So far, we are able to see that God disciplines those that He loves. The discipline of the Lord is an expression of His love for us. We were able to take a closer look at key points in this process of being disciplined by the Lord through hardship, pain, storms, affliction, suffering, etc. We were also able to establish that no one is exempt from this process. Romans 3:10-18 tells us:
| “10 As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; |
| 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. |
| 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. |
| 13 Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; |
| 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. |
| 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; |
| 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; |
| 17 And the way of peace they have not known. |
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18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.” My brothers and sisters, these verses represent what God has to work with. These verses represent the condition of all of our hearts. Basically, we are no good without God! So, on the cross, God provided a way for us to be saved from what we, obviously deserve. However, many of us did not die right after getting saved; in case you have not noticed, we are still around. Positionally speaking, we are all that God wants us to be through Jesus; however, we are still “working out our salvation;” there is much work to be done in the inside of us. For that overwhelming work needed in our hearts, God has provided us with another way to achieve the goal and that is through suffering. First Peter 5:9-10 tells us:“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” There is a reason why we suffer that goes beyond just making us more effective for ministry; even as this is also true! There is a reason why I come after the Prosperity Message as strong as I do; because it is a lie from hell and is causing many to stumble in their faith. This is not about having and this is not about doing. The reality is that God cares more about us than He cares about our ministry. God cares more about our character than He cares about our talents! Hebrews 12:9-10 tells us: |
| “9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? |
| 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.”
“God Wants to Share His Holiness with His people” Beloved, God wants desperately for us to be holy. The first purpose for his discipline is to form holiness in us. This is the message for this hour; this is the revival that is coming; a revival of Christian Living, a revival of His way of doing things. In Hebrews 12:11 we read: |
“11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Nobody is saying that the process is easy; as a matter of fact; without the Holy Spirit, we won’t be able to even start the process. However, this temporary season of suffering will birth out of us Peace and Righteousness. Yes, the bride is getting ready for Christ…a bride without spots and wrinkles. Do you know that even the world wants peace? Holiness, among so many other things, will lead us to that peace that overpasses all understanding. Holiness will bring forth joy, happiness, satisfaction to our soul and so much more. Nevertheless, we feel that embracing holiness means to give up life, not knowing that embracing holiness is life…it is why Jesus gave His life for us.TO BE CONTINUED…
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