Spiritual Giants Walking the Earth

SwordmanJr

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Looking at Church history, and observing the modern times, watching the people on TV, reading their stuff in books, seeing them on the internet, I'm left wondering where the true, spiritual giants have gone.

As a biblicist, I don't subscribe to any of the plethora of doctrinal creeds, cults or denominational and independent factions. It's the Bible, and nothing else...apart from the leading of Holy Spirit...the very Spirit who inspired the biblical texts:

[1John 2:26-27 KJV] 26 These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I've run across many a website claiming to have the answer as to how one becomes a spiritual giant. One such site boasted of a "five step process" for becoming a spiritual giant that can be followed by any "layman."

Others point at how only certain men can be called by God to become spiritual giants, such as men like Billy Graham, who promoted ecumenical ties with questionable religions and peoples in those religions of the world who held to doctrines clearly not from God.

Given that we should never lay claim to following any man, or lay claim to identifying with any man who ever walked this earth apart from the fullness of the stature of Christ Jesus, which includes even the Patriarchs in the Bible, I'm left with serious forebodings as to any suggestion to be like Abraham (who threw his own wife under the bus twice), David (who took another man's wife, get her pregnant, and had her husband murdered to try and cover over his sin), or even Enoch, for as it's written, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?

Thoughts?

Jr
 
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How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?
One of the great ironies of the Christian faith is that the small ones are the great ones and vice versa. Jesus Christ, the embodiment of this enigma, is the infinitely greatest among the smallest.
Philippians 2:5-7
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant
 
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Looking at Church history, and observing the modern times, watching the people on TV, reading their stuff in books, seeing them on the internet, I'm left wondering where the true, spiritual giants have gone.

As a biblicist, I don't subscribe to any of the plethora of doctrinal creeds, cults or denominational and independent factions. It's the Bible, and nothing else...apart from the leading of Holy Spirit...the very Spirit who inspired the biblical texts:

[1John 2:26-27 KJV] 26 These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I've run across many a website claiming to have the answer as to how one becomes a spiritual giant. One such site boasted of a "five step process" for becoming a spiritual giant that can be followed by any "layman."

Others point at how only certain men can be called by God to become spiritual giants, such as men like Billy Graham, who promoted ecumenical ties with questionable religions and peoples in those religions of the world who held to doctrines clearly not from God.

Given that we should never lay claim to following any man, or lay claim to identifying with any man who ever walked this earth apart from the fullness of the stature of Christ Jesus, which includes even the Patriarchs in the Bible, I'm left with serious forebodings as to any suggestion to be like Abraham (who threw his own wife under the bus twice), David (who took another man's wife, get her pregnant, and had her husband murdered to try and cover over his sin), or even Enoch, for as it's written, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?

Thoughts?

Jr
Rule number one, stay humble. Rule number two - refer to rule number one.

God calls each Christian to a certain place in the body of Christ. An apostle who fulfils his calling is no more a spiritual giant than some who faithfully ministers to a few people.

To become truly spiritual requires two operations of the Holy Spirit. We are born again knowing nothing except what it took to get us saved. So we must receive spiritual knowledge throughout our lives in order to grow. "Faith comes by hearing" applies to all truth that we need to receive.

The other aspect of growth is to be delivered from the bondages that we take into the new life. This will include the renewing of the mind (our thoughts often argue against God's truth), freedom from the control of emotions (a common cause of instability) and the life experiences that hinder us from going God's way. Unforgiveness is a common blight on Christian growth. It's like spraying weedkiller on a plant. Fear is another problem - fear is the opposite of faith. Rebellion, stubbornness, independence and pride are all common problems that must be overcome. Don't worry, the first 50 years are the hardest.

Seriously, if we will commit ourselves 100% to the will of God and His Kingdom, He will see to it that we grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth. It may take some time. People have different problems, some harder to resolve than others. God will bring us to maturity. All He asks is that we seek Him and ask Him to change us.
 
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xaris

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Looking at Church history, and observing the modern times, watching the people on TV, reading their stuff in books, seeing them on the internet, I'm left wondering where the true, spiritual giants have gone.

As a biblicist, I don't subscribe to any of the plethora of doctrinal creeds, cults or denominational and independent factions. It's the Bible, and nothing else...apart from the leading of Holy Spirit...the very Spirit who inspired the biblical texts:

[1John 2:26-27 KJV] 26 These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I've run across many a website claiming to have the answer as to how one becomes a spiritual giant. One such site boasted of a "five step process" for becoming a spiritual giant that can be followed by any "layman."

Others point at how only certain men can be called by God to become spiritual giants, such as men like Billy Graham, who promoted ecumenical ties with questionable religions and peoples in those religions of the world who held to doctrines clearly not from God.

Given that we should never lay claim to following any man, or lay claim to identifying with any man who ever walked this earth apart from the fullness of the stature of Christ Jesus, which includes even the Patriarchs in the Bible, I'm left with serious forebodings as to any suggestion to be like Abraham (who threw his own wife under the bus twice), David (who took another man's wife, get her pregnant, and had her husband murdered to try and cover over his sin), or even Enoch, for as it's written, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?

Thoughts?

Jr
And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, receiving the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching the scriptures if these things were so. (Act 17:11)
 
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...So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?...

I think, if we are disciples of Jesus, we want to follow him and don’t seek other leaders. But, if you want to know how to be great, Jesus answered to that like this:

…But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Mat. 23:4-12

And no, faking doesn’t work. :)
 
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GTW27

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Looking at Church history, and observing the modern times, watching the people on TV, reading their stuff in books, seeing them on the internet, I'm left wondering where the true, spiritual giants have gone.

As a biblicist, I don't subscribe to any of the plethora of doctrinal creeds, cults or denominational and independent factions. It's the Bible, and nothing else...apart from the leading of Holy Spirit...the very Spirit who inspired the biblical texts:

[1John 2:26-27 KJV] 26 These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I've run across many a website claiming to have the answer as to how one becomes a spiritual giant. One such site boasted of a "five step process" for becoming a spiritual giant that can be followed by any "layman."

Others point at how only certain men can be called by God to become spiritual giants, such as men like Billy Graham, who promoted ecumenical ties with questionable religions and peoples in those religions of the world who held to doctrines clearly not from God.

Given that we should never lay claim to following any man, or lay claim to identifying with any man who ever walked this earth apart from the fullness of the stature of Christ Jesus, which includes even the Patriarchs in the Bible, I'm left with serious forebodings as to any suggestion to be like Abraham (who threw his own wife under the bus twice), David (who took another man's wife, get her pregnant, and had her husband murdered to try and cover over his sin), or even Enoch, for as it's written, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?

Thoughts?

Jr
Any one who is truly born from above has everything they need. They have both The Father and The Son in the Form of The Holy Spirit. How many are truly willing to lay down their lives so that others may live. How many have faith to trust Him enough to let go and hop in the backseat and let Him drive. These that have done so know that they are nothing, and He is all. These are the least and they know that they are the least worthy to receive the measure of grace they have received. Their reward is not in the forefront of their minds, but it is the reward of all others, that matter to them. That stature you talk about will always be His, for He is the only One worthy. And thus all praise honor belong to Him and Him alone.
 
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SwordmanJr

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I think, if we are disciples of Jesus, we want to follow him and don’t seek other leaders.

It seems to me that true Spiritual Giants don't go around wanting the label of "leader." They are the unsung heroes of the faith. They disciple others to maturity, and then move on. They don't seek out the limelight, praise of men, degrees to hang on walls in an office, etc. They work in silence (so to speak), tirelessly, powerfully, and yet possess the love Paul spoke of, don't seek power apart from what the Lord grants to them to accomplish His goals. They are giants who walk quietly among us, mostly unrecognized by the masses, and bring life and light to shattered lives.

But, if you want to know how to be great, Jesus answered to that like this:

…But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Mat. 23:4-12

And no, faking doesn’t work. :)

It seems that the true giants don't seek greatness. They by nature of their spiritual stature practice what Jesus said in that passage as a matter of habit and way of life. They will gladly sit in the back, not caring if they are noticed. They prefer to watch others, discerning needs, moving when the Spirit moves them, and reach out when the Spirit leads them.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Jr
 
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If anyone wants a more concise answer to this check this out:

Tales of Mel: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?

Eventually, I plan to edit that blog to just simply say 5 suggestions for being great in the kingdom of God.

What I have there I think sounds overly authorative.
 
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SwordmanJr

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If anyone wants a more concise answer to this check this out:

Tales of Mel: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?

Eventually, I plan to edit that blog to just simply say 5 suggestions for being great in the kingdom of God.

What I have there I think sounds overly authorative.

Where one stands in Heaven for reward was not the aim of my inquiry. Those are given based upon the works that we do in accordance with the commands and our obedience to the Law of God.

That blog you referenced tended toward a somewhat quantified assessment that, although good to strive toward, is secondary to the aim of my inquiry.

It's agreeable that debating the points for stature in Heaven is not a worthwhile argument, my focus is fixed mostly upon our walk here on earth. Our stature here on earth is the measuring stick that will affect our resulting greatness in Heaven.

Here on earth, in the here and now:

[Eph 4:11-16 KJV] 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Discipleship is key in all of this. There are many who are labeled/hired as "pastors," but are not those who were given by God as legitimate pastors of biblical stature. Most are hirelings, and therefore not of the stature required whereby they are spiritual giants. So many of them are not men who have any desire to actively disciple others. Instead, they orchestrate the churchianity model that says little to no more than, "Just show up each time the doors are open, hear my sermons, go to the Sunday school classes, and join one of the smorgasbord, band-aid home cell groups, and you will grow... How pathetic indeed.

Many consider men like Joel Olsteen to be a spiritual giant based on his notoriety and speeches that tickle the ears of the spiritually dead. That may be the worst case example, among others, but it provides us with a view down into the muck and mire of the ditch along this road where many fall daily.

It is not discipleship to say, "I'm asking you to feel good about who you are..." True discipleship does not and cannot subscribe to a concept of feeling good about who we are, but rather about who Christ Jesus is, and looking to the vast greatness of His stature as the measuring stick up to which we should strive to aspire. It's not even about looking at Solomon, Abraham, Jacob, David, or any other of the Patriarchs and prophets.

I met up with a group of men years ago in another state who were focused on growing in stature toward that of Christ Jesus, and they strongly worked toward that mutual growth in each other, sharing in mutual accountability, speaking and singing in unity of the greatness of Christ in us, the hope of glory. There was so much more to those men than what I ever saw in any men's Bible study. They were overseen by a man who truly was a spiritual giant among men, although that giant began to lose some of his stature in his latter years due to going "soft in the head," which made it easier for feministic theology to begin creeping into his beliefs and teachings. Such a departure only weakens the fabric of unity among the men who were under his oversight.

We need more groups like those men who climb that mountain together, shoving, pushing and pulling upward those who sometimes slide downward on the rocks that give under their feet. It is in THIS life that we should strive toward spiritual giant-hood, because we then have built up our stature for measure in Heaven. The particulars you pointed out, about considering others greater than self, sitting among the least, being humble and serving all others, yes. I completely agree. But as we are living here on earth, our striving should be in the building up our stature toward that of Christ here and now, fixating on what we should be doing here and now, in obedience to Christ Jesus, of which I'm sure we can both agree.

So, finding practical ways to gather together men who have the same desire to grow into the greatness of the stature of Christ Jesus, THAT is the here-n-now that I'm seeking to explore with other men.

Women can do the same among their ranks, being subject unto their husbands secondarily to Christ Jesus.

Jr
 
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Don’t cut yourself off from the love of the body of Christ. Giants are made by God. Try imperfect Calvary Chapel preachers on you tube for to listen to a message. They are some of the best preachers on earth now. There are others. I consider them spiritual giants. Also read Spurgeon, Chuck Smith, CSN international on line radio for preachers.
 
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SwordmanJr

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...Giants are made by God... They are some of the best preachers on earth now.

I have doubts that the best preachers are necessarily dominant in one particular, man-made denomination.

What's interesting is your comment about God being the One who made the giants in the faith. That suggests, given historic realities, men hired by man-made church organizations aren't necessarily giants in the faith by any criteria established by God. Hiring committees generally hire on the basis of degrees from Bible Cemeteries and giftedness in style of rhetoric. If they're eloquent, interesting, etc., they generally are hired on the assumption they are giants in the faith.

Meanwhile, the TRUE giants in the faith remain the unsung heroes who work among the new believers, discipling them to maturity; not seeking to preside over a congregation of followers and petty communal buildings or cathedrals, but rather storing up treasures in Heaven.

It seems reasonable that those who seek to disciple others stand shoulder to shoulder with others who are practitioners of the various gifts the Lord has given to each one as the Lord sees fit. We all should be working together toward raising up new converts to maturity rather than paying someone else to proxy that responsibility through inferior methods, be they ever so historic. I've never known the antiquity of a practice to necessarily perpetuate it's success.

Jr
 
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Looking at Church history, and observing the modern times, watching the people on TV, reading their stuff in books, seeing them on the internet, I'm left wondering where the true, spiritual giants have gone.
"When the wicked rule, the righteous go into hiding" (... like Jesus did, until it was His Time as Directed by The Creator)
 
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Aaron_Bethlhm

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Evangelism and discipleship remain two of the most ignored responsibilities within churchianity. What a tragedy indeed.

Jr
?
Are Evangelism and discipleship any good at all if not in obedience by Faith and God's Love ?
 
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Aaron_Bethlhm

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So what's the answer? How do any of us grow to giant stature in spiritual life as members of the body of Christ Jesus?

Thoughts?
"Whoever seeks to be great will be the less, and God will raise up the least.... even those who are nothing, to confound the 'wise' " ....
 
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SwordmanJr

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Are Evangelism and discipleship any good at all if not in obedience by Faith and God's Love ?

That's a fundamental question. The commands are already in place, and Western churchianity has abandoned them to hirelings.

You do bring up a good point: They should be sought out in faith and in love, for without love, faith is without the power unto effectiveness and bearing fruit.

Jr
 
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