Not All Have Faith
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:16-21
The book of Jude is the shortest book in the bible but it has some great truths about the fact that not all men have faith. They are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. They don’t build themselves up on their most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and keeping themselves in the love of God. They speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe will come to them for they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots in our love feasts, while they feast with us without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. As a result they will be destroyed for being unbelievers for the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. The American dictionary defines the word “sensual” and “senses” as:
sen·su·al adj. 1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory. 2.a. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites. b. Suggesting sexuality; voluptuous. c. Physical rather than spiritual or intellectual. d. Lacking in moral or spiritual interests; worldly.
senses. n. The faculties of sensation as means of providing physical gratification and pleasure. 3. Intuitive or acquired perception or ability to estimate. a. A capacity to appreciate or understand. b. A vague feeling or presentiment. c. Recognition or perception either through the senses or through the intellect; consciousness.
In other words a sensual person uses his faculties of sensation as means of providing physical gratification and pleasure or to acquire perception or understanding. His judgment is formed by normal ability to think or reason soundly and not by the Spirit of the LORD. He obviously doesn’t trust the Spirit of the LORD to give Him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2, 1 Corinthians 2).
The bible tells us that natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And one of the things that the natural man rejects is to “pray in the Spirit” or “pray in tongues” and to “prophesy,” even though God’s word clearly states:
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
To deny tongues and even fight against it makes a person to be an unbeliever and stubborn because scriptures is very clear, ”desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” The devil hates tongues because the power of God is promised to His people that when they began to get into tongues and into the things of God, they begin to see the power of God in their lives. And the devil hates any power outside of his own, just like a typical selfish, jealous and prideful individual. But it’s a fact that all of the New Testament was written by tongue speakers including apostle Paul who said, I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; (1 Corinthians 14:18). Apostle Paul developed the power of God in his life by tongues.
Speaking of power, it was said of John G. Lake, an apostle to Africa, whose prayers were in tongues ninety percent of the time, that the power of God flowed so mightily in his life, that when there was opposition in a meeting, he would point to one and said sit down. The person didn't just sat down; he jumped down. He said when he pointed at a guy the power of God would shoot through his finger at that that guy like a rifle. And the power of God was so strong that when he laid hands on the people, the people don't fall, they get thrown down. He said “the making of my life and ministry has depended on praying in tongues.” God’s word is unchanging:
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6-7
To the sensual individual who lives by his physical senses, tongues is complete foolishness and he refuses to be brought under the control of the Spirit and power of God but rather live by his carnal mind especially, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14). But exploits of God’s power are not done by our understanding but are brought forth by our spirit for God is a Spirit and He must be worshipped in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Yet God’ sword is unchanging:
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:15-19
Because Apostle Paul prayed in tongues for long hours in his private life, he was enveloped in the power of God and his speech and his preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that their faith would not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. The miracles of God and the power of God operated in Paul's life when he exercised the gift of tongues with all perseverance and hence he stated, Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12).
The problem is in our churches today is the lack of effectual fervent, perseverance prayer in the Spirit. And if only the churches would pray in tongues more, especially in their private lives, we would see more of the power of God rather than useless, anemic, important words that we presently hear! Yes, praying in the Spirit brings a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. It moves us into the realm of power, not just in the realm of the intellect. When our spirit prays onto God, it’s God Himself praying through us on our behalf. And because He cannot say no to Himself, all the prayers of the Spirit are answered.
Apostles Paul’s epistles were full of the Spirit and prayers because through praying in tongues he soaked himself in the Spirit. He built himself up on his most holy faith, laboring and praying in the Holy Spirit and kept himself in the love of God.
The things in the spirit moving in the spirit, praying in the Spirit and the things of God take faith. It’s foolishness to our natural mind which doesn't understand the things of the spirit. Our mind doesn't understand all the things of God and it must be retrained and educated by the Spirit. Hence God tells us to pray forth in tongues, obey his Holy Spirit and tune our spirit to the Spirit of God and our spirit will be able to flow into the things of God. By praying in the Spirit and going into the Spirit God revealed to Apostle Paul the riches of his inheritance in the saints and the greatness of the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead and set him high above every name, above every principality power and every high things that exalt his name and he set everything under his feet. And that is why he wrote:
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,Galtians 4:19
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
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, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:9-11
EXTRACT FROM Let God Arise
http://walthope.tripod.com/arise.htm
http://walthope.wordpress.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100302133262254344211/posts
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:16-21
The book of Jude is the shortest book in the bible but it has some great truths about the fact that not all men have faith. They are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. They don’t build themselves up on their most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and keeping themselves in the love of God. They speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe will come to them for they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots in our love feasts, while they feast with us without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. As a result they will be destroyed for being unbelievers for the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. The American dictionary defines the word “sensual” and “senses” as:
sen·su·al adj. 1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory. 2.a. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites. b. Suggesting sexuality; voluptuous. c. Physical rather than spiritual or intellectual. d. Lacking in moral or spiritual interests; worldly.
senses. n. The faculties of sensation as means of providing physical gratification and pleasure. 3. Intuitive or acquired perception or ability to estimate. a. A capacity to appreciate or understand. b. A vague feeling or presentiment. c. Recognition or perception either through the senses or through the intellect; consciousness.
In other words a sensual person uses his faculties of sensation as means of providing physical gratification and pleasure or to acquire perception or understanding. His judgment is formed by normal ability to think or reason soundly and not by the Spirit of the LORD. He obviously doesn’t trust the Spirit of the LORD to give Him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2, 1 Corinthians 2).
The bible tells us that natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And one of the things that the natural man rejects is to “pray in the Spirit” or “pray in tongues” and to “prophesy,” even though God’s word clearly states:
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
To deny tongues and even fight against it makes a person to be an unbeliever and stubborn because scriptures is very clear, ”desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” The devil hates tongues because the power of God is promised to His people that when they began to get into tongues and into the things of God, they begin to see the power of God in their lives. And the devil hates any power outside of his own, just like a typical selfish, jealous and prideful individual. But it’s a fact that all of the New Testament was written by tongue speakers including apostle Paul who said, I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; (1 Corinthians 14:18). Apostle Paul developed the power of God in his life by tongues.
Speaking of power, it was said of John G. Lake, an apostle to Africa, whose prayers were in tongues ninety percent of the time, that the power of God flowed so mightily in his life, that when there was opposition in a meeting, he would point to one and said sit down. The person didn't just sat down; he jumped down. He said when he pointed at a guy the power of God would shoot through his finger at that that guy like a rifle. And the power of God was so strong that when he laid hands on the people, the people don't fall, they get thrown down. He said “the making of my life and ministry has depended on praying in tongues.” God’s word is unchanging:
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6-7
To the sensual individual who lives by his physical senses, tongues is complete foolishness and he refuses to be brought under the control of the Spirit and power of God but rather live by his carnal mind especially, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14). But exploits of God’s power are not done by our understanding but are brought forth by our spirit for God is a Spirit and He must be worshipped in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Yet God’ sword is unchanging:
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:15-19
Because Apostle Paul prayed in tongues for long hours in his private life, he was enveloped in the power of God and his speech and his preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that their faith would not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. The miracles of God and the power of God operated in Paul's life when he exercised the gift of tongues with all perseverance and hence he stated, Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12).
The problem is in our churches today is the lack of effectual fervent, perseverance prayer in the Spirit. And if only the churches would pray in tongues more, especially in their private lives, we would see more of the power of God rather than useless, anemic, important words that we presently hear! Yes, praying in the Spirit brings a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. It moves us into the realm of power, not just in the realm of the intellect. When our spirit prays onto God, it’s God Himself praying through us on our behalf. And because He cannot say no to Himself, all the prayers of the Spirit are answered.
Apostles Paul’s epistles were full of the Spirit and prayers because through praying in tongues he soaked himself in the Spirit. He built himself up on his most holy faith, laboring and praying in the Holy Spirit and kept himself in the love of God.
The things in the spirit moving in the spirit, praying in the Spirit and the things of God take faith. It’s foolishness to our natural mind which doesn't understand the things of the spirit. Our mind doesn't understand all the things of God and it must be retrained and educated by the Spirit. Hence God tells us to pray forth in tongues, obey his Holy Spirit and tune our spirit to the Spirit of God and our spirit will be able to flow into the things of God. By praying in the Spirit and going into the Spirit God revealed to Apostle Paul the riches of his inheritance in the saints and the greatness of the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead and set him high above every name, above every principality power and every high things that exalt his name and he set everything under his feet. And that is why he wrote:
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,Galtians 4:19
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
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, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:9-11
EXTRACT FROM Let God Arise
http://walthope.tripod.com/arise.htm
http://walthope.wordpress.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100302133262254344211/posts
No comments:
Post a Comment