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| ERADICATING SPIRITUAL CONFUSION |
19th August 2007 |
Looking around us today we see many people carrying out thier various agendas in the name of serving and following the Lord. Many are sincere in what they are doing but getting results that are deviod of God.
There is a whole lot of dynamics involved in walking with God. Some have an imposed conviction about who God is and what his demands are. These tend to do whatever they have to do without consideration for anything in the natural. These personal convictions may not be based on the scriptures but some subjective understanding of a few verses in the bible. This is what I believe is the foundation for confusion in many lives. Subjective imposition over objective truth as contained in the bible. Let's try to define our terms. The bible contains Truth in its objective sense. The personal experience or understanding we have is called our subjective perception/interpretation. When our subjective experience is based on objective truth, our lives stand a better chance to influence others correctly and bring honour to God. Many subjective experiences tend to creat confusion when not subject to objective truth. Subjective dealingss should substantiate objective truth, not lead us away from the truth as it is contained in the bible. Do not allow subjective dealings cause you to deny objective truth. Case in point; I have no job and the bible says I should 'bring the entire tithe into the store house'. Without a job I do not have the money to tithe so i decide to ignore the demand of objective truth. I reason, 'God knows I do not have a job so i do not qualify for tithe to be expected of m.' The right response should be to acknowledge my state (joblessness) but still base my relationship with God on the Word and say 'Lord I need to give my tithe but without a job it is not feasible, can you please help me, show me what to do so I can come to the place where I can bring my tithe to the storehouse.' That stance will open me up to God's provision either to get money directly or get a job that pays me money. God's response to this kind of prayer will be speedy because it shows that the person is committed to a life of obedience and is willing to act on the Word of God.
The three areas we will try to consider in this article are on salvation, prayers and being led of the Holy Spirit. Who is saved and what does it mean to be saved? Many we see have prayed the prayer of salvation without any real change in their lives. what does it mean to repent?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE TRUELY SAVED?
The debate about once 'saved always saved' and the possibility of loss of salvation in a person's life both hang on different emphasis. When you consider the work done in Christ on our behalf, it is not possible to undo this because of our shortcomings. On the other hand when we see the righteous standards of God we wonder if it is not going to amount to double standards if God would welcome us into His Kingdom in our sinful state. My contribution is that the work done in christ is for those who consciously accept the sacrifice of christ and through a lifestyle of obedience maintian their walk with God. The work is mighty enough to practically change our nature so the out working of this change is what guarantees the growth into the fullness of God's plans and purposes.
Does praying the prayer of salvation really change lives? The answer is yes and no. Yes if mixed with faith and action that is in alignment with the truth of our salvation and the sincerity of the faith involved. No, if the prayer was simply a mouthing of words without any conviction or heart felt commitment to life change. This is true for any type of prayer too. It is faith and the state of the heart that determines the efficacy of prayer.
So who then is saved? Let us examine the life a man in the bible who was saved and baptised and followed the anointed man of God that used to bless him. I am talking about Simon in the book of Acts chapter 8 from verses 9-24. Was he saved? Yes! Baptised? Yes! In fact was about to be filled with the Holy Spirit for christian service. The apostolic grace in peter picked the contents of his heart. His heart was in the gall of bitterness, in the bond of iniquity and full of wickedness. This revealed the major issues in his heart. He had no part in the matter of the Kingdom because his heart was not right. All the saved people whose heart are not right do not have any part in the work of the kingdom. Idon't think a pastor will see this reality because the anointing on the pastor is to care for the sheep not to necessarily pick what is in their heart. Hence many churches put people inplaces of leadership who do not have a right heart and such people will become doors to satanic activities in the future of that church or ministry.
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