It Begins On the Inside

(Message by Bro. Vijay Awale. Happy reading!)

Today, I am going to speak again on ‘change’-and that it begins on the inside. It is my desire that it will help us to focus once again on the promise of this year-about changing from glory to glory. I believe that change is the only constant here, and the year 2012 may pass on, but the process of change will continue-and it should!

If the change does not start on the inside, all your exercise of prayer and fasting (with help from brothers and sisters in Christ) will not help; remember that we are not talking about change in circumstances or some cosmetic change in us. We are really into metamorphosis change-of how the crawling caterpillar and the slumbering pupae becomes a dancing butterfly!

Carnal mind and death

Some say, “I try to change, but I can’t; Maybe I am made to be like this only.” Brothers, it is not change from the mind and fleshly effort, but a change from the heart. The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). Paul writes in Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” And this verse is very much linked to Romans 12:2 where we see about renewal of the mind and being transformed from glory to glory.

Now ‘Carnal’ denotes something of the flesh; it is not necessarily sinful. All sin is carnal, but not all carnality is sin. For example, our day-to-day activities of work, business, eating and drinking are all carnal, but not necessarily sin. But 1 Cor. 2:14 encourages us to distance ourselves from those that are natural (carnal) and discern those things that are spiritual.

And death comprises of all misery both here and hereafter. Romans 6:23 says: The wages of sin is death. Death may be represented by sickness, loneliness, depression, separation, pain-all as a result of sin.

Combining this carnal mind and death, Paul writes in Romans 8:6: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Mind you, the Bible does not say that carnal mind leads to death, but that carnal mind IS death. Similarly to be spiritually minded IS life and peace.

Spiritual mind and life

When I say 'spiritually minded', I am aware that many of us consider ourselves ‘spiritual’. But, do not be deceived with your own assessment of yourself: To be spiritually-minded is to fill your heart with the word of God and let your mind be dominated by truths from the word of God.

Strangely, some do have a fickle sense of spirituality; for instance they consider themselves ‘SPIRITUAL’ by speaking sentences such as: “I got up in the morning and could feel the hunger in my stomach; the SPIRIT told me to go and have break-fast”. Or look at sentences like this: “I got up to go to church but a cat crossed my path; as I was wondering if I should continue to go to church, the SPIRIT stopped me and told me to just take it easy, go back home and rest”.

Do not be deceived! Brothers, this is NOT a spiritual mind, but a carnal mind! How can we be so foolish? Remember, we are also a spiritual being; therefore there is a human spirit. So we have the evil spirit, human spirit, and the Holy Spirit, and we ought to check which ‘spirit’ is really talking to us! Spiritually minded, as meant in the Bible, is to be led by the Holy Spirit according to all that you have been filled in your mind with the truths from the word of God-this is the way to renew our mind.

Seed and Result

You have a responsibility towards your soul, towards your mind. Do not be deceived by what the world teaches you, but rather live by what the word teaches you. For example some say that either their family background, or their impoverished state, or their lack of education, or the peers they have grown up with, etc., are to be blamed for their own state of mind. But is this what the word teaches us? NO. For everyone who is in Christ is a new creation-the old is gone, the new has come.

Now, how long have you known the Lord Jesus? And now how is your life going on, and how is your mind? I do not have to physically see the SEED at the time of sowing, to know the kind of fruit it will bring forth. Imagine you have a garden and you have planted some seeds; and when I come to your home, all I see is your plants all ready to bloom. But friend, this is sufficient for me to know what SEED you had sowed earlier! Similarly, in the garden of life, the result is always due to the seeds you have allowed to be sown in your mind-soil. 

Knowledge and Peace

If you believe you have a mind, you better fill it with seeds that are life and peace. Yes, you better be spiritually minded, which is life and peace (Rom. 8:6). Many do want grace and peace in their lives, and they think it is given to them by external means. There are some who think peace is a result of success in external circumstances. But if you read 2 Peter 1:2, it says: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,…

What a wonderful way to have grace and peace! Yes, even multiplied peace-in knowing God our Father and our Lord Jesus. Peace is NOT ABSENCE of problems; it is, rather, the PRESENCE of Jesus in our heart and mind. Therefore, we can know His peace through knowledge of God, even in the midst of storm. Dwelling in our minds, the words of Jesus speaks peace to our hearts; and it eventually changes the circumstances-the storm will be gone!

Knowledge and Power

Continue reading the next verse from Peter, and it becomes clearer still. 2 Peter 1:3 says: as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,…

His divine power has given to us all things-through the knowledge. We can know His divine power through the knowledge of Him who called us.

Some have this only expectation-that they would stand in some gospel meeting or church worship-and they would pray “Lord touch me”-and expect the power of God, out of the blue, to strike them like lightning-and everything in them and around them to be changed in an instant! This, they think, and which they can later testify, as to knowing His divine power. Beloved, the change in an instant is redemption of the spirit. All else, about us and inside of us, will change only step by painful step, as you steadfastly climb up the spiritual-mind ladder!

Change begins on the inside of us, and can continue only on the inside of us-in deepening knowledge of Him, and widening knowledge of His power and peace. This knowledge is sufficient, Peter says, for ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Pet 1:3)

Increase in Faith

Our increase in faith is a result of seeing more and more from God’s perspective; as we climb up higher in the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus. That is why we will learn not to blame the circumstances, not to blame others. The battle of life and faith mostly fought in the mind; and it is our responsibility to choose between the carnal and spiritual, that we may have victory. Eph. 6:12 says: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Satan, the father of lies, lures people to their peril by perverting the truth. The truth is change is necessary even in a believer’s life; and change begins on the inside and continues as long as we live-from degree to degree, from glory to glory. It is insane to keep doing the same things, and keep doing things the same way, and expect different results.

Do Not Fear Change

Do not be afraid to change-a change in your thinking, a change in your doing, just because there are traditions you don’t understand, and fables you have been taught in your younger days about doing things a certain way. It is the knowledge of God and what He has spoken, that will cause us to change for the better. Successful people are not those who do different things, but those who do things differently. And it all begins in your mind.

Remember the incident in the life of four lepers in the land of Samaria-in the midst of a famine made severe by a prolonged siege by the Syrian king Ben-Hadad; the famine becoming so severe that motherss were willing to eat their own children! Read about it 2 Kings 6: 24 onwards to 2 Kings 7: 20. The four lepers thought they should go and surrender to the Syrian king-their enemy, because they were anyway going to die! And when the Lord caused the Syrians to flee before them, and they gathered the spoil, they thought again differently, saying they should rather go back to Samaria to share the good news and the great food stock and spoil left in the Syrian camp. 

May God help us and fill us with all knowledge of our Lord Jesus, as we steadfastly seek Him. Amen.

Spiritual, laterally thinking

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph on November 29, 2009, at NLF-Vashi. Here’s hoping I haven’t missed much. Happy reading!)

For the past few weeks, I have been sharing with you about the foundations of Christian living. You will all appreciate how a foundation is so important for any building. If the foundation is poor, will the building be safe to dwell in? It’s much the same way in the Christian life. We saw that in water-baptism, we become a part in the body of Christ; firstly the universal body of Christ, where we identify with all the saints everywhere in the world and secondly, the local expression of that body in Christ, which is the local  church – the church near our dwelling place, where we become members. When we take part of the Holy Communion, we express that we are ‘one body’ in Jesus Christ-our head. We have a fellowship with one another, as in the family of God, walking as children of light. You see, God never intended us to be lone-rangers, roaming alone in this world without being spiritually alive in our relationship with one another.

This is my burden today to share about the great part we have as ‘members’ in the body of Christ. Communion with God is not just an upward relationship, but also establishing a relationship with our fellow members in the local church.

Do you think that the essential part is only drawing close to God? That you can do-worship, pray at home and draw close to God; sit in the comfort of your home and hear the word of God expounded by world-renowned speakers on TV? But, you know what? Our spiritual growth is also dependent on our relationship with fellow members in the body of Christ.

Psalm 92:13 says, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God”. Observe two things together here-‘planted’ and ‘house of the Lord’. So we must be planted – firmly established, in the house of the Lord – the local church. And the result is growth – shall flourish. There is a commitment involved when we say planted. For, a plant here, planted some time back, in Sector-6 Rotary Club-if you take it out and re-plant it in Sector-19; and then after some time move it to Sec-29 and then again to Kopar-khairane; do you imagine that the plant will grow? Is it any wonder why people who go church-hopping find their growth stunted? But, if it is firmly established in one place, the plant will have time to develop roots and grow and flourish.

Going to church is not the same as having food in the hotel. Someday you may prefer Chinese from one hotel; then may be Punjabi dishes from another hotel; then again South-Indian or Goan food. But the fact is you are going to need home food on the regular basis. In a city like Mumbai, you may find more than 100 New Life Fellowships. But wherever you have joined as a member, be committed to find your growth. Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…”. The author of Hebrews exhorts us not to take lightly the sacred assembly as is the manner of some. Even in those times there were some who thought the gathering together was not that important.

1 Peter 5:6 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”. It is God who gives us growth; it is He who lifts us up. As we remain committed to a fellowship, we express our humility before God. If you look above, at the previous verse, it talks of submission. Verse 5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…” We have elders in the church we can listen, and submit ourselves. If you look at some verses below, v8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. What it means, if you put all these verses together, is that in submission there is safety; we are protected from the devil who seeks to devour. By humility and submission within the church, we guard ourselves; we calm ourselves and become vigilant. Otherwise, if you think you can do it alone, you roam around aimlessly and are vulnerable for attack. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God in the local church.

Ephesians 2:19 says, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” We are family in the local church – the household of God. Romans 12:5 says, “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” We are part of the same body formed of different members-having different functions roles, but nevertheless knit together as one body. In your function as individual members, the whole body finds growth. That is why it is important to understand, that we gather together not just to receive from God, but also give to one another as members of the same body. We are called to function as God’s representatives and God wants to use every one of us – whatever may be your gifting, talent or ability, in the growth of the local church that you are members of.

If a part of the body does not function, we say it is paralyzed, for example the left hand or the right. In a similar manner, every member has a function to fulfill in God's great plan for the local church growth. There are members in the body you may not even be aware of, because it is hidden; but nevertheless doing its function properly. For example, you may not bother to know anything about pancreas-a small member present in our bodies- till you have a diabetic problem. Then you come to know its important function of breaking down sugar molecules for nourishment of the entire body. In much the same way, whether small or great, each member has a vital role to play, vital function to perform, a vital responsibility to shoulder - for the growth of the local body of believers.

Today, I would like to share with 8 such responsibilities for members to fulfill in the purposes of God for the local church. If we read, receive and impart the word of God, it will surely make a difference in the congregation of believers, in the assembling together of the saints.

The responsibilities are

1. Get to know each other

In 3 John verse 14, the last part of the verse says “…Greet the friends by name”. We have not come here to be alone and aloof in the way we conduct ourselves in the church. It is for each one of us to be friendly and know others by name. In this way, you can start knowing one another.

2. Accept one another

Romans 15 talks about Paul's ministry to the Gentiles; where he talks extensively of accepting one another within the body of Christ. Verse 7 says, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God”. I remember a time, when I was in Thailand and went to a united international fellowship on a Sunday for worship. There were people from many nations there and yet united to worship one and the same God. People there accepted me although we were meeting for the first time. And I was invited to lunch after the service. I realized that this was the work of the Spirit of God.

Verse 5 and 6 encourages us to be like-minded in patience and comfort, and with one mouth glorify God. You see, when we know and accept one another, and continue a friendly relationship; there is also an opportunity to get hurt. But in the unity of relationship and in the pursuit of peace, we can learn to forgive one another. Eph. 4:32 says, “…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Yes, don’t show a cold shoulder when others seek reconciliation. Don’t feel vindicated when the other person is struggling in his/her growth. But be kind.

3. Pray for one another

Ephesians 6:18 talks about praying always…with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. When you know the needs of others, you can come before our God and pray for one another.

4. Encourage and exhort one another

Heb. 10:25 talks about exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching. When you’ve prayed for some person, you can counsel and encourage the person to be strong in the Lord for that Day is surely coming.

5. Love one another

Jesus told His disciples, ‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35)

6. Care for one another

1 Corinthians 12:25 talks about caring for one another. In the body of Christ, as fellow members, you must look around for people in need and help them.

7. Serve one another

1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”. Our gifting and talents are to be used to serve, to minister to one another.

8. Restore one another

Galatians 6:1 talks about restoring a person, in a spirit of gentleness, into the fold of God, when the person has gone astray.

When we continue in these above responsibilities, there are benefits for the fellowship and for our own soul and spirit. These can be fourfold.

1. Growth

Ephesians 4:16, talks about this. “…according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

2. We know our God who is love

Ephesians 3:18, 19 says that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ…”

3. We are protected

Jesus taught us that if any brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he would not, take along two or three brothers and reason with him-enable him to understand. You see, by this we are cared for and walk the straight path.

4. We hear God's voice

1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God”. In our lonely time, we may cry out like the psalmist, ‘Why are you hiding yourself, O God?’ or ‘Why do stand far away?’ But, when we assemble together as one body in the local church, and as we are ministered to, we receive the word of God. We hear God speaking to us. We share with one another and receive God’s word and counsel from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not need any counsel from the world. Psalm 1 talks about the blessedness of the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. But, in the multitude of counselors, in the body of Christ, there is safety and victory.

Therefore, seek to build friendship. Seek for people to guide and counsel. Don’t be yoked with unbelievers but have room in your hearts for God's people. Speak it out to one another, confess and bear one another's burden.

It is vital to remain committed, to belong, to participate and to relate to one another. Utilize your talents and gifting for fulfillment of God's purposes in the body of Christ. And we will flourish, grow and will be protected and will hear God's voice.

Thank you, O God, for every brother and sister who have blessed us here, who have been a source of encouragement and strength for us in need. Help us to value one another and grow in the unity and love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.