Tithing and the New Testament Church

 

               For any of us that have been in the church world for any period of time, we are familiar with the subject of tithing. It seems to be a favorite topic for Sunday morning sermons. It is also a hot topic on Christian Television and Christian Radio broadcasts. It is such a popular topic that it seems like you cannot walk into the local church or turn on the local Christian television or radio station without hearing the word “tithe”  mentioned numerous times and expounded upon. This is generally followed by a long string of promises about how God blesses those that tithe faithfully. But is it in fact, Biblical?

               In order to gain an in-depth knowledge of this subject, it is necessary for us to investigate the biblical law on the subject, and then compare that to the New Testament admonishments about giving. It is important for us, as New Covenant Believers to understand our responsibilities under the New Covenant, and to honor them faithfully. The question is, does that apply to the law of tithing? Let’s take a look. First, we’ll begin by learning the Mosaic Law on the subject.

Tithing Under the Law

 

               And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai. Lev 27:30-34

 

               Under the Mosaic Law, one tenth of a man’s increase was considered holy unto the Lord. That tenth, or tithe of his increase, was reserved to be given to the Lord. It was not to be used, sold, etc. It was holy, just like the temple was holy. Under this same law, a person was prohibited from reducing the amount of the tithe for any reason. A tenth was a tenth, period. Should the immediate need arise to leave the tithe temporarily unpaid, the person in question was allowed to add 20% (a fifth part) to the tithe in repayment of what he owed the Lord. Failure to tithe or to repay the tithe was bad news for the transgressor, as he would inherit a financial curse (we will discuss this later).

               And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. Num 18:21-24

 

               The Levites, those of the tribe of Levi, performed all the services of the temple for the children of Israel. They offered up the sacrifices brought to the temple, counseled with them and performed other duties which we would today consider pastoral duties. In addition, all the priests and the High Priest were from the tribe of Levi as well. The priests performed all heavy lifting in the temple, offering up the yearly atonement for sin, communicating God’s will to the people, etc.

               The Levites and the Levitical priesthood were blessed in their service to the temple. As wages for their labors, they received a tenth of the tithe of all the land. This was given to them to provide for their living expenses. As part of the same law, however, they were barred from owning any land. Their inheritance was the temple and their service in it.

               Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. Deu 14:22-29

 

               For two years out of three, the children of Israel were to bring their tithes to the temple, and eat them before the Lord, rejoicing for the increase He had given them. If they could not bring the tithe itself because of the distance, they were to sell it, and once in Jerusalem, buy whatever they wished with the money to hold the celebration in the Lord’s honor.

               During the third year, they were not to bring the tithe to the temple. They were to store it up within the city gates of wherever they lived. Once it was stored up, those in authority were to distribute the goods to Levites, the widows and the orphans as necessary. This was God supported those that had fallen on hard times. Again, this was a sacred duty that every Israelite was bound by the law to perform.

               When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me. Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey. Deu 26:12-15

 

               Paying the tithe in the manner proscribed and at the time proscribed, entitled the Israelites to financial blessings from the Lord. After they had fulfilled their obligation to tithe, they were to approach the Lord in prayer and speak their blessing into existence. Doing so without having paid the full tithe would pronounce a curse on the individual and their household. The tithe was considered holy, and to consume it in any other method was unholy. Diverting the holy things of God for unholy uses was extremely dangerous.

               Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Mal 3:8-9

 

               God considered using His tithe for any other purpose to be robbery. Robbing God of anything is never advisable, and the children of Israel frequently suffered the consequences of their indiscretions. Crops would fail, their enemies would attack and loot the nation, and famine would result. All God asked for was a tenth of what He had given them. If they refused to comply with His wishes, He simply took it all back or gave it to someone else. Seems reasonable enough.

               Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:10-12

 

               Even when the children of Israel transgressed the law of the tithe, God gave them an easy way out. All they had to do was to bring it in as they had been originally instructed. If they did, the blessing would outweigh the curse. God’s grace was apparent even to a nation of thieves.

New Testament Tithing

 

               Tithing is very seldom mentioned under the New Covenant. Remember, tithing was part of the Mosaic Law. Under the New Covenant, Christ fulfilled the Law for us, redeeming us from its’ curse.

               But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:22-27

 

               As a result, certain changes were effected in the Law of Moses. Grace replaced many aspects of the Mosaic Law with new laws.

               Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Heb 7:4-12

 

               In this passage, Paul is very clear that the levitical priesthood has been replaced by a new order, the order of Melchisedec. Because the priesthood has been changed, so the law must also be changed. He is referring directly to the Law of the Tithe, here.

               Tithing is a such a hot subject in our time. I’m sure that it must have been a hot topic in the time of Christ, as well, right? Let’s look into the Word to see how Jesus discussed the tithe.

               Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Mat 23:23-24

 

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Luk 11:42

 

               Ouch! Jesus gives them full credit for paying the full tithe, yet He says that it is not good enough! Why? Let’s take another look.

               The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luk 18:11-14

 

               The Law of the tithe was part of an overall system in desperate need of repair. The Israelites were practicing a religion, and didn’t have a relationship with God. They paying of the tithe became a source for self-righteous pride, just as it is today. They came to believe that the paying of the tithe was one factor that made them holier than others. What does God think about the holiness of man?

               But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isa 64:6

 

               The Word never records Jesus encouraging the tithe. In fact, every time He mentions the tithe, it is in the sense that the tither is, in fact, a hypocrite and not a son. The apostles of the New Covenant Church are also never recorded encouraging the tithe. In fact, the tithe, as part of the Mosaic Law has already been fulfilled for us in Christ Jesus. So what does the New Testament say about our giving to support ministries?

Jesus’ View of Giving

 

               And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mar 12:41-44

 

               Notice that in this passage, Jesus positions Himself so as to be able to see not only who is giving, but how much. Giving is important to the Lord, but the tithe is NOT. Why?

               From Jesus’ point of view, the poor widow woman gave more than all of the rich folks that gave an abundance. How can this be? Because she gave all she had. She withheld nothing from God. She gave it all. Even though all she had was a mere two mites, she gave it all. And that meant more to Him than all the giving of all the wealthy people.

               Those that were wealthy gave a portion of what they had. In fact, they withheld the largest portion of what they owned for their own personal use. They reserved their ninety percent  and held it fast. When the widow woman approached the collection box, she put it all in. Every cent. She had already discovered what the Lord Himself was trying to teach the children of Israel. 

                And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luk 18:29-30

 

               See the wording has changed from the Old Testament blessings promised in Malachi chapter three? Jesus does not encourage His disciples to give a tenth of their possessions; He tells them that they need to give it all. If they do so, they will receive back many times over what they have given away.

Sowing Seed into the Kingdom

 

               Many times when ministries are asking for money, they will use the terms “seed”, “sowing”, or “seed faith”.  What does it mean to “sow into” a ministry. Is it a biblical doctrine, or another of man’s doctrines?

Sowing and reaping is definitely a kingdom principle. However, there are certain stipulations to sowing and reaping that we must understand. This doctrine is so prevalent in the New Testament that Paul even goes so far as to say:

               (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 2Co 9:9-13

 

               God gives seed to the sower. All He looks for is an obedient heart to give. If the obedient heart is present, He will supply the seed to be sown. Every time. And then He will repay the sower many times over, both in this world and in the next.

               Sowing into the kingdom is one way that God uses to supply the needs of the saints. You’ll notice that I said the saints, and not ministries. For ministries, Jesus Himself established the rule we should live by.

               Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mar 4:3-9

 

               When we “sow into” a ministry, we should be looking for a seed to bear fruit. This is the way God set up things to work. After all, a farmer doesn’t go into a field and scatter a bunch of seeds around just for something to do. When he scatters those seeds, he is looking forward to a harvest. So how do we sow to look for a harvest? Jesus has already given us the answer.

               Notice from this passage in Mark, that it is only the seed which falls into good ground that brings forth a harvest. What is good ground? Good ground is the ground that feeds you. Good ground is the ground where your seed will take root and produce the harvest you are looking for. Seed sown into any other ground is wasted. Yep, that’s right. Wasted.

               When we “sow into” a ministry of any sort, we need to make sure it is good ground. One sure way to tell is by sowing into the ministries that feed us spiritually. If a minister that does not nourish your soul asks for a seed, it is not for you to sow. You’re not being fed there.

               However, as with most things, there is an exception to this rule for sowing. We need to remember that everything we have is God’s and not ours. If God lays it on our heart to give to a ministry that is feeding others, we need to come in line with that. Everything we have is His, and if He wants to shift kingdom resources to support a ministry that so that others will be fed, we need to get behind it with everything He asks us for. And we need to do it joyfully, understanding that every seed sown under those conditions will generate thirty, sixty, and hundred-fold returns.

               This is not to say that we need to respond to radio and television ministries that are habitually begging for our money. In fact, we should NOT respond to such requests unless specifically guided by the Spirit of the Lord to do so. Remember that any seed not cast into good ground is merely wasted. If those ministries are operating within God’s plan for them, they will not need to beg for money. God will provide. If God is not providing, we need to seriously question the fruit they are producing. Is it fruit for the kingdom, or are they lining their own pockets?

               Many of the radio and television ministries that habitually beg for money from viewers and listeners will make promises that God will multiply “X” times over if you give. Or they will make statements like “everyone that sends $111 will receive a blessing, and those that send $1111 will receive a blessing ten times over.” This is not God. It is witchcraft. Every time we give to ministries using these tactics, we become complicit in their witchcraft, and need to repent for being drawn into their mess.

               Let me make one thing clear. I absolutely believe in supporting the work of the ministry. I absolutely believe that God loves a cheerful giver, and that He has given me certain kingdom resources which He allows me to use and to watch over until it is time for them to be shifted somewhere else. And I absolutely believe in following the voice of the Holy Spirit, even when He tells me to give everything I have. It is all God’s stuff. His money. His resources. To be used for His glory. And I rejoice every time I feel led to sow into a ministry, because I know that God is once again giving me an opportunity to reap a harvest of souls, simply by obediently shifting His resources into the work He has ordained them for.

               God has set us free from the Law of the Tithe. He has given us the freedom to reap as large a harvest as our barns will hold by cheerfully sowing into good ground. Every time we sow, we are guaranteed a harvest by the Lord of the Harvest, and it excites me when I have an opportunity to be part of that.

               I encourage all of my readers to set yourself free from the Law of the Tithe and to turn everything you have over to the Lord. Watch Him use it for His glory, then rejoice, knowing a harvest will be reaped for the kingdom!

              

 

 

 

              

              

 

              

God's Pattern For Deliverance Part 3 - The Pre-Deliverance Pattern

God’s Pattern For Deliverance

 

Part 3 – The Pre-Deliverance Pattern

 

               If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Joh 8:36

 

If the Son shall make you free? Why “if”? After all, when we’re redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and make the choice to serve Christ Jesus, freedom is automatically ours because of His work on the cross, right? We are entitled to everything that Jesus paid for with His death, resurrection and ascension, aren’t we? So why does it say “if”?

 

We serve a God of order. Like most of us, He does things a certain way. Unlike most of us, He never changes and His ways never change. Because of this, when we look through the Word, we can easily discover the patterns He uses repeatedly. Being set free is just one such pattern that God has laid out for us in great detail. Once we understand His pattern for deliverance, we can follow it and achieve the desired results. And it works every time. Without fail.

 

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:19

 

               What a powerful promise!  But wait, what are the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Where do we find them? How do we use them? What exactly do they open?

 

               One example of a key to the kingdom of heaven is the understanding of God’s patterns. If we understand His patterns, we understand how He works in any given situation. Thus, there is never any question about God’s will for a particular situation; we just follow the pattern He created and therefore we achieve the results He desired when He gave us the pattern. Simple, right?

 

               And notice the phrase following: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Notice that the authority to bind and loose only comes after we have been given the keys to the kingdom. It is only by a thorough understanding of God’s patterns that we gain the authority to bind and loose here on the earth. Remember, the authority to bind and loose only comes after we’ve been given the keys to the kingdom.

 

               God’s pattern for deliverance has three main steps with numerous smaller steps in between. The three main steps are pre-deliverance, power encounter, and post-deliverance. Each of these three main steps has numerous smaller sub-steps contained within them. Each of these steps needs to be followed in order to not only achieve deliverance, but to keep it. If we follow the steps that God has laid out the way He has laid them out, we are sure to be delivered and to remain free. That is the hard part.

 

               The greatest in-depth example we have of God’s pattern for deliverance occurs in the book of Exodus. The entire book of Exodus. Deliverance is a subject that is so near and dear to God’s heart, that He gave us a complete step-by-step instruction guide on how to get there. All we have to do is to discover it and study to understand it. Sounds easy, right?

 

               And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; Exo 3:7

 

               Here we have the very first step in the pre-deliverance pattern that God has given us. As with all of God’s patterns, the first step is the step where God reaches down with mercy to get involved in our situation.

 

               And notice the way that God lays this out for us. First, He sees our affliction. That is not surprising. God sees everything and knows everything. Whenever we are bound up with something that is not of Him, you can be sure He sees.

 

               The next thing that happens in this first step is that God hears our cries for help. Even though God sees that we are afflicted, nothing will really start to happen until He hears us cry out for His assistance. We must remember that God has given us free choice. We have the option of remaining bound up by something for as long as we choose to endure it. Only when we are sick and tired of being oppressed and begin to cry out for help will the Lord respond.

 

               And how does He respond? He comes to know; comes to have an intimate knowledge of our sorrows.  How does God come to know our sorrows? We must be in an intimate relationship with Him.

 

God has given man rule over this earth (Gen. 1:26), and that must start with dominion authority over our own hearts and minds. Because God gave us that authority, He will never violate our space unless we want Him to do so. Therefore, if God is to obtain an intimate knowledge of the struggle we are having, we must submit to His Spirit as He searches our hearts. If the intimate relationship is lacking, God cannot come to intimately understand the struggle we are having. Period.

 

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Exo 3:8

 

               Once God has seen our affliction, heard our cries for His intervention, and come to know our sorrow, what happens next? He comes down to deliver us. Every time. No exceptions.

 

               And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. Exo 3:14-15

 

               Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. Exo 6:1-3

 

               The next step in the pre-deliverance process, is that we must come to know the nature of the God we serve. We must come to know that God is a mighty God, and that He is able to deliver us from whatever we are struggling with. This one small step takes some people many years to climb. Until we understand the nature of Christ Jesus as Savior, Healer and Deliverer, we really can’t go much farther.

 

               Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Exo 3:16-18

 

               This is another area that gets many of us into no-man’s land with God. After we have come to an understanding of who He is, we must listen to His voice, and begin to walk in obedience. Failure to do so means we are going to be here a while.

 

               Sin and oppression of all forms came into the world through disobedience to God’s Word. Living a lifestyle of disobedience to the Word of God opens doorways for the flesh, the world, and the enemy to kick us around as much as they please. It is only by repenting of our disobedience and beginning to walk in obedience to the will and the Word of God that we will find it possible to receive and keep our deliverance.

 

               And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. Exo 4:22-23

 

               Once we have repented for our disobedience and begun the obedient walk that God desires of us, we are entitled to receive a huge benefit. God recognizes us as sons. As a son of God, we are entitled to all the benefits of son-ship. No longer are we merely half-hearted, half-obedient servants. Now we are adopted into the kingdom and we can begin to claim the rights due a prince of the kingdom of Heaven. One of those rights is absolute freedom from the flesh, the world, and the enemy.

 

               Once we are adopted as sons, God sends a “shot over the bow” to our flesh, the world around us, and the enemy. God warns them that if they refuse to obey the voice of a true son of the kingdom, that there will be consequences. He does not tolerate any sort of oppression that tries to operate against His children.

 

                

               And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exo 6:3-7

 

               As a son of the kingdom, we are in covenant with God. A covenant written in the blood of Jesus Christ. As such, we have certain guarantees under the covenant. The first guarantee is that of salvation to eternal life. But there are many other benefits. One such benefit is that we have been redeemed from all forms of oppression. As such, God begins to put His master plan into action.

 

               The very first step in God’s master plan for His covenant sons, is that they will be recreated in the image of His Son, Christ Jesus. As such, we are recreated to be head and shoulders above every form of oppression, regardless of its’ source. It doesn’t matter if it is a flesh problem, a problem with our world, or a problem with the demonic. Doesn’t matter, we are new creations and are above the mess.

 

               And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. Exo 7:1-2

 

               And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Mat 28:18

 

               But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Joh 1:12

 

               Once we are recreated in the image of Jesus Christ, we become as He is, a Son of God.

 

               Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1Jn 4:17

 

               As such, we acquire the right to use His authority over this earth and everything in it. In short, we become like a god in this world. Just as He is.

 

               Caught you off guard with that, didn’t I? We have no reason to fear this world, habits of our flesh, or even attacks of the enemy. We have been created to rule as a god over them.

 

               So many of us lose the battle because we are filled with fear or allow the enemy to intimidate us into quitting. We do not have to do that. We are as a god to everything that comes against us as long as we remain a son of the kingdom. As long as we are walking in the very image of Jesus Christ, nothing can touch us unless we allow it to do so.

 

               This means that everything we struggle against should, by rights, fear us, not the other way around. Everything that is assigned against us should be quaking in its boots at the sound of our name. It is when we come to this understanding that deliverance becomes very easily affected. There is only one more requirement we must fulfill to move to the power encounter phase of deliverance.

 

               But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. Exo 7:4-5

 

               The final step is that we must understand that, as sons of the kingdom, it is the hand of God that brings an end to all forms of oppression. And He does so for His own glory. His glory, not ours. His authority, not ours. His power, not ours. His will, not ours.

 

               Once we have come to this revelation, we are ready to move to the power encounter phase of the deliverance process. This is the step where the power of God directly confronts and overwhelms the power of the enemy in our lives. This is the step where chains are broken and sweet freedom is finally experienced for the first time.

 

               For those of you actively seeking deliverance from something that has gained a place in your life, I would encourage you to go through these steps as the Lord leads and guides. And please be on the lookout for the next article in this series: God’s Pattern for Deliverance Part 4 – The Power Encounter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Faith That Moves Mountains

The Faith that Moves Mountains 

               And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. Luk 7:2-10

               What faith from a man that didn't even deem himself worthy to have the Lord set foot in his house! What glorious, rock-solid belief from a man of the Gentiles who didn't even imagine he was worthy to be in the very presence of Jesus!

               Knowing that his beloved servant was dying and all hope was lost, he couldn't even bring himself to go before the Master to ask for this healing. He had to send others to ask in his stead, because he knew he was unworthy to even behold the face of Almighty God, come as a man. And yet, such faith from one that wouldn't dare to even look on the face of Christ! What faith!

               This man was a Gentile, a Roman officer; and yet he had more faith than any of the children of Israel. How could that be?

               He hadn't been brought up in the synagogue, hearing about the coming Messiah. He hadn't received the finest religious education that the Pharisees could offer. He had probably never even heard the word of God spoken, much less preached. And he still had mountain-moving faith! He had saving faith!

               Jesus had come to minister to the people of Israel, not their Gentile occupiers. Later, when asked by a Gentile woman to deliver her daughter from a demon, He would refuse her first request. Jesus was not sent to the Gentiles, and was not at all afraid to turn down their requests for His aid.

               And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Mat 15:22-27

               But still, the Roman officer had the nerve to not only ask Jesus to heal his servant, but to simply speak the word, knowing it would be done at His command. Regardless of who the officer was, or the fact that he was not even Jewish, he had one quality which Jesus responded to. It was the same quality he responded to when the Canaanite woman with the possessed daughter asked Him for His help: it was faith. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luk 7:9

               Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Mat 15:28

               Even though these people were unclean, Gentile by birth, and unconverted, their faith was astounding. Even as the children of Israel, with their great knowledge of scripture, debated the who's and why's of Jesus Christ, the uneducated Gentiles knew Him for what He was: the Son of God. And their faith in Him caused Him to move on their behalf and to meet their need.

               Jesus, King of the Jews, became a servant to the Gentiles, just as surely as He was sent to serve the Jews. Why? How? Saving faith. The same faith in Him that caused Him to bless Peter, proclaiming him to be a rock.

               And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:16-19

               Any of us that have accepted the Lord's gift of salvation have experienced saving faith, at least once. For many of us, it is that faith that rises up when there is nowhere else to turn. When we finally hit bottom, and have nowhere to look but up. That is generally when we experience saving faith, or what I call desperate faith.

               When we hit our lowest point, the Spirit of the Lord will begin to tug at our heart strings, reminding us that there is someone that can solve the problem at hand. Regardless of the situation, there is someone powerful enough to turn it around, and His love is so intense, that He is willing to get involved in our mess. There is someone that knows our desperation, and is reaching out to us in our time of greatest need.

               You know what I mean. When the last straw falls and breaks the camel's back, there is someone to Whom you can turn.

               It is at this point when a light in our spirit begins to shine, and we positively know that there is a Jesus Christ, and He is standing close by, just waiting for an invitation to help. It is at that moment when we experience saving faith. When the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus Christ did indeed die for us, and He is waiting for us to respond to His offer to help. It is that desperate faith which causes us to run to the One that we have rejected for so long, believing that we could handle our lives without Him.

               And when we finally give in to the urge to turn everything over to Him, and to allow Him to embrace us and comfort us, it is at that point when we finally feel the release of the pent-up pain and frustration. It's like knowing that your big brother is right behind you, begging you to let Him have a talk with that bully that keeps oppressing you, making you fearful and miserable. It's like seeing your big brother step forward, and watching that bully turn and run for cover.

               Relief like that cannot even be described. It has to be felt to be understood. It cannot be effectively enunciated. It has to be experienced.

               And after that desperate faith rises up and we turn it over to Him, we feel like a burden as big as a house has just been lifted off of our shoulders. The peace that comes from that experience is so real and so wonderful that trying to describe it just doesn't do it justice. That is saving faith. Desperate faith at work, bringing about a much needed change and sense of relief from the worry and fear and oppression we've been struggling against.

               Saving faith is not supposed to be a one-time experience. But for many of us, it is just that. We get saved, the crisis passes, and the next time we're in a bad situation, we find that we don't have the faith to believe God for the solution. We've all been there: in a crisis of faith at the worst possible moment in our lives. That is exactly when we need that saving faith, but cannot seem to locate it.

               We all go through it. Even the great men and women of the Bible experienced it. Many of them, on several occasions. Just look at the life of Peter. Or Abraham. Or Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. Hey, I've been there.

               It is at those moments, when I don't even have the strength to pray, that I look for that saving faith and cannot seem to locate it. It seems to have just disappeared. Gone without a trace. Now I'm really in trouble. Not only am I in a crisis situation, but because I have temporarily misplaced my faith, I have become my own god.

               Believe me, that is the last thing I want. I do not want to be my own god. I tried that for a number of years, and I just went from one crisis to another. Eventually, I even misplaced my faith in myself.

               While misplacing faith in yourself would seem to be a huge problem, for me it was actually a blessing. Once I lost faith in myself, I was able to see where my faith really should have been invested all along. In Jesus. Not in Paul. Paul just messes things up. Jesus has never messed things up.

               So how do we go about finding that saving, miraculous faith when we need it? We've already discussed one option. Find yourself in such a low condition, that you have only one place to look: up. I must admit, this is not my  favorite approach. It can be a little hard on the nerves. And on relationships.

               There is another option. We can go running to Jesus before we hit that low point, and allow His faith to carry us through. That is what Martha did when her brother died.

               Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Joh 11:20-40

               Lazarus has died, and neither of his sisters have the faith to believe that Jesus can and will raise him from the dead. Instead, they focus on the fact that it is now too late. God waited too long, and now all hope is gone!

               Not having the faith to believe for their miracle, they do have one redeeming quality. They run to Jesus. Even though their faith is weak, the faith of Jesus carries them through it.

               Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Joh 11:41-44

               We've all done this. I call it a "meltdown". I get into a situation that I don't have the faith to get out of. I begin to struggle with depression, just like Mary. I just sit there instead of running to the Lord.

               Then God sends someone to get me; to motivate me to go searching for Him. Once I do so, I have a meltdown. I just lay it all out, and proceed to tell Him that if He had just acted a little quicker, I wouldn't be in this mess. Sound familiar?

               Even though I do not have the faith to believe for my miracle, His faith carries me through. He acts on my behalf, believing in my stead, and things change. Suddenly I come to the realization that even though my situation stinks, Jesus is moving in the midst of it. Then it dawns on me that if He had acted sooner, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to see Him at work. I wouldn't have recognized His miraculous touch in the situation if He hadn't waited until there was no other hope left. And then I  realize that this has been a situation which the Lord was using for my benefit. He was teaching me to hold on to my faith regardless of my situation.

               Of course, there are more proactive approaches to building one's faith. There are ways to build up one's faith before the crisis hits, and so to be prepared for it. Of course, that makes it much easier, and where's the fun in that?

               For those of you that don't like having that kind of fun, you can always build your faith by reading the word on a regular basis.

               So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17

               Of course, time spent in prayer, especially praying in the Spirit, builds up faith. Especially so, when we ask for more faith.

               And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Luk 17:5

               But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jud 1:20

               Faith can also be a gift.

               To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 1Co 12:9

               For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom 12:3

               Oh, and by the way, faith is required by God. It is essential to the Christian walk.

               But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6

               And faith helps us immensely in our walk with God, because of the help it give us.

               Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28

                But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  John 1:12

               That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12

               Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom 15:13

               And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Mat 21:22

               Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2Co 1:24

               So by faith we receive justification in Christ Jesus; we are made by faith into sons of God; we inherit the promises of God; abound in hope; receive from the Lord; and by faith we stand.

               Oh, and just one more tiny little point.

               And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23

               Faith is our shield against the works of the enemy, so it is the first thing he usually attacks. Stand firm, and hold on to what the Lord has given you. Build your faith through prayer and through the word of God. Use it like a muscle, understanding that it grows larger and stronger with every use. And above all, never surrender it, because the just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17).

               Because faith is a gift from God, there isn't anyone or anything that can take it from us. It must be willingly surrendered. Hold fast and stand firm, knowing that in the end, even the faith of the size of a grain of a mustard seed can move a mountain.

               If you have a mountain to move, speak to it in faith. Then wait expectantly for it to get up and walk away.

For more articles by this author, please go to www.thelighthousespeaks.blogspot.com