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Tuesday, June 16,
2009
Faith To Faith
Acts 1:1-4 The former treatise have I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until
the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had
given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (3) To whom also
he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them
that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (KJV)
You know, a lot has been said about the
ministry of Jesus Christ, but what about His ministry that took place after
His crucifixion, what was that all about? Well, it’s about showing them a
new way, a new pattern of life that was about to take place because of the
sacrifice He had just paid, which would eventually lead to their receiving
the Holy Spirit themselves. Even after all that man had just done to Him
here He is again right back at it, continuing to deliver a message of
faith. In fact He is still ministering today, only now He is seated at the
right hand of God mediating His plan of salvation to any that would call
upon His name.
Romans 1:15-17 So, as much as in me is, I
am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (16) For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)
You know, sometimes you have a hard time
getting up in the morning, fussing and whining because you’re tired, yet
here we see Paul the apostle preaching as well, a man who, himself was
stoned at one time and left for dead. Paul was teaching the people about a
new life that he was experiencing, and how he learned that his right
standing with God was no longer based on outward things or rituals, but now
was becoming alive and real by his faith in Christ and what He was doing
through him. Your faith and ability to believe God will become more real
and alive to you as you learn to walk more by faith and less by sight, or
any other outward thing.
John 20:15-17 Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the
gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where
thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. (16) Jesus saith unto her,
Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say,
Master. (17) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended
to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (KJV)
If you really stop and think about the
above illustration, you can see the similarities in what Mary experienced
and we have experienced as well. First of all, these people had known the Lord
after the outward man and were now being introduced to this new man, a man
who was dead and now alive. The Lord was manifesting Himself to them in a
Spiritual manner, so that when He did ascend to heaven they would not be
looking for Him after the flesh any more. The word ‘touch’ means to cling
and adhere to; so we see Mary trying to stay close to the Lord and hang on
to Him, not letting go of the way that she used to know Him. Sound familiar?
You know, we have been taught things and have seen things according to our
outward vision and didn’t want to let go of those things either, did we?
But now in order to know the Lord and hold fast to Him it would have to be
done in a new way and in a new realm as well.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore
henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ
after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
All those old thoughts and ways that you
thought the Lord operated in, yup, well it changed; actually, the change
took place two thousand years ago when the Lord did away with the old so
that you could walk in the new. Have you changed your way of thinking to;
you know, not trying to establish a spiritual relationship with our Lord
and still holding on to your old thoughts and ways? If you are going to be
in Christ and stay in good standing with Him, then it can only be by the
faith of Him, trusting more in His new way of life by letting go of your
old one. Easier said than done though isn’t it?
Acts 1:5-8 For John truly baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (6)
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord,
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said
unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth. (KJV)
So what was our Lord still doing hanging
around this place after what was done to Him? Well, He was preparing them
and showing them what was on the way, and where they would find this new
life that was promised them. Interesting when you look at verse 5 we see
the distinction being made between the two baptisms, how one that was
taking place in the outward would now be taking place inwardly. And yet
with that in mind, how many are like Mary still clinging on to the outward,
not letting go to partake of the inward baptism that is available in
Christ?
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