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Thursday, May 8,
2008
Effectual
James 5:16 Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for
effectual:
1754 energeo-
1) to be operative, be at
work, put forth power; to work for one, to aid one
2) to effect
3) to display one's activity,
to show oneself operative
What I enjoy about watching
certain personalities, whether an entertainer or a comedian, is their willingness
to be open and honest. I have seen some comedians whose routine is based on
their own experiences and shortcomings, basically laughing at themselves
for certain human traits that they have displayed in life. I have found
that the experiences that they share and are open too, are things that
others can relate to; something they may have done themselves. Sometimes
Christians think they have to come off as bullet proof, above reproach,
holier than thou comes to mind, rather than just being open and honest
concerning their own humanity. In this election year I am wearied by people
that are always defending themselves and putting up these false fronts
rather than opening up and being able to relate to the people. Let us
consider one another so that when we come together we can provoke unto love
and good works; and I have found this works better with some humility, not
trying to be better than everyone else but being open and honest concerning
things you have dealt with in your walk and how you learned to overcome in those
areas. I believe somewhere along the line many that become Christians lose
sight of the unique creation in Christ they are; some of those personality
traits of yours are of the Lord, something that can be refined and not
hidden away or covered up. The Lord didn’t ask you to become a robot when
you got saved, in fact He loves you for who you are; so by being open and
honest will keep your prayer life effectual, availing much.
Philemon 1:5-7 Hearing of thy
love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all
saints; (6) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (7) For
we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the
saints are refreshed by thee, brother. (KJV)
Instead of always looking at
the negative, we as Christians should be focusing on the new creation in
Christ and not always being everyone else’s faultfinders. If I wish to
communicate my faith in Christ with others effectually, then it needs to be
done in love and not in an overbearing finger pointing manner. The first
person you need to learn to communicate with is God, which can only be done
through Jesus Christ so that you can come clean before Him. That takes an open
honest relationship, because many think that rather than deal with issues
of the heart they spend more time and energy trying to cover them up and
hide them. If you can learn to communicate with our Father first and
foremost, being approved of Him, then you will be able to communicate your
faith with His people. Are there areas you are struggling in or have
struggled in? By sharing your experience you may just find your answer with
someone else who is or has dealt with these same issues. Or maybe by your
open and honest approach to those hidden things, by confessing your own
faults and shortcoming, it may just provide the answer for someone else in
need.
Ephesians 4:15-16 But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)
When working on cars these
days they do a diagnostic check of the engine to make sure everything is
working properly. If one part of the engine is out of sync and not working
right it can affect the engines performance as a whole. The same holds true
with the body of Christ; the Lord sees the hidden things of darkness within
the heart and shows us how to make the adjustments so that there won’t be a
breakdown. But if it is ignored and not dealt with properly then it
eventually can lead to a breakdown. If you have ever been around mechanics
they often share their own experiences they have had with vehicles, some
good ones and some bad ones, and some just plain hilarious. The more people
can be open and honest with their relationship with the Father, the more
effectual they will become and learn how to edify themselves, maintaining
their own relationship with their heavenly Father.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore
seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (KJV)
How are you representing
yourself; are you a manifestation of truth to every man as well as in the
sight of God who looks not at the outward but the inward motives? Have you
renounced hidden things that offend our Father, things that most of mankind
may never be aware of but are things that do not please our Lord? If you
have been open and honest with our Lord then you will come off open and
honest to His people. But if you haven’t been honest and up front then
whatever area you have been overcome by that same thing will keep you in
bondage and you won’t be very effective in your communication of faith. I
have seen enough plastic people, those in leadership roles who put up these
false fronts, these holier than thou attitudes thinking they are God’s gift
to mankind rather than being a representation of who truly is that gift to
mankind, Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore
let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (13) There hath
no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with
the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)
Maybe the way of escape that
the Lord is providing for someone suffering and struggling in an area is
your willingness to be open and honest in sharing some hidden thing you
have dealt with yourself. By letting them know that it happened to you, it
may just be the liberty they needed to hear for themselves and enables them
to open up as well. Have you ever had a situation happen to you that you
thought was crazy, no one else has ever done this or experienced this, only
to find out someone else actually had dealt with this same thing and found
the way of escape they needed to be able to escape the bondage? Thus the
word common.
Thayer’s definition for
common:
442 anthropinos- human; applied to things
belonging to men
This is what is called confessing faults,
praying for one another, providing an effectual result to set one free,
that being with truth and honesty. Many struggle with things and are
confused, especially when the devil tries to tell them that they are nuts
and no one else has ever dealt with something like that. But the truth be
known Church, is that there is nothing new under the sun, and there is
nothing you have or are dealing with that hasn’t been dealt with before, a
common occurrence to us humans.
Proverbs 28:13 He that
covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy. (KJV)
By trying to hide things from
God you are in turn hiding them from the brethren, because by not letting
the truth set you free by being honest with our Lord you will not be of
much effect when around His people. Instead of building up others and
edifying them, being able to share the victory we have in Christ, you end
up being more of a burden than an asset.
Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my
salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
(8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him:
God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV)
Do you truly trust in the
Lord at all times; do you wish to be closer to Him and effectual? If you
desire Him to draw near to you then He asks that you draw nigh unto Him first.
If you truly trust the Lord then you will open up to Him. Why not pour out
your heart unto Him? After all He already sees what your true motives are.
The truth will set you free; so by being truthful with our Lord you will be
free indeed.
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