Author: words and signs

The mind sculptor

As a mind gymnast, I have had reason to think about my mind in ways that perhaps “sane” (there is no definition of what this is…) people have not. I have spent many difficult years fighting this illness, with which I have been born, and can never really escape from. I have been tempted to think of it as a kind of “straight jacket,” but it is not. Even in the throws of mind illness, God is there (although he seems not to be.) There have been dramatic visits to psychiatric hospital, crushing depression, dangerous mania, to name but a few things. Through it all, God has kept my mind safe and enabled me to use it to benefit both myself and others. Even after all this time, with of drugs, alcohol abuse, stress and massive doses of adrenalin, psychiatric medications, God has won through. If you would permit me to ask you a few questions which might make you think about some of these issues, which cause so many of us pain in these difficult days.

Have you ever wondered at the power of your mind? Do you know the power of your own mind? Do you have any realisation of what you are capable of? Does the spectre of mental illness fill you with dread? Do you even know what it is?

The background:

Questions, Questions. Is it a sign of someone who suffers mental torture? The Psalms are full of evidence of a person suffering in such a way and asking desperate questions from God. In these pages, is found someone searching for reasons of why they are in such mental and emotional agony. Past sins are thrown up as evidence that they are finally lost. Nights are wracked with fears and dreams of unbelievable horror. The body wastes away because of the wretchedness of the physical symptoms of the inner turmoil. “My heart is wounded within me. I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt. I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.” (Psalm 109 v 22-25.)

“Save me, O God for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help…. (Psalm 69)

The Lord Jesus knew all about it. These are his words written before he was even born. No matter how bad it gets, he really understands. Remember Gethsemane? The Lord suffered there more than anyone ever has before him or since. The horror of it makes me wonder what hell will be like for the unrepentant. It does not bear thinking about and should cause us to toil to save our race from that fate. In many ways it is a privilege to suffer mentally, as Christ suffered. Maybe mental health patients know a little more than most about what the Lord suffered. Mental health patients also have an insight into the realities of hell more than those who have not suffered in this way.

Our enemy hates us with an almost perfect hatred. He will do anything to make you as uncomfortable as possible. He will wait until you are at your weakest and then throw at you every probable reason as to why you are not safe in Christ. He usually waits until the dead of night, when you are already struggling with the weakness of the flesh. Then he starts the steady stream of circular thinking which leads you down to death. You need to be ready for him. “I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.” (Psalm 77)

What are you going to do? He is too strong for you. The greatest remedy is, of course, the Word of God. You need to have it ready in your heart so that you can use your mind to defeat him. Also, hymns are concentrated ideas and doctrinal themes, which are a superb help in times of trouble. You need to have them ready for the fiery darts, which will come. One of the best is “Be gone unbelief. My Saviour is here and for my relief will surely appear…..His love in times past, forbids me to think, he’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink…” (John Newton 1725)

The reason:

Why do we have to suffer in this way? We all have it to some extent. God is training your mind to work in the way he knows is best for you. You are using the armour, which he has already provided and you are being skillfully trained in its use. “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144) Only he knows what is ahead and you will need all his strength and training to be a conqueror.

Keep the mind in gear; fight until it goes away. The Lord himself will give you the victory. You are training your mind to fight. “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30 v5)

“You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. (Psalm 18 v39+40) As we immerse ourselves in God’s word we gain ammunition for the fight. “Here springs of consolation rise to cheer the fainting mind.” (Anne Steele 1717)

The minds of people in our world are being held in slavery and are being deliberately kept dull by the enemy of our souls. If the mind is set free, then so will the soul and body be also free. How can we do this? Many think Education is the answer and to some extent it is. It is a wonderful gift to be able to mould minds to think and reason. It is an example of how we are like the great mind sculptor. However the problem is a supernatural one and needs a supernatural remedy.

The change:

When you become a Christian your mind is fundamentally changed to be like the mind of God. “Let this mind (attitude) be in you, which was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2v5) Somehow God works with us and in us to conform our very thinking into the ways of the Spirit. There is such a thing as mind control and you can control the things you think about. You can fight gloomy thoughts with the word of God. You can divert the mind from thinking unclean thoughts by thinking pure thoughts instead. It is our responsibility to think the right thing.

As Christians it should concern us how our minds are being moulded in our society and indeed in our world. The political mindset of the day colours how the educational system works and this in turn effects evangelism. How can we free the minds of people from the tyranny of this worlds programming? We need to claim back the territory of the mind. The mind is dulled by the constant stream of drivel which we hear every day incessantly from any number of sources. As Christians we should be influencing the world around about us, and the people in our lives, to think.

The Artist:

The highest powers of the mind are that of creativity, the aspect of humans as created beings, which are made in the image of God. He is the ultimate creator and we are creative beings. To be able to think creatively is the hallmark of a great person. To be creative is not just being able to make Artworks. A great scientist is a creative one. A great mathematician is a creative one: someone who thinks above and beyond what others think. Creative people push barriers and boundary lines and break through them, showing another level of thinking. We all have it because we are all made in the image of God. This should affect our outreach. We are above and beyond this world. Christ has the answer to every problem that people face. He can free the mind and hence the person.

In what state is your mind? Is it a rigid, set, routine system or is it rich, vibrant and hungry? You do not have to be a university professor to have an agile mind: the youngest of children have it.

The Christian’s mind should be a creative entity, thinking the thoughts of God after him. How do you read your Bible? Do the same old thoughts occur to you again and again? Or do I read it with a searching mind full of desire to know more? As we read the words of God our minds should be in gear as we apply it to our lives and the situation in our complex world.

The outcome:

Generally we don’t like to be made to think. We prefer pet beliefs and attitudes and convenient stereotypes, which dictate our speaking and actions. If we really used our minds, there’s no telling what we could do: not just in traditional academic achievement, but in the almost unending selection of intelligences. The natural mind is set on the things of this life and needs to be freed from these shackles. We are feed from the tyranny of sin to new created life in Christ. Christians should be the wisest people in the world.

The surest way to widen the mind is the contemplation of God himself. It is the finite dwelling on the infinite. “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90) We can never comprehend him, but that should not stop us trying. His revealed word is the greatest revelation of him and only by toiling there can we unearth the treasures of the truth. Only then will our minds be sculpted and made into the works of art they are intended to be. You do not get wisdom without digging for it.

“My God how wonderful Thou art, thy majesty how bright! How beautiful thy mercy seat, in depths of burning light!” (Frederick Faber 1814 ) No wonder the writer uses exclamation marks. However this is never to be encouraged as an ascetic exercise, but for a purpose, that is, the fight. Peter tells us to “prepare our minds for action.” (1 Peter 1) This is not just an intellectual exercise, but steps we take to fortify the walls of our souls and psyche, against the enemy of our souls and the desires of the flesh. The Christian life is not meant to be an intellectual and aesthetic outworking of a set of ideologies; it is an experience, a relationship with a person, the mind sculptor.

The almond tree

Was called the patrician prophet also the weeping prophet.

Jeremiah was a deep man of God, and God used his testimony to save many people.

Even though Jeremiah loved God, he had many difficulties but these strengthened him.

The word of God is clear and sharper than a sword, and it teaches us the way of Grace.

The house of Israel was unfaithful to God and were burned up. God will burn every wicked heart and life who do not obey him.

Jeremiah remained faithful to God and spoke the message fearlessly.

Foreign Gods will not save us and God will give the strength to follow.

When the almond tree branched and bore fruit, it had the authority of Aaron and Moses and God.

Commitment

If you should find yourself in love with the Lord Jesus and step up to serve Him openly, you must expect opposition. It will come from the most surprising places and people. Just because your friends are Christians, should make them more able to work for God and serve Him.

If you are stepping up to the fight, learn His ways and speak His words. There’s no telling what He will do with you and you will know the joy of the Lord, which is your strength.

Women and JESUS

The way women are represented from the pulpit today is, at best, unfortunate.

Women in the Bible are portrayed too often as weak, sinful and needy and none are ever the heroes. Every Bible character is weak and sinful, but the men can be held up as role models, but the women are almost always in the shadows. I have even heard Ruth and Naomi portrayed as total failures, in every aspect of life, and in need a man to come along and support them.

Sermon illustrations with women in them position the women as supporting characters, and are usually silly and appear foolish, especially old women, who are “stupid or foolish.” I have rarely ever heard a sermon illustration story where the woman is the hero, and we should all be like her as a role model. Apparently men find it hard to be inspired and ministered to by a female character. This mind-set is forced upon the listeners, and men and women are assigned positions, as seen fit by the prevailing culture, and not as the true outlook of scripture.

This has a detrimental effect on everyone, and because it is also psychological, it shapes attitudes in men and women, and gives rise to prejudice, misrepresentation and unfair treatment in the social situation. We end up regarding each other in a warped way, and the acceptance of this, causes so many difficulties.

JESUS treated women very differently than present “Christian” culture. Women were the ones who cared for him in every way. They provided a place to rest, food for him and also the twelve men disciples who followed him. They laundered his clothes, mended his sandals, cut his hair and manicured his nails. The Lord Jesus knew he needed them and he loved their devotion and attention. This is not exclusively a women’s job. Mary and Martha had a brother Lazarus, and he would have been equally involved with Christ.

Men are equally able to minister in this way, but are somehow unable, because of the present culture that these activities are menial and therefore “women’s work.” This philosophy has build up over years of stereotyping and warping the message of the scripture to suit our particular church setting. This has a detrimental effect on men and women, and the glory of service to Christ is missed by many. The real work is seen to be the work done by the person at the front. The men lead everything and women are allocated to the perceived lower jobs, and so the mindset is propagated and enhanced over time.

Many doors are closed to women in too many churches, and there is a much lower expectation of intellectual activity, and persistence in getting a job done. Leadership is predominantly male and the outlook is biased towards male social mores, and static views of structure and organisation.

Women turn to the secular world for opportunities to study and work and make progress in their mind and abilities. The church looses out and women loose out too. There are still way too many encounters where church leaders show gross prejudice about what a women can do based on age, dress and even looks! The fact that we also bear children is a massive negative, because women’s brains go soft in child bearing and therefore are only capable to managing toddlers and babies.!! Even the secular world has come to terms with some of these issues, but the social arena of the church has not been able to sort this out. Perhaps because women are still not involved in any kind of leadership, nor are there opportunities to develop ministries at a cognitive level.

Women helping and teaching men, is still very foreign in many church organisations and missions. Women are certainly able, but are kept down by trivialising their academic ability and any kind of insight into the scriptures, doctrine or theological debate. A few women have written and have spoken in an academic regard, but they don’t seem to be acknowledged in the male arena. This is a great pity and injustice.

When the Lord Jesus walked the earth, He definitely relied on the support of women. Christian women used their profit in business to provide the things he required and he overlooked none of them. He spoke into their intellect, as He did with everyone. Christ knew their love for the truth, and their steadiness in believing.

As he died on the cross, a crowd of women who loved him, watched from afar as their Master hung there to pay for their uncountable sins. They fixed their eyes on his body as life left it and their loving Lord was gone. John was there- that dear disciple, who was always leaning on JESUS, and couldn’t let him go. The women took his body down from the cross and rubbed in some fragrant spices and put him in the tomb.

The tears that would have been shed, the memories recounted as they remembered how JESUS raised Mary and Martha’s brother- Lazarus, and how this man who needed them, could beat death and rejoice with them.

These women were also the first to see JESUS alive again, and he gave them the first message to his disciples, to declare the good news that JESUS is alive.

His love for them is so touching, as he meets Mary Magdalene in the garden of the tomb, and calls her name- so personal, so careful and full of love. What would you give to have him call your name? To be so loved by him in that way, and to know he loves you, as you. It makes every heartache worth it, and enlivens for every work that he calls you to do for him.

Perhaps it is the unfairness that give women their unique qualities of love and devotion for Him. He knew exactly what they were about and he will include them in the everlasting kingdom to reign with Him forever. Maybe we could have some of that glory and wonder here on earth, if we could be like Him and love others different from us, and regard them as equally valuable as each other.

Reading and realisation

What we expose ourselves to, is of crucial importance. The pictures I look at, words I read, sounds I listen to, the thoughts I allow myself to entertain. These all affect my character and either push me away from God or draw me closer to Him.

Some influences we cannot help coming into our references area, but most things we can. As we commit our day to God, He will overrule in everything to keep us close. The other influences we must learn to keep away from and limit their impact on our psyche and spiritual walk with God. Light and darkness do not go together. Where the light shines, the darkness is dispelled.

The information we permit into our lives is a choice to be made and a deliberate attitude and direction towards continuing holiness and truth in our lives. In our culture, information is poured out relentlessly and it is difficult to work out truth from lies. The influences of sights and sounds can change us and attract us to wrong attitudes and deeds.

The necessity of daily reading and meditation on God’s word, and communion in prayer have never been more necessary. When I lay off these spiritual activities, then the gates are open to the flood of filth that washes over everything. The mind becomes swamped and discretion and judgment becomes tarnished.

There are other books to read, which can fortify the mind against the deluge. Reading theology, apologetics and other helpful books, will also give strength of character to us. Some writings are difficult to read, but to follow the mind of the writer, can build up our spiritual knowledge and understanding. There are Christians from the past who can still help us today and give us great and deep lessons in how to live.

What we read affects us. If we read drivel, we will be shallow. If we read and study God, there are depths to swim in. It will change our thought patterns and strengthen faith. We can also get bad ideas from reading challenging material. Our sinful mindset will get the idea that we are somehow better than others, because we read more difficult material. So the benefit of reading is countered by our sinful attitudes. Pride always crouches at the door.

This is not an excuse to stop reading, but we must face the enemy and put unhelpful ideas and thoughts away from us. As we challenge ourselves, we can prove the power of God and we can learn to wield the sword, better, faster and with greater accuracy. This is when we realise who we are and what Christ has done for us. This is the backbone of Christian assurance. To lay off and rest on what others say to us, will undermine personal faith and spiritual eyes will be dim.

If you can read, you can make progress by using this gift that many do not have. You can use it to help and encourage others and God will build you up and your spiritual gifts will grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit in your life…

James, the Lord’s brother

James 1:1 NIV
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.”

It’s a curious way to start a letter.
It’s addressed to all God’s people scattered throughout the world. Not just the ethnic Jewish nation, but the people of God in every place in every time. People who have been chosen out of every nation, tribe, tongue and clan of families. All the ransomed church of God who will live with Him forever in the coming everlasting kingdom of joy and peace.
No Christian is exempt from this instruction and encouragement.

It is coming from a reliable source- the disciple James, the Lord Jesus’ brother. Jesus had other brothers and sisters, but not all believed on Him. They were born out of the same mother, but not from the same father. James was of the family of God. His Father was the same Father as Jesus- the eternal Father- and so they were brothers in flesh and in Spirit. What a privilege he had to grow up in the same close family with his Saviour and Lord, and to know without a doubt that Jesus was His Saviour and was the sinless one. James is a key witness to these facts.

Although a brother of the Lord, he realises he is His servant, and therefore the servant of all. James serves God his Father and also the Son of God, his brother.

What a wonder to know our family position in regard to Jesus our Saviour and our own sinful but redeemed selves. What an elevation.! A dead corpse in spirit, now made alive through the death of our brother, Christ.! A miracle of divine intervention. A once only event that takes us to the Father and to heaven above. A glory that is coming and a reward that no one can take away from us- purchased by Jesus on that cross on Calvary’s hill.

This is the change from death to life for every soul that seeks Him in repentance and faith. This is the method of adopting lost people into the royal family of heaven. A holy resurrection to eternal life for rebels and God-haters, that turns their night into day and everlasting death into the unending glory of life.

Will you be greeted as such?
James greets the family of God yet living on earth in a warm and brotherly way. They wait to hear his message from God.
Does he greet you also? Are you waiting to hear what your Master would have you do?

Only those who know and love this Lord Jesus will be that interested to hear and search their hearts and obey. God’s people may be scattered and oppressed, but they are safe in the glorious family none-the-less.
These words from James, are life and health and wing their worship up to the Father of lights, who has no shadow in His character of any kind, and no variableness or turning.

The false prophet

Numbers 24:17 NIV
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

Baalam was a strange mix of characters. It seems he heard the voice of God and spoke as a prophet. He also spoke with the enemy, Satan, and sought wisdom from both camps. He played along with God and the powers of hell.. God seems to go along with Baalam and uses his foolishness to speak to the nations that hated God’s people. Baalam wants the things of this life and also the spiritual blessings that go with being God’s child.

The kings of the Moabites and other nations, pursue Baalam to try to get the curse of God put upon God’s people, but Baalam seems reluctant. When the leaders come to Baalam, he tells them he will not curse the Israelites, yet sets out ahead of them to check out the situation. He says one thing with his lips, but his heart wants selfish gain. He is seeking a chink in God’s holiness armour, to see if there is wriggle room for a manoeuvre.

Even as he goes to spy out the possibilities (never mind what God has said..!) God warns him. The donkey Baalam is riding on, speaks to him and tries to crush his leg against the wall. Baalam is so insensible to the real will of God, he doesn’t even realise. The Angel of the Lord appears to Baalam. The donkey has seen the Angel, though Baalam has not. Baalam appears repentant, but as soon as he is back with the worldly Balak, Baalam is offering worldly sacrifices to God again.

Baalam wants earthly rewards for his “work” but is also afraid to speak against God or His people. He strings along the king of Moab, Balak, and tries to play off two camps against each other. Balak is seeking the help of Baalam to curse the Israelites, as he is afraid of their power and knows it is something to do with the God of all things. Balak thinks if he curses the Israelites then God will turn against them and he will have the upper hand. He has no understanding of the things of God, or the unbreakable link between God and His people.

So Balak bribes and cajoles Baalam and keeps tempting him along by offering wealth, prosperity and status. Baalam wants these things, so he goes along with it. He is playing with fire.

Baalam stands above the people of God and pronounces blessings… not what Balak was wanting.. Baalam knows God, but not personally. He sees God far away and hears dimly. He is a false prophet. And yet he sees the coming Saviour of the world. Baalam is typical of so many people who name Christ silently but there is no heat or light in their words. Their life doesn’t match up. It is a pitiful sight…

In their quest to wipe out the people of God, Moab resorts to infiltration of the Israelite camp. The Israelites are tempted by the Moabite women and immorality enters the camp of God. God sends plague. Aaron’s son, Phineas, takes spear and kills the open sin in the camp, and rescues the people from the Plague.

His stance against evil and especially in the camp of God’s people is highly commended in God’s sight.
Numbers 25:11-13 NIV
“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
We see here that there is great spiritual blessings and honour given by God to all who worship Him in spirit and truth.

Again, Baalam is shown up for what he is and is not. The bravery of Phinehas shines our against the pathetic posturing of false Baalam, and his shilly-shallying with God and Satan.

Baalam meets with a violent end. He leaves Balak, to return home, but never made it there. He was killed in battle, caught between opposing sides-an ironic end to a foolish false prophet who believed his own lies…

Falling at the first fence

I was angry. I told Him, that Him and me were over. No more prayers… He listened to me and laughed quietly to Himself…

My mother had just died after a long, painful illness. What was the point? My mother loved God and never faltered in her last years of suffering. She was an example to many and friends came to know the Saviour Jesus because of her.

For me, it was too much. Why suffer so terribly and then to just die at the end? My experiences were still too narrow and my faith too dependant on the outward goodness of God. So I blamed Him…

People tried to be kind at the funeral, but their words evaporated when they left. I was left. Left alone with only God…. what a wonderful position to be in, even though I didn’t appreciate it at the time..

There was no great “coming-back-to-God moment.” Only the gentle seeping in of grace and heart-healing that put His love back into my life, greater than before. A faith stronger than before and a devotion of knowing He was in control. God took away my rudder so that I would find Him as the mainstay of my soul. He taught me faith and love and showed me I could stand up and face whatever was required of me. This lesson has been the defining activity of my life.. to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

In all the years since, He has led me into ever more difficult and isolating places, but He is there. Everything I have is His. He is the only place to go. I go there now straight away, without thinking about it. His love never fails. His power is beyond me.

I will follow Him with everything I am, that I might know Him and everything He is… there is no end to this. Whatever my state, He knows it and I trust Him…

What sort of people…?

“What kind of people ought you to be..?”

2 Peter 3:10-13 NIV
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

None of us take kindly to people giving out advice about how we should live our lives. We all live in dysfunctional thought patterns and have unsociable behaviours, so we all need advice, but maybe not from each other.

The Apostle Peter is guiding us to think forward into the future with God. These few verses focus on the ultimate catastrophe which will certainly befall this planet- the end of all things. It will happen suddenly without warning. Everyone will be caught unawares.

The heavens above us will disappear revealing the gateway to eternity. The plains of heaven will be seen at last by the people of God as they are taken out of the judgement-all sins paid for by their Saviour Jesus.

The whole earth is “laid bare” everything is seen for what it is. The physical elements that constitute all matter in our world; the social structures; all will be revealed as broken and corrupt; the hearts of all people will be open for all sin to be seen and judged by the living God.

These same elements- the building blocks of planet earth will be consumed- destroyed by fire, as was promised after the flood. Everything we have seen and know here, will completely disappear with a great roar and the eternal kingdom of God will then forever hold sway.

With these things in view, Peter asks us a question… What kind of person should I be? If everything will be destroyed, what should I be spending time on? What should take up my thoughts? What are my desires and dreams to be centred on?

Peter gives us the answer, in case we are in any doubt..! We should be Holy people. We should be intent on living godly lives with eternity always in view.
Matthew 6:20-21 NIV
“…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The things of this life, even the necessary things for living should not impinge on our devotion to the Father’s will.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

So a constant examination is needed of what we are doing and why we are doing it. Our eyes need to view Christ and His work for us and in us. Our hearts need the constant filling of the Holy Spirit, do that our motivations and direction are for God and not ourselves. Then we will grow and find security in holy lives that praise God continually as they see His work in them.
2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

The keys of the kingdom

Matthew 16:13-14,16-20 NIV
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

The keys of the kingdom

Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter to unlock the door of knowing God to all people, including Jews and Gentiles..

What we think of Jesus is of crucial importance.. who we think He is will influence how we speak about Him and witness for Him. The realisation of who Jesus is belongs to those who are His people and who have given their lives to Him. This realisation is a supernatural awakening by the Spirit of God. It cannot be manufactured or worked up as an emotion. It is spiritual knowledge and a spiritual experience.

Peter had this awakening and Jesus tells him that he will be involved in building God’s church. No one or no power will be able to stop this work of God and the people of God who work and witness to it. All Christians need to study the Word so that they can spread the message to those who do not know or believe. The knowledge of the gospel is the keys of the kingdom whereby the people of God show the way to outsiders and give them opportunity to enter in.

Peter is given a tremendous authority over all other powers and authorities. The doors to heaven can be unlocked by God’s people to show the way to God, everlasting life and entry into heaven. This was not setting Peter above the other disciples, or any Christian, as Jesus clearly hated such lifting of one above another. Peter is the one who has spoken out, and he speaks for every human heart who has this same realisation. The comments of Jesus apply to all believers, not just Peter.

The implications for every Christian are huge. If we know the way into the kingdom and can tell others how to find their way there, then we must be involved in that mission. There is no exemption clause. If the way to God has been revealed to me, I am absolutely bound to share the news with others.

We are given this mandate. As we spread the word and live our lives as a reflection of Christ, so the way into the kingdom is made available to all peoples. We have the keys to the kingdom and we exercise authority in sharing the news of forgiveness of sins and faith in Christ.

If we decide that is not for us, we give up our right to be part of that eternal kingdom. If I deny other people the right to know, I am denying them the kingdom. God is sovereign, but how we behave as His people is crucial to winning souls for a God. Times of barrenness in the building of the church of Christ, are attributed to the failure of God’s people to live lives worthy of their calling.

Failing to exercise my authority has consequences for me and all around me…Jesus said
“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18
As Christian people we need to be involved in that work of the Kingdom. We are jars of clay that hold precious truth inside for the salvation of those who are lost. May our fate not be that of the wicked servant who lost everything by not investing his wealth and producing a profit for the Master.

Daughters of the Kingdom

Women who glorify God