Thurlow Switzer: Pathway of Discipleship

PATHWAY OF DISCIPLESHIP
By Thurlow Switzer

What is a pathway of Discipleship? A disciple is a clearly committed follower of Jesus. Jesus left some very clear directions to his apostles in Matthew 28:18-20.

“Jesus said: ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”

The pathway of discipleship is a personal pursuit of growing in Christ to Christlike maturity. The pathway of discipleship might include classes of instruction, interactive fellowship in small groups, gathering in prayer, corporate worship, and learning to testify about our experience with Christ Jesus as our Lord to others.

I identify with the apostle Paul when he declared his passion: “I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Paul said: Him we preach ...that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Col 1:24-29).

Discipleship has to do with the disciplines of the heart, become like Christ. Paul said: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Col 1:6,7).

Across the board, across the church at large, too many people are mere church attendees. However, it is my testimony that most church members are sincerely desiring a more advanced and a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus. Undoubtedly, you are in this category—you want to grow on and deepen your life spiritually. One does not grow up overnight, it takes persistence and a continued exposure to more and more biblical truth, along with a commitment to embrace God’s word and truth experientially.

The apostle Peter stated that “grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet 1:2-3). He urged the followers of Christ: “giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, ...knowledge, ...self-control, ...perseverance, ...godliness, ...brotherly kindness, and ... agape love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:5-8). “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1:120-11).

Jonathan Switzer: The Role of Faith

There were clear skies as we drove the short thirty minute drive north to the slopes. The temperature was in the mid twenties and my 7 and 9 year old (well they are both on the verge of their next birthdays 8 and 10), blonde haired boys were wired with anticipation. Today would be their first ever ski trip.

As we pulled up to Ski Liberty just over the border into Pennsylvania, the oldest made me promise to not make them go to the top of the mountain. “I’m scared of heights” he warned me. As they gazed at the towering snow-laden heights (good thing we were not in Vermont or Colorado), they fearfully asked which slopes they would be riding.

Faith is a funny thing. The very thing that we claim that we want is the very thing that we are scared to death to actually do. We will complain and hem and haw and then when the opportunity presents itself, be unprepared for what is actually required. For example, we might say we want a promotion and then when we get it spend our time complaining about the irritating people we now have to manage. We might say that we want a bigger house, then feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to keep the yard cut and the house clean. We might yearn for a relationship then spend our time complaining about the significant other when we get one.

Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the essence of things not seen. Sometimes, we are better off not getting what we hoped for.

We are going to look at several stories in Mark’s gospel from chapter 4:35-6:6. They are tied together by the theme of faith and the implications when it is or is not present.

Faith for Rest in the Storms
The first story finds Jesus and the disciples in a boat as Jesus was finishing his teaching to the crowds about seeds. They were accompanied by several other boats.

We pick up the story with Jesus saying it’s time to go to the other side of the Lake. Apparently, they left just as they were. They did not get any food or clothes. They just picked up the anchor and headed east. On their way to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Mark says, (Mark 4:37) “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.”

Now, this will always be a great illustration for whatever storms we face in life. We wanted to grow up, get cars, jobs, married…we wanted more. Then, we got what we wanted.

As they say, “when it rains it pours.”

The disciples and much of the nation had been longing for a savior. They had been longing for healing or someone to set them free from their oppressors, Roman or demonic. They wanted to be with Jesus.

However, so often, when we get what we want in life, it is different than we expected. It is often accompanied by situations that will test our desire, test our courage and test our perseverance.

What is amazing about this story is that Jesus had lain down to rest on a cushion in the stern. Jesus was resting. The complete and total absence of any concern for their safety was absolutely clear. When the disciples woke Jesus in fear for their own safety they put it like this, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

How often do we read other people’s response as a lack of care? How often do we get offended when others don’t show the concern that we have about something?

Was Jesus irresponsible here? Should he have paid better attention to the weather channel and canceled the trip? Was he being cavalier? In our seat belt’s mandatory society with all of the rules and regulations covering everything from bicycle helmets to food consumption it can seem a bit foolhardy just to be out on a lake on such a day.

Maybe it was just poor boat trip leadership. Jesus was a preacher not a sailor.

But worse than just leading a trip into bad weather, Jesus was sleeping. King David tells about a time when he fasted for days (Psalm 35:14) because of a friend that was sick. At least a friend should show concern and hold vigil together with everyone else through the storm, helping to bail out the boat.

But No…Jesus was sleeping in the stern on a cushion.

When they finally woke him up, they wondered if he even cared about them.

Of course, Jesus did care. He probably looked around, noted the worry on their faces and then turned and rebuked the wind and waves. And yes, it is an amazing miracle that the wind and waves obeyed, but Jesus next words seem, again, to be almost uncaring. He said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Now, wives, would you ever let your husband get away with such a comment if he was doing something you felt was irresponsible? Parents, would you ever let your children respond with such a rebuke if you found them in the midst of a dangerous situation?

Nevertheless, how many of us have trouble sleeping at night due to worry and anxiety? How often does the fear of finances running out or relationships falling apart run around in our heads at all hours of the night?

When Jesus rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith, he was making it clear: God was in control. If God wanted to take them home, then they would go home. If God wanted them to continue to do ministry, then they had nothing to fear. God would take care of things. Jesus did not rebuke the wind and waves because of his own discomfort or fear, but because of that of the disciples.

Furthermore, Jesus knew that he still had ministry to do. He was to die in Jerusalem for the sins of the world. His life purpose and destiny was clear. But, Jesus responded to the disciple’s level of faith. He rebuked the wind and the waves and they died down. However, he also then turned and rebuked the disciples for not having enough faith.

I often wonder, if the disciples had more faith, would they have viewed the stormy seas as almost a fun thing? We go to amusement parks all the time where we are amused by rides designed to take us to the edge of fear. We subject ourselves to such exquisite tortures because of our confidence that the designer of the ride has built everything just right. Their insurance agents have assured the park goer that everything will be just fine.

We get on airplanes all the time based on our confidence in the designer of the airplane. Cars, boats, etc. So much of life is based on faith in the wisdom of the designer.

Yet, when it comes time to trust God, the designer of the universe and our lives, we are so often not willing. Jesus was there at the creation of the world. He helped design the wind and the waves. It was the Son of God sleeping in the stern of that ship that day.

We, too, are sons and daughters of God. Jesus told us that he knows the number of the hairs on our head. He takes care of the sparrow and lily of the field, how much more valuable are humans like you and I. He alone is the one that we need to fear.

When we put our head down on our pillows at night and remember that Jesus said that each day has enough worries of its own, remember that Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow, we find ourselves face to face with a decision: Do I trust God or not? If I do, I get some sleep that night. If I do not, then I might need someone more mature in the Lord to help me to know the Father’s instructions (like with my skiing sons) so that we can be laid to sleep in peace.

Often times, night terrors or fear of the dark keep children from being able to sleep. A good parent takes the time to assure their child that everything will be okay, that there is nothing to fear (no monsters under the bed or in the closet). In the same way, we also find ourselves lacking faith when it is time to rest. We resent others who are able to rest. We are bothered that we are the only ones that seem to be facing the storm for the great danger that it is.

In those moments, we should take our cue from Jesus. It’s not the storms that are gonna get us. It is our lack of faith that needs to change. We need to let go and leave things in God’s hands.

Going Where God takes Us
Let me be clear, I had been able to take my sons skiing because of a friend who had handled the cost of the lift and equipment. Nevertheless, as a parent with sons on skiis for the first time, I was a bit worried about how they would handle it. Would they hurt themselves? Would they pick up the skills and have the balance necessary?

Sure enough, I found myself very proud of them. After a couple of lessons on the practice slope, they were itching for something a bit longer and exciting. They wanted to go fast.

I took them to the top of the mountain.

However, on the way up, as the lift slowly took us higher and higher, they began to lose some of their braggadocio. They even began to worry about how safe they would be. Though, I assured them there was a bunny slope that wound down the far side of the mountain, they couldn’t get their fearful eyes off the black diamond right under the lift on our way up.

I had to keep assuring them everything would be okay. Even once we were off the lift and at the top of the bunny slope they couldn’t quite believe that it was the same as what they were doing at the bottom of the mountain.

But then, after we got going a bit, with me reminding them each step of the way to do what they were taught on the training slope, they began to relax and enjoy things again. Jonathan was very diligent to snow plow and go back and forth down the slope. He did a good job controlling his speed.

Christopher, on the other hand, couldn’t quite get the technique. He soon developed a technique of his own. It was point your skis down hill and go until you were going too fast and then use the skills you were supposed to be using to turn and control your speed to do a controlled crash. Then get up and do it all over again.

Now, I was the fearful one. With Jonathan, I was just fine. With Christopher however, I was suddenly the one who was less than confident. Would he be okay? Sure enough, he was just fine. The big smiles on both faces at the bottom assured me that they were ready to do it again from the top of the mountain.

In the same way, we need to trust our heavenly Father to take us to higher and more difficult places. We need to trust Him. We must not allow a lack of faith to keep us on the practice slope. There comes a time to face the real thing.

However, not all those around Jesus were willing to accept his rebuke to have faith. Consider the next story Mark tells about the demon-possessed man and the pigs.

Too Much Wierdness
Jesus and the disciples arrived at the other side of the lake. They were promptly greeted by a demon-possessed man who characteristically began to shout about Jesus’ divinity. He identified himself as “legion” because there were so many demons in him. (A legion was 3-6 thousand men…that’s a lot of demons!)

Jesus, also characteristically, responded by telling the demon to come out. The demons responded by pleading with Jesus to not send them out of the area but into a herd of about 2000 pigs.

Once again Jesus prudence here seemed to be confused. Why would he agree to send the demons into the pigs? Didn’t he know the economic pain such a move would cause? Nevertheless, Jesus sent the demons into the pigs. The pigs, all 2000 of them, promptly ran right down into the water and drowned.

This sent the pig-herders running to town to tell everyone what had happened. All the people from the town came running out to see. When they saw Jesus and the demon-possessed man sitting there in his right mind, it wierded them out.

They were completely unprepared for that. They had done everything they could to try to bind the demon-possessed man and failed. However, losing two thousand pigs in order to get that man healed; that was too much.

Was it the financial hit? Was it the drowned pork? Was it the revelation that thousands of demons had inhabited the man? Was it the raw spiritual power shown by Jesus Christ?

We are not told.

Nevertheless, the locals were not ready for it. They had no faith for it. As a result, they wanted Jesus to leave. They might have spent years wishing to see the man changed but they were not ready to actually have it happen.

Like my sons riding up the lift getting higher and higher, all of a sudden they wanted out.

They pleaded with Jesus to leave.

And of course, Jesus did. But first, he sent the now free young man back home to testify to his family and town about what God’s mercy had done for him. All who heard it were amazed.

Wanting More
The boat trip back to Capernaum seemed uneventful til the crowds showed back up. Jesus might have been begged to leave the Gerasene region, but back in Capernaum he was in high demand. One synagogue ruler in particular, Jairus, pleaded earnestly for Jesus to come and heal his daughter.

One place they pleaded with him to leave. In another place they pleaded with him to come. Both pled because of the miraculous power that Jesus demonstrated, healing the demoniac and healing a daughter.

On the way to Jairus’ house, one person’s desire to be near and touch the power Jesus brought really stood out. She had been bleeding for ten years and spent all she had on doctors to no avail. She just wanted to touch Jesus. She had no other options.

Sure enough, when she did, what she hoped would happen did. She was healed immediately. However, she got more than what she wanted. Jesus stopped and wanted to know who had touched him. We are told that she came and knelt before Jesus’ feet with fear and trembling.

She just wanted to be healed, not actually have to talk to Jesus. Her faith took her places she was unprepared to go. Jesus put her attention back off herself and where it needed to be. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Then things started to really get scary…

All day we had been riding the lift over what they call “the park”. It was a section of the mountain devoted to jumps and various extreme skiing elements. There were several kids the age of my boys that were riding down it and doing various jumps. These kids clearly had been skiing longer than just one day.

Nevertheless, my boys started wanting to go down that part of the mountain. Finally, I told them that if they would do a blue (medium) slope with me then I would take them down to the “park”, which was also labeled blue. I didn’t want my boys to be clogging up the fun slopes for more experienced adrenaline seekers.

That took us back to the top of the mountain to the beginning of a blue slope. Sure enough, the steepness of it threw them off. They just weren’t sure they really wanted to pay such a high price for the park.

Dad, however, had decided that it was time for them to go to the next level. Their strong desire to do the park had set his mind. At the top of the blue slope, the struggle began.

It did not last long, but it was enough that several snow boarders near by wondered out loud about my pushing the boys to go for it. After my two sons moaned and groaned about it being too steep, they finally went for it.

Jonathan led the way. Dad continued to coach, “snow plow! Back and forth! Mash your big toe on the outside ski to turn! Lift up your inside ski just a bit!” Though they took quite a while to get down the slope, they made it and did so with great excitement at the end.

“Now can we go to “the Park!”?” Sure enough, they were glad that I had pushed them even though they had been a bit scared. They were ready for the park. In the end, I almost couldn’t get them off the park when it was time to go. Just riding over the jumps, even though they couldn’t actually get any “air”, was pure joy to them.

Someone came from Jairus household and said, “too late, your daughter is dead, don’t bother the teacher any longer.” Jesus response was similar to my encouragement to my sons, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”

Sure enough, Jesus arrived at the house and after throwing out the mocking mourners, Jesus raised the little girl from the dead.

The disciples did not have enough faith to keep their confidence during the storm on the lake. The people of Gerasene did not have enough faith to keep Jesus around after he delivered the region’s demonically possessed crazy man into pigs which drowned. The Capernaum region, with the synagogue ruler, Jairus, and the bleeding woman did have significant faith and wanted Jesus around.

Nazareth, of course provides our final glimpse of the importance of faith.

After raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead, Jesus and his disciples went back to his hometown. The reception that they received there was decidedly complacent and ambiguous. After preaching in the synagogue many local Nazarenes took offense at Jesus. He was unable to do many miracles there either.

It was their lack of faith that was the problem. As a result, Jesus was a “prophet without honor in his hometown.”

Conclusion:
At the beginning of this section Jesus rebuked his disciples, “Do you still not have faith?” Many places that Jesus went were filled with people who did not have faith, including his hometown. Many other places were filled with people that did have faith and he was able to do many miracles and teach extensively.

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus asked (Luke 18:8), “when the Son of Man returns will he find faith on the earth?” This question of the role of faith in our lives is very important. Romans 10:17 says that, “faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did…”

The ultimate question remains, will we trust God or not? Will we trust Christ or not? Will we allow his message to sink down into our hearts and bear fruit or will we hang on to doubt and refuse to open our hearts?

As we got into the car to head home at the end of the day of skiing, Jonathan began to wonder how quickly he could grow to be sixteen so that he could get his license and go skiing all the time. Christopher began to wonder how he could save money to get some skiis of his own.

The wonder of skiing and all of the fears and doubts were wrapped up in a bundle of memories with a bow of fun, fun, fun on the top. The memory of Dad pushing them to go where they weren’t sure they wanted to go was lost with the joy of having conquered fears and looking forward to the chance to do so again.

Jesus is the center of all questions about faith. Will we trust God’s salvation in Christ? Will we trust Christ’s invitation to follow him wherever He leads?

If the answer is yes, then we should get ready for things to get exciting and even scary. If the answer is no, then we should stop grumbling about how bad things are in our lives. The only way out of the bad situations is faith in Christ. Rest assured that faith will be tested; through storms, rejection, demonic people, sickness and even death.

Nevertheless, Christ never fails that test of faith.

Rod Levey: A Holy God and a Peculiar People

A Holy God and a Peculiar People
by Rod Levey, PMF Director


There is still a strong desire within God to have a separated people: a people He can call His own; a certain people who will set all their affections upon Him and Him only; those who will consider it a great joy and an honor to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

I believe the American Church is continually entering into a deeper state of deception and compromise. Have we lost all discernment and spiritual sanity? It seems as though our imaginations are running rampant, similar to the Laodiceans. We say and believe many things about ourselves that are far from being the truth. Let’s just say it: they were deceived, and so are we in many ways. The Lord addresses the Laodicean church in verse 17 of Revelation chapter 3 saying, “Because you say... and do not know.” They really thought things were running along nicely, things were really in good shape… they were living for God...so they thought. In their minds, things were in order, life was good and they were rich. The truth was revealed by the Lord that they were blind and did not know the truth of their state of being. Their true condition was not the accepted condition of He who is True.

It appears we’re at a place of calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). We think we’re rich when in reality we are poor, and the poor are really the rich (Revelation 2:8). We’re finding more of the ways of the world in the church rather than the ways of God in the world. Have we totally lost our way? Do we have any clue what it means to walk as “sons of God” on the earth?

The Laodiceans were oblivious to their true condition until a Light was shown on the situation. The messenger came speaking truth into their lives. They honestly thought they were rich and had need of nothing. How many of us are running around imagining the same thing?

In our lives or in our church or ministries we have the “spirituals” moving and flowing. The supernatural is taking place. The gifts are really flowing and active. Our worship services are electrifying. Prophecies, deliverance ministry and much expression of “spiritual” power being displayed…WE ARE RICH!!! We have need of nothing. Are we deceived and think we are rich also? The Lord said the Laodiceans were pitiable, poor, blind and naked. They were deserving of pity. Maybe you know an individual or churches who are blind to the truth and in your heart say, oh God, have mercy on them, and Lord, help them to see the truth. Father, will you please awaken them to You and who You are. Let them see You and what You’re really after.

Jesus said the Laodiceans were naked; they were now exposed, and a revealing was taking place. The truth was now coming into their lives in hopes of it setting them free from their blind deception. Have you noticed the goodness of God still at work exposing? Many big-name ministers and ministries are being brought into the light for all to see. They have much “power” at work on stage, but little working of power within their own personal lives offstage. They work well in the stage lights but they and many others aren’t aware of their true stage of spiritual development until the evidence is brought out of darkness into the light. They have great teaching and preaching and draw great numbers together, but how are they doing in drawing their own marriages and families together? Better yet, how are they doing drawing themselves into a position under our Lord’s governing hand? They may be saying, “Look at the evidence of God’s blessing on our lives: we minister to the multitudes. Look at the power being revealed in our meetings.”

Are we aware of the different powers working in this age, the deceiving spirits? Are we alert to the workings of the deceiver in this hour? Have we forgotten how Satan comes in as an angel of light working with all power and signs and lying wonders? Have we learned, or do we remember how to discern or test the spirits to see if they are from God?

In the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5, we see a multitude, God’s creation, and it says in verse one through two, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them.”

It almost seems odd at first glance that Jesus would dismiss Himself when “Seeing the multitude.” Was He tired? Did He all of a sudden become indifferent? What was His motivation, what was His strategy? Why did He move away from them instead of toward them?

I believe His plan was the very pattern needed then which is also needed today; He wanted some disciples who would receive an impartation of His very being, His very heart. He was investing His life in a handful of men who would take hold of His words, eat them and become conformed to His very image. Jesus was now going to speak into the core of their being. He was going to teach using not only His mouth but by example in regard to the issues of the heart and being a true follower of God. He was going to go to the depths of the spirit of the man. This is a totally different viewpoint than a man being used by different spirits to display “spirituals” without being changed in the inner man. Jesus wanted a certain kind of people to send back out to the multitudes. His desire stands true even today. He’s still looking for a separated people called unto Him who will be willing to go past merely flowing in some kind of power or gifting and accept the position of receiving His power to become like Him. This being changed to be like Him would be for the profit of three distinct categories of people: for Jesus Himself, for the disciples own welfare and for the welfare of the multitudes.

We’re talking about sons and daughters that have been willing and are willing to be refined and defined - those willing to have their motivations addressed and their mixtures and impurities cleansed. The counsel to the Laodiceans was, “Buy from Me gold refined in the fire.” Gold speaks of the divine nature; to buy means there has to be a price paid. There needs to be something of value given in order to receive something of value. Jesus gave it all, His entire life, in order to receive unto Himself something of value (you and me). Will you and I now lay down our most precious asset… ourselves, to receive the gold nature? God’s desire is for us to buy from Him in order that we may become rich with Him, which is true riches.

The entire Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, focuses in on the issues of the heart and the way to act out, or should I say, conduct our lives on this earth. The Lord speaks to the essence of the person and the kind of person we should be becoming. He was teaching as one who doesn’t teach one thing and live another way. Jesus’ emphasis was on being Christ- like, not “spiritual”! There’s so much spiritual activity being labeled as “God,” when in reality it is just “spiritual activity” and the source is not “The Holy Spirit.” The source is either the devil or the soul. Can we get beyond trying to be “spiritual?” Can we get beyond having to have a “spiritual” experience at any cost and have a single light within us to be like Christ instead of be “spiritual”?

Jesus left a certain domain and dimension to come to be the Incarnate, as a man to the earth. Now He’s looking for men and women on the earth to enter the dimension of Christ-likeness, not just being “spiritual”. He wants His full domain to be within us as King of kings and Lord of lords. He’s looking for men and women filled with Him and making no room for the adversary or the flesh.

When Jesus “saw the multitudes,” He knew they needed something genuine, without mixture. He took His disciples to the height of becoming and being what the multitude needed. He took His disciples to the mountaintop experience of having a renewed mind and a right spirit. He brought them from the lowlands, the earthly plane to ascend with Him to a different way of thinking and living their lives with God, before God and with mankind. This kind of living as a spirit-filled Christian would overshadow any workings of foreign “spiritual” activity and alien power being manifested. The power of a changed life from the inside out will always supersede random supernatural happenings. The greatest miracle on earth is to see an individual raised from spiritual death into spiritual life and become a vessel wherein there is nothing to be found in them where the enemy has any entrance.

God is refining us and defining us to be like Him in order for us to be compatible to Him. He is also refining us and defining us for the profit of one another. He is also refining us and defining us in order that the true sons of God would be revealed to the multitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is a defined person/people. This speaks of a particular type of person. We are talking about a distinct and clear identity. This is an inner quality that should be an exposed fruit.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This is a refined person/people. This speaks of being free of impurities, foreign contaminates and free from moral imperfections. This too is an inner quality that should be revealed in our daily lifestyle.

The Lord made it clear in Matthew 7:21-23 that “spiritual” exhibition and supernatural demonstration is not necessarily from or of the Lord. They were moving in a power and using His name yet were told, “Depart from Me, you that work lawlessness.” The act of lawlessness is of the spirit of the lawless one himself. The spirit of lawlessness was first revealed in the Garden of Eden by Lucifer, the cunning serpent. Satan tempted with the spirit of superiority and richness; you can be just like God. Satan basically said, if you yield to my voice and motives you will be like me. He is the usurper, the anti-Christ. He will slip in wherever and whenever he can to be as god in our lives. His lie is you are rich when you are “spiritual”. Look at the evidence of “spirituals” taking place...God must be with you. When in actuality we are to be pitied. This false god spirit is totally contrary to poverty of spirit which is found in our Savior. This false god spirit certainly had impure motives looking for self exaltation. Is there anyone out there that is tired of this spiritual activity going on under the guise of “in the name of Jesus?” “In your name,” nonsense!

The problem with being “spiritual” is that we become prideful and deceived, which elevates ourselves to a position of being untouchable; we don’t need another man in our life or even the Word of God because they aren’t spiritual enough. We need another “spiritual” experience or feeling as our guide. God wants and must have men and women full of the Holy Spirit. These people will be identified by their fruit, which is the character and nature of Jesus Christ. These people will be led by the Holy Spirit into all truth, not into a lifestyle of deception. Godliness will be the evidence of who they are and Who they really are submitted to.

The problems with being “spiritual” are multiple. The problem with being like Jesus is nothing.

The model stands proven and true still today; a people called and set apart to be with Jesus. The only way we’re going to taste, think and act like Him is to be with Him and in Him and He in us. Are you losing your flavor as the salt of the earth? Are you losing your distinct identity, that distinguishable seasoning, that certain aroma that Paul talks of in 2Cor. 2:14-16? Take steps toward Him. Let the Lord teach you and fill you. Let Him re-season you in the time apart with Him. Then go back down and let the multitude taste and see that the Lord is good. Let them see He is pure white. Allow yourself to be sifted down to someone small (poor in spirit), just one tiny grain of many. Let us be special and peculiar in Christ and like Christ. Salt is very distinct in color and flavor as we should be also.

So, as we continue on fighting to the finish, let’s keep in mind that lowliness is the way to holiness and high-mindedness is the way to ungodliness.

James wrote it clearly: James 4: 6-10, “God resists the proud [those that appear above others] but gives grace to the humble [those lowly in spirit]. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.”

If only Adam and Eve would have resisted the serpent. If only they would have drawn near to God for help instead of desiring a position of something other than what He had already made them. If only they would have been content, or you might say at rest, to be made in His image and likeness. If only they would have been faithful to obey God’s words and function in their God given responsibility to protect the garden. Their “if only” are now our “If only”. In our daily garden experience, which voice will we buy into? “Be like God,” or be with God, obey God and guard His nature, which is already within us, from infiltration of mixture? “Spiritual” powers at work can never be measured or equated to Christ-like maturity. Are we looking for some kind of power to be special or will we be that special people flowing from His power?

In Acts 1:8, Jesus spoke to His disciples before His ascension saying, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Witness speaks of not only evidence as in evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit, but is also the Greek word for martyr. A martyr is a person who sacrifices his life for the sake of principle. They will stand alone and even die for adhering to a belief, faith or an individual to whom they are, without compromise, sold out to. A true martyr refuses to sell his inheritance for personal gain in the moment of weakness as did Esau. Jesus fought violently in His wilderness temptation. Jesus the man stood against the voice of the enemy, not to mention the experience and feelings with, “It is written.” Jesus would not bow to worship Satan and all the riches he offered. He stayed true to His Father as a living martyr. Jesus had one motivation while on earth as a man… to glorify (honor) His Father. Jesus didn’t grasp at being equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation. He emptied Himself of all self.

God Divine is making a people refined and defined in 2009. Let’s continue to make Him Lord in our lives, dismiss all that is not of Him and walk together as a called out people, giving our Father glory in all that we say and do. The Apostle Peter spoke clearly in his first letter chapter one, verses fifteen and sixteen, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” Also in chapter two verse nine, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that we should show forth the praises (virtues) of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” A peculiar people certainly doesn’t mean a weird, ungodly people. It’s different in the sense of being a holy people, not full of the world, the flesh and foreign power, but full of the Holy Spirit.

John Schuch: How Many Natures?

A BELIEVER HAS ONLY ONE NATURE

A few years ago as I was driving listening to the radio to a well know Christian program. A man was giving his testimony of how the Lord saved him. His testimony was very powerful of God’s saving grace. I was so thrilled hearing how the Lord came into His life that I wanted to lift both hands in praise as I was driving.

Then the moderator of the program spoke up and began speaking about our old nature and how we need to be on guard. To say the least it just dampened his testimony. I thought, he’s saying, “God had enough power to save him but not enough power to deliver him from Satan’s hold.”

I was always taught and believed that we have two natures. Often you hear believers referring to their two natures. Did Jesus death on the cross have enough power to forgive us our sins and give us eternal life and then leave us with Satan’s nature? If so then the cross ceases to have power to deliver us from Satan.

Let me illustrate it this way. During World War II both England and France were attacked by the Germans. France fell and the German government came and set up it’s rule and reign in their country. England was attacked over and over but the Germans were never able to establish their rule and reign in England. The same is true for a believer: he may be attacked by the enemy but the enemy does not have his enemy nature ruling in that life.

If a believer is taught he has two natures he will believe it. If he believes it then he has faith in it. His faith is what he will experience. His experience will be one of conflict thinking he has two natures and they are at war with each other. He will have as much faith in having an old sin nature as having a new nature. In reality a believer who is taught this and believes this sets himself up to sin. It is bad enough that Satan constantly attacks believers but why should we give him a place in our lives.

So, what does God’s Word teach about a believer having two natures? First, many think because we sin we have a sinful nature. Do we need a sinful nature to sin? We know there were three people who did not have a sinful nature. Adam, Eve and Jesus and all three were tempted and two of them sinned. It is possible to sin without a sinful nature.

Second, we must understand how God works in a life and how Satan works in a life. When one is born again his spirit is made alive to God. God told Adam that if sinned he would die. He didn’t die physically that day but he did die to God. His spirit man was no longer alive to God. Salvation causes our spirit man to be made alive to God. Eph. 2:4-5 “God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when were dead in transgressions.”

When this happens in a life the spirit in man is made alive to God 100%. Now his mind needs to be renewed and his body brought under submission to the Lord but His spirit is completely made alive with God’s life.

Moving forward, God continues to work through man’s spirit. All that God does in any life will be through his spirit. Rom. 8:16 “The Spirit Himself (Holy Spirit) testifies with our spirit (human spirit) that we are God’s children.” God does not come to us through our flesh or mind but through our spirit. God does work in our minds and bodies but He comes through our spirit. If our spirit is by passed then our mind has knowledge of God but not His life. It is our spirit that has been made alive and the only way we can continue to receive God’s life is through our spirit.

Now Satan works through our flesh. He does not use love but bribes us through our flesh. As you read scripture you will see over and over that Satan attacked believers through their flesh. It is man’s sinful lust to please himself in this body. This was how he tempted Adam and Eve. “You will be as great as God.” He attacked Jesus through his flesh to satisfy His fleshly desires. “Turn these stones to bread.”

The word flesh is sarx; which means our flesh or body. Some Bible translations translate this word sarx as nature. It is not nature. It is our body of flesh and Satan attacks it. When it is translated nature instead of flesh it opens the door for teaching on the two natures. There is a big difference in Satan attacking our flesh or living in our lives with his nature.

Not only the word sarx but the word body which is soma is used speaking of our lives and how Satan attacks us. Read through Romans chapters 6-8 and note the times these two words sarx & soma are used in relation to sin. 6:12 “let not sin reign in your mortal body.”

The word for nature is plusis. It is used once speaking of our evil nature before salvation. Eph. 2:3, “and were by nature children of wrath.” It is then used once speaking of our new nature. II Pet. 1:4, “you might be partakers of the divine nature.” Neither of these passages mentions two natures; but that we had an old sinful nature and being born-again we have a new nature. This is why it says in II Cor. 5:17 if anyone is in Christ, He is a brand new man or a new creation the old has gone and the new has come. It does not say we still have part of the old and new.

Now we said our spirit is 100% born again. It does not need to be crucified or renewed but it does need to grow and become strong. Speaking of John the Baptist it says, “the child grew and became strong in spirit.” Complete life is in a child of 2 or 12 but they need to grow. It is the same with our spirit when it is made alive to God it is completely alive to God but it needs to grow.

Next our minds need to be renewed. God does not set aside the mind but ministers to it through our spirit. It is vital that our minds are being renewed with the Word of God. The mind is not to be crucified but renewed. God’s intention is not to destroy the mind but to reprogram it according to heaven’s reign. This is what is meant by the renewing of the mind. Now both God and Satan want to control our minds. Satan comes to us through our flesh and God wants to renew our minds by ministering through our spirit.

So then, it is our flesh that needs to be crucified. Anything that we want in our lives that is not according to the reign of Jesus needs to be crucified. This is Satan’s area of attack and the only way to deal with him is crucifixion. We don’t crucify the mind nor do we crucify our nature but our fleshly desires and lust. Crucifixion is never pleasant. However, whenever God crucifies something in our life He wants to resurrect something much better in it’s place.

Not once in scripture do you read of Satan attacking us through our nature. It is always through our lust and desires to please the flesh. In Romans 6:11-12, “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Two things God is telling us about sin in Rom. 6. First, don’t let it reign in your body. v 12 Second, don’t offer your body as instruments to sin. v13

So, would God then say to a believer, ‘Yet I have left the sinful nature in your life?’ In fact, when God tells us to count ourselves dead to sin and we turn around and say we have an evil nature…well… it seems impossible (irrational) to see something as dead in our lives if we believe it is alive.

Now many believe we have two natures because of what is said in Rom. 7. Paul testifies to the fact of wanting to do good yet he seems to do evil. Then the evil he does not want to do he does. He then cries out in v24, “what a wretched man I am.” Of course, in the first seven verses he speaks of the law and what grace has done. It is through the grace of Jesus Christ we died to the law being released from it so that we can serve in the new way of the Spirit.

Then from v7 on he is speaking of one who is under law and not knowing the grace of God. Paul knew God had given the law and that it was good and spiritual. He was a devout Pharisee trying to obey each part of the law. In fact the more he tried to keep the law the more sin seemed to be magnified in his life. It was then he cried out being a wretched man.

What Paul was experiencing was God’s purpose in giving the law. Man cannot save himself. He needs the grace of God. All the law could do was point out sin but it had no power to remove sin or to give victory over it.

Now this is the glorious work of grace that Jesus removes our sins and gives us power to overcome sin.

God forbid that a child of God who knows the love and power of Jesus to save him from sin and to give him victory over sin should ever cry, “what a wretched man that I am.” That cry is an insult to our Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. Once Paul experienced the grace of our Lord Jesus his cry is (Rom. 8:1), “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” V15 “we have received the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry ‘Abba’ Father.” V37 “No in all these thing we are more then conquerors.”

I remember a few years ago I was driving and turned the radio on and heard a minister teaching. He was teaching on having the old nature. Much to my regret I listened to him for the whole half an hour. After I turned it off the Lord spoke to me, “Son why did you listen to that.” I knew what the Lord was pointing out to me that I don’t need faith in negative teaching. How many believers would hear it and believe that they had an evil nature in them. This does not build faith to overcome Satan’s attacks but only opens our lives to expect Satan to work. It is like saying Satan your nature is in me and I can’t help but sin.

Once a believer understands what scripture says about having one new nature, he then has faith that something solid is planted in his life. It is from this position of a new nature that he now lives his life. God’s salvation is not to keep us rooted in sin but to remove it and give us victory over it.