Who is Jesus?

[IKTCA]

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away…..
If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. (Matthew 5:29-30)

After reading epistles for about a month, I am now reading Matthew. I read repeatedly in the epistles that God loved me while I was a sinner, and that Jesus died on the cross to blot out my sins.

Now I come before the very man who died for me on the Cross. His tone is stern and his command is heavy: DO NOT SIN. I realize I got a wrong picture of him from the epistles. I pictured Jesus as a boneless God. Not so according to this passage. I pictured Jesus as a lamb. But I forgot that he is also the Lion of Judah. I come to fearful submission to him and pledge obedient devotion. He is my God! He has the authority over heaven and earth! Amen.

 

[~Nikki~]

I personally think that you can't just ask Jesus into your heart and bang! you're saved.

The Bible says to repent and believe, and repenting means turning away from our sin and turning to our Lord and following and obeying Him in EVERYTHING He tells us to do.

It's something I'm constantly working on, but I know that it's essential for me to do as He says and not take His sacrifice on the cross too lightly...

God bless...

 

[IKTCA]

Yes, that's what I am learning. I thought I learned it, but am relearning it.

Regarding accepting Jesus into heart and getting saved at that very moment, I am not sure if it is all wrong. It seems to have certain merits, as far as it is not forced. Of course, I know what you mean. You are emphasizing a continuous purge process. And that's what I said I am learning now. Thank you.

Rupert

 

[~Nikki~]

Yeah...I was just saying that I think it's not right just to accept Jesus and then carry on as normal...that once a person accepts the Lord, their life should change to show the fruits of this...

God bless...

 

[Heinrich]

Well... Paul seemed to believe that you can be saved in a second.
Paul believed that one can be saved by one confession.
Rom 10:9
But not only that! in that split second the whole person will be changed.
2 cor 5:17

What a great salvation we have in Jesus Christ.
I still believe that a mature (and by this I do not mean theological) understanding of salvation is one of the big places to grow as a christian.

-Heinrich

 

[~Nikki~]

Well... Paul seemed to believe that you can be saved in a second.
Paul believed that one can be saved by one confession.
Rom 10:9
But not only that! in that split second the whole person will be changed.
2 cor 5:17

What a great salvation we have in Jesus Christ.
I still believe that a mature (and by this I do not mean theological) understanding of salvation is one of the big places to grow as a christian.

-Heinrich

Paul also said that he kept pushing on, kept training himself, kept running the race lest after he had preached to others he himself should be disqualified...

The Bible says that if we say we love God but do not keep His commandments then we are liars and the truth is not in us. It's quite clear when it says that the proof of our love for God is our obedience to Him.

In 1 John it also says that if we do not practice righteousness (practicing righteousness means 'doing' righteousness) then we are not children of God.

In James it says that people are justified by their works because their works prove their faith, and there is NO FAITH without works.

The Bible also tells us what the fruits of the Spirit are and what the lusts of the flesh are. It says that if we walk according to the lusts of the flesh we will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Galatians) but if we display the fruits of the Spirit we will not be judged.

1 John says that if we 'walk in the light' (which means being obedient to God in everything He tells us to do) the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins. Therefore if we don't walk in the light, the blood of Jesus does not cleanse us.

The point is that we must be obedient to Jesus because that is the outworking of our faith in Him. It is the outward sign of our inward attitude, our love for Him, and the fact that we are on our way to heaven...

1 John 1
v3-6
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who days, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are inHim. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He (Jesus) walked.

 

[IKTCA]

I honestly believe that Christian walk/life/experience is both. As Brother H said, a sudden change is true as was the case of Paul. But, what Sister N said is also true as was the case of Paul. He said, "I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself shoudl not be disqualified." Enslaving body must be a life long task.

Brother H was emphasizing the sudden change, that is, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, enslaving of body will be very difficult.

Rupert

 

[IKTCA]

Does this command of Jesus apply to me? I have been asking this question for a very long time. My answer is still not a firm yes. Please share with me your learnings.

Then Jesus summoned his 12 disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out,
and to cure every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1)

How much of this command is for me?

Rupert

 

[bvwsmaker]

Does this command of Jesus apply to me? I have been asking this question for a very long time. My answer is still not a firm yes. Please share with me your learnings.

Then Jesus summoned his 12 disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out,
and to cure every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1)

How much of this command is for me?

Rupert

Rupert - I would have to say none. I believe Jesus made it specific for those 12 because He wanted to authenticate His authority to them. (Plus it doesn't read like a command, like the Great Commission "Go therefore ...")

Having said that, there is the gift of healing that could accomplish the curing every disease and every sickness that the Holy Spirit may give to a believer. (I'm not sure if there's a gift for casting out unclean spirits - I just don't know.)

Hope this answers your question a little. - Randy

 

[IKTCA]

Thank you, Brother B, for quoting the last passage of Matthew. While I was reading and meditating on it, I learned something new. I am much excited, for after many years of asking, I have received an answer finally. I want to share it with all of you in great joy, and am seeking your comments as your spirits move.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations......
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you..... (Matthew 28:18-20)

1) We receive this command (originally to The 12) as if Jesus had given the command directly to us. Therefore, the other command (originally to The 12) must be for us, too:

Jesus summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and cure every disease and every sickness. (10:1)

2) Imagine that The 12 had said, "Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Our time is over. Now we give you a command: Make disciples." Then we should say we received the command from The 12, and should make disciples in the name of The 12. But we are not.

None of us heal the sick in the name of The 12. Subconsciously, we already know that Heal-The-Sick command (10:1) is for us.

3) In 2 Kings Chapter 2, Elisha received the mantle of Elijah. This might indicate that a mantle (anointing, or assignment, or the power of God) is passed on from a teacher to his disciples. But Elisha received twice the portion. How could Elijah give what he didn't have?

There is only one explanation. Elisha's anointing came directly from God, who alone could give double portion.

Likewise, the 2nd generation disciples (the disciples that The 12 made) received all from God directly, including the commands of The Great Commission, and Cast-Out-Demons and Heal-The-Sick (10:1). So do we.

4) Say I got a disciple. I can't imagine saying to him, "Now I give all my anointing to you. Go and continue my work." It would be a blaphemy. Rather, I would say, "God enabled me to do what I did. Trust God. He will enable you. Go."

In the same manner, The 12 must have said to their disciples, "You saw how we obeyed Jesus' commands. Go now and YOU obey the commands."

Now I read the command as follows:

Jesus summoned me and gave me authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.

Likewise,

Jesus summoned Shirley, Morten, Margie, Susan, Matt, Heinrich, and Lee (and all who have ears to hear) and gave Shirley, Morten, Margie, Susan, Matt, Heinrich, and Lee (and all who have ears to hear) authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. Amen. His Will Be Done!

Let us go therefore and make disciples IN THE NAME OF JESUS in obedience of JESUS' COMMANDS TO EACH OF US. Amen.

Rupert

 

[bvwsmaker]

Thank you, Brother B, for quoting the last passage of Matthew. While I was reading and meditating on it, I learned something new. I am much excited, for after many years of asking, I have received an answer finally. I want to share it with all of you in great joy, and am seeking your comments as your spirits move.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations......
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you..... (Matthew 28:18-20)

1) We receive this command (originally to The 12) as if Jesus had given the command directly to us. Therefore, the other command (originally to The 12) must be for us, too:

Jesus summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and cure every disease and every sickness. (10:1)

2) Imagine that The 12 had said, "Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Our time is over. Now we give you a command: Make disciples." Then we should say we received the command from The 12, and should make disciples in the name of The 12. But we are not.

None of us heal the sick in the name of The 12. Subconsciously, we already know that Heal-The-Sick command (10:1) is for us.

3) In 2 Kings Chapter 2, Elisha received the mantle of Elijah. This might indicate that a mantle (anointing, or assignment, or the power of God) is passed on from a teacher to his disciples. But Elisha received twice the portion. How could Elijah give what he didn't have?

There is only one explanation. Elisha's anointing came directly from God, who alone could give double portion.

Likewise, the 2nd generation disciples (the disciples that The 12 made) received all from God directly, including the commands of The Great Commission, and Cast-Out-Demons and Heal-The-Sick (10:1). So do we.

4) Say I got a disciple. I can't imagine saying to him, "Now I give all my anointing to you. Go and continue my work." It would be a blaphemy. Rather, I would say, "God enabled me to do what I did. Trust God. He will enable you. Go."

In the same manner, The 12 must have said to their disciples, "You saw how we obeyed Jesus' commands. Go now and YOU obey the commands."

Now I read the command as follows:

Jesus summoned me and gave me authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.

Likewise,

Jesus summoned Shirley, Morten, Margie, Susan, Matt, Heinrich, and Lee (and all who have ears to hear) and gave Shirley, Morten, Margie, Susan, Matt, Heinrich, and Lee (and all who have ears to hear) authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. Amen. His Will Be Done!

Let us go therefore and make disciples IN THE NAME OF JESUS in obedience of JESUS' COMMANDS TO EACH OF US. Amen.

Rupert

Let's accept your conclusion for a second. Let's say you're trying to be obedient to this command by trying to cure a disease a friend of yours has. You've done all that you've been taught by God to do but still nothing happens, ie the friend is not cured. What kind of conclusion(s) would you come to then?

 

[IKTCA]

Brother B:

You are sharp.
I can come to only one concusion. I did not believe that Jesus gave the word to me. I thought I believed, but I didn't.

Let me say this so that you can tell where I am coming from. Since I was found, I have laid hands on several, maybe 5 maybe 10. I don't know what happened to most of them, but I know one died of cancer. But the very first believer I laid hand on was cured of fibromyalgia and lupus (?). It was not a straight healing. The person was cured 95%, then got all back, and then she went to the Lord again and received a complete healing.

I am not in a Pentecostal denomination. I don't see healings everyday. As a matter of fact, I know only a few who were healed by laying on of hand.

The word (Matther 10:1) has been in my mind for many years. I think I have the answer now. I will see next time when I lay hand on a sick person. If God raises him, then I believed Matthew 10:1. If not, I must go back to the Lord, and ask him to separate my unbelief from belief with his razor-sharp sword.

Rupert

 

[bvwsmaker]

But I think it boils down to more than just having enough faith to heal someone Rupert. We live in a broken world where diseases and terminal illnesses are commonplace (though not the original design). What if one of these diseases is the way that will lead to our death (since all men die)? What if that disease is the one that God knows will kill us? What if God allows the disease to run its course so that we die? (Of course there's a good chance that He will be able to use us in our weakened state to further His kingdom if we're willing. Because sometimes the best way to reach someone with a similar terminal illness comes from those who are going through it. And if they're really communing with God, it will radiate through and make the other person curious.) [I'm not saying God caused the disease though, merely that He can use all things to accomplish His will.]

So if you're trying to heal that person (and you keep trying if you're not successful), it may be because you and God have different purposes in mind. (I'm not saying don't keep trying because you never know - God may choose to heal!) But I'm not sure in the way you've presented it above (I'm failing because I didn't believe enough) that it allows the possibility of God saying no.

Because if your attempted healing fails, what then do you say to the person? (Personally I'd say that God must have something else in mind for them since He's said no (or not yet) to the healing.)

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

That is who I like to answer the OP's question.

 

[goldenviolet]

The altimate poof of God's love

 

[goldenviolet]

can i say that the greatest healling is the gift of redemption from death?
i have been prayed for (and prayed myself with 100% faith) my whole life and i'm still ill. i have learned many lessons in it. three important ones is Christ taking our place is the ultimate healling. spiritual growth is healling, even as a body fails, and our final healling will be at the end of this life. four ... and bearing fruit is proof of it all.

i think we are so stubborn, that God sent Jesus to finalize His plans in our life lessons; to teach us His love; and to reunite us back to Him. we don't just learn by mistake. we are not faithful. Jesus teaches us that God is faithful. that all of the wrath of God scriptures in the old testament paint only a small piece of God. Jesus shows us we are to be blessed and called God's firstfruits.

and... 2 Peter 1:3
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.

's!!

love dee

 

[IKTCA]

Brother B:

You have right questions, but are asking a wrong person. As I said in my previous post, I have a "bad track record." The person I prayed for most devotedly died. I wept, fasted, begged for many days, but she died. I sincerely hope you find someone who has healed at least 10 or 50 or even 100.

Until last year or the year before I had a terrible hay fever. I could not sleep because nostrils got clogged. I had to take both prescription and over the counter medicine. During peak days I was pretty much drugged out, still lacking sleep.

I agree that when someone is sick, he seeks God more. But it was very difficult for me to do daily devotion when I was sick. If I had a choice, I would rather be healthy and do daily devotion than be unhealthy and miss daily devotion.

You said what if God did not want to heal the person. But, what if God wanted to raise the person but there was nobody to heal him? As I don't know if God didn't want to, I don't know what if God wanted to. So, I will ask for healing.

I am sorry I cannot even touch other excellent questions.

Rupert

 

[IKTCA]

A disciple is not above teacher,
nor a slave above the master.
It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher,
and the slave like the master. (Matthew 10:24)

How I love the word of Jesus! This passage reveals so much of inner me to my mind. Though it saddens me to see my inner darkness with my own eyes, I also rejoice in that Jesus’ light will remove the darkness from me. Let your light shine on me, Lord!

When I am misunderstood and looked down upon by believing brothers, the desire to prove my knowledge and righteousness grips me. How dark is the light in me! Jesus says to this darkness, “It is enough to be misunderstood. Hold your peace.” Amen. Let your light be the light in me!

Lord Jesus,
Since I have you in me, what more do I need? Will I seek honor? Or shall I seek my brothers’ praise? If I am to turn my cheek to those who persecute me, isn’t it enough to be misunderstood by believing brothers?

Lord,
Let your light shine in me! Displace this darkness and let your light dwell in me forever. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain,
some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Let anyone with ears listen. (Mathew 13:8-9)

Jesus said that good soil will produce much, but did not name who is good soil. Rather, whoever can hear this parable and desires in his heart to produce much is good soil. This invitation is open to all, including me.

Lord,
I heard your word. And I desire in my heart to be the good soil that produces much. It sounds good to my soul. Make me the good soil, and help me produce hundredfold. Amen.

 

[bvwsmaker]

Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain,
some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Let anyone with ears listen. (Mathew 13:8-9)

Jesus said that good soil will produce much, but did not say who is good soil. Rather, whoever can hear this parable and desires in his heart to produce much is good soil. This invitation is open to all, including me.

Lord,
I heard your word. And I desire in my heart to be the good soil that produces much. It sounds good to my soul. Make me the good soil, and help me produce hundredfold. Amen.

Christ did translate this whole parable of the soils. His answer for the good soil part is found in verse 23.

23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Of course that invitation to be good soil (to hear and understand the word) is available to all!