with Christ and seated with Christ at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Old Testament saints somehow knew in their hearts that the Lord Himself was their ever present security in life. As Moses looked down on the scattered tents of Israel, he said,

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:1,2)

Here Moses uses the same word that David used with regard to the ‘secret place’ of the tabernacle.

Again think about the two cherubim with their golden wings spread over the mercy seat. Listen again to David:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, `My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” (Ps91:1,2)

David uses the same word again which references the secret place of God’s presence, that is, the mercy seat in the holiest of holies. God’s people dwell under the very presence and protection of angels.

Here is where we come to the great mystery of God’s love for His people. The Psalmist Asaph speaks of God’s people as His ‘treasured ones.’

David puts things together when he writes,

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

“For in the day of trouble He will CONCEAL me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock [the Rock is Christ]. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” (Psalm 27:4-6)

The Hebrew for ‘conceal’ is the same word for God’s ‘treasured’ ones. God’s people are His treasures in the earth and for all eternity. This allows us to have a better understanding of a kingdom parable concerning a treasure. Jesus said,

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field [world], which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matt13:44)

The story is the story of the cross. Jesus Christ gave His life for the hidden treasure. Jesus came to seek that which was lost. Now the treasure is hidden again, but this time it is hidden in Christ.

Paul said,

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Col3:3,4)

All that we have read in David’s writings have their fulfillment in the finished work of the cross. Being hidden in Christ means that every believer is eternally secured from the power of darkness. We can never be separated from God’s love. Our life is placed in the Light of God’s very being. Peter said that our calling was into “His marvelous light.” (1Pe2:9) - Pass your curser over this Scripture for the full effect -

While this may seem difficult to grasp, what we need to realize is that our faith is to be based upon our position in Christ. Our position in Christ is secured. We have already been raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places. Our concern is in living out our present life with the knowledge of our eternal placement. God gives us heavenly life as a foretaste of eternity. Heavenly life is God’s oversight of our lives.

Take time to listen to the message of the song, ‘Your Love Never Fails.’ (Jesus Culture)

Always in love with Jesus,

Buddy

Journal,

What a celebration to be remembered. Saturday was my 70^th birthday. I could not have had a more wonderful day. All my family gathered, children, grandchildren, great-grand children. And of course the church had to pull a sneak attack with a surprise party. And to top everything, there was a request for the Martin family to share some gospel music.

My, how the time does fly. Seems of late I find myself traveling more and more down memory land.

I’ve often thought, ‘Who am I that the Lord would grant to me such a stewardship as Christian Challenge. This is such a wonderful ministry. Seems all our members carry the heart of a disciple. We are a family.’

Its not that we are bigger or better than any other ministry. Actually we have never been very large. It certainly doesn’t have anything to do with me personally. I’ve always felt very small when it comes to kingdom work. And yet the Lord has helped us to gather much fruit for His kingdom.

The Psalmist said it best of all…

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” (Psalm 115:1)

Christian Challenge began as a fledgling ministry in 1976. We had no financial backing. No denominational support. What we had was a stewardship

Through the years we’ve trained hundreds of believers for service in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Some have entered the mission field. Others are now pastors. But every student that has come through our School has carried something of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ from the School.

Yes, the CCI School for Christian Workers is very unique. It all relates to our ministry philosophy. We center exclusively on Biblical discipleship. The motto of Christian Challenge International is, ‘How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ The motto for the School for Christian Workers is, ‘Preparing Servants for the Nations.’

So, here we are again. For those who would like to know more about the world of a disciple, the 45^th CCI School for Christian Workers is forthcoming. Pray about it.

Would you like to know how a fourteen week course can radically change a believers spiritual life view. Here is your chance. (Note: The School is nondenominational. We’ve trained believers from a number of Christian backgrounds.)

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Here is a short study on some of what we teach in our Disciple’s Heart Training Program.

Learn to Extract the Precious from the Worthless

This is what the Lord had to say to the prophet Jeremiah:

“Therefore, thus says the LORD, “If you return, then I will restore you– Before Me you will stand; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them.” (Jer15:19)

It is crucial that believers learn how to appraise spiritual things accurately. Those who are born from above have a unique ability to recognize the things that are of God. The believer’s ability to place a value on all things becomes more acute with spiritual maturity.

Paul said that a spiritual man ‘knows’ and ‘appraises’ all things.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” (1Co2:12)

The word ‘know’ is *eido* in Greek. It means ‘to see, perceive, to turn the eyes, the mind, or the attention to anything; to get knowledge of; to be skilled in, or to know the meaning of.”

Then in verse 15, Paul says,

“But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.”

The word ‘appraises’ is *anakrino* in Greek. It means to examine, to ask questions, search, discern, and enquire into, to scrutinize, to sift. In a forensic sense it means to hold an investigation to determine the excellence or the defects of any thing.

The apostle is bringing out the strength and beauty of a believer’s spiritual life. The crown of a believer’s walk is his ability to know that which is of the Lord. It is this spiritual ability that protects a believer from error. Satan cannot successfully mislead a mature child of God.

This brings us to the importance of discernment. The ability to know if a thing is of God is important because the supernatural realm makes up more than the things of God. Satan is a spiritual being. The hallmark of Satan’s work is deception. Paul said,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this spiritual darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph6:12)

We are especially warned that in the last days there will be a great increase of deception at work in the earth. The Lord said that this deception would be so acute that even the very elect will have to maintain a special guard. (Cf. Matt24:24; 1Tim4:1-6; 2Tim3:13.)

To take this a step further, the work of demons is closely linked to the prideful flesh of man. Demons work with fleshly people. And what the fleshly person attributes to God are ‘soulish’ powers that are in cooperation with spirits of darkness. (Cf. Gal 5:19-21)

How do we know if it is a soulish power at work in a person, or if it is truly of the Spirit? When prideful flesh is at work it glories in itself. The balance comes in where God’s people are told to keep a pilgrim attitude about life. We are to hold tightly to Jesus, and loosely to the world. Paul said,

True Biblical discipleship has a spiritual base. It is an outflow of a proper relationship with the Lord. This proper relationship has a heart attitude that is set forth in the word ‘humility.’ We are to live with humble hearts before the Lord, never striving after things of the world. The Lord Himself said that if we will seek first God’s kingdom, and His righteousness, then everything else will be provided for us.

Here are some things that can help you to maintain a proper balance in your walk with the Lord:

• First – Keep in view that not all supernatural things are from God. Don’t be afraid of offending the Lord by questioning. Remember that everything the Lord has, the enemy has a substitute.
• Second – Understand that anyone can be deceived, if but for a time, even the most devoted of believers, if the believer is ignorant of how Satan works. It is this knowledge that will help keep you on guard.
• Third – Learn to trust your own spiritual judgment. This is what the renewing of the mind is about. As we consecrate ourselves to God’s service, we find our ability to judge becoming keener. (Cf. Rom12:1-3)
• Fourth – Understand that discernment and testing aren’t necessarily the same thing. You discern by the Holy Spirit. You test by the Word of God. Therefore when you may sense a thing is wrong, don’t ignore that sensing. But the more you become acquainted with God’s Word, the more you will be able to determine why what you sense is wrong. [Be willing to test every experience; dreams, visions, etc., by the Word of God.]
• Fifth – Be willing to adjust the way you do things. Even the apostles had to make changes. Peter would not go to Cornelius’ house until the Lord opened his understanding. (Cf. John7:17)

In all this, every believer must study the Scriptures to make sure they have a clear understanding of the gospel message.

The above us just a sample of what you can expect. in our School. There is so much more.

OK, let’s not leave without a song. Here is ‘Sanctuary, by Randy Rothwell…

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May the Lord richly bless you as you learn the walk of obedience,

In Christ always,

Buddy

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev 21:2 NASB)

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Journal,

All who believe in the God of the Bible, that His Word is true, and that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God, of whom they have received and accepted as their own Lord and Savior, these have secured for themselves an eternal and blessed destiny, and an eternal and blessed life. God gives all these precious believing ones the path of life they are to follow.

Jesus said,

”I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12

Now lets talk about this Light of life that Jesus came to give us.

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The essence of life from God

In Biblical Christianity there is one issue that determines whether a person is truly a Christian or not. It has nothing to do with our religious affiliation. The crown of a believer’s walk is summed up in the term, ‘Knowing the Lord.’ That term should never be taken lightly. It is the very essence of what Christianity is all about.

The apostle Peter shares insight into the life that true believers enjoy:

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2Pe1:1,2)

Peter has much more to say, but for the moment let me point out two important principles the apostle is presenting with regard to the covenant of Christ. First, Peter is saying that all believers participate equally in the kingdom of God. We have all “received a faith of the same kind as [the apostles.]“

The term ‘of the same kind’ is the Greek word ‘isotimos.’ This is a political term and speaks of equal honor. Peter’s point is that all believers share in equal honor before the throne of God. There are no second class citizens in the covenant of Christ. We are equal in standing. (This is not an issue of stewardships, or gifting, or placement, or maturity, etc. It is a relational term.)

For the second principle pay close attention verse two;

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

The word for knowledge here is ‘epignosis.‘ This word has to do with a more perfect or a fuller knowledge. The word is very expressive. It speaks of consciousness, and recognition. It especially speaks of knowing something with a degree of thoroughness. In the new covenant it would include the idea of coming to know God’s heart. Epignosis is what a believer acquires through faith in Jesus.

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To Know the Father as the Son knows the Father

To appreciate how wonderful this word is in regard to our Christian walk, listen carefully to Jesus:

“All things have been handed over to me by My Father, and no one knows [epignosis] the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know [episnosis] the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Matt11:27)

Did you catch it. The only ones who can truly know the heart of the Father are those to whom Jesus reveals Him. If we take this to its logical conclusion, Jesus is saying that in the new covenant, all born again people will have innate within them this ’conscious, definitive, recognition’ of the Father.

This knowing experience of God is the crown of a believer’s life. It is a growing knowledge. And it comes to us from Jesus Himself.

(To appreciate how the word ‘epignosis’ is used in relation to the new covenant pass your cursor over the following Scriptures. Where you see ‘knowledge‘ the word is epignosis.  - Cf. Eph1:17; 4:13; Phil1:9; Col1:9,10; 2:2; 3:10; 1Ti2:4; Phm1:6)

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The cry of the children

The very heart of the new covenant is the ‘Abba! Father!’ experience. It really doesn’t matter your church affiliation. You cannot tell a person who knows the Lord that they don’t know the Lord. The promise of the new covenant is,

“They will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Heb8:11)

Jesus placed eternal life on the basis of knowing God.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (Joh 17:3 NASB)

The apostle Paul had this to say:

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal3:26)

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge [epignosis] of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

As the truth [reality] of God reveals itself in our hearts, the result is a multiplying of grace and peace. This is why believers go through these experiences of, “I must have been born again, again.”

No, you weren’t born again, again. Truth is at work in your life. And truth always works out the freedom of Christ in us. Paul spoke of this as ‘Christ being formed in us.’ In another place, Paul says,

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed ot His death.” (Phil3:10)

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The believer’s protection

But we have to yet go a step further. To know the Lord is the greatest protection that a believer has. This is why we can call ‘knowing the Lord’ the crown of a believer’s life. In this knowing the Lord, the believer is protected from the false prophet.

It is this knowing that causes a believer to distinguish false teaching. It is this knowing that gives the believer the deepest of assurance that he or she is in the will of the Lord. It is this ‘knowing‘ that is the sign of a person who is truly born again.

Jesus nails this down in John 10:26-29. Follow this through:

“But you do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish.” (John 10:26-28)

Jesus says there is a knowing relation between both Him and His sheep. In verse 5, He says of the sheep,

“A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not *know* the voice of strangers.”

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He calls us one by one by one – He calls us by name

In the new covenant Jesus did not leave it up to the efforts of man to establish people in His kingdom. He calls us one by one by one. And He still speaks into our lives in that manner.

Our walk with the Lord is very personal. But for a believer it is a ‘knowing’ walk. We know that we are children of God. We carry that testimony in our hearts. We know that this world is not our home. We also carry that testimony in our hearts.

With that in mind I’ll conclude this journal entry with the song, ‘Jerusalem‘ by the Hoppers. Take time to listen. The Lord may have something for your heart.

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In love with Jesus,

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Buddy

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mar 8:38 NASB)

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made—I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees,

Colorless dreams, tame visions, worldly-talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops,

Recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable,

My mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, hired away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus, I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when He comes

To claim His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My banner will be clear!

–Author Unknown

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Four challenges to consider…

1. The axis of TRUTH – Don’t become doctrinally rigid in anything that pertains to the walk of truth. Leave room for spiritual growth. Absolute truth is often found in the tension of two truths that even seem pull against one another. Always ask the Lord for a better understanding of all that He would have you to understand.

“For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.“ (Pro 2:3-6 NASB)

2. The matter of LOVE – Jesus said that a disciple’s walk has to have a dual love focus. The focus is lateral, love God, and, horizontal, love others. John said that it is impossible to love God without loving others.

“’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Mat 22:36-40 NASB)

3. Singleness of PURPOSE – God wants us to serve Him with an undivided heart. Whatever things compete with God in our lives are things that attempt to divide our heart. Having singleness of heart and vision speak of a complete loyalty to Jesus Christ in all things.

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.” (Psa 86:11-12 NASB)

4. The issue of TREASURES – Our heart is always connected to our treasures. What we make time for, what we spend our money on, and what we see as priorities in life will always reflect the status of our heart far more than our words ever will do. (Mat 6:19-21)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mat 6:19-21 NASB)

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Let this song minister to your heart. The Lord wants to share some secret things with you.

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In love with Jesus,

Buddy

“Does not wisdom call … ‘To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom. Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

“For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

“Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold.

For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.” (Pro 8:1-11 NASB)

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Readers,

This is an entry where you would do well to follow all the Scriptures given. There is nothing more important to believers than to learn to draw on their heavenly life. This heavenly life is set forth in the Scriptures as ‘wisdom from above.’

There are five books in the Old Testament that are called ‘Wisdom books.’ These books are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.

To God’s ancient people ‘wisdom’ was a mystery. Wisdom not only meant skillful living, but it meant directives from God. Very early on the sages saw a close connection between God’s wisdom and Light, God’s power and His Word, and with a special view to the coming Messiah.

We see this in David’s prophetic writings.

“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” (Psa 36:9 NASB)

In this Scripture we see the hidden Christ as the fountain of life. We also see a reflection on this, when Jesus said,

“I am the Light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

David knew that the true wisdom for life could only be found in the heart of God. This is why it is said that David was a man after God’s heart. Actually there were certain things hidden in God that could only be revealed after the cross. David also knew this. And Wisdom was one of the things that was hidden in God.

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A Closer Look at Wisdom in the Old Testament

God’s ancient people always connected wisdom with rightness of life. Righteousness to them was defined as ‘right-wise-ness’. Yet wisdom still remained such a mystery.

Follow this reading from Job:

“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can silver be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx, or sapphire.

“Gold or glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; and the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.

‘Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the sky. Abaddon and Death say, ‘With our ears we have heard a report of it.’ God understands its way, and He knows its place.” (Job 28:12-23 NASB)

Did you catch it? The wisdom of God is not an earthly wisdom. It is a wisdom that is hidden in God Himself. It is a heavenly wisdom.

Keep the term ‘hidden wisdom’ in view. This heavenly hidden wisdom is going to reappear in the new covenant writings.

The wisdom of God was also connected with creation.

“The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.” (Pro 3:19 NASB)

To the ancients this wisdom from God also spoke of salvation and the coming Redeemer:

“The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.” (Isa 33:5-6 NASB)

Now see where Job speaks of the coming Redeemer:

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!” (Job 19:25-27 NASB)

It is important to keep in mind that Wisdom in the Bible always connects with the very life of God.

Which brings us to the issue of…

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Jesus the ‘hidden wisdom’ of God

When Adam sinned against the Lord, he forfeited his life & his wisdom connection with God. Mankind would enter a world dominated by darkness & death.

In the Targums, the sages taught that the original light of creation was to provide wisdom for mankind to live by. When Adam rejected God’s command, the light of wisdom was hidden. It would only come back with the Messiah.

This is where the New Testament writings open up. Most Hebrew people would have understood what John was writing, when he said:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.“ (Joh 1:1-5 NASB)

To a Jewish reader all these statements about the ‘Word’, spoke to them of the Messiah.

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New covenant believers are Children of Light.

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The terms ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ are expressions that distinguish between those born of heaven and those who are yet in sinful darkness of this present world.

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It would do you well to take note of the following Scriptures:

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise [worldly wise] and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.’” (Mat 11:25 NASB)

“… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:12-14 NASB)

“…rescuing you [Paul’s commission from the Lord] from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Act 26:17-18 NASB)

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” (Eph 5:6-8 NASB)

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” (Eph 3:8-10 NASB)

“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1Co 2:6-8 NASB)

God’s people are to learn to

Draw on our heavenly wisdom

James describes our heavenly wisdom this way:

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (Jas 3:17-18 NASB)

Paul explains that maturity in Christ actually involves learning to live from the wisdom that comes from above. The moment a person is born again they become a citizen of heaven. This means that all our resources in life, all our directives in life, and all our wisdom and skill in life are to come from a heavenly source.

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Take note of these Scriptures:

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1-3 NASB)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33 NASB)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Php 3:20 NASB)

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:15-17 NASB)

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Don’t live beneath your privileges.

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Many of God’s children are so caught up in a religious world that they let others do all their thinking for them. They are living far below what a walk with the Lord is all about. .

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You will often hear me say this but it is worth repeating

- Jesus did not come to give us a better religion. He did not come to give us a religion at all. Jesus came to give us a direct relationship with the heavenly Father. Jesus came to teach us how to live from our heavenly life. -

How do I learn to live in my heavenly life? You do this by taking the yoke of Christ upon yourself. Do it as an act of faith. Make a quality decision where you can say without condition, ‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’

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Learn to walk step-in-step with the Lord. This is how we actually draw on His strength and on His wisdom for life.

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Here is a song for your meditations – ‘You are the Light of the World.’

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In Christ always,

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Buddy

Readers,

The word Christian means a follower of Christ. It also includes the idea of an anointed one. Christ in Greek is Christos, which means ‘the anointed One.’ Christianos is the Greek for Christian, or the anointed of Christ.

The word anointing by itself is the word chrisma. All these words share a common root. The anointing that Christians have in their hearts is the Spirit of Christ. Paul says it this way,

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Gal4:6)x

And so, it really is a matter of the heart.

The blessed of the Lord

The anointing carries its influence in the life of every believer. It is here that we can draw from another word. Grace is the word charis. Charis means kindness, mercy, or, unmerited favor. It especially speaks of God’s divine presence.

The anointing therefore is God’s influence upon and within and over the heart and soul of a believer. From this divine heart anointing the believer shows himself as a child of God. God’s grace is what puts beauty into the life of the believer. Even in our repentances there will always be a flow of grace in our lives.

In the Old Testament the term, blessed of the Lord, spoke of someone who carried divine favor. This idea is seen in the new covenant in a special way. Paul said,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph 1:3)

So, is there a special manifestation of the anointing of Christ in our life? Most certainly there is. Notice the various cognates of the word grace, or, charis. To rejoice is chairo. Joy is chara. Synchairo means to rejoice with.

This anointing in our heart carries a Godly essence of joy, of peace, and of spiritual wellbeing. Jesus said that the joy to be given to us, no man could ever take away. It is this anointed life that we are called to live in.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the joyful heart that would come with the new covenant;

“Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O LORD; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.’

“Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted. Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.’” (Isa 12:1-6 NASB)

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Garnering insights…

Let’s see if we can garner insights on the inner-life of the person we call ‘Christian.’

The patriarchs and the prophets were called God’s anointed ones. A special anointing oil was made to anoint the priests, and for use in the incense lamp of the holy place. This oil was not to be duplicated or used for any other purpose on penalty of death. The oil was called ‘a fragrance incense.’ Psalm 133 is a description of the priestly anointing.

“A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forever.” (Psa 133:1-3 NASB)

Now compare this to the Christian life in 2 Cor 2:14-17.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.

“And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (2Co 2:14-17 NASB)

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The Life manifested.

John calls the anointing the Life. He is speaking of eternal life, which refers to the very life of God that was present in Jesus Christ, and has now been given to the saints. (Saints are believers in Jesus.) Follow this with 1 John 1:1-4.

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life– and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (1Jn 1:1-4 NASB)

“The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1Jn 5:10-13 NASB)

One of the great needs of any new believer is to be made aware of their new life in Christ. They already have eternal life. The apostle John said,

“The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1Jn 5:10-13 NASB)

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Realizing the Life anointing

The life anointing first expresses itself as peace in our hearts. The Bible calls Jesus, ‘the Prince of Peace.’ This peace in a believer’s heart is governmental peace. It is the spiritual sign that you are living under the Lordship of Jesus. The peace of God carries with it that inward feeling of joy or of wellbeing. Paul instructed the Colossians believers concerning the peace of God. He said,

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

The issue is simple. To be a Christian means that Jesus Christ resides in your heart. His life has become your life. Christians are to live in such a way as to bring glory to Christ Jesus. We are not to defame His name by living a worldly life-style. At the same time we are to express His life by living in the joy and peace of His kingdom. We are to be vessels that flow forth with His life.

Paul explained it this way:

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal 2:20 NASB)

How is your heart today? Do you need peace from God. Let the Lord minister to your heart with ‘Peace Be Still’; by Candy Hemphill Christmas.

Much love coming your way,

Just a brother in Christ,

Buddy

Rabbi Steward Rosenberg, after having observed Christians for years, made this statement; “The stronger a person’s Christian faith, the more Jewish will he regard himself.”

The preeminent Christian theologian Carl Barth said, “The Bible is a Jewish book. It cannot be read, understood and expounded unless we are prepared to become Jews with the Jews.”

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Journal,

Why would two learned men of different religious traditions, Judaism and Christianity, reach such a similar conclusion? The answer is simple. Christianity finds its roots in ancient Judaism. As one writer said, “Christians are spiritual Semites.”

Actually the term ‘Jew’ was a later adaption for the people of Israel. They were originally called Hebrews. Abraham was known as, ‘Abram the Hebrew.’ (Gen14:13) — The term Hebrew is becoming even more popular in Israel today —

And so Paul said, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” [Cf. Gal. 3:29] This is where the idea of spiritual Semites comes in. 

The apostolic writers taught that Christians are the spiritual children of Abraham. Without being technical over terms, does it surprise you that anyone would speak of Christians as spiritual Semites?

Whatever the case one of the greatest needs among Christians today is to rediscover our Hebraic heritage. The Church has been living in a Greek-Latin mind set ever since she lost her appreciation for her Hebrew roots. (You can pretty much thank Rome for that. And don’t mistake a rediscovery of our Hebrew roots for the Messianic movement today. That movement can largely be compared to the Judaisers of Paul’s day. Read Galatians.)

Actually many Christians are not aware that Christianity began as a sect of Judaism. Early Jewish Christians spoke of themselves as ‘the Way.’ (Acts 9:2; 24:14,22) Later Jewish authorities began to speak of Jewish Christians as ‘Notzrim’, or, ‘the Nazarenes’. (Jerome says that Jews cursed ‘the Nazoraeans’. Cir. 400 a.d.)

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Only two movements survived.

After the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, only two of these movements survived. One evolved into Rabbinic or Talmudic Judaism. Rabbinic Judaism was a take off from the Pharisees.

The other movement took on the name Christianity. Christianity became heir to the ancient faith of Israel in which she longed for her Messiah. Rabbinic Judaism would have her day, but it would be in the far distant future. (Second coming of the Lord.)

Yet in spite of all this, we still share a deep kinship with the Jewish people. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. The apostles were Jews. The prophets were Jews. The Bible of the early Church was Jewish. In fact the Bible we love is a Hebrew document from Genesis to Revelations. (This is why when Jews read the New Testament, they hear a Jewish voice.)

When Jerusalem was destroyed, Rabbinic Judaism, which had its source in the Pharisees, began to supplant Biblical Judaism, and became anti-Christian. Jesus Christ was rejected as the Messiah. Because of the rejection of Jesus, the Jews would become prey to many false Messiahs. This has been their history.

In early church persecutions, the persecutions were Jews persecuting Jews. Christian Jews were accused of being heretics. Following the destruction of Jerusalem, the two branches of Judaism continued with a love-hate relationship. The issue, however, was that the Christian branch had an atonement in the Messiah. The Judaists had neither atonement nor temple. A new religion had been created. It continues that way to this day.

With the temple gone there was little need for a priesthood in Israel. The Sadducees passed off the scene. Judaism eventually evolved into modern Judaism with its three major groupings; Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed Judaism. The Rabbis were at center stage.

As for the other major branch of Judaism, a name change was foretold by the prophets. Peter, who was most certainly a Jewish apostle, told the new covenant believers never to be ashamed of their name as ‘Christian.’ (Cf. 1 Pet 4:16; Isaiah 65:15)

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The changing picture.

As Gentiles flooded into the Church, Christianity began to drift from her Hebraic roots. Greek philosophy filled the Church. Dualism became the norm. But it was when Christianity began centering in Rome, that the Church started taking on a strange nature. The Church put on her imperial vestments. She was now ‘the’ religion. She was now ‘the’ kingdom of God manifest in the earth. She could now pronounce curses on any who did not agree with her. And she carried the sword to enforce her will. Saddest of all, the Jewish element of the Church was treated as a step child at best.

(It should be noted, however, that there have always been purer forms of Christianity than that which evolved out of Rome. Keep in mind that the one who has the votes writes the history.)

What eventually happened is that the Greek-Latin aberration of Christianity took the place of the Hebraic form. Darkness began to overtake much of the Church. Paul warned of this. (Cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-6)

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Engrafted into the ancient tree of redemption

Paul had also warned Gentile believers not to boast against the Jewish branches who were broken off because of their rejection of Jesus, nor to boast against the Hebraic nature of the Church.

Paul went on to explain that Gentile believers are wild olive branches who have been engrafted into God’s cultivated olive tree. This means that Gentiles were partaking of a completed Messianic-redemptive faith.

The point is that our engraft is into a tree that existed long before New Testament Christianity. The olive tree is metaphoric. It could be said to reach back to Abel. (Many thoughts can come forth from a study on the olive tree.)

As engrafted branches, Gentile believers were to take on the nature of the olive tree, not vice versa. Perhaps it is in this sense that Gentile believers began to feel themselves as having Jewish hearts. (Jewish in the sense of a completed Messianic Judaism.)

While it is true that in God’s salvation code being Jew or Gentile is meaningless, the fact remains that the Church is Hebraic in nature. All believers are spiritual descendants of Abraham. Our Bible is written entirely in Semitic thought form. The more you study, the more you began thinking Hebraically. Paul said that to the Jews alone God committed His oracles. (Cf. Romans 3:2)

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Things we have lost.

Now let’s consider some examples of what we have lost from our Hebraic heritage. Often when Christians read and study the Scriptures, our desire is to accumulate knowledge. We gather data. We study with scholastics in mind. However, in the Biblical-Hebrew tradition, God’s people are taught to study the Scriptures in order to draw near to God.

For the ancient Hebrews the study of Torah was the highest form of worship. It was through study that a person came to know God in a personal way. Yet for the Jews who rejected Jesus, the Torah became a closed book in many senses. This is because Jesus is the living Word of God. The Biblical Christian still meets and worships God by meeting Him in the Scriptures.

Then we have prayer. Often Christians are taught that the more we pray the more spiritual we become. The stress is often on long prayers. Certainly there is a place for longer prayers, yet in the Hebrew tradition, long prayers were not that common. In fact, Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees over their pretence of righteousness with the use of long prayer. (Matt. 23:14)

The Jewish people were taught that their whole life was an offering of prayer. Even their work was to be considered worship. The Hebraic emphasis is more on short prayers of thankfulness. (Cf. Matt. 6:5-13; 1 Thess. 5:16-18.)

When Paul says we should pray without ceasing, he was speaking as a Jewish man. As a rule our daily life should to be a continuous activity of short prayers filled with thanksgivings.

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Then there is dualism.

Some Greeks felt that anything of the material world was evil. When Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing, he was not calling his body evil. He was saying that there is a principle of sin in fallen man. The Hebrew writers refer to this as the evil inclination. (Yetzer haRa.) Actually we are to rejoice in our humanity.

With the Greeks the highest form of spirituality was to enter into a monastic form of living. Monasticism comes from a root word which means to be alone. What did God say about aloneness? He said it wasn’t good. (Gen. 2:18) It was this kind of thinking that contributed to extolling celibacy in the priesthood.

One of the Latin fathers went so far as to say that when a man and his wife have conjugal relations the Holy Spirit leaves the bedroom.

Nowhere does the Bible teach that a celibate lifestyle is in particular spiritual. Actually it teaches the opposite. The Bible affirms the goodness of marriage and the family. A Biblical requirement of a Christian bishop (pastor) is that he be married.

In the Hebrew tradition the act of love in marriage was and is considered both sacred and joyful. Love in marriage allows a couple to express their gift of maleness and femaleness. If you don’t think God wants us to celebrate the romantic side of
marriage, read the Song of Solomon. Because of our western mindset this book can be embarrassing. It is a love manual. (Cf. Prov. 5:15-20; Eccl. 9:9; Heb. 13:4)

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An identity crisis.

Perhaps it is enough to say that we Christians are finding ourselves in an identity crisis. Who am I? What am I about? Where did I come from? You can be certain that many of these questions have their answer in a rediscovery our Hebraic heritage in Christ.

But it is not only Christians who are in an identity crisis. Jews are there also. There is a statistic put out by the Jews that I find quite interesting. They say that over 50% of Jewish men marry outside their culture. Most marry Christian woman. Why would a Jewish man be drawn to a Christian women? Is it possible that it relates to a Messiah hunger in the Jews? Could this be another indicator of the second coming of Christ? I think so. Many walls between Christian and Jew are beginning to melt away.

There is a final caution. In our search for roots, we should not reject everything that is not Hebraic. Neither should we get on a Jewish lust trip. No person is ever closer to God than being in Christ Jesus. What we should do is rejoice in the diversity and beauty of Christianity while seeking to learn more about our true Biblical heritage.

Yes, we do share a heart with the Jewish people. But we have to remember that new covenant people have been given a new name. Christian means those who belong to the Messiah.

Just some things to think about.

A fellow pilgrim on the journey of life,

Buddy

“I come as an ambassador from the kingdom of God, and I have a message for you from the King.”

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Journal,

It  happened many years ago. We were crossing a mountain in Honduras to reach a village near the border of Guatemala. I knew that I’d be preaching the gospel in the village, but I wanted to know if there was something special the Lord wanted me to say. I heard in my heart, ‘Tell them that you come as an ambassador from the kingdom of God, and that you have a message for them from the King.’

The church was packed to the extent that some of the men were actually sitting in the open windows. Women and children crowded most all the pews. A few men were scattered around while a large group of men gathered at the back of the church. There was little room for anyone else to enter the building.

The moment Nathan began to interpret what the Lord had given me to say, a holy hush settled over the crowded assembly. I began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is when it happened. As I was bringing my message to a close, an old Indian stood up and began making his way towards the front. I could not take my eyes off of him. I was watching the power of the gospel. The old Indian was coming to meet his King. And meet Him he did. It was as though the Lord was allowing me to see the spiritual side of redemption. It had nothing to do with me. It had everything to do with the power of the gospel.

I have never forgotten that scene. It has been imprinted deep in my heart. And that is only one of multitudes of scenes that the Lord has imprinted in my 45 years as a servant of the Lord. I fully understand why Paul said,

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified … so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” (Cf. 1Co2:2-5)

So, what gospel did the apostles preach? Was it a Catholic gospel? Is it a Protestant gospel or an Evangelical gospel? And on and on and on.

Then you have the Mormon gospel, the Jehovah Witnesses gospel, the Seventh Day Adventists gospel, the Messianic movement gospel, the Charismatic movement gospel. Is it any wonder that people get confused today? What is the gospel?

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Is it not strange that we would even have to ask what gospel the apostles preached?

Is it not strange that we would even have to ask, “What is the message that has been entrusted to the Church for the past 2000 years, by which any person can be saved?”

Well, don’t find it strange that we should ask these questions. Satan’s greatest efforts of deception have always been to put a death shroud over the gospel of our salvation. He does it by wrapping it up in religious jargon. He does it by introducing a mixture of strange teachings. He does it by adding things that were never taught by Jesus or the apostles. Satan’s mode of operation is to create strange gospels.

Satan well knows that the simple gospel of Jesus Christ is the one thing people need to hear in order to be saved. Somehow he has to keep that message from going forth in its purity.

Did not the writer of Hebrews, say,

“Do not be carried away by strange teachings?” (Heb13:9)

Did not the apostle say,

“We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (Eph4:14)

Paul is using a picture of a foamy sea, combined with twisting winds, to make his point. And his point is that immature believers, who are not anchored in the true gospel of Jesus Christ, are easily caught up in the swirl of false teachings.

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Seeking the next experience.

Contending false gospels have always been a major battle zone for the church. This is why you see so much ‘experience’ chasing today. People have never discovered the beauty and power of the simple gospel. And so, they are continually seeking the ‘next’ experience that will truly set them free.

Ever notice how it is always the next revival, or the next move, or ‘we are right on the edge of something great,’ or, ‘the next thing is the Elisha move.’ Ever stop to think what all these terms are saying? They are saying that Jesus is not enough by Himself. They are saying that no believer can stop and rest. We must strive! Strive! Strive! Next thing you know, you have believers confused, tired and a little more than upset.

We are living in an age of spiritual junkies. The next great revival is just around the corner. Did you know that the apostles never taught any such thing? They never taught a striving after the next move. What they preached was our fulfillment in Christ Himself. Did not Paul say, “Christ in you the hope of glory.”

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What did Jesus say?

Did He not say,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heaven-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt11:28)

Did not John say,

“For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

Paul said,

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2Co11:3)

James said,

“But the wisdom (fruit of the gospel) from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

Listen carefully to this Scripture:

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him YOU HAVE BEEN MADE COMPLETE, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” (Col2:9,10 - Caps for emphasis only.)

So what did the apostles preach?

First understand that Paul placed a curse on false gospels? Do you remember him saying,

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should PREACH TO YOU a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.” (Gal1:8)

Please listen carefully – There is one word that we need to connect to with in the issue of what the apostles preached. It is the word, ‘preached.’ The apostles preached something that every false gospel tries to undermined. Do you know what it is?

Well, let’s see what it is. Listen carefully to Romans 10:8-10;

“But what does it say? ‘The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,’ that
is, the word of faith WHICH WE ARE PREACHING …

…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

You can read the Scriptures for yourself. Ask the Lord to show you the true plan of salvation. He will open your eyes to the glory and beauty of simple faith. The only thing you will need to do is to get into the Bible for yourself. Read it with a passion.

Let me pass something on to you that is wonderful beyond words. Someone once asked Charles Spurgeon, the man known as the prince of preachers, to write a defense of the gospel. He responded that the gospel did not need to be defended. It is like a caged lion. Turn it loose and it will take care of itself.

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Now a word about metaphysical gospels –

Many believers today do not realize how very subtle the teachings of metaphysics are. It is very easy to cross over into this realm without truly understanding what is happening.

Metaphysical teachings appeal to our desire for control. Since we are spiritual creatures, we love the appeal of great things. All we have to do is learn the spiritual laws. For example, “You can create with your words!” Or, “If you say a thing enough, it will happen.”

Did you know that this kind of teaching is the basis for sorcery? Sorcery involves the manipulation of spiritual forces.

But is this what the apostles taught? Hardly. The apostles taught the principle of Lordship.

Paul warned the Corinthian Church that they were bordering on the occult. Did you know this?

Listen carefully;

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Co11:4)

What under heaven was Paul talking about? He was talking about the very thing that is happening in certain movements in Christendom today. Spiritual laws are being taught in the place of Lordship. How to accomplish prosperity is being preached in the place of Biblical repentance, and in not striving after wealth. The list is endless. All these strange teachings are replacement gospels.

What does any of this have to do with the old Indian?

It has everything to do with the old Indian. I brought to the old Indian the only message that can be validated from heaven, the only message that we are authorized to preach. I brought to him the gospel of the kingdom of God. I preached what Paul preached, what Peter preached, what John preached. Here it is:

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1Co 15:1-4 NASB)

Yes there is more to be said about preaching the gospel from heaven. I’ve often told folk that I can preach the gospel a thousand different ways but it will always be the same gospel. It will always be about Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Seems if I stay with that message I will always be in good company.

If you are still curious about what the apostles preached go to this page:

http://buddymartin.net/blog/salvation/

Think about it.

In Christ always,

Buddy

“Let me sing now for my well-beloved A song of my beloved concerning His vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill.” (Isa 5:1 NASB)

“You removed a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground before it, and it took deep root and filled the land.” (Psalm80:8,9)