SPIRITUAL RECOVERY
The Lord is working in his kingdom to recover spiritual Christianity. Some are finding it difficult. All are realizing that it is far different from our former practice of traditional religion. Psalm 18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
There is need of a great work in humbling ourselves in order to abide safely in such a glorious place! Remember that the glorious, anointed cherub, who dwelt in the very paradise of God, fell from that very lofty place of opportunity! (Ezekiel 28:14-19). But let us have our Heavenly David, instead, for our example! 2 Samuel 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
Listen to the One with a name above every name speak of himself in his lowly attitude. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
In order for us to be prepared to meet the Lord Christ face to face, we shall now have to begin to retrain our brain! Romans 12:2 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.
We are going to have even that which we formally THOUGHT to be acceptable religious concepts, at the least restructured, if not cast out all together. Our minds will finally be totally refocused from all awareness of self to rest entirely upon Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Instead of weeping over the pain of our afflictions, we shall be brought to weep only for the wounds that our sins have caused the Lord Jesus! Until this is accomplished within us by the Holy Spirit, we cannot imagine ourselves to be fully spiritual, but only religious. We shall all be brought to the fellowship of his sufferings! (Phil. 3:10).
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zechariah 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
We must not think that we are fit for heaven’s future glories if we cannot uncrown our heads here and now! We have so destroyed the benefit of the Revelation of Jesus Christ for our present edification, that few presently make sure that their own heads remain uncrowned! Few seek to uncrown their own present, personal identity in order to have the identity of our glory to be exclusively found at Christ’s feet!
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
For most just think this to be a future thing to be done “in heaven!” But there is very little of heaven in this Revelation! It is primarily referring to the glories of this present church age as compared to the weak and beggarly elements under the law! (Gal. 4:9). God has taken away that first covenant, and has established the second covenant of grace! (He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Heb. 10:9). And there will not be a third!
An airplane ride will not make a man a missionary! If he is not a missionary in heart by God’s effectual call, here at home, he won’t be one when he steps off the plane on “the mission field!” And so physical death shall not change one from selfishly guarding his own reputation to completely resigning it to Christ’s good pleasure! There was a gang who already tried that and it didn’t work well for them at all! Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Devoted, dedicated practice of religion with one’s head remaining crowned is called by the Lord Christ a work of iniquity! Be careful with your soul, dear friend! Remember, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25.
Jeremiah 13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Your soul’s obedient servant,
Pastor Gene Breed. June 17, 2011