Build Up The Body of Christ (2)

Only Two Choices

Before I finished typing “Build up the body of Christ,” I was seeking the Lord for what to write next. Then I was given the theme “Only Two Options.” A day later, when I read Ephesians again, the phrase “in him” suddenly caught my attention.

• Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
• Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
• Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
• Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
• Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
• Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
• Colossians 2:6,7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
• 1 John 2:5-6 (NKJV) But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

I guess it’s not difficult to figure out that “in him” means to live in him, have faith in him, and abide in him — all mean to walk with him and imitate him. This is the first choice, the narrow way. The second is following him in men’s way, not imitating him. It’s walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh, doing God’s will versus doing men’s will. Those do not abide in him, nor walk with him may have non of the above in the end.

Walk with Him, Imitate Him

Many disciples in Thessalonica took the first choice as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 (NIV) because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. Chapter 2 revealed another truth, the real reason why they choose to imitate the Lord and apostle Paul.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.

The truth is, whoever believes that the gospel of the Bible is actually the word of God will imitate the Lord. But this is hidden from those who do not have the Spirit. Those who believed set their minds on doing God’s will; they were on the narrow road, but others did not. As it is written, Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV) For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

The Philippians heard the same gospel, but many of them still set their minds on earthly things. It was really a tragedy: they had the opportunity to hear the true gospel directly from the apostle Paul. I suppose no one wants to follow their example.

Jesus’ words tell us the same thing — that only a few in the Sardis church will imitate him, walk with him, and be saved. See Revelation 3:4-6 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Wake Up, Walk in The Light

Those who have not walked with him are spiritually dead, as it is written in Revelation 3:1-2: To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

We must heed the warning and obey his word: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.” However, many are still lukewarm or spiritually dead because we did not choose to obey the word of God carefully. We have to be more serious now, as time is running out.

Revelation 3:18-20 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

There is only one way to life — Jesus’ way: to imitate him and walk in the light. For it is written,

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 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, purifies us from all sin.

The next verse instruct us how to start.

Confess Our Sins, Walk as Jesus Did

1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. What will happen if we do not confess our sins?

People have treated these words of God so casually that many live in sin with no intention to confess. To make matters worse, the blind guides do not repent of their sins, and also lead the flock down the same path. Remember Jesus’ warning in Matthew 23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. God’s children have to be more vigilant than ever before and return to the only good shepherd who died for our sins. We have to follow and imitate him, as it is written:

1 John 2:3-6 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

We have to re-strat the learning of the Bible particularly on prayer, starting from Psalm one.

Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly

Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV) BLESSED is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

I don’t know how many people are like me — we don’t tremble at God’s word. We are so used to doing what we want without any concern for standing in the path of sinners. I guess this is the biggest stumbling block in prayer for all God’s people, caused by the lack of the fear of the Lord. We are insensitive to sin because we do not hate it. As a result, we are not able to sincerely pray Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.“

I think our hearts need to have the fear of God and respect for his words first; then we may have the desire to walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners.

When God’s word says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,” it does not mean this is an extra option that’s nice to have. In the same way, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Read it carefully: whoever is not poor in spirit does not belong to the kingdom of heaven. One would have to be delusional to think he can enter heaven without a humble heart, as Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Some of The Key Prayers

But most of us are not “poor in spirit”, the only way to become humble is to obey Jesus’ instruction, Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, …” Now let’s seek Him through the first five Psalms. It’s not enough to speak these prayers with lips only. Our heart, mind and soul have to listen to the words and make decision, whether to accept or reject them.

Don’t be surprised: we have picked up pride and self-confidence from this corrupt world, our hearts may secretly despise the word of God without knowing. I have prayed the Psalms hundreds of times before I can understand just a little bit more. The process of transforming the heart can take lots of time, and I am still struggling everyday.

1. Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV) BLESSED is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Yes, meditating day and night is wisdom from God, essential to receiving His blessings. But a rebellious heart cannot see this, thinking it is absurd. It is so easy for our hearts to overlook this truth, and we must make a greater effort to meditate and seek the Lord for guidance. This is the main part of the cross we must take up every day. If we cling to our old lifestyle for too long, our hearts cannot be renewed, nor can we live according to God’s will.
   
   This blessing is re-emphasized in Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
   
   The consequence of refusal is also written in the chapter before, Philippians 3:18-19 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. This is the same reasons why the church in Sardis is spiritually dead, they failed to obey the Word.

2. Psalms 4:2 (NKJV) How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? The Spirit is asking us question, the question our hearts have to answer, but very often we pretend “I don’t know” or keep silent.
3. Psalms 4:4 (KJV) Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. many people missed this effective way of practicing wait on the Lord, or inquire of the Lord. Meditation is a form of praying silently. when the scriptures says, “pray without ceasing,” it did not suggest non-stop talking, but waiting on the Lord for instruction.
4. Psalms 4:5 (KJV) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. We all know the scripture said “offer your body as a living sacrifice,” that is the result of trusting in the Lord. However, it takes time for our inner being to agree and practice in everyday life.
5. Psalms 4:6-7 (NKJV) There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. We are so dumb that only few would pray this prayer regularly. This is seeking the Lord’s face, and the result is “gladness in my heart” more than any successful people. So many of us live with stress and sickness because we don’t seek his face. Psalm 80 is teaching us the same, Psalms 80:3-4,7 (AKJV) Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? ……Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.
6. Psalms 5:1-2 (NKJV) GIVE ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. this is a clear indication that meditation has the same importance as prayer or maybe more, we see it in psalm 19:14 (NIV) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
7. Psalms 5:5-6 (NKJV) The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. many people may hate this verse, for they don’t want to repent of their sins. they only want to hear John 3:16. therefore, don’t be deceive by false brothers, God hate all unrepentant sinners.
8. Psalms 5:7-8 (NKJV) But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. God’s Word reveals this truth to our inner being: only those who fear Him can truly worship Him and possess a genuine desire for righteousness. Without the fear of God, no one can obey His words. Recall what Jesus said in Matthew 15:7-9 (NIV84): “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

Now, let’s pray Psalm 12 and 13;

HELP, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,
Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?”
“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

HOW long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.