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Month: January 2014

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When Love is not enough

When Love is not enough

Please read (Mat 7:15-23)
We so often say we love You Lord, but do they really? It is so easy to sing along songs in church about how much we love Him, but do we obey Him? Jesus’ love for the Father was tested, when He endured the most difficult burden of our sins and death saying: “Not My will be done, but thine!”
There are so many things in my life, that I know God wants me to do, but I never get around doing it. My spouse asked me to do something in the house ages ago, and I simply never do it. The Church made and appeal, and I felt that God wants me to respond, but I never did it.
Are we not singing too many love-songs in church, and doing too little? When we are asked to labor and come and work in church, like attending the prayer meetings, visiting the poor, praying for people at work. We just never get around to do it, with a long list of excuses.
God is not looking for obedience grounded in a slave mentality. He wants us to want to obey. Obedience should come naturally. There is nothing so offending when my spouse makes it clear that they did something out of obedience and I should take note that it was not easy, and that actually they did not want to do it. Love says: you should have wanted to do it for me, because you love me!
When people commit sin, adultery, deceit, selfish ambition, selfishness I cannot but question their love for God. Even more, I question their experiential knowledge of the Love of God.
No one filled with the love of God, can continue in sin.
We should focus more on trying to understand and come to see for ourselves the width, depth, and height of His love. (Eph 3:16-19) His love is what heals us. His love quench the hunger of your deepest desires. His love completes every yearning and longing you have in your heart. His love restores all the heartbreak. It is in seeing His love that we understand that all our desires were actually seeking Him. No husband or wife, no children, no perfect job, no conquest of any kind, can permanently fill and satisfy your desires like God. He is the author of Love. He is love! There is no true love without Him.
Let us study this passage closely in Matthew 7.
In vers 15 we are warned of false teachers. Ravenous wolves! How will you be able to discern them? By their fruits. Meaning the stuff they do! How they live, their attitude, values, habits and actions will prove whether they are true or not. In vers 17-19 Jesus explains that fruit bearing is a natural process. No matter how hard a citrus tree will strive to bear bananas, it cannot. You bear naturally according to your DNA. This is why our natures needs to be transformed by God. We need to be born again. (Joh 3:3-5; 1 Pet 1:21; 2 Cor 5:17) When we are changed from the inside we will naturally bear His fruit. (Gal 5:21-22) The opposite list mentioned in Galatians 5, is called “works” of the flesh. You cannot work godliness from the flesh. These people have a show of godliness but lacking the power. (2 Tim 3:5) When God transforms us from within, He becomes the means and power towards Godliness. He works His grace in us to do according to His will. (Phil 2:13)
Someone who is still struggling with sin, has not yet received this power. This is how you know that you walk in His grace. You overcome sin naturally. (Rom 5:17) Through God’s mercy we have gained access, but through His grace we have received power to overcome. (Heb 4:14-16) Obedience is thus not a work like that of a slave. Godly obedience is a grace that He works in us, because of our faith in Him. We have come to the place of desperation because we find no good in ourselves, we simply cannot perform His will. (Rom 7:19-25) But thank God through Jesus Christ, I find a power in Him that enables me to overcome sin. (Rom 8:2)
Back to Matthew 7:
In vers 21 Jesus continue with His line of thought saying that not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom. He is not interested in what we have done for Him, even performing miracles. Did we obey Him? This is what He is looking for. Vers 21 exclaimed: “You who practice lawlessness!”
Let us all come to realize this truth – The law cannot save you and make you right with God. But you cannot disobey the law and say you love Him. Whoever therefor breaks one of these commandments and teaches men so, will be called least in the Kingdom. (Mat 5:19) You are my friends if you do what I command them. (Joh 15:15) My food is to do the will of God. (Joh 4:34) As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God. (Rom 8:14) Obedience is important to God.
You cannot divorce your spouse, and say I love God. You are breaking His law! He hates divorce! (Mal 2:16) Read (Mal 2:12-17) It also speaks of people bringing their sacrifices of worship to God, they come with weeping and crying. But you deal treacherously with the wife of your youth? You have wearied the Lord with your words v17.
You cannot be guilty of the following practices and fruit and be named among the elect. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. (1 Cor 5:11)
When one turns from these and repent there is mercy and grace. (Heb 4:14) But when one identifies with sin, and line yourself up with it, you will be judged with the sin by the church. “put away from yourself this evil person” (1 Cor 5:13) Paul’s plea to the church in this whole chapter is: Why are you as the church not judging this person? Do you not know that little leaven leavens the whole lump? (v6) He exclaims: as absent from the body but present in the spirit, I have already judged this person! (v3)
God will cut away the branch that does not bear fruit. (John 15:2) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (v6)
We cannot escape God’s law. We cannot disobey Him, and think we can correct our rebellion with nice words and emotional worship songs! May we be totally raptured in His love! May we be so filled with His presence and love that shines on our darkness and draws us unto Himself, so that He can heal us. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (Joh 3:18)
We all like to know God. We even presume we know Him. What a shock it will be one day to hear: “I never knew you; depart from Me!” (Mat 7:23) When we read further in Mathew 7:24-29 Jesus continues to explain why this is so important for us to not just hear His words but to obey Him. When we only hear, but do not obey we are like someone who builds his house on sand. This is why so many Christian leaders and people are losing their testimony and fall into sin. They did not obey! Whether you are a Christian for many years or only a few months the same standard is set for everyone –obedience! You need to mix your hearing with actions of faith. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Heb 4:2)
Why do some Christian believers marriage’s fail, are their business not producing good success, and their relationship with people always in troublesome waters? I am over simplifying. But hear the truth: Obedience is good fruit! Obedience is building your house on the rock! Obedience is what gives us authority. (2 Cor 10:6)
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Heb 5:8) Even Jesus had to learn obedience! We do not learn obedience when everything is going well. It is when we struggling through difficulties and hardship, that we need to hear from God what to do. Do not pray to God for the problem to go away. Rather ask Him for a ‘Jesus’ strategy on how to overcome it. We are not victims of people’s wrongdoing. We cannot blame others for our sin. In God, in the scriptures, in the life and way of Christ there is solutions to be found on how to handle every difficulty! Instead of searching for the problem in someone else, rather seek the answer in the Word of God. Let the Holy Spirit guide and teach you His ways. Learn from other believers who have already discovered truths and ways on how to overcome. I have found that with obedience, comes the grace to obey. Before obedience the task may seem daunting, but the moment you agree to do it, you will feel the energy of God’s Spirit working in you to do it. The more you obey, the more you will want to obey. Just do it!
We all know the feeling when your spouse, declares that “they love you” yet when you ask them to do something for you, they forget, or went and did something else for you. This is really frustrating. May God wash our hearts and work His grace of reverence and the fear of the Lord in our hearts, dealing with all rebellion, hardness of heart, unwillingness to yield, resentment, excuses, procrastination, and everything that hinders us to walk an obedient life to His Glory! God is most glorified in us, when Christ is most evident in us!
We receive His obedience by faith.
Grace and Peace
Apostle Jan and Prophet Chantál, called by the grace of God to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
 

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When Love is not enough

Please read (Mat 7:15-23)
We so often say we love You Lord, but do they really? It is so easy to sing along songs in church about how much we love Him, but do we obey Him? Jesus’ love for the Father was tested, when He endured the most difficult burden of our sins and death saying: “Not My will be done, but thine!”
There are so many things in my life, that I know God wants me to do, but I never get around doing it. My spouse asked me to do something in the house ages ago, and I simply never do it. The Church made and appeal, and I felt that God wants me to respond, but I never did it.
Are we not singing too many love-songs in church, and doing too little? When we are asked to labor and come and work in church, like attending the prayer meetings, visiting the poor, praying for people at work. We just never get around to do it, with a long list of excuses.
God is not looking for obedience grounded in a slave mentality. He wants us to want to obey. Obedience should come naturally. There is nothing so offending when my spouse makes it clear that they did something out of obedience and I should take note that it was not easy, and that actually they did not want to do it. Love says: you should have wanted to do it for me, because you love me!
When people commit sin, adultery, deceit, selfish ambition, selfishness I cannot but question their love for God. Even more, I question their experiential knowledge of the Love of God.
No one filled with the love of God, can continue in sin.
We should focus more on trying to understand and come to see for ourselves the width, depth, and height of His love. (Eph 3:16-19) His love is what heals us. His love quench the hunger of your deepest desires. His love completes every yearning and longing you have in your heart. His love restores all the heartbreak. It is in seeing His love that we understand that all our desires were actually seeking Him. No husband or wife, no children, no perfect job, no conquest of any kind, can permanently fill and satisfy your desires like God. He is the author of Love. He is love! There is no true love without Him.
Let us study this passage closely in Matthew 7.
In vers 15 we are warned of false teachers. Ravenous wolves! How will you be able to discern them? By their fruits. Meaning the stuff they do! How they live, their attitude, values, habits and actions will prove whether they are true or not. In vers 17-19 Jesus explains that fruit bearing is a natural process. No matter how hard a citrus tree will strive to bear bananas, it cannot. You bear naturally according to your DNA. This is why our natures needs to be transformed by God. We need to be born again. (Joh 3:3-5; 1 Pet 1:21; 2 Cor 5:17) When we are changed from the inside we will naturally bear His fruit. (Gal 5:21-22) The opposite list mentioned in Galatians 5, is called “works” of the flesh. You cannot work godliness from the flesh. These people have a show of godliness but lacking the power. (2 Tim 3:5) When God transforms us from within, He becomes the means and power towards Godliness. He works His grace in us to do according to His will. (Phil 2:13)
Someone who is still struggling with sin, has not yet received this power. This is how you know that you walk in His grace. You overcome sin naturally. (Rom 5:17) Through God’s mercy we have gained access, but through His grace we have received power to overcome. (Heb 4:14-16) Obedience is thus not a work like that of a slave. Godly obedience is a grace that He works in us, because of our faith in Him. We have come to the place of desperation because we find no good in ourselves, we simply cannot perform His will. (Rom 7:19-25) But thank God through Jesus Christ, I find a power in Him that enables me to overcome sin. (Rom 8:2)
Back to Matthew 7:
In vers 21 Jesus continue with His line of thought saying that not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom. He is not interested in what we have done for Him, even performing miracles. Did we obey Him? This is what He is looking for. Vers 21 exclaimed: “You who practice lawlessness!”
Let us all come to realize this truth – The law cannot save you and make you right with God. But you cannot disobey the law and say you love Him. Whoever therefor breaks one of these commandments and teaches men so, will be called least in the Kingdom. (Mat 5:19) You are my friends if you do what I command them. (Joh 15:15) My food is to do the will of God. (Joh 4:34) As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God. (Rom 8:14) Obedience is important to God.
You cannot divorce your spouse, and say I love God. You are breaking His law! He hates divorce! (Mal 2:16) Read (Mal 2:12-17) It also speaks of people bringing their sacrifices of worship to God, they come with weeping and crying. But you deal treacherously with the wife of your youth? You have wearied the Lord with your words v17.
You cannot be guilty of the following practices and fruit and be named among the elect. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. (1 Cor 5:11)
When one turns from these and repent there is mercy and grace. (Heb 4:14) But when one identifies with sin, and line yourself up with it, you will be judged with the sin by the church. “put away from yourself this evil person” (1 Cor 5:13) Paul’s plea to the church in this whole chapter is: Why are you as the church not judging this person? Do you not know that little leaven leavens the whole lump? (v6) He exclaims: as absent from the body but present in the spirit, I have already judged this person! (v3)
God will cut away the branch that does not bear fruit. (John 15:2) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (v6)
We cannot escape God’s law. We cannot disobey Him, and think we can correct our rebellion with nice words and emotional worship songs! May we be totally raptured in His love! May we be so filled with His presence and love that shines on our darkness and draws us unto Himself, so that He can heal us. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (Joh 3:18)
We all like to know God. We even presume we know Him. What a shock it will be one day to hear: “I never knew you; depart from Me!” (Mat 7:23) When we read further in Mathew 7:24-29 Jesus continues to explain why this is so important for us to not just hear His words but to obey Him. When we only hear, but do not obey we are like someone who builds his house on sand. This is why so many Christian leaders and people are losing their testimony and fall into sin. They did not obey! Whether you are a Christian for many years or only a few months the same standard is set for everyone –obedience! You need to mix your hearing with actions of faith. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Heb 4:2)
Why do some Christian believers marriage’s fail, are their business not producing good success, and their relationship with people always in troublesome waters? I am over simplifying. But hear the truth: Obedience is good fruit! Obedience is building your house on the rock! Obedience is what gives us authority. (2 Cor 10:6)
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Heb 5:8) Even Jesus had to learn obedience! We do not learn obedience when everything is going well. It is when we struggling through difficulties and hardship, that we need to hear from God what to do. Do not pray to God for the problem to go away. Rather ask Him for a ‘Jesus’ strategy on how to overcome it. We are not victims of people’s wrongdoing. We cannot blame others for our sin. In God, in the scriptures, in the life and way of Christ there is solutions to be found on how to handle every difficulty! Instead of searching for the problem in someone else, rather seek the answer in the Word of God. Let the Holy Spirit guide and teach you His ways. Learn from other believers who have already discovered truths and ways on how to overcome. I have found that with obedience, comes the grace to obey. Before obedience the task may seem daunting, but the moment you agree to do it, you will feel the energy of God’s Spirit working in you to do it. The more you obey, the more you will want to obey. Just do it!
We all know the feeling when your spouse, declares that “they love you” yet when you ask them to do something for you, they forget, or went and did something else for you. This is really frustrating. May God wash our hearts and work His grace of reverence and the fear of the Lord in our hearts, dealing with all rebellion, hardness of heart, unwillingness to yield, resentment, excuses, procrastination, and everything that hinders us to walk an obedient life to His Glory! God is most glorified in us, when Christ is most evident in us!
We receive His obedience by faith.
Grace and Peace
Apostle Jan and Prophet Chantál, called by the grace of God to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
 
 
 

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Die Jesus Lewe

How not to loose your Identity in Christ

Om soos Jesus te word is die sleutel tot ʼn vervulde en gelukkig lewe. Jy sal die beste huweliksmaat wees om mee te leef, die beste sakeleier of werker wees vir enige sakeonderneming, die beste tipe vriend, die beste ouer. Die hoogste ideaal vir elke mens se bestaan is Jesus. Mense vergeet die wenners van die Olimpiese spele, die beste akteurs van die jaar, en selfs die mees beroemdste mense verval later in vergetelheid. Maar om Jesus te leef elke dag van my hele lewe, maak ʼn ewigheidsverskil in my lewe sowel as die mense wat ek aanraak.

Die uitkoms van alle geestelike aktiwiteit behoort Jesus Christus te wees.

Of jy ‘n belewenis gehad het soos Paulus, (hy sê nie sy naam nie) om in die derde hemel opgeneem te wees, of jy bloot nuwe betekenis in ‘n teksvers ontdek het, dit moet alles jou meer soos Jesus laat klink en lyk. Ons karakter, gesindheid, waardes, denkpatroon, lewenstyl en identiteit moet alles in lyn wees met Jesus. Die fokus van gebed is uiteindelik om meer soos Jesus te word. God het nie ons lofprysing nodig nie. Lofprysing is God se werktuig in ons lewens om ons te vorm om soos Hy te wees. Dit wat jy op fokus en aanbid, word jy. Prediking, vermaning, korreksie, Dissipelskap, lering, alles is gerig om ons te vorm na die beeld van Jesus. Die sukses van ʼn bediening is dus nie net die grote van die skares en geboue nie, maar in watter mate die mense soos Jesus begin te leef en handel. Hoe meer ons een raak met Jesus, hoe meer een sal ons raak met mekaar, en sal die Wêreld glo dat ons van God is. (Joh 17:21)

Misty Edwards sing oor Jesus in “a beautiful heart” hoe perfek en rein Jesus se hart is.

There is no shadow of turning in You


No rebellion or pride

You don’t know greed or envy or strife

Your intentions are pure and holy

Delighting to do the Father’s will

You don’t have a thought against Him

But humbly You live in perfect restraint

Waiting for promises given

Chorus:

Jesus, You have a beautiful heart

Jesus, You have a beautiful heart

Verse 2:

You’re gentle, You’re meek,

yet Your heart is strong

Jesus, Your gladness is contagious

You are not selfish,

You can’t compromise

You are the truth, You can’t lie

You don’t hold a grudge or have a cynical eye

Bitterness has no part of You

But You’re quick to forgive,

let me back in again

Your kindness is so liberating

God wil uiteindelik hê dat al Sy kinders net so ʼn mooi hart soos Jesus sal hê.

Hoe meer ons konformeer en transformeer om gelykvormig te word met hierdie eienskappe hoe meer vind ons vervulling in ons eie skeppingsdoel. (Rom 8:29) Want ons is geskape met die potensiaal om soos Hy te kan wees. Hierdie potensiaal is in elke mens, maar is deur sonde verdraai. Ons fokus soms so in ons teologie op die verdorwenheid van die menslike natuur dat ons vergeet waarom God die mens geskape het. Die skrif is duidelik ons is geskape:

  • Om aan God toegewy te wees (2 Tim 1:9)
  • Om sy kinders te wees (Efe 1:5) ‘Kinders’ spreek van afstammeling, soos Hy, beelddraers, dieselfde karakter eienskappe. Kinders weerspieël natuurlik die eienskappe van die ouers.
  • Om heilig en onberispelik voor Hom te wees. (Efe 1:4)
  • Om alles onder een hoof te verenig naamlik Jesus (Efe 1:10)

Ons verheerlik God die meeste, wanneer ons soos Jesus leef en handel. Sy heerskappy dui bloot op Sy manier van leef, volgens Sy wil. Hoe meer my lewe onder Sy heerskappy kom, hoe meer reflekteer ek Sy karakter. As die doel hoekom God ons geskape het Christus is, dan beteken dit dat die potensiaal om Jesus te wees alreeds in ons opgesluit is.

Fokus op die Jesus wat alreeds in ons is.

Die Here het my jare gelede geleer: “baie mense probeer om hulle Jesus in mense af te druk, in plaas daarvan om die afdruk van Jesus wat alreeds in elke mens is te ontdek.” Dis tog baie duidelik: Die templaat/afdruk van die mens is nie die duiwel nie, maar Jesus. Ons is geskape in God se beeld nie satan se beeld nie. Hierdie beeld word egter geskend deur sonde, en hoe meer ons aan sonde blootgestel word en self begin deelneem, hoe meer word Jesus se beeld in ons verdraai. Net soos daar sleg in elke mens is, of sonde in elke mens is (Rom 3:23) net so is daar ‘n afdruk van Jesus in elke mens. Ons kies om oor tyd ons ledemate al hoe meer aan sonde en satan te wy. (Rom 6:15-23) Sodoende het ons kinders van satan geword, toegewy om sy wil te doen. Wanneer ons egter tot bekering kom en omdraai, begin die pad van toewyding aan God. Die sondige natuur is nie ‘n keuse nie, dit kom soos ‘n siekte saam met ons geboorte in hierdie wêreld. (Efe 2:3) Daarom moet ons weergebore word, om ons goddelike natuur terug te kan ontvang. (Joh 3:2; 1 Pet 1:23)

Wanneer ons weergebore word, neem God weer Sy regmatige plek van heerskappy in ons lewens in, en leer Hy ons om te leef volgens Sy bloudruk – ons skeppingsdoel. Die verderf en verwoesting om teen Sy wil te leef is duidelik. Kyk maar net hoe ʼn stukkend en verskriklike plek die wêreld geword het omdat mense leef volgens hulle eie raadsbesluit. Die teenoorgestelde is ook waar, wanneer almal sal leef volgens Jesus se gedragskode en waardes sal dit hemel wees op aarde. ‘n Wêreld sonder ambisie, bitterheid, wraak, haat, selfsug, eiegeregtigheid, selfverryking, rassisme, egosentrisme, onreg, ongehoorsaamheid.

Net so natuurlik as wat sonde kom vir die mens wat nog nie weergebore is nie, so natuurlik en spontaan kom heiligheid vir die weergebore persoon. Paulus verduidelik hierdie bestaan baie raak in Rom 7:19: “Die goeie wat ek wil doen, doen ek nie, maar die slegte wat ek nie wil doen nie, dit doen ek” Maar die teenoorgestelde gebeur vir die weergebore gelowige: Ons dink soms daaraan om sleg te doen maar dan wanneer dit by doen kom dan doen ons die regte ding voor ons dink. Ons natuur het verander. (2 Kor 5:17) Ons is met God verenig en Hy lewe nou deur ons, soos ons Hom toelaat.

Vir die apostels was die einddoel van alle hulle bediening altyd Christus.

  • Totdat Christus volkome in julle gevorm word – Gal 4:19
  • Om elke mens volmaak in Christus Jesus te stel – Kol 1:28-29
  • Julle aan een man verbind, om julle as ʼn rein maagd aan Christus voor te stel – 2 Kor 11:2
  • Niks anders onder julle te weet as Jesus Christus en Hom as die gekruisigde – 1 Kor 2:2
  • Nie ledig of onvrugbaar tot die kennis van ons Here Jesus Christus nie – 2 Pet 1:8
  • Eenheid van geloof en kennis van die Seun van God, tot ʼn volwasse man, tot die mate van die volle grote van Christus – Efe 4:13

Die vrug van geregtigheid wat by gelowiges pas is die lewe en karakter van Jesus opgesom in die vrug van die Heilige Gees as ons nuwe natuur. (Gal 5:20-22) Dit beteken ook dat die einddoel van al die gawes en werk van die Heilige Gees ook die natuur en lewe van Christus is. Volheid van die Heilige Gees is om gevul te wees met die karakter van Jesus Christus. Hoe voller ek van die Gees is, hoe meer sal ek die natuur en karakter van Jesus openbaar. Heiligheid is dus nie hoe eksentriek ek kan wees nie, maar of ek die natuur, hart, en persoon van Jesus openbaar. Heiligheid beteken bloot dat ek vol is van God se teenwoordigheid! Wanneer jy baie tyd met iemand spandeer, veral as die persoon ‘n baie sterk karakter het, dan begin mens al hoe meer soos die persoon klink, praat, en lyk. Ons menswees boots spontaan die sterkste karakter waaraan ons blootgestel word na. Wanneer Jesus verwys na die vrug wat ons dra, verwys hy na die karakter eienskappe van God in ons lewens.

Die waarheid van die Jesus Lewe is ʼn universele beginsel – Die mense wat oor die eeue die mees langlewende afdruk op die mensdom gemaak het, was diegene wat die meeste volgens Jesus se lewe geleef het. Moeder Teresa, Ghandi en Mandela. Alhoewel die persone nie noodwendig ʼn intieme verhouding met God gehad het nie, en ook nie noodwendig belydende Christene was nie, het hulle lewe die meeste indruk gemaak op die mensdom omdat hulle bereid was om radikaal Jesus se lewe te leef.

Om Jesus se lewe te leef, gaan jou lewe kos!

Dis die raaisel en misterie van die Jesus lewe, jy kan nie sy lewe naboots en soos ‘n selfhelp ghoeroe probeer om in stappe te verdeel nie. Sy lewe gaan jou lewe kos. Mat 16:24
Jesus het toe vir sy dissipels gesê: “As julle my volgelinge wil wees, moet julle julle eie, selfsugtige ambisie prysgee, julle kruis op julle skouers neem, en agter My aan kom. Sy lewenstyl is reguit in teenstelling met die lewenstyl van die Wêreld. Matteus 5 – 6 is die moeilikste hoofstukke in die Bybel om te leef, daarom is ons lief om daaroor te praat en te debatteer, want die doen is gans onmoontlik vir die eie ek. Elke daad wat hier bespreek word en beveel word, kos jou alles. Dit kos dat jy jou regte opgee, jou drome, ambisie, jou eie wil – alles! Dit is hoekom so min mense die ware karakter van Jesus openbaar, want alhoewel ons by tye reg doen en goed doen, is Sy lewe alleen moontlik wanneer ons ‘n algehele oorgawe maak om ons self te verloën, en Sy wil te doen. Dit raak ‘n lewenstyl – dit is nooit maklik nie, en dit hou nooit op nie. Elke ware kind van God, word daagliks uitgedaag om dinge ‘ anders’ te doen.

  • As jy jou lewe wil vind, moet jy dit verloor.
  • As jy mense wil lei en voorloop, dien mense.
  • As jy meer wil hê, gee meer weg.
  • As jy aansien wil verkry, steek jouself weg.
  • As jy vry wil wees, spreek ander vry.

Dit is heeltemal in kontras met wat self wil doen. Daarom moet elke mens by die plek kom, om te glo in Jesus of nie. Gaan jy Sy lewe leef of nie? Daar is nie ‘n middeweg wat volhoubaar is nie. Kompromie werk vir ‘n kort tydjie, maar deurstaan nie die toets van tyd en vervolging nie. Sommige kan probeer om al die mooi goed te doen vir die aansien van mense, maar wanneer vervolging en verdrukking oor ons pad kom, dan kom self-oorlewing sterk na vore. Iemand wat sy lewe in Christus verloor het, skyn Sy lewe juis te meer onder druk. Dis juis dan wanneer Sy lewe in ons die helderste skyn! Deur die eeue is daar menigte heiliges wat hierdie lewe geleef het, hulle lewe skyn deur die eeue vandag nog Sy heerlike lig! Lewens van selfopoffering, hulle het nie hulle lewe as kosbaar geag nie, maar was bereid om bo alles aan God gehoorsaam te wees. Hulle lewe roep ons op om hierdie reis saam met hulle te voltooi. Mag die kerk van die laaste dae, nog te meer Sy lig en lewe deur ons laat skyn.

Mense wat oorgelewer is aan Hom sal Sy karakter openbaar: vergenoegdheid, nederigheid, vol van geloof, vorstelik en onbeweeglik ten opsigte van wat reg en waar is, sagmoedig, liefdevol, vol van lewenslus en passie, inskiklik en gemaklik met hulleself, vreugdevol en gelukkig, innerlike vrede en rustigheid, sensitief wees vir menslike nood maar iets doen daaraan. Mense wat deur hulle dade getuig van Jesus. Jy kan dus Jesus se lewe in hulle dade opmerk. Volwassenheid van karakter om selfs onder opposisie steeds nie reaktief te lewe nie, maar dan juis Sy manier van doen te openbaar.

Hierdie lewe kom nie vanself nie – Dit is nie in die mens nie. (Jer 10:23) Dis alleenlik wanneer ons, ons eie lewe neerlê en in die geloof Sy lewe ontvang. (Gal 2:20) Ons reken onsself dood. (Rom 6:11) en as ‘n daaglikse lewenswyse offer onsself as lewende heilige offers om Sy wil te doen. (Rom 12:1) Soos ons op Hom wag vir Sy manier, kom wys die Heilige Gees die weg en lei ons in die waarheid. Hy leer ons om ons vyande en vervolgers te vergewe, die wat ons beroof het vry te spreek en te seën, en te bid vir die wat ons misbruik.

Paulus som hierdie lewe op soos volg: 1 Corinthians 4:10-15; 2 Corinthians 4:8-18; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Being reviled we bless

Being persecuted we endure

Being defamed we entreat

Much patience

By purity

By knowledge

By long-suffering

By the Holy spirit

By sincere love

By the word of truth

By the power of god

By the armour of righteousness

Wat Paulus hier vir ons wys, is dat hy in elke krisis ʼn goddelike antwoord en strategie ontvang het om te oorwin en staande te bly. Hy is nooit ʼn slagoffer van slegte omstandighede nie, maar het deur Jesus se leefwyse antwoorde verkry om elke uitdaging te oorwin.

Hoe word ons meer soos Jesus?

Jy kan nie ‘n toeskouer van hierdie lewe wees nie. Die enigste manier om die seën van Sy lewe te ontvang is om dit te leef. Jy kan dit dus nie deur iemand ontvang nie. Hy self is die bron, anders eet ons weer van die boom van kennis van goed en kwaad. Niemand kan dit vir jou doen nie, en namens jou die prys betaal nie. Jy moet self jou eie lewe opgee, en in die geloof Sy lewe ontvang, en dan werk Hy Sy lewe in jou.

En moenie vir mekaar lieg nie. Julle het met die ou, sondige mens en sy gewoontes gebreek 10en leef nou die lewe van die nuwe mens, wat al hoe meer vernuwe word na die beeld van sy Skepper en tot die volle kennis van God Kol 3:9-10

Jy moet Hom ontvang. Jy neem Sy lewe aan as jou eie. Jy trek Hom as te ware aan as jou nuwe identiteit. Om te strewe om soos Hy te wees, bly ʼn strewe soos ʼn wortel voor ʼn donkie se neus aan ʼn stok. Strewe is nie genoeg nie. Dis soos ʼn nuwejaarsvoorneme wat nooit realiseer nie. NEE, Jy neem Sy lewe aan in die GELOOF. Ek is saam met Jesus begrawe en Hy is elke dag besig om meer en meer in my op te staan soos ek in die geloof Hom gehoorsaam. Hoe meer bewus ek raak van Jesus in my, en begin fokus op dit wat Hy alreeds in my is, hoe meer raak ek soos Hy. Hoe kry jy die lug uit ʼn glas? Deur dit vol water te maak. Hoe oorwin jy sonde in jou lewe? Om vol te wees van Jesus. Ons fokus is nie sonde nie, ons fokus is Jesus en die werk wat Hy vir ons gedoen het aan die kruis.

Om soos Jesus te wees is gans onmoontlik vir die mens. As ek net dink aan al die karaktertrekke van Jesus, weet ek nie waar om te begin nie. Dank God die Heilige Gees lei ons en help ons in alle waarheid. Hy lei ons elke dag. Hy gee ons daaglikse instruksies, en lei ons om Hom te vertrou. Vir elkeen gee Hy ander opdragte en bevele, want Hy is met ons elkeen op reis na die selfde doel – Jesus. Soos ons hoor en gehoorsaam, voel dit soms dat ons ook soos Jesus wil vra: “Laat hierdie beker my verbygaan, Here!” Hy werk egter die vermoë en genade in ons om die opdrag uit te voer, en soos ons dit doen ervaar ons ʼn heerlike opstanding in ons. Genade is nie eenmalig gegee nie, maar is die kragtige werking van God wat daagliks in ons werk. (Fil 2:13) Hoe weet jy of jy in genade leef óf nie? Jy weet dat dit nie jy is nie, maar genade. Jy het duisend keer probeer en gefaal, hierdie keer is dit Hy wat die werk in jou doen. Dis nie hoe hard jy probeer nie, maar hoe hard jy glo in Sy werk.

Die uitkoms!!!

Mag elke persoon wat God aan ons gegee het, om deel te wees van hierdie deel van die familie van Christus, groei in volwassenheid en Jesus-vrug! Mag ons getuienis onder mense van hierdie omgewing wees dat ons;
Liefdevolle, sagte spontane mense is. Mense wat geestelike diepte het en standvastig is in hulle geloof. Mense wat jy kan vertrou, en deur wie God se Gees kragtig werk. Betroubare, getroue en opregte mense op wie jy kan staatmaak. Pilare in die gemeenskap wat hulle invloed gebruik ten bate van die wat onderdruk en minder bevoorreg is. Mense wie se karakter en woorde 100% op-lyn en waar daar geen valsheid te vinde is nie. Mense wat jou nie net seën met hulle woorde nie, maar wat daadwerklik jou help en ondersteun totdat jy weer op jou voete is. Mense wie se besigheid en werksaamhede getuig van godsvrug: op tyd wees, deugsaamheid, netheid, kreatiwiteit, gehalte werk en akkuraatheid. Mense vol van genade, geloof en vryheid! Tog spreek hulle lewe van eenvoud, innerlike tevredenheid en kalmte. Jy hou daarvan om by hierdie mense te wees want hulle is gemaklik, uitgesorteer en volwasse. Hulle geniet die lewe sonder om te sondig en leef die lewe voluit! Hulle is vrygewig en heg meer waarde aan ewigheidsgoed as aardse besittings, roem of aansien. Hulle rykdom is in Jesus se karakter wat elke dag meer en meer duideliker word in elkeen. Hulle is nie te trots om saam met kinders op die vloer te speel en uitbundig te lag nie. Hulle is kinderlik, spontaan en het weinig vrese of inhibisies. Hulle erken gou hulle foute en menslikheid sonder skaamte, want hulle weet hoe afhanklik hulle van die Here is. Hulle is “bold” en passievol oor hulle geloof, en is nie skaam oor God se liefde en nabyheid nie. Hulle teenwoordigheid maak jou veilig voel, en hulle bring Goddelike perspektief en wysheid na elke moeilike situasie. Hulle is konstant en gebalanseerd maar tog nie vervelig nie. Hulle ingesteldheid getuig van lewenslus en geloof in die onmoontlike, hulle is optimisties maar nie ligsinnig of oppervlakkig nie. Hulle grappies getuig van goeie smaak en eerbied vir alles mense. Hulle is in alles dankbaar en godvresend, meer as wat hulle bang is vir wat die mense gaan sê of dink. Hulle is nie ingestel op die opinies en sake van mense nie, en praat nooit oor mense wat nie teenwoordig is nie. Hulle is bidders en ken en verstaan die wil en hart van God. Hulle is op frekwensie met wat die Gees van die Here tans mee besig is in die Wêreld. Jy sal dieselfde fokus optel by gelowiges regoor die wêreld, want hulle leef in die Wil van God. Jy voel altyd ʼn beter mens as jy van hulle weggaan. Jou geloof is gebou en jy voel opgebou en gestig om ook meer soos Jesus te lewe. Hulle is aangename en vriendelike mense, sonder veroordeling en kritiek, negatiwiteit en gemeenheid. Tog is daar geen kompromie by hulle te vind nie, en voel dit asof die ligte aan is wanneer jy by hulle is. Wanneer hulle jou bedien is dit met liefde, maar ferm en in waarheid. Sonder bybedoelings of selfsugtige motiewe. Hulle lewe daag passiwiteit en valse verskonings uit. Hulle bring dinge aan die lig, sodat daar lig en groei kan kom. Hulle is wetsgehoorsaam, en wys respek en eerbied vir alle mense. Hulle neem verantwoordelikheid vir die foute wat hulle maak en maak reg waar verbrou is. Hulle lewe spreek van orde en dissipline sonder om rigied of wetties te wees. Hulle handhaaf gesonde roetines en gewoontes in hulle private sowel as publieke lewe. Hulle is eerlik en sonder fieterjasies, ongekunsteld en vol van die teenwoordigheid van die Here. Hulle is ‘kerk’!