Mounting Rareness takes a look at seven characteristics of growing Christians that will enable your journey of faith. I chose these two words: mounting and rareness, because we are on a faith journey that will lead us higher and higher - much as mounting the summit of a mountain. Rareness was chosen because these characteristics are rare, very rare indeed, in the current climate of Christianity - more like churchianity. Even though the times I am writing in seems to have a high religious and spiritual fervor, much seems to be based on me, my and mine instead of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is my desire to have you grow in your spiritual walk with God the Heavenly Father as revealed in the Holy Bible, which I believe is inerrant, inspired, and infallible. I believe God's Holy Word reveals the nature and character along with the great love and desire of God Almighty as He reveals Himself to you as you seek meaning and purpose in your life. Mounting Rareness has grown out of my own spiritual journey and the journeys of others around me. As you read this call to greater, may your life be filled with a MOUNTING RARENESS among so many that chooses to live at the bottom of the hill with only a longing for more.
Mounting Rareness
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING CHRISTIANSBy James A. WayAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 James A. Way
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4634-3915-6Contents
Acknowledgments...............................................ixForward.......................................................xi1. Love That is Faithful and True.............................12. I Must Be Faithful.........................................113. A Careful Examination......................................214. Champions of Faith.........................................375. Being Watchful.............................................496. An Adventurer..............................................657. Warriors Living in the Fullness of God.....................79Conclusion....................................................93Reference Notes...............................................97
Chapter One
Love That is Faithful and True REVELATION 2:1-7
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
One of the characteristics of growing Christians is a LOVE THAT IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. The love God has for us is understood from the Greek word AGAPE—a selfless, sacrificial love that desires the greatest for the one who is the object of your affections.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 that there are three things that will always remain: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE. The greatest of these is love.
Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3) and that their love was growing toward each other (2 Thess. 1:3). Paul thanked God the Colossian and Ephesian churches had love for all the saints (Col. 1:4 and Eph 1:15). Earlier he encouraged the Philippians to let their love abound still more and more (Phil 1:9). In his first pastoral letter to Timothy, Paul reminded the young pastor through instructions and commandments to produce love from a pure heart (1 Tim 1:5)
The church at Ephesus was a church plant during one of Paul's missionary journeys You can read about it in Acts 19 With a population of approximately 250,000, Ephesus was the largest seaport and the major cultural, commercial, and religious center 1 and thereby a most important city in the Roman province of Asia. The city was devoted to the cult of Artemis (Latin: Diana) and had a temple to the goddess that was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world where they observed superstitious practices, and performed magical arts 2. The church in Ephesus had been established by Paul, who continued to minister there three years after its founding (Acts 20:31). In addition to Paul, Ephesus had benefited from the personal ministries of Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy, who was residing there when Paul sent him the two letters found in our New Testament. John (the writer of Revelation) probably had lived there before being banished to Patmos No doubt he was eager to hear what Jesus would have to say to those at his home church while he was in exile. 3
We would do well today to be "eager to hear what Jesus would have to say to our home church".
In verses 1-3 we are given the identity and observation of Jesus. He holds them close. He walks among them. He commends them in verses 2, 3, and 6. Through hard work and patience the church has performed many righteous deeds (2a) They do not tolerate sin in the church (2b). They allow only sound doctrine to be taught (2c). They have suffered for Jesus (3). They hate the practices of the Nicolatians (6) as Jesus does.
Although they did not become weary in doing good, they had become negligent in faith.
In VERSES 4-5 Jesus lodges a complaint against this body of believers. "I have this complaint against you: You don't love me or each other as you did at first!" OUCH THAT STINGS DOESN'T IT?
KATHI MACIAS wrote: Do we live in such a way that people see the great and selfless love of Christ operating in and through us?
John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends This could not be said about the church at Ephesus, nor can it be said about many churches today. They had not become weary, but negligent. Their fervency had lessened. They began accommodating and allowing instead of testing and trying. What we accommodate often becomes the new standard which we follow. 4 They put up with evil. They did not test the leadership for doctrinal soundness, let alone spiritual commitment and calling They no longer loved the Lord and each other as they did at first.
When that occurs, little things become big things. Love hurts and loses patience. Love becomes jealous and boastful (look what I'm doing for you), proud (you can't get along without me), and rude. Love becomes selfish (about me and my needs) and is easily angered and offended (quick tempered because I didn't get my way) Love that is not growing in fervency will not be faithful and true; it will record wrongs, prefer evil over truth, undermine, be disloyal, distrustful, and will bring failure into every setting it enters. IT BECOMES JUST ANOTHER ITEM ON THE MENU OF LIFE THAT I CAN TAKE OR LEAVE.
Want to know why marriages are in trouble? THEY HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE. Want to know why churches are in trouble? THEY HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE
Want to know why friendships are in trouble? THE FRIENDS HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE
Want to know why your FAITH WALK is in trouble? YOU HAVE LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE
The Lord never had in mind for love to be just another item on the menu of life. YOU CAN PRETEND ONLY SO LONG TO BE IN LOVE WITHOUT THE PRETENSES SHOWING UP AND SHOWING OUT.
What does Jesus say about worship? BE REAL WITH ME. Do you feel as if SOMETIMES YOU'RE PUTTING ON A SHOW when you worship? Is your love a SHOW or is it FAITHFUL AND TRUE? Worship, true worship, involves having a love that is faithful and true. If we are to grow as God's children, then God's standard of love must become our standard of love in our: personal / private life, in our marriage, in our family relationships, in our community involvement, in our employment, in our retirement, in our schooling, etc. The lessening of love's fervency happens so quietly and gradually that often we don't recognize it until we have drifted far away and have become disoriented—much like someone drifting in a sail boat on a lake or the ocean.
When it comes to love, YOU DON'T FALL OUT OF LOVE, YOU MOVE AWAY FROM LOVE. 5
If God has called us to be salt and light to the world then WE MUST BE LIVING PROOF OF THE LOVING GOD TO THE WORLD. That means we must have a love that is faithful and true, that grows and abounds, that reflects the love God—and God alone—has for us.
GOD'S LOVE IS always ready to forgive when genuine repentance is expressed GOD'S LOVE IS ALWAYS abundant and free. GOD'S LOVE IS eternal meaning without end. GOD'S LOVE IS sacrificial, wanting the greatest and best for you. GOD'S LOVE IS never failing, in fact nothing can separate you from His love. Read Romans 8:38ff.
IS YOUR LOVE LIKE HIS? 1 Corinthians 13 is a great diagnostic tool for love. TAKE IT SOMETIME SOONER THAN LATER.
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP THE KIND OF LOVE GOD DESIRES? HOW DO YOU DEVELOP THE KIND OF LOVE THAT GOD REQUIRES US TO HAVE AS HIS CREATION, HIS CHOSEN CHILDREN, HIS ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?
FIRST WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT LOVE IS.
LOVE IS an ONGOING PROCESS. You must work at it or you will be drifting like a ship without a sail. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NLT) 9 But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. 10 Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. 1 Peter 1:22 (NLT) You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters Love each other deeply with all your heart
LOVE IS the FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S LAW. John 13:34 (NLT) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Romans 13:9-10 (NLT) 9 For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery You must not murder You must not steal You must not covet." These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself " 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.
LOVE IS from GOD alone. 1 John 4:8, 9, 16 (NLT) 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
LOVE IS the BRIDGE TO THE WORLD. John 13:35 (NLT) Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 17:20-21 (NLT) 20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
LOVE IS A MEANS GOD DESIGNED TO PROVE TO THE NON-CHRISTIAN WORLD THAT JESUS CHRIST IS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE! 6
HOW DO YOU TO GROW IN LOVE?
First you must LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Verses 4-5 indicate what Jesus might say to us I have this against you (YOU'RE NOT RIGHT WITH ME). You have fallen away and need to Repent. If you do that you will love me as you did at the first Simply put A PERSONAL COMMITMENT IS CALLED FOR.
Next you must RUN BACK TO GOD. God will not redeem what is not given to Him. 7 In verse 5, Jesus says we are to remember from where we have fallen, repent and do the first works. Let me ask you a question. WHAT ARE YOU ALLOWING and ACCOMODATING IN YOUR LIFE THAT IS LESSENING YOUR LOVE FOR yourself? Others? God? This is where it really begins.
In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul uses the analogy of RUNNING THE RACE in such a way as not to be disqualified You are personally responsible to run the race according to the dictates of God the Master Judge who sees all and knows all. If not, you will be disqualified.
After listening to the Spirit of God, after running back to God, you must GIVE YOURSELF TO OTHERS (John 15:13). In life there are GIVERS, TAKERS AND ABUSERS when it comes to love. God is none of these. HE EMBODIES PERFECT LOVE. In fact 1 John 4:8 tells us God is love. Other scriptures tell us perfect love casts out fear There will be others that want to see living proof of the love of God in your life before they will ever trust you.
After giving yourself away, you must OVERCOME ALL THINGS ONLY IN CHRIST. You might have gotten good at charming your way out of situations, but the truth is your charm ain't any good here. Proverbs 31:30 (NLT) Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Can that be said of you ma'am? Can that be said of you mister?
OVERCOME is a military term in reference to repelling an enemy attack. Are you doing this? Are you repelling the enemy? The enemy of God is resilient and oppressive. The enemy will attack then wait for his next opportune time to attack when rebuffed. You cannot take time off when it comes to spiritual warfare, especially as it relates to a love that is faithful and true. OVERCOME is also a strong expression for REPENT (turn from living in LOVE'S SHADOWS). All genuine believers are overcomers, and failure to overcome means that there was no true salvation in that person's case. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF THE TREE OF LIFE given to those who overcome LOST LOVE FOR LOVE RESTORED.
There are three promises connected with the TREE OF LIFE. There is the promise of special intimacy. There is the promise of renewing the fellowship. There is the promise privileged access. 9
There is a special intimacy that occurs from walking faithfully and true with the Heavenly Father As your fellowship with God and others are renewed You are given privileged access to the throne of God as you express a love that is faithful and true to others around you.
To appropriate these promises, you need VERSE 5 which contains THE KEY. The key will unlock the memory of your first love (5a). The key will drive you to repent (5b). The key will open the door that will lead to the return to your first love (5c).
Today, will you remember, repent and return to the Lover of your soul? Today begin praying, "God I need you ..." Then as He answers that prayer, begin praying, "God strengthen me ..."
You need a church home that can help you grow in love that is faithful and true. You need a church that IS A LOVING CHURCH WHERE THE LIVING GOD IS CHANGING LIVES. Why not find one today?
Chapter Two
I Must Be Faithful REVELATION 2:8-11
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'"
If we were able to pull out a measuring stick and measure your spiritual growth since you began professing faith in Jesus Christ, claiming to be a Christian, how would you measure up? Would you still be an infant—even after many years of professed faith? Would you be mature beyond your years?
How can we measure your spiritual growth? If we could and did, what adjustments would you have to make in order to mature as a Christian?
IF I AM TO BE A GROWING CHRISTIAN I MUST BE FAITHFUL.
If that is such a NO-BRAINER then why do so many professing to be Christians have such a hard time with this simple task: "WALK FAITHFULLY BEFORE ME" as God has commanded us?
The Bible is full of the consequences of obedience and disobedience to FAITHFULNESS. They come in the form of a blessing or a cursing. They are from GOD ALONE and for the maturing of the FAITHFUL The devil at times has permission from God to COUNTERFEIT them How can you always tell the DIFFERENCE? God will use the consequences to bring correction and reward into your life. Satan uses them to fill our eyes, our flesh and our pride full of ourselves which BREEDS ME AND NEVER GOD.
First John 2:16 (NLT) For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Let's dig into God's word to see what it has to say about being faithful.
FAITHFULNESS [can be defined as] dependability, loyalty, and stability, particularly as it describes God in His relationship to human believers The faithfulness of God and His Word is a constant theme in the Bible It is particularly prominent in Psalms 89 and 119. God is "the faithful God who keeps covenant" (Deut. 7:9) and chooses Israel (Is. 49:7); great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23).
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Excerpted from Mounting Rarenessby James A. Way Copyright © 2011 by James A. Way. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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