- But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. … Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing,
- But he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
- When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
- If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
- If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
- But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
- 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 him, and he with me.
Jesus’ definition of believe
Many God’s children can’t see from the scripture what it means to “believe in Jesus” and thus deceived by man’s opinion. According to James, if a believer has no deeds to show his faith, it could mean his faith is similar to the way demons believe, as it is written, James 2:18,19 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder. But what deeds is a necessary to prove a true faith? Now listen to Jesus’ own words in John chapter 14 Verse 12, Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, Here “the works I have been doing” is described in verse 31, the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. So here we see the Lord’s definition of believing in him means imitating him to “love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me”.
In the same way, whoever calls Jesus Lord may actually mean something different as Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. It is quite clear, Jesus is not the Lord of those who do not do God’s will, .
There must be thousands of people personally witnessed Jesus’ miracles or heard his sermons at that time. Each individual had their own way of believing, some treated him as a good teacher, some believed him as the son of God. But even today, the true meaning of “believing in Jesus” still remains hidden for those who are not ready to become his disciples. If a man does not know how to pick up the cross and deny himself, he often fail to see what was written.
1John 2:4-6 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. Without paying the cost of becoming his disciples first, there is no other easy way to have faith in him.
Lukewarm believer
Lukewarm is very common today, Jesus warned this in Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Perhaps, we all have been in this condition in our spiritual walk. It took me more than 20 years to learn that a true believer have to imitate Jesus. If I knew all men are blind without guidance from the Spirit in the beginning, I would have followed psalm 25:4-5 to pray long time ago, Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day. I seldom wait because I have too much confidence on myself.
Due to the lack of true knowledge, lukewarm believers often don’t know they are poor, blind and naked, but we can examine ourselves by looking at the prayers. Whoever has no real desire for spiritual gifts, then he may fit our Lord’s description, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” They will not seek any spiritual gift, like love or prophecy, as they feel very sure of their own salvation.
God’s children can stuck in this situation for many years, many have followed false teacher and false leader who deliberately led them away from the good Shepard Jesus Christ. Therefore, we all have to return to Him by reading all the scriptures and pray all the psalms, especially 4, 19, 25, 26, 28, 51, 119, 139, 143 etc. We are in the middle of spiritual battles, without praying in the Spirit, we will be beaten by the evil ones.
He will guide you into all the truth
It is written in John 16:13 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Only the Spirit of truth can guide us into all the truth, not men. But we may grieve the Holy Spirit without knowing it. The warning by the word of God is hidden in Ephesians 4:30-5:2 (NIV);
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get ride of … Be kind … forgiving … Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Now we can see, be imitators of God is the key, so that we may not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Be imitators of God is Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Those who refuse to obey this command despise the word of God and grieve the Holy Spirit.
It is written, 1John 2:20, 27 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. … As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
It is not easy to remain in him, so Paul had to knee down and pray; Eph 3:14-17 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Jesus said in John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
We all need to follow Paul’s prayer example, otherwise, Christ may not dwell in our hearts, or we do not remain in Him. Similar prayer example is Psalm 51:7-12 (ESV) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Therefore, put aside of all man-made stuff and seek God more seriously, as it means life or death. The promise is for those who fear Him and seek Him with all their hearts. Psalm 25:12 What man is he that fears the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD
Jer 17:5, 7 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. ….. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. It is very tragic that many people do not know how to seek the Lord, and thus rely on men for spiritual things. They end up deceived by all kinds of false teaching and man-made theologies. I don’t know much about how to trust God, only after praying and meditating several days the Holy Spirit opened my eyes with some scriptures about trusting God;
- Matt 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The first step is to trust the word of God by “puts them into practice“. Jesus instructed us go into the closet, shut the door and pray. Whoever fail to do so may not be able find Him.
- Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. There is no easy way to trust God, the key word here is “with all your heart”. Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. Meditate day and night is the way to trust the LORD with all your heart. For we can communicate with God through meditation, see Psalm 4; Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still.
- Eph 1:17-18 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. We listen to the Spirit by the eyes of our heart, not by ears. In the same way, the voice of the Lord come to us in the form of ideas. To correctly identify which idea comes from the Spirit is difficult, that why the scripture says “meditate day and night”.
- Col 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. This is so true that whenever I spend more time on any earthly things, like media, news, shopping, I couldn’t write anything for almost the whole day. If we don’t obey these word of God, it would be very difficult to hear from the Spirit. Paul called all believers to imitate him, as he imitate Christ, and do not to set our minds on earthly things.
- Phil 3:17-19 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 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. We have to take heed this warning, whoever does not follow Paul’s example will inevitably set his mind on earthly things, the result will be very tragic. I don’t see a third option available for anyone who doesn’t want to imitate Christ can somehow avoid setting his mind on earthly things.
- Here is an important prayer from Psalm 19:12-14 Who can understand his errors? Oh, cleanse me from my secret faults; And keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; do not let them rule over me; then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. We have to pray this many times, until our heart fully understand it, and really desire to say these words, only then, we can hear the Lord’s voice better.
- Phil 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, 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.
Warning against liar and wolf
Wolf in sheep’s clothing is not easy to tell, but they are everywhere. The scripture warned us, Acts 20:29-31 (NKJV) “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Can we learn something here, Paul spend 3 years to warn the flock about wolves and false teachers that will rise among themselves. But what are we seeing today? Very few of God’s true servant are warning His children. Too many false teachers rise among believers speaking “feel good messages”. Many speakers do not know First Peter 4:11, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God“. They don’t care even if they know. Time is running out now, God’s people have to wake up and pay more serious attention to Jesus’ words.
- Rev 2:2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; Because of these type of liars, God’s people have to seek Him for instruction on how to identify false leaders. Reading scriptures alone may not get clear direction on how to practice. It is through prayer we receive guidance. We can pray like Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. And Paul prayed for the flock; Phil 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
What a powerful prayer example, liars and deceivers will never pray or preach anything like this. They do not have good judgment or knowledge, nor do they want the congregation to know, for they love not the truth. - Matt 7:15-20 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Listen to Jesus’ word about the fruit.
Luke 6:44-45 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Therefore, from man’s prayer we can see if he ask something similar to Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. And Psalm 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day. Those who have no intention to do the will of God, would not pray like that. But we have to imitate the Lord, John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. - It is written, 1John 3:7-9 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Now let’s pray psalm 25, 39 and 111(AFV);
To You, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You; do not let me be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.
Yea, let none who wait on You be ashamed; let them be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all the day long.
Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindness, for they have been of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your lovingkindness remember me for Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He will teach sinners in the way.
The meek He will guide in judgment; and the meek He will teach His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
What man is he who fears the LORD? He shall teach him in the way that He shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease, and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn unto me, and be gracious unto me, for I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring me out of my distresses.
Look upon my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
O keep my soul and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on You.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
I said, “I will take heed to my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked are before me.”
I became dumb, keeping silent; I said nothing good, and yet my sorrow grew worse.
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
“O LORD, make me to know my end and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how short lived I am.
Behold, You have made my days as a handbreadth, and the span of my days is as nothing before You. Surely every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Surely every man walks about in a vain show! Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up riches and does not know who shall gather them.
And now, LORD, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the fool.
I was dumb; I did not open my mouth because You have done it.
Remove Your stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.
You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and You make his beauty to vanish away like a moth. Surely every man is vanity.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Look away from me, that I may recover strength before I depart and am no more.”
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation.
The works of the LORD are great, sought out by all those who have pleasure in them.
His work is glory and majesty; and His righteousness endures forever.
He has made a memorial for His wonderful works; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
He has given food to those who fear Him; He will always be mindful of His covenant.
He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.
They stand fast forever and ever; they are done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.