I Have Seen The Enemy And He Is Us!

Hello To All:

My youth was spent, living on a small farm, in rural Minnesota. The winters were cold, with lots of snow. The summers were far too short. My father worked in a nearby city as a skilled tradesman. My mother, sometimes worked, but most often, stayed home to be a mother to her children. Our life was simple; and, by some standards, we were considered to be among the poor of the community; but, as a youngster, such things did not have much of an impact. We had food, shelter and clothing; and life, for the most part, was good.

My father, often, brought a newspaper home with him. I loved the comic strips! So, as soon as I had a chance, I would grab the paper and catch up on my favorites. One of those was called: "Pogo." The setting was the Okefenokee Swamp, of the southeastern United States. The characters consisted of the animals and critters common to such an area. Of course, these creatures were given human characteristics; and their interaction formed the basis for the comic strip.

Pogo was a possum. Unlike real life possums, he was pictured with a larger, rounder head and a not so pointy nose. He was the philosopher; a creature who had acquired a certain amount of wisdom; and one who served as an elder statesman, of the forest and swamp community. His wit, his straight forward logic, and his insightful humor, often made precise statements about our human condition.

The title, for this end of the year essay, is based on one of Pogo's most memorable and insightful statements: "We have met the enemy and he is us." While doing some research, to refresh my memories about Pogo, I came across a copy of the original comic strip that contained this quote, that has stuck with me, all of these years. The strip was published on Earth Day in 1971. It contained only two panels; but, the wisdom, contained in those two panels, is for all people and for all periods of history.

In the first panel, Pogo and his friend Porkypine, are carefully walking across an open area, toward a forest area. It seems that their goal is to get to the trees; but, they are having some difficulty in their journey. They are pictured as putting their feet down, one careful step at a time. Their arms are outstretched for balance. Their attention is divided between their goal of reaching the trees and the difficulty of the journey. In the midst of this, Porkypine says: "Ah, Pogo, the beauty of the forest primeval gets me in the heart." Pogo is leading the journey, and his response to Porkypine is: "It gets me in the feet, Porkypine." The first panel does not give us any insight into what is making their journey so difficult.

In the second panel, the two friends are taking a rest. They are sitting, on the ground, near the edge of the clearing. The forest is still on the other side of the clearing. Their goal, of reaching the trees, has not been achieved; and now, we can clearly see why. The clearing is littered with the castoffs and trash of the forest community. This is what they have had to walk through, to get to the trees. Porkypine is looking down at his feet, his hands resting on the ground; and then he says: "It is hard walking on this stuff." Pogo is looking at the clearing and across to the trees. His left elbow is resting on his knee; and his chin is resting in his hand, as he responds to the comment of Porkypine, by saying: "Yep son, we have met the enemy and he is us."

Some of you, as you have been reading this, may have been reminded of the recent essay titled: "Can we see the trees." That essay was written, before I had any awareness of the context of Pogo's memorable quote. Our Lord Jesus Christ is always full of surprises. Pogo and his friend were having trouble getting to the trees because of what they, over time, had done. It is in this context, of Pogo recognizing the consequences of his deeds and the deeds of the community, that he makes this statement, about the status of the community: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Now, my beloved brethren, just as Pogo was compelled to take a hard look at reality and come to that epiphany moment of recognizing, and acknowledging the consequences of his actions and the actions of the community, that he was a part of: it is time for us to do the same.

In the case of Pogo and his friend Porkypine, they were litteraly trying to reach real trees. This was an Earth Day statement, meant to get our attention about the plight of the planet; and the impact of our deeds.

In the essay "Can we see the trees," the trees are a metaphor for the truth. The windowless rooms are meant as a metaphor for the things and deeds that both obscure the truth and make our journey to the truth, more and more difficult. This essay was written, in an effort to get us focused on our self-imposed bondage, that keeps us from the truth. Over the course, of the coming year, we shall take an in-depth look at this bondage.

In the Western Church, we are most often like Pogo's friend Porkypine: we know what our goal is, but we fail to recognize the difficult nature of our self-imposed obstacles.

We tend to, as Western Christians, to blame all of the things outside of the Church, as the reason for our difficulties and our decline. The fact of the matter is: The worst enemy that the Western Church has - is the Western Church.

To make certain that I have your attention in this; let it be known to all the world, that empowered by Jesus Christ, I would stand in the midst of any assembly; and looking out at all in that assembly; I would say, for all to hear: Hear the word of the Lord, that takes us to the heart of our condition: "I have seen the enemy and he is us."

After His forty days in the wilderness, our Lord Jesus Christ called us to repent and believe the gospel. Here, at the end of this essay number forty, let the call go forth: Let us repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

P.S. After the first of the new year, I will be taking some time for personal reflection, regarding my own journey with Jesus Christ. Empowered by Jesus Christ, our next essay should be near the end of January. The journey is becoming more difficult. Please pray for me, that I will be faithful to the tasks, that Jesus Christ sets before me.

I am crucified - Christ liveth in me!

Hello To All:

Today's posting, is the ninth in the series, titled: "I am crucified." Much ground has been covered; and there is much yet to be covered. The fullness of the truth, of the King's Book, in all of it's revelations, cannot be comprehended in just a short period of time. The path to victorious discipleship, in Jesus Christ, is not an easy path; in fact, without our comprehension of, and apprehension of, and application of, the focus of today's title - "Christ liveth in me" - we will continuously stumble, on this path to "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ."

This is not the first time, that the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ, has been referenced, in this forum; nor will it be the last. Apart from Jesus Christ - we truly are nothing. The truth that "Christ liveth in me;" goes to the heart of my identity, as one who is a Christian. This proclamation of truth, can and should be made, by all those who are truly one with Jesus Christ.

Many of our postings, take on the length and weight of essays. Today will be short - more a moment of reflection - as the year draws to an end. Much of my own journey, has been a part of the postings, for this past year. As I personally look back, I can say, with certainty, that progress has been made, in my personal journey, with Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer, is that this same thing is true, for each of you, my beloved brethren.

The truth that - "Christ liveth in me" - will require a great deal of time and effort, to fully grasp the implications, and the realities, of this position that we have in Jesus Christ. Because of this, we will put off, until after the first of the year, our in-depth look at this eternal truth. In preparation for this, I ask that you take some time and review the postings of this last year; and if you have enough time - please go back and review all that has been written, since the beginning of this forum. I often do this; and find the process very helpful.

There will be one, final posting, for this year, coming sometime next week. It will be a bit weightier then this one. It will be the fortieth essay for this year. There is something important about the number 40. In the King's Book: Israel was in the wilderness for forty years and Jesus was tempted of the devil for forty days. What will the message of essay number forty be? I can tell you this. It will be titled: "I have seen the enemy and he is us!"

Let us conclude this reflection, with the text, from the King's Book, that forms the basis for this current series. It is written, at Galatians 2:20 (KJV): "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Let us proclaim to the world, so that all may hear: "Christ liveth in me!"

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Can we see the trees?

Hello To All:

Before we continue with the series of essays titled - "I am crucified" - we need to pause for a moment. We need to have a clearer understanding of what it is like to be a Christian in a western church. We need a better perspective of who we are! We need a word picture that gets us focused on our condition, in such a way, as to help us to see the trees!

Our text, for today, comes from Psalm 1:1-3, where we find written: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

What a wonderful picture, of what it is like to be one with Jesus Christ. But, what happens, to our understanding of this text, if we have never seen a tree? What happens, to our comprehension of what this text has to say, regarding our union with Jesus Christ, if we do not even know what a tree is? The answer, of course, is that our understanding and our comprehension, would be significantly reduced; and, perhaps, we would not have any understanding; and, perhaps, we would not have any comprehension. The fullness of our union with Jesus Christ, would be lost to us; the darkness of our understanding and of our comprehension, would blind us to the truth. How can we escape so great a darkness?

Before we can escape the darkness, we must first understand the nature of the darkness. Here is what the Lord our God has shown me, in and through His Son Jesus Christ.

Consider a room with no windows; a room of our own creation; a room filled with the things of our own choosing; a room defining what we believe to be true; a room that proclaims our personal comfort zone; a room that has set the boundaries of our personal status quo; a room that establishes the basis of our relationship with other believers and the world around us; a room that defines our relationship with the one and true and living God; a room that is largely built on the precepts and commandments of men; a room that has no windows! This room, is typical of what it is, to be Christian, here, in the western church!

If you are thinking that this is too strong an indictment; that in some way this is not right; then consider this: I have lived in this room. I am very familiar with the room with no windows. The description, of this room, goes right to the heart, of our condition.

Sometimes we venture forth, from our rooms, and visit the rooms of our friends. Sometimes we will even visit the rooms of strangers. Sometimes we will even gather in very large rooms. But always, the rooms do not have any windows. The rooms do vary, to certain degrees. We will often have discussions, regarding the merits of one room, as compared to another room. Sometimes, these discussions will be very lively and energetic, filled with differing opinions, regarding the proper characteristics, of this room without windows. But, typically, satisfied with our own position, we return to our own room: to the personal darkness, that we have embraced, as being the truth.

On occasion, when we venture forth, we find that the air is exceptionally clear. As we look out, over our city, filled with windowless rooms, we catch a glimpse of something strange. We see something; it appears as a sea of green, moving in the breeze. It is far away, on the very horizon, on the outer limits of our vision. It is the trees! It appeals to us. It touches our heart, in ways we do not understand. It calls to us. It holds out a promise of something greater then ourselves; and, at certain times, it even carries the suggestion, to our hearts, that, just perhaps, we do not have the fullness of understanding and comprehension, that we have convinced ourselves, that we do have. But, soon the mist returns; the vision is lost to us; and we return to our rooms with no windows. The fading vision, of the trees, is gone. The tugging, at our heart, has been replaced by the dark contentment of our windowless room; and we say to ourselves: all is well.

Earlier, I mentioned that I had lived in such a room; but, in May of 2010 (see postings of June 2010), our Lord Jesus Christ, yanked me from my room and took me to Haiti. In Haiti, He showed me the trees. My life changed. When I returned, the reality, of the trees, began to fade; but, I had seen the truth; I was no longer content with my windowless room (see postings of September 2011, titled: "Do I Believe?").

Thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, I now live, in a room with windows - lots of windows. As the light of Jesus Christ flows in, and fills my room, I find that the boundaries of the room are ever expanding. As I become more and more "conformed to the image of Christ, who is the image of God" - I find, that the room has become less and less constricting. As Christ increases and I decrease - the boundaries of the room, are even beginning to fade - as the realities of my union with Jesus Christ become ever more apparent. Once again, I can see the trees! Thank you Jesus.

I invite you, my brethren, to allow Jesus to put windows in your rooms.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - Yield yourselves unto God!

Hello To All:

We are into a new month, as we continue our great adventure of: "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." If you are a first time visitor, I invite you to open up last months blog archive, and look over the first seven essays, in this current series, regarding the reality that: "I am crucified with Christ."

With today's posting, we continue in our examination of what the King's Book means, when it says: "Submit yourselves unto God." Our last posting took a hard look at this reality; and if you haven't already done so, I invite you to take another look, at our last posting.

Two of my favorite copies, of the King's Book, are older copies, from the middle of the last century (about the same age as I am). They are both King James Versions and contain helpful dictionaries and concordances. One of them defines submit as: yield to and surrender; words that are extremely relevant, as we continue examining our relationship to Jesus Christ.

Please take a moment to ponder these definitions, while I take some time to speak, to those of you, who may not have a personal copy of the King's Book. Some of you are readers, from countries where Bibles are difficult to come by. Some of you are readers, who may not have the resources to purchase a Bible; and there may be a variety of other reasons for limiting or denying your access to a copy of the King's Book.

In order to better facilitate private communication, with those of you who are interested, I have included my email address, in the title block and description for this blog. If you are in need of a Bible; send me an email; and I will do what I can to get you a copy of the King's Book, in the language of your choice. Whenever I pray for my family - I also pray for all of you, who are readers of this blog. Our Lord Jesus Christ, has given me this work of helping, each of you, on your own journey with Jesus Christ. Being God's instrument of getting a copy of His Book, into your hands, is one of the privileges that I have, in serving Jesus Christ. So please, communicate your needs; and allow the Lord our God to use me, to do what He enables me to do, to satisfy that need. Can we say thank you Jesus and Amen?

Now, back to today's posting: "I am crucified - Yield yourselves unto God." Our beginning text comes from Romans 6:13: "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

Our text sets two paths before us: the path of unrighteousness - the path of righteousness. One path - the path of unrighteousness - is the path of willful sin - the path of death. As it is written (Romans 6:23a): "The wages of sin is death..." The other path - the path of righteousness - is the path of willful obedience to God - the path of life. As it is written (Romans 6:23b): "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our text, from Romans 6:13, speaks of yielding. To yield, is to give absolute primacy to whatever or whoever is being yielded to. The whatever or whoever, that has been yielded to, now has absolute sovereignty over the circumstance and the moment of the yielding. When we yield - we give up control to something or to someone, other then ourselves. When we yield, we are saying yes to one thing and no to another. When we yield to unrighteousness - we are saying no to God and yes to sin. When we yield to righteousness - we are saying no to sin and yes to God.

Consider this, from Ephesians 4:24: "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Here, we have an example, of what the King's Book has to say about or positional reality: Our identity in Christ Jesus - that is our "new man" - is "created in righteousness and true holiness."

Consider this, from Romans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Here, we have an example, of what the King's Book has to say about our wilful reality: The "righteousness of God" - must be "submitted" to. This submission, this yielding, is an act of our Christ empowered, willful obedience to God our Father.

The positional reality, our identity in Christ; and, in the case of today's text, "our righteousness unto God," will not be manifested, without our Christ empowered willful submission to God our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is why our text says: "yield yourselves unto God."

In closing, my beloved, let us all ask ourselves the question: Which path are we choosing?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - Submit to God - Resist the devil!

Hello To All:

We come now, to look deeply at the victory, that we have over the third source of temptation, that can lead us to sin: the devil. Our beginning text, from the King's Book, is found at James 4:7. We find written: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Our Lord Jesus Christ has taken us deeper into our understanding of and deeper into our application of, the reality of the truth that: "I am crucified with Christ." In this process, He has shown us, particularly, in the two previous postings, that our victory over the sinful influence of the world, and our victory over the sinful influence of our own fallen nature, is the result of this transcendental truth that we are, moment by moment, "crucified" with Him.

Our text, from James, seems not to say anything about our being "crucified." It does make a significant statement about what it means to submit: we cannot be free from the sinful influence of the devil, unless He flees from us; we cannot cause him to flee from us, unless we resist him; we cannot resist him, unless we first, as our text says: "Submit yourselves therefore to God."

There is a relationship between being crucified with Christ and being submitted to God, that needs to be understood. If we do not understand that relationship and apply that understanding, to our daily lives, we will not have the victory over either the world, the flesh or the devil.

Some of you, are now probably thinking, that I have contradicted myself. I have just been used by God, to remind all of us, that we have victory because we are crucified; and then, in the previous paragraph, I seem to take that statement away, by connecting being crucified with being submitted. The question, and rightly so, should be asked: What is the lesson here? Why does there seem to be a contradiction?

The answer rests in our recognizing, that the truth that we are crucified, is a positional reality; whereas, the truth regarding our being submitted to God is a willful reality.

Our daily crucifixion, has been and is accomplished, by the completed work of Jesus Christ. Thus our position in Christ, that is our identity in Christ, is fundamentally demonstrated by the truth that we are crucified with Him. This is a manifestation of His completed and on-going work, in the lives of all who belong to Him. But, this positional identity, in Christ Jesus, is not forced on us. The benefits of our being crucified with Christ, are not automatically manifested in our daily lives. As long as we belong to Jesus, we will be crucified with Him; but, this does not mean that the benefits of our crucifixion will always be evident, in the challenges that we daily face.

In contrast to our crucified, positional identity in Christ Jesus - being submitted to God is a Christ empowered act, of our Christ empowered will, to obey God. We submit ourselves to God by yielding to and surrendering to His absolute Lordship and Kingship of our lives. He is everything and we are nothing. In the words of John the Baptist: "He must increase and I must decrease." Simply put: to submit to God is to obey God; but, this is a level of obedience, that goes way beyond our natural abilities and strengths. Apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot submit to God.

Perhaps, the best way to understand this relationship between our positional identity, in Christ Jesus; and our Christ empowered willful submission to God; is to be reminded of Christ's own positional identity; and His willful submission to the Father, that affirmed His eternal identity.

We find written, in Matthew 26:36-39: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Jesus of Nazareth is, eternally, the Christ, the Son of the living God. Fundamentally, this is His identity. As the Son of God, He comes (as recorded in the Matthew text), to a point in history, eternally determined by His Father. He faces a task, that causes Him to be: "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." His task is to pay the price for all of humanity's sins for all of eternity.

The King's Book, tells us that Jesus is like us, in every way, except without sin. In the garden, in the perfection of His humanity, and in the fullness of His divinity, He is driven to His knees, as He cries out to His Father. He has become "exceeding sorrowful," because of the challenge, related to the burden, that He must carry to the cross, that has been eternally prepared for Him.

In this challenge, that He must endure, He shows us the eternal relationship between identity and submission. In a most compelling way, Jesus affirms His eternal identity, as the Son of God, when He cries out to His Father: "nevertheless - not as I will, but as thou wilt." He gives us, an absolute understanding of what it means to be totally yielded to, and totally surrendered to the will of God our Father. His eternal identity, as the Son of God, was affirmed by His absolute submission to His Father, as He said yes, to going to the cross, prepared specifically for Him.

Now, with God's help, let us apply this to our lives. If we are in Christ Jesus - then - we are "crucified with Christ." This is, fundamentally, our identity in Christ. But, the benefits of our identity, will not be manifested, without our yielding and surrendering to God our Father, by embracing the way of the cross and the crucified life that Jesus Christ has won for us; and offers to us. All we have to do, is to exercise our Christ empowered will to say yes to Him in all things.

As we say yes to Jesus Christ, our identity,of being crucified with Christ, is manifested in such a way, as to cause us to be able to submit ourselves to God, so that we can resist the devil, so that he will have to flee from us. Without our Christ empowered "nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done," the benefits of our being "crucified with Christ," will not be realized in the challenges that we daily face. Our victory comes, in our submission to Jesus. As it is written: "Submit yourselves unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - Our old man is crucified!

Hello To All:

Our text, for today's posting, comes from Romans 6:6, where we find written: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Please note, that the King James Version says: "our old man is crucified with him." All of the contemporary translations, that I am aware of, put this daily and on-going event, in the past tense. Once again, we see the effects of western rationalism.

Western rationalism has robbed us of our victory over our fallen and sinful nature: what Romans 6:6 calls our "old man." Romans chapter six and verses one through eleven, reveals the truth regarding our baptism; and the connection of baptism to the death of Jesus Christ; and the connection of baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the connection of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the on-going, ever occurring death of our "old man," and the subsequent victory we can have over sin, on a daily and moment by moment basis.

Western rationalism, and the subsequent influence on the contemporary translations, of the King's Book, puts all of the above revealed truths, in the past tense. By being grammatically correct, the contemporary translations obscure the transcendent realities, regarding our eternal union with Jesus Christ; and, when we embrace being grammatically correct, we find ourselves struggling with sin and not understanding why we cannot find the victory. The rational precepts and commandments of western thinking, have robbed us of the transcendent victory, that we can have in Jesus Christ.

When we embrace the transcendental truths, regarding our eternal and present day, moment by moment union with Jesus Christ, we can have victory over all of the challenges of life. This victory, includes victory over the sin that so easily besets us. Thus, by recognizing, that "our old man IS (emphasis added for clarity) crucified with him (referring to Jesus Christ)," we can find ourselves in a daily and moment by moment position to stand firmly against sin and the challenges of life. Our old sinful nature, our flesh: "is crucified" with Jesus Christ. As it is written in another place: "I am crucified with Christ."

Let us be reminded of Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin." Our freedom, in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to the world (please see previous posting); and, our freedom in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to our own sinful flesh (our "old man"). In our next posting, we shall remind ourselves of the victory, that Jesus Christ has won, for us, over the third source of temptation. Until then, and forever here-after, let us proclaim the truth of the King's Book: "I am crucified with Christ."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - The world is crucified unto me!

Hello To All:

Often, we are reminded about the dangers of the world, the flesh and the devil. Sin is what separates us from God; and the world, the flesh and the devil are, seemingly, constant sources of temptation that can lead us to sin.

We should also be reminded, that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ, have the promise of victory over sin; and, for those times, when we fall back into sin, we also have the promise of forgiveness for our sins. Consider these words, from the King's Book, found written at First John 1:9-10: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

As we continue to examine the realities of - "I am crucified with Christ" - we begin, this day, to look very closely at the most foundational, of all of the benefits of being: "crucified with Christ." That reality, being our victory, in Christ Jesus, over sin.

Our text, from First John, promises us that: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Forgiveness is promised when confession is made. In this we should and need to rejoice. But, many of us struggle with on-going sinful things. We cannot find the victory; and we do not understand why. We cry out to God; and, seemingly, there is no answer to our dilemma; and we continue to sin. What is it that we are missing?

What is missing, is our understanding of, and our application of, this truth that we are: "crucified with Christ." Crucifixion brings death; and death, in Christ, brings victory. Consider these words from Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."

Consider, also, these words from Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Here, once again, the transcendent reality of the cross of Jesus Christ, is laid before us. Paul, very emphatically, reminds us of this transcendent truth, when he states: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Please note: Paul spoke in a real time, in an at the moment condition, of his being crucified to the world. Paul had victory, because the world no longer had a hold on him. The cross of Jesus Christ, and the real time effect, and on-going reality of - "I am crucified with Christ" - had freed Paul from the influence of, and the bondage to, the sinful influence of the world.

Thus, we should also embrace this affirmation of victory over the sinful influence of the world. Moment by moment, as we submit to this great truth, that we are - "crucified with Christ" - we can then say, with Paul, that: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - Always delivered unto death!

Hello To All:

Our text, for our continuing examination, of the application of, "I am crucified with Christ," comes from Second Corinthians 4:11, where we find written: "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." There is much, in this text, that warrants extensive examination; but, for today's posting, we are focusing on: "always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake."

A couple of years ago, during a time of prayer and quiet communication, with our Lord Jesus Christ, I was considering the implications of the above text; and I was challenged by the question of: How was I always delivered unto death? Was there something that I must be doing, in order to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death?" As soon as I considered that possibility, that I must be doing something: the Spirit of God filled me with the reality of: "I am crucified with Christ."

For most of my journey, with my Lord Jesus Christ, the Galatians 2:20 text, and the reality that, "I am crucified with Christ," has been a foundational part of all that I have taught and preached; and yet, during this time of prayer, I was not making the connection between "I am crucified" and "always delivered unto death." It was not until the Spirit of God broke through and shattered the thought that I must do something, to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death," that I was able, by the same Spirit of God, to make the connection; and to comprehend and to apprehend the truth of the King's Book. Coming to know the truth, had set me free.

The certain knowledge that the transcendent reality of "I am crucified with Christ," is the means, whereby the Lord our God causes me to "always be delivered unto death," was life changing. The bondage of looking for some work that I must do, in order to make this happen, was broken and shattered; and Jesus Christ had set me free, with the truth of His Word, with the truth contained in His Book: The King's Book - what we commonly call the Bible.

We should, once again, be reminded of the truth, that apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. We are always set free, when we submit to the truth of the King's Book. Can we say Amen, as we embrace the truth, and submit to the truth, that we are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake: because we are crucified with Christ, in the here and now, day by day and moment by moment! Amen and Amen and Amen!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified - I die daily!

Hello To All:

We come now, to the practical application of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..." (Galatians 2:20). How is it that this truth effects our daily lives? What is the great work, that is being accomplished, because of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..."?

Our text, for today's posting, comes from First Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV), where we find written: "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." The King James Text, of the King's Book, often contains old world English words and phrases, that are sometimes difficult to understand, in a contemporary setting. Thus, for today's text, I have chosen the New King James Version, of the King's Book.

"I affirm ... I die daily." When you read the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, if you do not read carefully, you will miss the full impact and meaning of this, seemingly, off hand comment of: "I die daily." We must ask: how does this relate to the context of the fifteenth chapter? We must also ask: How does Paul, and thus us, die daily? The answers will help us, to more fully comprehend, the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms. The answers will take us deeper, into our understanding, of our eternal union with Jesus Christ.

In this fifteenth chapter, Paul is writing about the supernatural reality, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the reality of our own, future resurrection; and of the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the here and now of our daily lives. In the midst of this great teaching, we have our text of today.

With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - he is connecting the realities of the supernatural to the realities of the natural. With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - the supernatural reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was, and is, connected to the daily realities of the natural realms. When Paul wrote these words of verse 32 (NKJV): "If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me - if the dead do not rise..?" - he gave us insight into the benefits of this connection.

Paul's reference to his having: "fought with beasts at Ephesus," can easily be regarded, as being representative of all of the challenges, that we face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Paul makes it very clear: there is no advantage to him, or to us: "if the dead do not rise." Our struggles, in the natural realms, are without any purpose, if there is no connection to the supernatural realms; and to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In verse 19 (KJV), we find written: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Thus, as Paul makes the case for the truth of the resurrection: he also makes the case, for the benefits of the resurrection, in the here and now, in the realities of our day to day challenges. When he wrote, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, these words: "I die daily" - he shows us the absolute connection between the supernatural realms and the natural realms. He not only shows us the connection; but, he also gives us insight into how and why we are benefited by that connection.

Thus, we come to the first application of: "I am crucified with Christ." Paul, and us, was and is able to "die daily," because, all of us, that is, those of us who are in Christ, can say: "I am crucified with Christ." In our daily death, we have reason to, and empowerment for, undertaking and engaging the challenges that all of us face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Our daily death, moves us to and empowers us for service to Jesus Christ, because of the promise of our eternal union with Jesus Christ, that is affirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In our next posting, we shall continue with our examination of the practical application of: "I am crucified with Christ."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

I am crucified!

Hello To All:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 King James Version).

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as a historical event, taking place at precisely the time of God's choosing, took place almost two thousand years ago; and yet, our text says: "I am crucified with Christ." The "I am," references the present moment - the here and now - the time and place of our present daily reality!

Once again, we are confronted with the deep mystery of God. This reality, that "I am crucified with Christ," cannot be understood with our natural minds. It is a reality, that cannot be comprehended from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. It is a reality that defies and challenges the paradigm of Western rationalism. It is a reality that is little understood in the Western Christian church.

This truth, that "I am crucified with Christ," is a reality that can only be understood from God's perspective. Consider this from the King's Book. We find written, at First Corinthians 2:14, the following: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

In so many ways, as Western Christians, we are like that "natural man," to whom "the things of the Spirit of God," are "foolishness." We cannot understand, comprehend, apprehend and apply, these "things of the Spirit of God," with our "natural" minds. These are "things," that cannot be "discerned," from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. These are realities that can only be "spiritually discerned." (Please see the posting of 12/06/09 titled: "Let us repent of our sectarian ways." This posting more fully examines the relationship between the "natural man" and Western Christians.)

Thus, if we are to recognize the truth, that "I am crucified," as being an ever present reality, then we must look to the Spirit of God, for that recognition. The Spirit of God will remind us, that the reality of "I am crucified," can only be recognized from God's perspective. Let us be reminded: "...neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, including time; but, He, that is Jesus Christ, is not bound by time. The King James text, by stating: "I am crucified" - is reminding us of the transcendent reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; and it is also reminding us of the transcendent reality of the cross and of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is to speak the truth regarding the transcendent victory of the cross; and the cross's transcendent impact on our day by day and eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is also to recognize, that just as Jesus Christ is not bound by time, so is it true, that in our union with Jesus Christ, we are no longer limited, nor constrained, by the bounds of time.

When we come together, for our next posting, we shall examine the application of: "I am crucified."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

"I am crucified with Christ"

Hello To All:

It is time to go deeper in our understanding of, our comprehension of, our apprehension of and our application of, the reality of our eternal union with Jesus Christ. Throughout the course of this blog, this union, and it's importance, has been referenced on numerous occasions; and much groundwork has already been laid, to prepare us for going deeper. I encourage all of you, to take some time to revue previous postings.

Our beginning text; and certainly one of the foundational texts for this examination, comes from Galatians 2:20, where we find written: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This text is quoted from the King James Version of the King's Book, which is the text that we typically quote from, unless otherwise noted.

For those of you, who are regular readers of this blog, you are aware of my preference for the King James Translation. (Please see posting of 01/30/10 titled "The King James translation and victorious discipleship" - see, also, the posting of 02/18/10 titled "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.") This text is one of the reasons why.

In this text, the King James translation, differs from all other English translations, that I am aware of, in two very important ways.

1. The King James text states: "I am crucified with Christ" - the others say: "I was crucified."
2. The King James text references: "the faith of the Son of God" - the others say: "faith in the Son of God."

Clearly, there is a significant difference, in meaning, between the King James Version and the more contemporary English translations. I would argue that the contemporary translations are overly influenced by the rational thinking, of contemporary western academics and theologians.

I am neither an academic nor am I a theologian. I simply believe that God means what He says and that He says what He means. That belief, is what I am inclined to call: God inspired rational thinking. To believe God is the most rational thing, that I can think of doing. But, contemporary thinking seems to view rational, as being defined, only by what occurs in the natural realms. The supernatural realities, of our relationship, with Jesus Christ, are diminished and obscured by this contemporary rational thinking, that is very evident in most English translations.

Western rationalism, limits itself by the self-imposed limitations of the natural realms. The supernatural is becoming less and less a part of the matrix of Western thinking. We are supposed to walk by faith; but, more and more, we are walking by sight.

Our union with Jesus Christ transcends the limitations of the natural realms (please see posting of 02/04/10 titled: "The transcendental reality of victorious discipleship"). It is the King James translation, of the King's Book, that gives us the best opportunity to recognize the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms.

The principal reason, that many of us are stuck in "entry-level discipleship," is directly related to the self-imposed limitations of Western rationalism and it's denial of any significant influence from the supernatural realms. This sort of rational thinking, has been embraced by much of Western Christianity; and this sort of rational thinking is a major contributor to the bondage of unbelief (see posting of 07/25/11 titled: "The Oppression of Unbelief"), that has robbed Western Christianity of it's power and it's authority.

Since, the principal purpose, of this forum, is to promote: "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ" - then, it must be that we reject this Western style of rational thinking and embrace God's way of thinking. Our eternal union with Jesus Christ, can only be understood from God's perspective. It is this perspective, revealed in and through Jesus Christ, that we shall continue to seek to understand, to comprehend, to apprehend and to apply to our lives, as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In closing, let us consider this: "I am crucified (that is - here and now - in real time) with Christ."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

If a man abide not in Me: part three

Hello To All:

What choice have we made this day? Have we chosen, in the words of Christ, to "abide in Me;" or, have we chosen, in the words of Christ, to "abide not in Me?" It is a choice that we make each day of our lives. To "abide," in the context of John chapter fifteen, essentially means to remain or to continue: it always involves choice! Choice always involves believing and obeying: "thou shalt not eat of it" - "a blessing if ye obey" - "a curse if ye not obey" - "choose you this day whom you will serve" - "we will serve the Lord." The full text, containing these quotes, can be found at the posting titled: "If a man abide not in Me: part two." Again, we must ask: what choice have we made this day?

In our text (John 15:1-8), the Lord our God makes a choice, that, not just should, but better get our attention. If we ignore the choice that God our Father makes - we may find ourselves amongst those who were once followers of Jesus Christ; but now, are amongst the lost! As we consider God's choice, let us also consider these words of Jesus Christ, recorded in Matthew 12:30, where we find written: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Please note - there are only two positions, in this life: we are either with Jesus Christ or we are against Jesus Christ. There is no middle ground. There are only two choices to make. Let us be reminded, once again, of those words of Joshua: "Choose you this day, whom you shall serve."

We find written, at John 15:1-2 (New King James Translation of the King's Book), the following: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

He takes away. That action, on the part of the Lord our God, is an act of judgement. In this context, judgement involves eternal consequences. Look to verse 6: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." The branch that does not bear fruit (verse 1) is also the branch that does not abide (verse 6). The Father's judgement is to "take away" and "cast forth as a branch."

That branch that no longer abides, that is - the branch that no longer bears fruit: this is the one that is no longer in union with Jesus Christ. This is the branch that "withers." It withers, because it has chosen, in the words of Christ, to: "abide not in Me." That branch, that is, the withered branch is "gathered" and "cast into the fire" and "burned." This is a terrifying picture of eternal judgement and separation from the Lord our God. This is a picture that should strike us deeply and compel us to say: Lord have mercy - Christ have mercy - Lord have mercy! This is a picture, that should cause us to cry out: Lord Jesus Christ - empower me to make right choices - keep me as an abiding and fruit bearing branch. Keep me, as your abiding disciple, for all of eternity. Amen and Amen and Amen!

It is written (John 10:27-28): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

The time is at hand for us to bring some closure to this question of: Can we loose our salvation? The evidence, thus far presented, from the King's Book, says yes. And then we come to the above passage, from John chapter ten; and the wonderful promise: "...they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." This is an absolute promise, from our Lord Jesus Christ; and an absolute statement, regarding the eternal realities of our "abiding" in Jesus Christ. It would seem, at first look, that the answer of yes, to the question, is invalid. It would seem, at first look, that the evidence presented, from the King's Book, to support the answer of yes, has been one sided; and has failed to include the whole counsel of God.

If I have presented a biased view of the King's Book - then surely I have sinned. And, I must admit, that as we look at the wonderful promise - "neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" - it would seem, at first look, that there is strong evidence to support the view that I have sinned in presenting a, supposedly, biased view of the truth, regarding the question at hand. But, if we limit ourselves to first looks, we increase the possibility, that we will be deceived.

We often come to the King's Book, pre-disposed to a certain viewpoint; and because of our predisposition, we will only see what supports our view. If we are to be set free, by the truth of God's Word, then we need to leave our biases on the throne room floor; and then look to Jesus to show us the truth.

Let us take a closer look, at our text, from John chapter ten, and look to verse 27: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..." The ones who can claim the wonderful and eternal promise, are the ones who: hear His voice - are known by Him - and they follow Him. Let us be reminded, that to "follow Him," is a matter of choice; and choice, necessarily demands the freedom to choose.

The Lord our God, sovereignly promises, that no one can take us from Him - but, we cannot claim the promise unless we are following Him. Here, once again, we are challenged with the tension, from our perspective, between the sovereignty of God and the freewill of man. But, my beloved, here is the most wonderful of realities: From God's perspective, there is no tension. The Lord our God, understands how it is possible for Him to be absolutely sovereign, that is to say: God is able to be absolutely in control of all things and still give us the ability and the freedom to choose. And, in that God given freedom, we can choose to, in the words of Christ: "abide in Me." We can also choose to, in the words of Christ: "abide not in Me." With one choice we have life. With the other choice - we have lost our salvation.

It is not necessary for us to be able to understand the how of this. This is a mystery that we must accept and rejoice in. It should be enough for us, that God understands this. It should be enough for us, that the how is not a problem for Him. In God's understanding we can and should find peace. In God's understanding, we can and should rejoice in the promise of eternal life that is made to all who "follow" Jesus Christ. In God's understanding, we can further rejoice, because He not only gives us the promise of eternal life, in and through His Son Jesus Christ; but, He also empowers us, in and through His Son Jesus Christ, to follow Him; and thus, to be able to claim that promise of eternal life. Can we say: Thank you Jesus!

In closing, let us return to our text, and look, once again, at verse five: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that aideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

If a man abide not in Me: part two

Hello To All:

This matter of "abide in Me" and "abide not in me," has hopefully, gotten our attention. If the contrast between these two positions, has not impacted us, in some significant way - then, perhaps, we are in very deep trouble. This is a matter of choice. Choice necessitates the freedom to choose. The freedom to choose is only viable when we have the will to choose, and the opportunity to choose. The will to choose is part of the created reality of who we are; and of whom we always have been. The opportunity to choose is always provided by God.

Adam and Eve were given a choice: (Genesis 2:16-17) "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." They made the wrong choice and sin and death entered into the world.

Here, already, at the very beginning, we are confronted with the deep mystery of God. The question must be asked: Why would God allow the wrong choice to be made? There is an answer, but it is shrouded in the deep mystery of who God is, and how He has determined to cleanse His creation, of all that is evil. But, this one thing should be clear to all: The freedom of man to choose, was given by the Lord our God, at the very beginning of our creation.

This reality of choice, continues throughout the entire narrative of the King's Book. In Deuteronomy 12:26-28, we find recorded, the choice that God set before the people of Israel: "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." In Joshua 24:15, we find a similar choice set before the people of Israel: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua made the right choice - Israel, often, did not.

Choice: blessing or curse: abide in Me or abide not in Me. Always - God sets a choice before us: and He gives us the freedom of will to make that choice. That freedom, to choose, is clearly stated, in the examples given, in the previous paragraph. If you would, my beloved, take the time to search the whole of the King's Book; then you would find the same choice set before all people; and in all places: Choose you this day whom you will serve - choose the blessing or the curse - choose to continue with God or to turn away from God - choose to (in the words of Jesus Christ) "abide in Me" or "abide not in Me." What is your choice - my beloved brethren?

We shall continue in our examination of this matter of choice; and how it relates to our deep consideration of the answer to the question: Can we loose our salvation? But, for now, we shall close with this from the King's Book: (Psalm 25:12) "What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

"If a man abide not in Me"

Hello To All:

Today marks a day, that, most probably, is destined to get me into a lot of trouble. The Spirit of God compels me to deal, in a very direct manner, with a subject that is very polarizing; and often, very divisive. It is a subject, that, perhaps, I would rather avoid. But, our Lord Jesus Christ has caused me to recognize, that unless this subject is properly dealt with, and properly understood: we will not make progress in our journey, towards victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ. We cannot rightly believe - unless we rightly understand!

There are many competing perspectives, in the Christian communtity, particularly in the West. I say perspectives - because I do not believe that you can rightly call something, from a Christian perspective, a teaching or a doctrine from the King's Book - if it does not accurately present the revealed truth of the King's Book. Many of these perspectives, as presented by various Christian groups (read for groups: institutional/ denominational positions), are fundamentally in conflict with one another. And yet, each group takes the position that they have the true understanding; and that their position is the one to follow.

This positional attitude and this positional conflict is the greatest source of unbelief, in the lives of all who call themselves Christian! The stronghold of unbelief (see posting of 7/25/11, titled: "The Oppression of Unbelief"), feeds from this conflict and grows strong because of this conflict! We will not be victorious, unless we submit to God's way of freeing us from this conflict. God's way is in and through His Son Jesus Christ. God's way demands that we submit to and embrace the Truth! Can we say Amen and Amen and Amen!

Now we come, to one of the most troublesome of the issues, that visibly divides the Church: The Body of Christ. The question, that the Spirit of God compels me to address, on this day; and to begin to answer, on this day, is this: Can we, that is, those of us who are converted to Jesus Christ; and follow Him as His disciples; and are amongst those who can rightly be called Christian: Can we loose our salvation? Can we turn our backs on Jesus Christ? Can we follow after our sinful nature; and thus, be amongst those upon whom the wrath of God will fall? The simple answer - the straightforward answer - the correct answer, from the King's Book - is this: YES!

Please, my beloved brethren: I beg you: Please do not click away from this posting? Your very life may depend on staying with me, in this, and reading and comprehending what is written. If you are at all familiar with this blog - then you know, that I do not write, unless I believe it is the truth. But, you also must be reminded, that I make no claim to having a perfect understanding. If I am in error - then: Please correct me? Let us, together, call a Berean council (see posting of 12/13/09. titled: Discipleship: The Berean Principal); and let us, together, search the King's Book, to see if what has been written, in this blog, on this day (and for that matter - on any other day) is true!

Let us continue, then, in our examination of this most difficult of questions: Can we loose our salvation? Our title, for today's posting, comes from John 15:6, where we find written: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." This is a portion of the text, from yesterday's posting titled: "Abide IN Me, and I IN you."

As we compare yesterday's title to today's title; we should recognize two opposing possibilities: two opposing attitudes. One is a command, from our Sovereign God Jesus Christ to: "Abide." The other is a statement of condition, identified by our Sovereign God Jesus Christ: "Abide not."
Both conditions, are the result of an act of will, on the part of "a man." Here, once again, we are confronted with the tension between the Sovereignty of God and the free will of man.

We have, in previous postings, been reminded of this tension. It is this tension, that has created the conflict in the Body of Christ. Our limited and finite human intellect, cannot reconcile these seemingly conflicting positions. We are compelled to find a rational perspective, that we can get our "pea brains" around: a position that we are comfortable with: a position that we can call truth. Our rational approach has caused us to either embrace the Sovereignty of God and reject the free will of man; or to embrace the free will of man and diminish the impact of the Sovereignty of God. We have come to this place, especially in the West, where we have convinced ourselves that truth must be rational, and comprehensible by our natural intellect. We are not comfortable with, nor are we tolerant of, any mystery, regarding our relationship with and our understanding of: our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mystery is outside of our comfort zones!

Enough said for a beginning. In preparation for our next posting, I invite and encourage you to consider the opposing realities of the command to "abide;" and the stated position to "abide not."

As you ponder these opposing realities, consider these Holy Spirit inspired words, from the great teacher, raised up by Jesus Christ - the apostle Paul. We find written (1 Corinthinians 4:1): "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."

Until next time, by beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Abide IN Me, and I IN you.

Hello To All:

If we are to go deeper in our understanding, of the relationship between believing and obeying, then we must, first, go deeper in our comprehension and apprehension, of our union with Jesus Christ.

This forum seeks to promote victorious discipleship IN Jesus Christ. I have capitalized IN, both here and in the title, for this blog - because it is the IN part that is the most difficult to comprehend and to apprehend. Most of us are very uncomfortable, when we are confronted with the deep mystery of: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). But, we cannot be victorious, without first embracing, the very pervasive and much spoken of truth, contained in the King's Book, regarding our eternal union with Jesus Christ.

For those of you who might be regular readers of this blog, you will recognize, that the truth of our union with Jesus Christ, is often referenced - especially with regards to its importance in our quest for victorious discipleship. At this point, in your reading of this posting, it might be helpful to review some of the earlier postings. I recommend the following:

1. (1/25/10) "Christ in you: the hope of glory."
2. (1/28/10) "The mystery of Jesus: Indwelling and Manifesting."
3. (2/8/10) "The transcendental reality of victorious discipleship."

Our text, for today's posting, is recorded at John 15:1-8 (The word "in," when it appears with regards to our union with Jesus Christ, will be capitalized): "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2) Every branch IN me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide IN me, and I IN you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide IN the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide IN me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth IN me, and I IN him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not IN me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide IN me, and my words abide IN you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

I count ten times, when the word "in" is used to reference, some aspect of our union with Jesus Christ. Hopefully, this has your attention - I know that it has mine. I struggle with the same realities, that you, my brethren, struggle with. This matter of our union with Jesus Christ, is a great mystery for all of us - including those who have gone before us. But, be encouraged - it is not our understanding that brings us victory. There are many, who claim to understand the things of God; and yet, they do not have any significant victory. Our limited understanding, must be completed by believing. Victory comes by believing! Jesus understands every aspect of our union with Him - that should be sufficient for us. Our task is to understand, that our union with Him, is a reality; and then, our task is to submit to this reality; and then, our task is to embrace this reality: This is the road to victory!

This would be a good place to stop. We need time to pray about and give serious consideration to the "IN" aspect of our victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ. While we ponder this "IN" reality - let us do so with the help of another quote, from the King's Book, found at First Corinthians 3:16, where it is written: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth IN (emphasis added) you."

Until next time, by beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

God...commands all...to repent!

Hello To All:

Our title for today's posting, comes from Acts 17:30-31, where we find written (New King James Translation): "Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

Our Sovereign God commands that we repent; and we are, once again, confronted with this great mystery of our freedom to choose and God's absolute control of His creation. Our limited human intellect cannot reconcile this, seemingly, contradictory reality: God is in control - but, we can choose. God commands us to repent; and then He gives us the freedom to obey and to believe; and He gives us the freedom to say no; and He gives us the freedom to continue in our sinful ways. If we choose to not obey, then, when we are "judged in righteousness by the Man (Jesus Christ) whom He has ordained": we shall not be delivered "from the wrath to come," (First Thessalonians 1:10).

It is written (First Peter 4:17): "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" If we are to avoid God's judgment and His wrath, then we must obey the gospel of God.

Let us examine ourselves. Let us ask ourselves the question: Do we obey? When judgement comes - will we be judged as being righteous, by virtue of our having believed and obeyed Jesus Christ? Beloved, our answers to these questions, directly relates to how victorious our discipleship in Jesus Christ is, in our daily lives. This is not just entry-level believing and obeying. This is everyday - here and now - believing and obeying. If we are to be victorious, then we must obey. Jesus says, in one place (John 15:14): "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

Let us all, ask ourselves the question: Are we obeying Jesus Christ? Are we repenting? Do we believe?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

P.S. In order to avoid any confusion, regarding how we are saved, let us be reminded of the following, from the King's Book. It is written (Ephesians 2:8-9): "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

"Repent ye and believe the gospel"

Hello To All:

The question regarding the condition of our believing, is frequently asked, in a variety of ways, in this forum, and in the continuing reality of our daily lives. It is an important question; and, in fact, you can rightly argue, that it is the ultimate question - the question of do we believe? - especially when it is directed to our standing with Jesus Christ. And, in the light of this question, it is good to remind ourselves, that we will not begin to become victorious disciples in Jesus Christ, unless we believe.

Thus, the time is at hand, for us to ask the next question: What does it mean to believe? As we seek to answer this question, it would be good to be reminded, that we are looking at believing, both in its entry-level context, at the time of our conversion; and in its on-going context of: victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ.

The title for this posting, comes from Mark 1:14-15, where we find written: (14) "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." This is the first sermon, recorded, that Jesus preached. It is simple, straight forward and to the heart of our condition and our need. In its essentials, Jesus is commanding us: to repent and to believe.

It is my most fervent hope, that the last statement, in the previous paragraph, did not just slide by, without getting your immediate attention; as well as some sort of significant reaction. Let, what the Spirit of God, compelled me to write, be repeated: "In its essentials, Jesus is commanding us: to repent and to believe."

If you are having trouble with this statement; please, just pause for a moment and consider the following: If I, or someone else, cries out to you and says: repent and believe the gospel - we can only compel you to repent and believe. We do not have the authority to command you to repent; nor, do we have the authority to command you to believe. But, because Jesus is the Son of God, and thus, Sovereign God in every way: He has the authority to command us to repent; and He has the authority to command us to believe.

Thus, when Jesus says: "repent ye and believe the gospel" - He is demanding that we obey. If we do not obey we will perish! Once again, we are confronted with the tension of the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Jesus commands - we must choose to obey. In the deep mystery of who God is - we are given the option of saying yes or of saying no - of believing or of not obeying. Consider this, from John 3:36, where we find written (New American Standard Bible Translation): "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." We can either believe or we can not believe; and, in the context of John 3:36, the not believing one, is referenced as the one: "who does not obey the Son."

It should be clear, that there is a relationship between believing and obeying, that needs to be understood. It also needs to be made clear, that this believing/obeying cannot be accomplished in the natural realms and by our natural abilities. In answer to the often asked question: "Do we believe?" - the answer must be: Apart from Jesus Christ I cannot believe and I cannot obey! Consider this: (John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - That is to say: apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing!

As we continue on our journey, towards victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ, we will take some time, perhaps some significant time, to examine this relationship between believing and obeying. It is also my most fervent prayer, that we will come to understand this relationship in a deep and abiding way; in a way that will cause us to be able to say, in response to the question: Do we believe? - Yes, because of Jesus Christ, I do believe!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

"Behold How He Loved Him"

Hello To All:

The title for this posting, comes from verse 36 of John chapter 11: "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!" This statement was made in response to verse 35, where it is recorded, that: "Jesus wept." The Jews were looking at the outward appearance. They did not know the heart of Jesus. They, much like many today, assumed that Jesus was weeping for the same reasons that everyone else was weeping. They were wrong. They, like many of us, were only viewing their circumstances in the natural realms. They could not see beyond the calamity, of their own condition. They were not able to comprehend the possibility, that God would bring victory to their lives and deliverance from their calamity. They did not believe!

Earlier in the chapter, at verse 5, it is written: "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister and Lazarus." The fullness of the love of God, directed towards us, is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. We are too quick to think, that if God truly loved us, then He would immediately respond to our perceived needs. Our tendency, regarding delays, is to come to a rationalized conclusion, that says that God's answer to our prayers and our needs is no. It is rare, for us to consider the possibility, that the reason for no apparent response, on God's part, is directly related to the fact, that we do not believe. Let us be reminded of what is recorded in verse 15: "...to the intent ye may believe..." God's intent is that we might believe. God's perceived delays, are always related to His "intent."

What the Jews did not comprehend, was the tension and the relationship between God's wrath and God's love. We often have, the same problem. We began to look at this tension, in our previous post: Jesus: "He Groaned In The Spirit." We need to go deeper in our understanding. We are very inclined to think of God's love for us; but, we rarely consider the fearfulness of God's wrath. It is written (Hebrews 10:31): "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Ultimately, God's wrath falls on those who have not repented and have not turned to Jesus. Those of us who belong to Jesus, are spared the ultimate wrath of God. It is written (First Thessalonians 5:9): "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." It is also written, at Romans 5:8-9: (8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (9) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." God's love for us, manifested through His Son Jesus Christ, and received through His Son Jesus Christ, spares us from the wrath to come.

In our previous posting, we came to recognize, that the "groaning," of Jesus, was directly related to His wrath, directed towards sinners. We also came to recognize, that His wrath was tempered, and thus internalized ("He groaned in the spirit"), because of His love for those involved. Ultimately, in God's dealings with those who come to Him, in and through His Son Jesus Christ, His love for us triumphs over His wrath. This is made possible, because, at the cross, the full wrath of God was directed towards Jesus! It is written (First Thessalonians 1:10): "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." We, that is those of us who belong to Jesus, are spared the wrath to come, because of God's love for us, manifested through His Son Jesus Christ.

We began this series of essays, on John chapter eleven, with the posting: "Jesus wept: because of unbelief." We conclude this series, with this posting: "Behold How He Loved Him." Even though, the Jews were looking on the outward appearance, nonetheless, they did speak the truth, for Jesus truly did love Lazarus and He truly does love us.

We began by stating that Jesus wept because of unbelief. We end by stating that He weeps, even today, because of our unbelief; and He weeps over our unbelief, because He loves us; and because He loves us: His intent is that we might believe! Let us, once more, ask ourselves the question: Do we believe?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Jesus: "He GROANED In The Spirit"

Hello To All:

Our beginning text, for today's posting, is found in John 11:33-38, where we find written: (33) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he GROANED (emphasis added) in the spirit, and was troubled, (34) And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. (35) Jesus wept. (36) Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! (37) And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? (38) Jesus therefore again GROANING (emphasis added) in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

We now come to a place, in the King's Book, where we are offered a view into the deep mystery that is God; a view that we are not, often, privileged to see; a view that dramatically shows us, the juxtaposition of the wrath of God, directed towards sinners; and the love of God, also, directed towards sinners. In this particular perspective, of the mystery that is God, we should be reminded, that for the sake of Jesus Christ and because of Jesus Christ, the wrath of God is turned aside from those sinners who have turned to Jesus Christ. Have you, my beloved, turned to Jesus Christ; and asked Him to take control of your life?

Now some of you, might be thinking, that Theophilus has lost it, on this one. You are asking yourselves: How could this text, speak to us, regarding the wrath of God; especially, when we consider, that Jesus is about to raise Lazarus from the dead? Where is the wrath of God evident? Please bear with me, my beloved; and, together, we might just gain some insight, that will serve us well, as we travel, together, on the path of victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ.

The Greek word, that is translated as "groaned" and "groaning," in our text, only appears three other times in the New Testament portion of the Kings's Book:
1. (Matthew 9:30) "And their eyes were opened; and Jesus STRAITLY CHARGED (emphasis added) them, saying, See that no man know it."
2. (Mark 1:43-44) "And he STRAITLY CHARGED (emphasis added) him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man..."
3. (Mark 14:5) "For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they MURMURED AGAINST (emphasis added) her."

Take a close look at these three additional occurrences of the word translated as "groaned" and "groaning," in our text. In each instance (pay attention to the words emphasized), the context of the word usage is a firm stand, taken against a certain type of behaviour.

In examples one and two, Jesus is emphatically commanding someone to not undertake a certain behaviour. He is telling them to keep quiet about what had happened; but, the people commanded, did not obey. In Matthew 9:31, we find written: "But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country." In Mark 1:45, it says of the healed leper, that: "...he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter..." Jesus took a position against the possibility of their disobedience; by straitly charging them to obey. He anticipates the possibility of their future sin; and positions Himself, firmly against that sin. (I use the word possibility, because of the tension between, and juxtaposition of, the sovereignty of Jesus Christ and the free will of those that He is commanding. That tension, will have to be further examined, in future posts.)

In the third example, the disciples are very much opposed to what someone had done; and they "murmured against her." A woman had come and anointed Jesus with a precious ointment. This was contrary to their own interests; and they were very much opposed to this; never mind that it was Jesus who was being anointed. The disciples had their own agenda; and they were emphatically set against what the woman had done. Thus, with the disciples usage of the word translated as "groaned" and "groaning," in our text, we get an additional sense, that the person or persons, using this word, would be most emphatically and firmly against the behaviour, that would be specific to their circumstances.

Returning to our text, we find that Jesus had internalized His reaction to what was happening: "He groaned in the spirit" (verse 33); "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself" (verse 38). Let us be reminded, that throughout this chapter, our Lord Jesus Christ has sovereignly intended for people to believe (please see previous posts). Every word that He spoke; and every action that He took was done with the intention of causing people to believe. Nonetheless, because He is God, His very nature causes Him to stand against sin. Thus, He internally groans, against the sinful behaviour of those around Him.

Jesus is surrounded by sinners. No one believes. But, because He is Jesus, the One who redeems us from our sins; His wrath, against sinners, is held in check. (It is recorded at First Thessalonians 1:10: "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.") Instead of His wrath being manifested against the sinners: against the unbelievers; He internalizes that wrath; and He groans. He holds back His judgement. He works to cause people to believe. His love for us, provides us an opportunity to repent and believe. We need to ask ourselves: Have we repented? Are we allowing Him to work in our lives, so that we might believe?

This would be a good place to close, for now. So, until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Martha: "Believest Thou This?"

Hello To All:

When Jesus asked the question, from the title for this posting, He had just finished the great proclamation, of verses 25 and 26: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

When Jesus asks Martha, this question: "Believest thou this?" - He is pressing her to believe in Him; and His sovereign ability to act, not only in the future; but, also, in the here and the now. But, look at Martha's answer, in verse 27: "...Yea Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God..." Martha only professes a belief in who Jesus is; and she ignores the resurrection proclamation. She is so caught up in, and overwhelmed by, her brother's death; that she cannot connect with the here and the now of her circumstances. She does not believe.

Earlier (verse 23), Jesus made another proclamation, with the intent of encouraging her to believe. In verse 22, Martha says: "But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." This statement, at first read, seems to indicate that Martha was believing, in the here and the now of her circumstances. But, when Jesus proclaims (verse 23), that: "Thy brother shall rise again." - Martha looks to the future and states: "...I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Martha's belief is only for what Jesus will do in the future. Whatever she meant, by her profession of verse 22, clearly it was not a confession of belief in the ability of Jesus to do something, to bring victory in the midst of her calamity.

Martha, much like we are in west, believed Jesus for who He is; and she believed Jesus for what He could and would do, in the future; but, she was not able to believe, in Him, for the here and for the now of her circumstances. She did not believe.

Beloved, let us ask ourselves the question: Do we believe Jesus, for the here and for the now of our own circumstances; and the circumstances of those around us and near and dear to us?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Did Mary And Martha Believe?

Hello To All:

It is time to return to John chapter 11, as we continue to search for a true understanding of why Jesus wept. Let us be reminded of a portion of verse 32, of John chapter 8: "...the truth shall make you free."

In our last posting, on this matter (see "To The Intent Ye May Believe"), one of the things that we did, was to examine the attitude of the disciples, with regards to Jesus. We came to the compelling conclusion, that the disciples believed Jesus for who He is; and, they also believed Jesus, for what He would and could do in the future. They were not able to believe Jesus for what He could do, in the here and now. They found their present situation hopeless. The only thing, that they could think of doing, was expressed in the words of Thomas: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (verse 16).

The situation, for Mary and Martha was very similar. Martha believed Jesus for who He is (verse 27); and she believed Jesus for what He could and would do in the future (verse 24); but, neither Mary (verse 32), or Martha (verse 21), could believe Him for a supernatural and miraculous intervention, into their present calamity. They did not have any hope for victory. In the moment of their grief and sorrow, they did not believe.

Our text, for today's posting is John 11:21-27, where we find written: (21) Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (22) But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. (23) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. (24) Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (27) She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

The first thing, that Martha says is (paraphrased): Jesus, if you would have come, when we asked you to come, Lazarus would be alive. Mary says exactly the same thing in verse 32.

Now, my beloved, please do not be too quick to think that I am out of line, regarding the paraphrase of what Martha and Mary, first said to Jesus. Let us look at the context of their meetings with Jesus. In verse 6 we find written: "When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was." Let us be reminded of God's sovereign intent, for the delay. It is written, at verse 15: "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe." Jesus sovereignly delayed His departure for two days. The intentional reality, of His delay, was so the disciples might believe.

The time-line is very important to our understanding of the true meaning of why Jesus wept. The time-line, is also very important to our understanding of the accuracy of my paraphrase. Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus (verse 3). When they sent the message, Lazarus was sick and still alive (verse 3). Thus, they knew where Jesus was and they knew when He received the message; and they also knew how long it would take Him to travel from where He was to where they were. The intentional delay, in the departure of Jesus, caused Him to arrive two days later then they expected.

Their expectations were not in harmony with God's plan; but, they were not able to see that reality. From their perspective, Jesus was late. Their brother was dead; and they were not happy. From the perspective of Jesus, He was exactly on time.

Again, before you are too quick to think badly of this explanation; look to the text. When Jesus arrives, neither Martha or Mary greet Him. They do not thank Him for coming. They do not welcome Him, in any way. They do not embrace Him; nor do they seek to draw Him into their grief and sorrow. In the midst of their sorrow, the only thing, that they can think to do is to gently rebuke their friend and say: "...if thou hadst been here.." They were without hope and they did not believe.

Returning to the time-line, we find written at verse 39: "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." Our Lord Jesus Christ, with His intentional two day delay, purposed to arrive, when it would be proclaimed, regarding Lazarus: "...he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." Thus, when Lazarus was raised up, there could be no doubt, in any one's mind, regarding the how. Lazarus was clearly dead - "he stinketh" - "he hath been dead four days." All of those present heard these words. All of those present knew, with certainty, that Lazarus was dead. Thus, when Lazarus was raised up, The Son of God, Jesus Christ, would receive all of the glory; and God our Father would be glorified through His Son. Let us be reminded of Christ's words to His Father, recorded in verse 42: "...that they may believe that thou hast sent me."

Mary and Martha were not able to believe, because their brother was dead. Jesus, on the other hand, was intending to use the occasion of the death of Lazarus, to create an epiphany moment, that would cause, not only Mary and Martha to believe; but it would also cause many, of those present, to believe. Can we say thank you Jesus!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Do I Believe? Final Entry: Conclusion

Hello to All:

Where to start? How to bring this testimony to a comprehensible conclusion? What to say in a conclusion, that is intended to glorify God and to edify the brethren?

It is, of course, the truth that must be written; but, it is often the case, that the truth is a hard thing to accept, to embrace and to apply to our lives. The truth, wants to shake us free from our comfort zones. The truth, is not interested in the status quo, that we have chosen for our lives. Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say about the truth: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32). Our discipleship, in Jesus Christ, is confirmed by the revealed truth of His Word, as it is applied to our lives in a way that sets us free. Our freedom, in Jesus Christ, is a confirmation of our understanding, acceptance and application of the truth, that makes us free, to be His disciples. Hear some more of what Jesus has to say: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36).

Since discipleship, to Jesus Christ, brings freedom; it must then be concluded that whatever would put us in bondage, cannot be of Jesus Christ. The Galatian church embraced bondage. Hear what the apostle Paul had to say to them: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3). Instead of "obeying the truth," the Galatians had chosen "the works of the law." They willingly gave up their freedom in Jesus Christ; and willingly chose bondage. They were more comfortable with the status quo of their own choosing. Their comfort zone demanded bondage to a legal system, that defined who they were. That legal system, demanded circumcision, for membership in the local church. "O foolish Galatians!"

This was my condition, from the time of my return from Haiti to the end of May 2011. O foolish Theophilus! In Haiti, I was free in Jesus Christ. I returned to America and embraced the bondage of unbelief, without comprehending what I was doing; but, this one thing was certain: I was no longer comfortable with where I was and with who I was. For almost 25 years, I had labored, in the midst of the institutional church. I had persevered, in a tenuous relationship, with a legal system, that almost everyone was inclined to call church; but, now, I was growing weary; and I did not know the reason for that weariness. There were some things clear to me, but they were not the root of the problem; and I knew that I was no longer the person, that I once was. Haiti had changed me; and that changed man was trying to burst forth; but, the bondage was holding me back!

None of this, was a surprise, to our Lord Jesus Christ. He saw my condition and He heard my cries. Jesus responded to my needs and He set me free, to take an extended leave of absence, from the institutional church. Towards the end of May 2011, with the approval of and under the direction of Jesus Christ, I made my quiet departure, from the institutional church. This great adventure, continues, even as I write this posting. Shortly after my departure, I returned to writing. Shortly after returning to the writing, I was blessed with that epiphany moment with my friend Ron; a moment when we both believed!

The man I was, in Haiti, with the empowering help and presence of Jesus Christ, is bursting forth. Progress is being made! A regular portion, of my prayer life, is spent asking Jesus to cause me to believe; and, as previously stated (in another posting), Jesus and I are now traveling, together, on this journey; this great adventure. Amongst the many things, that are happening, are two, that are most important. My Lord Jesus Christ, is teaching me about his great gift of faith; and He is training me to believe. Thank you Jesus.

Well, my beloved, we have finally come to the end of this portion of my testimony. It has been a longer journey, then I had anticipated; but, the ways of Jesus Christ are always filled with surprises. As to that question: Do I Believe? You, my beloved, are in a better position to answer then I am; but, I can say this one thing: I believe that I am beginning to believe!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Do I Believe? Final Entry: The Great Adventure!

Hello To All:

When I returned from Haiti, I was filled with the wonder and awe of all that Jesus Christ had done. My life was changed. The next year was spent, in trying to understand that change; and the implications of that change. Curiously, I found, that there were very few, out of those who I had opportunity to speak with, who really wanted to understand the reasons for the change. I would have conversations, with individuals and groups, regarding the miraculous works of Jesus Christ, in Haiti; and, to my puzzlement, there was almost no interest, in a deeper understanding, of these wondrous things, that Jesus Christ had done. When talking to individuals, the subject would, most often, be changed, often very quickly, and always by the person that I was speaking with.

I cannot say, with any certainty, why any given individual, chose to not want to talk about the miraculous; but, I am compelled to consider the possibility, that the oppression of unbelief, is so extensive, that it is too difficult for us to consider the possibility, that Jesus Christ would do the works today, that we find recorded in His Book. Thus, in order to protect our own status quo, we must change the subject. To continue, the conversation, may present too great a challenge, to the status quo, that we have decided to embrace. It is too difficult, for us to consider the possibility, that we might not believe.

This is not meant to be harsh; and if, to some of you, it seems harsh, then consider this: I make no apologies for saying and doing the things that are necessary, in order that, all of us, would come, to more fully know Jesus Christ; and that all of us, might come to be more deeply aware of our union with Him. Thus, in the increasing knowledge of Jesus Christ; and in the increasing awareness, of our union with Him; all of us, can be more fully used, by Him, in the great works, that He continues to do, in His creation and amongst His people.

Another thing that happened, not long after my return, was that I stopped writing. I wrote about Haiti (those blogs were written in April and June of 2010); and then, there was nothing more to write. I was empty. There was nothing more to say! It was, as if, God had given me leave, to search for the person, that I was in Haiti. Thus, with the guidance and companionship of Jesus Christ, we continued our journey, towards the great adventure, that Christ had prepared for me.

During that year (the end of May 2010 to the end of May 2011), I was trying, and sometimes desperately trying, to understand the difference, between who I was in Haiti, and who I was, now, back in America. While still in Haiti, I asked God what I should say to people when they asked why the works that I saw in Haiti, were not being seen in America? After returning to America, I asked a similar question (see post of 6/17/10 titled: Haiti: Unbelief and Discipleship). God's immediate response was: "Tell them about unbelief." What I had not recognized, upon my return to America, was that unbelief, had swept back into my life; and the bondage, that I had left behind, when I traveled to Haiti, was, once again, holding me captive.

This would be a good place to stop, for now; so, until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus