Clarification

Sometimes as I reread my writings I find typographical errors that need editing. It seems that no matter how many times that I go over a piece before posting it that something escapes my notice. It would be wonderful if I had someone who would go over these things for me and pick up the errors and also let me know if I haven't made a certain point clear but alas that is not the case just now. We're all so very busy doing I don't know what. However I have found several errors in my last blog that I think are now corrected but I also found a point that I was trying to make that maybe I need to clarify. It would be tragic if my readers would miss the whole point of my writing because I can't make it clear. Everything that I am writing about is right there in scripture and is very plain and simple but unless our point of view is correct we will not get the message. I'm sure we all have seen a picture that has all these hidden things in it, I think a particular artist named Bev Doolittle is one who is skilled at such artistry. Once our eye has gotten accustomed to looking for them there is no end of interesting and unusual figures in her paintings. So it is with scripture, it was there all along, we just needed someone to point out that there was more than first meets the eye and then train our eyes and mind to see from the appropriate angle. In Paul's day I believe that their understanding was much different than we have today. Spirituality had a much more prominent place in life than it does today. Actually everything that we need to live a powerful, victorious Christian life is contained in the four Gospels, all the rest of the New Testament was written because of the thick headedness of the people that just didn't get it and we today are so much worse off than they were with all our modern conveniences and entertainments. I can remember 45 years ago with my wife and two daughters that we didn't have television so nearly every evening we were either in our neighbors home or they were in ours, visiting, playing cards or out picnicing or camping together. Now these were not necessarily spiritual activities but we were much more loving and kind and generous with each other than we are today because we simply were forced to interact with others. Well I have gotten completely away from the point I set out to clarify so let's get back there.

I said in my last blog that the hands of a true born again Christian are just as powerful as those of Jesus and that is an absolute true statement but I need to clarify lest I be attacked for arrogance and high mindedness. (are these not the same?)Now before you rush out with this knowledge with the intention of emptying the local hospital let us examine the matter from scripture:
John 14:12
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
The truth in this is that we do not do the works but He does them through us. It is written that He is the head and we are His body and if we really understood that deep in our spirit we would never do anything until we were truly led by Him to do it. Most often we get saved and out of our love for Him we set out to do good things for Him. Wrong way, we are going right back to works of the flesh. No matter how good they may be if they are wrought in the flesh they stink in God's nostrils. Have you ever seen a chicken have it's head cut off? It flops around like crazy and I have even seen it get on it's feet and run for a while but it is totally without direction or purpose and so it is with the Christian who is not fully abiding in Christ the Vine. Our works and attempts to do something for God are just about as impressive to Him as that chicken flopping around with it's head cut off. We must get ahold of the truth that we are but a body and He is now our Head and mind and until we recieve direction from Him we are to do nothing but rest and wait. If what we are doing for God is not clearly bearing fruit then we can know for sure that He is not in it at all because everything He does is perfect and if He is doing it through you it can still be perfect if only you will let Him perfect His relationship with you. I know you may right now think this is crazy talk but why do you think Paul the Apostle could speak with such faith and certainty? Peter simply said "Silver and and gold have I none but such as I have give I thee, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Was this some special gift or did He simply have the Mind of Christ? I say that he had a revelation of Jesus and what Jesus promised that He would do in the lives of those who would submit themselves to His working in them and allow Him total control. I think most people don't want to give anyone total control of their life but I can assure you that the life that you will attain if you will allow just that very thing will be greater than anything you can ever imagine and produce fruit for the kingdom beyond your wildest dreams.
God bless you all and may He open your eyes to understand and see Him as He really is to all who hunger for Him.
john Martin