Jesus Our Substitute, He Died for you and as you.
Jesus didn’t just die for you, He died as you. He died in your place. He became like you so you could become like Him. He became your sin so you could be righteous. He was diseased so you would be well. He was punished so you could be free. He was rejected so you could be accepted.
Read along with me through these passages. This sermon is more of a meditative walk through Isaish 52:13 through 54:10.
Here is one of my favorite set of promises from this section of scripture. Notice how God defines Himself; your husband, the Lord of Hosts, your redeemer, the God of the earth, the Lord who has mercy. We must allow God to define who He is and how He wants to operate in our lives. In this selection of scripture, He makes Himself more than our Lord, He describes a very personal and intimate relationship. He is our husband, He is the one who has mercy on us.
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
Jesus didn’t just die for you, He died as you. He died in your place. He became like you so you could become like Him. He became your sin so you could be righteous. He was diseased so you would be well. He was punished so you could be free. He was rejected so you could be accepted.
Read along with me through these passages. This sermon is more of a meditative walk through Isaish 52:13 through 54:10.
Here is one of my favorite set of promises from this section of scripture. Notice how God defines Himself; your husband, the Lord of Hosts, your redeemer, the God of the earth, the Lord who has mercy. We must allow God to define who He is and how He wants to operate in our lives. In this selection of scripture, He makes Himself more than our Lord, He describes a very personal and intimate relationship. He is our husband, He is the one who has mercy on us.
Yes, He is the Lord of Hosts, which denotes His powerful authority, but He uses that reference to illustrate how He exercises His authority in our lives. He loves us, He wants to take care of us in the context of relationship. He wants us to be free from our past. He wants to be kind to us. He not only wants to, He swears to. This is a big deal. God swears to be kind to you, to no longer be angry with you.
Why? Because of what the Messiah accomplished in the previous chapter. He was your substitute, making you clean and holy before Him. Forever sealed in His new covenant of promise.
Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. 6 For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” says your God. 7 “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. 9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
I pray you allow your self-image to be defined by God’s perspective of you. I pray you reshape your self-worth in light of how your husband cherishes you. I pray you find rest in the finished work of Jesus. And I pray that you live open and free with the Lord, no longer afraid of Him. You can trust Him, He went through great lengths to be in your life.
God Removed Your diseased Sinful human Nature and washed you clean with the blood of jesus
God performed spiritual surgery in you when you placed your faith in Christ. When you believe in Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of sins, He goes to work. Here’s the procedure you undergo to become born again:
You placed your faith in Christ.
God removes your heart of stone.
He removes the “body of the sins of the flesh.”
He washes you clean with the blood of Christ (This step makes you holy)
He then gives you a new heart.
Next, He places His Spirit in you, joining Himself to you forever.
This makes you acceptable to Him because of His finished work in you. You cannot improve on His work, and you cannot invalidate His work. It’s His work.
You come off His operating table as a new creature, that is now His child, and a co-heir with Jesus, fully equipped with the authority He shares with you, to go into the world doing the works He did and making disciples of all nations.
All of this is possible because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ”
God performed spiritual surgery in you when you placed your faith in Christ. When you believe in Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of sins, He goes to work. Here’s the procedure you undergo to become born again:
You place your faith in Christ.
God removes your heart of stone.
He removes the “body of the sins of the flesh.”
He washes you clean with the blood of Christ (This step makes you holy).
He gives you a new heart (that wants to obey).
He places His Spirit in you, joining Himself to you forever.
This makes you acceptable to Him. You cannot improve on this work, and you cannot invalidate this work. It’s His work.
You come off His operating table as a new creature, a child of God, and a co-heir with Jesus, fully equipped with His authority, to go into the world doing the works He did and making disciples of all nations.
All of this is possible because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
I want to highlight “step 3.”
The “circumcision of the body of the sins of the flesh” is perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of the Gospel, yet I believe it to be one of the most important. It seems to be missed by most Christians. If you do not understand what happened in this spiritual circumcision, you will believe that you are still a sinner by nature. Or you might believe that you have two natures. Both of which are incorrect.
The result of the circumcision God performs in you leaves you with one nature, a nature that is no longer opposed to God or prone to sin. This procedure removes your guilt of breaking God’s commands. And the removal of your mere human nature makes you the kind of being that can live in the fullness of God’s illuminated presence forever. You truly are a new creation.
Paul refers to the same spiritual circumcision in Romans 6.
Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
The body of sin was rendered powerless AND removed from you. Let’s look at the original language for more understanding.
apekdysei tou sōmatos tēs sarkos
This Greek phrase is translated as “removal of the body of flesh.” Some translations read “removal of the body of the sins of the flesh,” depending on the emphasis.
What does this phrase mean?
Apekdysei is pretty self-explanatory, it simply means to remove. It’s also translated as laying aside (as if you’re done with something).
Somatos basically means body, but it’s literal and figurative. For context, we see that the circumcision we’re evaluating is done without hands, meaning it’s spiritual in nature. It’s something God does, who is spirit. So in Colossians 2:11, the context is a spiritual body that is being removed.
Sarx means flesh. Sarx also has two applications, the skin on your body as well as your human nature. In regard to “human nature,” Sarx is defined this way: mere human nature that is opposed to God and prone to sin. Since we’re talking about a spiritual circumcision on a figurative “body,” the conclusion of what is being removed is not the physical flesh but rather the “mere human nature that is opposed to God and prone to sin.”
God removes your mere human nature that is opposed to Him and prone to sin. He removes your sin nature. After this procedure, you no longer have a mere human nature, you have an eternal, spiritual, righteous nature, which is no longer opposed to God and prone to sin. Now that’s GOOD NEWS!!! Will you believe it?!
Couple that with the fact that God gives you a new heart and places His spirit in you. That leaves us with the conclusion that you truly are a new creation. No longer at enmity with God by nature. No longer a sinful creature by nature. No longer a mere human. You are now the righteousness of God in Christ! A child of God! A fully equipped ambassador of Heaven!
NOW REPENT - change the way you think about yourself and believe the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom of God! The GOOD NEWS Gospel that tells you how magnificent you now are as the result of the finished work of Christ in you!
Selah
I pray that you renew your soulish mind to your true spiritual identity. It’s not just something that God credits to you, you truly are a NEW CREATION!! Believe it and live from the power of it!!
Listen to the full sermon above for more on this subject. I will also begin a new series in March 2021 focused on the grace of God, which what God supplies to you, enabling you to live in the power of your new creation identity.
Righteousness is not earned or maintained Through The Law
If you read the Old Testament, especially the Old Covenant Laws, and feel condemned GOOD JOB! You’re taking it seriously. That’s what the Law is supposed to do, condemn you and highlight your sin. Even some of the teachings of Jesus were delivered through the lens of the Law. He did so to point out your inability to keep the Law.
For clarification, there is a difference between the Old Testament and the Old Covenant. All the books of the Old Testament are the inspired Word of God. But the Old Covenant, the agreement between God and the nation of Israel, along with its 600+ rules and laws, have been fulfilled by Jesus, thus rendering the set of laws obsolete.
Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
We’re not throwing out a huge part of God’s Word, we’re simply putting the Law in its proper perspective as affected by the finished work of Jesus. Jesus is the end of the Law for the believer. The Law was made obsolete regarding righteousness for you. Jesus didn’t throw out the Law, he just fulfilled it for you.
If you read the Old Testament, especially the Old Covenant Laws, and feel condemned GOOD JOB! You’re taking it seriously. That’s what the Law is supposed to do, condemn you and highlight your sin. Even some of the teachings of Jesus were delivered through the lens of the Law. He did so to point out your inability to keep the Law.
For clarification, there is a difference between the Old Testament and the Old Covenant. All the books of the Old Testament are the inspired Word of God. But the Old Covenant, the agreement between God and the nation of Israel, along with its 600+ rules and laws, have been fulfilled by Jesus, thus rendering the set of laws obsolete.
Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
We’re not throwing out a huge part of God’s Word, we’re simply putting the Law in its proper perspective as affected by the finished work of Jesus. Jesus is the end of the Law for the believer. The Law was made obsolete regarding righteousness for you. Jesus didn’t throw out the Law, he just fulfilled it for you.
“Romans 1:15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””
You are saved by grace through faith, and you stay saved by grace through faith, not through the Law. You don't start a spiritual journey with God based on the free gift of righteousness and then keep it by your works.
Yes, your salvation will produce good works, but the presence of those works is not the security of your salvation, Jesus is. Don’t let any academic, sola Scriptura minded person cause you to question your salvation based on the level of fruit they think is necessary. The blood of Christ alone secures your eternal redemption.
Jesus is your once and forever sacrifice for sin. He is the one that holds your place in God’s everlasting covenant of peace. Rest in his finished work.
Take a look at these passages to make sure your perspective of the Law is correct. As I taught in my series REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, we must have a finished work hermeneutic. Everything we know about God must align with what Christ accomplished through his sinless life, substitutionary work on the cross, sacrificial death, conquering of death and the grave, and his ascension to glory with his own blood. Every belief we have about God's character and will must align with who Jesus showed us God to be.
God doesn’t change, the stories in the Old Testament are true. He gave the Israelites the Law, but we don’t stay there regarding our relationship with God. Jesus changed everything.
Read through these passages and make adjustments in your thinking, repenting along the way, to make sure you believe the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!!
Romans 7:12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
Matthew 5:17-19 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 3:20 because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.
Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work in the parts of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
What stands out to you as you read through these passages? Did you recognize any areas where you are mixing the Old and New Covenants? What do you need to change in your thinking to align with our deliverance from the Law?
Fear God, But Don't be Afraid of Him.
If you’re worried about what God might do to you if you make a mistake, it reveals that you aren’t truly convinced of his love for you. God’s correction and training in your life are not through harsh judgment and pain, it’s through wisdom and guidance.
God is a loving father who will train you in the way you should go. If you fail, simply remember that Jesus was your substitution. Jesus bore the penalty of your sin. Not so you can now get away with it, but so that he could remove God’s wrath from you and relate to you as a child rather than a sinner. God is not mocked, you will reap what you sow, but God is no longer keeping a record of your sin to punish you.
Jesus said this:
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt WORSHIP the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. -Matthew 4:10 KJV
When quoting this passage:
Thou shalt FEAR the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. - Deuteronomy 6:13 KJV
I think we can trust the son of God’s interpretation of scripture. To Jesus, fear didn’t mean “be afraid of,” it meant to honor and respect. Fear is an old English word for revere and respect, it doesn't translate well in our modern vernacular. Worship and love God, but don’t be afraid of him.
“We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first.”
If you’re worried about what God might do to you if you make a mistake, it reveals that you aren’t truly convinced of his love for you. God’s correction and training in your life are not through harsh judgment and pain, it’s through wisdom and guidance.
God is a loving father who will train you in the way you should go. If you fail, simply remember that Jesus was your substitution. Jesus bore the penalty of your sin. Not so you can now get away with it, but so that he could remove God’s wrath from you and relate to you as a child rather than a sinner. God is not mocked, you will reap what you sow, but God is no longer keeping a record of your sin to punish you.
God Loves You
God commands you to love him, but we love him because he first loved us. So in effect, God commands us to respond to his love for us. To put it another way, God commands you to let him love you. How can you be afraid of someone that wants to love you that much?
You probably know that God loves you, but a lot of people don’t. People don’t know that it’s the kindness and mercy of God that draws people to repentance. Too many preachers think they need to scare people with hell and judgment. When in reality, if we would lead with love and tell people about the incredible lengths Jesus went through to show us God’s love, people would more readily receive his love and receive the gift of eternal life.
Christians are often not very good at loving each other, much less our enemies. We often have an angry view of God, thinking he’s just itching to judge someone. No wonder much of the world is turning away from Christianity. We’ve done a poor job of representing the true intentions of God toward people.
The Gospel means GOOD NEWS!! The Greatest news is that God loves us, and we have nothing to fear. Maybe you need to hear this today. But I can promise you this, someone in your life needs to hear about God’s actions in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Not to get them to say a prayer so you can get a salvation notch on your belt, but so they can be set free from fear, guilt, and shame.
Be a carrier of good news. Preach the Gospel. Tell people about God’s love. Your friends and family are starving for it.
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Your Mindset Determines If You Will Believe The Gospel
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
— Matthew 4:17
When he stepped into his public ministry, he encouraged people to repent and believe the Gospel. We instantly think of sin when we hear the word “repent,” meaning we think repenting is always about confessing our sin. Repenting from sin is important, but that’s not what Jesus was talking about.
Definition of Repent
Repent is the Greek word metanoeō, which is a combination of two words; meta and noeō. Meta means; with, after, behind. It’s a preposition that modifies the verb noeō. Noeō means; to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding, to think upon, heed, ponder, consider.
Metanoeō or Repent means; to change one's mind, to turn one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.
So repentance does have to do with turning away from sin but more specifically it is about changing our minds about the beliefs that drive sin. Repentance is when you do a deeper work than just apologizing for a sinful action. It’s when you go into your heart beliefs and make adjustments.
What you believe generates your thoughts. Your thoughts then lead to feelings and emotions. Those feelings and emotions then give way to action. So whether it be anger or adultery, sin is the fruit of your beliefs and what you think on. To repent is to turn away from the thinking that leads to sin. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to change the way we think about God’s kingdom because he’s bringing us good news.
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“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
When he stepped into his public ministry, he encouraged people to repent and believe the Gospel. We instantly think of sin when we hear the word “repent,” meaning we think repenting is always about confessing our sin. Repenting from sin is important, but that’s not what Jesus was talking about.
Definition of Repent
Repent is the Greek word metanoeō, which is a combination of two words; meta and noeō. Meta means; with, after, behind. It’s a preposition that modifies the verb noeō. Noeō means; to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding, to think upon, heed, ponder, consider.
Metanoeō or Repent means; to change one's mind, to turn one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.
So repentance does have to do with turning away from sin but more specifically it is about changing our minds about the beliefs that drive sin. Repentance is when you do a deeper work than just apologizing for a sinful action. It’s when you go into your heart beliefs and make adjustments.
What you believe generates your thoughts. Your thoughts then lead to feelings and emotions. Those feelings and emotions then give way to action. So whether it be anger or adultery, sin is the fruit of your beliefs and what you think on. To repent is to turn away from the thinking that leads to sin. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to change the way we think about God’s kingdom because he’s bringing us good news.
Definition of Gospel
The original word for gospel is euangelion. Euangelion means; glad tidings of the kingdom of God, the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ, good news.
GOSPEL MEANS GOOD NEWS!!! In this case, the good news about the kingdom of God!!
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was, of course, addressing sinful actions, but he was saying something deeper. He said that we would need to change the way we think about God, and his kingdom, because his kingdom was now here. There wasn’t much good news about the kingdom of God at that time. There wasn’t necessarily bad news, there was just an expectation that God would send his savior and establish his kingdom. That time had come!
Mark 1:14 After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
What time was fulfilled?
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Jesus is that light!
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upond his shoulder, and his name shall be callede Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Jesus began to establish this prophecy in his time.
Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The Good News About God’s Kingdom
This was the time the prophets spoke about. The time when God would send his savior. The time when a great light would be seen in the darkness. The time when the government of God’s kingdom would be on the shoulders of his messiah. The time when the kingdom of God begins on earth until all of his enemies are made his footstool, the last one being death.
Jesus was saying you’re going to have to change the way you see God. Jesus introduced us to the concept of God as a loving father. Moses gave us truth, but Jesus gave us grace AND truth. Jesus showed us that God’s motivation toward mankind was love. Jesus displayed the mercy of God. Jesus displayed the heart of God by forgiving people and healing all manner of diseases.
I can imagine in our language, Jesus saying, you’re going to have to change the way you think about God because the time of him dwelling among you is here. God will now be with you forevermore. Walk with me, and I will show you his kingdom. Yes, there is still an end and a final judgment, but God is making himself available in a way you never imagined. He is accessible through the work I will do for you. The Law still applies, but I am the way through which you approach God, and I make you righteous through my blood. My father is good, and he loves you.
So we must change the way we think about God and make sure all of our thoughts about God are in line with who Jesus showed us God really is.
Kingdom vs. Religious Mindsets
True repentance is a mind-renewal journey, the result being transformation continually into the image of Christ. 2020 was a year that presented many obstacles along that journey. You may need to repent from the way 2020 made you think!!
The world is experiencing collective trauma. If we’re not careful we’ll slip into the same hopelessness and fear as the rest of the world. As Christians, we have a secret weapon against gloominess and oppression, we have the joy of the Lord. And we have the Word of God to plant in our minds to help us in every situation. Because his kingdom is in us, we have a never-ending supply of power and hope.
We do not have to adopt the world’s destructive, doom and gloom mindsets, we can have hope in every situation, no matter what, because we have the favor of God in our lives and we have the hope of eternity! This world may get darker, but God’s kingdom is also at hand, getting brighter and brighter!!
Do you perceive God’s kingdom increasing? Or do you only see the darkness growing? The truth is, both are growing, but if all you see is the darkness growing, it’s time to repent and believe the Gospel!!
We need to check our mindsets and make sure our thoughts are in line with God's proclamation of His kingdom's good news. If you’re having trouble seeing His kingdom and finding good news in today’s world, change the way you think and believe that there is good news all around you because God’s kingdom is at hand.
“As he thinks in his heart, so is he…”
We think we are products of our upbringing, society, our education, and our communities. Those are factors, but by and large, we are products of our mindsets, regardless of where they came from.
The way you think shapes your paradigms, perspectives, and points of view. Your mindsets determine the way you live and will influence your choices. There are nuances to the subject of mindsets, such as the beliefs of your heart, self-worth, past experiences, theological persuasion, and a few more, but by and large, your current reality is a direct reflection of your mindsets.
You may have more than one, but in general, the way you think, what you think about, and the way you allow your mindsets to influence you, determine the quality of life you will have and your general outlook on life.
MINDSET: A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations
Are your preconceptions casting a shadow on your view of the world and your future? I wonder if you have any bad theology lingering in your mind that keeps you from believing there is good news all around you? It’s hard to repent sometimes. We’ve been programmed our entire lives to believe the way believe, changing that almost feels wrong at times. Remember, Jesus teaches you to change the way you think and believe the good news about his kingdom.
Identifying Your Mindsets
Let’s look at a few examples of mindsets people have. See if you identify with any of these mindsets, and look for ways you can change the way you think to make sure you’re believing the good news about God’s kingdom. Case by case, life situation by life situation, there is good news regarding God’s kingdom. Your job is to renew your mind and believe that good news.
The fixed mindset
The growth mindset
The fear mindset
The lazy mindset
The envy mindset
The business mindset
The dreamer mindset
The follower mindset
The greed mindset
The gratitude mindset
The confident mindset
The creative mindset
The short-term mindset
The angry mindset
The productive mindset
It’s a helpful exercise to understand yourself by identifying the way you think, that way you can know where you need to repent and believe the good news about God’s kingdom. This list of mindsets is neither right or wrong. This list only serves to help you understand yourself better. You may not know you have certain patterns of thought. Since repentance is a process of changing the way you think, it can be helpful to identify patterns. Let’s look a little deeper.
FIXED MINDSET
Likes safety and stability
Wants to maintain what they have
Doesn't pursue change
Has trouble seeing other people's perspectives
GROWTH MINDSET
Wants to improve
Puts effort toward learning
Acquires new skills
Seeks out new relationships
VICTIM MENTALITY
Blames other people or the world's systems for their problems
Stays stuck in destructive patterns
Justifies holding on to the past
Makes excuses for not taking personal responsibility
Christian Mindsets
Now let’s look at some common Christian mindsets. We think our Christian mindsets are always based on the Bible but that’s not necessarily true. Our Christian mindsets come from what we’ve been taught, how we interpret our life’s circumstances, and our general view of God.
Do you have any of these mindsets? Remember, these lists only serve to help you identify areas where you may not believe the truth about the good news of God’s kingdom. If your beliefs about God and his kingdom are not based on the good news, it’s time to repent.
GOD’S IN CONTROL
Everything that happens is part of God's plan
God isn't causing it but he's allowing it
God could have done something but he chose not to
DOOM AND GLOOM
The world is getting darker
The end is near
The wicked are in control and are prospering
LOST WORLD
We just have to endure until the end
We're all sinners
Judgment is coming soon
VICTORIOUS MINDSET
Jesus has defeated the enemy
Jesus has given us his victory
Jesus is currently reigning through us
Do you see yourself in any of these beliefs? While some of these areas touch on deep theological constructs, I pray it is helpful as you make the journey to repent and believe the Gospel. Changing the way you think is hard, but when you base your beliefs on the good news, you will not go wrong.
We have believed what we believe for a long time. I want this series of articles to help you become rooted and grounded in the good news of God’s kingdom. We’ll continue to look at what Jesus accomplished through his death, burial, and resurrection. I pray you subscribe to my email list and walk with me through this Gospel journey. (subscribe below)
I’ll leave you with a proclamation of a very important aspect of the Gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Recommended Reading
How to yield to the river of life in your heart to bear one another’s burdens
What a year! COVID, the US election, and all the personal challenges people are experiencing. By now, I’m sure you know that depression cases are skyrocketing, alcoholism and substance abuse are at record highs, domestic abuse has increased, many people have lost their lives due to COVID, businesses are failing, and more.
If you’re not careful, you can allow all of the bad news to skew your entire perspective of life. In the world, he said we would have trouble, but to be of good cheer because he overcame the world. He also said that there would be wheat and weeds growing together in His kingdom until He returns.
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What a year! COVID, the US election, and all the personal challenges people are experiencing. By now, I’m sure you know that depression cases are skyrocketing, alcoholism and substance abuse are at record highs, domestic abuse has increased, many people have lost their lives due to COVID, businesses are failing, and more.
If you’re not careful, you can allow all of the bad news to skew your entire perspective of life. In the world, he said we would have trouble, but to be of good cheer because he overcame the world. He also said that there would be wheat and weeds growing together in His kingdom until He returns.
Read my last few blogs for more on the parable of the wheat and weeds.
It is vital that the church be the church in these times of uncertainty. We know that God is destroying the enemies of Christ as we speak. His spirit is alive and active in the earth, as well as in our lives. But we also know the enemy’s weeds are growing as well. What are we to do?
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The hope we hold to is the Gospel. We’re delivered from Messianic judgment. We are safe in Christ, and we will experience the restoration of all things when He returns and renews the universe. Until then, we hold fast. Not from a place of dread and fear, but a place of hope.
We already have the victory in Christ. What we allow to influence our hearts will manifest in our lives. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We must encourage one another, be kind to one another, lift each other up, and bear one another’s burdens.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else
We are to love one another to the degree that we identify with each other’s struggles. Paul warns us against comparing ourselves to one another in times of division. He says that if we will empathize with each other and bear one another’s burdens, we will not pridefully compare ourselves to one another.
What does comparing ourselves to one another have to do with the times we’re in?
Comparing yourself to someone else is the opposite of seeking to understand them and bear their burden. When you step into someone else’s shoes, listen to their story, and understand their journey, you will not be quick to make them your enemy.
We see people comparing themselves to one another in politics right now. We compare and judge based on who someone voted for. We compare and judge based on skin color. We compare and judge based on all sorts of divisive demographics. But if we can lay aside our pride and bear one another’s burdens, we can come together as a church.
Jesus prayed for it, I will not give up on the idea, no matter how bad it gets. Our love for one another is the catalyst for an unbelieving world to desire Jesus (John 17).
How do we get to a place where we lay down our pride and stop comparing ourselves, our beliefs, and our political views to other people? I believe allowing God’s life to flow from your heart is an important component.
John 7:37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
We have to realize that people are thirsty. They are thirsty for righteousness but don’t know it. So they drink of the world’s Kool-Aid. There is a craving to be satisfied by God in the heart of every human, but if they don’t choose to drink of God’s spirit, they will be under the influence of the world.
We must be so influenced by God that His spirit overflows into the world through us. It doesn’t matter the scale, how great or small your circle of influence, YOU MATTER!!! Your display of God’s love to those around you can change the world.
God is seeking to bless others, and he does it through you. Jesus is currently ruling and reigning in the earth through you. Are you exercising your king's decree to love others, or are you comparing the world to your version of right and wrong?
When you compare people to what you think must happen, you set yourself up for disappointment.
The world is dark, and it will get darker. But you are light. You are of the eternal kingdom that can never be extinguished. The world needs to see the church hold fast and experience God’s blessing and provision in the midst of the darkness. God specializes in such things. The world needs to see God’s children walking in His promises. The world needs to see Christ’s body extending a hand of empathy rather than judgment.
Jesus has already won, the world doesn’t know it yet. I want to be a trumpet through which God is announcing His kingdom's victory until He returns. I hope this is your prayer, as well. We need each other, and the world needs Jesus.
Let’s BE the Church and show the world how great our God is!! Open your heart to allow the wheat of his kingdom to grow in your life and make a decision to stop focusing on the weeds. He’s taking care of them as we speak. Stay focused, God’s kingdom is increasing!!
The Precious, Cleansing, Redeeming, Sanctifying, Life Giving Blood of Jesus
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to be sacrificed or why blood had to be shed for atonement and remission of sin?
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. ~ Leviticus 17:11
The sacrifice of Christ was necessary to exchange human life for eternal spiritual life. Jesus exchanged his perfect, spiritual, eternal life (blood) for human life (blood) so he could, in turn give us his life.
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ~ Hebrews 9:12
“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to be sacrificed or why blood had to be shed for atonement and remission of sin?
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. ~ Leviticus 17:11
The sacrifice of Christ was necessary to exchange human life for eternal spiritual life. Jesus exchanged his perfect, spiritual, eternal life (blood) for human life (blood) so he could, in turn give us his life.
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ~ Hebrews 9:12
His blood cleanses us and make us righteous. His blood, his eternal life, cleanses (sanctifies) you and makes you holy. When you say yes to him, he washes you clean and removes your sin from you forever.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- ~ Colossians 1:22
Jesus takes you in his arms and walks you into the presence of God and says, “I've made them holy, they have received me, and now I am one with them.” At this moment, you are forever hidden with Christ in God. The old you died, never to return. Your sin is removed from you, and your spirit is made one with God. You become the dwelling place of God.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7
The Powerful Blood of Jesus
Read through the following passages about the blood of Jesus. Take some time to meditate on each one. Personalize each one. Allow each passage to evoke emotion within your heart. Your salvation is sure in the blood of Jesus. Use this list of passages to persuade your heart of the power of his blood.
Hebrews 9:22 Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Hebrews 10:6-9 In burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Acts 16:30-31 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
1 Peter 1:2 According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
“Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Romans 3:24-25 And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
1 Peter 1:18-19 Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Hebrews 13:12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.
John 6:55-59 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:20 And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
1 Corinthians 11:24-30 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ...
Luke 22:20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
Hebrews 10:19-20 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
Hebrews 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Romans 3:25 Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
COMMUNION: Discover the Nourishing Power of the Body and Blood of Christ
MESSAGE TITLES
We Overcome By The Blood of Christ
Drawing Power from the Life of Jesus
The Indwelling Spirit of God Gives Us Real Food
Developing A Spiritual Mind
We Are Fed God’s Glorious Riches As We Are Rooted In His Love (Includes a powerful testimony)
Communion without Condemnation
The indwelling spirit of God will sustain you like real food. God’s spirit is not just an idea that you subjectively ponder, he is a real presence in the deepest part of your being. And His presence nourishes your soul, mind and bodies better than physical food. Like Jesus, we have the food of the spirit of God that will sustain us and make us whole.
John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
"Jesus becomes as truly assimilated to the life of the individual as the nourishing elements in food enter into the substance of the body. The believer abides in Christ as finding his life in Him (Galatians 2:20); and Christ abides in the believer, continually imparting to him what constitutes spiritual life. For in Christ man reaches the source of all life in the Father (John 6:57), The living Father has sent Christ forth as the bearer of life. The Father is the cause of my life; I live because the Father lives. The Father is the absolute source of life; the Son is the bearer of that life to the world. Every one that eateth Christ will by that connection participate in the life of God." excerpt from Expositor’s Greek Testament on John 6:55-56
Don’t Freak Out, It’s Going To Be OK
We must remember that Jesus said His kingdom is at hand, it is in our midst (Matthew 4:17, Luke 17:21). He initiated His kingdom when He came to earth as a human, and it has continued to increase since then (Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 4:12-17). His kingdom's ultimate goal is to destroy all of God’s enemies, the last one being death (1 Corinthians 15:26), and bring about the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).
It’s easy to see the darkness, but it takes faith to see the kingdom. You must look at the kingdom with the eyes of your heart. The evil is real, and the kingdom is real. Which one is more real to you? Which one are you allowing to influence your life?
“Evil and things that cause sin” are in the earthly side of His kingdom because mankind has dominion over the earth for a season, we allow it. One day that will come to an end, and there will be no difference between His eternal spiritual kingdom and the physical kingdom of creation. Until then, He is busy destroying His enemies through His church.
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life and destroy the plans of the enemy in your life?
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The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds Part 2
““ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ””
In the parable of the wheat and weeds in Matthew 13, Jesus teaches that two things are growing; His kingdom and evil. At a certain point, He will send His angels to remove everything that is “evil and causes sin” from His kingdom.
Until then, He says, let them both grow together.
Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Why is evil in His kingdom in the first place?
We must remember that Jesus said His kingdom is at hand, it is in our midst (Matthew 4:17, Luke 17:21). He initiated His kingdom when He came to earth as a human, and it has continued to increase since then (Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 4:12-17). His kingdom's ultimate goal is to destroy all of God’s enemies, the last one being death (1 Corinthians 15:26), and bring about the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).
It’s easy to see the darkness, but it takes faith to see the kingdom. You must look at the kingdom with the eyes of your heart. The evil is real, and the kingdom is real. Which one is more real to you? Which one are you allowing to influence your life?
“Evil and things that cause sin” are in the earthly side of His kingdom because mankind has dominion over the earth for a season, we allow it. One day that will come to an end, and there will be no difference between His eternal spiritual kingdom and the physical kingdom of creation. Until then, He is busy destroying His enemies through His church.
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life and destroy the plans of the enemy in your life?
1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Jesus Is King
You know that Jesus is king, but you may not know what is currently happening. Jesus is the preeminent one. God gave Him a name above all names, meaning He has the highest authority. Jesus humbled Himself as a human to face and overcome everything that separates man from God. In this, His Heavenly authority was shared with humanity.
In His sinless life, He qualified to be the sin offering for the whole world. He suffered the punishment for all sin and died the death we deserve. In His obedience and faithfulness in death, Jesus overcame the power of death and the grave. He conquered all the evil spiritual forces and gained all authority as a man.
He rose again as the triumphant God-man and is currently reigning in Heaven. His authority extends to all of creation, but mankind has dominion over the earth, for now, Because He is a man, He can operate in the earth, but He’s choosing to co-labor with His church.
In His collaboration with His church, He is destroying the enemies He overcame in His death, burial and resurrection.
He stripped these evil forces, principalities, and powers of all authority in His resurrection, but He is now enforcing His victory over them by destroying them through His church. It’s the same thing He’s been doing since He came here as a human, going about doing good and healing people who are oppressed by His enemies.
This is not a dualistic battle of equal forces. This is a battle between a dominant, conquering king and an enemy that sneaks around trying to subvert His authority and deceive His citizens.
When we become aware of our king’s victory and walk in His authority, we too experience victory over His enemies.
Wheat and Weeds
Jesus told us this would happen. He said that His kingdom and evil would grow together at the same time. He taught us to remain patient and nurture the wheat. We are not to attack the evil, let it grow, and face its own fate.
This does not mean we make provision for the evil. This does not mean we focus on the evil and darkness. We are not to be afraid of the darkness. We are not to make life plans governed by the presence of darkness. We are not to hide in our homes and churches praying the darkness away. We are not to give up hope on the increase of His kingdom. We are not to watch TV news reports that tell us all about the darkness.
He instructs us not to worry about the rulers of this world. He instructs us to cast our cares on Him. He warns us not to be afraid. He instructs us to recognize that there is darkness, but remember that we are light. He instructs us to walk in the light, so those in darkness come out into the light. He promises that we can reign in this life with Him as He puts all His enemies under His feet.
Hope Or Despair, It’s Your Choice.
Can I be honest for a moment? Some people are so overwhelmed with life that they want the rapture to come tomorrow. They want God to swoop in and fix everything for them. Some folks are so defeated by life that they see no potential for the kingdom to make a difference in their lives or the world. Some people are so full of what’s happening in the world that they think the darkness is winning.
WAKE UP!! The light is winning! The kingdom is growing!! Jesus is reigning!! Whose report will you believe?!
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life? Are you reigning in life with Him? Are you co-laboring with Him and destroying the oppression of the enemy? Or is the oppression of the enemy more real to you than the victory of your king?
When you're watching the news and posting on Facebook about the state of the world, remember that His kingdom is growing too. I see too many people focusing on the evil, the darkness in the earth, seemingly forgetting that we have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into His kingdom. We are in His kingdom NOW.
Fulfill your kingdom assignments. Quit allowing the assignments of the darkness to dominate your thoughts and emotions. Fill your mind and heart with God’s written Word so it will become the Living Word for you. Inject the Word into every facet of your life and watch it grow. Condition your heart to trust God. Think His thoughts so you will be receptive to Him when He leads you.
Jesus told us this would happen. The wheat and weeds are growing together. One day there will be no more weeds, but until then, don't forget about His increasing kingdom.
How can you reign with Him in your life today?
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
We tend to attack evil once we see it. We are quick to condemn sin. We are quick to cast out devils. We are quick to identify people as sinners. We are quick to dismiss teachers that we perceive as dangerous. And the list goes on.
I am not suggesting that we permit sin, entertain false teaching, and let demons continue to harass people, I’m saying that we sometimes need to take a different approach.
Nourishing the wheat is a better strategy. Yes, teach people to repent and turn from sin. Yes, cast our demons when appropriate. But the people who are choosing sin and are allowing demons to harass them need to know who they are in Christ as to walk in freedom from such things.
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““ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ””
Jesus teaches the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-29.
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds (tares) among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
He explains the parable to His disciples in verses 36-43. While there is an obvious focus on end times in Jesus’ explanation of the wheat and weeds, I want to focus on how the principle applies in your everyday life. I will write more about the end time implications in my next article.
Should We Attack Evil?
One thing that strikes me from this parable is how patient Jesus is. There are weeds in His kingdom, yet He says, ‘let them grow together with the wheat, my Father will take care of the weeds.’ We see that “the weeds” are the people of the evil one in Matthew 13:38, but I want to explore how this principle can help us in other areas of life.
For clarity, let me streamline the principle in this article. Don’t pull up the weeds among the wheat because you might damage the wheat while pulling up the weeds. Let them both grow together and harvest the wheat when it’s ready.
We tend to attack evil once we see it. We are quick to condemn sin. We are quick to cast out devils. We are quick to identify people as sinners. We are quick to dismiss teachers that we perceive as dangerous. And the list goes on.
I am not suggesting that we permit sin, entertain false teaching, and let demons continue to harass people, I’m saying that we sometimes need to take a different approach.
Nourishing the wheat is a better strategy. Yes, teach people to repent and turn from sin. Yes, cast our demons when appropriate. But the people who are choosing sin and are allowing demons to harass them need to know who they are in Christ as to walk in freedom from such things.
If you have been involved in ministry in any capacity, you know that you can’t just tell people sin is wrong and expect repentance. In fact, it usually yields the opposite response. But when you help them understand how valuable they are to God, show them His unconditional love, and encourage them as they overcome their failures, they will appropriate grace and live a life that honors God.
But we generally see the church attacking sin. If you ask most people on the street to describe Christians, people usually say we’re condemning, hypocritical, and out of touch. I think that’s because we tend to attack the weeds rather than nourish the wheat.
Practical Application
What does this look like in your personal life?
If you constantly beat yourself up over your failures, you’re attacking the weeds. Of course, the best path is to turn away from sin forever, but that’s not so easy most of the time. We know it’s wrong. We know sins are weeds that choke the wheat. But we also tend to damage the wheat as we are attacking the weeds in our own hearts.
The wheat can be the fruits of the spirit, while the weeds are a temptation. The wheat might be a relationship, but the weeds are how to respond to the other person’s failures. The wheat may be a job opportunity, but the weeds may be a short cut for money. The wheat may be deliverance from past trauma, but the weeds may be attacking the devil.
What is the wheat in your life you are neglecting?
What are the weeds you are attacking in your own life?
God is pruning the weeds with His spirit in your inner man. Sometimes His correction isn’t pleasant, but it will always be loving. God doesn’t prune you by creating external challenges in your life. He prunes by reminding you of who you are and who He is in your own conscience. He prunes you by empowering righteousness and holiness through your heart.
If you experience guilt and condemnation when you encounter truth, that reveals where you have weeds. Should you allow the weeds/sin to remain? Of course not! But the wheat will bear fruit, and the weeds will die if you cultivate and nourish the wheat.
What is the wheat in your heart?
Of course it’s the Word of God, but be specific.
I want to encourage you to develop a habit of going to the Bible to build your understanding of the areas you’re struggling with. Identify the areas in your life that have weeds, and then search the Word to gain God’s perspective of those areas. Renew your mind and experience transformation. Cultivate the wheat, and it will bear fruit. Cultivate the wheat, and the weeds will not choke it out.
A Kingdom Parable: A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump
“He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.””
You only need a little bit of the Kingdom of God in your heart for it to have a good chance to work its way into your whole life.
Mark 4:10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
Jesus told His disciples that he’d give them the secret to the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable of the seed and sower found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. He famously teaches about the four conditions of the heart and concludes that the receptivity of your heart to His word determines the yield of that Word in your life. In other words, the receptivity of your heart to His word will determine the degree of the kingdom you’ll experience in this life.
He makes other points but wraps up the parable by explaining to them how seeds work. The farmer casts seed in the ground, goes to sleep, wakes up, and knows not how but the seed produces after its own kind.
Rest and Trust
This is your job, go to sleep, wake up, and tend to the Word of God in your heart daily because this process determines how much of the kingdom of God you’ll experience in this life. Sometimes it’s 30 fold, sometimes 60 fold, and sometimes 100 fold. There is no magic formula to get the 100 fold, contrary to what you may hear on TV.
What makes the difference is the degree to which you take heed to what you have heard. Pay attention to the Word of God as you read and ponder, that meditative process will determine the degree to which it bears fruit in your life.
The measure you meet will be measured back to you. Those who understand and apply their heart to the process will receive more and more. Those who neglect this process will lose even what they have. It’s not God giving more or taking away, it’s the process of the seed in the soil or the Word of God in your heart.
If you want more of the kingdom of God in your life, give good measure to the Word in your heart. If you want less, continue to neglect the intentional cultivation of God’s Word in your heart.
It only takes a little bit of the Word to work its way through your heart, but the measure you meet makes the difference. The kingdom of God is increasing. The Word of God works, but only in receptive ground. Most of the world is closed off or hard of heart to God’s living Word. Those who know the mystery are the ones who experience God’s provision and promises no matter what comes our way.
You don’t have to convince God to give you His kingdom, it’s His good pleasure. You can’t make the Word work, it works on its own. You can’t force the kingdom to work for you through effort in any capacity. The ONLY thing you can do is put in the work of faith to be persuaded of God’s character and the agent of His living Word in your heart and life.
“He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.””
The yeast is His Word, the flour is your heart and the dough is the manifested kingdom in your life that brings nutrition. You work the Word like yeast into flour in your heart. You don’t make the yeast spread and expand, it does that on its own. You don’t make the dough become bread, it responds on its own to the yeast. But you do need to fold the yeast into the flour, smoothly and evenly into every corner of your heart and mind. This is the mystery of the Kingdom of God. It works on its own, but you must be receptive and hide it in your heart.
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