Tag: Mystery

  • God Gives the Increase

    “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
    1 Corinthians 3:7

    Paul, the Apostle, understood the importance of the message he was to deliver: Jesus, God’s Son, lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying for man’s sin, and rose again the third day. This was a message the world did not, and could not understand. It is a mystery to them. “7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). If the people in Jesus’ time had understood that Jesus had come to deliver them from sin, they never would have crucified Him. Paul wanted Believers to understand that their job was simply to preach this Gospel message, and God would reveal Himself to the individual.

    If God’s church would operate under this system, simply preaching and teaching Jesus, see what is promised. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). If God’s people (Christians) would simply present the Gospel message, God would reveal Himself; and Christians could never even imagine what He will do. Remember when Peter first preached Jesus on the day of Pentecost – three thousand were saved on that day (see Acts 2:41).  In addition, just a few days later, he preached again and five thousand were saved (see Acts 4:4). In every city Paul entered, he preached Jesus, and many people believed.

    Why did God want to reveal such mighty things to us? “12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Remember that once a person is saved (becomes a Christian) that they have a new nature (God’s Spirit). God gave His Spirit, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” God will then teach each Christian exactly how to live a life pleasing to Him (as one reads God’s Word, and listens to godly teaching). People, who do not know Jesus, do not understand why Christians want to go to church, or revival, or even read the Bible, as they learn how to live a Christian life – for “they are foolishness unto him.” Non-Christians cannot understand these things “because they are spiritually discerned.” Christians have a different nature.  

    Paul understood that the Believers in the church at Corinth had not grown in maturity in Christ as they should have, so he reprimanded them. “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Because they had not yet learned how to live a Christian life, they were still “carnal” (carnal means “weakness; frailty; of persons being worldly”).

    Paul then explained to them the importance of different teachers and workers. “5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).  Some workers plant the seed (plant means “to be the first to preach the gospel in a place”), another may water (watered means “to water, irrigate; used metaphorically of instruction”), but only God gives the increase (gave the increase means “to grow, increase, or add something”). Only God saves people.

    8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour … 10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:8-11). Each Christian is supposed to plant and water – for we are all to tell others about Jesus. We are to be a “wise masterbuilder” – just like Paul was. Wise masterbuilder means “a skillful, expert workman or builder; an architect.” But most importantly, the foundation must be Jesus (foundation means “the elementary doctrine and instruction; fundamental doctrine or principle – which is Christ”). The Gospel message of Jesus must be taught first in order for anyone to be saved.

    Do you plant or water, sharing the Gospel message of Jesus to others?

  • The Mystery of All Times

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
    I Timothy 3:16

    At some point in one’s life, a person become cognizant that there is something off – that they may be a good person, but that it isn’t enough in the grand scheme of things. They begin to recognize sin. Sin means “missing the true goal and scope of life; offense in relation to God with the emphasis on the resulting guilt. See Romans 3:23.” The realization of sin (and the conviction that follows) may come through a dream, a crisis in one’s life, a “light-bulb” moment (a time when something you heard before is suddenly understood), a conversation, a world-event, a simple call (that recognition of personal sin) during a reading of God’s Word, or many other instances. Keep in mind that at this point, reason may try to set in, justification in one’s mind. Sometimes they are words from loved ones declaring that this is a “crazy” idea – not acceptable in the world today. They may have you consider your future – job, family, your lifestyle, etc. There may be many who try to dissuade you! They may even give you an “alternate solution” for your current conviction; to challenge its reality and validity (some may mock by saying that the Bible is a book of myths and legends, and that no one should believe it). However, there must be a certain amount of understanding of the life choices one makes – the penalty for sin and the reward for Faith.

    When one feels this “bothering” (conviction of sin), they need to understand why. One should search out this matter, understanding the mystery behind it: the greatest mystery of all time, which many do not understand — because it must be revealed to them. What is this great mystery? “26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27). Notice that this great mystery has only been made known to “his saints” (Christians, those who trust in Jesus). It has been hidden from everyone else (the lost, those who are not Christians – those apart from Christ), and they cannot understand this mystery. This lack of understanding is the condition of one who becomes under conviction of sin. It is important that one set out to understand this great mystery. 

    The question is, “How does one understand the great mystery of all times and the things of God?”

    It is important for that one who feels this conviction to go to one that can help him find the answer to this mystery – a Christian; one who has God’s Word, the Bible. What does this person have the ability to do? “25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Only by the gospel message of Jesus Christ being preached (declared from the Bible by individuals) can this great mystery be understood. It is revealed in Jesus and made known to us through the Scriptures. And the desire to discover the answer comes with that conviction. “44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). Anyone who is drawn by God wants to know this great mystery. It is then that the search begins. That is when the mystery will be revealed: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16)

    Jesus is the answer to the greatest mystery of all times.

    Have you the desire to search out the greatest mystery of all times?

  • Mom

    2. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)

    So many people knew my mom. She never knew all of the lives she touched. She had such a gift of writing and teaching that most will never attain.

    I will never stop learning from my mom. Her example of living a Christian life will always be remembered as a personal witness for not only me, but also everyone who knew her.

    She spent her final years formatting the letters she originally wrote for my sister into a book. She had taught the Bible Study to many ladies through the years. The greatest learning times were in those classes where she actually taught the lessons (and she lived out what she taught!). Nevertheless, the words that she put down in this book will touch many lives if they will only implement the principles found within – all from the Bible.

    Take time to order this book.

    Read it.

    It can change your life.