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EAGLE VISION MINISTRY |
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How long had I been here in this closet? Days or just hours?
Surely it seemed days since at my own request I had heard my wife lock that
closet door from the outside! What would she think about me shutting myself
away for so long? Had it really been days or just hours? Was I really getting
anywhere with God? Would God answer? Would God satisfy that hunger of my soul
or would I have to admit defeat again as so often I had done? No! I'd stay
right here on my knees until God answered, or I would die in the attempt!
Hadn't God's word said, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up-up-UP-with wings-with wings as eagles; they shall
run and not be weary; they shall ---."
Had my wife opened the door? No, it was still closed! But
the light, where was the light coming from? It was then that I began to realize
that the light that was filling my prayer closet was God's glory! It wasn't the
closet door that had opened, but rather the door of heaven instead!
The presence of God was so real and powerful that I felt I
would die right there on my knees. It seemed that if God came any closer, I
could not stand it! Yet I wanted it and was determined to have it. Little
wonder that Paul under like circumstance, "fell to the earth". Acts
9:4. No wonder John, "fell at his feet as dead". Rev. 1:17.
Was this the answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would God
at last, after these many years, satisfy my longing heart? I seemed to lose
consciousness of everything but the mighty presence of God. I trembled, I tried
to see Him and then was afraid that I would, for suddenly I realized that
should I see Him, I would die. Just His glorious presence was enough!
Then like a whirlwind, I heard His voice. It was God! He was
speaking to me! This was the glorious answer that I had sought so diligently and
for which I had waited so long. Yes, this was what I had been waiting for since
my conversion at the age of twenty-three. Yes, this was what my longing soul
had cried for ever since God called me to the ministry.
That call to the ministry had come with such force and was
so definite that nothing could ever make me doubt it. From the time of my
conversion God had made it so real to me even though my past life had not been
spent in such a way as to provide any preparation for this work.
From the time of my conversion, I realized my need of much
study if ever I were to fulfill the call of God upon my life. Therefore, I
spent many hours reading the Bible, and seeking to understand its message and
meaning. To my simple untaught soul, God seemed to mean exactly what he said --
and seemed to say it directly to me through His Word -- "As ye go, preach,
saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. HEAL THE SICK, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Matt.
10:7. All this seemed included in a call to the ministry, yet I DID NOT SEE IT
BEING DONE! I was myself powerless to carry out these commands of Christ. Yet I
knew that it COULD BE DONE, for Christ would not give a command which could not
be carried out!
Before my conversion, I knew so little about God and his
word, that I could not even quote John 3:16, nor name the four gospels. In the
Methodist church where I was converted and of which I became a member, I was
not taught to expect to be baptized with the Holy Ghost as the first disciples
were on the day of Pentecost, nor to expect the signs mentioned in Mark
16:17,18 to follow me as a believer in the Lord. I was taught to believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and was gloriously saved, and set free from
condemnation for sin. Then as I searched the Scriptures, asking God to lead me
to those readings from which I would receive the greatest benefit, the Lord
began to reveal to me the truths of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the signs
following, the gifts of the spirit, and the supernatural things of God.
It was not long until God led me into a Pentecostal church,
where I began to see in a small measure the blessings of God, and a few of the
manifestations of the Spirit. It was in these meetings that I became convinced
that I needed the Baptism with the Spirit, and there I began to pray and
earnestly seek God for that experience.
Thirty days after my conversion, I was gloriously filled
with the Holy Ghost, in an Assembly of God camp meeting in
I had read, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you." Acts 1:8. I fully expected that with the
infilling of the Holy Ghost, I would immediately have power to heal the sick,
and to perform miracles. It did not take me long to realize that more was
required than the baptism with the Holy Ghost, in order to consistently see
these results. The baptism with the Spirit provides access to this power, but
the gifts of the Spirit provide the channels through which this power operates.
I began immediately to pray and seek the gifts of the Spirit. I felt I must
have power to heal the sick, for I knew that God never called anyone to preach
the Gospel without commissioning him also to heal the sick.
The power of the Holy Ghost may be readily likened to the
power of electricity. When one is filled with the Spirit, it is as though he
has had his house wired, and established connection with the "power
house". Many people use electricity for years just to provide light! They
never take advantage of the great possibilities that are available through
using the appliances which electricity will operate. The gifts of the Spirit
may be likened to the appliances. As new gifts are added more work can be done,
with greater ease. The power has not changed, but it is made more effective.
God never intended to STOP when he had filled his people with the Spirit. This
is just the beginning. "Covet earnestly the best gifts." I Cor.
12:31. This, I found, is the path to greater accomplishment for God.
Two years after my conversion, I was happily married, and
began my ministry.
For more than a year, my wife and I continued preaching this
glorious gospel of salvation, the baptism with the Spirit, the second coming of
Christ, and DIVINE HEALING. In every revival meeting, I always planned at least
two nights in each week to be set aside for preaching divine healing, and
prayer for the sick. During this time, we saw a large number of miraculous
healings, for God honored the preaching of His word. But I knew that God's plan
included greater things for me, and I believed that there would be a time in
the future when they would be a reality in my life.
Many times, my wife and I would search the scriptures
together, becoming more convinced as we did so that God's promises concerning
the signs following, the gifts of the Spirit, healings, and miracles were meant
for us, today. It was also plain to see that we did not possess that power in
the fullness that God had promised. We knew there must be a scriptural reason
why we were so lacking in power. Since God cannot lie, the fault had to be
WITHIN OURSELVES!
It was while pastoring my first church, an Assembly of God
church in
I felt sure that if I would fast and pray, God would in some
way speak to me, and reveal to me what stood between me and the miracle-working
power of God in my ministry. I was so hungry for the power of God in my own
life that I felt I could not stand in my pulpit, nor even preach again, until I
had heard from God, and told my wife that this was my plan.
It was then that I had the greatest battle of my life. Satan
was determined that I should NOT fast and pray until God answered. Many times
he whipped me or tricked me out of that prayer closet. Satan knew that if I
ever actually contacted God, there would be much damage to his kingdom, and he
meant to do all in his power to hinder me from making that contact.
Day after day, I went into the prayer closet, determined to
stay until God had spoke to me. Again and again, I came out without the answer.
Again and again my wife would say to me, "I thought you
said this was the time you were going to stay until you got the answer."
Then she would smile in her own sweet way, remembering that "the spirit
indeed is willing, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK!"
Again and again I answered her, "Honey, I really meant
to pray it through this time, but -- !" It seemed there was always a
reason why I couldn't stay in that closet until the answer came. I always
justified myself by saying I would pray it through tomorrow. Things would be
more favorable then.
The Lord encouraged my heard by calling to my attention how
Daniel held on in fasting and prayer, and wrested the answer from the hands of
satan, although it took three weeks to do so. (See Daniel 10:1 and 12)
The next day found me on my knees in the closet again. I had
told my wife I would never come out until I heard from God. I REALLY THOUGHT I
MEANT IT.
But a few hours later, when I began to smell the odor of
food that my wife was preparing for herself and our small son, I was soon out
of the closet and in the kitchen, inquiring, "What smells so delicious,
dear?"
A few moments later, while I was at the table, God spoke to
my heart. I had only taken one bite of food, and I stopped. God had spoken to
me. I knew that until I wanted to hear from God MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE
WORLD, more than food, more than the gratification of the flesh, GOD WOULD
NEVER GIVE ME THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS IN MY HEART!
I arose quickly from the table, and said to my wife,
"Honey, I mean business with God this time! I'm going back into that
closet, and I want you to lock me inside. I am going to stay there until I hear
from God."
"Oh," she replied, "you'll be knocking for me
to open the door in an hour or so." She knew that so many times I had said
THIS was the time I would stay until I had the answer, she was beginning to
wonder if I really could subdue the flesh long enough to defeat the devil.
Nevertheless, I heard her lock the door from the outside. Before she left, she
said, "I'll let you out any time you knock."
I answered, "I'll not knock until I have the answer
that I have wanted so long." At last I had definitely made up my mind to
stay there till I heard from God, no matter what the cost!
Hour after hour, I battled with the devil and the flesh in
that closet! Many were the times I almost gave up. It seemed to me that days
were slipping by, and my progress was so slow! Many times I was tempted to give
it all up, and try to be satisfied without the answer -- to go on just as I had
been doing. But deep in my soul I knew I could never be satisfied to do that. I
had tried it, and found that it was not enough.
No! I would stay right here on my knees until God answered,
or I would die in the attempt!
Then the glory of God began to fill the closet. I thought
for a moment that my wife had opened the door, as the closet door began to grow
light. But my wife had not opened the door of the closet -- JESUS HAD OPENED
THE DOOR OF HEAVEN, and the closet was flooded with light, the light of the
glory of God!
I do not know how long I had stayed in the closet before
this happened, but it doesn't matter. I do not care to know. I only know I
prayed UNTIL!
The presence of God was so real, so wonderful, and so
powerful that I felt I would die right there on my knees. It seemed that if God
came any closer, I could not stand it! Yet I wanted it, and was determined to
have it.
Was this my answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would God,
at last, after these many years, satisfy my longing heart? How long had I been here?
I didn't know! I seemed to lose consciousness of everything but the mighty
presence of God. I tried to see Him, and then was afraid that I would, for
suddenly I realized that should I seem Him, I would die. (Exodus 33:20.) Just
His glorious presence was enough!
If only He would speak to me now! If He would just answer my
one question, "Lord, why can't I heal the sick? Why can't I work miracles
in Your name? Why do signs not follow my ministry as they did that of Peter,
John and Paul?"
Then like a whirlwind, I heard His voice! It was God! He was
speaking to me! This was the glorious answer for which I had waited so long!
In His presence I felt like one of the small pebbles at the
foot of the towering
It seemed that faster than any human could possibly speak
faster than I could follow mentally, God was talking to me. My heart cried out,
"Speak a little more slowly. I want to remember it all!"
It seemed God was speaking to me so fast, and of so many
things I could never remember it all. Yet I knew I could never forget! God was
giving me a list of the things which stood between me and the power of God.
After each new requirement was added to the list in my mind, there followed a
brief explanation, or sermonette, explaining that requirement and its
importance.
Some of the things God spoke to me sounded like scriptures.
I knew some of them were, but those first three -- could they be from the
Bible?
If I had known there were so many things to remember, I
would have brought a pencil and paper! I hadn't expected that God would speak
in such a definite way, and give me such a long list. I had never dreamed that
I was falling so far short of the glory of God. I hadn't realized there were so
many things in my life that generated doubt and hindered my faith.
While God continued to speak to me, I began to feel in my
pockets for a pencil. At last I located a short one, but the lead was broken.
Quickly I sharpened it with my teeth. I searched for a piece of paper. I
couldn't find any. Suddenly I remembered the cardboard box filled with winter
clothes which I was using for an altar. I would write on the box.
Now I was ready!
I asked the Lord to please start all over again at the
beginning, and let me write the things down one at a time -- to speak slowly
enough so that I could get it all on paper.
Once more God started at the first, and spoke to me one
after another the many things He had already mentioned. As God spoke to me, I
wrote them down.
When the last requirement was written down on the list, God
spoke once again, and said, "This is the answer. When you have placed on
the altar of consecration and obedience the last thing on your list, YE SHALL
NOT ONLY HEAL THE SICK, BUT IN MY NAME SHALL YE CAST OUT DEVILS. YE SHALL SEE
MIGHTY MIRACLES AS IN MY NAME YE PREACH THE WORD, FOR BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER
OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY."
God revealed to me at the same time that the things that
were hindrances to my ministry, and had prevented God from working with me,
confirming the Word with signs following, were the very same things which were
hindering so many thousands of others.
Now it began to grow darker in the closet. I felt His mighty
power begin to lift. For a few more moments, His presence lingered, and then I
was alone.
Alone, yet not alone.
I trembled under the mighty lingering presence of God. I
fumbled at the bottom of the cardboard box on which I had been writing. In the
dark, I tore the part on which I had written from the box. In my hand I held
the list. At last, here was the price I must pay for the power of God in my
life and ministry. THE PRICE TAG FOR THE MIRACLE-WORKING POWER OF GOD!
Frantically, I pounded on the locked door. Again and again I
pounded. At last, I heard my wife coming. She opened the door. The moment she
saw me, she knew I had beem with God. Her first words were, "You've got
the answer!"
"Yes, honey. God has paid me a visit from heaven, and
here is the answer."
In my hand was the old brown piece of cardboard, with the
answer that had cost so many hours of fasting and prayer and waiting, and --
yes -- believing!
My wife and I sat down at the table with the list before us,
and as I told her the story, we both wept, as together we went down the list.
There were thirteen items on the list when I came out of the
closet, but I erased the last two before showing the list to my wife, because
those two were so personal that even my wife shall never know what they were.
She has never asked, for she realizes that these things MUST remain between me
and God.
The remaining eleven things make up the contents of this
book. There is one entire chapter devoted to each of these eleven requirements.
If you, too, have longed for the manifestation of the mighty power of God in
your own life and ministry, I trust that these thoughts shall inspire you, and
that God may speak to you, as he did me, and lead you on to new victory and
greater usefulness because of this book.
Since God spoke to me that day in the closet, many pages
have been torn from the calendar. In fact, many calendars have been replaced by
new ones. As the time has passed, one by one, I have marked the requirements
from my list. The list grew smaller and smaller, as I shouted the victory over
satan, and marked off one after another!
Finally, I was down to the last two. Satan said to me,
"You've marked off eleven items, but here are two you'll never mark off.
I've got you whipped."
But by the grace of God, I told the devil he was a liar. If
God said I could mark them all off, He would help me to do it!
Yet, it seemed I would never be able to mark off the last
two.
Never will I forget the day I looked over my list, and
found, praise God, there was only one thing left! If I could mark that off, I
could claim the promise that God had made to me.
I had to claim that promise! Millions were sick and
afflicted, beyond the help of medical science. Some one MUST bring deliverance
to them. God had called me to take deliverance to the people. GOD HAS CALLED
EVERY MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL TO DO THE SAME! (Ezek. 34:1-4.)
Many have been the times when God has poured out His Spirit
in my meetings in a measure, as I have traveled across the states. However, I
knew that when I marked the last item from my list, I would see such miracles
as I had never seen before. In the meantime, I would patiently strive toward
victory, trusting God to help me until victory came. Trusting that when that
victory was mine, God would be glorified, and others, too, would be encouraged
to seek God for his power.
At this writing, I am conducting a "BACK TO GOD HEALING
REVIVAL" at
Night after night, the waves of Divine Glory so sweep over
the congregation that many testify of being healed while sitting in their
seats. Again and again as we have felt the mighty power of God settling over
the meeting, people have risen to their feet to testify of instant healings,
some of which are visibly miraculous, such as outward tumors disappearing, the
crippled made whole.
I have felt goiters disappear at the touch of my hand in
Jesus' name!
The shouts of victory are many as the blind see. One woman
testified, "It was like coming out of the dark into the sunlight."
We prayed for a woman with throat trouble. After a few
moments, she was seen hurrying to the ladies rest room. After returning to the
auditorium, she testified that after prayer, something came loose out of her
throat and came up into her mouth. she had hurried to the rest room to dispose
of it. It was some kind of foreign growth (doubtless cancer) -- whitish orange
in color.
Ruptures as large as a person's fist have disappeared
overnight. Cancer, deafness, tumors, goiters, sugar diabetes, every known
disease and many unknown, disappear, as in the name of Jesus, we lay hands upon
the sick. Genuine healings are proven in many cases by doctors' statements and
x-rays.
We stand in holy awe, and marvel at the miracle working
power of God, as it has moved night after night from the very beginning of this
meeting. Hundreds have been delivered from the power of the enemy -- saved,
healed, or filled with the Spirit.
In this meeting, it has been impossible to have what is
generally termed a "healing line". At least ninety percent of those
upon whom we have laid hands are prostrated under the mighty power of God
immediately. Some dance a few steps, or weave drunkenly under the power of the
Spirit before falling. (See Jer. 23:9). Under these circumstances, it is
impossible to have people march on after prayer.
This is the mighty power of God moving upon the people. It
is the same power that caused John to "fall at his feet as dead".
(Rev. 1:17.)
Many say that the most outstanding thing about this meeting
is that such a large percentage of the sick are receiving such miraculous
deliverance. It would be a conservative estimate to say that at least ninety
percent, or even more of those prayed for have been marvelously healed.
Tonight's service was designated "Holy Ghost
Night."
I do not claim to possess a single gift of the Spirit, nor
to have power to impart any gift to others, yet all the gifts of the Spirit are
in operation, night after night.
Many are exercising the gifts of the Spirit WITHOUT
IMPOSITION OF HANDS OR PROPHETIC UTTERANCE!
God is confirming His Word WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING!
Why have I seen such a change in the results of my ministry?
You ask WHY? Have you not guessed?
THE LAST ITEM OF THE LIST GOD GAVE TO ME in the closet of
prayer HAS BEEN MARKED OFF THE LIST AT LAST! Hallelujah! Many times, I almost
gave up hope of ever being able to mark that last one off, but at last it is
gone! By God's grace, GONE FOREVER!
With the marking off of the last requirement on my list, has
come the fulfillment of God's promise. THE SICK ARE HEALED. DEVILS ARE CAST
OUT. MIGHTY MIRACLES ARE SEEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AS HIS WORD IS PREACHED!
The chapters which follow give the requirements which God
gave to me, and are dedicated to all those who are hungry for the MIRACLE
WORKING POWER OF GOD.
What strange words! Why should God speak thus to me?
Somehow, I knew that I had read those words somewhere, but
where? (I later discovered that this was quoted from the Bible -- Matt. 10:24.)
But this was the voice of God, speaking directly to ME. This was the same voice
which had spoken to Phillip (Acts 8:30), saying, "Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot." It was the voice which Peter had heard (Acts
10:15), saying, "What God hath cleansed that call not thou common."
The voice which God's Word tells us may still be heard today. "As the Holy
Ghost saith, today if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." Heb. 3:7,8. Now
I was hearing the voice of God. All others who might share in the message of
these words were for the moment blotted out of my thinking. I had asked God for
a solution to my problem, and God was giving the answer.
First of all, I must know that NEVER could there be any
possibility of being above my Master, Jesus.
You say, "What is so strange about that? Surely no one
would expect to be above HIM!
But wait! You may find that you too, just as I had, have
been seeking and expecting that very thing. I had read His promise, "He
that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12. Although
it seemed hardly reasonable that anyone could really do a greater miracle than
those done by Jesus, yet this seemed to be what the scripture said. Many times
I had wondered about the meaning of this scripture. The thought that the
disciple could do a greater miracle than his Lord seemed to be a direct
contradiction of the spirit of the scripture. Now I could see that this
promise, like all God's promises, is true when rightly understood. "Greater
works shall he do," in the sense that Jesus was only one, limited by time
and transportation difficulties to a small area and a few people. Those who
believe on Him are many. They are scattered over the face of the entire earth.
Many of His modern disciples have circled the globe, preaching to thousands at
one time by means of electrical amplification systems, and to vast unseen
audiences through radio and television, bringing deliverance to greater
multitudes than did Jesus. Where Jesus reached hundreds, His followers are
reaching thousands. The works of power which are done today are THE SAME WORKS
which He did -- greater in quantity, but not in quality. EVERY BELIEVER has
promised to him the same power which Jesus used -- miracles after the same pattern
which they saw their Master do, first in the flesh and later through the
written record found in the four gospels. What mighty things would have been
accomplished had all the followers of Jesus made use of this power!
The words quoted at the beginning of this chapter were part
of the message of Christ to twelve believers who were sent out to do the very
things which I knew God had called me to do -- "Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely
give." Matt. 10:8. With these wonderful promises of power were included
warnings of persecution -- "Ye shall be brought before governors and kings
for my sake." Verse 18. "Brother shall deliver up brother to death,
and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents,
and cause them to be put to death." Verse 21. No deliverance from this
persecution was promised to the followers of Christ, although they were to have
power to do the things which He did. CHRIST HIMSELF WAS PERSECUTED. If His
disciples could do the works He did, and in addition be delivered from
persecution, then indeed would the disciple be above his master.
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution." II Tim. 3:12.
Persecution is one of the universal results of manifested
power.
Jesus was not persecuted while He remained in the carpenter
shop at
Even so, you will not meet with much opposition and
persecution so long as you are just, as the world would say, a "normal
Christian," but when you begin to accept God's promises for your life, and
to do the UNUSUAL, persecution will come!
Personally, I met with very little opposition until I made
up my mind to have all God had promised me as a minister.
This opposition may appear to come from people, but it is
really directed by satan, the commanding general of the opposing army, and
using all the methods of warfare from direct frontal attack to "fifth
column activities" among our own people.
Again and again, Jesus pointed out to His disciples the
price of following in His steps, recommending that they count the cost, and
offering them the opportunity of turning back if the price seemed too great, in
proportion to the value of the blessing to be received. Our master "for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:2.
If we suffer we shall also reign with him." II Tim.
2:12. To the disciple who seeks to share in His power and glory, it must FIRST
OF ALL be pointed out that he, being not greater than his master, must follow
the same path of suffering, faithfulness and consecration which his Master
followed, if he is to reach the goal, if he would know the abundant life -- the
powerful life -- in this world, and share in heaven's glory.
If the Son of God must suffer rejection, persecution, cruel
scourgings, and crucifixion, at the hands of those to whom He came to minister,
His disciple is not above suffering in order that he may carry the gospel of
deliverance to those in bondage.
If Christ Himself must reject all earthly ambitions -- even
refusing the opportunity to rule the world, when that opportunity was presented
aside from the principals of godliness (see Matt. 4:8-10) -- then surely His
disciple, if he is to know real power, must have an eye single to the purpose
of God, rejecting all offers but His, no matter how attractive they may be. His
cry must be, like his Master, "Lo I come to do thy will, O God." Heb.
10:7. Like Paul, he must be able to say, "I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Phil 3:8.
If the Son of God must spend long hours of the night, when
the rest of the world was sleeping, alone on the mountain top with His Father,
in order that He might be able to cast out even those demons of whom He said,
"This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21),
surely His disciple also must spend hours in fasting and prayer, waiting upon
God -- learning to think and act in unison with God -- before he can expect to
cast out such demons.
"Men ought always to pray and not to faint," Luke
18:1. Persistent, habitual prayer was one of the outstanding characteristics of
the life of Christ. When Judas desired to find Jesus in order to betray Him to
the priests, he knew that he would find Him in the garden of prayer. Prayer to
our Lord was more important than teaching and healing, for He refused to allow
Himself to be swept off His feet by the multitudes who "came together to
hear, and to be healed by Him" (Luke 5:15,16), but withdrew Himself from
the crowd which demanded His attention into the wilderness, and prayed. Prayer
was more important to Him than the working of miracles, for miracles do not
generate themselves. Prayer is the cause -- miracles the result. Prayer to
Jesus was more important than rest and sleep, for we find that "in the
morning rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a
solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35. And again, "He went out
into a mountain to pray and he continued all night in prayer to God." Luke
6:12.
If the disciple could attain the same results which Jesus
did WITHOUT PAYING THE SAME PRICE WHICH JESUS PAID, then it would have to be
confessed that the disciple had become greater than his master. The
"student" would have learned a better, more efficient method than
that taught to him by his "teacher." In the world, this often
happens. Many a musician has advanced beyond the one who gave him his training.
Many an artist has far excelled the one who taught him to draw and paint. And
many a scientist has learned for himself things which his science teachers
never knew. But the student of Jesus Christ CANNOT become greater than his
teacher. He cannot learn anything which Jesus did not know. He cannot find a
short cut to power with God. If he should try it, he will only meet with
disappointment and sorrow. His life will be shipwrecked and his ministry
useless.
For the disciple (student) of Christ, "It is enough for
the disciple that he be as his master (teacher)." Matt. 10:25.
Before I could fully comprehend all which God has spoken to
me, suddenly He was speaking to me again, the words which form the second step
of the revelation which God gave to me as I waited before Him in fasting and
prayer.
My spirit which had been humbled and almost crushed by the
words of the first message was suddenly lifted up in a blaze of glory, as I
realized that although I could never be above my Master, God had said I should
be AS MY MASTER! (This I also found to be a quotation from scripture -- Luke
6:40.)
This is not a promise (as some have thought) which awaits
the coming of Christ for its fulfillment. It is meant for the followers of
Christ HERE AND NOW! This promise was spoken to me directly, for my own
instruction and edification, but since it is a direct quotation of scripture,
it does not apply to me alone, but to EVERY ONE WHO WILL BELIEVE IT! It is to
YOU! You can heal the sick! You can see miracles! You can exercise the gifts of
the Spirit! (I Cor. 12:8-11) YOU CAN DO THE WORKS HE DID! God has said that you
could, and HE CANNOT LIE!
"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son
of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he
spoken, and shall he not make it good? Num. 23:19.
"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that
is gone out of my lips." Ps. 89:34.
Then, "Every one that is PERFECT" (that will meet
the requirements, I COULD BE AS MY MASTER!
But some will say, "That is impossible, for He was God,
as well as human. And we are only human."
These are unmindful of the plain statements of scripture,
"Verily he took not on him the nature of angels: but he took on him the
seed of Abraham. Wherefore IN ALL THINGS it behooved him to be made LIKE UNTO
HIS BRETHREN." Heb. 2:16,17.
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the FORM OF A SERVANT, and was made in the LIKENESS OF MEN: And being found IN
FASHION AS A MAN, he humbled himself." Phil. 2:7,8.
"The MAN Christ Jesus." I Tim. 2:5.
One night, when Jesus and his disciples were in a small boat,
there came a great storm at sea, which caused the disciples to be very fearful
for their lives. Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and immediately there was
a great calm. The men who were with him in the boat marvelled, saying,
"What manner of MAN is this?" Matt. 8:27.
Their question is still the cry of many today, when they
observe some of His disciples, who by faith are claiming His promises, and
going forth healing the sick, raising the dead, and ministering the word (as
Jesus himself said they should -- Mark 16:17,18) with the supernatural
confirmation of signs following. Many seem to think that these are some
peculiar and different species, or manner, of men. They are not. They are
simply common, ordinary men, full of the Holy Ghost, and yielded to God for his
work -- men who have discovered that they can be AS THEIR MASTER, and have
dedicated their lives to reaching that goal.
When the people at Lystra saw that Paul's command could
bring healing to a man lame from his mother's womb, they said, "The gods
are come down to us in the likeness of men." Being untaught heathen they
of course did not know that men could have such power. But many Christian
people seem to be just as unaware of the power which God has made available for
his people. When these poor heathen people would have offered sacrifices unto
Paul and Barnabas as Gods, they refused to permit this, saying. "We also
are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn --
unto the living God." See Acts 14:8-15.
Jesus truly was God, as well as man. Yet it was not in His
nature of deity that He walked upon earth and performed miracles. The often
neglected question is not "What manner of God is this?" We as His
disciples, need to ask as did those disciples of old, "What manner of MAN
is this?"
Jesus, by His own statement, was a member of the eternal
triune Godhead, composed of the Father (Jehovah), the Son (Jesus Christ), and
the Holy Ghost. He existed before the world was made, and shared in the work of
creation. (John 1:1-3.) He was not only WITH God and LIKE God, HE WAS GOD! All
the attributes of deity were His. With the Father, He was omnipotent,
omniscient, omnipresent, and eternal. All these are His today, as He is
glorified on the right hand of God in heaven. At the close of His earthly
ministry of healing the sick and working miracles, when He was ready to be
offered as a sacrifice for our sins, he prayed, "I have glorified thee on
the earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now O Father,
glorify thou me with thine own self WITH THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE
THE WORLD WAS." John 17:4,5.
The glory which was His before the world was!
The glory which is His today!
But the glory which was LAID ASIDE when he took on human
flesh. Coming as a helpless babe, born of a woman, circumcized like any other
Jewish boy, increasing in wisdom and stature during childhood and growth (Luke
2:52), weeping, hungering, thirsting, weary, sleeping and waking -- partaking
in every weakness and limitation of human flesh and blood. (Forasmuch then as
the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK
PART OF THE SAME. Heb. 2:14.) He was "IN ALL POINTS tempted like as we
are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15.
He was "in the beginning with God. All things were made
by Him; and without him was not anything made that was made." John 1:2,3.
Yet for all this, Jesus USED NO POWER when He was here on earth in the flesh
WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TODAY to every believer! Such a statement would be blasphemy
HAD NOT JESUS HIMSELF made it plain, again and again, that this was His plan.
"Everyone that is perfect SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER."
Luke 6:40.
"As thou hast send me into the world, EVEN SO have I
also sent them into the world." John 17:18.
"The works that I do SHALL HE DO ALSO." John
14:12.
Although He was Omnipotent God, yet in His earthly life and
ministry He declared "The son can do nothing of himself." "I can
of mine own self do nothing." John 5:19,30. "The words that I speak
unto you I speak NOT OF MYSELF: But the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth
the works." John 14:10.
The answer to the disciples' question, "What manner of
MAN is this?" is found not in the powers of deity which He used before He
"was made flesh and dwelt amont us," nor in the power which is His
today in the heavenlies today. The answer can be found only in His earthly
(human) life. He lived that life AS AN EXAMPLE to those whom He left in the
world to finish the work which he had started while He was here. "Leaving
us an EXAMPLE, that YE should follow his steps." I Pet. 2:21. He was our
teacher (master) and we, His disciples (every one that is perfect), SHALL BE AS
our master! Had He used power which was not available to us, it would be
impossible for us to follow His example. But He left to us the promise that we
would receive THE SAME POWER and from the SAME SOURCE, that was His!
"Behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but
tarry ye in the city of
"Ye shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you." Acts 1:8.
These signs shall follow them that believe: IN MY NAME they
shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues -- they shall lay
hands on the sick and they shall recover." Mark 16:17, 18.
"Behold, I give unto you POWER -- over all the power of
the enemy." Luke 10:19.
"He that believeth on me, THE WORKS THAT I DO SHALL HE
DO ALSO." John 14:12.
"Though he was rich (in heavenly glory and divine
power) yet for your sakes he became poor, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE
RICH." II Cor. 8:9 He folded it all away as a garment, and laid aside His
great wealth of power, and came into the world as a babe, in the form of a
servant, of no reputation, lived among men as one of them. (Phil. 2:7.)
Tradition has invented miracles in his childhood, but the Word of God plainly
declares that "This BEGINNING of miracles did Jesus in Cana of
Galilee," (where He turned water into wine). John 2:11. He DID NO MIRACLE
nor manifested any superhuman power, BEFORE THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON HIM!
(Matt. 3:16,17; John 1:33.) It was when "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER" that he "went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM."
Acts 10:38. This is the secret of His success AS A MAN.
What manner of man?
A man ANOINTED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER. And God
was WITH HIM!
Yet -- don't forget this -- a man who was EVERY INCH A MAN!
A man who faced -- and conquered -- EVERY TEMPTATION known to humanity! A man
who (though as God, He had been omnipresent) could only be in one place at a
time. Although as God He had neither slumbered nor slept (Ps. 121:4), as man,
He suffered weariness (John 4:6) and required sleep (Matt. 8:24). He must go
from place to place upon hot, weary, dusty feet -- His rate of travel limited
to the speed of walking, His feet which had trod the immaculate golden streets
of heaven soiled and bruised by the dust and stones of the unpaved and filthy
Oriental streets and paths of Palestine. How He welcomed the cleansing coolness
of the customary foot bath before meals -- when some unselfish person thought
to minister to Him in this way! He suffered hunger and thirst, loneliness,
weariness, and pain. He of whom it had been said, "Every beast of the
forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. The world is mine and the
fullness thereof" (Ps. 50:10,12), claimed no part of it for Himself AS A
MAN, but became even more poor than the foxes and birds, for He had not so much
as a place to lay His head. (Luke 9:58).
All this He did WILLINGLY for us, that we might share the
riches of His glory.
When satan tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:3,4), the
first temptation was that He should act in the creative power of the ETERNAL
SON OF GOD, in order that His human hunger might be satisfied. Had He done
this, He would have failed in being "in all points like unto his
brethren." It was important to the plan of satan that this point should, if
possible, be spoiled. But Jesus did not fall into this temptation. In His reply
is no assumption of deity. He answered firmly AS A MAN! "MAN shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God."
He loved to refer to Himself as the "SON OF MAN."
Since it is so apparent by the scripture that Jesus took
upon Himself our own nature and limitations, in order that He might be made a
proper example for us, it behooves us to study that example carefully,
considering the question, "What manner of persons OUGHT YE TO BE in all
holy conversation and godliness." II Pet. 3:11.
He was a man of power. He spoke as one having authority
(Mark 1:22). The people were astonished at this, for the religious leaders of
their day knew nothing of this power, but taught traditions and theories and
theological explanations. Jesus cut across all the lines drawn by their fine
points of doctrine, and DROVE OUT BY HIS WORDS OF AUTHORITY demons, sickness
and infirmity. When he spoke THINGS HAPPENED! He spoke as one having authority
BECAUSE HE HAD AUTHORITY! The traditional religious leaders did not speak as He
spoke because they had never been given authority over the power of the enemy.
How many "religious" leaders today speak as the scribes and Pharasees!
Those who are LIKE their master speak with authority -- the authority which was
Christ's while He was here to use it, because He had received it from the
Father (John 5:27). He came in the Father's name (John 5:43), and His legal
AGENT, to work the works of His Father. ("I must work the works of him
that sent me." John 9:4.) While He was on earth He chose disciples (first
twelve, Luke 9:1, then seventy others, Luke 10:1,19) which He appointed as
"deputies," giving them the same power of attorney which He used. ("Lord,
even the devils are subject unto us THROUGH THY NAME." Luke 10:17.) Thus
were they trained under His direct supervision to be ready to carry forward
"all that Jesus BEGAN both to do and to teach" (Acts 1:1), when the
time should come for Him to return to the Father.
Having now returned to the Father, and being on the right
hand of God exalted, He has not planned that the work which He began through
such suffering and sacrifice should cease to be carried forward. Before He went
away, He left command and authority for the continuation of His work. Those who
believe on Him are made His agents, and are commanded to do IN HIS NAME (by His
authority, as by the power of attorney) all the things which He Himself would
do if He were present in the body! "IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents (not as tempting
God, but should it so happen by accident, as it did to Paul, Acts 28:3-5) and
if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on
the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:17,18. "And whatsoever ye
shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son." John 14:13.
The gifts which He placed in the church, for the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (upbuilding) of
the body of Christ (His church), Eph. 4:8-12, cover all the great and mighty
things which Jesus did when He was here in the flesh (see I Cor. 12:7-11).
Never once did He teach, either by inference or by direct
statement, that this power would be gone from the world when He went away.
Rather, in his last commission to those He left behind, He declared, "All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE (because this
power is HIS, and through Him OURS, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) and teach ALL NATIONS
-- teaching them to OBSERVE (obey -- Webster's definition) ALL THINGS (Heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have
received, freely give. Matt. 10:8.) whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt. 28:18-20.
These disciples, anointed with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4),
"went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord was working WITH THEM, and
confirming the word with SIGNS FOLLOWING." Mark 16:20.
So long as men are anointed with the Holy Ghost, and God is
with them, as it was with Jesus (Acts 10:38) and the early disciples (Mark
16:20) and as Jesus said it should be "even unto the end of the
world" (Matt. 28:20), the works Jesus did will continue to be done!
The disciple should not be above his master, but he SHALL BE
AS HIS MASTER!
But if we are to be like Him in POWER, we must also be like
Him in holiness, in consecration, in meekness, in compassion. We must be like
Him in prayer and in fellowship with the Father. We must be like Him in faith.
We must be like Him in fasting and self denial. If it were possible for the
servant to be like Him in power without paying the price He paid, then the
servant would be above his Lord.
There is a price to be paid for all that God offers to
mankind. In a sense, it is all free, but there is a price of obedience and
preparedness. Even our free salvation is ours only when we have heeded the
admonition of God to repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. The
"gift of the Holy Ghost" is ours only when we obey Him. Acts 5:32.
Power with God LIKE JESUS HAD is for those -- ALL THOSE -- who meet the
condition, "every one that is PERFECT shall be as his master." Luke
6:40.
These words seemed even more startling than the ones which
God had already spoken. Surely this was too much! Could any mortal ever hope to
be perfect? Yet surely God would not ask me to do something which He knew I
could not do! And without doubt, this was the voice of God. I had asked bread
of my heavenly Father, and I knew that He would not give me a stone. How
thrilling to my soul when I learned that this, too, was a quotation from
scripture! I found it in Matt. 5:48. It was Christ's own command, not only to
me but to all who would be the "children of your Father which is in
heaven" (verse 45). Perfection is the GOAL set by Christ for every Christian.
Not every Christian has reached that goal. No Christian has a right to boast
that he has attained it. Even the great Apostle Paul declared, "Not as
though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow
after" (Phil 3:12). No Christian worthy of the name will be satisfied to
be less than perfect. No Christian should make excuse for his own
imperfections, but should recognize them as failure to keep the command of
Christ, and strive earnestly to overcome them. PERFECTION IS THE GOAL!
For the benefit of those who may have been taught that no
person except Christ was ever perfect, let us note that GOD HIMSELF ascribes
perfection to a number of men. They did not claim perfection for themselves,
but God declared that they were perfect.
First of all, Job, the hero of the oldest written book of
the Bible was a perfect man. His friends didn't think he was perfect; they
accused him of hypocracy (see Job 8:6,13.) Satan did not think he was perfect;
he accused him of serving God only because of the material blessings which God
had given him. Job himself was willing to admit that he was imperfect, for he
declared, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," Job 42:6.
But when satan accused him before the Lord, God himself declared, "Hast
thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a
PERFECT AND AN UPRIGHT MAN?" Job 1:8. And then for the benefit of all who
might read this scripture, God added his definition of human perfection --
"one that feareth God and escheweth (shunneth, avoideth) evil."
Many object to the teaching of possible perfection on the
grounds that they have never seen a perfect man. In Job's day, God declared
that there was only one. Again, in Noah's day there was only one. Yet God
declares that Noah was PERFECT! "Noah was a just man and PERFECT in his
generations, and Noah walked with God." Gen. 6:9.
Some declare that if one should become perfect, he would
immediately be translated, as was Enoch, carelessly disregarding the fact that
the scripture declares that Enoch 'walked with God" for at least three
hundred years before he "was not", Gen 5:22, and that "BEFORE
his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb. 11:5.
All these Old Testament saints were perfect, before even the
law was given. No divinity, nor superhuman perfection is attributed to any one
of them. They were MEN, subject to like passions as we are, but they knew and
feared God, kept his commands, and carefully avoided the overflowing evils of
the idolitrous people among whom they lived, in some of the most outstandingly
evil ages in history.
Was perfection possible under the law?
Moses, speaking God's message to the entire congregation of
Man is sometimes more critical than God. When Mirian and
Aaron complained against Moses, God took his part, speaking to them out of the
pillar of cloud and saying, "My servant Moses -- is FAITHFUL in all mine
house!" Numbers 12:7. While this does not use the word
"perfect", surely it meets the definition given in Job 1:8.
David was not persuaded that perfection was impossible, for
he declared, in one of his inspired Psalms, "I will behave myself wisely
All these, and no doubt many others (such as Daniel, Joseph,
Abraham, Elijah, and Elisha, etc.) lived lives of holiness (perfection) in the
days before many of our advantages were given. It was to his New Testament
church that God gave the complete scriptures. "ALL scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable -- that the man of God may be PERFECT,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Tim. 3:16,17.
It was not until our own dispensation that Christ was preached,
"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus." Col. 2:28.
It was to his
Unto them, the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our
constantly abiding Comforter, teacher and guide, (John 14:26) had not been
given. But to us he is given -- to every one who will obey God (Acts 5:32).
How much easier it should be for us, with all these
advantages, to be perfect than for those who lived before these things were
given!
God says to us, "Ye are the temple of the living God:
as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them . . . . Wherefore come
ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you and ye
shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these
promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God." II Cor.
6:16-7:1.
These promises are ours! We CAN cleanse ourselves from ALL
FILTHINESS! We can PERFECT HOLINESS in the fear of God! Like Job, we can fear
God and shun evil, and be perfect in the sight of God.
This is not a "new thing". The doctrine of entire
sanctification has been taught by many outstanding servants of Christ
throughout the church age, and is accepted as sound doctrine by a number of
major denominations. Since this is only a small book, space prevents quoting
from the statements of fundamental truths of many groups. I will quote here
from only one, that found in the Constitution of the General Council of the
Assemblies of God. (Minutes and Constitution, with Bylaws, Revised (1949
edition), Page 38, Section 9.)
Entire Sanctification (br)
The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man
shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the
command, "Be ye holy, for I am Holy." Entire sanctification is the
will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in
obedience to God's Word. Heb. 12:14; I Peter 1:15, 16; I Thess. 5:23, 24; I
John 2:6."
Call it what you will -- perfection, holiness, entire
sanctification -- it is not only possible, it is not only our priviledge, it is
God's COMMAND.
"Be ye holy in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION." I
Peter 1:15.
"Be ye therefore perfect." Matt. 5:48.
You say, "I know a lot of Christians, even preachers,
who say you can't be perfect, and there is no use to try."
We know them, too. They are not healing the sick nor casting
out demons! Sin is the devil's bridgehead in your life. Let him hold the
bridgehead, if you will. But it will rob you of power!
Jesus did not allow the devil to maintain a bridgehead in
his life, for he declared just before he was crucified, "The prince of
this world (satan) cometh, and hath NOTHING in me." John 14:30. He had
power to accomplish the work he came into the world to do because satan had
NOTHING -- not even one little bridgehead of pet sin or self-indulgence -- in
Him.
We, his followers, are admonished to keep the coasts of our
lives free of "bridgeheads" too. "Neither give PLACE to the
devil." Eph. 4:27. It is his business to make you think that you can't
expect to keep your life entirely free of his hideouts and landing strips. If
he can get you to leave him a place to work from, he can sabotage every effort
you make for God, and rob you of the power you have longed for. The work God
has given you to do will go undone. The sick will not be healed, the captives
not set free. Should you attempt to cast out demons, they will laugh in your
face, saying, "You let us remain in your own life, and then would cast us
out of others!" Demons know the power of Christ, and they know and fear
the power of a Christ filled Christian. But they have no fear of one who is not
holy.
Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew and chief of the priests,
decided that they could say the same words which Paul used, adjuring the demons
in Jesus name to come out of those who were possesed, without being careful to
have the background of holiness and consecration which Paul had. (See Acts
19:13-15). The evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I
know; but WHO ARE YE?! Then the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on
them, and overcame them, so that they fled naked and wounded. They didn't think
holiness was necessary, but they found to their sorrow that it CAN NOT BE
OVERLOOKED, if one is to exercise the miracle working power of God! The
reaction is not so immediate and violent in every case, for these
"vagabond Jews" had tried it before, and only once did this happen.
But never once did they succeed in casting out a demon. Demons flee only before
the power of Christ, or of a Christ-filled life. There is no way to have power
with God without holiness -- for Jesus himself said, "Every one that is
PERFECT shall be AS HIS MASTER." Luke 6:40.
There is much that could be said about perfection. An entire
book could easily be written in defense of the possibility of obeying the
command of God, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:16. However,
enough has been said to open the eyes of the person who is hungry for truth,
and eager to have the power which Jesus promised to his followers, THE MIRACLE
WORKING POWER OF GOD.
But it will take more than knowing that holiness is
possible. You want to know how you can attain it.
Not every Christian has reached the goal. Not every follower
of Christ has the power which he promised. The twelve chosen disciples, even
after having healed many that were sick and cast out many demons in Jesus'
name, met a demon one day who refused to go at their command. Matt. 17:15. When
Jesus had cast out the demon, the disciples asked him why they could not do it.
He gave as the reason their UNBELIEF, and lack of fasting and prayer. These
twelve chosen men were at times found to lack in the manifestation of the
fruits of the Spirit, and to show evidence of such works of the flesh as pride
(Mark 10:37), jealousy (Mark 10:41), anger (Matt. 26:51). They slept when they
should have prayed (Matt. 26:40), and deserted him in times of trial (vs. 56).
They failed to discern the plan of God, and rebuked Jesus because he told them
that he would be killed, so that Jesus said to one of them, "Get thee
behind me, satan: -- Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those
that be of men." Matt. 16:23. These men had not reached perfection, but
they earnestly desired to be perfect, and worked diligently to attain the
promises of God, and God honoured them, and was not ashamed to be called their God.
Do not be discouraged because you have not attained unto
perfection. There is an ultimate perfection which will only be reached when we
see Jesus face to face at his coming. There is a growth in grace, growing
toward perfection, which must continue so long as we remain in the flesh. Our
perfection may be likened to the fruit on a tree. From the time the bud
appears, the apple on the inside, though very tiny, can be perfect. It has not
taken on the size, color, nor flavor which it will eventually have, but
nevertheless in its present state it is perfect. As it is nourished, and fed,
and protected from frost and disease -- as the sun and the rain touch it, and
the heat and the cold, it grows into a perfect little green apple, and finally
the large, beautiful, rich, full-ripe fruit.
It was this "unripe fruit" perfection which Paul
referred to in Phil. 3:15 -- "Let
There is no stopping place short of ultimate perfection.
Although the immature Christian may be perfect in God's sight, HE WILL CEASE TO
BE PERFECT WHEN HE IS WILLING TO STOP GROWING! When the little green apple
stops growing, it will soon wither and fall from the tree. Perfection must be
attained, and constantly striven for.
Growth must be maintained through FOOD "Desire the
sincere milk of the word (the Bible) that ye may grow thereby." I Peter
2:2. A good appetite for the word of God is very necessary if we are to
"grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior." 2 Pet.
2:2. A real love for the Word of God is a part of our perfection NOW, and means
much toward our ultimate perfection when Jesus comes. "All scripture is
given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God MAY BE
PERFECT." 2 Tim. 3:16,17.
Many have plenty of time to read comic strips, magazine,
novels -- everything else but the Word of God. But they are just too busy to
study their Bibles! No wonder they do not grow! No wonder they have no power to
heal the sick and cast out demons. No wonder they are not perfect, and do not
expect to be. They are not feeding their souls the right food. "Grow in
grace and in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior." 2 Pet. 2:3. This
knowledge comes through study of God's word. Read it a great deal. And read it
as God's revelation to you. Believe it as you read it. It is the word of Him
who cannot lie. He means EXACTLY WHAT HE SAYS!
Ample protection is provided for those who abide in Christ.
Whatever our temptations may be, we need not sin for "God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but with temptation
also make a way of escape that ye may be able to bear it." I Cor. 10:13.
"He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6.
The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and KEEP YOU
FROM EVIL." 2 Thes. 3:3.
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and
to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of his glory." Jude 24.
Hallelujah! It is possible to be kept by God, and to live on
a higher plane than sin.
We are not ignorant of the devices of satan. He can quote
scripture, too. How quickly he comes to comfort the imperfect Christian, by
quoting the last half of Matt. 26:41 -- "The spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak." This portion should never be quoted without the first
part of the verse -- "Watch and pray, that ye ENTER NOT INTO
TEMPTATION!" Thus may we overcome the weakness of the flesh.
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the
flesh." Gal. 5:16. (You may be sure satan will not add this passage to his
quotation.) "Now the works of the flesh are manifest -- of the which I
tell you -- that they which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF
GOD." Gal. 5:19-21.
"For to be CARNALLY (fleshly) MINDED is death."
Rom. 8:6.
Hide behind the weakness of the flesh if you like, but do
not overlook what God says will be the result! Do not accept satan's
suggestion, even when he quotes scripture. "RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL
FLEE FROM YOU!" James 4:7.
You can be perfect! God says you can. Only satan says you
cannot.
God has provided food for you in his word, protection for
you through his spirit, and a mighty agency for your perfecting in his Church.
In order that the church might serve to this end, "He gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets: and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for
the PERFECTING of the saints --." Eph. 4:11,12.
Do not think that you shall attain the perfection which God
desires for you if you fail to heed his warning, "Not forsaking the
assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is." Heb. 10:25.
Find a good church home, where God's word is taught and BELIEVED, where the
power of God is present and welcome, where God is confirming his word with
signs following, and where God's people "Speak the things which become
SOUND DOCTRINE." Titus 2:1. Then make it a practice to be present whenever
God and his people meet. Only thus can you be perfected by the ministry gifts
which God has placed in the church. Every service in your Spirit filled church
is planned of God to contribute something to your perfection.
Patience also has a part. "Let patience have her
perfect work that ye may be PERFECT AND ENTIRE wanting nothing." Jas. 1:4.
The tongue also plays an important part, for "If any
man offend not in word, the same is a PERFECT man and able also to bridle the
whole body." James 3:2.
"And above all these things put on charity, which is
the bond of perfectness." Col. 3:14.
Christ is sufficiently interested in pointing out the way,
that if you desire to find the way of perfectness, he will place his finger on
your pet sins, and show you what is keeping you from the goal. A young man once
fell at the feet of Jesus and asked the question, "What must I do?" Although
this young man was inquiring the way of salvation, Jesus pointed out to him the
way to perfection. "If thou wilt be PERFECT, go ----." Matt. 19:21.
He laid his finger upon the young man's pet sin. Like so many others the young
man felt that this was too much. Yet it would have been a small price to pay
for perfection here, and eternal life in the world to come. Jesus is just the
same today. When you come inquiring how you can be perfect, he will not send
you away without an answer.
Perfection and more perfection is always the Christian goal.
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, be thus minded: and if
in anything ye be otherwise minded, GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU."
Phil. 3:14,15.
As you read this book, satan will probably whisper to you
many times, as Pharaoh said unto Moses (Ex. 8:25) "Sacrifice in the
land." In other words, it isn't necessary to go so far, to separate
yourself from the things of the world in order to have power with God. If you
insist, he will say, "All right then, only don't go too far." He
infers there is danger in going too far.
You can't go too far with God. You may go too far in sin.
You may go too far in self righteousness. But if you are walking with Jesus, in
the Spirit, you need not fear going too far. No believer has gone as far as God
wants him to go until the signs follow his ministry. We have not gone as far as
we should go until we can lay hands on the sick and see them recover! No church
has gone as far as the Lord meant it should go until all nine gifts of the
spirit are in operation in its services. DON'T LET PHARAOH (SATAN) KEEP YOU
BACK! Go on! Go all the way. God's grace is sufficient for you. Don't let
anything keep you from appropriating the promises of God in your own life,
whether you be lay member or minister.
"Let us go on unto PERFECTION!" Heb. 6:1.
"For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also
suffered for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS; who
did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who when he was reviled,
reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself
to him that judgeth righteously." I Peter 2:21-23.
This scripture makes it very plain to any honest hearted
child of God that Christ is OUR EXAMPLE in WORD and in DEED! We can, then, WALK
AS CHRIST WALKED, and we can TALK AS HE TALKED. This is not a condition of
one's feet or lips, but of the HEART! "For from within, out of the heart
of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile a
man." Mark 7:21-23.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Prov. 23:7.
Before one can walk as Christ walked, and talk as he talked,
he must first begin to THINK AS CHRIST THOUGHT! This is possible only as we
"Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." II
Cor. 10:5. This doesn't just happen. It is an act of determined consecration,
requiring purpose and continual application, for the mind loves to wander. It
also requires a willing exchange, giving up the former ways of thinking, and
accepting as our own the MIND OF CHRIST. "LET this mind be in you which
was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5.
God draws the line on some thinking. It is possible to lead
a victorious thought life. Not that satan can no longer come with evil
suggestions. Nowhere in God's word has He declared that man would not be
tempted. Even Christ was tempted. But one can refuse to allow his thought to
dwell upon evil things. A sane mind is a controlled mind. Evil thoughts can be
driven out, by filling the mind with right thoughts. We are instructed as to
what these thoughts are. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS." Phil.
4:8.
Jesus thought right thoughts. That was the reason that he
could walk and talk right, and be a right example for us to follow.
"Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we
should follow his steps, WHO DID NO SIN." I Pet. 2;21,22. Christ did not
live in habitual sin. He did not make excuses for sin. He resisted the devil,
and temptation, although he was "Tempted in all points like as we are, yet
without sin." Heb. 4:15. He is our example. And He stands ready to help us
to walk as He walked -- in his steps!
"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." I John
3:6.
This is contrary to much of the religious teaching today. I
am aware of this. I am also aware that multitudes of religious people today,
even many who believe in divine healing, find themselves powerless when faced
with those who need deliverance from sickness, or demon possession. If you
really want power with God, surely this matter is worthy of serious, prayerful
thought, regardless of former opinions or religious teaching. There is a reason
why some have power and some do not. And it is not because God is a respecter
of persons. Power is a direct result of faith, and faith comes by obedience.
"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence (faith) toward God, and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,
because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his
sight." I John 3:21,22.
Hope is available to people without holiness, BUT FAITH IS
NOT!
If faith were available to people without holiness, then
people who can never see God could have power to ask and receive ANYTHING THEY
DESIRE from God, for God's unqualified promise to those who have faith is,
"Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING YE SHALL RECEIVE."
Matt. 21:22. And God has also said, "Follow peace . . . and holiness,
WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD." Heb. 12:14.
Although many religious teachers declare that everyone sins
all the time; that it is impossible to live above sin; that as long as one is
in this world he must partake of a certain number of sins of this life; that
one must sin every day, and repent every night;--God's word still calmly,
simply states the command of God, "BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." I
Peter 1:16.
Paul writing to the Corinthians, declared, "Awake to
righteousness and SIN NOT, for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this
to your shame." I Cor. 15:34.
People who are finding excuse for their habitual sin,
according to this verse, have not the knowledge of God. This is a SHAME! It is
evidence that many professed Christians are spiritually ASLEEP! They are not
led by the spirit of God nor by the word of God, for the work of the spirit is
to reprove the world of sin and of righteousness, (John 16:8), and the word
hidden in the heart will prevent sinning against God. (Ps. 119:11.)
You can't have power when you are asleep. WAKE UP! Quit
making excuses for sin. Walk in the steps of him who DID NO SIN!
"Neither was guile found in his mouth." I Peter
2:22.
Jesus healed by HIS WORD. (See Matt. 8:16.) "His word
was with power." Luke 4:32. The follower of Christ is assured that his
words may also be words of power. (Matt. 21:21.) But if our words are to be words
of power, we must talk as he talked. Guile (cunning craftiness, deceit) must
not be found in our mouths.
Jesus WALKED IN THE SPIRIT. We who are his followers are
also exhorted to walk in the spirit. (Gal. 5:16.) In verses 19 to 21 are listed
the works of the flesh, which are not present in the lives of those who walk in
the Spirit. There are some who harbor some of these works of the flesh in their
lives, making very little if any effort to overcome, who yet feel that God
should honor their word and their prayer, and give them miracle working power.
Yet verse 21 tells us that they which do such things shall not only fail to
have power, but "SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." How could one
who is not even fit for the
By studying this list of "works of the flesh" with
a dictionary, you will find that God has listed uncleanness, lustfulness,
immoderate desire, covetousness, hatred, discord, quarreling, contention,
jealousy, violent anger, rage, riotous feasting, "and such like".
Those who do such things are NOT walking in his steps who
DID NO SIN, NEITHER WAS GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.
Paul exhorts us to "Put off the old man (or, works of
the flesh -- see context) with his deeds," and "put on the NEW MAN,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
Col. 3:9-10.
Listed below are some of the characteristics of the person
who is carnal, and is not walking in the spirit. This list, though incomplete,
may open up new channels of thought for many.
PRIDE; important, independent spirit, stiffness, or
precisiveness.
LOVE OF PRAISE; love to be noticed; love of supremacy;
drawing attention to one's self, as in conversation.
ARGUING; talkative spirit; stubborn, unteachable spirit;
selfwill; unyielding; headstrong disposition; driving, commanding spirit;
criticizing spirit; peevishness; fretfulness; love to be coaxed and humored.
Speaking of faults and failures of others rather than of
virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself.
Lustful stirrings, unholy actions, undue affection and
familiarity toward the opposite sex. Wandering eyes.
Dishonest, deceitful disposition; evading or covering the
truth; leaving a better impression of yourself than is true; exaggeration, or
straining the truth. >p>Selfishness; love for money; love for ease;
laziness.
Formality; spiritual deadness; lack of concern for souls;
dryness and indifference.
LACK OF POWER WITH GOD!
Get on your knees before God, and let him talk to you about
these things, and give you a list of your own. You may find that there will be
many other things which are now present in your life, which God will show you
MUST BE CHANGED.
A good check up on the things which we do, say, and think is to ask yourself the question, "Would Jesus do this?" If He would you are following his steps. If He would not, you are missing the mark. You cannot have power with God. You may even fail to