He was Emphatic, Not Strict

Strictness was never part of Jesus' leadership style. He taught what was right but left people to themselves about their lives and decisions. Even with his disciples. Jesus knew Judas was stealing money from their ministry fund, for instance, but nothing's said about the Lord confronting him about it. Neither did he pluck him out of being treasurer.

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Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. [John 12.6]

The same with Peter's denial. Jesus prophesied and emphasized Peter's retraction but didn't stop him from doing so. Jesus didn't confront or counsel him about it, didn't oppose or forbid him. He left Peter to decide about the matter. Jesus did pray for him, but that was all. He also prophesied about Simon's consequent turning back from failure.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22]

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Holiness and Being Strict

Church people often connect holiness and godliness with strictness. But in the Gospel, only the Pharisees were strict. Jesus wasn't. Emphatic, yes, but never rigid, austere or harsh with standards or rules. He stressed Kingdom truths and standards and demonstrated them in his life for emphasis but never imposed them on people, not even on his disciples. He commended those who adapted but cautioned those who didn't. He didn't "warn" them to scare but to inform about real consequences. 

We would've done it differently. I probably would. We're too strict about the sin and failure of others. We love to keep our "standards" and impose them on others, scare (or shame) those who'd dare defy us. But often, we trash the same "standards" when the issue concerns us or our loved ones or favorites. When James and John were aching about positions (or their moms were), Jesus didn't outright rebuke their greed for power. He merely explained:

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. [Matthew 20.22]

Then he simply told them that real positions in the Kingdom were decided solely by the Father. It's not that Jesus found church politicking okay. I'm sure he didn't. He lambasted Pharisees about their greed for importance and positions. Neither did he find theft or denial light matters. Far from truth. In fact, his policy about sinning brethren is first personal confrontation, then confrontation with witnesses present, and finally church disclosure. He emphasized that:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. [Matthew 18]

 

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Willing Obedience

Did Jesus apply this to Judas and Peter?

I believe (though nowhere verbatim in Scriptures) that Jesus did talk to Judas one-on-one. I'm quite sure Jesus would apply his teaching to himself--to walk the talk. But Judas loved stealing money more than anything else and was also too eager to get his 30 silver pieces quite soon, so Jesus allowed the sellout plan pronto. "Whatever you have to do, do it fast." No more taking other witnesses to confront the offender. Finally, the matter was taken to the church--I mean, we (the church) know all about it today, right?

With Peter, Jesus did stress his looming denial in front of the disciples, and I believe he had also talked about the matter with Peter previously. I can even imagine how Jesus took Peter to the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John (other "witnesses") to possibly talk about this denial, among other things (because Moses and Elijah would later discuss with Jesus about his "departure"). That's how I see it. But the thing here is, do you see how Jesus' leadership was?

He wasn't strict, yet people saw his seriousness about it all. He emphasized his points but not shove them down people's throats. He demonstrated his teachings in real life--his willing obedience to the Father--and invited people to follow suit. But he never strictly forced his teachings or required anything to that effect. This is a powerful leadership and church management Kingdom principle we find in Jesus--something quite the opposite of what we find today in church.

End man's ways, religion and inclination to sin once and for all.

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Today you need to abide by church rules, even manuals and "doctrines" that church denominations formulate to keep order and membership intact, because "order" to them means control. God's Word, however, is already complete and effective as it is, but churches feel they need to sift out portions of it they think are harmful to their belief systems. 😒

Jesus demonstrated how order is through the Word and Holy Spirit alone, along with freewill. The Word or Holy Spirit will not restrict you; they will guide you (in fact, obeying God's Word frees you, not restrict), and if you opt to submit, they will strengthen you to obey God. 

But there is, however, a point where a believer opts for radical surrender to God and his will so that freewill is taken away. Doulos is when you tell God HE owns you completely and enter into this covenant with him. You relinquish all rights or privileges (but actually, it is in doulos you enjoy all favors and freedom).

6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life. [Exodus 21]

This is when God sometimes opts to corner you or give you no choice but to do his will, like how it was useless for Jonah to escape God's will and was forced to end up in Nineveh through a big fish. Doulos covenant can cause big-fish circumstances to swallow you up and give you no choice but end up in God's will. Elijah tried to escape from Jezebel's hand and also quit ministry altogether but an angel "cornered" him gently, as it were, making him go back to where he came from. Jesus told Peter how he would be led to where he didn't want to go [John 21.18]. The psalmist gives us a hint:

You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me. [Psalm 139.5]

Not all believers are in this covenant. Most cling to their freewill and stubbornness to do things their way. But some go up higher with God on his mountain and hear his soft whisper. Nothing dramatic or fancy. Just a gentle revelation about an ultimate surrender--being one flesh with him (as Paul hinted in Ephesians 5)--and enter the covenant. 

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5. 31-32]

Ananias and Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira were free to give any amount to the church, even keep part of the sales of their property for their own. Problem was, they claimed to have given the whole amount of the sales when in fact they didn't. Peter even emphasized that the money was theirs to keep. But they lied to the Holy Spirit. Here's the whole story:

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” [Acts 5]

God isn't strict about giving. He wants us to give what we can and what we have determined to give. He loves a cheerful giver. He doesn't force us. Problem is when people have expectations about our giving or if we desire to be recognized for it. Or if we're in the habit of competing with others out of egotism and make false claims. Then we suffer consequences. But the thing to see here is, there was clear emphasis on giving and freewill. 

The passage seems too strict at first glance. The couple died on the spot due to dishonest giving, and some preachers would give us the impression that we have to give the amount they expect from us. But if we look closer, it's nothing like that. In fact, God wants us to decide what or how much to give, so that "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion." [2 Corinthians 9]. No compulsion. Nothing forced. 

However, there are unscrupulous church people who'd twist the passage and think they can decide in their hearts not to give anything because anyway, there's freewill. 😕 When you're under grace, you should know what to do with your freewill. 

(Grace) teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [Titus 2]

I've seen churches proud of their strictures on tithes and offering. They keep strict records and monitor givers and non-givers, or if giving in church is or isn't enough. Then the pastor preaches accordingly, sometimes capitalizing on the guilt feelings of non-tithers. This is control. It's reliance on man's effort, not the Holy Spirit. Jesus or the apostles never did this. When you control people like that, it's witchcraft. Even with your kids, train them up in the way they should go. It doesn't mean you control and force them to do things. 

Training means to "teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time," says Google dictionary. It's primarily teaching, and teaching the way Jesus taught his disciples--through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, not man's ways or efforts or rigid rules.

Submission and Freewill

Keeping order and compliance are never through man's restrictions, rules or control. It's through emphasis (teaching) and freewill. Let the Holy Spirit do His work, and let people be. Pray that they learn to fully submit to the will of the Lord, and that prayer would strike something in the spirit world through the power of God and trigger radical change in people.

It doesn't mean God will force people to change. Instead, God will reveal to them, open their eyes to see the beauty of Jesus and total submission to him. Then they choose to submit. Revelation, and the decision and act of submission, however, are solely through God's grace and mercy.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. 

In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4] 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.

He Never Forced Anyone

Badger, lure, scare, beg, embarrass, or force--these are often ministry strategies the modern church uses to draw or keep people--but all of which Jesus never did. God invites everyone to come to a knowledge of the truth while freewill remains--freewill that leaves you alone, with all the relevant facts, to decide for yourself. You're invited but you choose to go or not. And God wants us to do the same--not force anyone into or anything but wait. There's power in waiting.

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Circumstances won't be arranged or set up so you'd later find yourself with no choice but to give in. Things like that are "arranged" only for God's select servants who have totally surrendered to his will. His will is not forced on them though, but simply laid out, because these servants have, on their own, determined to fully surrender to God, "urging" HIM to do as HE pleases. But that again is a choice. You see, nothing is forced. Everything is by choice. And yet, on the other hand, if you dig deeper into God's will, intimacy with Him eventually negates freewill. No more choice. No more freewill. 

The Majority Chooses

But to the majority, he allows freewill. You have to come to Jesus if you want rest and prefer easy burdens to carry. Rest isn't automatic. God won't just change your situation; you have to decide to come to him and ask. And yes, he won't come to you. While he's just there around somewhere (he won't leave nor forsake you, and he's everywhere), you still need to decide to get his help, ask it and do what he says. If you don't come to him, you don't rest.

God "so loved" the world that he gave Jesus to die for our sins, but salvation doesn't come automatic. It's not whether you like it or not. You have to decide to "believe in him" so you won't perish "but have everlasting life." And "believe" here is not just reading the bible, getting bible facts and going to church each Sunday. More importantly, it's obeying. Accepting his love and believing in him are personal decisions we must make. God never forces them on us. He leaves us to ourselves to choose. No one is forced.

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He Invites

Jesus did invite some to his discipleship, but they were asked just once, without stubborn, pestering insistence to join him or attend his "church." God sometimes does that--invite. But with no follow-ups, harassments, hypes or hard-selling. He invites once and leaves you to decide. They were told once to "come follow me," and had to immediately leave everything behind them and follow. They were not asked again.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. [Matthew 4.19]

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. [Matthew 9.9]

The rich, young ruler was also issued the invitation but backed off. Nothing is forced but offered, though it sounds compelling like a command. "Come follow me." We would say it differently today, like "Would you like to come?" Or, "You may follow me if you want to." Or, if we tried to compel people, it would sound more like desperation than Kingdomly--because we'd do it not for the Kingdom but to increase church membership and income. 

Churches today desperately pursue after people unlike how people literally ran after Jesus. That desperate pursuit is what makes them short of "forcing" people to join them. 

Even today, if you hear God's voice, it sounds compelling and commanding (but not desperate), because such is the King's voice--gentle yet emphatic--though your choice to obey or not remains intact. He won't force or corner you into joining Him. Disobedience or distancing from Him is always an option but there are consequences. And it's not a threat. It's what naturally happens if you keep away from safety. You oppose how things naturally work. God's work has been finished since the 7th day of creation. Everything has been set up--his Word is the manual on how things work--and if you go against it you suffer the results.

Like, if doctors tell you how not breathing will kill you, they're stating a fact, not a threat. Or if a gadget manual tells you how not to be electrocuted and doing otherwise can kill you, it's not a threat. It's a fact and warning. Threat intends harm. Warning keeps from harm. See? 

He Never Pesters

You never see Jesus following up or doing visitations to make people come to his bible studies or prayer meetings. Again, people had to "come" to his meetings on their own volition, and even after hearing him preach, his policy was that "whoever has ears to hear, let him hear." He didn't make altar calls or invite them to his local church or get their names and addresses for later follow ups. He simply left. People decided on their own to follow him or not, to remain in the sidelights or come closer.

Yet, the mystery here is, only those the Father draws to Jesus are able to go close to him [John 6.44]. You're not forced to go closer, but you are drawn closer if the Father chooses to. To "draw" you closer hints at a revelatory work done exclusively to your spirit so you see the beauty in Christ which others can't. Others see a poor carpenter's son. You see the Messiah. You're not forced but your eyes are opened to see the revelation. Then you decide, led by the Holy Spirit (not forced), to draw nearer.

He Never Lures

Jesus' ministry had the least attractions the modern church enjoys today--sound system, musical instruments, nice altar and building, impressive facilities, cute programs and activities, titled and degreed preachers. Jesus had nothing except his radically simple self (very repugnant to the sophisticated) and his down-to-earth disciples, a ragtag band of wanderers who just lost their jobs, roamers who seemed aimless about life. They didn't look attractive (but not without a purpose). So didn't John the Baptist. They were nobodies. 

But mind you, money was never a problem to them. They never begged or solicited for "church projects" because they didn't think these were important. 

Church projects are tools for luring people to church to up membership and income. Our strategy today is to attract people with nice things pleasing to the eyes and exciting to the flesh. But Jesus did signs and wonders that made people decide to either radically give up all (especially the ego), lose importance in men's religious circles, and follow him---or just play religion. At first glance, there wasn't anything impressive about Jesus. Or even if you gave him a second or third look. Pilate wasn't impressed at all. 

Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

It reeked of all arrogance and condescension. The bible doesn't exactly say it, but you'd discern a belittling sizing up of Jesus. But Jesus didn't do anything to impress him one bit, as if to say, "So what?" Jesus never attracts or lures people. He intentionally appears lowly and unimpressive--lackluster--to reveal people's hearts. That's what we should do today. If your ministry got rid of its sound systems, stage, facilities, nice programs and activities, elaborate altar, and church building--if you do nothing else but share Jesus Christ and not force anyone--would people come to you? Would your members stay--or would they look for another church, one that is impressive?

How much do we trust the Holy Spirit to do the promotion for us?

Jesus Seldom Scares

Except for warning people of the consequences of sin and hell, Jesus didn't scare people to make them stay or do things for him. When a lot of his disciples left because of his teaching on eating his flesh and drinking his blood, he didn't scare them to change their minds. Neither did he talk them out of it or counsel or explain things further for clarification, hinting on an impending punishment if they left. He just let them leave. The important Kingdom principle here is you either come to him or you don't. And God will leave you to your decision.

No scare tactics. Just the Truth.

The Holy Spirit is around to convict and convince about sin, but he also won't force anyone to make decisions. Pastors scare people about losing their blessing if they don't give their tithes, or suffer wrath if they miss church on a Sunday or if they don't worship lively. Some preachers scare you if you don't keep saying amen to every sentence they utter. Jesus never did them. He trusted the Holy Spirit to do his work.

He Never Begs

Can you imagine Jesus soliciting for money? Or pleading people to come back next Sunday? Or sharing testimonies about how hard ministry life is (or how important a church project is) to draw pity and inspire people to give? Begging is not part of Kingdom building, so if you use it in ministry, you're not in God's Kingdom building--you're building man's empire--a Babel tower where man's ways and efforts are used. 

He Never Embarrasses 

People embarrassed themselves for failing to follow him, not Jesus. They presented themselves, expressed their willingness to follow, but later backed down, like the rich, young ruler. Jesus never puts you in the limelight to roast you there. Yourself, your deeds, other people or circumstances will, but not God. I've heard preachers publicly insinuate the shortcomings of people they know about--embarrass and shame them--to make them realize their sin and repent, or to make them do something. They claim the Holy Spirit made them do it. 

Well, God sometimes puts the godless to shame when they go beyond the limit but he often uses circumstances to do it instead of directly himself. The extremely arrogant Sennacherib of Assyria discovered too late that it was stupid to mock the God of Israel. He told the Israelites:

Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!”

16 Sennacherib’s officers spoke further against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. [2 Chronicles 32]

Later however, God made him eat his words.

20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace.

Ministers should learn how to be led solely by the Holy Spirit and not by what they know or what they have formulated. Intentionally and directly embarrassing people can produce some results but not what God had in mind. Learning how to rely on the Holy Spirit and understanding how he works is the key to doing God's will on earth as it is in heaven, exactly the way Jesus did it.

"...he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;" [Isaiah 11.3]

You don't have to embarrass erring people to make them do things. Let the Spirit of God do his work. Man's deeds or sins will find him out. God assures us that, "If you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out," [Numbers 32.23]

Prophetic Ministry

There are people who, under grace, enjoy an intimate relationship with God and trust him to the max that they have decided to forego of their freewill and fully surrendered everything to God. God tells them what to say or do and they execute accordingly--to the letter of God's spoken Word. God gives them the ability to release His Word with power and command and yet leave a person's freewill intact. 

These are God's prophets and apostles. They may release God's utterance to make people decide or tell them exactly what to do. The utterance has nothing to do with what they know about people or what they think is right or doctrinally sound. They just utter exactly what they hear from God, or what HE impresses in their hearts. 

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [2 Peter 1.21]

Then again, even prophecy is not forced, even prophecies designed to tell an individual exactly what he must do. A prophecy aimed at a man of God tells him accurate instructions and minute details about a matter. Although he is fully surrendered and have relinquished his own will, God still gives him a choice, although it's not really a choice between doing or not doing, because God honors your word about totally giving up your freewill to get His will alone. 

But then, it's still a choice, first, to make the prophet see what's in his own heart. Second, to make the Word or prophecy unforced on the prophet--although it is really a mandate. Under normal conditions, this presents no problem for the prophet--unless the prophet backslides and begins to entertain his own will and carnal desires. Like a lot of prophetic and apostolic ministers do.

Judas Iscariot, though personally handpicked by Jesus to be his apostle, was given a choice which Judas used carnally. He wasn't forced to betray. He chose to do it. Jesus said, the person who'd be given the morsel dipped in the bowl of water was the betrayer. That was the choice. He could've continued obeying Jesus by not taking the bread. In fact, it was a chance to make him do right. But he was determined to take it when Jesus handed it to him (when Jesus handed it to him, it was not a command. He had the choice not to take it). He had decided to betray. Jesus never forced him to do anything. He was left to himself to decide whether to take the bread or not. When he had decided, Jesus said, "What you have to do, do it fast."

He didn't counsel Judas or explain things to him for clarification. He didn't invite Judas for prayer. He just let him. He didn't force him nor dissuade him.

This is How We Should Do Ministry

How Jesus did ministry is how we should do ministry. Exactly. We cannot add anything or choose what and what not to adopt. If he didn't force anyone--or used the carnal ways mentioned here--we likewise shouldn't. If we do it any other way (any other principles), then we're not building God's Kingdom. We're building men's empires.

The key is clear. As Jesus was led solely by the Holy Spirit and what the Father instructed him through the spoken Word, so should we.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. 

In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4] 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.

He's Sure to Find Something Else

But I'm sure it won't shock Him.

I often spend time at my porch looking afar, sipping coffee, wondering about the Lord's sudden trumpet call, specifically in Luke 18.8. He asked a curious question, probably wondering about the state of faith so-called "believers" would have at the time, though I'm quite sure he knew exactly what it will be. It was more a question to make us re-think what we have now and call "faith."

"However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

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He'll find lots of church denominations and doctrines, for sure. Lots of mega ministries, impressive religious buildings and church accomplishments. But will he find faith--the very faith that he himself introduced? The Gospel of the Kingdom? The way and truth he embodied in his person as the sole Way and the sole Truth? The quality of relationship with him that is so vital in the faith he's looking for?

Luke 18 is about the faith and prayer of a widow, mercy and humility, kids and the Kingdom, material riches, losing one's life for Jesus, and the healed blind man. Before this, Jesus had talked about the Rapture and how to be part of it, hinting that "whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."  

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The Rapture, by the way, is when Jesus suddenly comes back to "snatch" true believers from this world and spare them from the coming terrible global disasters and extreme hardships the world hasn't seen or ever heard of. It's God's provision for an "escape." The term "rapture" is not in the bible but the idea is there:

"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21.36]

To me, Luke 18's context is everything mentioned above, even after chapter 18 where Jesus entered Jericho to dine at Zacchaeus' house. In fact, in a broader sense, the whole book of Luke and the 4 Gospel versions (the entire New testament even) should be included in the scope, and in a much broader sense, the whole bible. But for simplification, I take the immediate context (the widow's story) and see what faith Jesus is looking for--which is persistent faith.

Persistent about what?

Persistent about getting what you're asking for--a definite, specific answer straight from God. What was the widow's plea? "Grant me justice against my adversary." And she expected getting nothing less than justice. She didn't settle for something close to justice, or anything that looked or sounded like it. She didn't settle for a no answer either, or a maybe answer, or thought that if she didn't get what she asked for, maybe it wasn't the judge's will, and fall back to her Plan B or C. 

Do you get what you ask for, or do you often change topic with your prayers and settle for lesser options because your first option remains unheeded?

Jesus wants faith to be persistent about getting only what we specifically ask from God, not making religious excuses if we don't get them. "Probably it's not God's will" or "perhaps it's not yet time" or "God will give it in his time." The widow believed she had to get it then and insisted on it, getting no less than what she asked for, and at that very time--not next month or next year.

Persistent about Jesus' Faith

When Jesus prayed, he got exactly what he asked for and got it right there and then. That's the faith he introduced and demonstrated in the Gospel, it's the faith he expects to find when he returns. He didn't settle for anything else. When he needed a few loaves of bread and fish to feed 5,000 men, he asked exactly that and got exactly the same, right there and then. 

There's no record in the bible of Jesus asking the Father for multiplied bread and fish, but it's safe to assume that Jesus did a mental prayer like he did when he resurrected Lazarus. But this is for another blog post. Watch for it.

When Jesus needed to resurrect the dead or heal the sick, it was exactly what the Father gave him. He never deviated from his prayer goal. No backup Plan B or C. There was no such thing as God's second best. Whatever Jesus asked for was automatically God's best for him.

Today, we pray a lot--we even use grand terminology and choice of words--but often get nothing. Then we invent excuses to save face. "It's not God's will" or "It's not yet the right time." You never heard Jesus say that. Remember, HE is the only Way. Everything ought to be done HIS way. His results should also be our results, because we are connected to him. We are attached directly to him. He is the Vine, we are the branches. This faith is what he wants to find when he comes back. 

The kind of faith that backs up our prayer is crucial in the Kingdom. God looks for it more than anything else. And it should be Jesus' faith or nothing. It's not a creed embellished in a garland of human theology and religious titles and degrees. It's faith that really works supernaturally and backed up all the way by Kingdom power. Sadly, faith today is just scholarly and intellectual but utterly powerless. That's the "faith" Jesus will be finding in the last days. 

"...always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." [2 Timothy 3.7]

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God Won't Keep Putting You Off

For a while, the unjust judge kept putting her off. It wasn't because justice wasn't the judge's will. IT WAS, of course. And she got it. Persistence is proof of our surefire and unwavering faith and Jesus used this parable to show it. Don't change course with your prayer. That's NOT faith. The Holy Spirit puts in your heart the desire and you have to pursue it in prayer. Don't change course--unless, if you don't really know how the Spirit works, leads and reveals and you're just led by the flesh (and your human theology).

Abraham gave up expecting to have a biological son because of his age and Sarah's almost dead womb. He changed course and got an Ishmael. They were led by the flesh. Thank God he later pursued the original vision God gave him and got an Isaac. Make sure to see what God has put in your heart and pursue that in prayer no matter what. Don't change course.

The widow could have just settled for another option if her first option didn't seem to push through--like forgetting about her adversary and going far away instead to start a new peaceful life. After all, the bible does say to pursue after peace, right? Nope. She insisted on getting justice. She stuck with that. That's the faith Jesus looks for. Faith that gets a sure leading from the Holy Spirit and sticks confidently with it. Anyway, the bible says justice is also God's will, not just peace. This takes supernatural guidance from the Holy Spirit to decide.

Sometimes, too, God would "put us off" for a while, not because our prayer isn't his will, but to make us see the quality of our faith--our persistence. Persistence is belief that God can and will do what he said he'll do--the desire he has put in our hearts. Backing down and settling for another option is another form of doubt. It's rejecting what God wants for you. It's like Satan telling Jesus a seemingly smarter option--turning stones into bread--instead of starving pointlessly (pointless, that is, to Satan). But Jesus persisted even if it seemed pointless. He knew the Father's will.

God Will Put You Off but Also Answer You Quickly

Jesus said: "Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. God will delay you somewhat but also give what you ask for QUICKLY. It's another Kingdom reversal or paradox. We won't fully understand this, but we have to take it by faith--the same faith that Jesus had. Even with seeming delays, God has heard our prayers and "will see that they get justice." In short, GOD will make sure we get exactly what we're asking for, no more or less. 

If we ask the Father for instant cancer healing--on the spot--and ask persistently without wavering even one bit (I mean, without a shadow of a doubt, not taking no for an answer, or any alternative), God will "see to it that we get" what we ask for, in Jesus' Name. And quickly! Sadly, what the modern church and man's theology have been enforcing is DOUBT about these things, not genuine faith. And then formulating logical explanations and philosophies to make excuses. No wonder Jesus asked, will he find faith on the earth?

Not My Will But Your Will

Jesus asked the Father that, if possible, the cross be bypassed. But he quickly added, "Not my will but your will." Why? Did he waver in faith? Truth is, he knew the Father intimately and the Father's will. He knew there was no way bypassing could be possible. But why pray thus anyway? Well, he showed how human nature is (even godly human nature) and how it should submit to God nonetheless. Being perfect God and perfect man at the same time, Jesus was inclined to take the easy way out--as man normally would (nothing wrong with this)--but had the godly discipline, as the Son, to obey the Father's will and ignore his own will.

In the parable, the widow knew the will of the judge, though he was "unjust." His will was to provide justice. She was certain about that. So she insisted and persisted. She asked for justice and was sure she would get it. Jesus, too knew the Father's will, which was to provide salvation through His Son's sacrificial death on the cross. He hinted on skipping the cross to show the natural tendency of the human nature, but he knew he had to die to provide salvation--though he struggled and felt sorrow submitting to the will and opting for the cross. He demonstrated how a godly human nature submits to God. He is the Way.

In the same way, true believers know what God's will is because they know God intimately. God reveals to them through Christ. Thus, no sense in praying without being sure whether God would approve it or not. The thing is, if you really know God and believe in him (you treasure His Word because you realize God's Word is Jesus), God will put in your heart what you feel you should ask for, so that whatever you ask for in Jesus' Name is God's will, and Jesus will do it. 

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

John 14.14

This is the faith Jesus wants and will look for when he comes back--a persistent and confident faith based purely on what he taught in his Gospel of the Kingdom. No more, no less.

If It's God's Will or If It's His Time?

I've heard a lot of believers say, God will answer our prayers if it's his will and his perfect time. It's found in 1 John 5.14. But instead of giving them "confidence" about this, smart church Alecks twist this around to make us doubt whether what we ask for is God's will or not. So they keep saying, "If it's God's will." 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

The passage aims to give us confidence, not make us unsure if things are God's will or not. Get it? In fact, verse 15 of the passage tells us how we must believe that we've already received what we asked for. See that faith confidence? That's Jesus' faith. He didn't wonder if his prayer was according to God's will or not--because his prayers were always God's will. If you live in the center of God's will, everything you ask for is according to God's will. Automatically. As simple as that. You don't keep on wondering if it's God's will or not.

If you live in the center of God's will, everything you ask for is according to God's will. Automatically. As simple as that.

If you are steeped in God's spoken Word, meditating the bible day and night, and you are supernaturally led by the Holy Spirit, everything you ask for is God's will. Why? Because it's God who puts everything there in your heart and mind. He gives you the desires of your heart [Psalm 37.4]. You don't have a mind or will of your own anymore. You have died with Christ. It's no longer you who live but HIM. See?

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [John 15.7]

Ask whatever you wish! Do you know what "wish" is? Your fancy, nonessential desires. Spiritual smart Alecks will tell you you shouldn't make a "wish," or prayer is not making a wish. But Jesus said even your "wishes" will come true. Even nonessentials that you ask for. Is Jesus a fairy? Nope. Only God can bless people, not fairies. No demon can give you anything because the devil owns nothing. They can only have permission from GOD to use HIS creation to reward folks they have deceived. 

Still bothered about how your prayer will get a yes or if it's God's will or if it's his time? Don't bother asking this anymore if you're genuinely in Christ. Because it's HE who moves and reigns in you through His Holy Spirit. 

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. [Ezekiel 36.27]

...by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. [2 Thessalonians 1.11]

...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ. [Hebrews 13.21]

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: 

“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4] 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.