The Christian lives in two worlds. He or she contends with a parallel universe, unlike the man of the world who is secular and does not relate to the G-d of the universe, but dwells primarily on the every day realities. The secular man can only live in the world that he sees, while the Christian both lives in the world of the material and physical, but also in the realm or spiritual reality. Spiritual reality is that realm where interaction takes place between humanity and G-d and/or other spiritual entities (whether angels or demons).
So while the Christian is in the world of the material and is concerned about meeting his or her needs, the Christian is also concerned about the interaction that they have in the universe of the spirit. He or she is concerned not only with the quality of life as a citizen of earth, but also the quality of his or her interaction in the universe of the spirit.
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, June 15, 2009
The spirit of wisdom and revelation
Name of Fellowship: Mona Baptist Church
Location: 4-6 University Meadows, Kingston 6
Date: June 14, 2009
I attended the Sunday school, where the theme of the Lesson study was: "Power for Living", Lesson 7 in the quarterly Caribbean Bible Lessons: Walking Together Vol 4 No. 3 (2009):25-27. This lesson was written by Mrs. Zoe Simpson from Jamaica, a member of the Missionary Church in Jamaica.
The lesson study focused on a discussion of G-d's power and the power available to Christians.
However, as we read Ephesians 1:17, I was able to share and learn from G-d through our interactions about wisdom and revelation.
Wisdom - is the rightful application of knowledge. It is determining the right information or action that is needed or appropriate for the situation, problem or the time. You can have knowledge, but it can be wrongly applied. You can apply the wrong knowledge to a situation. Thus wisdom goes beyond knowledge and the recall of information, to the ability to act or speak correctly when the situation presents itself.
Revelation - on the other hand is the the gaining of knowledge without formal teaching. Or the gaining/acquisition of information and knowledge that you would not otherwise know. Thus, this type of information or knowledge acquisition is supernatural. For example, you misplaced something, and have no clue where you put it. Then all of a sudden, a thought comes to your head that tells you the exact location of the loss item. When you check that location, you find the loss item.
In the text Ephesians 1:17, the apostle prays that the church receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they can know G-d. In this lies an important truth that theology ignores. Ironically, the very word "theology" claims to be the study of G-d or the knowledge of G-d. Yet, the apostle indicates that there are only two paths to knowing G-d. While one can study about G-d, and graduate from theological college, that by no means qualify them in knowing G-d.
Knowledge of G-d is not the end result of study, teaching and learning. Knowledge of G-d cannot be taught via a formal process or curriculum. Knowledge of G-d comes from the rightful application of what is studied as well as via G-d's supernatural intervention. As JESUS stated in John 6:44 (New International Version)
44:
The knowledge of G-d is hidden and only G-d chooses to whom he reveals it. In addition, G-d chooses whom he will teach.
Thus knowing G-d is hardly something of our own personal effort. It is important though that we study, so that we can have knowledge from which G-d can draw on to teach us and give us wisdom.
Christianity and Judaism should both be about the studying of word and doctrine, for future information retrieval and application. We should study G-d's word before we understand it. We must constantly and diligently study the scriptures to prepare us for G-d to give wisdom. He will use our previously studied information and knowledge from the Scriptures to teach us. We do not know when he will give us wisdom, but we must always be prepared.
For revelation on the other hand, we can do nothing to receive it, apart from live out what we already know, so that we appear faithful stewards of what G-d has given, so that he can entrust us with more than we already know.
For today and for the rest of your life, may you receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation that will increase your knowledge of G-d.
Location: 4-6 University Meadows, Kingston 6
Date: June 14, 2009
I attended the Sunday school, where the theme of the Lesson study was: "Power for Living", Lesson 7 in the quarterly Caribbean Bible Lessons: Walking Together Vol 4 No. 3 (2009):25-27. This lesson was written by Mrs. Zoe Simpson from Jamaica, a member of the Missionary Church in Jamaica.
The lesson study focused on a discussion of G-d's power and the power available to Christians.
However, as we read Ephesians 1:17, I was able to share and learn from G-d through our interactions about wisdom and revelation.
Wisdom - is the rightful application of knowledge. It is determining the right information or action that is needed or appropriate for the situation, problem or the time. You can have knowledge, but it can be wrongly applied. You can apply the wrong knowledge to a situation. Thus wisdom goes beyond knowledge and the recall of information, to the ability to act or speak correctly when the situation presents itself.
Revelation - on the other hand is the the gaining of knowledge without formal teaching. Or the gaining/acquisition of information and knowledge that you would not otherwise know. Thus, this type of information or knowledge acquisition is supernatural. For example, you misplaced something, and have no clue where you put it. Then all of a sudden, a thought comes to your head that tells you the exact location of the loss item. When you check that location, you find the loss item.
In the text Ephesians 1:17, the apostle prays that the church receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they can know G-d. In this lies an important truth that theology ignores. Ironically, the very word "theology" claims to be the study of G-d or the knowledge of G-d. Yet, the apostle indicates that there are only two paths to knowing G-d. While one can study about G-d, and graduate from theological college, that by no means qualify them in knowing G-d.
Knowledge of G-d is not the end result of study, teaching and learning. Knowledge of G-d cannot be taught via a formal process or curriculum. Knowledge of G-d comes from the rightful application of what is studied as well as via G-d's supernatural intervention. As JESUS stated in John 6:44 (New International Version)
44:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."
The knowledge of G-d is hidden and only G-d chooses to whom he reveals it. In addition, G-d chooses whom he will teach.
Thus knowing G-d is hardly something of our own personal effort. It is important though that we study, so that we can have knowledge from which G-d can draw on to teach us and give us wisdom.
Christianity and Judaism should both be about the studying of word and doctrine, for future information retrieval and application. We should study G-d's word before we understand it. We must constantly and diligently study the scriptures to prepare us for G-d to give wisdom. He will use our previously studied information and knowledge from the Scriptures to teach us. We do not know when he will give us wisdom, but we must always be prepared.
For revelation on the other hand, we can do nothing to receive it, apart from live out what we already know, so that we appear faithful stewards of what G-d has given, so that he can entrust us with more than we already know.
For today and for the rest of your life, may you receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation that will increase your knowledge of G-d.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The importance of natural and spiritual laws
In a discussion with my wife, who keep saying that logic cannot be used with the Word of G-d, I felt impressed to write these thoughts and share them.
G-d has created the world to operate under both spiritual and natural laws. These laws govern the way things are in the world. They make life predictable. They make man's existence predictable.
Once we discover the laws, we can count on them to operate on our behalf. For instance, we know that if we plant a seed of peas, according to natural law, when it sprouts and grows, at harvest time we should see and reap peas.
G-d has also made to operate in spiritual laws, for which there are consequences for the violation thereof. However he has also made provision for those who have violated those laws to get deliverance from the consequences thereof. For example, if someone murders another person for the first time, then their spirit is restless and they cannot have peace. However if that person calls on G-d (or the Messiah, Jesus) for forgiveness, then he may permit the person to receive peace.
Just like the queen or the governor in the British constitutional system and her commonwealth, G-d reserves the power under law to pardon those who breaks the law.
G-d therefore uses the Laws to reveal that he is predictable and change not (Malachi 3:6).
He uses the Law to teach that he is the same G-d yesterday, today and forever ( Hebrews 13:8).
He indicates that he is Present continuous - existing out of time, hence he does not change with time and is not limited by time (Exodus 3:14).
Thus, G-d wants us to base our faith on his predictable words, promises and provisions. He wants what he has revealed unto us to shape our expectations, aspirations or hope - especially our faith. Because of G-d's promises, we can expect certain outcomes. Becuase of G-d's revelation, we can expect certain outcomes.
Yet G-d reserve the right to change the outcomes based on conditions which he reveals. It is based on these conditions that G-d is able to suspend natural and even spiritual law.
G-d has created the world to operate under both spiritual and natural laws. These laws govern the way things are in the world. They make life predictable. They make man's existence predictable.
Once we discover the laws, we can count on them to operate on our behalf. For instance, we know that if we plant a seed of peas, according to natural law, when it sprouts and grows, at harvest time we should see and reap peas.
G-d has also made to operate in spiritual laws, for which there are consequences for the violation thereof. However he has also made provision for those who have violated those laws to get deliverance from the consequences thereof. For example, if someone murders another person for the first time, then their spirit is restless and they cannot have peace. However if that person calls on G-d (or the Messiah, Jesus) for forgiveness, then he may permit the person to receive peace.
Just like the queen or the governor in the British constitutional system and her commonwealth, G-d reserves the power under law to pardon those who breaks the law.
G-d therefore uses the Laws to reveal that he is predictable and change not (Malachi 3:6).
He uses the Law to teach that he is the same G-d yesterday, today and forever ( Hebrews 13:8).
He indicates that he is Present continuous - existing out of time, hence he does not change with time and is not limited by time (Exodus 3:14).
Thus, G-d wants us to base our faith on his predictable words, promises and provisions. He wants what he has revealed unto us to shape our expectations, aspirations or hope - especially our faith. Because of G-d's promises, we can expect certain outcomes. Becuase of G-d's revelation, we can expect certain outcomes.
Yet G-d reserve the right to change the outcomes based on conditions which he reveals. It is based on these conditions that G-d is able to suspend natural and even spiritual law.
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