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1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV)
You know, it’s up to you personally to hear the message being delivered by God through Christ so that you can know for yourself what the true meaning of it is. There is a line if you would, where once you cross it there is no going back, at least not in peace. Those that entered the Lord’s realm did so because they examined themselves and realized that they were in dire need of something better, that being our Lord and His truth that would set them free. When people don’t discern or rightly divide the truth, the meaning of the Word of God, then they enter a realm of darkness, where if continued in makes them weak; some become spiritually sick as well, and some are sleepwalking, claiming to be serving our Lord but yet they are still walking according to the flesh. For many they just blindly accept whatever is thrown their way in the form of man’s doctrine and then wonder why they don’t get any real results, something of substance. Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV) Nothing will pull a person down quicker than a lousy diet and a lack of exercise. Spiritually the same holds true; those that should have been teaching needed to be re-taught themselves because they had become dull in their hearing, that being, hearing the Word of God. Many do hear things that many claim to be of God, but only a few really take the time and effort to seek for themselves the true meaning and interpretation of the Word. Strong’s definition for ‘dull’: 3576 nothros (no-thros'); from a derivative of 3541; sluggish, i.e. (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid: KJV-- dull, slothful. Not a very pleasant picture, someone that should have been strong in the Lord and the power of His might is now basically useless, you know, like when the salt has lost its savor? Verse 14 uses the term ‘strong meat’ which would make one strong if they are partaking of it. However, if one is not properly exercising their Spiritual senses instead of rejecting the unhealthy things, they accept them wholeheartedly and end up weak and sick. Isn’t that one of the first things that you as a parent try to teach the children, how to eat a healthy diet so that they don’t end up sick? Well, for those that should be leading by example, what kind of spiritual diet have you been partaking of, and is it something that is building you up or pulling you down? 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (KJV) Hmmm, there is that word ‘many’ again; you know, like many false prophets that would arise and deceive many? How about the many that are called and yet only a few are chosen; so what happened to the ‘many’? Well many are bedridden, having not shown up for their spiritual calling, but rather they called in sick because they have become weak, weakened by doctrines that are man-made with man-made unhealthy additives, shortcuts would be another way of describing it. Many are asleep as well, because rather than give ear to the Lord and His correction (chastening is another way of putting it) they spend more time trying to appease man rather than God which is why they are in the category of ‘the many’. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) God did His part and sent His Son so that we could be furnished with everything needed to walk His path of life. Oh it is so nice to hear about the blessings of God and all the good stuff that goes along with them, but how about some of the other things, like reproof or correction, you know, like when you were a child and would rather have the dessert instead of the broccoli? Well, just like with all those sugar coated doctrines that we have out there, the payoff is that they are not healthy, and neither are those that partake of them and don’t take the time to rightly divide or get the Lord’s true take on the meaning. For many they hear only what they want to hear and discard the rest, which is like watching children in a school cafeteria, most of what is discarded is what is the healthiest. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 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: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (KJV) The scriptures were to inspire us, to make us perfect (which means mature), not stuck in the carnal realm acting like a bunch of babies. Many people associate themselves more with an organization rather than the Word of God. They become dependent and stuck on the doctrine or denomination, and can quote their beliefs more than the truth. When I hear many claim that they are associated with a denomination it tells me that they hold more to man than God; after all, what denominational name did the Lord attach to Himself? Ever hear a child trying to speak their first words? Most of what they say is something they hear from others. 1 Corinthians 13:10-11 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) There is a line drawn that separates soul from Spirit, a realm that separates the men from the children. One has come, a perfect sacrifice, so that we could have a perfect mature understanding for ourselves of God’s plan of salvation; which by the way, one of the definitions of salvation is health. What kind of health spiritually are you in today, and what kind of diet are you partaking of? If it is Spiritual then it will bring life as well as a healthy walk with the Lord, while anything else will leave one weak, sickly, and basically sleeping like a baby. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (KJV)
Whenever you see that word vain or vanity it is associated with the term empty or worthless. The enemy cannot pull you out of the kingdom of God physically; however, he tries to get people duped into wrestling with flesh and blood, people and issues, things that are of no importance as far as the kingdom of God is concerned. It is up to you personally to get to know God and His voice so that you can discern between what is of God, and what is not. Pick your battles so to speak so that you are not like a prize fighter expending a lot of energy throwing a punch, but never hitting your target. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strives for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV) Imagine entering the ring getting ready for your match and being tangled in your robe and unable to get free. We all desire to be crowned someday, but that will only take place for those that live the way the Lord intended; in spirit and in truth. A fighter not only knows how to throw a punch, but as verse 3 states sometimes we need to know how to take a punch and keep our feet. It’s really easy to accept the blessings and enjoy them, but persecutions are a part of the package as well. John 18:35-36 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (KJV) If you notice the Lord didn’t get pulled into something that His Father wasn’t asking of Him because He knew the difference between what was of God and what was of man. The Lord also knew that some of these people were not seeking a closer relationship with His Father, rather they were just looking for something to pin on Him, and given the fact that this man lived a life without sin it would have been difficult to say the least. Ask yourself honestly today ‘are some of the things that I get worked up and irked by really worth it?’ Matthew 26:50-52 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (KJV) Take note that if you get too caught up in something the Lord is not asking you to pursue you to will not last. Many of God’s people perish for lack of knowledge because they don’t know how to discern, or rightly divide the word of truth. Dearly loved, don’t let your labor of love today be in vain by getting entangled in the affairs of this life; instead rightly divide what is of truth and what is not. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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