Even Now the Reaper Draws a Wage

The context is Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman about eternal life at Jacob's well. In short, it's evangelism. He said the reaper draws or gets his "wage" or pay or reward. The reaper is the one  guiding the unsaved to finally and actually receive eternal life by surrendering fully to Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

Photo by Brienne Hong on Unsplash.

When you reap or harvest a soul, you're given a "salary," as it were, by heaven. From the same passage, we see how this is something spiritual when Jesus said "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work," [John 4.34]. Obviously, he was talking of spiritual food, not physical. From that, we also safely deduce that the "wage" (pay or salary) that harvesters get is something spiritual. It's not a salary in the form of fiat money.

What's the "wage" for?

It's connected to what Jesus said about storing up treasures in heaven, particularly about the "purses" (plural) he said we need for storing treasures. The word "purses" suggests storing small amounts which we later transfer to our heavenly account [Philippians 4.17] where we amass Kingdom wealth. The small amounts are the wages given us each time we harvest souls or obey other instructions in the Word.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Luke 12.33-34]

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. [Philippians 4.17]

In the Philippian passage above, Paul was referring to church giving and financial support, clearly showing that our obedience gets "credited" to our "account." There is an account in heaven where "credits" from our spiritual investments here get deposited (and, I believe earns residual interests as people we disciple also disciple others or plant churches). In fact, Paul said the Holy Spirit is the initial deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. 

What's the Kingdom wealth or treasure for? It's for furnishing our mansion in heaven. Jesus said he will prepare a place for us in his Father's place (or "house") where there are many mansions. As he "prepares" our mansion, he uses the treasure we have accumulated in our heavenly account for the materials and furnishings. The more treasures you store, the grander your mansion will be. This is why some will be called great in the Kingdom, some will be called least. There will be a hierarchy in heaven, a citizenship status in the New Jerusalem and on the New Earth, and we need to invest spiritually now.

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5.19]

The Hard Work

Not many believers and church pastors understand that the hard work is done by the sowers who do not get to reap the harvest themselves. They do the plowing and sowing but seldom get to take part in the spectacular activity of harvesting. The reapers do that glamorous part and enjoy the limelight. They are the ones seen in public with the membership increase, church growth and mega churches. Everyone congratulates them and have them as authoritative speakers on church planting and church growth.

Sad part is when the reapers become myopic, thinking it's all due to their brilliance, programs, strategy and hard work and look down on the sowers because they very seldom get to have a harvest, if any. They often have small churches and stay behind the scenes, their "hard work" almost never recognized. A lot of reapers fail to see that what they thought was their hard work from start to finish is really just a harvest from somebody else's earlier work.

Some unknown, faceless, low-profile individual or church had planted the seed in people's hearts a long time ago and prayed for it. That was reinforced further by others, also unknown and low-profile, who shared testimonies to them or shared a Word from their hearts. This happened a lot more times until these people's hearts had become ripe for the harvest, and then a reaper-church was sent by God to harvest. But most reaper-churches don't see this. All they see is their efforts and achievements and think they alone did the hard work and are therefore greatest in the Kingdom.

Jesus said, it's the sowers that quietly do the hard work in the dimly lit corners, not the harvesters, and he stressed that reapers should realize this, probably foreseeing how some reapers are prone to get all the glory for themselves and belittle the sowers.

"I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” [John 4.38]

Jesus said, sowers and reapers should realize that they are both part of the one body of Christ. The effort and gains of one is the efforts and gains of the other. 

...that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. [John 4.36]

Does the Sower Get Paid, Too?

It's not indicated in the John 4 passage, but we know how GOD is just and fair. If he gives harvesters their wages, he will surely give sowers their wages. This ensures that both of them "may be glad together."

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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 what Jesus Christ did on the cross. 

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 Word in the bible.

Where Are You at the Cana Wedding?

 

We know the story. Jesus and company were invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee and quality wine was running out halfway the feast. Nobody knew who Jesus really was and what miracles he could do except his mother and disciples who, the Gospel says, heard what Jesus told Nathanael about seeing greater things and heaven opening on Jesus with angels ascending and descending on him. 

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And Mary, his mother, likely still remembered the miraculous events that surrounded his birth. Though they hadn't seen him do a miracle yet (changing water to wine was the first), they had a good idea of his supernatural capability. His mom knew he could do something, so she informed him of the wine shortfall. The newly wed couple probably was closely connected to Mary so she was bothered by the wine issue and wanted it fixed.

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Where was He?

Now here's the thing. I want you, the one reading this article, to guess where Jesus was in this wedding. It's clear in the passage [John 2] that Jesus "also was invited" (he wasn't a gatecrasher) to the wedding but I'm wondering where he was seated. Was he at the presidential table or among the guests? I think neither. When he instructed the servants or waiters on what to do when he turned water into wine, he was already right there with them. 

I mean, it doesn't say that, "Jesus went to the servants," or anything to that effect, meaning he was somewhere far and had to go to them, but it merely says that Jesus "said to the servants." Clearly, he was right there with them all the time. Watch below how the story was set.

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

It's even clearer that when Mary was talking to Jesus about the lack of wine and instructed the waiters to "Do whatever he tells you,"  they were all together in the same place with the waiters. The waiters were right there with them and vice versa, revealing accurately where Jesus and company were in the wedding. They were in the kitchen. That's where waiters hangout in feasts. 

You see that?

Jesus would rather be with the servants in the kitchen than be at specially designated tables or even with guests. He was comfortable to be with the waiters--the unknown, the lowly, the nobodies, the faceless, the despised. This detail reveals so much of Jesus' character and preferences. 

Yes, you'd see him in social functions and invited to grand dinners but not so much with dignitaries and the rich and famous. He was seen more with the servants and serving with them. 

We'd prefer to sit next to popular personalities celebrated by society, to be seen talking with them and having our selfie or groupie pictures taken and posted on FB to brag to friends. We'd love being identified with the elite--the rich, politicians and showbiz people. We're crazy about them. We're proud to be in that company. 

We do this even in church. We love inviting the famous, the titled and the degreed as speakers, paying close attention and treating them well. But we want nothing to do with the lesser rest, those with nothing to show for it.

Not Jesus. He loved being with the lowly, belittled or rejected. 

Didn't Claim Credit

After turning water into wine so that the master of ceremonies announced and marveled at the good quality of wine still being served even to the wee hours of the feast, Jesus never claimed credit. He just sat there smiling, keeping mum and settled in a dimly lit corner of the kitchen, happy and content to be of some help. 

I wonder how many of us, pastors, would do the same. I mean, not grab the credit which would have been a perfect occasion to promote our ministry and service to society for "God's glory" and evangelize to people? You just performed a miracle! So you go to the master of ceremonies:

"Ahh, I did the miracle. Glory to God!"

You may even want the MC to recite a liturgy of your credentials and achievements before being introduced. It would have led to invitations for us to speak or perform miracles in special occasions, not just turning plain liquids into whisky, beer or vodka but multiplying fine-dining food from a few loaves and fish. 

We may even be made partners of a bar and restaurant business and make money for ministry. We'd probably entertain the idea. It's a great ministry exposure.

Jesus didn't think so. He didn't grab any chance for self-promotion or public exposure even to boost God's work. He stayed away from such publicity. Do we have this discipline and faith today? Can you keep quiet in the face of so much success? 

Let the deed do the talking.

Where Were you?

And where are you in this wedding? If the wedding were to take place today and you're invited, where would you be found? At the presidential table with the big shots? Somewhere in the guests area? Would you be invited to do the officiating yourself? How about the program coordinator? Or, is there any chance you'd be sent to serve in the kitchen? 

Jesus was invited as a guest but he chose to be in the kitchen. 

Nothing wrong with being anywhere else in weddings except the kitchen. It's good to be among the big shots, even being one of them, if it's God's will. That's a blessing. It isn't necessary to insist on hiding in the kitchen, avoiding people or refusing to be with high-profile individuals--or trying to turn water into wine. It's okay if you can't.

The thing here is, you can be at a big-time presidential table associating with people from high places or sitting with the guests, or officiating or coordinating the program. What's vital is you maintain your humility, especially toward the lowly, like those doing menial jobs and serving people. How do you treat waiters and security guards or janitors? Something like that. Always ask yourself, where's your heart when you're in the company of the great?

Where do you place yourself at the wedding in Cana?

His Body on Earth

His body has tremendous, awesome  powers, and I'm not just guessing, hyping or saying this out of tradition or cliché. God's body is the ultimate spiritual weapon against Satan and his kingdom. Worship and prayer are powerful and can markedly neutralize the enemy, but the body of Christ is something else. Hence, it was specially prepared to meet the specs of God's optimum war machinery. It's what we should get excited about.

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me." [Hebrews 10]

Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash.

To better understand this power, let's take the body's arm, for instance. The Lord's arm alone carries power to rule (both the enemy and his people), and included in that rule is reward the faithful and shepherd his people--the kind of "rule" we badly need in ministry. If only we realize the anointing on the body, and use it, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. This will be fulfilled in the end times. Checkout God's arm here:

“Here is your God!”

10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. [Isaiah 40]

Spiritual Body

Some will disagree and say the passage above is a metaphor or analogy, not literally applicable. God cannot be referring to his literal "arm" because he is spirit. Well, a spirit has no fleshly body but it does have a spiritual body, and that's what he means here. God sees with his "eyes," for instance, and at one time walked in the cool of the day when Adam and Eve heard him walking in the garden while they hid in their guilt. God has spiritual feet humans can hear.

His body on earth is God's flesh. Know more about the e-book by clicking this link.

In fact, a spiritual body is more real than a physical or earthly one. Our fleshly body is temporal, so limited and often has value only in our fantasies and wishful thinking. We need to see more the value of of a spiritual body, the one we will have on rapture day. Anyway, a spiritual body works in both the spiritual and physical worlds. Hence, God gathering "lambs in his arms" is literal in a very true spiritual sense. He really does gather them "in his arms" because he does have spiritual arms. Remember, nothing is impossible to him.

When religious experts say something is literal or figurative in the bible, they judge it by their human intellect, by what their bible schools and seminaries taught them, not the Spirit. The Spirit of God sees everything possible. EVERYTHING. Things figurative can be literal and vice versa. God and his Word have no limit. You cannot set limits on what God means with his Word using your theology, titles or degrees. The infinite cannot be judged or interpreted by the finite. Only the Spirit can interpret God's Word accurately.

...no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
[1 Corinthians 2.11]

Peter tried to interpret with his own understanding what God was saying, particularly using his Jewish tradition. In a vision, a blanket full of unclean animals was lowered and God told him to kill and eat. But he refused. He rejected unclean animals as food as written in the Old Testament. But God showed him HE alone has the correct interpretation of his Word, though it seemed wrong from a human point of view. Peter didn't get it till the third time.

Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. [Acts 10.13-16]

Imagine what could have happened if Peter simply obeyed and ate.

God's Hand

Now, let's take God's hand, for instance. His hand alone measures the total amount of water in the oceans and seas of the earth combined, and probably the exact salinity or pH in the different regions, the increase in amount during rain and decrease during evaporation, etc. The same hand also sustains the universe, making sure each galaxy, solar system, star and planet stay in their proper places as the whole Milky Way spins and moves forward. Nothing crashes against another. The power of his hand does that.

Plus more.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? [Isaiah 40]

See that authority, rule and power? And that's just God's one hand! Do you realize how big God is? And that big, powerful, almighty God is in you 100 % through Christ in you. God decided that we are his body on earth. More on this later.

God's Finger

Watch how powerful God's finger can frustrate all the devils' plans, as taught and demonstrated by Jesus, the Apostle. The enemy has power over non-believers but believers simply has to use God's finger to flick him out. Jesus did it and he is in us 100 percent.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [Luke 11.20]

God's finger can singlehandedly drive out demons regardless of number, rank or strength. At one time, Jesus drove out a legion of demons begging him permission to enter 2,000 pigs instead of being kicked out of their territory for good. That may mean 2,000 demons or more. One demon represented the 2,000---the one named Legion and who talked with Jesus---which may indicate the rank of this spirit. Probably the leader of a principality, territory or region. That's big-time.

But all it took was God's finger to put him and his minions out of commission. The demonic leader recognized Jesus at once as being the higher Authority because Jesus knew what he had from the Father, which is the Father's NAME, and which protects his disciples from Satan. Demons bow to those who have that NAME and know how to actually use it. Evil spirits can identify who does and who doesn't.

Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. [John 17. 11-12]

What the Body Can Do

Jesus demonstrated what his body could do. He healed diseases on the spot and rebuked demons. He performed awesome signs and wonders, controlling nature and spiritual elements. These served as samples, giving the church a good idea of what believers could do as his body on earth after he ascended to heaven. To ensure the church can operate supernaturally as he did, being his body, he asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit in his name to empower and enable them as the Holy Spirit did him.

Specifically, Jesus showed how God's mere finger was enough to demolish enemy territorial strongholds. What more his whole body? What more his body wearing God's full armor? Yup, God not only decided the church to be his body on earth, he even gave the church his own full spiritual armor. Are we using all these supernatural equipment in ministry as Jesus did? Or are we limiting ourselves to what we can do? To our own efforts and understanding?

Earlier, God had demonstrated in the Old Testament what his arm and hand could do. His eyes could survey the earth all at once to see everything, see in the spirit realms, know accurately what the enemy is planning or doing. Or search, monitor or discern certain individuals supernaturally. His mouth could speak to dry bones and fit them with muscles and then blow on them the breath of life, transforming them into a mighty army.

We, the body, have all these supernatural capabilities in Christ!

Through Christ in us, we are that body now. God chose to reveal himself through us as he did through Jesus, because Jesus lives fully in us 100 percent. What we see God's body doing in the bible, we can do now, if first we genuinely believe this with all our hearts. Second, if we truly unite as one body of Christ. This calls for a thorough understanding of what the body of Christ really is.

Crucified Body

Jesus' sufferings and crucifixion triggered God's power to crush death and its sting. His own body was prepared for this when he was here, and the church, as his body on earth, is likewise being prepared for this. Church persecution and sufferings because of the Word will pave the way to glory and more souls saved. Here's another awesome Kingdom reversal--the church (body of Christ) wields the power and authority of God in Christ, as it also suffers persecutions and trials in increasing measure in these ends times. The cross brings power to those who believe.

No wonder the sole individual who had the power and authority to open the 7 seals of the scroll in the book of Revelation was the lamb that was slain. It's a picture of meekness and severe persecution and yet powerful and authoritative to unleash the great power and wrath of God almighty.

Grave Misconception

The common mistake today is to refer to a local church or denomination as the "body of Christ." I often hear it and just shake my head in disappointment. They still don't get it. A local church is just a small, minuscule dot on the body, and so is a denomination. Or perhaps a tiny, tiny cell among trillions in the body. The true body of Christ consists of all Jesus believers both living and dead (though the dead in Christ are really alive). 

And this body is a temple. We're all parts or members of it. Jesus was clear when he referred to his body as the temple when he was asked for a sign to explain his ire against money changers in the temple. When he did so, declaring the challenge to "Destroy this temple," he also ended the era of religious buildings as God's temple. Jesus ended the use of any material structure for worshipping God in John 2.19:

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body."

This is so important, you have got to get this. Jesus referred to his body as the temple and vice versa. It signaled from then on that the temple will be his body. No more physical temple buildings. There's no more use for them. Zero, Nada. Pfft! Sadly, Christians today still can't get it. They can't imagine ministry without a church building. They waste a lot of money improving or enhancing how their buildings look. They still think like Jesus' detractors who thought he wanted their temple building demolished, missing his point altogether. Lots of believers today are stuck to that time some 2,000 years ago.

It's Not an Alliance

When several church denominations get together for a cause, like a crusade, conference or national prayer meeting, they often refer to themselves as the body. They're not. I don't care how big the alliance is, an alliance or temporary assembly is NOT the body. Again, they're just tiny, tiny cells among trillions that clustered somewhere in the body, and let's hope they don't clog up the vascular system. I mean, free radical cells are also body cells, and they often unite to wreck body systems. 

As long as these denominations and independent churches all have different doctrines, chopping off portions of the Holy Scriptures which their doctrines have no use for, they're not part of the body--yet. They're just religious organizations or clubs until they finally succumb to the will of the Spirit and meekly accept everything in God's Word and how the Holy Spirit (alone) interprets it. Genuine body parts are 100% organic, not artificial or man-made. 

It's Not a Membership

Being a member of the body is different from "membership." Membership smells of man's organization and system. You join something. But being part of the body comes solely from God. God puts you in the body. You cannot "join" Jesus' body, fill up and sign some forms, swear allegiance and then have voting rights 😆. The apostles didn't do any of that. Jesus called them and they followed him. Well, the crowds did join and later crucified him.

I just laugh when I hear about so-called "apostles" and "prophets" today who claim their church network alone is legit in the Kingdom and others should join them. If you have to "join" them or anything, chances are it's not "legit" in the Kingdom. It's probably just another religious fan club or exclusive society calling itself "apostolic" or "prophetic." Nonetheless, it's almost there. It has great potential to become part of the body if it aligns itself with Jesus--demolish its organization and fully yield to the one body of Christ, which is without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, holy and pure. 

You become part of (not join) the body of Christ when you're genuinely born again, and it's the only thing you have to be part of, the body. Nothing else. Especially not a denomination, though you may linger there for a while. Meanwhile, you need to be nourished spiritually by someone--a genuine man of God--and see you grow up from being a baby in Christ to a mature believer. Then you, in turn, share the Gospel and disciple others. This naturally forms a group of believers which can be aptly called "local church." It is not concerned about membership increase but the multiplication of serious Jesus believers.

Again, local church is not a membership. It should be a gathering or meeting of believers in a locality for spiritual nourishment and ministry and it's God who brings people to this gathering. Today, they promote and advertise their local churches in communities and often grab people to their church membership. Jesus did not promote any local church. He preached and discipled. Period. There was no church name or membership. 

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." [John 6.44]

See? Jesus didn't bother promoting himself because it was solely the Father who did the promotion and brought or "drew" people to him. We should never change or discard this ministry principle. Yeah, promotions, advertising and gimmicks can increase membership dramatically, but that's all you'll have, membership of spoiled people with rights and privileges, believing they can meddle with (or control) the pastor. 

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 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.

Photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash.

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.

Photo by Jaee Kim on Unsplash.

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?”

Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash.

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.

Understandable Only by Doing God's Will

By this you know you're on the right track.

The crowd marveled at his words. How could he have come up with teachings like that without having studied in legit learning institutions? Their religious leaders graduated from the finest seminaries of the time, but none (not even their topnotch scholars) could produce anything close to what Jesus had. Jesus demonstrated how wisdom coming supernaturally straight from the Holy Spirit was unique and radical.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash.

It was not something their religious and theology authorities recognized or accepted. His teaching was rejected, deemed unsound, even if his detractors were solid bible believers. They believed the same God and eagerly waited for the Messiah, but rejected Jesus.

But Jesus didn't bother to explain or enlighten the authorities to earn their acceptance or respect. He didn't care. He ignored them and said the teaching was actually not his. It was the Father's. So if they had any questions, ask the Father. And anyway, no explication or theologizing could clarify the teaching except that a true seeker actually do God's will. Doing it will reveal everything and confirm Jesus' Word.

17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. [John 7]

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Doers of God's will get sharp spiritual discernment. They easily distinguish between genuine Word from God and men's word. They won't look at your religious educational background or titles or degrees to see if what you say comes from God. They don't weigh your words with their theology. They discern things by doing God's will. 

And I don't mean being active in church or doing what we call "church ministries" today. Coming from Jesus and seeing what things he did to do God's will, he surely meant God's supernatural will--preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom with signs and wonders, healing and miracles, and discipling believers using his discipleship model.

That's what "God's will" is to Jesus.

Do God's will as Jesus did and you'll see what Jesus' teaching is all about. You will find out that it comes supernaturally from God, not from men or their institutions or theology. Not from their religious traditions. In fact, Jesus, as model Servant, made sure his teaching was also not his own, though he could've done so because he is the Truth. But his teaching was from the Father. He did this to demonstrate his total obedience and submission to the Father and serve as an example we should follow. 

"...what I have heard from him I tell the world.” [John 8.26]

We should teach or preach as we hear from the Father through Christ in us. This happens when we rely totally on the Holy Spirit as Jesus did. Men's theologies and philosophies had not use for him. Everything was supernaturally from the Father so that the Son was in perfect harmony with the Father, doing things as One. 

28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” [John 8]

Personal Glory

Everybody in church claims everything done in ministry is "for God's glory," but Jesus thought otherwise. Some "speak on their own" because their teaching does not come straight from God's mouth. It comes from their human theology and sermon outline. It's precast material, everything decided by the mind trained in human methods, though prayed for. Jesus never used them. He never prepared an outline and prayed for it. Neither did the apostles in Acts. Jesus spoke as he heard from the Father. 

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. [John 12.49 NLT]

And if you speak on your own, you're after personal glory, not God's, said Jesus--even if you keep claiming it's for God's glory. Saying only what God tells you makes you a man of truth, he said. And this is how you keep yourself truthful because, Jesus pointed out, nothing will be false about you. So you need to be able to really hear God's voice.

18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. [7.18]

It all starts with the desire to do God's will, not man's will, in church or ministry. And this means doing the very things that Jesus did. It's HIS church and ministry, after all, and we should continue exactly as he did, as he modelled, and not do our own version of things. 

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.