- Who are you in Christ Jesus?
- Where are you in Christ Jesus?
- How do you succeed in Christ Jesus?
- Why do you run the race of salvation in Christ Jesus
1. Who are you in Christ Jesus?
- Firstly a person should know who they are and what they are, and what they are becoming. This is accomplished by the hearing of the Word of God.
- (2 Cor 13:5) Then examine (Prove, Test, Try) yourself, whether you be in the Faith; Prove (with expectation of approving) your own self; how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates.
Now that we know who and what we are, we can now put that knowledge to use.
(Math 25:15) God gives you something to do for Him, according to your own abilities and capabilities. (i.e.) He lets you become faithful in much only after you have been faithful in little. (Verse 23). Our reward for being obedient and faithful, is God’s blessing and the entrance into the Joy of the Lord, so that we may rule over many things.
(1 Pet 4:10) Every man has received the gift to minister according to his ability or strength from God, one to another, and to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If he speaks, let him speak as the Oracles of God, (i.e.) Gods mouthpiece in which man has no part. If any man minister let him do so according to the ability that God gives to him. Don’t try to go beyond your ability if it is not backed up by Gods ability, (i.e.) by imitating other people, be yourself.
Gods plan and purpose for each individual is totally different from each other. (i.e.) Just as we serve a multifaceted God, so we are a creation that likes variety. Be imitators of God, not man, where God leads be obedient and follow.
2. Where are you in Christ Jesus ?
Where and how do you fit into the body of Christ ? Besides the abilities and talents that you were born with, and have or have not developed, there are “7 Motive Gifts,” that cause you to act and respond to circumstances and situation in the Body of Christ.
Def: Motive or Intention: The purpose, design, aim or goal which is intended by the mind or heart (Heb 4:12). It often involves the determination of the will. (Luke 14:28)
Motive gifts show us our position and others positions in the body of Christ so we can mature and become what God wants us to be. Rom 12: Note that the motive gift comes to a person only once that they are born again.
These 7 gifts show the body of Christ:
- Prophecy
- Serving
- Teaching
- Exhortation
- Giving
- Ruling (organizing)
- Mercy
Reasons why we do not know our Gifts:
a) Sin
b) Not involved in the Body.
c) Trying to imitate others.
d) Failure to analyze why activities appeal to us.
NB!! Let your motive gift shine so others can see Jesus.
In addition to talents and abilities and motive gifts, we have the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at our disposal, for the working of the ministering of the saints.
(1 Cor 12) Charismatic Gifts:
- i) 3 Spoken – Diverse tongues; Interpretation; Prophecy.
ii) 3 Power – Miracles; Faith; Healings.
iii) 3 Revelation – Knowledge; Wisdom; Disarming of Spirits.
NOTE: These are the Holy Spirits gifts and not our own, and work only through Holy, pure, vessels,
purged by the fire of the Holy Spirit, in submission and obedience to the Word of God.
Then we have the gifts to the body for the edification of the Saints, and the working of the ministry. This is for our own personal growth into a mature person in the Lord.
(Eph 4:11,12) Ministries:
- Apostle.
- 2. Prophet.
- Evangelist.
- Pastor.
- Teacher.
3. How do you succeed in Christ Jesus ?
You follow after Him with Hinds feet. On our narrow path, we have two companions:
a) Sorrow
b) Suffering
We also have enemies:
a) Pride ]
b) Resentment ] Fiery darts of the Enemy
c) Bitterness ]
d) Self Pity. ]
NOTE: If we listen to the poisonous suggestions of Pride, and if we allow Pride to lay hold of us, “Sorrow” becomes unspeakable and more unbearable afterwards, and anguish of heart has bitterness added to it. Thus your condition becomes worse than before. In order to mature, we have many battles to conquer and overcome, and many alters must be sacrificed before the Lord, many hills and valleys and storms, “But”, Rejoice because through all this, the “Lord is with you,” The battle is the Lords and the Victory is ours. God knows what is good for us and chastises that which is not good.
STEP 1:
First we must sacrifice your will for His, and then suddenly you will find yourself in Egypt. The desert, where only bruised and broken grain can be used for the highest use, for that bread, that shall feed others. (Gen 15:12,17) (Gen 46:3) (Isa 28:27-29)
And all this must be accepted with Joy. We have to become the clay in the hand of the potter. (Jer 18:6) We have to be refined as gold is, through the fiery furnace. (Isa 54:11)
STEP 2:
The Great Sea of Loneliness. Deserted by everyone, but receiving the Flood tide of Love. Do not become impatient; accept the situation Joyfully knowing that Jesus will see you through.
NOTE: When all is going well, we get impatient, but when things begin to get rough, we accept it gladly, and do great battle. It is the small foxes that spoil the vine. Gain victory over Pride by waiting patiently for your hearts desire. Be obedient to His command.
STEP 3:
Lay your heart of Love on the Alter, (Ex 6:1) When Hate; Persecution; Rejection, come against you. Note that the Heart leads and the Hind follows, do not try to run ahead of the Holy Spirit, God has a perfect timing based upon your obedience to His will.
STEP 4:
The Spirit of Grace and Comfort (forgiveness) will help you to bear the cost. Cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you through Danger and Tribulation
(Psa 91:4-6) and when you loose sight of your vision and things become dull and dreary.
STEP 5:
The path of obedience is forgiveness, with fruits of repentance, and only when all is lost can one become totally sold out to Jesus. Jesus will never be content until He has made me what He has determined me to be.
STEP 6:
The abandonment of self giving, which causes ecstasy and Joy, when those who have succeeded, reach down to help those who are still trying to make it. Believe in the reality of what you have seen, the vision, and not in the lying varieties and imaginations that try to cover it over.
STEP 7:
The Anointing. (Isa 6:5) (Rev 3:8-12) will see you through anything that the Devil can throw against you, and we can be refreshed by the Pool of Monah. Then you must cast yourself into the grave, where although Jesus is with you, it seems as though He has forgotten you, and bind yourself to the Alter. (Ruth 1:17) (Hab 3:19)
After all this you will receive your reward that is promised and you shall be healed, saved, delivered, and set free, to have Hinds feet to follow Jesus, serving others.
(Psa 84:11) And you shall inherit a New Name, of Grace and Glory (Jer 31:3) and be crowned with the jewels that you have kept on the road. (Psa 45:10-15) and your companions will turn into Joy and Peace.
Lessons that you Learn:
- In the Kingdom of Love, there is so much more to see and learn. Remain teachable.
- Truth cannot be understood from books or by written words, but by personal growth.
- You must have unbroken communion with the King. (Jesus).
- You must accept with Joy all that Jesus allows to happen to you. You cannot evade the circumstances.
- You must bear all that others are allowed to do against you, and forgive with no trace of bitterness, bearing with Love, that you may receive power to being good out of evil.
- That God sees you as you will be and not as you are.
- Every circumstance no matter how distorted and ugly it may appear, if it is reacted to in Love, and forgiveness, and obedience to God’s will, can be transformed.
NOTE: If we had no contact with sin, sorrow, suffering and Evil, we would never be transformed and thus God does not bind evil, but allows us to conquer it and have victory over it, and Lord over it.
4. Why do we run the race of Salvation in Christ Jesus ?
For the prize, which are crowns that we shall wear for all eternity?
This takes place on the Judgment Seat of Christ, where we shall receive according to all the good and the bad done in the Body.
Rewards:- (On Crowning Day)
- The Crown of “LIFE”. [The Martyrs Cross] (James 1:12) (Rev 2:10)
- The Crown of “GLORY”. [The Elders and Pastors Crown]. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Not for those who serve for filthy lucre, or hand over Gods heritage.
- The Crown of “REJOICING”. [The Soul Winners Crown].(1 Thess 2:19,20)(Phil 4:1)
- The Crown of “RIGHTEOUSNESS”. [Those who Love His appearing]. (2 Tim 4:8)
- The Crown of the “INCORRUPTIBLE”. [The Victors Crown]. (1 Cor 9:25-27) (1 John 2:28)