When I was a child the world was a confusing place and I was not satisfied with being confused.  To the degree that I was exposed to religion, I found no relief in it to overcome my confusion.  I was blessed in that my father’s influence kept me from being overwhelmed, because I trusted in him. He never gave me reason to doubt in his trustworthiness.

I recognize that in a confused and confusing world, when the Light of Truth had been obscured, people have to do the best they can.  When I failed to do what was right, it was not because my father had failed to teach me a standard between right and wrong and the standard he gave me served me well as long as I payed attention.

Even though in my youth I was sometimes slow, my dad did his best to make sure I wasn’t stupid.  I’m glad that he recognized it was his responsibility and that at least he took it seriously.

Though my dad had taken on enormous responsibility willingly, it was not only his family’s needs that held his focus. He genuinely cared for us, he truly loved us, however he accepted the additional burden of caring for others.

But when I became a man, with the responsibility that goes with it, I began to have doubts of my being up to the task.  I now recognize that this doubt, was my first crisis of faith.  For those who have not figured out the potential blessedness of crisis, it can be overwhelming.  Crisis is, as it is intended to be, a powerfully effective motivating force if you don’t panic.  Even if you do panic, if you don’t give up, panic only slows down your path to relief from the present distress. If one cares enough, they possess the power to resist giving up in spite of any challenge. I learned to care deeply because my dad demonstrated it. Well enough about my experience for the moment, I must get back to sharing what I have been given.

I have come to understand, that Faith accomplishes where religion only attempts.

I have heard it said that the devil is in the details. However, it is more important to realize that God is discovered through paying attention to the details that originate from God, being revealed through His Word, His beloved Son, along with those who receive Him and become in Truth children of God.

Consider: That was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came to His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, But of God. (John 1:9>13 KJV) (ref. John 1:1>18, Revelation 9:10>16) The True Light, which gives Light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did Receive, who Believed in His Name, He gave the Right to Become children of God, who were Born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, But of God. (John 1:9>13 ESV)

Now for the curious who wonder the point of my quoting the same verses from two different translations I will explain my purpose. The KJV is recognized as difficult to understand because it is written in language unfamiliar today. The ESV is said to be more easily understood because it’s language is modern, more familiar. I have found that difficulty causes those who desire Understanding to increase their effort, it does not however prevent them from perceiving. On the other hand, no matter how easy the path to Understanding may become, it does not guarantee success.

Understanding is the gift of God for those who are willing, to do the right thing, for the right reason and in the Right Spirit, excluding all others.

There are many snares along every man’s journey to a mature, enduring Faith, which can hold one captive until released. Pride is one such snare. If we hold one translation of God’s Word as superior to others because we have been led to choose it as our own. It can cause us to assume we have an advantage over those who have been led to choose another and can become a matter of pride. And it is written for a reason that, A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the Humble in Spirit. (Proverbs 29:23 KJV) Those who are brought low through pride will find it difficult to rise again and for some, through pride, it will become impossible.

Again it is written: But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 NASB) If we believe by Faith, that God preserves His Word for those who seek Him, then we must accept that God leads us to the Word that will give us Understanding, this I believe.

It is the Spirit Who gives Life, the flesh is no help at all. The Words that I have Spoken to you are Spirit and Life. (John 6:63 ESV)

John brought the Baptism of Repentance to prepare the way to having ears capable of hearing and eyes capable of seeing, The Light of Truth. The Baptism of the Spirit came only to those willing and able to Receive the Word, It becoming a part of themselves and allowing the Spirit to bring to their Rememberance the Word as their Guide to the Life of God’s beloved children. To this point in the Gospel According to John: the name of the son of man, Jesus was not mentioned, rather it was by His Name from the beginning, the living and abiding, Word of God.

Again Consider: And He was clothed in a vesture dipped in Blood: and His Name is Called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) That is His Name. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF Kings, AND LORD OF Lords. (Revelation 19:16) That is His Title.

If one finds it difficult knowing the meaning of words, I have found Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary of the English Language to be a valuable resource. If the meaning escapes us, how can we hope to gain Understanding.

In order to contrast, between religion and Faith, I offer this example. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with Him. (Ref. Matthew 16:1>12 ESV, NASV, or KJV) Jesus answered him, Truly, Truly, I say to you, unless one is Born Again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, Truly, I say to you, unless one is Born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is Born of the Spirit is Spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be Born Again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is Born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said to Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not Understand these things? (John 3:1>10 ESV)

Now Nicodemus was as devoutly religious as his peers, but unlike most he noticed Jesus and sought Him out at night, so as not to be exposed to those inclined to totally reject Him. Yet in spite of all his religious training, he was still incapable of understanding what He was meaning. So religion having failed, how is it that Faith accomplishes. Since Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, what does the Word say so that the willing can Understand. John came Baptizing in water. (Matthew 3:1>12) (Ref. Romans 6:1>14, Colossians 2:1>23) So then, the the old man had to first die and be buried in water, in order for the new man to be raised out of the water being Born Again, as new born babies, with ears prepared to begin to Hear, Understand and Obey the Word of God that has come into the world. Without faith to believe that, no-one can proceed, as it is the first step of faith.

Now having been prepared, our hearts having been purified by requiring the old man to die, along with all his opinions, so that we may truly become a new creation in Christ. Then and only then can we proceed to being Born of the Spirit which comes from God, by hearing, receiving, and in subjection obeying His Word, the Christ, the Lord of those willing to Believe Him.

Remember beloved it is written: “Without Faith it is impossible to please God” and it is only in becoming pleasing to God that we can have the Hope of entering into His Kingdom. The rebellious and unbelieving, because of their own choices, have excluded themselves.

With that I will conclude chapter 2 of this my book and Lord willing I will proceed to the work of chapter 3. For those who have been led to consider my writings and believe in the possibility that God has chosen me to serve His purpose, in this our time I say: Have a truly blessed day and every day hereafter, which covers all ground. The Lord has provided the Way, now the rest is up to us: by our choices in word and deed we define ourselves before God.

In Sincere Love, Michael

November 28, 2022 @ 07:44