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Die gekruisigde lewe


Die kerk bestaan al amper 2000 jaar en nog steeds kon sy nie die een opdrag wat aan haar opgedra is uitvoer nie.  Sekerlik is derduisende pogings al aangewend om die groot opdrag te vervul naamlik “Gaan dan heen, maak dissipels van al die nasies, en doop hulle in die Naam van die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees; en leer hulle om alles te onderhou wat Ek julle beveel het.” (Mat 28:19). Die probleem is nie dat ons nog nooit probeer het nie, maar dat ons pogings nie end uit volhou is nie.  Verskeie manne en vroue van God het in hulle leeftyd magtige dade verrig in die naam van Christus.  Maar die kerk kon as geheel nog nie die hele wêreld transformeer met die evangelie nie, en waar daar nuwe grond gewen word verloor ons die grond wat al gewen is.

Hiervan is die kerk in Europa ‘n krenkende bewys.  Die eertydse lande wat duisende sendelinge die wêreld ingestuur het is vandag self ‘n sendingveld.  Aan die een kant bou ons nuwe kerke en word ons grondgebied daagliks vergroot, maar aan die ander kant sien ons katedrale wat toeriste aantreklikhede word. Al hoe meer kerkgeboue word omskep in dekorhuise of moet plek maak vir een of ander entrepreneur se vindingryke planne.   Sommige sal argumenteer dat dit nie noodwendig sleg is nie, die Here woon immers nie in geboue met hande gebou nie.  Die feit is egter dat leë kerkgeboue maar een indikator is van ‘n gemeenskap wat kerklos en op die einde godloos word.  Tog is spiritualiteit belangrik vir die sogenaamde kerklose, die probleem is egter dat hulle spiritualiteit nie meer deur die God van die Bybel en op Bybelse manier bevredig word nie.  Die laaste skrif in die boek rigters is tans ‘n raak beskrywing vir die geestelike dilemma van die mensdom. “Elkeen het gedoen wat reg was in sy oë.”

Die Christendom is teologies so verdeel en gefragmenteer dat mens soms wonder of ons regtig almal aan dieselfde kant van die speelveld staan.  Indien ons teologies verdeel is dan is ons nog meer verdeel wanneer dit kom by die interpretasie en uitvoering van sekere skrifgedeeltes!

Iemand het een keer gesê dat Christene die enigste weermag in die wêreld is wat teen homself opgestel is.  Daar is meer mense in die naam van Godsdiens vermoor en doodgemaak as deur enige ander oorsaak wat te sprake mag wees.  Die probleem is nie net binne opponerende geloofsgroepe nie, maar telkens hoor mens van nog ‘n gemeente wat skeur of verdeel.  So is daar tans nog verskeie kerke wat binne dieselfde teologiese raamwerk en godsbegrip staan wat nie ‘n weg kan vind om te kan versoen en een struktuur te word nie.

In ‘n sekere sin kan mens amper sê dat sekere korporatiewe besighede meer suksesvol is as die kerk om die hele mensdom te infiltreer met hulle produk, in ‘n baie korter tydperk.  Neem maar voorbeelde soos, Coca-Cola of Microsoft.

My betoog is egter nie in die rigting van ‘n meer korporatiewe bemarkingstrategie nie.  Die geskiedenis is vandag ‘n skreiende bewys van die mislukking van één kerk struktuur wat die wêreld wou oorneem.

Ons kerk probleem – Ons Sukkel om self te kruisig

Nee my betoog is juis in die teenoorgestelde rigting.  Toe Jesus die kriteria neerlê van hoe mens Hom moet volg was Sy antwoord eenvoudig.  “As iemand agter My aan wil kom, moet hy homself verloën en sy kruis opneem en My volg.  Want elkeen wat sy lewe wil red, sal dit verloor; maar elkeen wat sy lewe om My ontwil verloor, sal dit vind.”  (Mat 16:24-25)

Dit blyk dat wanneer ons probeer om groot dinge vir die Here te doen, Hy dit wel toelaat, maar dit hou gewoonlik nie lank nie.  Hoeveel pogings van die mens is werklik geïnspireer deur die Here?  Die Woord is duidelik dat as die Here dit begin het sal dit volhoubaar wees.  Wat die huidige geval betref, my raad aan julle is: laat staan hierdie mense en laat hulle los, want as wat hulle wil en wat hulle doen, mensewerk is, sal daar niks van kom nie. Maar as dit van God kom, sal julle hulle nie kan keer nie. Moenie dat dit dalk later blyk dat julle selfs teen God gestry het nie!” Die Raad het na hom geluister. (Handelinge 5:38-39)

Skrywers wat hulle lewe toegelê het om hierdie waarheid uit te leef en toe te pas in alles wat hulle gedoen het se boeke word na honderde jare nog gelees en gewaardeer.  Voorbeelde soos Thomas a Kempis, Jeanne Guyon, Broeder Lawrence is maar net ‘n paar voorbeelde.  Hedendaagse voorbeelde sal moontlik Moeder Teresa wees.  Wat nie net oor die neerlegging van self gepreek het nie, maar ook ‘n voorbeeld was.  Hierdie werke is gevul met voorbeelde van die eie-ek wat in soveel aspekte van ons lewens nog springlewendig is en Christus selde deur ons lewens sigbaar word.

Selfverloëning is ‘n skaars kommoditeit in die kerk vandag, kompetisie, magspel, twis en tweedrag is eerder aan die orde van die dag.  Die godloënaar Nietzsche het by geleentheid gesê, mense praat oor hulle geloof, maar leef volgens hulle drifte.  Die koerante is volop van kerkleiers wat veral op hierdie gebied oortree.

Paulus se oproep in hierdie verband is vandag meer as ooit ‘n duidelike oproep en kreet na waarheid.

“maak dan my blydskap volkome deur eensgesind te wees en dieselfde liefde te hê, een van siel, een van sin.  Moenie iets doen uit selfsug of uit ydele eer nie, maar in nederigheid moet die een die ander hoër ag as homself.  Julle moet nie elkeen na sy eie belange omsien nie, maar elkeen ook na die ander s’n.  Want hierdie gesindheid moet in julle wees wat ook in Christus Jesus was.   Hy, wat in die gestalte van God was, het dit geen roof geag om aan God gelyk te wees nie, maar het Homself ontledig deur die gestalte van ‘n dienskneg aan te neem en aan die mense gelyk geword; en in gedaante gevind as ‘n mens, het Hy Homself verneder deur gehoorsaam te word tot die dood toe, ja, die dood van die kruis. Daarom het God Hom ook uitermate verhoog en Hom ‘n naam gegee wat bo elke naam is, sodat in die Naam van Jesus sou buig elke knie van die wat in die hemel en die wat op die aarde en die wat onder die aarde is, en elke tong sou bely dat Jesus Christus die Here is tot heerlikheid van God die Vader.” (Phil 2:2-11)

Indien ons, ons geestelike volwassenheid vergelyk met om-soos-Jesus-te-wees dan skiet die Kerk ver te kort en is ons nog babas.

Selfverloëning is blykbaar nie ‘n gewilde tema nie, en trek duidelik nie sulke groot gehore nie, anders sou ons dalk meer daaroor gepreek het.  Selfverloëning is immers nie ‘n vreeslike groot nuwe openbaring nie, ons bid tog gereeld ons vroom gebede met woorde soos: “ek moet minder word en U meer” en “laat U wil geskied” In ieder geval plaas die skrif die fokus eerste op God wat eers meer moet word en dan ek minder.  (John 3:30)

Die probleem is dat self in baie opsigte nog op die troon is in so baie Christene se lewe, en hulle nie eers daarvan bewus is nie.  Die reuk wat dan afgegee word is die reuk van die dood en nie die ewige aroma van lewe nie.

Ons sterf elke dag.

Selfverloëning is egter ‘n diepe geheimenis wat nie met die intellek uitgewerk kan word nie, en wanneer mens daaroor praat glip dit uit jou hande nog voordat jy dit presies kan neerpen.  Dis seker om hierdie rede dat die woord selfsterf nooit as ‘n selfstandige naamwoord in die Bybel gevind kan word nie, eerder as verskillende werkwoorde.

So ‘n voorbeeld vind ons in Rom 6:11-13 “So moet julle ook reken dat julle wel vir die sonde dood is, maar lewend is vir God in Christus Jesus, onse Here.  Laat die sonde dan in julle sterflike liggaam nie heers dat julle aan sy begeerlikhede gehoorsaam sou wees nie. En moenie julle lede stel tot beskikking van die sonde as werktuie van ongeregtigheid nie, maar stel julleself tot beskikking van God as mense wat uit die dode lewend geword het, en julle lede as werktuie van geregtigheid in die diens van God.”

“Reken jouself dan dood” Die woord reken in die Griekse taal is ‘Logisomai’ waar ons woord logies afgelei word.  “Logisomai” beteken om iets uit te werk, ‘n berekening te doen en tot ‘n logiese gevolgtrekking te kom.  Verder is die werkwoord in die Aoristiese tyd geskrywe, wat beteken dat die handeling iewers in die verlede begin het, jy nog steeds besig is om dit te doen en nog besig gaan wees om die daad te doen tot iewers op ‘n punt in die toekoms.  Hierdie inligting werp heelwat lig op die handeling van selfverloëning.  EK dink daaroor na, en kom tot die logiese gevolgtrekking dat ek alreeds my lewe vir die Here gegee het, en dat ek dit nog steeds nou moet doen, en ek sal dit nog ‘n hele paar keer doen totdat ek in die hiernamaals met Hom verenig is.

Dit lyn dan op met Paulus se vermaning aan die broeders: “dat julle jul liggame stel as ‘n lewende, heilige en aan God welgevallige offer dit is julle redelike godsdiens.”  (Rom 12:1) Dieselfde woord, maar nou as selfstandige naamwoord ‘Logikos’ word hier vertaal met ‘redelike’ godsdiens.

Die leer oor selfverloëning is niks nuut nie, maar selfs hierdie leer het al verskeie ekstreme interpretasies deurleef.  So is daar geleer dat die liggaam boos is, en dat die liggaam kasty moet word en van alle genot en plesier ontneem moet word, sodat ons dan sodoende meer aanneemlik voor God kan lewe.

‘n paar jaar gelede in my eie soeke na waarheid oor hierdie saak, het die heilige Gees op ‘n dag iets aan my geopenbaar wat my perspektief radikaal verander het.  “jy kan nie jouself probeer doodmaak nie, dit word selfmoord genoem.” Enige selfverloëning wat uit self gebore is, is doodgebore en lei nie na die lewe nie.  Inteendeel dit lei heel dikwels net na trots en veroordeling van ander wat nog nie so baie soos jy gesterf het nie.  Self word juis op hierdie wyse verheerlik.  Hoe lank jy gevas het, hoe baie en hoe lank jy gebid het word indikators van geestelikheid met ‘n skreiende wanklank.

Ons kan nie onsself doodmaak nie.

Ons kan nie onsself doodmaak nie, ons kan net toegee, ingee, oorgee, wanneer Hy besig is om ons dood te maak.  Wanneer Hy vir jou vra om die beker te drink en jy deur bloedsweet uiteindelik by die plek kom waar jy uitroep “nie meer my wil nie Here maar laat U wil geskied”, op daardie tydstip word jy gekruisig en dood verklaar.  Hierin lê ‘n diep geheimenis in opgesluit, “Want elkeen wat sy lewe wil red, sal dit verloor; maar elkeen wat sy lewe om My ontwil verloor, sal dit vind.” (Mat 16:25)

Ons pogings om onsself te verander is ook futiel.  Dit móét immers so wees, want as ons onsself kon verander of verbeter hoekom sou ons Jesus dan nodig hê.

Dit is juis wat ons onderskei van enige ander religie.  Ons is die enigste godsdiens wat glo dat jy niks kan doen om nader aan God te kom, of Hom te behaag nie.  Daarvoor het Hy sy Seun gegee wat al die voorskrifte nagekom het in ons plek sodat ons deur Sy werke geregverdig kan word. “Aan hom egter wat nie werk nie, maar glo in Hom wat die goddelose regverdig, word sy geloof tot geregtigheid gereken.”  (Rom 4:5)

Wanneer Paulus die sondige toestand van die mens in Rom 7 bespreek en dit so mooi uitdruk naamlik “die goed wat ek wil doen dit doen ek nie, die verkeerd wat ek haat dit doen ek” kom hy op die einde van die hoofstuk tot ‘n desperate en magtelose uitroep: “Ek, ellendige mens! Wie sal my verlos van die liggaam van hierdie dood?” Rom 7:24. Wanneer ek tot die einde van my pogings, probeer en werke gekom het is ek gereed om ‘n wonderwerk van opstanding te beleef.

“En die Fariseër het gaan staan en by homself so gebid: o God, ek dank U dat ek nie soos die ander mense is nie-rowers, onregverdiges, egbrekers, of ook soos hierdie tollenaar nie. Ek vas twee keer in die week, ek gee tiendes van alles wat ek verkry. En die tollenaar het ver weg gestaan en wou selfs nie sy oë na die hemel ophef nie, maar het op sy bors geslaan en gesê: o God, wees my, sondaar, genadig” (Luke 18:11-13) Die tollenaar se gebed word aanvaar maar nie die Fariseër sin, wat probeer reg doen het.  Die tollenaar se diepe sondebesef en onvermoë om homself te verander laat hom na God uitroep vir genade!  Die fariseër regverdig homself deur al die goeie goed wat hy doen, sekerlik was hy opreg dankbaar dat hy nie soos die slegte mense is nie, sonder om te besef dit is God se genade en nie sy goeie werke wat hom ‘n beter mens gemaak het nie.

So moes Paulus tevrede wees met die woorde “my genade is vir jou genoeg…” en die doring in sy vlees. En Hy het vir my gesê: My genade is vir jou genoeg, want my krag word in swakheid volbring. Baie liewer sal ek dus in my swakhede roem, sodat die krag van Christus in my kan woon. Daarom het ek behae in swakhede, in mishandelinge, in node, in vervolginge, in benoudhede, om Christus wil. Want as ek swak is, dan is ek sterk. (2 Cor 12:9-10)

So sê Jakobus ook dat ons gebede nie beantwoord sal word as gevolg van ons selfsugtige begeertes nie.  (Jam 4:2-3) Wanneer self nog lewendig is, met private agendas en motiewe, staan ons spiritueel voor ‘n toe deur.  Dit maak tog sin, die Bybel sê duidelik dat geen lewende vlees sal sien en bly lewe nie.  Maar deur Jesus Christus het ons nou vrymoedigheid om met God te praat sonder vrees. (Heb 10:19)

Net Jesus kan die DORING van self verwyder.

Die kerk is in die besigheid van lewensverandering.  Dis uiteindelik wat elke kerk en prediker homself ten doel behoort te stel, om te sien dat lewens positief verander en gelyk word aan die beeld van Jesus Christus (Rom 8:29)

Deur die eeue is verskeie prosesse ook voorgestel en geprobeer.

Sommige glo in die wet.  Daar word deur die oplê van hewige reëls en regulasies ‘n vrees by die mens geïndoktrineer vir die konsekwensies as jy ‘n reël sou breek. Die leiers word voorgehou as baie heilig en verhewe bo die res, asof hulle deur die hou van hulle wette ‘n hoër of dieper spiritualiteit bereik het.  Hierdie voorgangers word vereer en slaafs nagevolg selfs na hulle dood.

Ander geestelikes probeer deur verskeie tegnieke en aktiwiteite die emosies van mense opwek tot by die punt waar hulle gevoelservaring beleef.  Klem word gelê, op gevoel en emosies.

Ander kerke glo weer dat jou denke die sleutel is tot alles wat jy doen.  ‘n Mens is immers wat hy of sy dink.  Bybelskole, kursusse, boeke, en lang ingewikkelde preke stimuleer die intellek en poog om mense se denke te vernuwe met die Woord.

Ander kerke glo weer dat die mens se wil die sleutel is tot sy bestaan. “Jy moet net ‘n wilsbesluit neem ou boet!”  Die lewe is omtrent keuses, en jy moet verantwoordelikheid vat vir jou besluite.

Elkeen van hierdie beginsels bevat ‘n sterk element van waarheid, en gevolglik is daar ook ‘n mate van sukses by elkeen te bespeur.  Nie een van hierdie fokusareas is verkeerd nie en kan uit die skrif gefundeer word, die probleem is net dat nie een van hierdie aspekte en waarhede sal ooit volkome suksesvol wees indien die mens die inisieerder is nie.

Al is daar waarheid in elkeen, sal byvoorbeeld ‘n wilsbesluit nooit die tydtoets kan deurstaan indien die besluit uit jou voortgekom het nie.  As ek bloot ‘n besluit sou kon neem en koers verander hoekom het ek die Here nodig?  Maar wanneer ek juis in my ellende en swakheid na Hom toe kom, en my swak wil voor hom lê, werk Hy dit in my om ‘n besluit te kan neem en my koers te verander, maar nie omdat ek soseer gewil het nie, maar hy het in my gewil.  (Phil 2:19)

Selfs die onderhouding van die wet, behoort nie uit myself te kom nie, maar omdat Hy my lei en my leer om sekere dinge te vermy en sekere dinge nie meer te doen nie.  Hy het immers die wet nou in ons harte geskryf.

So kan ons elke aspek van kerkwees bespreek, lofprysing en aanbidding, prediking, evangelisasie, intersessie en gebed en nog vele meer.  Alles wat uit self gebore is lei tot die dood, maar dit wat uit Christus en die Gees gebore is bring lewe!

Ek het op ‘n dag ‘n preek voorberei oor die wapens van die Gees.  Dis was nie ‘n nuwe boodskap nie, en ek sou wapens bespreek soos jou getuienis, die bloed, die naam van Jesus, die Woord ens.  Die oggend toe ek wakker word se die Heilige Gees vir my; “Jy het die mees belangrikste wapen gemis.” Ek het hierdie sin op ‘n stuk papier neergeskryf en die Here gevra om my te leer wat hierdie wapen is waarna Hy verwys.  Na ‘n rukkie het die antwoord tot my gekom; “Selfverloëning is ons magtigste wapen teen die aanslae van die vyand.”  Omdat Christus dan vir ons na die vlees gely het, moet julle jul ook wapen met dieselfde gedagte, dat wie na die vlees gely het, opgehou het met die sonde,  (1 Pet 4:1) Jy kan nie met iets baklei wat alreeds dood is nie.  Iemand wat dood is kan nie te nagekom voel nie, of gekrenk in hulle self wees nie.  Iemand wat dood is gee nie om dat hulle goed gevat word en misbruik word nie.  Iemand wat dood is het nie drome en begeertes en ambisies nie.

Want julle het gesterwe, en julle lewe is saam met Christus verborge in God. Wanneer Christus, wat ons lewe is, geopenbaar word, dan sal julle ook saam met Hom in heerlikheid geopenbaar word. (Col 3:3-4)  In hierdie vers word “julle HET gesterwe” weer in die aoristus geskrywe.  Dit wil sê, dat ons lewe op ‘n tydstip aan hom gegee is, en deur sy opstandingskrag het Hy ons ‘n nuwe skepsel in Hom gemaak (2 Cor 5:17) Hierdie proses duur egter elke dag voort soos wat ons met onbedekte gesig soos in ‘n spieël die heerlikheid van die Here aanskou, word ons van gedaante verander na dieselfde beeld, van heerlikheid tot heerlikheid, as deur die Here wat die Gees is. (2 Cor 3:18) Deurdat ons saam met Christus gekruisig is, is ons lewe nou ook verberg in Hom, en kan die vyand ons niks aandoen nie. (Gal 2:20)

Ons wil vervleg met syne

Die somtotaal van ons nuwe lewe is dat ons nou nie meer lewe nie, en alleenlik voortbestaan wanneer ons in gehoorsaamheid Sy opdragte uitvoer.  Ons lewe is bloot ‘n refleksie en reaksie op Sy liefde, Sy genade en Sy plan met ons lewe.

Die grootste wonder van alles is; dat Hy nie ons wil, wil beheer nie, nee Hy wil dat ons wil met Sy Wil vervleg moet wees.  Daar behoort geen konflik en onderskeid tussen ons wil en Sy wil te wees nie.  Wanneer ons alles verloor het, en opgegee het, nadat ons alle beheer oorgeteken het en laat vaar het, gee Hy ons nuwe gesag en outoriteit in Hom.  Dan eers word ons waarlik vry om die lewe te geniet in die oorvloed wat Hy vir ons beplan het, wanneer ons heeltemal tevrede en vergenoegd in hom geraak het.  Ons is nie meer bevrees nie; dood, gevaar en krisisse het hul angel verloor, ons kan tog niks verloor as ons nooit eienaarskap in die eerste plek gehad het nie.  Iemand wat dood is, besit niks, begeer niks, smag na niks.

Hierdie is weereens ‘n groot misterie, maar ware lewe en diepe vrede lê alleenlik in ons totale oorgawe aan Hom opgesluit.  Wanneer alle werke tot stilstand kom, alle pogings om te ontsnap verniet is, en jy as persoon net oorgee, kom Hy deur Sy genade en lig ons op.  Selfs ons geloof kan soms ‘n struikelblok word, want ek moet mos glo, ek moet nou dit en dat, nee dis liefde tot op die been oopgevlek en ontbloot vir suiwerheid wat die toets deurstaan.  Petrus se; “Here u weet dat ek u liefhet” Petrus se lewe is ‘n treffende voorbeeld van hoe sy verhouding met die Here verdiep het tot op die punt waar hy nie meer kon bewys, beïndruk, of propageer nie. “Here u ken my hart, u weet dat ek u liefhet”

Selfverloëning lê sentraal tot die kerk se sukses om die wêreld te kersten en dissipels van alle nasies te maak.  Jy kan net iemand dissipel in dit wat jy is.  Jesus het sy dissipels geleer om hulle lewens vir die skape af te lê.  Wat hulle letterlik soos Hy vervul het.  Hoeveel predikers het hierdie mentaliteit?  Hoeveel van waarmee ons besig is, is nie maar bloot gebore uit ambisie, selfverheffing en kompetisie met ander nie.  Probeer ons nie maar ons eie minderwaardigheid en innerlike armoede wegsteek met uiterlike suksesse en voorgee nie?

Hoekom loof en aanbid ons die Here? Doen ons dit om gesien te word, of probeer ons daardeur in God se goeie boekies kom om Sy oordeel te vermy?  Vrees ons mense, en is ons sensitief vir hulle behoeftes en voor en afkeure terwyl ons die Here heeltemal uit die gesig verloor.  Op wie is ons gefokus, waaraan dink ons die heeldag?  Is ons selfs in ons pogings tot heiligmaking nie maar net op ‘n verwronge manier besig met self nie?

In mense verhoudinge, hoeveel keer laat ons, ons wil geld en manipuleer ons situasies tot ons eie gewin?  Baie keer kleur ons ‘n situasie net so in, dat ons ‘n bietjie beter lyk en die ander persoon slegter…  Of ons probeer so bietjie aandag op onsself vestig, oor presies hoe swaar ons kry, en hoe baie ons al gegee het en opgeoffer het.

“EK het dit nou tot hiertoe gehad! Dit sal ek tog nooit doen nie!” “Die Here moet tog nooit vir my vra om na daardie plek toe te gaan nie!” is voorbeelde van die eie-ek wat nog te veel heers.

Daar word vertel van ‘n sekere pastoor uit Indië wat Amerika besoek het.  Hy is deur kerkleiers hartlik verwelkom en vir ‘n tydperk na verskillende kerke en bediening regoor Amerika geneem.  Aan die einde van sy besoek is hy in die publiek gevra om kommentaar te lewer oor wat hy waargeneem het tydens sy besoeke aan kerke in dié land.  Op tipies Indiese manier het hy opgestaan die gehoor stip aangekyk en gesê: “dis interessant om te sien hoe ver die kerk in Amerika gekom het, sonder God!

Ek dink nie hy is weer uitgenooi nie, maar die kerk in Afrika lyk nie veel beter nie, lande waar die meerderheid landsburgers Christene is, is daar nog steeds opspraakwekkende wetteloosheid, armoede en korrupsie aan die orde van die dag.  Soveel predikers gebruik die evangelie om hulleself te verryk en groter invloed en mag oor mense te hê.

Sekerlik is dit nie orals die geval nie en veralgemeen en oordryf ek die punt, maar dat daar werklik hand in eie boesem gesteek moet word is verseker.

ons sterf wanneer ons gehoorsaam raak

Noem dit herlewing of reformasie, maar elke groot beweging van God het begin by ‘n persoon of ‘n handvol persone wat God begin aangryp het omdat hulle niks meer uit hulleself kon doen nie.  Die sisteme van mense en die strukture van die mens het dit wat God wil doen gekortwiek.  So is die geskiedenis vol van pioniers en hervormers wat net een ding wou doen en dit is om God te gehoorsaam en sodoende ‘n nuwe beweging begin het.

Christus was vir ons hierin die perfekte voorbeeld.  Hy het nooit Sy bediening self geïnisieer nie.  Maria Sy moeder moes die diensknegte aansê om te doen wat Hy hulle sou sê.  (John 2:1-12) Hy self het ook die volle tyd volbring in diens van Sy aardse ouers tot die ouderdom van 30, waarna hy toe eers Sy bediening begin het.  Verder sê Jesus telkens:

Jesus het toe geantwoord en vir hulle gesê: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, die Seun kan niks uit Homself doen tensy Hy die Vader dit sien doen nie. Want alles wat Hý doen, dit doen die Seun ook net so. (John 5:19)

Ek kan uit Myself niks doen nie. Soos Ek hoor, oordeel Ek; en my oordeel is regverdig, omdat Ek nie my wil soek nie, maar die wil van die Vader wat My gestuur het. (John 5:30)

Want Ek het uit die hemel neergedaal, nie om my wil te doen nie, maar die wil van Hom wat My gestuur het. (John 6:38)

En Jesus sê vir hulle: Wanneer julle die Seun van die mens verhoog het, dan sal julle weet dat dit Ek is; en uit Myself doen Ek niks nie; maar net wat my Vader My geleer het, dit spreek Ek. (John 8:28)

Want Ek het nie uit Myself gespreek nie; maar die Vader wat My gestuur het, Hy het My ’n gebod gegee wat Ek moet sê en wat Ek moet spreek. (John 12:49)

Glo jy nie dat Ek in die Vader is en die Vader in My nie? Die woorde wat Ek tot julle spreek, spreek Ek nie uit Myself nie; maar die Vader wat in My bly, Hy doen die werke. (John 14:10)

As Hy dan wat die Seun van God is, niks uit Homself gedoen het nie, hoeveel te meer moet ons nie onsself aan Hom onderwerp nie?  Ek is die wynstok, julle die lote. Wie in My bly, en Ek in hom, hy dra veel vrug; want sonder My kan julle niks doen nie. (John 15:5)

Soveel keer hoor mens preke oor wie ons in Christus is.  Dit is reg en ons moet verstaan wie ons in Christus is, maar ons moet ook verstaan dan ons alleenlik in Christus kan wees indien self dood is!  Selfverloëning word nie nou nie nog ’n werk wat ons byvoeg by Christus nie.  Nee ons sterf in die geloof! Ek is met Christus gekruisig, en ék leef nie meer nie, maar Christus leef in my. En wat ek nou in die vlees lewe, leef ek deur die geloof in die Seun van God wat my liefgehad het en Homself vir my oorgegee het. (Gal 2:20)

Ek gee bloot oor en Hy doen die res.

Ek probeer nie myself kasty nie.  EK GEE OOR!

Kom ek verduidelik aan die hand van ons stryd met sonde:  Hoe meer ek probeer om nie te sondig nie, hoe meer wil ek sondig.  Wanneer ek my sonde bely en wegdraai van my sonde en in desperaatheid na Hom kyk om My ellendige mens te verlos, en dan in die geloof Sy redding en verlossing vir myself toe-eien gebeur daar iewers iets bonatuurlik.  Wanneer en hoe weet ons nie, maar skielik sonder dat jy probeer of dit agterkom, werk Hy in jou en skenk Hy jou Sy genade om nie meer in daardie area te sondig nie.

Dis wat ons noem om nou in Sy opstandingskrag te lewe!  Of om te lewe volgens die vermoë van Sy genade.  Maar almal wat Hom aangeneem het, aan hulle het Hy mag gegee om kinders van God te word, aan hulle wat in sy Naam glo  (John 1:12) Hy het ons die mag gegee om nou reg te lewe volgens Sy wil.  Ons sien hierdie oorgang duidelik in Rom 7 en 8.  In Romeine 7 verduidelik Paulus dat ons uitgelewer is aan die wet van die Sondige Natuur.  Dan kom die mees belangrikste keerpunt.  Ek, ellendige mens! Wie sal my verlos van die liggaam van hierdie dood? (Rom 7:24) Totdat mens nog planne het en hierna streef en dat probeer doen, is jy nog vasgepen in jou sonde.  Ons almal moet kom tot by die punt van die misterieuse dood van self, waar alle werke gestaak word.  ‘n Plek waar ons dood in die arms van ons verlosser en Here lê in die geloof dat Hy ons sal opwek.  Dan alleen kan ons oorgaan na hoofstuk 8 waar daar nie meer veroordeling teen ons is nie, alleenlik in Christus!  Hier wet van die sondige natuur kan met die wet van swaartekrag vergelyk word.  Ons kan probeer om hierdie wet te breek maar alleen totdat ons krag op is, of ons petrol op is.  Dan kom alles wat bo in die lug was vinnig af grond toe.  Maar in Rom 8:2 praat Paulus van ‘n ander tipe wet; die wet van die Gees.  Hierdie wet kan vergelyk word met helium.  Helium maak dit vir ons moontlik om sonder enige moeite of inspanning te kan sweef en op te styg vanaf die aarde.  Dis waarom Paulus in Gal 5:16 sê: “MAAR ek sê: Wandel deur die Gees, dan sal julle nooit die begeerlikheid van die vlees volbring nie.”

Hoe wandel mens in die Gees?  Deur jou besig te hou met die dinge van die Gees.  (Rom 8:5) Watse dinge van die Gees?  Dit wat Hy ons beveel en sê om te doen.  Die dinge waarvoor ons geloof ontvang het deurdat Hy met ons daaroor gepraat het, en Homself duidelik aan ons geopenbaar het.  Dit beteken ons het geleer om te wag op Hom… en alleenlik dit te doen wat Hy sê.  Dit is die gesproke (rhema) Woord van God wat ons roep tot die nuwe dinge en lewe in die Gees.

Hierdie leiding van die Gees sal altyd in die teenoorgestelde rigting wees as wat self sou wou gedoen het.  HY sal ons lei om eerder weg te gee, te vergewe, te dien, om die wat dit nie verdien nie onvoorwaardelik lief te hê, in kort om in die teenoorgestelde gees op te tree.  Dit is die wese van om in die Koninkryk van God te lewe.  (Mat 5:27-48) In hierdie gedeelte gee Jesus duidelik voorskrifte en opdragte wat vir die natuurlike en vleeslike mens baie moeilik is om uit te voer.  Wees lief vir jou vyande!  Wees ‘n seën en doen iets wat tot seën sal wees van die wat jou vloek.  Doen goed aan die wat jou haat!  En bid vir die wat jou misbruik en probeer om jou te vervolg.  Eina vlees!

Gandhi het maar ‘n paar van hierdie beginsels toegepas en Indië bevry van Britse Kolonialisme.  Dit is die grootste geestelike wapen in die arsenaal van elke gelowige, as ons dit maar net wil besef.  Ons wil egter soveel keer te midde van konflik onsself regverdig, of verdedig en hoe meer ons dit probeer doen hoe meer beland ons in onguns en in die moeilikheid.  Die sekulêre wêreldbeskouing is dan juis geskoei op selfhandhawing, selfondersoek, selfsugtigheid, selfbeeld, selfvoldaanheid, selfgedrewendheid, selfbeheptheid, selfpromosie, selfagting en ‘n reeks selfhelp boeke en kursusse.

Onthou ‘self’ soek altyd kort paaie, en het gewoonlik ‘n persoonlike agenda en motief.  Self versteur die Godsbeeld waartoe elke mens geskape is.  (Rom 8:29) Self is die gif in ons DNA wat maak dat ons dwars teen God se plan en in vyandskap met Hom lewe.  Self vernietig die plan van God in ons lewe.  Dank God Hy maak ons nie in een dag dood nie!  Hierdie kruisiging proses is ‘n daaglikse proses van leer om te sterf tot die wet van die vlees en die dood en deur die geloof op te staan in die wet van die Gees. Paulus is ons voorbeeld.  Ek sterf dag vir dag, broeders, so waar as ek op julle roem in Christus Jesus, onse Here. (1 Cor 15:31) Ek sterf elke dag soos wat die wil van God aan my geopenbaar word deur die Woord en soos wat ek daardeur gekonfronteer word om nie net ‘n hoorder te wees nie maar ’n dader.   So leer ek elke dag ’n nuwe bedryfstelsel aan van die Gees en word ek daagliks vernuwe tot ‘n hele nuwe uitkyk op die lewe.

die heerlikheid van opstanding is groter as die pyn

Hoe meer ek gesterf het, hoe vryer word ek van vrese, drange en begeertes.  Maar die wat aan Christus behoort, het die vlees met sy hartstogte en begeerlikhede gekruisig. (Gal 5:24)  Dis interessant dat wanneer Paulus hierdie lyste van sonde opnoem hy nooit ’n aanspraak op ons wil maak nie, maar ons net bloot daaraan herinner dat ons veronderstel is om dood te wees tot sonde.

Dis die uitsluitlike doel van alle bediening in die kerk, om ’n gekruisigde lewe te leef!

Die resultaat van ’n gekruisigde lewe, is ’n lewe van oorwinning.  ’n Lewe waar ‘ék’ nie meer heeldag probeer om voor te gee nie.  Pretensieloos, vry van inhibisies, nie meer selfbewus en in self gekeer nie.  Verdediging meganismes raak onnodig.  Ek kan myself wees en die lewe uitbundig geniet soos ‘n kind.  Stilte en vrede diep in jou binnekant.  Vergenoegdheid.  ‘n Plek van waarheid en lig, duidelikheid eerlikheid en integriteit.  ‘n insig en wysheid omdat jy die lewe vanuit ‘n heeltemal ander perspektief sien.  ‘n Innerlike vreugde en ewige standvastige welgeluksaligheid.  Jy is nie meer gedrewe om iets te probeer bewys nie.  Jou lewe is ‘n lewe van dankbaarheid en liefde.  Nie net dankbaar omdat iets gebeur het nie, maar deurentyd dankbaar en vol.

Die gekruisigde lewe is waarlik DIE LEWE.  Dis na jou dood dat Hy jou opwek om saam met Hom te sit in hemelse plekke.  (Ephe 2:6) dat jy tot alles in staat is (Phil 4:13) meer as ‘n oorwinnaar is (Rom 8:37) vry is van veroordeling (Rom 8:1) aanvaarbaar gemaak is onder die gelowiges (Eph 1:6)

Daar kan net sprake wees van opstanding uit die dode nadat jy eers dood is.  Terwyl en dinge nog as my eiendom sien, my bediening, my gawe en talent is Ek nog lewendig.  Iemand wat dood is besit niks meer nie en het alle eienaarskap verbeur.  Ons is nou inwoners en burgers van ‘n hemelse realiteit en koninkryk.  Want ons burgerskap is in die hemele, van waar ons ook as Verlosser verwag die Here Jesus Christus (Phil 3:20)

Ons soek nie ’n beloning en vergoeding vir die dinge wat ons doen hier op aarde nie, want ons sien met geestelike oë die heerlike beloning wat vir ons wag in die hiernamaals.  Ons doen nie meer dinge om gesien te word nie, nog minder om erkenning te probeer kry van menslike instansies.  Want ons erkenning lê opgesluit in die feit dat ons met die Here kan praat soos met ’n vriend en dat Hy homself gereeld aan ons openbaar.  After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (Genesis 15:1) Die Here self is ons beloning!

Praktiese Maniere van oorgawe

Hier is ‘n paar praktiese punte van selfverloëning wat jy kan toepas elke dag.

  • Moenie talm en uitstel om met jou belangrikste dag aktiwiteite te begin nie.
  • Moenie kla oor die min tyd of die baie werk wat verrig moet word nie, koop eerder die tyd uit en maak dit klaar.
  • Doen alles sonder murmurering.
  • Moenie voorgee hoe swaar jy kry nie, doen alles met blydskap en oortuiging.
  • Moenie aandag trek op die groot en belangrike dinge waarmee jy besig is nie.
  • Wanneer jy iemand aanspreek doen dit gebaseer op eerstehandse getuienis en nie hoorsê nie.
  • Bly stil oor mense en hulle dinge en die foute wat jy sien, moenie stories oordra nie.
  • Soek nie die eer of dank van mense nie, doen dit alles vir die Here.
  • Moenie ongelukkig of gekrenk voel as jou advies nie gevra of gebruik word nie.
  • Moet nooit toelaat dat jy gunstig teenoor ‘n ander afgespeel word nie.
  • Moenie honger om altyd die geselskap te lei of die middelpunt te wees nie.
  • Soek nie die guns, simpatie of begrip van mense nie.
  • Dra eerder die blaam, as om dit oor te dra op ander.
  • Wanneer jy nie die krediet of eer kry wat jou toekom nie, moenie ontsteld wees nie, wees dankbaar!
  • Leer om vinnig te vergewe en vinnig jammer te sê.
  • Moenie gaan as jy nie gestuur is nie, en moenie help alvorens daar nie vir jou hulp gevra is nie.
  • Los die groot dinge wat jy vir die Here wil doen en laat toe dat Hy groot dinge deur jou doen.
  • Ons kan nie altyd kies hoe die Here ons wil gebruik nie, Hy gebruik ons nie altyd om wonderwerke te verrig nie.
  • Doen niks waarvoor jy nie geloof het nie.
  • Soek nie die eer van mense nie.
  • Moet nooit vergeet wie jou vooraf gegaan het en wie na jou gaan moet kom nie.
  • Jy het niks alleen bereik nie.
  • Ambisie kom nadat Hy jou die opdrag en mandaat gegee het. Om dan alles tot die beste van jou vermoë te doen en dit wat Hy jou gegee het om te doen klaar te maak.
  • Sukses lê opgesluit in die mate waarin jy dit wat Hy jou beveel het om te doen voleindig het.
  • Moet jou nie oor te hoë dinge bekommer of tob nie. Daar is genoeg krag vir elke dag.
  • Moenie eiewys wees nie en te veel dink van jou eie opinie nie.
  • Bly binne dit wat God jou toe geroep het.
  • Moenie ‘n opinie lewer oor dit waartoe God ‘n ander man geroep het nie.
  • Moet nooit jouself vergelyk met ‘n ander nie.
  • Bly meer stil.
  • Leer om te wag.
  • Bly altyd ingestel en gefokus op Sy bewegings, woord, impuls, emosie, handeling.
  • Die mense wat Jesus gekruisig het was die toe sogenaamde kerk. Aanvaar dit!  Christene gaan jou die meeste teleurstel en is werktuie in God se hand om jou dood te maak.
  • Onderwerp jou aan gesag.
  • ’n gebedslewe is ’n bewys dat jy werklik van God afhanklik is en niks uit jouself kan doen nie.
totale oorgawe en geloof

In Madame Guyon se werke gebruik sy dikwels die woord “abondonment” wat beteken; om ’n oorgawe te maak, sorgelose vryheid; ongedwongenheid, opgee, laat los, iets verlaat; oorgee; wegsmyt, afsien van, laat vaar, onopgeëiste goedere, agterlating.  Ek het dit vir ’n lank tyd nie verstaan hoekom sy spesifiek hierdie woord gebruik nie totdat ek hierdie verduideliking gehoor het.  Ons moet onsself verloën.  Waar elders in die Bybel word hierdie woord gebruik?  Wel Petrus het Jesus verloën.  Wat het hy spesifiek gedoen om Hom te verloën?  Hy het gesê ek ken Hom nie.  Hy het dit ontken dat Hy enigsins Jesus ken of dat daar ’n verbintenis tussen hulle is.  Hy het met ander woorde Jesus se bestaan ontken.  Hy weet nie wie Hy is nie.  As ons maar dieselfde met self kan doen!  Om te vergeet van self, sy bestaan te ontken.  Dis hoe ons vry word van sonde en die ou sondige natuur.  Ons is immers deur die geloof saam met Hom gekruisig en leef nie meer nie.  Ons is daarom immers gedoop as teken van ons afgestorwe lewe in Christus.  Want julle het gesterwe, en julle lewe is saam met Christus verborge in God. (Col 3:3) Ons bestaan nie meer nie.  Het geen regte meer nie.  Het ons bestaansreg op dinge en mense opgegee om nou in Hom en deur Hom te bestaan.  “Want in Hom lewe ons, beweeg ons en is ons.”, (Acts 17:28) Wanneer ons sukkel met sonde is ons nog vasgevang in daardie sonde.  Maar wanneer ons dit bely en in die geloof ons nuwe karakter in Jesus Christus opneem en toe-eien vergeet ons van daardie sonde en dae later kom ons agter dat ons vry is en dat daardie sonde nie meer ’n houvas op ons het nie.

Die Here het eendag met my hard gepraat oor dat ek aanhou om ’n sekere sonde te bely sonder om daarvan afstand te doen en dit te oorwin.  Dis nie ons belydenis wat die verskil maak nie, maar ons geloof.  Want alles wat uit God gebore is, oorwin die wêreld; en dit is die oorwinning wat die wêreld oorwin het, naamlik ons geloof.  (1 John 5:4)  Ons moet werklik draai en ons nuwe identiteit in Christus opneem; vergeet van die sonde en die ou mens met sy drange.  Belydenis sonder geloof is futiel en betekenisloos.  Inteendeel ons bely eintlik maar net omdat ons bang is ons word uitgevang en nie omdat ons regtig dink aan wat ons sonde aan God doen nie.  Ons belydenis is selfgesentreerd en gebore in ons eie selfsug en eie-ek.  Maar ware berou wat God werk is om werklik tot by ’n waarheidsoomblik te kom waar ek die konsekwensies van dit waarmee ek besig is vir myself, vir ander en vir God besef.  In Kolossense 3 gebruik Paulus dikwels die terme om die ou mens en sondigheid uit te trek soos ou klere wat jy uitrek en weggooi.  En dan om die nuwe kleed in Christus aan te trek.  Beklee julle dan, as uitverkorenes van God, heiliges en geliefdes, met innerlike ontferming, goedertierenheid, nederigheid, sagmoedigheid, lankmoedigheid. Verdra mekaar en vergewe mekaar as die een teen die ander ’n klag het; soos Christus julle vergeef het, so moet julle ook doen. En beklee julle bo dit alles met die liefde wat die band van die volmaaktheid is. (Col 3:12-14)

Die uiteindelike doel is nie om dood te bly nie, maar om op te staan in die nuwe identiteit van Christus Jesus ons Here.  Maar Hy wek ons op.  Hy inisieer opstanding!  Ons staan dikwels te vinnig weer self op.

Die antwoord is nie in ‘n mens nie

So dikwels hoor ons vandag die woorde; “die antwoord is binne jou!” “wees net jouself”.  Daar is geen sprake van jouself wees en dat die antwoord in jou is alvorens die voorhuid van jou hart nie besny is nie.  Die antwoord lê nie in ’n mens nie.  Ek weet, o Here, dat aan die mens sy weg nie toebehoort nie; nie aan ’n man om te loop en sy voetstappe te rig nie. (Jer 10:23) Bedrieglik is die hart bo alle dinge, ja, verdorwe is dit; wie kan dit ken?  Ek, die Here, deursoek die hart, toets die niere, om aan elkeen te gee na sy weë, volgens die vrug van sy handelinge.  (Jer 17:9-10) Daar is ’n weg wat vir ’n mens reg lyk, maar die einde daarvan is weë van die dood. (Prov 14:12) Die Here moet eers die gif van eie-ek en self verwyder dan gee Hy ons wil terug aan ons.  Ons DNA moet eers verander.  Ons redding lê alleenlik in die feit dat Hy ons nuwe skepsels maak deur die krag van die kruis en opstanding.  (2 Cor 5:17)  Dan kan ons praat van jouself wees en dat die antwoord binne jou is; Christus binne jou.  aan wie God wou bekend maak wat die rykdom van die heerlikheid van hierdie verborgenheid onder die heidene is, dit is Christus onder julle, die hoop van die heerlikheid.  (Col 1:27)

Luther en ander wat die 16de eeuse reformasie begin het, het nie net bloot idees op die tafel gesit nie, die reformasie van die 16de eeu het nie sy ontstaan gehad in die lesingkamer of op Wittenberg se deur nie.  Dit was eers nadat Luther ‘n persoonlike verdieping of ontmoetings ervaring met God gehad het dat hy die oortuiging gehad het om die 95 tesisse te skryf en teen Wittenberg se deur te gaan vasspyker.

Ware reformasie begin dus by Hom.  Hy is die een maatstaf vir ons lewe.  Ons is geskape tot hierdie doel en dit is om soos Hy te wees.  Want die wat Hy vantevore geken het, dié het Hy ook vantevore verordineer om gelykvormig te wees aan die beeld van sy Seun, sodat Hy die eersgeborene kan wees onder baie broeders (Rom 8:29) Hy is die presiese beeld en openbaring van God.  Hy, wat die afskynsel is van sy heerlikheid en die afdruksel van sy wese en alle dinge dra deur die woord van sy krag, nadat Hy deur Homself die reiniging van ons sondes bewerk het, het gaan sit aan die regterhand van die Majesteit in die hoogte, (Heb 1:3)

Ons kan God nie sien nie, maar Sy Woord het vlees geword en onder ons kom woon om vir ons die pad aan te dui na God se hart.  Dit is dan ook die Vader se begeerte dat ons netso een sal wees met Hom as wat hulle Vader Seun en Heilige Gees een is. dat almal een mag wees net soos U, Vader, in My en Ek in U; dat hulle ook in Ons een mag wees, sodat die wêreld kan glo dat U My gestuur het. (John 17:21) Ons moet uiteindelik ook so een wees met mekaar.  Dit beteken dat ons nie langer teen mekaar sal werk nie, maar een van gedagte, hart en optrede sal wees.  Soos die kerk in handelinge, word daar tekens verwys na die merkwaardige eenheid wat tussen die vroeër gelowiges geheers het.  Dit kan hoofsaaklik toegeskryf word aan die openbaarmaking van God deur Sy Gees aan individue regoor die wêreld, wat met God ‘n ontmoeting gehad het.  As dieselfde Gees dan in ons woon hoe kan daar dan verskille wees? En as ‘n koninkryk teen homself verdeeld is, kan daardie koninkryk nie bly staan nie (Mark 3:24)  ‘Self’ bring altyd verdeeldheid.  Maar aan die ander kant moet ons ook weet dat Christus ook verdeeldheid bring.  Tussen die natuurlike vlees mens en die Geestelike gekruisigde lewe.  (Gal 4:21-31)

jy kan nie kruisiging voorgee nie

Onlangs by ‘n predikante byeenkoms toe die vraag gevra word hoekom daar so min eenheid en samewerking tussen kerke is, het een pastoor die volgende geantwoord; “dis omdat daar so baie ongelowiges in kerke en in leierskap strukture van kerke sit.”  Iemand wat met God ‘n ontmoeting gehad het, vir wie die Here ‘n werklikheid geword het doen dinge net anders.  Ons vind dat gelowiges wat ‘n ware verhouding met die Here het en wie se geestelike oë geopen is, alreeds een is, en sommer gou aanklank met mekaar vind oor kerkgrense heen.  Dieselfde Gees woon dan in ons almal en ons behoort dus as ons van dieselfde gees deurdrenk is een van harte te wees.

Dit is belangrik om op hierdie punt uit te wys dat die grootste agent van verdeeldheid in die kerk die ‘natuurlike’ mens is.  Daarom het Jesus, Petrus bestraf dat hy die gedagtes van ‘n mens handhaaf en nie die van God nie.  (Mat 16:23) Hierdie vyandskap was nog altyd in die kerk, tussen die wat veg vir die regte van die mens en die wat self gekruisig het en in gehoorsaamheid van Sy Gees lewe.  “Want hulle wat hulle laat lei deur die Gees is kinders van God.” (Rom 8:14)  Nie elkeen wat vir My sê: Here, Here! sal ingaan in die koninkryk van die hemele nie, maar hy wat die wil doen van my Vader wat in die hemele is. (Mat 7:21)

Ek het in my bediening oor die laaste 20 jaar al honderde kere gehoor hoe persone wat in die kerk groot geword het, gereeld kerk toe gegaan het, selfs op kerkrade gedien het vertel hoe die Here op ‘n spesifieke dag net ‘n werklikheid vir hulle persoonlik geword het.  Hoe is dit dan, dat daar mense in ons geledere is wat God nie ken nie.  Hulle het al van Hom gehoor hulle praat selfs van Hom, maar hulle het Hom nog nooit eerstehands beleef en ervaar nie.  Hierdie godsdienstige mens doen die regte goed, praat die regte goed maar is nie in Sy Gees gekonnekteer met God nie.  Dis wat Jesus vir Nikodemus wou verduidelik wie tog uit die aard van sy beroep, ‘n godvresende en toegewyde persoon was.  EN daar was ’n man uit die Fariseërs met die naam van Nikodémus, ’n owerste van die Jode. (Joh 3:1) Tog sê Jesus duidelik “Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie gebore word uit water en Gees nie, kan hy in die koninkryk van God nie ingaan nie.” (Joh 3:5) Wat beteken dit om in water en gees gebore te wees? Kom ons laat die woord die woord verklaar.  nie op grond van die werke van geregtigheid wat ons gedoen het nie, maar na sy barmhartigheid het Hy ons gered deur die bad van die wedergeboorte en die vernuwing deur die Heilige Gees. (Titus 3:5) Water dui duidelik op wedergeboorte waarvan doop ‘n fisiese teken is en die vervulling of doop van die Heilige Gees. (Mat 3:11) Die meeste Bybel verklaarders maak ook die afleiding.  Wedergeboorte vind plaas deur die saad van die woord wat ontkiem en Sy lewe en karakter in ons openbaar. (1 Pet 1:23) Hierdie is nie noodwendig twee gebeurtenisse nie.  Maar verduidelik bloot die komponente van die proses van wedergeboorte.

Die punt is egter dat hierdie twee persone lynreg teenoor mekaar staan, en dat die een in vyandskap staan met die ander.  Paulus verduidelik dit mooi in (Gal 4:21-29) Julle wat onder die wet wil wees, sê vir my, luister julle nie na die wet nie? Want daar is geskrywe dat Abraham twee seuns gehad het, een uit die slavin en een uit die vrye. Maar die een uit die slavin is gebore na die vlees, en die ander een uit die vrye deur die belofte. Dit is sinnebeelde, want dié vroue staan vir twee verbonde: een, van die berg Sinai afkomstig, wat vir die slawerny kinders baar – dit is Hagar; want Hagar staan vir die berg Sinai in Arabië en kom ooreen met die teenswoordige Jerusalem en is met haar kinders saam in slawerny. Maar Jerusalem daarbo is vry; en dit is die moeder van ons almal. Want daar is geskrywe: Verbly jou, onvrugbare wat nie baar nie; breek uit en roep, jy wat geen barensnood het nie, want die kinders van die eensame is meer as van haar wat ’n man het. Maar ons, broeders, is soos Isak, kinders van die belofte. maar soos destyds hy wat na die vlees gebore is, hom wat na die Gees was, vervolg het, so is dit nou ook. maar soos destyds hy wat na die vlees gebore is, hom wat na die Gees was, vervolg het, so is dit nou ook.

Weereens in 1 Cor 2:1-16 gee Paulus ‘n lang verduidelik oor die onderskeid tussen die gees mens en die natuurlike mens.  Maar die natuurlike mens neem die dinge van die Gees van God nie aan nie; want dit is vir hom dwaasheid, en hy kan dit nie verstaan nie, omdat dit geestelik beoordeel word. (1 Cor 2:14)  Jesus maak dit tog mos ook duidelik dat ‘n slegte boom kan nie goeie vrugte dra nie en andersom.  Die boom se natuur bepaal die vrug.  So bepaal ons nuwe natuur in Christus die ware vrug in ons lewe.  Jy kan dit probeer naboots maar dit hou nie lank nie. Wanneer dit dus oor eenheid gaan, vind ek dat gelowiges oor die hele kerkspektrum nie ‘n probleem het met eenheid en eenwees nie indien ons vanuit hierdie selfde vertrekpunt kyk.

Sekularisme en sakralisme in die kerk het die kerk verarm na ‘n organisasie en struktuur op boeke, die siel van dié kerk is dood, die kandelaar is verwyder, alhoewel die geskiedenis boeke vol getuienisse is van ‘n eertydse passie en soeke na God, is baie kerke vasgevang deur die tradisie en oorlewering van mense.  Sakralisme beteken; Wanneer alle inwoners van ‘n land of streek saamgebind is deur ‘n  Godsdiens wat deur almal geaanvaar word en dit die kulturele aanvaarbare ding word om te doen.  Dis immers mos die kerk so groot opdrag, om die wêreld te kersten en te oortuig van die evangelie. Maar wanneer hierdie kersten proses gepaard gaan met bloot die nakom van reëls en formalisme sonder ware wedergeboorte beland die kerk in die moeilikheid!  Christus het aan ons ‘n hemelse koninkryk verkondig, waaraan elke mens kan behoort maar jy kan alleenlik deel word van hierdie koninkryk deur in Jesus te glo en Hy jou wederbaar.  (Joh3) Bogenoemde punt is ‘n geskil punt wat al menigte verdeeldheid en selfs oorloë as gevolg gehad het.

Die kerk het ‘n instituut en handewerk van ‘n mens geword.  “Ek sal My kerk bou en die hekke van die hel sal nie daarvoor stuit nie.” (Mat 16:18) In Jesaja 66 verklaar God dat Hy nie belangstel in die geboue wat ons vir Hom oprig nie, want Hy het dit self gemaak.  Maar Hy stel belang in die mens wat Hom vrees en met ootmoed dien.  Telkens word daar in die NT verwys na ons as die tempel van die Heilige Gees.

Die term katoliek wat “algemeen” beteken is in teenstelling met dié Woord.  Die Bybel praat van die uitverkore kerk, heilige priesterdom, gemeente van die eersgeborenes. Die idee dat iemand hom of haarself as lid van hierdie liggaam kan toe-eien sonder wedergeboorte is verregaande! Almal kan nie maar net aan die kerk behoort sonder dat die voorwaardes van die skrif nagekom is nie.  God is besig om vir Hom ’n volk te versamel, ’n geestelike Israel, ’n Ekklesia van mense wat uit die wêreld geroep is om Sy heilige priesterdom en bruid te wees.

Sonder geloof kan niemand God behaag nie. (Heb 11:6)  Telkens is by die kerk gevoeg die wat tot geloof gekom het.  Geloof egter wat se werke en vrug getuig van die openbaarmaking van Christus in jou lewe.  Baie mense in die kerk glo in God, en glo dat die Here hulle red en salig maak, maar hulle het nog nie die belofte in besit geneem nie.  Dis een ding om te glo en ‘n ander om op te tree in die geloof.  Geloof is ‘n aksie.

Ek kan elke dag my sonde bely, maar nie verander nie.  Ek moet dus glo, my geloof uitspreek soos die geloofshelde van Hebreërs 11 en in gehoorsaamheid dit doen wat ek glo.  Gehoorsaamheid is die werkwoord van my geloof.  Petrus het geglo hy sal ook op die water kan loop, toe hy vra en Jesus antwoord kom, moes hy volgens sy geloof opstaan en oor die rand van die skuit klim en op die water trap.  Soveel mense glo, maar het nog nooit oor die rand geklim nie!

Wanneer ek glo en die woord doen, word die woord vlees in my lewe.  Ons wil met teologiese redenasies onsself regverdig om nie te doen nie.  Ons soek eintlik na verskonings vir die geheime vrees in ons binnekant om te waag om Hom te gehoorsaam.  Om in gehoorsaamheid aan God se stem te lewe is nie maklik vir die vlees nie, Hy vra soms dat jy op de grond spoeg en modder met jou spoeg maak en dit op die oë van ‘n blinde man sit.  Dit mag beteken dat Hy jou vra om al jou besittings te verkoop en die opbrengs vir die armes te gee en Hom te volg.  Dit is waarom selfverloëning ‘n voorvereiste is om sy dissipel te word, anders gaan jy gedurig aanstoot neem oor dit wat hy van jou vra.

God het alreeds die opdragte gegee, hy het klaar beweeg, hy het alreeds die prys betaal en die belofte en gawes van redding vir ons beskikbaar gestel ons moet net opstaan en dit deur die geloof in besit neem.

Die leraars van die kerk moet deur die visier van die kruis begin dink en redeneer.  want ek het my voorgeneem om niks anders onder julle te weet nie as Jesus Christus, en Hom as gekruisigde.  (1 Cor 2:2) Soos die haarnaald in die teleskoop van ’n geweer moet ons leer om na alles deur die kruis te kyk.  Ons kan niks anders preek as Jesus as die gekruisigde en dat Hy opgestaan het as die eersteling van baie seuns.

Kom ons neem byvoorbeeld leiding en swaarkry in die kerk.  Paulus gee nie goedkoop sewe stappe hoe om in alles wat jy doen suksesvol te wees nie.  Hy was in elk geval nie so suksesvol volgens vandag se predikers wat net oorvloed en rykdom verkondig se standaarde nie.  Nee hy se: “NOU verbly ek my in my lyding vir julle en vul in my vlees aan die oorblyfsels van die verdrukkinge van Christus vir sy liggaam, wat die gemeente is”. (Col 1:24) Ons wil ons uit leiding en verdrukking red nie, maar ons daardeur neem sodat die vyand geen houvas op ons meer kan hê nie.  Die meeste van die tyd kos dit eers iemand om alles te verloor alvorens hulle die rykdom van die koninkryk ontdek.  Paulus sien sy leiding in perspektief van die liggaam, want hy het geleer dat sy lewe as ’n drankoffer uitgegiet is vir die kerk.  Elke lid in die liggaam bestaan vir die liggaam en tot diens van die liggaam.  Ons het geen bestaansreg sonder die Liggaam nie.  Gehoorsaamheid beteken nie dat jy altyd net lekker dinge sal beleef nie.  Gehoorsaamheid beteken nie noodwendig aardse sukses nie.   Daar is ’n verskil om swaar te kry omdat jy nie wou luister nie, en omdat jy ongehoorsaam was.  Dit is iets anders.  Maar God gebruik leiding om ons volwasse te maak en ons karakter te ontwikkel om die seën van Sy heerlikheid te kan dra.  Leiding gee jou diepte en bring ’n geestelike gewig in die Gees mee.  Jy word nie langer rondgeslinger deur omstandighede en die stories van mense nie.  Jy is geanker in jou gees.  Leiding bring outoriteit.  Geen ware outoriteit kom op enige ander manier nie.  Ook hierin was Jesus ons voorbeeld.  Hy, al was Hy die Seun, het gehoorsaamheid geleer uit wat Hy gely het; en nadat Hy volmaak is, het Hy vir almal wat Hom gehoorsaam is, ’n bewerker van ewige saligheid geword (Heb 5:8-9) Dis in leiding waar God ons bevry van allerhande vrese.  Dit wat jy vrees sal jy kry en is nog jou God.  In leiding word ons met hierdie vrese gekonfronteer totdat ons na God uitroep en op Hom alleen vertrou.  So verloor dood, armoede, konflik en vervolging sy angel en word ons bevry van elke vashouplek wat satan hoegenaamd in ons kan hê.

Die Wêreld sien met reikhalsende verlange uit na die openbaarmaking van die volwasse seuns van God wat nie hulle koninkryke bou nie maar elkeen ’n bydrae lewe dat die koninkryk van God deur hulle gebou word.  ’n gekruisigde lewe is die produk van God wat oor die wêreld versprei moet word, in elke huis en werksplek.  Die kerk misverteenwoordig die Beeld van God terwyl self nog regeer.  Maar hoe meer ons kies om self neer te lê, hoe meer duideliker word Christus sigbaar in ons lewe.  Weereens ons kan nie onsself kruisig nie, maar ons kan oorgee!  Let go and let God!

LIEFDE maak ‘n weg

Jon Foreman sing ‘n liedjie: “education” https://music.apple.com/za/album/education/1545941558?i=1545941578

In hierdie liedjie vertel hy: “we loose yourself when you love someone”

Geen mens kon nog ooit voor ‘n lewende God se tasbare bekendmaking op sy voete bly staan nie! Wanneer Vader God in Christus Jesus deur die Heilige Gees ‘n werklikheid word, verdwyn self en ego soos mis voor die Son.  Wanneer ons die Here liefhet met ons hele hart, siel, krag en verstand verdwyn self. Wanneer ons besef hoe hoog, ver, wyd en diep Sy liefde strek – verdwyn self. Wanneer ek iemand werklik liefhet, en bemin – verdwyn self!

Mag almal die verwondering beleef om Jesus te ken en te volg! Jesus ons Here!

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God favours the not-good-enough

God favors the not-the-good-enough! David was not Samuel’s first choice. (1 Sam 16) Paul reminds the church in Corinth, “Not too many wise and noble” (1 Cor 1:26) The disciples Jesus chose did not make the mark of the Rabbi’s who would visit every town, searching for possible young candidates to follow in their footsteps. Jesus entrusted the disciples with the building of the doctrinal foundations of the early church, being His eternal witnesses! He did not choose the best theologians, Rabbis and Pharisees for this job, but fishermen, zealots, a doctor and a tax collector.

The OT Priests came from the tribe of Levy. When Jacobs blessed his sons, he did not speak a blessing over Levi. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company.
For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. (Gen 49:6)

A couple of generations later Moses blessed the tribe of Levi. And of Levi he said, “Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one, whom you tested at Massah, with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah; who said of his father and mother, ‘I regard them not’; he disowned his brothers and ignored his children. For they observed your word and kept your covenant. They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless, O Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again.” (Deut 33:8-11) The Tribe of Levi was not afraid to stand for God, against their fellowmen-men when they made a golden calve.

Sometimes because of failing too many times, we give up the hope and the likelihood of ever being holy again. We accept our stain, as part of our DNA. Paul explains that “Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Rom 7:20. I have heard so many people repent saying; “This is not who I am!”  God did not create us to be sinners; he created us in His image!

Sin is a distortion of that Godly image. While on the path of sin, We eventually believe in this distorted picture of sin (mistaken identity).

Seeking His righteousness, leads us on a different path, where we behold Him, and we are changed from Glory to glory. “and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18) The devil reminds you of your sinfulness, Jesus reminds you of your destiny. (Rom 8:29)

David most likely wrote:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! (Ps 139), long after his sin with Betsheba,

Does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Sometimes we want to lower God’s standards so that we can attain them instead of believing and receiving His righteousness that enables us to do the impossible. “But He said, What is impossible with men is possible with God” Luk 18:27 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” John 1:12 His gift of righteousness is the power you need to overcome weakness and destructive patterns in your life! (2 Cor 5:21)

Turn to God, and look into His eyes, you will not see judgment in His eyes. The woman who was caught in the act of adultery, had no defense, no justification, no excuses, she was ready to receive only punishment. Jesus said to her: “I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11) No mistake you have made can prevent you from coming to the throne of Grace. “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Heb 4:16

He wants to enable and empower you through His grace to live a holy and pure life. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Phil 2:13

God wants to use your mistake and failure to encourage and help others to also come to His throne of Grace. Your failure and triumph in Him become your testimony and your message!

Come today and turn away from you sin, and the path of destruction that you are on. Come and make peace with God, let Him put you on a new path of righteousness and holiness in HIM. Repent and see the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. He is here!

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Happily forever after… is a Choice

????Wanneer happily forever after eindig in die land of forgetfulness!????
Lieflike vroue! Ek glo dit gaan goed! Heel waarskynlik is jou dag of week nie probleemvry nie, en dan wil ons vir mekaar sê, welcome to my world, our world. Ek is ‘n vrou met haar oë gevestig op die Here. Ek is ‘n vrou soos jy wat elke dag uitdagings het. Ek is nie ‘n blogger nie, ek’s nie bekend of vreeslik interessant nie. Ek’s nie eers fancy nie, ek is net ‘n vrou. ‘n Vrou van God, en ‘n vrou vir my man Jan.
Die wese van ons vrouwees, menswees raak my diep, en daarom die skrywe.
Ek is doodgewoon, ek skryf sommer in Afrikaans en Engels, sommer in een nota.  Ek is nie altyd gehoorsaam aan dit wat ek weet reg is vir my lyf of my gees nie, ek maak foute, ek sê jammer, en soms maak ek weer dieselfde foute. En tog is ek diep bewus en afhanklik van die Here. Want ek weet net Hy het die vermoë om my beter te maak, wonderlik te maak, soos HY. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Ek het onlangs ‘n vroue oggend gehou met die tema : Wonderful.  Die van julle wat my goed ken sal weet dat die Saterdag se bediening nogal moeilik was. Die vyand wou regtig nie hê die woord moes afgelewer word nie! Maar Jesus is groter, en ten spyte van ‘n wag voor my mond (dit is die beste beskrywing wat ek tans het) het Hy Sy wonderful werk gedoen. Ons was getoets aan ons eie woorde : It doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Terwyl ek bedien het, het iets gebeur wat ek nog nooit beleef het (terwyl ek bedien nie).  Ek het ‘n visioen (soos ‘n rolprent gesien) waarin die Heilige Gees vir my dinge ‘wys’ (soos in die Boere-oorlog) NB – hierdie het egter niks te doen met politiek of die Engelse nie ???? maar die geestelike oorlog waarin ons is, soos die manne verlam en swak gemaak is deur die vroue en kinders in konsentrasie kampe te sit, gaan die vyand ‘n sterk aanval loods teen ons mans (Jesus vra ons as Hy weer kom, sal Hy nog geloof op die aarde vind?). Die vyand hou daarvan om ons gevange te hou. Manne se geloof sal lou word deur dit wat rondom hul gebeur, net eers dit … en toe vanoggend rondom 04:00 gaan die visioen voort en sien ek manne, vroue en kinders met bebloede klere (egskeiding is soos geweld, soos om ‘n bloedbaadjie aan te trek). Ek sien manne, vroue en kinders ontnugter, sonder geloof, flou in die geloof. Oop targets vir die vyand. Ek hoor hoe die Heilige Gees my bemoedig om aan te hou praat oor verbond, aan te hou om vroue te equip, lief te hê en te waarsku. Bewaar jou hart meer as enige iets, want daaruit is die oorsprong van lewe! Veral wanneer jy swaar trek, emosioneel, finansieël of fisies alleen is, of net alleen voel. Die vyand is slu, en hy is die vader van leuens! Verander jou dialoog, jou self-talk, neem jou gedagtes gevange. Rig dit op God se Woord, daarin is die oorsprong van lewe. Moenie jouself bejammer nie, die vyand spesialiseer in ‘simpatie’. Hy wil kom vir ons mans, die hoofde van ons huise, die beskermers en voorsieners, en hy kom net om te verwoes! Hy wil die liefling van jou hart teen jou gebruik! Kom ons wees wakker, sonder vrees, maar uiters waaksaam. SY perfekte liefde verdryf alle vrees. (1 Joh 4:18) Ons is ons mans se helpers, hul volmakers. Kyk wat is in jou hart, en draai jou hart gedurig na jou Eerste bruidegom, dan na jou aardse liefling. Die vyand haat God se gesin. Die Vader, onse Vader, se hart is egter gesin! Sy hart is vir ons. Ons hoef nie in die land van forgetfulness (vergetelheid) te woon nie. (Ps 88:12) Sy naam is Wonderful, en Hy het ‘n wonderlike hoopvolle toekoms!
Niemand van ons trou tog met ‘n skei-mentaliteit nie. Ons hoop en glo ons storie is die “they lived happily after storie” … en tog lyk die realiteit so anders. Ons stoei in die huwelik, met mekaar, met emosies, met min geld,  soms te veel geld, die kinders, skoonouers, ons werk en soveel meer ‘afhanklikes’ wat ons besig hou, ons tyd nodig het. En in al hierdie take (balle wat ons in die lug probeer hou), verloor ons soms so ‘n stukkie van onsself, die misterie van vrouwees. Ons voel nie altyd ge-waardeer of geliefd nie. En is dit juis in hierdie onbewaakte oomblikke van jou hart wat die vyand inkom en sy aanval loots.  Dit is gewoonlik baie subtiel, dit is juis nou dat ons ons harte moet bewaak. Dit is in hierdie oomblikke wat ons nie ons gedagtes net vrye teuels kan gee nie, nee ons moet ons gedagtes gevange neem. Ons moet ons gedagtes bind aan die woord van God, aan Sy gedagtes. Is dit altyd maklik, nee verseker nie, net moontlik. Hy is, is die great enabler. Hy help ons, en maak dit vir ons moontlik om die wêreld, en ons eie verkeerde gedagtes te oorwin.
Hy wil in die tyd wanneer ons na Hom toe draai, by Hom skuil, Sy karakter wat wonderful is, aan ons bekend maak, sodat ons kan wegstap van die (place of forgetfulness), sodat ons uit die plek van die ‘dood’ kan kom, na die lewe, waar Hy is. As jy saam met Jesus uit die land van forgetfulness kom, is die lewe beslis nie perfek nie, (kom ons jok nou nie vir mekaar nie), jy sal net ‘n nuwe vlak van wonderful ontdek.
Wonderful beteken : Excellent; great; marvelous: Amazing ; astonishing ; To be filled with admiration, amazement!
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
JESUS word genoem: Sar Shalom – die Prins van vrede. God IS in beheer!!!! Selfs in ons vreesagtigste en hartseerste tyd!
“And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?” Judges 13:18 NKJV
“Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalms 119:129-130 NKJV
“This also comes from the LORD of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.” Isaiah 28:29 NKJV
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”  Psalms 139:14-15 NKJV
Ons is voorwaar wonderbaarlik geskape, Marvelous are Your works … iets van daardie mooi en awesomeness is ook in jou en my. Sonde, ons verkeerde besluite en eet van die appel van kennis van goed en kwaad, neem iets van daardie heerlikheid weg, ons verloor ons glans, ons vrymoedigheid, ons verloor Sy heerlikheid.  Ons moet ons mans vry maak van ons perfekte verwagtings, vryspreek van perfek wees, voorsien, gee van hulself. He doesn’t need to be perfect, to be wonderful.
Moenie dit wat kosbaar en wonderlik is, weggee nie. Bewaar jou hart. Selfs al is jy met ‘n moeilike man getroud. As vroue loop ons verseker nie almal dieselfde pad nie. Dit voel of party van ons ingeskryf is vir die advanced kursus. Ek weet dit, elkeen van ons sal voor hindernisse te staan kom, elkeen van ons sal weer ons harte moet vasbind aan ons geliefde, want ons kry seer, en ons maak seer. Ek weet dat Sy perfekte liefde en genade (Sy amazing grace) genoeg vir jou sal wees, vir my sal wees. Sy genade gee ons die bonatuurlike vermoë om die vyand/die verkeerd te oorwin.
“Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?” Psalms 88:12 NKJV
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” Psalms 75:1
“WONDER upon WONDER”
Isaiah 29:14-16 (ESV) therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; …
Geliefde vroue, vroue van die Here, kom ons bid gedurig vir mekaar. Kom ons wees eerlik met ons harte en emosies. Ons doen wat reg is, en laat ons nie lei deur hoe ons voel nie. Kom ons bewaar ons harte, sodat daar oor ons staan : unavailable. (vir ander mans, en die vyand se leuens). J
❤Wonderful Gedig – geskryf vir Saterdag 13 Mei 2017 se wonderlike vroue oggend.
 
U word genoem Wonderful, counselor en mighty God!
Here, ek wil dit so graag glo
Maar hier in die land van forgetfulness
Waar ek nou al so lank woon
Het ek gewoond geraak
aan die vyand se leuens en hoon
Ek is onseker, Here ek het gefouteer
Wysheid het plek gemaak vir die doodsgeur, die doodsreuk
Kan ek regtig net kom
Here, kan ek net kom aansit by U tafel
U tafel van genade, versoening en
Vergifnis, ook vir my
Twyfel, shame en sonde hou my weg!
Here asb vergewe my!
O jinne, Wat gaan die mense sê?
Ek draai weg van rede
En ontmoet die Prins van vrede
Vandag Here, lig ek my oë op na U
en U buig, en U buig om my te ontmoet!
Want U word genoem,
Wonderful, counselor en mighty God!
 

Categories
Sermons

Eternal Perspectives – Eternal Judgement

Eternal judgment is one of the basic doctrines of the church of God. Hebrews 6:1-2. Eternal judgment is equal in importance to repentance, faith, baptism, etc. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines judgment as “a legal decision, order or sentence given by a judge.” In eternal judgment, God decides a person’s reward or punishment for all eternity.

The word “judgement” occurs 293 times in the Bible, whereas “grace” appears 166 times and “love” 304 times. God is trying to warn us of the impending judgement. The word Judgement in Greek has something to do with a crisis. It denotes a separation which leads to a decision or bringing to trial (Gr: Krisis). A crisis happens when you’ve ignored something long enough that it demands immediate attention.

PAST JUDGEMENT

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:17-19

John 5:24 If you have Everlasting Life you shall not come into condemnation. The judgement was at the Cross. Satan was judged and his power was broken. The sins of the world were judged and put away as Christ became sin for us. When we believe what Christ did for you and accept it as a gift from God you no longer walk in condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)

Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified) Gal 3:13 AMPLIFIED

True believers have no fear of judgement – A man once came to the famous evangelist, D. L. Moody, and said that he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked him, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was,” the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” Our salvation doesn’t rest on our feelings, but on Christ our Savior. If we’re in Him, we’re secure and protected from the storm of judgment that is coming on the world. Our feelings rest on the absolutely truthful promises of Jesus.

1 John 4:17-19 no fear for Judgement – LOVE

PRESENT JUDGEMENT

Athletes use exercise judgements to improve their performance.

David loved God’s Judgments!

Psalms 18:22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.

Psalms 19:9-10 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

David sings a song on God’s Judgments, about how he loves it! Psalms 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52, 62, 66, 75, 102, 106, 108, 137, 156, 160, 164, 175

This is why we receive correction from mature believers to guide us in the truth.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb 12:11

FUTURE JUDGEMENT

Judgment seat of Christ: Those judged here will be all true believers: …We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10) …For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.(II Corinthians 5:10)

The Great White Throne judgment is recorded in Revelation 20:11-15. The unrighteous will be judged and because of their sin cast into a lake of fire along with Satan and his angels.

WHAT WILL BE JUDGED AT THE SEAT OF CHRIST?

Rom 2:6-8 “will render to each one according to his deeds”:

Rev 2:23 “give to each one of you according to your works.”

Mat 12:36 “Give account: for every idle word man speaks”

Heb 4:13 give account for my life

1 Pet 4:5 give account for my life

Mat 25 Parable of virgins, talents, judging between sheep and goats is all about giving account of our lives in the end. The account is the disciples we have made, that were destined to be drawn to God through our obedience.  (Mat 28:19) Ultimately judging between the sheep and the goats. “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Mat 25:37-40

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. John 15:1-2

God expects us to carry the fruit of Christ in our lives!! Being fruitful and mature in Christ is the ultimate goal and destiny God has with us. Christlikeness is the fruits of righteousness. Gal 5:22

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Mat 7:19

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mar 4:20

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Rom 6:22

AREAS OF JUDGEMENT AND REWARDS

FOR THE BELIEVER.

SCRIPTURE JUDGEMENT REWARD
James 1:12

Revelation 2:10

FAITHFULNESS (Even unto death)

Overcome Temptation

CROWN OF LIFE
1 Peter

5:2-4

SERVANTHOOD

(Head of the flock)

CROWN OF GLORy
2 Timothy 4:7-8

 

PURITY & RIGHTEOUSNESS

(Fight the good fight of faith)

CROWN OF RIGHT LIVING
1 Thessalonians 2:19 SOUL WINNING

(Our hope)

CROWN OF REJOICING
1 Corinthians 9:25

 

DISCIPLINE CROWN OF INCORRUPTIBLE NESS
Categories
Sermons

Exposing the spirit of Entitlement

There is a culture of entitlement in South Africa contributing to the country’s rise in violent crime. This is according to national police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s analysis of the country’s crime statistics released in parliament on Tuesday. Phiyega believed the situation was further exacerbated by the lack of balance between citizens’ rights and responsibilities. “A culture of entitlement has risen in the country that apparently justifies almost any action taken to address grievances and promote own interests. Communities have to take ownership of their own best interests including the creation of an environment free of crime and fear.”

Pride – It is an iceberg. The danger of an iceberg is not its great strength, but that its strength is hidden. Likewise, pride exists in the unseen realm of the heart. Though glimpses of it are seen in the realm of the actions, the staggering and destructive power of pride lies hidden in the shadows of the heart. (kellyneedham.com)

“I’m at the front of the line, you can’t cut me. I deserve to be here because I got there first.”

“I deserve some pleasure and me-time”

“I should have received that reward”

“I will take what I want”

“I deserve this, because…”

ENTITLEMENT IS THE BELIEF THAT YOU DESERVE TO BE GIVEN SOMETHING

compensation; claim; repayment; retaliation; retribution; revenge; rights; vengeance; what is coming to one

: the right to guaranteed benefits under a government program, as Social Security or unemployment compensation.

Luke 18:28-30 Lord, we have also given up everything

Isa 14:14-15 Lucifer

Mat 16:24-27 He who tries to save his live will loose it.

James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. (NLT)

David: 1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22 a man after my own heart

Entitlement explained in Nathan’s Story to King David: 2 Sam 12:1-9 Later in David’s repentance he know God’s heart, and came to truth: For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Ps 51:3 God looks at: The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

The offspring of David’s entitlement attitude produced that same spirit in his children.

Ammon and Tamar – Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. 2 Sam 13:1-22

Absolom –  As they were on the way back to Jerusalem, this report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one is left alive!” The king got up, tore his robe, and threw himself on the ground. His advisers also tore their clothes in horror and sorrow. 2 Samuel 13:30-31 (NLT)

Even David’s son Solomon, who would succeed David as king, repeated the sins of his father many times over—Deuteronomy 17:16-17, 1 Kings 11)

HOW DO WE BECOME ENTITLED??

1) UNMET EXPECTATIONS are our first glimpse of entitlement: a sense that we deserve marriage, kids, more money, or a better job. A feeling that God owes it to you.

2) COMPARISON fuels the fire of pride and brings entitlement into the light. The sense of entitlement is particularly strong when that person seems less worthy than you in some way: If so-and-so (who is way less spiritual/good/Christian than I am) is getting that much, then I certainly deserve that!” A comparative heart will always be an entitled heart.

3) The subtlest variety of entitlement shows up in SUFFERING. Of course, all suffering is an occasion for grief and sorrow. But in the midst of the loss and pain, we all too often give pride a free pass to grow. Your teenage child is rejecting the faith, “but I’m entitled to have saved children.”

4) ME-DOM

At the core of our obsession with self is a belief of entitlement. I want something, then perceive that I need the thing that I want, then proceed to do what I have to do to get it… and continue to do what I have to do to keep it, and to do what I have to do to get more of it. If I want to feel something (i.e., pleasure, happy) I will do what I have to do. It is the same for eliminating the thing from my life that I do not want. I will do what I have to do. If I don’t want to feel something (i.e., pain, sad) I will do what I have to do. It’s what we do. We can’t help ourselves.

THE ANTIDOTE

Luckily for us, there is a solution to this sin of entitlement. It’s called generosity. Rather than wallowing in our bitterness for not “getting what we deserve”, we should pour our time into giving to others.

You cannot be generous and at the same time feel entitled!

Jesus was entitled to call on the help of 12 legions of angels, Matthew 26:53 yet He surrendered to the will of the Father and gave His life for the sin of the World.

The 24 elders fell down and cast their crowns before him. Rev 4:10 Leadership in the NT is a constant casting down of crowns, not holding onto honor, position, and praise of men.

BY giving to others, helping and serving others, not seeking any selfish gain we align ourselves with the life and will of Jesus, and thus will also be eternally rewarded with Him. Our reward is in heaven. Mat 5:12; 46; 6:1-6 

“Man is not, by nature, deserving of all that he wants. When we think that we are automatically entitled to something, that is when we start walking all over others to get it.” Criss Jami,

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” Abraham Lincoln

“What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” Brené Brown

“When we replace a sense of service and gratitude with a sense of entitlement and expectation, we quickly see the demise of our relationships, society, and economy.” Steve Maraboli

“Everybody deserves love, but nobody is entitled to it.” Katerina Stoykova Klemer

“Society nowadays tells people that their happiness is all that matters but happiness is never found if it costs someone else’s theirs. That is not what happiness is, nor would such a person deserve it, because happiness is forged by the setting aside of self and in doing for others to make them happy first and foremost, so if you have to hurt another human being to “find your happiness,” then you have no clue what the word actually means or what it’s willing to do, and in being so self-centered and entitled, it’s veritably tragic that the only care and concern you have is for yourself.” Donna Lynn Hope

“Rewards are not an entitlement, they have to be deserved, they have to be earned.” Murad S. Shah

“You don’t build a family by tearing down another one.” Donna Lynn Hope

Categories
Sermons

Learn to love and honor God’s Judgments

Love and honor God’s Judgments

We live in an age where the following statement has never been more accurate and relevant; “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25 We have more information availible than ever yet people appear to be entirely ignorant of their lifestyle decisions, and it’s consequences. Our alienation from God and Truth has set us onto a course of deep darkness.

The sad truth though is that many Christians and believers are also just as ignorant of their behavior, habits, and incompetence in certain areas. This ignorance became very apparent to us in our recent encounters to Uganda. These are beautiful people, but they are totally ignorant of their incompetence in the workplace. Maybe in some way this is a good thing, for ignorance is bliss. Samuel Lwandasa, who have lived in the USA for more than 15 years relayed a little story to explain the problem with Africans. One man has five cows, he is very proud and feels like a wealthy man, because his neigbor only has two. Not realizing there are people who have more than thousand cows.

Against this backdrop of Earthly reality, I see in the scriptures an incredible hidden truth.

David loved God’s Judgments!

Psalms 18:22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.

Psalms 19:9-10 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

David sings a song on God’s Judgments, about how he loves it! Psalms 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52, 62, 66, 75, 102, 106, 108, 137, 156, 160, 164, 175

Loving Judgements is a difficult concept to comprehend at first; most children writing exams surely cannot agree that they love it! We as adults are not far behind; we’re just happy that we do not have to write them anymore. An interesting read on the subject is the study done by Justin Kruger and David Dunning.

People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains. The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it. Across 4 studies, the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability. Although their test scores put them in the 12th percentile, they estimated themselves to be in the 62nd. Several analyses linked this miscalibration to deficits in metacognitive skill, or the capacity to distinguish accuracy from error. Paradoxically, improving the skills of participants, and thus increasing their metacognitive competence, helped them recognize the limitations of their abilities. 1

I also remember a most interesting TED talk, we reviewed in BibleSchool class on Being Wrong by Kathryn Schulz. https://youtu.be/QleRgTBMX88 She explained how like the Wolf in the Road Runner animation, we run over the edge believing we can walk on air, to then suddenly realize we’re dead wrong. We all have moments like this, and it is what makes us human. The problem is when decision makers are wrong and want others to believe their error. Not knowing I am wrong, is possible one of our biggest handicaps.

Seek criticism from friends and peers

Elon Musk explains in an interview about Starting up a new business on how important it is to seek Criticism. 2 He calls it “rigorous self-analysis.” Obviously, you should ignore the ignorance of people that do not understand your cause and is just sowing doubt and unbelief. Learn and attract criticism from your friends, invite them to speak into your life. Make yourself vulnerable. Prayerfully extract the gold from every criticism, reproof, rebuke, admonishment, exhortation that comes your way. Say thank you, the person correcting you is taking a significant risk, and a show of courage to point out a possible error.

Peer review analyses: Because it ‘s hard for most professionals to recognize and improve on their weaknesses on their own, aviation has developed structured mechanisms of check questions to a relative peer. Like flight attendants checking each other on door closing procedures, Pilots going through checklists with Co-pilot etc, and flight crew awareness of problems reported to the captain. This system was only introduced after the fatal crash of Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 514, a Boeing 727 inbound from Columbus, Ohio, that was scheduled to land at Washington National Airport. The crew had flown a normally functioning Boeing 727 aircraft into a hill at an altitude of 1669 feet, just short of the hill’s peak of 1764 feet. The 85 passengers and seven crew members died in a horrific fiery crash 29 miles northwest of Dulles International Airport. Human error and Pilot’s misunderstanding each other was the cause of this accident.

How many people have suffered terrible harm because of the absence of correction in the offender’s life?

Elite athletes, musicians, and other top performers understand that excellence occurs through extensive study and practice, with constant feedback, and by adopting techniques and tools that have led to others’ success. For elite performers, this extends well beyond the formal training period. (An entire scientific discipline is devoted to this topic, as detailed by Ericsson 34.)

 Maybe this is why Weigh-less is so successful in helping people loose weight, the weekly weigh-ins.  The AA has sponsors.  Covenant eyes provide a accountability software program for Internet Porn Addicts, where you share your online traffic with a partner.

Take regular tests, to evaluate your ability, performance, and development.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified 2 Corinthians 13:5. Doing inward self-analysis is fruitless and futile. Paul says that he does not even judge himself. 1 Corinthians 4:3. Judgment has to be external. Our own hearts are too deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9.

The Word and the Spirit is the perfect Judge

Jesus learned His judgment from the Father. Do not trust your own judgment, seek His judgment. John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 8:15-16 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.

The more we Study the Word, the better we can judge. The Word is a discerner. Hebrews 4:12. Like not judging a matter by the first testimony, cross-examine and then make a conclusion. Proverbs 18:17.

David made several prayer requests to God to search Him, test Him and examine him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, Ps 139:23

The judgment of the Father

In recent times so many worship songs focus on loving God, and His amazing enduring love for us. Although this is important, yet the context of our relationship is always explained in terms of that of a disciple, a bond-slave, a child, a friend. Even our love is contextualized: if you love me you will obey my commandments. John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

We do not fear His judgment because of His perfect love. 1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Love is made perfect through obedience. Hebrews 5:8.

Having God as our Father, does not only mean we are now protected, He will take care of everything. It means He will correct us, chastise, and rebuke us if nessasary.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-7

See Prov 15:31-32 Today’s scripture reading…

  1. “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments” Justin Kruger and David Dunning Cornell University  ↩︎
  2. Elon Musk https://youtu.be/NU7W7qe2R0A “Constantly seek criticism” 11minutes into video 
  3. Ericsson KA. The influence of experience and deliberate practice on the development of superior expert performance. In: , Ericsson KA. ed. The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. New YorkNew York: Cambridge University Press, 2006; 683–704. CrossRef
Categories
Sermons

Learn to love and honor God's Judgments

Love and honor God’s Judgments

We live in an age where the following statement has never been more accurate and relevant; “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25 We have more information available than ever yet people appear to be entirely ignorant of their lifestyle decisions, and it’s consequences. Our alienation from God and Truth has set us onto a course of deep darkness.
The sad truth though is that many Christians and believers are also just as ignorant of their behavior, habits, and incompetence in certain areas. This ignorance became very apparent to us in our recent encounters to Uganda. These are beautiful people, but they are totally ignorant of their incompetence in the workplace. Maybe in some way this is a good thing, for ignorance is bliss. Samuel Lwandasa, who have lived in the USA for more than 15 years relayed a little story to explain the problem with Africans. One man has five cows, he is very proud and feels like a wealthy man, because his neigbor only has two. Not realizing there are people who have more than thousand cows.
Against this backdrop of Earthly reality, I see in the scriptures an incredible hidden truth.
David loved God’s Judgments!
Psalms 18:22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.
Psalms 19:9-10 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
David sings a song on God’s Judgments, about how he loves it! Psalms 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52, 62, 66, 75, 102, 106, 108, 137, 156, 160, 164, 175
Loving Judgements is a difficult concept to comprehend at first; most children writing exams surely cannot agree that they love it! We as adults are not far behind; we’re just happy that we do not have to write them anymore. An interesting read on the subject is the study done by Justin Kruger and David Dunning.

People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains. The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it. Across 4 studies, the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability. Although their test scores put them in the 12th percentile, they estimated themselves to be in the 62nd. Several analyses linked this miscalibration to deficits in metacognitive skill, or the capacity to distinguish accuracy from error. Paradoxically, improving the skills of participants, and thus increasing their metacognitive competence, helped them recognize the limitations of their abilities. 1

I also remember a most interesting TED talk, we reviewed in BibleSchool class on Being Wrong by Kathryn Schulz. https://youtu.be/QleRgTBMX88 She explained how like the Wolf in the Road Runner animation, we run over the edge believing we can walk on air, to then suddenly realize we’re dead wrong. We all have moments like this, and it is what makes us human. The problem is when decision makers are wrong and want others to believe their error. Not knowing I am wrong, is possible one of our biggest handicaps.

Seek criticism from friends and peers

Elon Musk explains in an interview about Starting up a new business on how important it is to seek Criticism. 2 He calls it “rigorous self-analysis.” Obviously, you should ignore the ignorance of people that do not understand your cause and is just sowing doubt and unbelief. Learn and attract criticism from your friends, invite them to speak into your life. Make yourself vulnerable. Prayerfully extract the gold from every criticism, reproof, rebuke, admonishment, exhortation that comes your way. Say thank you, the person correcting you is taking a significant risk, and a show of courage to point out a possible error.
Peer review analyses: Because it ‘s hard for most professionals to recognize and improve on their weaknesses on their own, aviation has developed structured mechanisms of check questions to a relative peer. Like flight attendants checking each other on door closing procedures, Pilots going through checklists with Co-pilot etc, and flight crew awareness of problems reported to the captain. This system was only introduced after the fatal crash of Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 514, a Boeing 727 inbound from Columbus, Ohio, that was scheduled to land at Washington National Airport. The crew had flown a normally functioning Boeing 727 aircraft into a hill at an altitude of 1669 feet, just short of the hill’s peak of 1764 feet. The 85 passengers and seven crew members died in a horrific fiery crash 29 miles northwest of Dulles International Airport. Human error and Pilot’s misunderstanding each other was the cause of this accident.
How many people have suffered terrible harm because of the absence of correction in the offender’s life?

Elite athletes, musicians, and other top performers understand that excellence occurs through extensive study and practice, with constant feedback, and by adopting techniques and tools that have led to others’ success. For elite performers, this extends well beyond the formal training period. (An entire scientific discipline is devoted to this topic, as detailed by Ericsson 34.)

 Maybe this is why Weigh-less is so successful in helping people loose weight, the weekly weigh-ins.  The AA has sponsors.  Covenant eyes provide a accountability software program for Internet Porn Addicts, where you share your online traffic with a partner.

Take regular tests, to evaluate your ability, performance, and development.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified 2 Corinthians 13:5. Doing inward self-analysis is fruitless and futile. Paul says that he does not even judge himself. 1 Corinthians 4:3. Judgment has to be external. Our own hearts are too deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9.

The Word and the Spirit is the perfect Judge

Jesus learned His judgment from the Father. Do not trust your own judgment, seek His judgment. John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 8:15-16 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
The more we Study the Word, the better we can judge. The Word is a discerner. Hebrews 4:12. Like not judging a matter by the first testimony, cross-examine and then make a conclusion. Proverbs 18:17.
David made several prayer requests to God to search Him, test Him and examine him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, Ps 139:23

The judgment of the Father

In recent times so many worship songs focus on loving God, and His amazing enduring love for us. Although this is important, yet the context of our relationship is always explained in terms of that of a disciple, a bond-slave, a child, a friend. Even our love is contextualized: if you love me you will obey my commandments. John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
We do not fear His judgment because of His perfect love. 1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Love is made perfect through obedience. Hebrews 5:8.
Having God as our Father, does not only mean we are now protected, He will take care of everything. It means He will correct us, chastise, and rebuke us if nessasary.
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-7
See Prov 15:31-32 Today’s scripture reading…

  1. “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments” Justin Kruger and David Dunning Cornell University  ↩︎
  2. Elon Musk https://youtu.be/NU7W7qe2R0A “Constantly seek criticism” 11minutes into video 
  3. Ericsson KA. The influence of experience and deliberate practice on the development of superior expert performance. In: , Ericsson KA. ed. The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. New YorkNew York: Cambridge University Press, 2006; 683–704. CrossRef
Categories
Sermons

Discover the well of God’s Provision within

Spencer Johnson wrote a book called “who have moved my cheese”, giving us a beautiful metaphor of mice in a maze dealing with change. Someone decides to moved the cheese, the mice either continue to go look for the cheese at the same place and eventually die, or begin the journey to look for new cheese.

Since we have been dealing with calling and identity, we understood that we are not chasing riches, we appreciate and acknowledge the riches we already have, and live in obedience the workethic and values of Jesus. Riches and provision then seems to follow us.

A BIBLICAL METAPHOR FOR PROVISION
The well served as a place of rest and refreshment in a dry land. Wells just outside a city or village served as a meeting place for local women but also for travelers, where news would be passed along (1 Sam 9:11; compare 1 Sam 19:22) Wells play a significant role as an image of God’s provision (e.g., Judg 15:18–19; Deut 6:11; compare Neh 9:25)

At Qumran, the well and water were understood allegorically as God’s law and the faithful followers, respectively (CD 6:2–11). As an image in common life, wells were pictures of physical beauty (Song 4:15). Likewise, a dry or broken well served as a metaphor for disobedience. Because wells were the primary source of water, a dry well was a curse (Jer 14:3). They could be used as an image for faithlessness or disobedience (Jer 2:13; compare Prov 25:26). A well could also serve as a metaphor for death (Pss 55:23; 69:15; compare Rev 9:1).

JESUS OUR PERMANENT WELL
1 Cor 10:4

SOME LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM WELLS IN THE BIBLE
Jer 2:13 – seek a living well, and live eating from the tree of Life, not the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The second tree is like a broken cistern that does not keep the water. Religion is second-hand knowledge of God, Jesus came to be our eternal fountain. John 4
Judg 15:18–19 – supernatural provision, God supplied a water source supernaturally, like the rock in the desert. Ex. 17:1–7 God can thus give you a supernatural plan, strategy, for provision.
Gen 21:31 – oath, contract. Sometimes we need to form a alliance with someone for provision.
Gen 26:18 – dig old wells open again. At times we need to go and open an old well. Many internet startups, is simply modernizing an old industry, like Uber and AirBnB.
Gen 26:22 – Made room for me. Rehoboth Walk away from places of contention, until God makes room for you.

FINDING AND INDUSTRIALIZING A WELL
Once we have have received our well of provision, we need to look after it. Towns and cities came into existence from a well. Having a well alone is not enough, we need to begin to produce food, grow plants, build homes and markets. Fruit & Veg City Holdings is the lasrgest fresh produce retailer in southern Africa. It serves customers in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia and Mauritius. Brian Coppin founded Fruit and Veg City with his brother Mike. He related how they took the business from one relatively modest store in Kenilworth to a multi-brand giant in its sector within less than two decades.
Faithful Stewards – 1Pet 4:10
Faithful in multiplying – Mat 25:14-30

THE RIGHT BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ABOUT RICHES
There truly is no division between sacred and secular except what we have created. And that is why the division of the legitimate roles and functions of human life into the sa-cred and the secular does incalculable damage to our indi-vidual lives and to the cause of Christ. Holy people must  stop going into “church work” as their natural course of action and take up holy orders in farming, industry, law, education, banking, and journalism with the same zeal previously given to evangelism or to pastoral and missionary work.

The organized churches must become schools of spiritual discipline where Christians are taught how to own without treasuring (Matt. 6:21); how to possess without, like the “rich young ruler”, being possessed (Mark 10:22); how to live simply, even frugally, though controlling great wealth and power.

Possessions, then, are an extension of the body and of the self, for through them our will and character extend their range, just as they do through our tongue, our arms, and our legs. Our possessions increase the range within which we can reign in life by Christ Jesus and see spiritual power defeat the deadly reign of sin

“Get all you can; save all you can; freely use all you can within a properly disciplined spiritual life; and control all you can for the good of humankind and God’s glory” Dallas Willard

Excerpt From: “The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives” by Dallas Willard. Scribd.

Prov 1:32 the prosperity of fools destroys them.
Paul understood the riches found within first: Col 1:27
2 Cor 6:10 as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Phil 4:11-13 contentment comes from living in His strength

The rich young ruler, trusted and loved his riches and possessions.
We as believers trust in Him who makes rich and ads no sorrow 3 John 1:2

THE FINAL GOAL AND MANDATE
All nations come to his light
Mic 4:2; Mat 24:14; Isa 51:4; Isa 60:3
Glory cover the earth Hab 2:14

THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Giving is an issue of the heart. We give because this is who we are. God is a giver. Tithing is about consistent faithful giving, the church can rely on it. The law is like a tutor, giving your tithes teaches you to first give, before using your income. First fruits. It is an issue of the heart! We sometimes wait for the right moment to give, to feel like it, giving should be automatic. Your right hand not knowing what your left hand is doing. Mat 6:3 Generous giver. Ps 112:5; Prov 11:25; 22:9; 2 Cor 9:11; 1 Tim 6:18

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Sermons

Put back the holy in ordinary secular work

Key scripture: Mat 5:16 “may your good works glorify your father in heaven” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Do all to the Glory of God

One of the key concepts of the Reformation was coram Deo: all of life is lived “before the face of God.” In other words, there was no separation between the sacred and the secular Excerpt From: “The Reformation Manifesto: Your Part in God’s Plan to Change Nations Today” by Cindy Jacobs. Scribd. Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/235000503

You cannot fix crooked getting with right giving.

I find sometimes this believe among Christians that they are trying to fix with religious activities like prayer and giving a bad and wrong work-ethic. You cannot fix deceitful getting by giving tithes and offerings. The way you earn your giving is as important as the giving.

It is very clear, work is worship. The manner and way we work glorify God. After all these thousands of years, we still stand in awe at the wonder of God’s work – creation! What can we learn from the way God worked creation? His creation is sustainable, intricate, beautiful, in order, balanced, wonderful, and creative. When Godly character is evident in our work, God gets glorified. Proverbs 22:4,9 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Many people say I have no skills. You can teach any man a skill, but character is birthed. The most sought-after job-seekers are ones with godly character. Society is calling for leaders with character.

Made in His image we have received the same abilities and potential locked up in all of us, get working! (Prov 22:29) “excel in your work, will bring you before Kings” I believe if every Christian Born Again believer work God’s way, there will be no unemployment in the church. We would be the most sought-after individuals on the planet for employment. He has put the Christ-like ability in us at our salvation. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (2 Cor 9:8) God even anointed certain men with the skill to do special work. (Ex 31:1-6; 35:30-35) The first ever people to be anointed by God was the artisans. Daniel worked in a Babylonian system: Dan 5:14, could find no error in His work Dan 6:4 Joseph ruled over Egypt through his wisdom and insight – Gen 41:38-39 We have the spirit of God with us, to lead an guide us in business decisions.

I learned that Genesis tells us God gave us a job even before he gave us a family. We were created in the image of God to be co-creators with Him. Gen 1:28 “fill the earth and subdue it. Subdue: kabas: A verb meaning to subdue, to bring into subjection, to enslave. It means basically to overcome. We are destined to overcome, life’s obstacles and difficulties. Every big invention we celebrate today, first have been a big problem.

Avoda, or Avodah is a Hebrew word, literally meaning “work”. In a modern context, usually refers to business-type activities, it can also mean agricultural work and, more traditionally, serving God. In its original, traditional sense, “avodah” was applied to sacrifices offered in Temple in Jerusalem. The word was also used to described the epitome of sacrificial rite, the complex and fraught main service of the The High Priest on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). Today it refers to a liturgical reenactment of the aforementioned ceremony which is recited during the Musaf Amidah of Yom Kippur.

True Christianity creates no division between secular and sacred. Every task we undertake, paid or not paid, is to be done to the Lord. May the Lord Jesus by His powerful Spirit remove the duality in our thinking today! Work is holy! In Switzerland all work is seen with dignity. Work is dignity. The oppressive slave system of colonialism made certain tasks and work seen as lower, degrading, and of lesser importance and prominence. If you are called as a street sweeper, do it to the glory of Go, so that those who pass by exclaim: “look at the clean streets, it looks like heaven”

Labor for eternal food

(Joh 6:27; Mat 4:4; Joh 4:13-14)

Working for food and belongings can never satisfy your soul, only finding your purpose in God. Our creational purpose is to be Christlike Rom 8:29 Our lives are hidden in Him (Col 3:2) The curse of work that came with Adam’s sin, is loosing our true identity. The curse is not in the work we do, but doing it like a slave, because you have to, not because it is your calling. Many people after retirement become even more busy, because they love their work. Work makes you happy. You feel good after a day’s work. Sleep well.

Remain in your calling

1 Cor 7:20 The Bible does not look negatively to slavery. To build a healthy economy you need workers, slaves and leaders. Each one have received a different talent all according to his own ability. (Mat 25:14, 15) Jesus Himself took on the form of a bondservant. (Phil 2:5) The quickest way to discover your true calling, begin to serve somebody. The Bible is actually specific about this: we should honor our parents, the best way to honor them, is to serve them. Jesus learned to obey earthly parents first for 30 years, before He was released for ministry. He also had no ambition to begin His public ministry, His mother prompted Him. (Joh 2:4) Paul served for 17 years in total before he was commissioned as an Apostle. (Gal 1:18; 2:1) Paul often refer to himself as a Bondservant of Christ. (Gal 1:10) This Bible actually gives specific instructions to Slaves and Owners. (Eph 5:6-9) Paul wrote a letter to the owner of a slave, to honor and respect that role. (Philemon) General instructions is given to not judge another person’s slave. (Rom 14:4)

Once we have discovered His gift of righteousness, we work from a position of rest. (Heb 4:8–11) The rest of faith and obedience. We do not work to achieve his favor, or prominence before man. We have received His favor, acceptance, sonship and want to be productive with what we have received.

Riches is produced by the way we work, not mere work alone.

It is His blessing that makes one rich not to just work harder. (Prov 10:22) It is also important to realize that it is not work itself that brings riches. There are very hard working people in Africa that remains poor. The blessing is not in work alone, but in multiplication. See the parable of the talents. We often equate faithfulness with being steadfast, consistence, dependable, reliable, dependable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. Jesus equates faithfulness with something else – multiplication. Whatever God gives to us, He expect us to multiply and present it back to Him.

Remove the curse of sin out of work

Most Christians see work as secular and worldly, unholy. With this mindset they seek to now work for God. How do you work for God? Preaching, prison visitation, feeding the hungry? What do pastors do with all their time, when everyone else is working? At least the apostles gave themselves to prayer and study of the Word. Instead we should take the holy back to the workplace, we need Pastors at the forefront to be examples in this.

APOSTLES WORK HARD
Joh 4:38 – and you have entered into their labor
2 Cor 6:5 – labors
2 Cor 10:15 – measure of our labour – We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others
2 Cor 11:23 – with far greater labors 1 Cor 15:10
1 Cor 4:12 Working with our own hands
2 Thes 3:8 with toil and labor

Work is a blessing to be enjoyed. (Eccl 2:24, 26) God is delighted in our fruitfulness. When the faithful servants brought their returns to their master, he not only blessed them, and gave them more he said: Enter into the JOY OF THE LORD. (Mat 25:20)

Work is ordained by God

Ge 1:27-28 See also Ex 20:9 pp Dt 5:13; Ps 104:23

Work is part of the rhythm of life. Like sleep, food, and fun, we need to work. It keeps us healthy. When an old person can do no more work, they die soon. Work keeps you moving, productive, feeling dignified and healthy.

God works Joh 4:34; 5:17; John 17:4 thus being created in His image, there is something Godly and divine about work. Employment is going to become the most scarce resource on earth. May we take up our Godly call not to only find work for ourselves, but create work for others. Like Paul we say: “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor 6:10)

In his book “Jesus a Pilgrimage” James Martin explains in great detail life in Nazareth, we Jesus grew up as boy and young man. Nazareth was located “on the fringe of the Roman Empire, both geographically and politically.” Only two to four hundred people lived there in Jesus’s day. Today the ruins of the houses in Nazareth are scant, but the archaeological evidence has revealed small dwellings built with local stones (basalt or limestone) that were stacked roughly atop one another. The floors were of packed earth and the roofs thatched, constructed over beams of wood and held together with mud. Families lived in small houses clustered together around a “yard” where common activities were performed. Evidence from the rooms points to little privacy for the inhabitants, but a great sense of community. Every one knew each other, is this not the carpenter’s son Mt 13:55–56.

The conditions was “filthy, malodorous and unhealthy” by contemporary standards. Most skeletal remains predictably show iron and protein deficiencies, and most had severe arthritis. A case of the flu, a bad cold, or an abscessed tooth could kill. Life expectancy, for the luckier half that survived childhood, was somewhere in the thirties. Those reaching fifty or sixty were rare.

Life was hard, and people lived perilously close to the edge, economically and socially. People did not travel afar much, since it was both dangerous and expensive. When they did— for example, for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem— they did so in larger groups so as to ward off bandits. Life was, as Crossan and Reed say, “predominantly local.”

Nazareth is not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament. Nor is it mentioned in the Talmud, which lists sixty- three other villages in Galilee, or in the writings of Josephus, who names forty- five other Galilean villages. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” asks Nathanael. 23 In that Gospel passage Nazareth is, quite literally, a joke. And yet, just four miles from Nazareth was Sepphoris, a bustling city of thirty thousand, which was being rebuilt at the time by Herod Antipas. Yet Jesus chose Nazareth as the proper place to prepare himself for public ministry.

One archaeological team wrote about Nazareth: “The principal activity of these villagers was agriculture. Nothing in the finds suggests wealth.” In his parables and stories Jesus frequently makes use of images not from carpentry, which one would expect, but from farming— the sower and the seeds, the mustard seed, and the weeds that grow up alongside the wheat,

We will eventually be judged by our works:

Mat 16:27 reward each one according to his works
Mat 23:3 but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.
Mat 26:10 she has done a good work for me
Your works bears witness of who you are: Joh 5:36; not being able to work is compared with darkness. Joh 9:4

Faith is work

Works of faith vs works of the law (James 2:14- 26 vs Heb 6:1)
We are called to be workers of miracles not waiters until he does the miracles
Faith is proven by its works (James 2:22, 25)
Good works acceptable unto God are only possible through God’s grace active in one’s heart (Matt. 5:16; John 6:28; 14:12). They are always the result of salvation and not the means of salvation. Man cannot do any work to earn God’s favor unto salvation (Rom. 4:1- 5; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is given by God in grace, and there is no way that it can be earned.

THE PURPOSE OF WORK IS:

God ordained work as the normal routine of living. Every legitimate human task, therefore, is of intrinsic worth, however menial it may seem, and is potentially a means of glorifying God.

• That people should be self-supporting Ge 3:19 See also Ps 128:2; 1Th 4:12
• That people should find self-fulfilment Ecc 2:24 See also Pr 14:23; Ecc 3:22; 5:19
• That people should serve/give to others Eph 4:28 See also Pr 31:15; 1Th 2:9; 1Ti 5:8
• That people should glorify God Col 3:17 See also 1Co 10:31; Eph 6:5-8 pp Col 3:22-24

Surely like all good things the enemy seek to corrupt what God has given as a gift. People get absorbed in their work, they only work and not rest in Christ, we work and have no fun, loosing our playfulness, we become work orientated and task orientated and loose loose our sensitivity for people. Getting the job done becomes more important than people. It is not easy to learn to balance all these priorities and tasks. But the life of the spirit is a life of rhythm, being focussed on HIM, working for Him, obedience to the spirit, rather than obedience to the TO DO list. Daniel made it his duty to pray 3 times per day. Dan 6:10 Cornelius work, and good deeds, and prayers became a remembrance before God. Acts 10:1-3

Your workplace is the only church some people will ever see. Let God open our eyes to see the god-given value of work. We are called to do even greater works than Him Joh 14:10. This is why He has given us His strength to do all things. (Phil 4:13)

Categories
Blogs

Exposing the Spirit of individualism in the Church

Understand how the Spirit of Individualism is weakening the Body of Christ
When people want to start a new ministry, I often hear the following statement: “It should not be linked to a certain church or in the name of an existing local church, so as not to cause offense”
To me the basis of this statement is fundamentally flawed. It is like someone is saying to their spouse: “let’s have children, but not name them, nor let them carry our surname, not to offend someone who may not like our family.” All churches are flawed, and has offended someone. Not even Jesus’ could please everyone, nor did all his disciples remain faithful. There is no local church or denomination that is getting everything right, yet we all need to be part of this family. God has one family of which He is the father. (Eph 4:2-6) So much focus has been given in the Charismatic era on the ministry of the individual, the gifts and authority of the believer, our identity in Christ. This emphasis is essential to get people to wake up to the fullness of their calling, inheritance and power in Christ. (Eph 1:17-21) Equally important is the truth that no man is an island, our growth is always connected with OUR growth in the body of Christ. (Eph 4:16) Essentially becoming a follower of Christ entails denying self and the taking up of our cross. (Mat 16:24) This refers to our obedience to Christ, even to the point of death.
Orange 3 parts For a person to grow spiritually, they have to eventually be part of a local intimate family. The pattern we find in Acts was either small group meetings from house to house the household of faith, or big gatherings or meetings drawing a crowd. We need to find the balance between these two activities, and see how they actually compliment the other. Why do we wait so long to initiate house churches? Should the outflow of big gathering not be to get the seekers into a local church, family, house church immediately? This solves the demand for follow-up activities after the meeting?
The DNA of church, God’s sanctuary is made up of three entities: The individual 1 Cor 6:19; the church in the Locality 2 Cor 6:16; the universal church 1 Cor 3:16 based on the context of these scriptures declaring that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. In the case for the individual Paul warns that man cannot have intercourse with a prostitute and not become one with her. (1 Cor 6:15-18) In the second instance Paul addresses the Corinthian Church not to be defiled with the witchcraft in the city. (2 Cor 6:11-16) Then he warns all believers in general to remain holy and sanctified, set apart for God. In is thus very clear that like an orange, a cell, within a cell, within a cell makes the orange the church is made op three parts. You cannot remove a part; A church where individuals are not born again that church becomes a lifeless institution like a social club. Individuals that do not partner and become part of the church in a location became rogue agents that do not submit to any authority. Local churches that separates them from the greater community of faith becomes Sects. We are all three at the same time, to become the habitation of the Holy Spirit in the Earth.
Traveling ministry is biblical and in essence apostolic. It was one of the primary roles of the apostles to visit the local church in a certain location and to align them to the truth. The goal was apostolic alignment to Christ, not to get a nice big offering. Surely we should not muzzle the ox where he has trotted, a minister is worthy of our honor and support. The premise and foundation is always family and relationship. When traveling ministries operate on their own, with out a given family, they tend to build and gather people around themselves. They inevitably build a family, yet without the nurturing and closeness that a true local family provides. Being a traveling minister can be glorified. You can preach your best 10 sermons from meeting to meeting, people treat you like some kind of celebrity and give you their best treatment. This is proper and right, but again not outside the context of family.
Kingdom & family is synonymous. Our King is our Father! The godhead is in essence a family. The purpose of traveling ministers is thus, to strengthen and build the local family. To come alongside the local leadership and assist, correct, admonish, rebuke and chasten the family to mature in Christ.
The mass gathering is a wonderful tool to strengthen the small group, making them feel they are part of a greater cause. Being faithful to the few is not easy. People begin to know another, nothing is hidden, accountability and correction can cause offense. The Large gathering does not produce this kind of inward growth. We need both the small group, household setting and the big large crusade setting.
At his point of time many people have become disillusioned with structured church, mostly because that Church has become alienated from the head which is Christ. But being a structured church is not wrong or intrinsically evil. It is when the structure migrate away from their original position in Christ. When this happens we need to question our loyalty to this church. Like most of the NT believers had to do the same, regarding their Jewish Faith upbringing. They had to decide to leave, and face persecution to become part of the new Jesus family. Today people are leaving church, but not connecting again with church. God has no plan B. Christ gave His life for His church. Some seek a new expression of church but they are not willing to pay the price of obedience to Christ to become and be that accurate Christ-like expression. It is easier to only criticize, point finger but not doing anything to help or better it.
God’s heart is always family. God is in essence family, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Starting a ministry on your own, not linked to any family, not being send or under supervision of any existing family is dangerous and arrogant. You will start this family without you knowing it, and soon there will be children, and without you wanting to be a family become a family – a church. You are going to have to deal with the mess of raising and disciplining children, or you going to abandon them like many ministers do.
We as people find it hard to follow someone else. It is in our human individualistic nature to always seek a new path, find our own way, do our own thing. This pioneering spirit is wonderful and God has used it to start wonderful ministries to reform another human trait, the ability to get stuck in the familiar. Both these traits need to come under the supervision and control of the Holy Spirit. When we submit and obey the Spirit, we will never get stuck in tradition for our tradition is obedience to the Spirit. Obedience to pioneer comes under His control for it to be properly mandated, else it can become mere ambition. This brings us back to family. A Family where God is the Father, and the fathers in the house submits and point everyone to the One and only True Father there will be no ambition, selfish interests, striving, competition, suppression and bondage.
This family has matured in Christ, and will cover the world with His Glory. The current exodus out of formal religion is understandable in context of the church loosing its life and soul – Jesus Christ. Yet the power of an Christlike family over generations cannot be underestimated! The God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob! There is a generational power in a large family that helps the next generation, making it easier for them to move forward. The enemy knows this and has released the spirit of divorce, betrayal, division and strive in the church trying to stop this Godly momentum. You cannot build or plant a new church/family based on division. You have to live and remain in honor, to also receive honor.
There is wisdom and much benefit being linked to a greater extended family. There are more resources, help and support, and a greater doctrinal accuracy. It is evident that smaller separate groupings tend to enter into error more quickly. We need to learn to think WE and not ME. Jesus did not function on His own, he gathered friends (Disciples) around Him, he later called His family. (Mark 3:31-35) Paul always took an companion, and greets his Co-workers. (Acts 19:29; Phil 4:3; Philemon 1:24; Gal 2:9)
We do not have it all together, but together we have it all. (Michael Wood)
Even more so, having more than one apostolic father and the input of all the five Ascension gifts gives balance and depth. (Eph 4:11-16) Some ministers speak out against the local church, then they should also not expect support from the local church.
 
May God continue to reform the church, so that the church can reform the Land. (Andre Pelser)
We need to come out of old obsolete structures and systems who are keeping His body in bondage, but not at the cost of the true Church. I believe God has already preserved a remnant of true believers all over the World, that has kept true to His Word and the Spirit of Christ. Churches who seek to continue to obey and reform into His likeness in everything they do. The true church is build on a divine revelation of Christ. (Mat 16:18) This revelation installs an inward operating system that continually reforms and updates us to His present revealed truth.
 
Grace & Peace
 
Apostle Jan Oosthuizen