God Reveals to Those Who Love Him

Mystery of Christ

Ephesians 3:1-4

I was brought up in the Roman Catholic tradition. It was driven in our head that everything about God was a mystery.  We were therefore instructed to leave to the clergies the interpretation of the scriptures.  The Bible was forbidden for us to read.  The myth was that it made people crazy.  Now and then, we would hear stories of such phenomena.  At the age of 20, I bought a bible, and I have been crazy ever since, LOL.  Little did I know that God revealed to those who love Him, to anyone who seeks Him.  Moreover, once the fever to learn got into me, no stone was to be left unturned.

Little truth that I started with was enough to challenge the authority of the Roman Catholic establishment.  I was threatened to be excommunicated.  Consequently, I moved and I stopped my association with the Roman Catholic establishment. 

The void in me needed to be filled, so in my search for the truth, in 1984, I started attending church service at "The Worldwide Church of God". For those who are not aware of this denomination, the observation of the Sabbath and the Jewish festival was a doctrine expected from its members.  For over 8 years, I lived as a Jew, observing all the festivals and kosher dietary laws.  I did not fully understand that they were the shadows of things to come fulfilled 2000 years ago,(Col 2:17).  The fellowship and the genuine warmth of the congregation members were very enjoyable.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was felt.  The members showed love toward each other's.

Occasionally, there would be changes due to new doctrinal facts.  They were minor and therefore did not affect our fellowship.  However, there came a time, when a change in one particular doctrine caused a major disturbance in the church.  The religious authority decided to deny the power of the Holy Spirit, by not viewing the Holy Spirit as God, denying the deity of the Holy Spirit.  Suddenly, that affected the whole establishment and its members. At that time, I did not recognize the cause.

It was disturbing.  I did not know what was happening. It affected the fellowship within the church.  The church disbanded.  Some elders started their own denomination, disassociating completely from the mother church.  As for me, I disassociate from everyone.  I became angry, and delusional, and did not know and understand that God was still working with me.  I moved due to a new employment.  I bought a property and started to develop a small vineyard on the property.  Everything was turning up all right.  However, for God, there was unfinished business.  He reminded me how much I loved understanding.  He reminded me of the time when I kept asking Him for some more.  He reminded me of the love I had for Him and for His Word.

He got my attention all right.  I lost my job, and the manufacturing plant closed.  The vineyard bears no fruit.  My wife's health was deteriorating. Her job also was uncertain.  You probably heard of Nortel Networks.  Debt was increasing.  I could not find a job. There I was, in the middle of a major drought in my life.  He reminded me of His commandment to "Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God" Matthew 6:33.  

Now when I look back I understand.  He took action in my life.  He saw that I was overwhelmed by the care of this world.  I was miserable, unhappy, with a thirsty soul. He reminded me of my first love.  He knew what I wanted all along.  Now when I look back, I do understand what happened. When a church denies the Holy Spirit, God denies the church (Titus 1:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:4-6, 2 Peter 2:1-3).  The church is the body of Christ.  He is the Head.  The members are filled with the Holy Spirit.  One of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit is to teach (1 Co 2:13).  The Worldwide Church of God became the prey of false teachers as forewarned by, (Jude: 5).  Since the false teachers were in a position of leadership, many recognized it and left.

I did not need to run away from God.  Instead, I needed to stay closer to God for understanding. He was protecting me all along from the false teachers.  So I got back into seeking the kingdom of God….and "voila". As seasons change, so do the conditions in my life.  My wife and I moved to her native town in Newfoundland. God is gradually improving our financial dilemma.  From winter to summer, spring is in between, which means that changes are gradual.  In the process, God is teaching.  He is teaching something valuable that will be forged in me for eternity, (Isaiah 64:8, Romans 9:21).  We bring nothing physically with us in heaven.  The only thing that stays with us is our character and the righteousness of Jesus, (Romans 4:5, Romans 5:17, and Galatians 3:6).  All this is God's doing.  We are to be willing to learn.  Once saved, we are to grow in knowledge and its application in our lives.

 

What you have read above, about the circumstances of my life is "pretty" general, there was much more to this.  This is my testimony of Christ in my life. What I've learned is that we are to live life as God teaches.  If you have accepted Jesus even with little knowledge, Jesus will teach you. Some Christians have the false impression that we are to sit and wait, leaving to the pastors to do all the work.  It is not all-blind faith.  Jesus will give you the gift of discernment to understand, (Philippians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 2:14).

There is much more after salvation that meets the eyes.  We are saved by grace, and nothing will take that away.  It is a gift.  Salvation is only the beginning.  Being "saved" means "born again". We were born physically in water, within our mother's womb, which was the beginning of a long process to become a mature adult.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," Jn 3:5-6.  

Born of water is not water baptism; it is born in the flesh.  Born again of the Spirit is also a beginning, of living in the Spirit.  So, do not expect to know everything in one bible study.  Expect a life journey walking with Jesus, learning the application of His Word. As Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice".  Luke 11:28 (New Living Translation)

Enoch walked with God 300 years out of 365 years.  Our life expectancy is shorter, about 70 years, so learn early and quick.  Here is a hint of what God is expecting.  He is expecting you to apply the lesson of trusting Him, (Ps 37:3).  A mystery of physical longevity is to honour your father and mother, (Exodus 20:12).  The mystery of mental health longevity is to trust in God the Father, the Son Jesus our Lord and King and in the Holy Spirit living in you.  If you belong to God and have not yet learned the lesson of trusting in the Lord, expect to live a life with all the pain worrying and doubting.  The sooner you learn the lesson of trusting the better.  Aren't we taught to die in Christ?  (Romans 6:8, 1 Corinthians 15:31).  To please God is to trust Him.  To trust God is to please Him.  The only work expected from you is to believe and to trust (John 6:28-29).  We are not to walk with God murmuring and doubting as the Israelites experienced in their 40 years of journeying in the desert.  The whole experience of God's people Israel from the time of Abraham till now is for our learning.  It was an episode of trusting and not trusting.  We can read the consequences. Proverbs 3:5-6 should be read as a commitment, it should be read as so: "I will trust in the LORD with all my heart, and I will not lean on my own understanding.  In all my ways, I will acknowledge Him, and He shall direct my paths".

Another lesson in our walk with Jesus is to rest in Him.  We all could act religiously by taking care of the widows, the orphans, and the poor, visiting prisoners, the sick, yet if we have not learned "to rest in the Lord", we are doing all this by our own work and effort (Matt 7:21-23). 

We all need teachers.  We all need to be instructed by someone.  Someone we can trust.  Jesus warned us that false teachers and prophets would come about.  He warned us not to be deceived, (Luke 21:8).  Ask God for help to bring about the right teachers in your life, (Acts 8: 26-31).

The Book of Psalms points up that it is all about trust.  The history of Israel shows the consequences of trusting and not trusting in the Lord.  Now look at your life.  Can you see the same scenario repeating?  The fundamental truth, both salvation and rest are gifts from God through our Lord Jesus.  We are saved and we rest in the works of someone else, which is Jesus our Lord and Redeemer. The mystery of God, the mystery of the gospel, the mystery of Christ, and all mysteries are revealed and are to be revealed even if it takes eternity.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. Luke 10:21

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:

     "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

      Nor have entered into the heart of man

      The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God," 1 Cor 2:10

"which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets," Ephesians 3:5.

"the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints," Colossians 1:26

Now, if anyone insists on telling you that no one can't know and understand the Bible, he is a liar, for God reveals to those who love Him 1 Cor 2:9

Tens of Thousands of Muslims Coming to Christ

Link: Thousands of Muslims See Jesus In Dreams and Visions and Are SAVED!

The Church of Philadelphia "The Faithful Church": Are we as faithful as we are to be?

How could this be possible, that at the height of tremendous Christian persecution the gospel instead of declining in status, is spreading like wildfire?  I could not understand this phenomenon.  Anyone seeing a public execution of a Christian would think twice before accepting the gospel.  Most of these countries where Christians are being persecuted barely have bibles, and ministries, and have little representation from the Western nations. China, North Korea and Middle East Islam nations are the ones that come to mind.  

What is that gospel that required no in-depth bible study that a believer is willing to lose his/her life over it?   Please watch this video. It shows how much the Chinese seek to know Jesus. The Bible Is Truth by Dennis Balcombe. 

We all want to worship Jesus in our own little ways.  Christian denominations with their diversities of worship practice are like going into an ice cream parlour.  The cone is Jesus the foundation (the cornerstone), and the ice cream flavours and toppings are the denomination and non-denomination churches.  Everybody chooses whatever he/she wants on his/her cone.  The result is that it might give out a false image of Jesus Church.  Be aware that He will test with fire the material that we put on that foundation (Matthew 7:23-27).  Jesus does love the diversity in worship and expression of praise, let make sure it is made with the right motive, and not with a goody-two-shoes attitude of self-righteousness toward other denominations. 

Therefore, I wonder.  What would be the consequences if there were Christian persecution here in Canada?  Ask yourself, how many have wanted to be Christians, have heard the message, and have been drawn to Christ by the preaching of the good news but due to fear of being different and rejection have quietly melted back into the crowd?  How many would disappear from our churches and hide to meet in small groups?

Returning to my first question: How could this be possible, that at the height of tremendous Christian persecution, the gospel instead of declining in status is spreading like wildfire? We find the answer in the Book of Acts, Chapter 8: Now Saul (Paul) was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. ³ As for Saul, he made havoc on the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. ⁴ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

"Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word" They had no scholarship in the doctrine; they had no bible which included the New Testament.  They had the testimonies of others passed on to them and the evidence according to Old Testament prophecy that Jesus is the Son of God, the awaited Messiah.  What was that testimony?  Christ resurrected.  

Thousands witnessed His bodily resurrection.  They understood that Jesus was the redeemer, and became the mediator, and the advocate between man and God.  Thousands receive the gift of Faith, of the Holy Spirit and the gift of Eternal Life.  The gospel brought peace and harmony between man and God.  It brought tremendous joy with the thought that they were alive for eternity with Jesus.

Christians were persecuted by the Jewish authority because they claimed that Jesus was the Son of God, the promise Messiah and alive, therefore blasphemy under Jewish law, and they were persecuted by the gentile-occupied authority of Rome for treason for claiming Jesus as King and God.  Caesar was considered god and there could not be any other god but Caesar.

Here in Western nations, this same gospel falls on deaf ears.  Why?  Very few understand the need for salvation.  Few understand that they are separated from God, and consequently will be set apart from God forever in eternity.  That place is called hell.  In our society sins have been replaced with the term dysfunctional behaviour, which can be corrected with sufficient funds from the government to create services to treat people with these disorders.  Sins such as homosexuality have been accepted as a "lifestyle".  Sins such as killing unborn babies as birth control is up to standard in our society.  Who needs Jesus when this society can resolve all human problems just by ignoring the consequences of sins? 

Depressions are on the rise, the solution; take a vacation in the south, take vitamin D or see a psychologist at $200/hr instead of seeing a pastor.  Suicide is on the increase among teenagers.  The churches are not reaching out as they used to.  Church members themselves cannot give answers to most questions if asked by those who seek spiritual guidance.  Most are ill-prepared to give an answer.  "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).  Most members have given that responsibility to ministers and pastors.  Most Christians keep their Christians' faith in themselves.

The churches expect people to just walk into their building, expect people to just sit in the pews and act like any other members.  Few teach how to handle life as a Christian.  Many Christians do not know how to face life.  At the sign of a single misfortune, many are those who get discouraged to the point of despair.  Almost no one is teaching the way of life as the first Christians lived.  They lived by faith.  They lived by trusting Jesus.  They lived by resting in Him.  They lived by learning from Him.  That is why they were able to face persecution.  There is great apostasy in the churches today because we do not teach to live in faith and are not sharing it.  We are being persecuted by our own ignorance.  How then shall we face real persecution?

 'How quick it is to dismiss and to forget that there was a time when Christians were thrown to lions, burned as human torches, mangled by wild beasts, killed by gladiators, tortured, torn apart by wild horses, or martyred in other dreadful ways?  Another great period of martyrdom broke out at the time of the Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries.  We can read the accounts in all their gruesome details in Fox's Book of Martyrs.

Do you know what century was the most tortuous of all?  It is estimated that more Christians were tortured and slain in twelve months during World War II than those who died under Rome's authority.  In the city of Seoul, Korea, ten thousand Christians have already suffered martyrdom for their faith.  Some authorities claim that over fifteen million Christians have been slaughtered up to the fall of the U.S.S.R. now Russia, Soviet-controlled Europe and other Communist countries.  Since Christianity began, no generation has seen such worldwide persecution as is now in progress. Yet, by an act of grace, God appointed Russia's President Vladamir Putin to reinstitute Christian freedom to worship and to live according to its moral values condemning Western degenerating moral values. 

In Africa and the Middle East, by the hundreds and thousands Christians are being killed by Muslims.  Europe is now at the risk of losing its grip over the growing Muslim population.  They are increasing their population by using the same tactic that the provincial government of Quebec used with the support of the Catholic Church in the nineteen century to increase their representation in the Federal government that is by making babies.  What do you think will be the result once Muslims reach a democratic majority?  Democracy will prove that it is not the best form of government.  At election, there is always part of the population who loses and is not represented.  Democracy only works when the minority submit to the majority. Would you submit to Sharia law?  Democracy is not necessarily the best solution in some countries such as Iraq and Iran, their culture is not taken into consideration by the Western nations. 

Churches that support a Palestinian state do not understand that Islam is forcing its religion against people's will in those regions.  Their mandate is to convert the whole world.  I am not making this up. It is in the Qur'an.  Many accept Islam for fear of losing their business, their family and their life.  ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF TERROR that seeds fear and submission under the  Sharia law. We do not witness this in Canada since Canadians are oblivious to that scheme today. 

Among the horrors of Sharia are death for criticism of Islam, death for leaving Islam, death for non-Muslims living under Sharia, the near impossibility of rape victims to prove that they had been raped, wife beating, child marriage, unequal rights for women, no legal rights for non-Muslims, and the subjugation of women.  There is no retribution by the Islamic State against a Muslim who kills a non-Muslim under Sharia law.  If this should happen in Canada, would there not be an outcry for justice?  This is it …it is not happening here in Canada…yet!  So why should we get involved?  No one took seriously Winston Churchill's warning about the dangers of a German Nazi regime.

Why are the Canadian troops in Afghanistan?  Why American troops in Iraq?  According to the news media, it is in the Western nation's interest. It's for its resources and not in Afghanistan's best interest.  In God's perspective, many Muslims are now converting to Christianity at the risk of losing their life.  Jesus is the one who opens doors of opportunities to reach out to those who are not yet written in the 'Book of Life' and have yet to be included in it.  "And this gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached to the entire world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" Matthew 24:14.

Jesus explained that he is the door. 'Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep" John 10:7'.  He also explained that he would go anywhere at the appropriate time to find pasture for His lost sheep. "I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture" John 10:9.

Paul walked through many doors that Jesus opened for him to preach the gospel in troubled areas.  "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries" 1 Corinthians 16:.  The same is found in 2 Corinthians 2.  "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,"

We are to be thankful for the doors that are open in Iraq and Afghanistan, even at the cost of losing loved ones, the soldiers who sacrifice their lives for a greater cause.

We are to understand that God has a greater purpose in life and that He is in charge of the world's conditions (Rom 13:1-7).  He is the one who decides who rules nations.  The authority behind the authority is God.  All governments that exist are from God, good or bad.  All institutions are from God.  They are established for three reasons: protect, punish and promote.  God does control the affairs of man, (Daniel 2:20-21). 

Daniel answered and said:

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings; 

King Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses after seven years of humble living experience.  He recognized who was in control over all activity under the sun.  This is how he expresses it in Daniel 4:34-37:

"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honoured Him who lives forever:

      For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
      And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
      All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
      He does according to His will in the army of heaven
      And among the inhabitants of the earth.
      No one can restrain His hand"

A study in bible prophecy revealed that God has a greater purpose than to bring immediate justice when things go wrong.  He let man experience the consequences of sins.  How then could Christians understand God's work in the world?  Jesus admonishes us to learn from Him and to ask for wisdom to understand God's works.  God reveals to those who seek him diligently.  Amos 3:7 declares; 

"Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets."

Jesus mentions that we are no longer servants but friends.  John 15:14;

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

Remember His commandment; "Seek ye first the kingdom of God'!  Subsequently you would know the will of God; you would know that God wants no one to perish;

 "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth," 1 Tim 2:4.  

God does not want to leave you uninformed.  Ignorant are those who accuse God of not caring and not being involved.  Repent and thank God, because at this moment you know as Daniel knew:

 "He gives wisdom to the wise
 And knowledge to those who have understanding.
 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

Thank You and praise You,

O God of my fathers;

You have given me wisdom and might,

And have now made known to me what we asked of You,

For You have made known to us the king's demand,"

Dan 2: 22-23

Whoever reads this is blessed with the abundance of God's love.

What Christians are to do?  We are to pray for the unity of the Body of Christ 'the Church', no matter what denomination we belong to.  Pray so that the Holy Spirit stirs up the ministry in your church for Jesus to rule and pastor.  We are to stop quarrelling over doctrines that are mostly misunderstood and related to the tradition of man.  Let us concentrate on spreading the simplicity of the gospel: the true gospel that so many hungry spirits are looking for.  It is free, remember.  We are saved by GRACE. Anyone who adds works to this salvation is from the synagogue of Satan.

Pray for the door to open in our own community.  Let us focus on saving souls instead of putting so much energy into the survival of the existing church building and denomination existence.  Maybe, yes maybe, Jesus will delight our works as He was delighted toward the church of Philadelphia "The Faithful Church?

⁷ "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": ⁸ "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. ¹² He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. ¹³ "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Do you have ears?  Therefore, this was addressed to you.  Jesus just spoke to you using His Word.

In conclusion

Pray for the Word of God to reach members of your family, friends, citizens of your country, and the enemy that persecutes you, so that He also will keep them from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Pray that doors wound open in all nations to fulfill the commission as a witness and of salvation.  

"Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,"  Colossians 4:3.

Can you hear Jesus' footsteps?  I do.  He is at your door, knocking.  Answer Him.  Invite Him in with this simple prayer: "Jesus, I believe that you are the one that God had sent.  I believe that you are the one spoken of in the Old Testament, the Messiah.  I believe in your love that you have demonstrated by dying in my stead, for my sins again you. I believe in your bodily resurrection. I believe because You say so.  I surrender my life to you, for you have so much to give. Be an important part of my life, so that others may see you in me the peace and the joy that come only from you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the new life, 'the new eternal life that begins now and forever'."

All rights reserved to Jesus therefore free to share

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel,"  1 Corinthians 9:18

André Delage; Simplicityinthegospel@gmail.com

Recommend reading:

I Will Bless Those Who Bless You Feature Article by Jack Kelley

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done by Ron Graft and Lambert Dolphin

Watch: “What It Means to Die for Jesus”  http://youtu.be/1UQcJMrSaWU