Knock and the Door Shall Be Opened

Knock and the Door Shall Be Opened

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had quite a bit to say about the goodness of God and God’s willingness to provide for His children. Jesus spoke of God’s love, reminding us that God sends blessings on both good and bad alike (Matthew 5:45). He urged His followers not to engage in materialistic worry, saying, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Mathew 6:26; ESV) He added, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33; ESV)

ASK SEEK KNOCK

ASK SEEK KNOCK

As Jesus reached the concluding remarks of His sermon, He concluded, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11; ESV)

Contrary to what some teach today, Jesus was not advocating a Gospel of Health and Wealth. To the contrary, those who seek after physical riches, and an earthly reward, are disdaining the command of Christ not to lay up treasures on earth, but instead to lay up spiritual treasures. (cf. Matthew 6:19-21) People praying earnestly for carnal things need to carefully consider the words of James, the brother of our Lord, who stated, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3; ESV)

Nevertheless, the promise of Jesus is rather significant, especially in regards to spiritual rewards, which, throughout the Sermon on the Mount, is what Jesus urges His followers to seek. Again, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33a)

If it is true that the man who asks, seeks and knocks, in regards to the spiritual blessings God wants to bestow, is going to have those doors opened to him and find what he is seeking for, then we must also conclude that those who fail to find these blessings failed to properly seek after them. Or perhaps, when they asked, and God opened the door, they failed to go through it.

God has demonstrated that He is willing and ready to save men. He sent His Son to be the propitiation for the sins of those who were willing to put their faith in Him (cf. John 3:16). He spoke to men, inspiring righteous men to write down His expectations for men. In these writings we see the power of God unto salvation (cf. Romans 1:16) and we gain that knowledge necessary to make us wise unto salvation (cf. 2 Timothy 3:15). If God was willing to sacrifice His only Son on the behalf of men, demonstrating love and good, why would He not be willing to work providentially to open doors and answer prayers on behalf of those who truly wanted to be saved.

We see an example of this in Acts 10, where Cornelius, a good man, is sent an angelic visitation, telling him that his prayers have gone up before God and that he should send to Joppa, for Peter, who would give him words by which he and his household would be saved. (cf. Acts 10:1-5; 11:14) Cornelius prayed, God directed him where to go, and Cornelius took the opportunity and obeyed. A little earlier in Acts, we have the account of the Ethiopian Eunech, who was also seeking for spiritual guidance. God sent him a preacher named Phillip. (cf. Acts 8:26-40) The Ethiopian gladly received this guidance and obeyed the Gospel.

God likely won’t send angels to guide preachers and teachers your way, but His providence is sufficient that if you are genuinely looking for spiritual answers, God will answer. If you are knocking at His door, God will open that door.  Just make sure when the door opens, you enter through it.

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La Adicción a la Pereza Espiritual

La Adicción a la Pereza Espiritual

Una vez más muy agradecidos con Dios y con productores de esta revista espiritual por el espacio concedido. Sabe amigo lector cada turista que visita Costa Rica inmediatamente pregunta por el “Oso perezoso”. Resulta que estos animales son tan famosos ya que pueden vivir en un mismo árbol desde que nace hasta que muere por una sencilla razón…pereza de moverse a otro árbol. ¿Que le parece?

La Adicción a la Pereza Espiritual?

La Adicción a la Pereza Espiritual?

La pereza en el cristiano es un acto de rebeldía contra el Señor. El nos creó con un sentido de propósito para que pudiéramos ser productivos.  La pereza es muy peligrosa ya que es posible estar demasiado envuelto en la misma sin darnos cuenta y por otro lado una vez que usted está en este vicio es muy difícil salir de él. Sabemos que este problema puede tocar (y de hecho lo hace) a todas las clases sociales dentro de la Iglesia, desde niños que no tienden su cama, hasta padres desempleados por falta de interés en buscar trabajo. Es ahí cuando La pereza pasa de una adicción a una manera de vivir. Increíblemente la pereza toca a la puerta de los predicadores del evangelio más constantemente de lo que usted piensa. Desde tomar un sermón ya hecho en el internet el sábado por la noche, hasta ignorar las visitas o estudios bíblicos en la lista semanal de actividades. En este espacio que dicho sea de paso es breve, nos enfocaremos en las 3 causas  más comunes que convierten a una persona adicta a la pereza, específicamente a la “pereza espiritual”.

  1. Posponer el trabajo.  Esta causa es la número uno de la lista.  La Biblia contiene unos 30 versículos en cuanto a ser diligentes. La palabra “diligente” significa prontitud, hacer lo que  se tenga que hacer como decir “ayer mismo”. No es de extrañar porque se nos hace esta exhortación como cristianos. Es fácil hacer proyectos espirituales; !Mañana si comenzaré a leer mi Biblia, la otra semana comenzaré a orar 3 veces al día! y cosas como estas son las que poco a poco van  convirtiendo la pereza en una adicción. Pablo escribió: “En lo que requiere diligencia, no perezosos; fervientes en espíritu, sirviendo al Señor;” (Rm.12:11).
  2. Nunca planificar el trabajo. El Dios de Abraham de Isaac y de Jacob sin duda alguna es un Dios planificado. Desde la caída de Adán Dios planificó su plan para salvar al hombre (Gn.3:15) incluso antes de la fundación Dios tenía presente el plan de redención para humanidad y el propósito de que su hijo muriera en la cruz (La Iglesia de su hijo) de acuerdo a Efesios 1:3-4. Cuando llegó el cumplimento de los tiempos…(Galatás 4:4) implica que Dios había escogido un tiempo especifico en la historia para enviar a su hijo..Dios tenía un plan. Si Dios que lo sabe todo y es en todo, tenía un plan, ¿No cree usted que nosotros debemos de tener un plan en lo espiritual? Yo planeo ir al cielo y para eso necesito enumerar las cosas que debo de hacer y las que debo de evitar para lograr el objetivo. Es trascendental que cada cristiano tenga un plan de trabajo espiritual. ¿Cuantas almas planea llevar al Señor este año? ¿Cuantos versículos planea memorizar? ¿Cuantos hospitales y cárceles están en su lista para visitar?¿Cuantos niños huérfanos y viudas están incluidos en su presupuesto de este año?. Los ancianos y ministros sin lugar a dudas deben de planear su trabajo; los mensajes, clases bíblicas  y campañas, cuantas congregaciones visitar y apoyar, cuantos viajes misioneros tomar y hasta cuanto dar a la ofrenda por domingo. El trabajo del Señor debe de estar bien planificado, eso no significa que siempre va a salir como lo planeamos pero al menos sabemos hacia donde vamos. Si la pregunta fuere hecha a  usted en este momento¿ Cual sería su respuesta?: ¿Donde se ve usted en lo espiritual de aquí a 5 años y donde estará su congregación de aquí a 10 años?  es mi oración que usted tenga una respuesta concreta a tal pregunta.
  3. Mundanalidad. Cuando el mundo está tan metido en el cristiano el interés por la obra de Dios se pierde, y si usted no trabaja gradualmente para el Señor el mundo lo va a absorber. El Señor exhortó a buscar el reino de Dios primeramente y su justicia y las demás cosas serán añadidas (Mt 6:33) Cuando su trabajo secular está primero usted puede ser una persona  activa siempre ocupado y preocupada por su trabajo pero perezoso para el Señor. El mundo siempre ha sido el enemigo más grande del creyente. Amado lector, este seguro de que el mundo no lo ame, sino que más bien sea su enemigo (Juan 17).

Permítame mencionar brámente algunos pasos a seguir  para vencer la pereza espiritual si usted ha sido culpable y siente estar involucrado con la misma.

  1. Haga las cosas simples primero.  Busque disciplina con aquello que parece fácil de hacer. Inicie con ser fiel cada miércoles por la noche cada domingo.. inicie con 5 minutos de oración  no se… escriba esas cosas sencillas y sea fiel en ejecutarlas.
  2. Divida sus tareas. Separe las tareas o trabajos que tenga que hacer en secciones y llévelas a cabo por fracciones, durante el día o durante la semana. La frase “Divide y vencerás” puede ser usada para bien.
  3. Elimine las distracciones. Para poder terminar algo y que la pereza no lo venza apague cualquier distracción que pueda hacer tropezar la disciplina que usted mismo se está imponiendo. De hecho en eso consiste la disciplina.
  4. Ponga en horario su tiempo libre. No elimine el tiempo por completo no se trata de eso. Es bueno disfrutar los ratos como seres humanos; (Ir a comer con un amigo, ir al cine, ir a facebook) Dios no ha pedido que eliminemos el factor humano sino más bien que brillos dentro del mismo (Mt. 5:16).

Estoy seguro que estas cuatro cosas le ayudarán a salir de esta adicción tan peligrosa. Los cristianos sabemos que el tiempo en esta vida es corto y necesitamos invertir muy bien el tiempo ya que de el también seremos cuenta el día del Juicio. Para terminar permíteme sugerirle el rodearse de gente que le anime en el Señor y que lo impulse. La murmuración ha sido una tremenda propulsora de la pereza. Cuando hermanos comienzan a murmurar de lo horrible que estuvo la comida el domingo en la Iglesia o lo aburrido del Señor la pereza cobra aliento y se fortalece.  Usualmente la gente que más trabaja la que no tiene pereza es la que menos hablan. Sea condescendiente usted de ellos, rodee a aquellos que le han dado la espalda a la pereza espirtual, aprenda de ellos e ignore el pecado de la murmuración.  Cuando logre hacerlo, cuando logre ser activo y arduo en el trabajo para el Señor al final piense en las palabras del Señor Jesús cuando dijo: “Así también vosotros, cuando hayáis hecho todo lo que se os ha ordenado, decid: “Siervos inútiles somos; hemos hecho sólo lo que debíamos haber hecho.” (Lc. 17:10 LBLA).

 

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Why I Don’t Need a Seal

Why I Don’t Need a Seal

I believe the seal of the Holy Spirit to be a statement of His prophetic presence in the early Christians. As such, I do not believe I am sealed by Him today. That does not bother me.  I know, from experience in teaching, hearing that troubles and even frightens many people. Most times I have approached this topic, people’s reaction has been visceral and emotionally charged.  Quickly we move passed a simple interpretive disagreement. It is apparent that we are treading on ground very important to people.  That tells me, they believe the effect of that seal is more than theoretical – it is critical, if not essential to their faith.

Why do I need a seal?

Why do I need a seal?

That has always troubled me.  It means they believe that something beyond their faith and God’s word is needed. It means that they, at least on some level, have a belief that something that they cannot define (At least, I struggle to find consistent teaching about the nature/effect of the seal) or understand plays an integral role in their daily faithfulness. Whether they understand or acknowledge it, strengthening their faith is ultimately beyond their full control. It accepts that some unseen spiritual conflict has a daily impact on their faith. It suggests a power is in Satan’s possession that is greater than any I have ever found described in scripture.

I reject the concept that a current and active seal of the Spirit is integral to my faith. The armor God provides me through His word is enough for me to face every attack of Satan.  That armor is forged by my soul being transformed by His word – not through some indescribable influence that I cannot understand. I believe I bear the sole responsibility for the “growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That does not frighten me. I know His word is true and provides me with everything I need for my life and my godliness. That’s why I don’t need a seal.

 

 

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Getting the Advantage

Getting the Advantage?

The traveling salesman is an example of someone who is trying to get an advantage.  He is seeking to take advantage of your desires so that he may ply his merchandise.  Sadly, we often look at our relationships in this way; “he is someone over whom I can gain an advantage.”  Now, before you say, “I don’t do that,” think for a minute.  If you’ve ever said, this or that person can help me, then you’ve done it.  That’s not to discount that people can be helpful, nor that it is good to be helpful.  However, we’re not supposed to look primarily at people from this perspective.  People are valuable in and of themselves regardless of whether they can help us.

Are you seeking the advantage?

Are you seeking the advantage?

There are at least two things wrong with looking at people from the standpoint of advantage.  First, we see people for their usefulness instead of their value.  Second, we see people as being useful to us, in particular.  These perspectives distort the value of people.  The first perspective distorts their value by deeming others only as good as their usefulness.  This is the great sin of our modern and pragmatic age.  A person’s worth is equated to his utility.  The second perspective says, “You are only worth usefulness to me.”  Self becomes the standard for a person’s value.  One will cease valuing another when he ceases to be useful to him.This is not loving one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:39).

Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).  One soul is worth more than the whole world.  Will we value people the way Jesus did?  God bless you and I love you.

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I Have Earned My Place in Heaven

I have Earned My Place in Heaven

“I Have Earned My Place In Heaven”…Really?

The above link will take you to a news report which attributes the above quote to former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said, “I have earned my place in heaven,” while talking about his gun-control initiatives.  Here’s the full quote from the article:

“I am telling you, if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in,” he told reporter Jeremy Peters. “I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”

Regardless of your stance on gun-control legislation, what must be even more important is one’s adherence to biblical truth.  Here’s the truth, given in love and with respect to Mr. Bloomberg and us all:

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

— Ephesians 2:8-10

Grace by definition is God giving us a gift which we do not deserve.  None of us, regardless of whatever good we may do here on earth, deserves eternity in heaven with Jesus for one simple reason:  we all have sinned and thus deserve the eternal death of hell (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Rev. 21:8).  That’s why there will be no “interview” to see if we are worthy of heaven, Mr. Bloomberg.  None of us would make a good impression in that interview…not without the grace of God.

Do We Earn Heaven?

Do We Earn Heaven?

Furthermore, the passage says that we are saved by grace “through faith.”  In the above quote, Mr. Bloomberg implies his doubt in the existence of God and thus shows that God is not pleased with him because the Bible says that God is pleased by a faith in his existence (Heb. 11:6).  Accountable people who do not even believe in God and his Son Jesus will not go to heaven (Acts 17:30-31; John 8:24).

Not only that, but the Lord further defines legitimate, living faith as one that proves itself by works of obedience (James 2:14-26).  This does not mean that our obedient works “earn” us heaven for the same reason as stated above:  there is still our sin problem, which means that we need God’s grace.

Nonetheless, the Ephesians passage tells us very specifically why we are God’s “workmanship.”  We were created in Christ Jesus (cf. John 1:1-2, 14) “for good works.”  These works “God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  We exist for one reason: to obey God (Eccl. 12:13).  Our obedience proves that we really do believe in him.

Specifically, our obedience to the commands of Scripture…for it is the Bible which is inspired by God and equips us for every good work in his sight (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Mr. Bloomberg implies that he is going to heaven because of his gun control initiatives.  The truth of the matter is that even if Mr. Bloomberg acknowledged the grace of God and did not question his Creator’s very existence, his faith would be proven to be alive by his works of obedience to the commands of God as revealed in Scripture.

Last time I looked, the Bible had nothing to say about gun control.  But here’s what it does say about people who assume that God is pleased with something just because they themselves are pleased with it:

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

— 2 Timothy 4:3-4

This article is not meant to be a Michael Bloomberg rip-a-thon.  Rather, I point these things out as an illustration to us all, myself included, to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Rom. 12:3) by making the extreme presumption that we can ever “earn” eternity in heaven.  Rather, let us be thankful for the grace of God which saves us through our faith, and let’s examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) to make sure that our faith is acceptable to him because of our obedience to his will as revealed in the New Testament.

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