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Of himself, Paul said, "follow me as I follow Christ" -but as in all
of Paul's writings the things Paul wrote must be understood in the Light
of the revelation of Jesus Christ. In Paul's understanding of himself as
a dust and ash member of the Body of Christ, in Paul's understanding of
"nevertheless not I but Christ", Paul clearly meant that men are not to
follow men. Paul was instructing believers not to follow
men, not to follow Paul -but rather that which you see and hear of the
testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, follow that, as I also follow Christ.
in the Revelation of Him... Jesus taught that which He Himself had both "seen and heard" from the Father. The major problem in the churches today is too few have really "seen or heard" from the Father, in revelation Knowledge of Jesus Christ, and yet they presume because they have knowledge of scripture, they are able to teach God's word as though they have. As a result, what they frequently end up teaching is the understanding of man, concerning scripture. Schools of ministry ought to guide men to seek the Holy Spirit as the revelator of the Living Word, to seek the Lord as their Teacher, instead of teaching men in the place of God, which is what the scribes and the Pharisees, and other "religious educators" have been so fond of doing. Jesus was acknowledged as both a Prophet and was recognized, as a Teacher sent by God, yet Jesus did not attend temple classes in order to get His ministerial certificate nor did He obtain a license to give the counsel of God, to preach or teach. True Apostles, genuine Prophets, real Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are not just called of God (many are called but few are chosen) they are anointed of God, sent by God with the Fire of His Spirit, not with His word by the testimony of men, but the Fire of His Word, in Spirit and in Truth with the testimony of Jesus Christ! Jesus did not fill himself with the wisdom or the counsel of men, instead Jesus emptied Himself; throughout His ministry He spent time alone with the Father in prayer. Jesus did not promote Himself or His ministry. Instead Jesus humbled Himself; He laid aside equality with God or the form of God, and took upon Himself the likeness of men. As a man, and as God the Son, Jesus did not seek His own glory. (John 8:50) Jesus did not seek the approval of the people or even the approval of the religious leaders, instead Jesus sought only those things approved in the sight of God, His Father, in all things esteeming not Himself. "Wherefore God hath also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 KJV Paul the Apostle was set apart to God according to the purposes of God. And in the bonds of the Spirit, in the pouring out of himself, Paul found precious little fellowship in the Spirit even among those who named the name of Christ. "For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ?s." Philippians 2:20-21 KJV. So too, the same can be said of the "true spiritual fellowship" in the churches today.
U>God's formula for successful ministry is not found in the credentials of men; and it is not even found in signs and wonders. (cf. Deut. 13:2) One of the problems with following signs and wonders is the danger of becoming ensnared in deception, like the deception of a Laodicean (half-truth + half lies) false gospel which leads men to follow after "other gods which ye know not" -like the god of self affirmation! John the Baptist declared God's formula for successful ministry, "He must increase, I must decrease." And though the scripture says of John that he did no sign, yet the ministry of John the Baptist had credibility with God! Jesus Himself validated the ministry of the Holy Spirit through John by saying of him, there was no greater prophet born among women than John the Baptist. Do I believe God does miracles and signs, yes! But I also believe we are not to follow after signs. as it is written, a wicked and perverse or adulterous nation (people) seeks after a sign... Credibility with God comes only through humility of mind and heart, in submission to the will of God in the humility of Christ and the obedience of Christ, -in the testimony of Jesus Christ, wrought by God for us, -i.e., worked by God through Jesus Christ in us and for us in our place on our behalf. (All of Him, and none of us!)
2 Tim.1:8-18 KJV "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles for the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" Philippians 2:3-10 KJV |
Vainglory 2754 kenodoxia { ken-od-ox-ee?-ah} from 2755; AV - vainglory 1; 1 GK - 3029 1) vain glory, groundless, self esteem, empty pride 2) a vain opinion, error |
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:2-8 KJV To be not conformd to this world doesn't just mean to avoid the things of this world. To not be conformed to this world also means not to fashion one's self (either in mind or shaping of character) to another's pattern as men do, in man's perception, in man's pattern of service according to man's counsel and man's understanding of the written word of God. |
4964 suschematizo { soos-khay-mat-id?-zo} from 4862 and a derivative of 4976; v AV - conform to, fashion (one?s) self according to; GK - 5372 1) to conform one?s self (i.e. one?s mind and character) to another?s pattern, (fashion one?s self according to) For synonyms see entry 4832, summorphos. See entry 5873 for comparison of synonyms. |
When I was praying alone in the sanctuary of a church one afternoon, the Lord called my attention of a chalkboard standing near the wall. And although I did not understand the meaning of these words, nevertheless the Lord had me write them on the chalkboard and then, He directed me to turn the chalkboard to face the rows of seats -saying that He wanted it placed -as though written upon a tablet for all to see. The words included a scripture from the Book of John, "he came unto his own and his own received him not" and then, He had me write, "Bethel has become Bethaven." (Which means: Bethel, the "House of God" has become Bethaven, the "House of Vanity.") How much of the preaching of what men say is the gospel of Jesus Christ is in fact, really the Gospel "of Jesus Christ" -as much as it is another gospel of man in Christ? How much of what the churches refer to as worship of God is in fact, self adoration and praise of the gifts --and our preaching "of the word" -in reality, the gospel of man's own self-esteem? And how much of what the church thinks is godly service for the so-called glory of God is in fact, the vainglorious pursuits of man, vanity of vanities, and the folly of men? "For the turning away [refusal to hear] of the simple [ignorant] shall slay them. And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Prov. 1: 32, 32 KJV FOLLY OF MEN.... It is quite interesting to note that one of the Hebrew words for "esteemed" also means to disgrace, to come to nought, to wither (like an unfruitful branch on the Vine which will be cut off?) It is the word nabel. This word "nabel" also means to act foolishly. In fact "nabel" is the primary root word of the name of a man in the Bible who was called Nabal and the scriptures says that like his name, so was he. Nabal was a man who was known for his behavior as a fool. Nabal thought more highly of himself than he ought, he spurned the messengers of the king. And as is often the end of the foolish, Nabal died, as a result of his own folly. |
5037 Nabal { naw-bawl?} the same as 5036; n pr m AV - Nabal 18, Nabhal 4; 22 GK - 5573 Nabhal or Nabal = "fool" 1) a man of Carmel who spurned David?s messengers, then died of shock when he realised it might cause his death; his case was pleaded by his wife Abigail who became David?s wife after his death. 5036 nabal { naw-bawl?} from 5034; TWOT - 1285a; adj AV - fool 9, foolish 5, vile person 2, foolish man 1, foolish women 1; 18 GK - 5572 1) foolish, senseless, fool 5034 nabel { naw-bale?} a primitive root; TWOT - 1286; v AV - fade 8, fade away 3, wear away 2, wither 2, disgrace 1, surely 1, dishonoureth 1, fall down 1, esteemed 1, falling 1, foolishly 1, come to nought 1, fall off 1, surely 1, make vile 1; 25 GK - 5570 { lben: } & 5571 { lb'n: 1) to be senseless, be foolish 1a) (Qal) to be foolish 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to regard or treat as foolish 1b2) to treat with contempt 2) to sink or drop down, languish, wither and fall, fade 2a) (Qal) 2a1) to sink or drop down 2a2) to fall, wither and fall, fade 2a3) to droop |
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Approving ourselves among ourselves, the Church has joined itself to the world in "the business of men" trying to make themselves approved of men in the sight of men, which is of course, the folly of men. Such are the ways of men and the affairs of men which things take captive the souls of men which is precisely what it we are warned against when we are admonished not to be conformed to this world. We are not to think as the world thinks, or do as men do in the vain imaginations of men, nor are we to devise means or plan methods of achieving recognition. In fact, we are to place no value upon any of these things, we are to esteem not ourselves, nor hold ourselves in high regard, we are to instead be mindful of others, even as the apostles of the Lord were counted by Paul as the off-scouring of the world, according to the purposes of God, that others might win Christ. |
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2803 chashab { khaw-shab?} a primitive root; TWOT - 767; v AV - count 23, devise 22, think 18, imagine 9, cunning 8, reckon 7, purpose 6, esteem 6, account 5, impute 4, forecast 2, regard 2, workman 2, conceived 1, misc 9; 124 GK - 3108 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
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We are not to think as men think, plan as men plan, esteem or promote our selves or our ministries as is the practice of men, we are not to make judgments for ourselves apart from God, we are not to measure what is right in our own sight but to defer to the wisdom and counsel of what is right in the sight of God, cast down the surmising and vain imaginations of our own minds, including our own plans -no matter how good or right they may seem to be in our own sight, if they are not according to the purposes of God, in Christ. And we are to count these things of this world as loss, and the knowledge of this world as but dung for the Excellency of the Knowledge of God which is in the Face of Jesus Christ. (cf. Philp. 3:8)
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The Lord gave me a vision of a field -as far as the eye could see. And the field had been ploughed and sewn with good seed. But all over the whole field there were chickens. (And by the Spirit of God, I was given to understand that these chickens were like unto demonic spirits, like the fouls of the air). And as I watched the vision unfold, I saw that hese chickens were plucking up the seeds that were sown in the field. The odd thing about these chickens is that they were all dressed like people, like human beings. If you will forgive the pun, they were impeccably dressed chickens. Some were wearing bonnets with lace and ribbons, and many were clad in pretty white dresses. Others were wearing top hats and tuxedoes, dressed like proper gentlemen. But all were busy about the business of plucking up the seed which had been planted in field. ("Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding." Prov. 4:7 KJV) In the understanding the Lord gave concerning this vision, the field represents the hearts of men -even those hearts recpetive to the word of the Lord by His Spirit. The chickens in the field represent those who -either knowingly or ignorantly, cause the Counsel of God by the Spirit of God to be plucked up out of the hearts of men, through what James called the devilish counsel of men, through the wisdom which is from below, through the seemingly wise even godly counsel and wisdom of men who speak even in the name of the Lord. And they are people who have the best of credentials, credentials approved of in the world and in the church. The word of the Lord, and the Counsel of God by the Spirit of God is being plucked up by ministers and counsellors using man's own wisdom, man's own knowledge of scripture and man's own supposedly godly counsel to supplant that which God Himself has planted, that which He Himself desires to teach by His Spirit, to steal that which the Lord sought to bring forth by His Spirit in the Knowledge of Him who is the Living Word. No sooner does the Lord instruct someone by his Spirit, -no sooner does the Lord give instruction by His Spirit to the heart of a believer, -only to have someone else come along, whether it be another believer, perhaps a friend, a minister, your pastor, his wife or some other "trusted counselor", who (ignorantly) gives contrary counsel -giving counsel which contradicts that which the LORD has planted. And that contradictory word or contrary counsel is always presented in the form of godly counsel, even using the word of God, through the mouths of those who have credible positions and titles which are approved in the sight of men. The Counsel of God by the Spirit of God is supplanted by people who offer counsel according to their own knowledge of scripture. And so that which the Lord has sewn in the hearts of His own people is being plucked up by impeccably dressed chickens, -by those who carry the best of credentials, including pastoral certificates and degrees in theology, by those who are licensed by the state to counsel, -having taken all the courses required by law ... |