Wind & Tide

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Jesus asked "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" The only measure of real success pertains to the status of the soul.

2 Corinthians 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.​

A double dose of success is obtained in a disciplined pursuit of godliness that will profit in both physical and spiritual life both now and in the life to come. Success therefore can be defined according to how much godliness is attain during life here on earth. According to God success is to have that goal in front: the achievement of godliness.

To be a disciple means to be disciplined to the attaining of this goal like an athlete disciplines herself/himself or someone with academic goals has toward the achievement of their goals by living and breathing the process, keeping it always foremost in mind.

How can the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be richly furnished unto you?

(( 2 Peter 1:11 ))

Peter calls himself a bond-servant of Christ, one who willingly has given himself to the service of Another. Peter's freedom to do so was because of the purchase by blood and his service to Christ was to those who had received faith, those to whom peace and grace have been multiplied in the knowledge of the Father and the Son.

Peter's ladder of success led from one virtue to the next beginning with faith and displayed in moral standards with self-control as a means. Perseverance in godliness is keeping the eyes fixed on Jesus in all things. That practical awareness means that all thoughts are brought captive to Christ in constant prayer. It's reckoning Him as a part of everyday life because His are one with Him. Showing forth undeserved love because He loved first and turned the enemy into a friend of God. Fruit from this tree can only increase as the sinful nature decreases. Stumbling on the different steps can be halted. Stop the sinful behavior, start again by picking things up at the cross, and keeping Jesus in view on the walk forward. Constant vigilance. Closing the eye to Christ just means following some other blind beggar away from the entrance into peace and grace.

2 Corinthians 10:15 not boasting out of measure in other people's labours, but having hope, your faith increasing, to be enlarged amongst you, according to our rule, yet more abundantly

2 John 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ….. The 8 virtues 2 Peter 1:1-11​

Dividing soul and spirit .... what that means to me is that the soul is the container and the spirit is that which fills it. Seeking the attainment of holiness in the right gospel order is after union with Christ! It's going to Christ with a thirsty appetite to drink of the living water of the Spirit. Psalms 143:10, Jeremiah 31:18, Psalms 51:10


The wind moves as the breath of life for every day living and the tide moves ever onward toward sanctification ... a holiness of heart and life.. the cache22 ... trusting Christ for holiness isn't obtainable if there is no desire to be made righteous in heart and life.


The comforts of the gospel are to be obtained first! In creation mankind entered first into His Rest. Rest came before the work and the walk. God has already prepared the redemptive rest. After we enter into it then we will be fitted to work. But we must first receive the comforts of the gospel ... whereby we may be able to perform sincerely the duties contained in the law of the Spirit. The gospel is first meant to comfort and soften our hearts.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Christ IS our Jubilee ~ Enjoying Christ as the Jubilee

Many have seen in the phrase “the acceptable year of the Lord” a reference to the “year of Jubilee” described in Leviticus 25.

The year of liberation occurred every fifty years and was designed to “level” society by keeping the Jewish community balanced, lest some became extremely wealthy and powerful while others become extremely poor and powerless.

So, each generation was to observe a “year of the Lord’s favor” when fields lay fallow, persons returned to their family property, debts were cancelled and slaves set free.

Beginning with the Day of Atonement, it was a year of “doing justice” and “loving mercy” (Micah 6:8). Thus, it was a year of “jubilee” and joyful liberation.

Jesus announced that the age of fulfillment had arrived. The hope of Israel for a messianic age had come, because Jesus, the Messiah, had come.

Micah 6:8 (The Message)
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.​

Why is the Jubilee such a joyous occasion?
Because once in everyone's lifetime they would get to take a Years Sabbatical to spend with the Father, away from commerce and trade, joyously gleaming from the fields of others labor, returned to the Lord's inheritance given to them, giving only to the ways of the Lord.

We can have that jubilee today in following Christ, by being the givers of the jubilee to others.

Yet the gardens of our minds still need constant vigilance. Our minds are like gardens that need constant weeding. Cultivate the good thoughts, and don't allow the bad thoughts to take root, for following after evil thoughts is wrong. Instead take them captive to Christ.

This is how we are taught to think:

Philippians 4:8
Finally, (A) whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence
and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.​

Cross references:
(A) Philippians 4:8: Romans 14:18; 1 Peter 2:12

And this is how we are told to act:

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.​

Because:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war (A) according to the flesh,
for the (B) weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful (C) for the destruction of fortresses.
We are destroying speculations and every (D) lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the (E) obedience of Christ,​

Cross references:
(A) 2 Corinthians 10:3: Romans 8:4; 2 Corinthians 1:17
(B) 2 Corinthians 10:4: 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Timothy 1:18
(C) 2 Corinthians 10:4: Jeremiah 1:10; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10
(D) 2 Corinthians 10:5: Isiah 2:11
(E) 2 Corinthians 10:5: 2 Cor 9:13

Finally:

Philippians 4:6-7
(A) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by (B) prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And (C) the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will (D) guard your hearts and your (E) minds in (F) Christ Jesus.​

Cross references:
(A) Philippians 4:6: Matthew 6:25
(B) Philippians 4:6: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; 5:5
(C) Philippians 4:7: Isaih 26:3; John 14:27; Philippians 4:9; Col 3:15
(D) Philippians 4:7: 1 Peter 1:5
(E) Philippians 4:7: 2 Corinthians 10:5
(F) Philippians 4:7: Phil 1:1; 4:19, 21

Enjoy the Jubilee in this life and in doing so you will be prepared to enjoy Christ in His Kingdom and on to eternity. Have a blessed day!