We finished up our bible study for this term and are breaking for the summer. All of us have grown so much, learning more about the Gospel of Grace - which is the same gospel that Paul preached. We all shared the scriptures that spoke to us during the study that we have come to claim as prayers and declarations to ensure that our faith is strong and properly grounded on a daily basis.
Some one in the group mentioned 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. This is one of my favorite scriptures and I've meditated on it for years, but this time it resonated with me in a fresh way. Christ Jesus is IN us. Think about that - how can you ever go wrong if He's IN you?
In Acts 17:28, Paul told the men in Athens that IN HIM we live and move and have our being. That means every thing that I do, even the mundane, ordinary things, are done with Him moving and breathing and living inside of me, guiding and directing my steps! Don't you already sense a spirit of peace come over you as you rest in that revelation? If Christ is IN you, is there ever a reason to worry or be anxious or fearful? This is a deep, rich treasure that has been laid up for us in Christ Jesus, and He desires that we receive it - which means He wants us to believe it, seize it, and take hold of it and never let go. Mary did this as she sat at His feet and allowed Him to pour Himself into her while her sister, Martha, was busy in the kitchen, suffering from anxiety and stress. Mary was in a place of peace and rest, and Jesus said in Luke 10:42 that it would not be taken away from her. This place of rest is what many of us in the study have come to understand.
Jesus Christ of Nazreth is IN you, and He's never going to leave. This is a profound truth that ends all worldly concerns. Mediate on that truth and rest in the knowledge that your savior is IN you. In Him you live and move and have your being. Praise God!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Receive the Gift Righteousness!
We finished up with Pastor Prince's grace teaching and made a commitment to write our own prayer/declaration/confession of righteousness based on the truths we've learned from this study. It is always a great idea to read scripture on your own, memorize it, mediate on it, and then incorporate it into a personal prayer that will build your faith in believing who you truly are in Christ Jesus.
The scripture that means so much to me is Romans 5:17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) So many Christians are not reigning in life--and that included me for many years. They are dying early from sickness and disease, getting divorced, suffering from poverty and lack, and under a general spirit of oppression. They live like the world and see only from the natural perspective. If you asked many of them about the supernatural realm, they might think you are talking about the latest Hollywood horror flick. But the irony is, they have been made the righteousness of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, they are as right with God as they are ever going to be because of what Jesus did on the cross. In fact, they are as righteous as Jesus Christ Himself! So what is the problem? Why are they living like cursed sinners? Because they haven't received the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness!
One of the great advantages of technology is access to the original Greek language in the Bible. I love using www.blueletterbible.org and have an app on my IPhone so that I can quickly look at the original language of a word in Scripture and get a better understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying. My prayer/study partner and I are always on our BLB apps looking through the concordance and searching out the root meanings of scriptural references. With respect to the word "receive" in Romans 5:17, I was amazed to learn that it doesn't mean what we may think, coming from a western society--that grace and righteousness have been plopped into our lap like rain from the sky. Yes, we have been saved by grace, and yes we have been made the righteousness of God, but in order to receive all of that, we must seize it, take hold of it, and appropriate it for our own use. This is what the original Greek word means.
Wow! I had never done that before. I had never grabbed hold of the abundance of grace and free gift of righteousness and appropriated it as my own. I just assumed it was mine and that it would mystically manifest in my life somehow when God was willing (mainly after I had obediently performed enough righteous acts to make Him pleased with me - ugh - Jesus did it all on the cross!). But that's not what scripture says! I am required to take hold of it, which means I must believe it and speak it, mediate on it, believe it even more, and speak it again, over and over, until it becomes a manifestation in my life, enabling me to rule and reign now, in this lifetime. It's all about me discovering and coming to believe something that has already taken place in the spiritual realm on the very day I became a believer. It has absolutely nothing to do with me rooting out my sin--what nonsense! Sin was dealt with 2000 years ago! It's all about discovering my righteousness in Christ Jesus!
The scripture that means so much to me is Romans 5:17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) So many Christians are not reigning in life--and that included me for many years. They are dying early from sickness and disease, getting divorced, suffering from poverty and lack, and under a general spirit of oppression. They live like the world and see only from the natural perspective. If you asked many of them about the supernatural realm, they might think you are talking about the latest Hollywood horror flick. But the irony is, they have been made the righteousness of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, they are as right with God as they are ever going to be because of what Jesus did on the cross. In fact, they are as righteous as Jesus Christ Himself! So what is the problem? Why are they living like cursed sinners? Because they haven't received the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness!
One of the great advantages of technology is access to the original Greek language in the Bible. I love using www.blueletterbible.org and have an app on my IPhone so that I can quickly look at the original language of a word in Scripture and get a better understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying. My prayer/study partner and I are always on our BLB apps looking through the concordance and searching out the root meanings of scriptural references. With respect to the word "receive" in Romans 5:17, I was amazed to learn that it doesn't mean what we may think, coming from a western society--that grace and righteousness have been plopped into our lap like rain from the sky. Yes, we have been saved by grace, and yes we have been made the righteousness of God, but in order to receive all of that, we must seize it, take hold of it, and appropriate it for our own use. This is what the original Greek word means.
Wow! I had never done that before. I had never grabbed hold of the abundance of grace and free gift of righteousness and appropriated it as my own. I just assumed it was mine and that it would mystically manifest in my life somehow when God was willing (mainly after I had obediently performed enough righteous acts to make Him pleased with me - ugh - Jesus did it all on the cross!). But that's not what scripture says! I am required to take hold of it, which means I must believe it and speak it, mediate on it, believe it even more, and speak it again, over and over, until it becomes a manifestation in my life, enabling me to rule and reign now, in this lifetime. It's all about me discovering and coming to believe something that has already taken place in the spiritual realm on the very day I became a believer. It has absolutely nothing to do with me rooting out my sin--what nonsense! Sin was dealt with 2000 years ago! It's all about discovering my righteousness in Christ Jesus!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Adam's Reign is Over!
Romans 5:17. NKJV. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
We continued in Pastor Prince's teaching on grace where we focused on this scripture from Romans. Once Adam sinned against the Lord by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (which is a picture of the law), sin came alive, the curse descended on man and death reigned over all of creation. It wasn't until the second (or last) Adam arrived, Jesus Christ, that death's reign ended and eternal life was given.
Once we become born again children of God, we are translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians. And yet, there are so many Christians who don't believe this truth, despite what they may say. How do we know they don't believe? Just listen to their every day speech. Much of it is peppered with words of death and their conduct indicates a great fear of death. You can even examine some of the hymns and lyrics to current Christian songs, and you will find that some of them (not all) are chocked full of doubt, unbelief, and death.
If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind who paid for all sin on the cross, then you are spiritually alive and are no longer ruled by death. Just as Paul did, you can boldly state: O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.
Check your speech and conduct--are you speaking death over yourself, your children, and your circumstances? Are you in fear of sickness, disease, poverty, lack, or calamity? If so, then death is ruling over you, because you still see yourself as an offspring of sinful Adam. But you are not a sinner any more! You are the offspring of God Himself! What does God have in common with death? Nothing! God is life and life eternal! Celebrate this wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and let it reign over you every day!
We continued in Pastor Prince's teaching on grace where we focused on this scripture from Romans. Once Adam sinned against the Lord by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (which is a picture of the law), sin came alive, the curse descended on man and death reigned over all of creation. It wasn't until the second (or last) Adam arrived, Jesus Christ, that death's reign ended and eternal life was given.
Once we become born again children of God, we are translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians. And yet, there are so many Christians who don't believe this truth, despite what they may say. How do we know they don't believe? Just listen to their every day speech. Much of it is peppered with words of death and their conduct indicates a great fear of death. You can even examine some of the hymns and lyrics to current Christian songs, and you will find that some of them (not all) are chocked full of doubt, unbelief, and death.
If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind who paid for all sin on the cross, then you are spiritually alive and are no longer ruled by death. Just as Paul did, you can boldly state: O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.
Check your speech and conduct--are you speaking death over yourself, your children, and your circumstances? Are you in fear of sickness, disease, poverty, lack, or calamity? If so, then death is ruling over you, because you still see yourself as an offspring of sinful Adam. But you are not a sinner any more! You are the offspring of God Himself! What does God have in common with death? Nothing! God is life and life eternal! Celebrate this wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and let it reign over you every day!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
God Has Moved Mountains!
2 Corinthians 3:7-8 But if the ministry of death, written [and] engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which [glory] was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
After a nice spring break, we resumed for another great bible study with Pastor Prince on the righteousness of God which is a gift to every believer in Jesus Christ. We learned some very important things. First, in 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, the Apostle Paul explains that the Old Covenant teaching of righteousness was based on man's fulfillment of the law which, ironically, brought condemnation, the curse, and death instead of life. Even though there was some glory in that ministry, it was a glory that was fading away, and after the cross, it became obsolete. Now after the cross, we are under a New Covenant of the Spirit where righteousness is a GIFT received by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. If the ministry of the law had a glory that was fading away, how much more does the ministry of the Spirit exceed in glory--and it is a glory that will never fade or pass away!
When we looked at the nation of Israel in the desert, we saw that they were technically under the dispensation of grace from the moment they fled Egypt to the time the law was given. During that time, no one died, everyone remained strong and healthy and was protected and well provided for. But the moment the people claimed they could keep all of God's commands (without even knowing what they were!), God separated Himself from them and their boastful ways and gave them His holy law. On the day of Pentecost, they were required to consecrate themselves and stay clear of God's holy mountain, Mt. Sinai, or they would die. Only Moses could go up the mountain and receive the law and when he came down later, the people were already in sin, worshipping a golden calf. Very soon after that, 3000 of them died. Once the law came, sin reared its ugly head, the curse came and death reigned.
Flash forward thousands of years later to the day of Pentecost when the church was born. In the second chapter of the book of Acts, when the day of Pentecost had fully come (which was about 9 in the morning), the Spirit came rushing in like a mighty wind, filling all the disciples in the upper room so that they all spoke in other tongues, declaring the mighty and wondrous works of God. Later that day, on Mount Zion, 3000 people were saved! God showed that He had moved the ministry of righteousness from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion. His righteousness no longer comes from keeping the law and doing good deeds, but by receiving God's gift of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ!
If you are a teacher or preacher of the Gospel, have you moved mountains too? Or are you still stuck on Mt. Sinai, preaching and teaching a mixture of grace and law, which Paul says in Galatians is really a different gospel, if it even can be called a gospel. Change mountains, get over on Mt. Zion where God is, and walk in the fullness of the free gift of God's righteousness. Through Christ, you are as right and as perfect in God's eyes as Jesus! Now that's Good News!
After a nice spring break, we resumed for another great bible study with Pastor Prince on the righteousness of God which is a gift to every believer in Jesus Christ. We learned some very important things. First, in 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, the Apostle Paul explains that the Old Covenant teaching of righteousness was based on man's fulfillment of the law which, ironically, brought condemnation, the curse, and death instead of life. Even though there was some glory in that ministry, it was a glory that was fading away, and after the cross, it became obsolete. Now after the cross, we are under a New Covenant of the Spirit where righteousness is a GIFT received by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. If the ministry of the law had a glory that was fading away, how much more does the ministry of the Spirit exceed in glory--and it is a glory that will never fade or pass away!
When we looked at the nation of Israel in the desert, we saw that they were technically under the dispensation of grace from the moment they fled Egypt to the time the law was given. During that time, no one died, everyone remained strong and healthy and was protected and well provided for. But the moment the people claimed they could keep all of God's commands (without even knowing what they were!), God separated Himself from them and their boastful ways and gave them His holy law. On the day of Pentecost, they were required to consecrate themselves and stay clear of God's holy mountain, Mt. Sinai, or they would die. Only Moses could go up the mountain and receive the law and when he came down later, the people were already in sin, worshipping a golden calf. Very soon after that, 3000 of them died. Once the law came, sin reared its ugly head, the curse came and death reigned.
Flash forward thousands of years later to the day of Pentecost when the church was born. In the second chapter of the book of Acts, when the day of Pentecost had fully come (which was about 9 in the morning), the Spirit came rushing in like a mighty wind, filling all the disciples in the upper room so that they all spoke in other tongues, declaring the mighty and wondrous works of God. Later that day, on Mount Zion, 3000 people were saved! God showed that He had moved the ministry of righteousness from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion. His righteousness no longer comes from keeping the law and doing good deeds, but by receiving God's gift of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ!
If you are a teacher or preacher of the Gospel, have you moved mountains too? Or are you still stuck on Mt. Sinai, preaching and teaching a mixture of grace and law, which Paul says in Galatians is really a different gospel, if it even can be called a gospel. Change mountains, get over on Mt. Zion where God is, and walk in the fullness of the free gift of God's righteousness. Through Christ, you are as right and as perfect in God's eyes as Jesus! Now that's Good News!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Righteousness is a Gift!
Yesterday we started a DVD/CD study on Grace taught by Pastor Joseph Prince of New Creation Church in Singapore. Everyone left so uplifted and encouraged by the message. There were laughter, tears, dropped jaws and general excitement surrounding the revelation that the righteousness of God is a GIFT from Him, not based in any way on our own works or actions--it is a gift based solely on the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
This scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV is foundational: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. Romans 8:32 tells us that He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? The Holy Spirit in us desires to reveal all of the rich treasures available to us in this free gift of God's righteousness.
We learned that God is not holding our sins against us, that He has declared us righteous through the blood of His son, Jesus, and that we receive this free gift of His righteousness by faith. He desires to freely give us ALL things, everything our heart desires, and He places no limits on that promise.
We also came to understand that the Holy Spirit is not wagging His finger at us, scolding us for our sins but is constantly convicting us of this gift of righteousness--God's gift of righteousness and NOT our own works or self righteousness. There is a big difference. Think about what you've been taught all of your life. If you've been taught to see yourself as a sinner, to examine your past and present sins and be afraid of any future sins you may commit, to always be sin conscious, to be guilty and feel unworthy before God, to be afraid to talk to Him or ask Him for all and any things you want or need, to sense that He is mad or displeased with you, then you are not walking in the revelation of this free gift of righteousness from God. Receive it and walk in it and stop feeling guilty and condemned!
Believe in big and miraculous things, not because you deserve it or have earned it, but because you are righteous before God, just as righteous as Jesus! You are His child and a member of His body, joint heirs with Him, destined to rule and reign.
When you reduce righteousness down to a free gift based on the work of Jesus and not based on any work done on your part, the Gospel becomes very easy - and exciting. All we have to do is believe it! Believe it, confess it, and walk in it. Thank you Jesus, and Amen!
This scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV is foundational: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. Romans 8:32 tells us that He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? The Holy Spirit in us desires to reveal all of the rich treasures available to us in this free gift of God's righteousness.
We learned that God is not holding our sins against us, that He has declared us righteous through the blood of His son, Jesus, and that we receive this free gift of His righteousness by faith. He desires to freely give us ALL things, everything our heart desires, and He places no limits on that promise.
We also came to understand that the Holy Spirit is not wagging His finger at us, scolding us for our sins but is constantly convicting us of this gift of righteousness--God's gift of righteousness and NOT our own works or self righteousness. There is a big difference. Think about what you've been taught all of your life. If you've been taught to see yourself as a sinner, to examine your past and present sins and be afraid of any future sins you may commit, to always be sin conscious, to be guilty and feel unworthy before God, to be afraid to talk to Him or ask Him for all and any things you want or need, to sense that He is mad or displeased with you, then you are not walking in the revelation of this free gift of righteousness from God. Receive it and walk in it and stop feeling guilty and condemned!
Believe in big and miraculous things, not because you deserve it or have earned it, but because you are righteous before God, just as righteous as Jesus! You are His child and a member of His body, joint heirs with Him, destined to rule and reign.
When you reduce righteousness down to a free gift based on the work of Jesus and not based on any work done on your part, the Gospel becomes very easy - and exciting. All we have to do is believe it! Believe it, confess it, and walk in it. Thank you Jesus, and Amen!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
You Are Loved!
Colossians 1:9-14 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
Sometimes when we Christians are going through difficult circumstances and we are waiting for breakthrough in a certain area, we may be tempted to believe that God doesn't really love us. We may even question whether we are cursed in some way and maybe not even saved from death, hell, and the grave. But none of that is true if we have believed in and declared Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.Like Ruth, who was blessed to be the redeemed wife of Boaz and the grandmother of King David and in the line of Jesus, we are blessed as the bride of Christ, His wife, sons and daughters of God, kings and priests, destined to reign in this life and in the one to come. Do you really believe that? Can you be like Ruth and believe you are highly favored despite your background and circumstances? Can you believe like Peter and walk upon the water with the wind and the waves swirling all around you, howling in your ear? As Peter discovered, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and believed how much he was loved and favored, he was able to walk in supernatural power. However, the minute Peter looked at the wind and waves, he left his supernatural place and became a natural man again, limited by the laws of this natural world. And we all know what happens when natural men try to walk on water--they sink and they sink fast!
Do you know how precious, beloved, blessed, and favored you are? Do you know that God is no longer mad at you about anything? Do you know that there is no sin or condemnation in your life that was not dealt with at the cross? If you do feel any guilt or condemnation, it is not coming from God. God dealt with sin and the curse 2000 years ago when He laid it all on his beloved son, Jesus. Yes, circumstances in your life may be hard, the wind and waves may be coming against you with a vengeance, but do you know your Savior loves you and that He will enable you to rise above it all, to walk above the circumstances around you? If you need healing, He is the healer, if you need finances, He is your provider. If you need relationships restored, He is you reconciliation, if you need a job or position, He is the one who sends favor and good things our way.
In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul prayed for the church in Colosse to receive the full revelation of the knowledge of God and who they are IN HIM. Circumstances don't define the Lord or how He sees us, the Word does. The ultimate act of love He has shown us is sending His beloved Son to the cross.
Don't give up, fight the good fight of faith, and keep believing in the promises of the Lord, even if it seems to be taking forever. Concentrate on how much He loves you and how blessed you are. This may sound like foolishness to the world and to natural people, but you are not of this world nor are you a natural person--you are supernatural--a born-again child of God! It's a time for celebration, praise and joy from the Lord's people, the body of Christ, His bride, the sons and daughters of the Most High!
Sometimes when we Christians are going through difficult circumstances and we are waiting for breakthrough in a certain area, we may be tempted to believe that God doesn't really love us. We may even question whether we are cursed in some way and maybe not even saved from death, hell, and the grave. But none of that is true if we have believed in and declared Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.Like Ruth, who was blessed to be the redeemed wife of Boaz and the grandmother of King David and in the line of Jesus, we are blessed as the bride of Christ, His wife, sons and daughters of God, kings and priests, destined to reign in this life and in the one to come. Do you really believe that? Can you be like Ruth and believe you are highly favored despite your background and circumstances? Can you believe like Peter and walk upon the water with the wind and the waves swirling all around you, howling in your ear? As Peter discovered, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and believed how much he was loved and favored, he was able to walk in supernatural power. However, the minute Peter looked at the wind and waves, he left his supernatural place and became a natural man again, limited by the laws of this natural world. And we all know what happens when natural men try to walk on water--they sink and they sink fast!
Do you know how precious, beloved, blessed, and favored you are? Do you know that God is no longer mad at you about anything? Do you know that there is no sin or condemnation in your life that was not dealt with at the cross? If you do feel any guilt or condemnation, it is not coming from God. God dealt with sin and the curse 2000 years ago when He laid it all on his beloved son, Jesus. Yes, circumstances in your life may be hard, the wind and waves may be coming against you with a vengeance, but do you know your Savior loves you and that He will enable you to rise above it all, to walk above the circumstances around you? If you need healing, He is the healer, if you need finances, He is your provider. If you need relationships restored, He is you reconciliation, if you need a job or position, He is the one who sends favor and good things our way.
In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul prayed for the church in Colosse to receive the full revelation of the knowledge of God and who they are IN HIM. Circumstances don't define the Lord or how He sees us, the Word does. The ultimate act of love He has shown us is sending His beloved Son to the cross.
Don't give up, fight the good fight of faith, and keep believing in the promises of the Lord, even if it seems to be taking forever. Concentrate on how much He loves you and how blessed you are. This may sound like foolishness to the world and to natural people, but you are not of this world nor are you a natural person--you are supernatural--a born-again child of God! It's a time for celebration, praise and joy from the Lord's people, the body of Christ, His bride, the sons and daughters of the Most High!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Enjoy the Growth!
Did you know the Apostle Paul's ministry and calling was not just to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles, but also to help raise every believer up into the full knowledge of who they are IN Christ, thus bringing everyone into their full maturity as a Christian? Many times we think spreading the Word of Jesus is all about getting people saved, but based on Paul's teachings, there is whole bunch more.
We looked at the first chapter of Colossians where Paul exalted the believers at Colossae for their faith, unity, and love, and yet he wanted them to experience something more--the fullness of knowing their Savior, Jesus, and the deep, rich treasures of God that have been stored up for the church. This obviously takes time and patience as the maturation process completes its task. Like a rose bud coming into its full bloom, we as Christians must grow and mature in our discovery of who we truly are in Christ and how God sees us. It isn't about doing deeds or completing tasks, but about coming into the full knowledge of the Truth.
We compared this teaching with Ruth's story. When Boaz first saw her, he wanted to know who she was. He called her "daughter," and I believe that for him, it was love at first sight! He took care of her, provided for her and protected her, and invited her to eat at his table to dine on the kingly bread. Instead, she chose to sit with the other maidens and eat of the parched grain. For the remainder of the barley and wheat harvest, Ruth stayed at Boaz's field, gleaning with the other workers, drinking the water drawn by his young men, eating at his table, learning more about him, and most importantly, learning about HOW HE SAW HER! This sounds like a romantic, wooing courtship to me. At the appropriate time, when the harvest was complete, she was ready to claim him as her husband and take her position as his wife. Boaz called her virtuous and declared that the whole city knew of her virtue. Obviously, she had grown into the knowledge of who she truly was. Likewise, this is what the Lord wants from us.
At no time during this wooing process did Boaz scold or admonish Ruth for not walking in a full revelation of how he saw her. He waited quietly and patiently, enjoying the time spent with her, watching with joy as she grew into her revelation that she was meant to be his wife. Think about that! God delights in watching you grow and develop and learn about who He has made you IN Christ. The more light you walk in and the more revelation knowledge you have of the rich treasures in Christ Jesus that have been laid up for you NOW, in this age, the more He is glorified!
We looked at the first chapter of Colossians where Paul exalted the believers at Colossae for their faith, unity, and love, and yet he wanted them to experience something more--the fullness of knowing their Savior, Jesus, and the deep, rich treasures of God that have been stored up for the church. This obviously takes time and patience as the maturation process completes its task. Like a rose bud coming into its full bloom, we as Christians must grow and mature in our discovery of who we truly are in Christ and how God sees us. It isn't about doing deeds or completing tasks, but about coming into the full knowledge of the Truth.
We compared this teaching with Ruth's story. When Boaz first saw her, he wanted to know who she was. He called her "daughter," and I believe that for him, it was love at first sight! He took care of her, provided for her and protected her, and invited her to eat at his table to dine on the kingly bread. Instead, she chose to sit with the other maidens and eat of the parched grain. For the remainder of the barley and wheat harvest, Ruth stayed at Boaz's field, gleaning with the other workers, drinking the water drawn by his young men, eating at his table, learning more about him, and most importantly, learning about HOW HE SAW HER! This sounds like a romantic, wooing courtship to me. At the appropriate time, when the harvest was complete, she was ready to claim him as her husband and take her position as his wife. Boaz called her virtuous and declared that the whole city knew of her virtue. Obviously, she had grown into the knowledge of who she truly was. Likewise, this is what the Lord wants from us.
At no time during this wooing process did Boaz scold or admonish Ruth for not walking in a full revelation of how he saw her. He waited quietly and patiently, enjoying the time spent with her, watching with joy as she grew into her revelation that she was meant to be his wife. Think about that! God delights in watching you grow and develop and learn about who He has made you IN Christ. The more light you walk in and the more revelation knowledge you have of the rich treasures in Christ Jesus that have been laid up for you NOW, in this age, the more He is glorified!
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