Divine Grace and Power in Weakness
“Yes! I grew up believing it was better to be tough and strong. I hated weakness. Then Jesus got a hold of me! I now know that is a lie from hell. God has shown me you have to first be broken and weak. That is where you find Jesus in your weaknesses! When you can no longer do it and realize how much you really need Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:10. When I am weak, then I am strong.” Karen Cochran
Coming to the revelation that in and of ourselves, even in our very “best state” we are “altogether vanity,” is a starting point for becoming “poor in spirit” (Psalms 39:4-5; Matthew 5:3). The only righteousness we have has been freely given to us – undeserving paupers worthy only of judgment for our sin.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
When we begin to come to this understanding, we will begin to cease attempting to earn God’s love or vainly imagine that we in any manner merited His gift of salvation.
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
Saving and sanctifying grace (divine enablement/empowerment) must be understood as the working of the LORD in each of His beloved people – influencing their hearts as He alone can do, causing them to overcome and to please Him in all things as they abide in oneness with Him (John 15).
Remember always from whence ye came and where you will go back to if you are not living in the Spirit via the daily cross (1 Corinthians 9:27).
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He (the LORD, not ourselves) brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Psalms 40:1-4
We cannot possibly begin to realize just how much of a blessing it is that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” if we don’t begin to realize from where it was that He has brought us as we are and are being saved (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:10). We read and know these blessed words found in John 3:16, but do we really begin to understand the reason God sent His only begotten Son for us? Get ready for your appreciation for Christ to begin to grow!
“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” Isaiah 51:1
WHEN we become “weak” in self, that’s when He becomes “strong” in us and on our behalf (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). It seems apparent that the LORD ordains these times of bringing us low, so that He can bring us to realize in a greater sense and depth, just how much He loves us and is with us and that He is guiding, upholding, and undertaking our lives! Aren’t these the times when we truly cry out to Him, draw nigh to Him, and know that closeness, that oneness? We really are His (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It was when the great apostle of our LORD Jesus suffered much with that “thorn in the flesh,” that he was brought to this place of weakness and the consequent sufficiency of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Can we possibly begin to realize the true score of things if we don’t first humble ourselves in the LORD’s holy presence – becoming “weak”? Is it not then that He becomes “strong” on our behalf?
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Beginning to understand what Paul called the “unspeakable gift” of Christ who is our Salvation, requires the knowledge of our own depravity (2 Corinthians 9:5).
To the degree that we are receiving the revelation of CHRIST’s righteousness, is the degree that we lose self-righteousness (Romans 3-8). Understanding your own utter depravity is never a license to sin but rather the starting point to be able to truly cherish Christ and what He did for us.
The LORD Jesus Christ taught us that the man who humbly prayed “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner” was heard while the “natural ability” of the other self-righteous religionist and his foolish, pride-filled prayer was utterly rejected (Luke 18:10-14). The self-righteous man in this illustration represents so many today who somehow believe they are accepted of God on some other basis or a shared basis with Christ Jesus’ perfection.
Mankind has NO righteousness of his own in and of himself – before and AFTER Christ saves that person. – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
Daniel and all who ever pleased God did so by trusting HIS righteousness! Listen to Daniel’s prayer and declaration:
“O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” Daniel 9:18-19
Beloved, beware of any and all false teaching which would dare lead you to believe that you have ANY righteousness whatsoever outside of Christ Himself who said “without me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5)
David, the man after God’s own heart, prayed to the LORD to show him his own end (finite-ness, mortality, limitations) and for God to show him just how “frail” or weak he is.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
MANY today are puffed up as they have gullibly bought into a self-righteous, Luciferic theology they borrowed from Charles Finney which teaches that man has his own “natural ability” to please God and can overcome all sin all by himself, even before the LORD saves him. Finney taught that man was neutral and had no sin nature. In other words, he taught that the all of man, who was previously created in a perfect state, had no effect on human nature thereafter (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:22, etc.). Those who teach such a diabolical heresy shun, twist, and ignore volumes of Holy Scripture including the curses pronounced upon then newly fallen mankind in Genesis 3. So, basically, this teaching that man has the “natural ability” to stop all sin and to obey God WITHOUT CHRIST would have to mean that Christ came in vain which makes this self-centered theology antichrist. That’s one way “the spirit of antichrist” denies that Jesus came in the flesh and perfectly paid for man’s sin debt as ONLY He could do (1 John 2:1-2; 4:1-6). To the utter contrary, the great apostle of Jesus taught that attitudes of self-righteousness and self-dependence are directly connected to the old law by which no man can be saved. We also notice in this passage that Paul remained perpetually in the fear of the LORD, fearing that it was possible for him to fall away from Christ.
Yes, God gives saved men the ability to overcome all sin and has made full provision for such and also, if he chooses to sin, the child of God can choose to repent and confess that sin and be cleansed (1 John 1:6-22, etc.).
It’s clear that when a man sins, he does so out of his own volition and he alone is to blame (James 1:13-15). When a man sins, he does so in the face of God’s promise to give that man the power to overcome – to choose to do what is right and pleasing in His holy eyes (1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Romans 6:14). There’s no argument there. Yet, the fact that “all (men) have sinned” and therefore have that sinful inclination to sin seems undeniable by the whole counsel of God’s Word.
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;’ Philippians 3:9-10
Did you notice how the apostle Paul contrasted “mine own righteousness” with “the righteousness which is OF GOD by faith”? It’s one or the other. WHO are you trusting to save you?
“The more we know Christ the more we are aware we NEED Him!” Anita Villarreal
Being “poor in spirit” is the diametrical opposite of being puffed up trusting in a supposed, feigned “natural ability” which does nothing but foster that which God despises – pride and self-righteousness! (Read James 4:6-10.) The disciple must become completely and totally dependent upon Christ and His saving grace on a momentary basis. This truth of the inherent sin nature of all men, which includes each of us, makes me so aware of my utter need for Christ’s saving mercy and overcoming grace moment to moment and the need for me to get down low and stay down low and to keep going down, down, down – sinking down deep into the death of Christ! Read: Romans 6; Matthew 16:24-25; John 12:23-25; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5; Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 37:31, etc. Laying aside self as our LORD instructed, causes us to trust Him and to push away all self-dependence and self-righteousness.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The LORD Jesus commanded each and every person who would truly follow Him to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily” and to “lose his life for my sake” (Luke 9:23-24). The daily cross is the essential prerequisite to a “poor in spirit” disposition.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
Denying self is the opposite of “natural ability” which is nothing but Christ-denying self-dependence.
The Greek words for “poor in spirit” are defined as: to crouch (in utter humility), a beggar (as cringing), a pauper – as in a state of begging, and denotes a mental disposition.
The divine prescription for being possessed with HIS victory requires that we agree with His statement against fallen, sinful humanity and trust fully in the redemption He wrought through Christ alone! Denying our own tendency toward that which displeases God (sin, iniquity) negates the biblical doctrine of our initial saving and moment to moment (perpetual) need for the saving mercy and grace of Christ. The daily cross and divine grace in overcoming is God’s answer, not denying our own sinful state. No, we don’t deny it but rather we simply lay down our lives and allow the LORD Jesus to raise us up in His bless-ed power into the full victory He has ordained. Read Romans 6-8 as a whole.
It’s only when we surrender and admit our own weakness that His strength is made perfect in us.
“Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:5-10
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You in the perfect name and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. Here and now I confess my sins of self-righteousness, self-will, self-agenda, spiritual adultery, having other gods before You, and the sin of idolatry. Please break me dear LORD. Make me weak that You alone might be strong in this vessel. Please multiply Your heart-influencing, enabling grace in the lives of Your beloved people. We are weak but Thou art strong. I love You Jesus. Have Your way in this life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Read these to gain a much deeper revelation on this important subject:
Charles Finney: False Teacher | No Inherent Sin Nature? | Stop Sinning? Really? | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
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Articles
Biblical Deliverance Prescription-Wholeness in Christ [podcast]
Dominating the Devil! (below)
The Heart of the Matter (below)
Biblical Deliverance and Wholeness Prescription:
PRAYER: Holy Father, please make me whole, make me holy, from the inside out, as only You can do! In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Jesus specializes in healing broken hearts, broken lives, and making them WHOLE as He alone can do! THAT’S why He came! (Luke 4:18.)
Dear LORD Jesus, I love You. Please quicken my spirit in Your holy fear, make me alive in Thee afresh dear Savior. Please bless this life to be dead and buried that You might raise it up for Your eternal glory – both now and forever. In Jesus’ holy Name, amen.
Are you hearing the voice of God? If so, it will be proven in that your life following Jesus will of certainty include regular times of fasting and prayer. Jesus says “WHEN” and not “if” you fast (Matthew 6:16). A true oneness with Christ and the Father, absolute deliverance, broken yokes, refreshing, true rest, wholeness to the core, a poor in spirit heart, and the blessed place of brokenness and divine peace await you beloved of God (Isaiah 58).
Remember that whatever you FEED will FLOURISH and whatever you crucify will DIE, will DIMINISH. In Christ, there’s nothing in your life you can’t fast away – as you cry with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Read Isaiah 58 and do it God’s way. He promised to “break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6). If you love Jesus supremely, you will obey Him and at any cost, get the sin out of your life (Mark 9:43-49). If you’re not willing to die, you will not enjoy the benefits that He desires to load you with (Psalms 68:19).
You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer
Fasting earns nothing from God. No, a time of fasting and prayer is the wise decision to declare “Jesus, I love You and I want You to consume my life!” … Saints, today is our day to drive our stake in the ground by scheduling a time of fasting and prayer (Matthew 6:16). Broken yokes, deliverance, wholeness, and fruitfulness for His glory await as Jesus manifests Himself in and raises up those that be bowed down (Psalms 145:14; Isaiah 58; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; James 4:10).
The Untold, Untapped Blessings of Fasting and Prayer According to Holy Scripture
The only way sin will be forgiven and devils will leave a person is if they “submit” to God in true repentance (James 4:7).
ANYone who is willing to repent can be delivered! Do you know what James 4:7 says?
You will remain in bondage to sin, depressed, feeling lonely, defeated, miserable, unfulfilled, hurting, anxious, etc., until you truly submit your life to God. He’s going to allow all the evil to remain upon you and increase in your life – because He loves you and wants you to come home to Him which begins at repenting.
The only way to escape the evil one controlling your life is submission to God which begins with unreserved repentance which then results in abiding fellowship (James 4:7).
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Overcoming the enemy requires submitting to God. There are no shortcuts. “The children of disobedience” are under the control of the enemy of all souls, the cruel taskmaster himself, Satan (Ephesians 2:1-3).
The LORD avenges us of our enemies only when we submit to Him (James 4:7).
As long as we are not truly submitted to the LORD, Satan is in control of our lives. Memorize James 4:7.
“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, WHEN the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2
“WHEN” we “willingly” offer ourselves to the LORD, He will bring His deliverance and wholeness into and through our lives!
“Willingly” offering ourselves is spoken of in Romans 12:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.” Romans 12:1-2
Needing deliverance? “Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, WHEN the people willingly offered themselves” (Judges 5:2).
WHEN we willingly offer ourselves to the LORD, He brings deliverance to our lives by ridding our enemies which first must pertain to the conquering, the crucifixion of “the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” and in putting on of “the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10).
WHEN you make your move, abandoning the futile flesh, you can bet Satan is going to send you diversionary distractions! God is able as you continue to press into Christ, looking neither to the right hand nor to the left!
“Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:27
DEMONSTRATE to God that you are authentic-by laying down your life so Christ can reign!
Forgiveness and Inheritance
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18
The LORD wants to grant each of His children not only deliverance but wholeness!!!!!
WHEN we are fractured in soul, not made whole by our LORD, it will destroy our relationships. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 is a divine prayer for wholeness!
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
We just read that wholeness is our LORD’s will for us and He’s the only One who can make us whole – from the inside out! Oh, and the promise that He “will do it”!!!! What great confidence with which we can approach our Father!!!! in JESUS’ Name!
God is a good Father, perfect! He left nothing out of His Word that we need and TODAY is the day we apply His divine healing, wholeness balm/medicine in JESUS’ name! (See 2 Peter 1:3-4.) Wholeness is only, exclusively available to those who are truly in Christ!
Two Great Prayers for today:
“Father, in Jesus’ Name, please make me whole, from the inside out” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
“Father, please make me whole, as You alone can do-spirit, soul, and body, in JESUS’ Name” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
LITTLE BY LITTLE!!!! IF you are not completely delivered and made whole, join the club. Take encouragement in this truth: “By little and little I will drive them (your enemies!) out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land” (Exodus 23:30).
Beware of wasting time with the false movements, preachers, and local churches of this apostate day who only feed the flesh instead preaching the original Gospel where Jesus and His holy apostles commanded that we die to self, lay down our lives in the fleeting world or we will perish (Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 12:23-25, etc.). The self-serving person will never be made whole. Jesus only makes whole those who take in and adhere to His whole counsel!
A time of fasting and prayer is the cross in action! What day do you fast weekly?
Fasting weakens the flesh and prayer strengthens the spirit! Bam! Death, burial and resurrection in action!
EVERYTHING you need and desire is in Christ! It’s time to indulge! To “Delight”! (Psalms 37:4.)
The only way to get Satan out of your life AND BE MADE WHOLE IN CHRIST, is to repent for real – to submit your life to God (James 4:7). When you do, the LORD will make you whole! (1 thessalonians 5:23.)
Charles Pray writes:
“Yes Lord, just as a piece of fruit that is rotten starting from the inside and works its way out to the surface, where when you finally see it it’s too late to save it. Father, in Jesus’ Name, let our fruit be seen from the inside out. Cut out the evil rebellion LORD, we pray! LORD, please purifies us to the depth of our hearts that You might be glorified to use us, in Jesus’ Name, amen!”
ARE YOU being made whole in Christ for that relationship you are praying for? Okay You are PRAYING, but are you PREPARING?
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
If you truly desire to be delivered from all oppression or possession of the enemy of all souls, you will read and heed this divine prescription – a guarantee for your liberty in Christ.
- Present your body a living sacrifice – lay down your life (John 12:23-25; Romans 12:1-2).
- Set yourself apart (Psalms 4:3).
- Seek the face of the LORD in a time of fasting and prayer (Isaiah 58; Matthew 17:21 KJV only – the new perversions have removed this verse).
- Repent of all known sin in order to shut out the enemy by cancelling his legal right to you (James 4:7).
- As we submit ourselves to the LORD, the enemy will be cast out and kept out in Jesus’ holy Name (Mark 16:17; Acts 16:18; James 4:7; Matthew 12:43-45).
- Ask God to baptize you with the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4, 38-39; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 19:1-6, etc.).
- Memorize Hosea 10:12.
- Pour over James 4:4-10.
- Read and do Isaiah 58.
- Memorize Mark 10:27.
- Now, once delivered, you must keep your house – temple – clean and clear of all sin and this will keep Satan out (Matthew 12:43-45).
- This will keep him from having legal right to your life through sin (James 4:7).
- Know that God is able and willing and desires to make you completely whole, set apart to Him, and free (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
- Liberty is in Christ and staying rooted in Him (2 Corinthians 3:17).
- Those who obey the LORD’s truth are made free (John 8:31-32, 36).
- God wants us to speak with Him. So, come before the LORD with “words” of repentance, denunciation of all idols, and placing all your trust – the whole weight of your existence – upon Him (Hosea 14:1-3).
Deliverance | Devils | Holy Ghost Baptism | Satan Crushed! | Off the Chain | Deeds and Doctrines of the Nicolaitans
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Abiding
Going Directly to the Source [podcast]
IF you desire to truly hear from GOD, read His own Word for yourself. King James Bible.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Nourished Up” – like a wise virgin Heaven bound saint.
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:
“Nourished up in the words of faith” is a biblical phrase from 1 Timothy 4:6, meaning to be continually fed, strengthened, and built up by scripture, sound Christian teaching, and doctrine, much like food sustains the body, these spiritual words sustain and grow the soul, leading to spiritual maturity and a deeper walk with God. It signifies a deliberate, ongoing intake of God’s truth, which fosters growth, guards against false teachings, and fuels a believer’s life.” (Source?)
It’s one thing to have a mere human giving you encouragement and yet another thing to get your encouragement, your spiritual nourishment from God—directly. King James Bible.
Psalms 73
“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”
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Abiding
“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:
“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake
“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.
“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke
“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”
“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25
In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:
“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:
“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7
“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16
Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:
“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12
On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:
“2 Peter 3:
To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God.
Key aspects:
- Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication.
- Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties.
- Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth.
- Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within.
- Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25).
- Passionate prayer
- Diligent study of God’s Word
- Active, loving service to others
- Bold witnessing for faith
- Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm”
Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”
“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.
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