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Monday, October 15, 2007
Literally Speaking
Acts 17:10-11 And
the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who
coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more
noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so. (KJV)
The group of
people described here in the book of Acts, were referred to as the Berean’s.
They were a group who rather than continuing to hold to the traditions and
doctrines of men, were willing and open minded to the things of God, and
took the time to search the scriptures, to get Father’s take and meaning of
them. When groups become too literal, they are more apt to hold to the letter
of the law, tending to construe words in a strict, exact sense, and are not
open to the symbolic or the figurative interpretation of the word. Many
pick and choose, kind of like a buffet table; they take what fits their
likes and tastes, and leave the good healthy stuff behind. Which simply put
is how we ended up with so many different denominations, man trying to fit
God in his image and likeness, not the other way around.
1John 2:5-6 But
whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (KJV)
Many people base
their walk and fashion their ministries attempting to walk in the same
footsteps as our Lord did. But let’s face it if we try to accomplish this
in the literal sense, we are going to end up in a world of hurt. Actually
every year around April or so, there are those that reenact the crucifixion
in the literal sense, and I am sure that it had to hurt. Besides, aren’t we
telling the Lord He didn’t do a complete job Himself when He was crucified
for our sins? So, if we are to follow in His footsteps, just how would we
interpret this for our own lives?
Luke 9:23-25 And
he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever would save
his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the
same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole
world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (KJV)
For those that
walk the path of life, we all come to what I would call crossroads in our
walk in the Spirit; areas in our lives that hinder our walk with God and
need to be subdued, or crucified; things that distract us from God, or
areas in our walk that are unhealthy to our spiritual growth.
Think of
crucifixion; what it does is it causes the physical man to die, so that the
spirit can be released from the body. Spiritually, crucifixion does the
same thing; it causes the areas in our old fleshly nature that have been a
hindrance to die off and allows the spirit to take control.
It’s our old
lower, fallen nature that can hinder the new creation within us if not
subdued and kept in submission. And once those areas die off, it will free
us up to continue on the path of life, kind of like cutting out a tumor or
cancer.
Galatians 5:24-26
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let
us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one
another. (KJV)
Things may look
good and sound good to the carnal man, but can be a deadly hindrance to our
spirit man. Something to keep in mind when you are praying on certain
issues; what may look and sound good to you may not be healthy to your
walk. Remember, the world has many quick fixes and infomercials that show
you the highlights but not the consequences. Which is how the devil works
as well, enticing those that don’t take the time to hear Fathers response.
Galatians 2:20 I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of
the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
God is a spirit,
and those that will worship Him giving Him the respect and reverence that
is due, will do so, on His turf, in the realm of the spirit, taking the
time on a daily basis to hear His word, and understand the spiritual
message delivered by Christ.
Romans 6:5-6 For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin. (KJV)
The word likeness in verse 5 is referring to
figure or representation of. In order for there to be a resurrection of the
new man within us, something old has to die first. How is it said, no pain no
gain. It’s not a popular path we walk, but it is the only one that will
lead us home. Are you dying to get there?
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