http://www.gatewaysministries.com/index.htmlKogitations!enjim@gatewaysministries.comCopyright 2008 Jim Inkster2009-05-14T22:02:48+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:27:58 +0000jim@gatewaysministries.comNone2009-05-14T22:02:48+01:00http://www.gatewaysministries.com/page1/files/4f5c5abd72589bfec2bddbea4d7091fd-154.html#unique-entry-id-154http://www.gatewaysministries.com/page1/files/4f5c5abd72589bfec2bddbea4d7091fd-154.html#unique-entry-id-154
Paul uses the equipment of a Roman soldier to describe the spiritual weapons available to believers. It is important that we understand the intent behind this analogy. Paul didn’t describe a businessperson or an accountant or a priest. He described a warrior. We need to recognise we are at war. We have an enemy. This enemy attacks us.

Too many believers don’t want to get involved in the fight. They say it isn’t for them or they don’t believe in it. Well, whether they believe in it or not, it is real. When you don’t engage in the battle, you are held in captivity. The Lord will work with you if you are willing to work. But if you surrender, He won’t violate your will. You can live as one of His children but remain in slavery. The cell door is open but you have to walk out. I am not talking about engaging in territorial spirits and major warfare. I am talking about walking in the freedom that grace has purchased for you.

As a believer you are under attack. You represent the Lord, His kingdom and the potential liberation of everyone held captive to the enemy. You may not think you are a liberator or anyone of any significance but Jesus said the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist who was the greatest among men. You are limited only by how you think. What you think you are is what you will be. If you think you are insignificant, then you will be. It is not because you are but because you think you are. In the kingdom of God you are a powerful warrior. You are part of God’s army. You are not on furlough but in active duty. Don’t let yourself be taken captive. Stand and fight.

There are flaming arrows shot at you. Your enemy, the devil, is shooting at you. To protect yourself you need to raise the shield of faith. The word ‘shield’ comes from a root word that means door. The shield of faith is substantial. It is large and square and sufficient to stand behind. It is also an entrance to more than you ever dreamed of. Faith makes a way when others say you can’t do that. The word ‘flaming’ means on fire but also indignant and irritated. The word ‘arrows’ is essentially a missile but its root means to be thrown in any direction without care. The flaming arrows of the enemy are missiles inspired either by irritating him or by the indignation of his servants. The words that people say are missiles on fire from hell. The book of James says the tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Our words are powerful. They can create good or evil amongst the believers. The enemy thrives on the loose lips of believers as an access point to torment others. We may not take our words seriously nor intend to be malicious but the enemy doesn’t care. He will use them to launch flaming arrows at the believers. He is not particular as to their destination as long as they strike someone. Has he particularly targeted you? Not necessarily! Even so that does not make you exempt from the effects of these flaming arrows. They are scattered with the aim of doing damage to God’s army. Anyone that’s hit is ok with the devil.

Paul says that faith quenches the flaming arrows. Faith is a shield that blocks them impacting you. As you move forward in faith, keeping your faith active, the flaming arrows are quenched. They won’t do you any damage. When we lower our shield of faith, we are subject to all kinds of surprise attacks. We can be wounded by not living in faith. Regardless of the reason, if we lower our faith level, stray flaming arrows may inadvertently hit us. If we have been significantly moving the kingdom of God forward by faith, then the same faith that won battles for us will keep us from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Don’t rest in the victory. Enjoy it but stay alert and in faith.
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The second key to faith that we can learn from children is to accept God’s word as His word without doubting. We, adults, question ‘did God really say?’ all the time. It is the weakness of having a free will. The enemy exploited this weakness in the Garden when he asked: “Did God really say?” Doubt entered Eve’s mind and undermined her confidence in His word. The fruit looked so good, how could it possibly cause death? We have that same problem today. The situation looks so good, how could that possibly not be good for me? When we do that we are walking by sight and not by faith. Things are often not what they appear.

A child believes their parents’ words. Often young children get very apprehensive and concerned when you tease them. They don’t recognize that you are playing around or pretending. My grandchildren are absolutely convinced that I am a bear when I say I am. They take my words at face value and runaway sometimes in sheer terror. I have to be careful when playing with them that they understand that grandpa is pretending and playing. There is no doubt in their minds that what I say I mean. Children who have been around someone who plays with words will question whether you are teasing or not but other children take the words to mean exactly what you are saying.

We need to take God’s word as His word. He means what He said and said what He means. When He said that Jesus bore our infirmities and took all our sickness at the cross He meant it. (Matthew 8:17) He wasn’t teasing. He wants us to believe what He said and take it by faith. I believe what God said and I am going to act upon it. It may require me to simply stand and not waver in unbelief. But I will stand in faith based upon His word.

1 John 5:14 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. His will is expressed to us through His word. If you aren’t asking contrary to His word, then you know He hears your request. The next verse in 1 John 5 states that if He hears us we have what we asked for. He is watching over His word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12)

One of the biggest emphases in our childrearing days was consistency. If I told my children to stop or there would be consequences, I followed through with my word. I didn’t say it and then not do it. They knew that both of us were true to our word. If we said we would get them something, they knew without a shadow of a doubt that we would provide it. Our word was our bond. God’s word is His bond. No matter how much the devil may question whether He meant what He said or not, you can trust that His word is true. To see faith move mountains all you need to know is what He says in His word. What is His will, ask accordingly and rest in the knowledge that He will bring His will to pass.
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Jesus told Nicodemus to enter the kingdom of God he had to be born again. Then we see in Romans 10:8 – 10 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Therefore we enter the kingdom of God through faith.

Jesus said in Mark 10 we receive the kingdom of God like a child. So children have characteristics that adults should apply to faith. There are two keys that I see. The first is the absolute trust in their parents to take care of them. Adults have become responsible and understand that they are to provide and take care of themselves and their family. The onus of responsibility shifts as you mature from your parents to you. You go from dependence to independence. They provided a home, food and clothing for you as a child. As an adult that becomes your responsibility.

A proper sense of responsibility is good but can become a hindrance to faith.
We can’t relax and trust God. We become too hands on, trying to work out how things are going to happen, and worrying about how it will all work out. Worry and anxiety can negate faith. We are working out of our soul not our spirit.

My children never thought about whether they would have a home or food. It was always there for them. When we moved to England they never asked if we had enough money or a source of income. They happily came along, enrolled in school, and went about life much as they had in Canada. They had no idea how little money we actually had, or the fact we weren’t being paid for work or that we were living by faith. They trusted we had everything under control. They were not lying awake at night wondering where the money was going to come from. They never saw the fridge empty. If they needed clothes or shoes they asked and we provided. It wasn’t their responsibility and they didn’t try to assume it.

On one trip through Europe I was trying desperately to plan our course of action. My daughter who was only 11 at the time asked me why I was setting a plan of action. I said it was so we would know what we were doing. She said it was a waste of time, as my plans had never come to pass. Wouldn’t it be better if I just trusted God and followed His leading she said? Ouch! She was so right but I wasn’t receiving the kingdom of God as a child but as an adult. I was trying to work everything out and have some level of control in the situation. But God calls us to do what He asks, to seek first the kingdom of God, and everything else He will take care of. Trust as a child to release faith to work.
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The people who followed Jesus asked Him this question. They recognised that He was making a way to God unlike any of their teachers and religious leaders. He inspired them to want to do the works God requires. They weren’t asking about obeying the law but about bringing the kingdom of God forth on the earth. Remember Jesus main message was ‘repent for the kingdom of God is near’ and then He demonstrated it. They wanted to do the stuff too.

His answer is so simple, almost deflating. We look for a formula, a key to open the floodgates of heaven for us. He said there isn’t a formula to follow. Simply believe in the one He has sent! That’s it! Believe in Jesus!

If you believe in Jesus, you will do the works of the Father. You will see the lame walk, the ill recover, the blind see and those in bondages set free. It is that simple. I remember being so desperate to see the power of God work through my life that I went to a bible college founded by a man known for having the miraculous work through his life. I can remember waiting with bated breath for the key, the formula, the method for releasing the power of God. This was going to be good. Then he gave it. He said if you want to work the works of God your answers is John 6:29. Believe in the one He sent!

I was deflated because I thought I already believe in Jesus but that hasn’t released the power of God like I wanted. I wanted to see people set free. I wanted to pray for miracles and see them happen. I wanted to bring the kingdom of God in deeds not just words. But it wasn’t happening the way I thought it should. Then to be told all I had to do was believe in Jesus. Well, good! Great! What am I missing?

I was missing the confidence to act on what the Lord said. I just needed to act in faith. To pray for people, to share the good news with people, then expect that God would do the rest. The results are up to God not me. I can’t do the impossible, only He can. I just need to put Him in the spot where He can act. I do that by acting in faith. I will never put Him in the position to confirm His word if I don’t provide the opportunity. I was looking to follow Him to the opportunities. I was waiting for Him to move so that I could explain that this was God. He was waiting for me to tell people that God heals when I pray and then He would act. Faith is the evidence of things not yet seen. I wanted to verify what was already seen. I was waiting for Him to act and He was waiting for me to act. If I believe what someone says, I will act on it. He says pray and I will answer. If we believe it, then act on it. It’s how you activate your faith.
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In all of Jesus’ time in Israel He never found anyone who matched this centurion’s faith. He was not one of the covenant people of God. They would have despised him as a Gentile and a conqueror. Yet he was commended for his faith.

What made him different than everyone else? He understood authority. He was one who had placed himself under the authority of Rome. As one under authority he had the right to tell others what to do. We need to be people under God’s authority to move in His power and His kingdom. If we aren’t willing to do what He is saying to us, then we cannot expect our prayers to be answered. We nullify our faith by not remaining under His authority. Authority is delegated. If you have a position of authority in a company, it has been delegated to you. You then have the right to tell others what to do. But you cannot come in off the street and expect staff to obey what you say. You have to be in relationship to authority for that to function.

In Matthew 10:1 “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Jesus gave them authority and they ministered out of that delegated authority. After that He sent 72 of His disciples out under His authority to minister and the seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." (Luke 10:17) Having been given authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons the disciples did it. They didn’t question whether they should or whether they could, they just did it. They did what He said!

In Mark 16:17, 18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." The risen Saviour gave us this assignment as His disciples. He gave us authority to do the same things He did and His disciples did when He delegated authority to them. The bible tells us that He holds the keys to Hades and death, not Satan, and He has defeated them. He has the authority to delegate His power and His anointing to us. So we can do what He did. But what happens today with believers is the constant questioning, ‘Do I have the right to do this?’ The answer is yes. Yes, you do! Your faith will respond to the word you hear and believe. It is in His word, written for you. Read it, believe it and act upon it. Nothing will happen until you do.
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Jesus ended his teaching on the parable by saying will the Son of Man find faith on earth. He used the illustration of a widow who kept coming to a judge with her petition for justice. Her perseverance eventually wore him down and he gave her justice. The point of the parable was the need for perseverance.

Perseverance means steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks. Notice it is steady, not wavering, and continuous, not on again – off again, in its action or belief over a long period. The tendency in our day and age is to look for quick and easy solutions. When things are prolonged we give up, especially if there are difficulties or setbacks. The woman Jesus spoke of had an adversary – one who was opposed to her in a conflict. We have an enemy, an adversary, who is constantly opposing our faith. He accuses us and he accuses God to us. He tries to withhold and block the rewards of our faith. If we turn away and don’t persevere we will lose the goal of our faith.

Faith requires holding on to the promises of God until we see them fulfilled. Abraham, the father of faith, persevered 25 years before he saw the fulfillment of God’s promise to him. Isaac, the son of promise, inherited the covenant blessing of his father. The promise of a nation coming forth through Isaac was dependent on the woman he married. Rebecca was a specific answer to Abraham’s servant’s prayers to find the right woman for his master. Yet she turned out to be barren! Isaac had to pray for healing for Rebecca to see the promise fulfilled. They faced adversity and had to persevere to overcome. Joseph persevered in faith to see his dream of his family bowing before him come to pass. He was sold into slavery, and then wrongfully imprisoned before he came into the fullness of his call. Even while he was in prison, after interpreting the dreams of the baker and the cupbearer, he was forgotten for 2 years. The Lord told Paul in Acts 23:11 that he would testify of Him in Rome. He ended up in prison in Caesarea for over two years. He persevered and received the reward of his faith.

The woman with the issue of blood persevered pressing through the throng surrounding Jesus with one hope in mind, if only I could touch even the hem of his garment I will be healed. Jesus felt power leave him and asked who it was that had touched him. The disciples were exasperated by such a question because there were so many pressing against them. When she realized that he would not be content until she confessed, she came forward. He commended her faith and told her that it had healed her. It wasn’t His prayers, or His faith, or His initiative that healed her. It was her faith persevering that made her whole.

To persevere or not, that is the question!
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If we have received Jesus Christ into our lives, then we are righteous. We have right standing with God. We are no longer on the outside looking in and trying to find a way home. We are home in God, no longer strangers and aliens, but welcome children. We are set right with our Father through faith.

Therefore, having begun in faith, why would we not continue in faith? Often there is an adverse reaction in Christian circles to people who talk about believing God to provide or change things. The language used is: “Oh, you’re one of those faith people!” It sounds likes you have a contagious disease. If they hang around you they may catch it and then they will be just as off the wall as you are. Their reaction confuses me. Didn’t they start in faith like I did? Doesn’t everyone that says they are saved have to have faith? Oh, I see, I have hyper-faith. That explains it! But the bible says the just shall live by faith.

Paul in the letter to Galatians asks why having started in faith are you living by the law? Galatians 3:5 “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?” Why do we go back under the law? The law based on human effort was to bring us to an end of our self-effort and point us to grace received through faith. Why go back?

You may have heard it said if you want to have an answer to prayer ask a new believer to pray and you’ll get the answer. Why? Cause they have faith. What about the older believer? What has happened to them? They have gone back to earning God’s favour through good works that they are doing. You will never get anything by trying to earn God’s favour. The answer is faith. God approves faith. He is impressed when we believe in Him and believe that He rewards us if we earnestly seek Him.

The excuse in their minds for not moving in faith is due to the “so-called” abuse by some “faith” preachers. We have to be careful how we judge another and whether their use of faith is abusive or not. If they are abusing faith, God will deal with them. But why let someone else steal the reality of faith from you. If someone has a car accident is that reason enough to not drive a car. The car is rarely the fault, the failure of the driver usually is.

Jesus affirmed people over and over again for their use of faith. In fact in Luke 18:8 Jesus asks: “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” If faith is what He is looking for, then it must be important for believers to live by faith.
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Faith comes from hearing the message or the word. Paul says in Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” The preaching of the gospel is essential for faith to come. There is power in the words for this is not empty philosophy of man but the words of God. God’s word contains power. It does not go out from Him and return void that is without having an effect. Mark 16 says the disciples went everywhere preaching the word of God and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Preaching the word is essential to the release of faith. There are many attempts to sanitize the process, for example, by your good deeds and your life style you are preaching the word. But in actuality you are really only exhibiting righteous living which is attractive to people and opens their hearts to receiving what you have to say. But at some point you have to say something, specifically the good news. You aren’t doing anyone any favors by simply living your life faithfully but never saying anything. They need to understand what enables you to live such a life. They won’t get it by osmosis; they need some explanation.

Paul continues in Romans to say in verse 17 that the righteous will live by faith. Faith is the power behind righteous living. As we abide in Him we abide in faith. Faith then grows as we grow in the knowledge of Him. And as faith comes from hearing the word, faith will continue to grow as you continue to hear the word. Hearing and seeing are how we acquire knowledge and understanding. When I met my wife, I was attracted to her physically but needed to know her more before I could commit to her. As we talked and I listened carefully to her I got to know her and understand her values and priorities. I learned about the person within the attractive package. So it is with God. We can find Him attractive through the lifestyle of his disciples but you still need to spend time hearing from Him to fully understand Him.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing is based on the word of God. As you spend time reading and listening to the word you will find your understanding of the character and heart of God will increase. With that increase you will find your faith grows for you know in whom you are putting your trust. If you don’t attend to or listen to the word, you have set a limit on your understanding and your faith will not go past that limitation. The enemy will come to test our hearing as he did in the garden with Eve. Did God really say? If you haven’t been listening to the word of God, the enemy’s questions will shake your faith and your confidence, maybe even causing you to move away from faith to leaning on your own understanding. When we take matters into our own hands we are no longer in faith nor are we activating the power of God in our life. For faith to grow exercise it by listening to and meditation on the word of God. As you do your understanding of the character and veracity of God will grow releasing your faith to expand more and more.
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