There seems to be something rather exciting about being challenged in church. There is something that appeals to us when we are asked something like, “Will you be the one to rise-up and go the extra mile for God?” Maybe it makes us feel special and privileged, like our Daddy’s favourite? I don’t know. If so, I believe this could lead to religious pride and a sense of deserving more than the next person, because of the efforts you make.
These challenges make us feel like we can be the privileged few, the chosen ones who live according to God’s calling, while other Christians choose not to, or are not invited to. This, to me, makes me think of Israel in the Old Testament, rather than the message of unconditional grace for both Jew and Gentile. I suppose the challenge message gives believers the conviction that although the Bible says that God does not pick favourites, those who are “in the know” – know different.
The Guilt Trap
We can come out of a service, after hearing a challenging sermon - feeling all pumped-up and raring to go. And yet how do you actually act upon such a message? How do you actually respond to a message to “go the extra mile?” We can say all sorts of things like, “I’m going to go all out for God” – but how do you actually act on such a declaration? Are we to make yet another rule out of “go all out for God?” Perhaps this was the 11th Commandment that God “forgot” to tell Moses about?
Such thoughts can cause the mind to start racing as you try to figure out how on earth you are going to live-up to all of those expectations you have allowed other people to put upon you. This can become yet another invitation for a believer to descend into a downward spiral of guilt and shame, as he realises that he cannot live-up to the expectations that the church puts upon him.
Remember, Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Anything heavy and ill-fitting is not from God! Doesn’t this kind of exciting and noble-sounding pulpit-message take the attention away from what Jesus has done for us, onto what we can, or must, do for Him?
We are told that we are in end-times, that there is an urgent need for dedicated believers to do what they are called to do – which I agree with entirely. But the issue I have with challenges is that I don’t really know how to respond to them. I will admit that the initial reaction is rather spontaneous, but after that, I fall into pretence-mode. Challenges can have the effect of getting me all stirred-up with a sense of “I must do something” – but it often doesn’t result in me doing anything, or feeling a burden of guilt. I can find myself compelled to do all the seemingly right things – but for all of the wrong reasons.
Another Form of Legalism
Challenges in the church might appear motivating, but in actual fact, they are often more condemning that anything else. Perhaps then, the greatest challenge when it comes to Christianity is this: believing that God accepts you, just as you are, without having to change a thing. God will often go to great lengths to challenge people’s faith when it comes to this! In my experience, it is a whole lot easier to believe that God loves you unconditionally, when you are running around church doing all sorts of activities in the name of “serving God”.
I just wanted to know how to get God’s grace in my life, but these people who were giving me these challenges, just seemed to assume that I already had it all together and was just resting in God’s power; that I was being somewhat lazy, “resting on my laurels” and needed to be persuaded to “do something for God”. When a believer is not seen by the church to be “keen as mustard” to serve in church – people can assume that he just needs encouragement – He just needs to know God’s love. I acknowledge that every church has members that are at different stages of spiritual maturity. But surely, if someone is full of the love of God and led by the Holy Spirit, they don’t need to be told to “rise-up” and to do “something for God”?
Challenges Make You Better…Or Do They?
There is a saying that "challenges make you better". In my experience, challenges only make you bitter. I do agree that challenging circumstances can become a catalyst for positive change and personal growth. However, it is not what a person experiences that is important - what determines the effect of a challenge on a person is their reaction to it. It is therefore of very little use for a person to go through a challenging set of circumstances, if it is only going to make them more anxious. If a person is not prepared, if they do not have the correct understanding - challenges can actually have a detrimental effect on them.
The most important factor in undergoing any challenging set of circumstances is that the individual experiences the peace of God - not the peace of man in the form of re-assuring words. As Eph. 3:17 says, "Rooted and grounded in love."
The Need for Proper Teaching
So instead of just being exhorted to "take on a challenge" or "just keep on going", what would be of infinite greater usefulness would be teaching that facilitates a proper reaction to such trials. This teaching cannot be limited to general encouragement; such encouragement assumes that a person's ability to endure trials is merely a conscious effort of the will. In reality, the ability to endure trials, to react positively to them, is vested in the subconscious mind: what the Bible terms "heart" or "spirit".
Conclusion
Do the challenges of a pastor give me the motives of God? If it was my born-again spirit that the preacher was appealing to, then surely the Holy Spirit would move in me according to his will? God does not need to wait until another Christian persuades me to do things before He motivates me and guides me to serve Him. He is just waiting for me to be fully surrendered to Him – without me trying to do things in my own strength and understanding.
Another Look at the Parable of the Talents
In the light of teaching on God's grace, I have some issues with the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. Traditionally, this text has been used by legalistic churches in order to "press gang" beleivers into doing "something" for God. Even though some beleivers have come to church with all kinds of hurts, sorrows and burdens - this has not stopped many preachers from using this text to patronise Christians into making efforts to put on, what can only be described, as a religious performance.
We often read this parable in the context of real-life, whereas it is simply a means by which the Lord likens the kingdom of God to something that we can relate to here on earth. In verse 14 we read about the master going on a journey. This gives us the idea that God is leaving us and that we are left to make decisions for ourselves without any help from Him.
The Master’s Plan
There is no mention of the master sitting down with the servants and discussing a plan of action. No, they are just given talents, with no mention of what to do with them or what is expected of them, before he leaves them to their own devices. I know that God can make it appear that He has left us for a while, as a means of a test, but the Bible says that He will never leave us not foresake us.
We can get the impression from this parable that God expects us to know His will from the outset: to come up with clever and creative ideas of how to use the gifts, talents and abilities that He has given us, which may as yet still be lying dormant. We are expected to somehow find the endurance to see these things through to completion.
Isn’t this the way that many Christians behave in church? Many beleiveers, are in a state of confusion and frustration, eager to experience a satisfying relationship with God. We are told that God has a plan for our lives and that we will never be satisifed until we discover what this plan is and we allow this plan to unfold in our lives.
Confused beleivetrs often get impatient and take matters into their own hands by deciding how they should serve God. Typically, this will be in the form of the usual perfunctary roles and routines that the church provides.
Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them to tarry (which means wait) for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, before they were to take any further action (See Luke 24:49). How many Chrsitans are inclined to tarry and wait for the Holy Spirit before they step out in the name of “serving God?” I suppose this comes from the theory of “starting off small” (see Zec 4:10) when it comes to serving God; but this concept can cause some people to become persuaded to do things in church that they are simply not meant to do.
Talents Given According to AbilityThis parable tells us that the master gave to the servants according to their ability. It is not surprising that the servant with the most talents went away immedietly and made five more. It is also not surprising that the servant with the least talents was too afraid and confused to do anything with what little he was given. There seemed to be no encouragement for this servant, no teaching to tell him that he was accepted the way he was and that he was still loved by the master.
But rather, this "unprofitable servant" was told that he would be thrown into outer darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 25:20). This has been assumed to mean that if a believer does not serve in the church, even if it is under duress, then he will be thrown into hell. But perhaps "weeping and gnashing of teeth" actually refers to a life of frustration and disapointment, sort of an, “Arrrgggghhhh!!!!”.What I Believe This Parable Means
Fear - The Reason for Disobedience
This parable is intended to highlight the condition of fear and unbelief. The key to this is found in Matthew 25:25.
When a person succumbs to fear, they fail to act upon what is right for them in the moment, and they make excuses to reinforce their attitude. The Bible calls these excuses, "imaginations" (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV), "arguments" (2 Cor. 10:5 NKJV), "warped philosophies" (2 Cor. 10:5 MSG), "deceptive fantasies" (2 Cor. 10:5 Phillips) and "arrogant reckonings" (2 Cor. 10:5 Weymouth).
When believers are conditioned with wrong beliefs, they adopt an attitude of fear, doubt, suspicion and self-protectionism; their whole outlook on life is one of minimising further harm and loss, and as such, this leads them to veer on the side of caution. The Message translation calls this person a "play-it-safe". (See Matthew 25:28 MSG).
28 "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb.
Matthew 25:28 MSG
Serving God With Wrong Motives
Due to their fear, when opportunities are presented to these people – they fail to act upon them. Then, they have the audacity to blame God because He seems to do nothing to bless them. Such people might be actively serving in church, giving offerings, trying to keep rules and do good works. But such efforts done without faith and love are to no avail.
Anxious Christians can become compelled to do good works, purely out of a want for approval: both God’s approval and the approval of other people. People who serve in the church with wrong motives, become frsutrated when people do not go out of their way to show their appreciation of their efforts. They also get mad at God when they fail to get blessed - when they want and how they want. This is tantamount to spiritual blackmail. Little do these people realise that their good works are not authorised by God, and therefore, are treated as a replacement to God’s grace as a means of justification. (See Romans 4:4).
Missed Opportunities
Such people might have opportunities all around them, and yet, because of their unbelief, they cannot see the value or relevance of those opportunities. These people fail to make a postive start in life, because they feel overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround them, and feel underwhelmed by what they see as a lack of their own ability. This situation is also addressed in Zechariah 4:10.
There is Now No Condemnation
It appears, at first, that the unprofitable servant has been condemned by his master, who is representative of our Lord. But we read in the New Testament that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Therefore, the parable of the talents is highlighting the act of self-condemnation. The believer condemns himself when he looks at his past failures, his own apparent lack of ability and fails to trust in the power of God because of this.
A Matter of Trust
Jesus Himself told us in John 15:5 that He is the Vine and we are the branches. When we give our lives to the Lord, He does not condemn us, He forgives our sin and sees us as being right with Him: He grafts us into the vine, so to speak. As branches, we do not break away from the Vine because of wrong behaviour. We break away from the Vine when we fail to trust in God because of our unbelief and fear, because we try to trust in ourselves and our own judgement and ability; fear is a means by which we disconnect ourselves from the love, peace, joy and wisdom of God. Fear can be likened to making a decision to trust in man, rather than trust in God. It is not God who throws people into outer darkness -- they throw themselves into outer darkness: they disobey God by not trusting in Him. If we do not trust God, we fail to have the faith that we need in order to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely in our lives.
According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary , the word translated “believes” in the New Testament, is the Greek verb pisteuō (G4100). This Greek word means:
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
When a person “believes” in someone – they mean that they trust that person. Trust is a personal thing. So when Jesus talks about believing in Him – He means that we should put our trust in Him. We cannot trust Jesus in a state of fear.
Joseph Prince on Self-Condemnation
Pastor Joseph Prince has preached about scriptural text which at first appears to be condemnation from the Lord, when in fact, it is highlighting self-condemnation. A good example of this can be found in the message of Communion found in first Corinthians 11:25-28.
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Corinthians 11:25-29 nkjv
Condemnation from the Pulpit
How many times do we hear condemnatory messages from the pulpit? People who are in a state of fear are not in a state of fear because they want to be. Fear is something that is instilled in people over a period of time. Quite often, a traumatic situation is all it takes to drag a once-happy person into a prolonged state of fear. I do not want to condone fear in any way – all I want to say is that we should reach out to fearful people in love, with compassionate understanding. We must understand that there are emotional states of despair and apathy that many people find themselves in, not by choice, but because that is how they have been conditioned to think. These unfortunate people cannot be brought out of a negative emotional state though intimidation.
We often read this parable in the context of real-life, whereas it is simply a means by which the Lord likens the kingdom of God to something that we can relate to here on earth. In verse 14 we read about the master going on a journey. This gives us the idea that God is leaving us and that we are left to make decisions for ourselves without any help from Him.
The Master’s Plan
There is no mention of the master sitting down with the servants and discussing a plan of action. No, they are just given talents, with no mention of what to do with them or what is expected of them, before he leaves them to their own devices. I know that God can make it appear that He has left us for a while, as a means of a test, but the Bible says that He will never leave us not foresake us.
We can get the impression from this parable that God expects us to know His will from the outset: to come up with clever and creative ideas of how to use the gifts, talents and abilities that He has given us, which may as yet still be lying dormant. We are expected to somehow find the endurance to see these things through to completion.
Isn’t this the way that many Christians behave in church? Many beleiveers, are in a state of confusion and frustration, eager to experience a satisfying relationship with God. We are told that God has a plan for our lives and that we will never be satisifed until we discover what this plan is and we allow this plan to unfold in our lives.
Confused beleivetrs often get impatient and take matters into their own hands by deciding how they should serve God. Typically, this will be in the form of the usual perfunctary roles and routines that the church provides.
Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them to tarry (which means wait) for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, before they were to take any further action (See Luke 24:49). How many Chrsitans are inclined to tarry and wait for the Holy Spirit before they step out in the name of “serving God?” I suppose this comes from the theory of “starting off small” (see Zec 4:10) when it comes to serving God; but this concept can cause some people to become persuaded to do things in church that they are simply not meant to do.
Talents Given According to AbilityThis parable tells us that the master gave to the servants according to their ability. It is not surprising that the servant with the most talents went away immedietly and made five more. It is also not surprising that the servant with the least talents was too afraid and confused to do anything with what little he was given. There seemed to be no encouragement for this servant, no teaching to tell him that he was accepted the way he was and that he was still loved by the master.
But rather, this "unprofitable servant" was told that he would be thrown into outer darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 25:20). This has been assumed to mean that if a believer does not serve in the church, even if it is under duress, then he will be thrown into hell. But perhaps "weeping and gnashing of teeth" actually refers to a life of frustration and disapointment, sort of an, “Arrrgggghhhh!!!!”.What I Believe This Parable Means
Fear - The Reason for Disobedience
This parable is intended to highlight the condition of fear and unbelief. The key to this is found in Matthew 25:25.
When a person succumbs to fear, they fail to act upon what is right for them in the moment, and they make excuses to reinforce their attitude. The Bible calls these excuses, "imaginations" (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV), "arguments" (2 Cor. 10:5 NKJV), "warped philosophies" (2 Cor. 10:5 MSG), "deceptive fantasies" (2 Cor. 10:5 Phillips) and "arrogant reckonings" (2 Cor. 10:5 Weymouth).
When believers are conditioned with wrong beliefs, they adopt an attitude of fear, doubt, suspicion and self-protectionism; their whole outlook on life is one of minimising further harm and loss, and as such, this leads them to veer on the side of caution. The Message translation calls this person a "play-it-safe". (See Matthew 25:28 MSG).
28 "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb.
Matthew 25:28 MSG
Serving God With Wrong Motives
Due to their fear, when opportunities are presented to these people – they fail to act upon them. Then, they have the audacity to blame God because He seems to do nothing to bless them. Such people might be actively serving in church, giving offerings, trying to keep rules and do good works. But such efforts done without faith and love are to no avail.
Anxious Christians can become compelled to do good works, purely out of a want for approval: both God’s approval and the approval of other people. People who serve in the church with wrong motives, become frsutrated when people do not go out of their way to show their appreciation of their efforts. They also get mad at God when they fail to get blessed - when they want and how they want. This is tantamount to spiritual blackmail. Little do these people realise that their good works are not authorised by God, and therefore, are treated as a replacement to God’s grace as a means of justification. (See Romans 4:4).
Missed Opportunities
Such people might have opportunities all around them, and yet, because of their unbelief, they cannot see the value or relevance of those opportunities. These people fail to make a postive start in life, because they feel overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround them, and feel underwhelmed by what they see as a lack of their own ability. This situation is also addressed in Zechariah 4:10.
There is Now No Condemnation
It appears, at first, that the unprofitable servant has been condemned by his master, who is representative of our Lord. But we read in the New Testament that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Therefore, the parable of the talents is highlighting the act of self-condemnation. The believer condemns himself when he looks at his past failures, his own apparent lack of ability and fails to trust in the power of God because of this.
A Matter of Trust
Jesus Himself told us in John 15:5 that He is the Vine and we are the branches. When we give our lives to the Lord, He does not condemn us, He forgives our sin and sees us as being right with Him: He grafts us into the vine, so to speak. As branches, we do not break away from the Vine because of wrong behaviour. We break away from the Vine when we fail to trust in God because of our unbelief and fear, because we try to trust in ourselves and our own judgement and ability; fear is a means by which we disconnect ourselves from the love, peace, joy and wisdom of God. Fear can be likened to making a decision to trust in man, rather than trust in God. It is not God who throws people into outer darkness -- they throw themselves into outer darkness: they disobey God by not trusting in Him. If we do not trust God, we fail to have the faith that we need in order to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely in our lives.
According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary , the word translated “believes” in the New Testament, is the Greek verb pisteuō (G4100). This Greek word means:
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
When a person “believes” in someone – they mean that they trust that person. Trust is a personal thing. So when Jesus talks about believing in Him – He means that we should put our trust in Him. We cannot trust Jesus in a state of fear.
Joseph Prince on Self-Condemnation
Pastor Joseph Prince has preached about scriptural text which at first appears to be condemnation from the Lord, when in fact, it is highlighting self-condemnation. A good example of this can be found in the message of Communion found in first Corinthians 11:25-28.
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Corinthians 11:25-29 nkjv
Condemnation from the Pulpit
How many times do we hear condemnatory messages from the pulpit? People who are in a state of fear are not in a state of fear because they want to be. Fear is something that is instilled in people over a period of time. Quite often, a traumatic situation is all it takes to drag a once-happy person into a prolonged state of fear. I do not want to condone fear in any way – all I want to say is that we should reach out to fearful people in love, with compassionate understanding. We must understand that there are emotional states of despair and apathy that many people find themselves in, not by choice, but because that is how they have been conditioned to think. These unfortunate people cannot be brought out of a negative emotional state though intimidation.
Faith Teaching in the Light of the Message of Grace
Before I came to hear the grace message, I was obsessed with Word of Faith, particularly Kenneth E. Hagin. Hagin's a true man of God and his teachings are truly wonderful. Pastor Prince acknowledges Hagin more than any other Bible teacher. However, I believe that Hagin's teaching is rather imbalanced and altogether impractical.
Faith for Healing
Hagin revealed to the world that faith was just as real, practical and life-changing as it was when Jesus Himself walked this earth. Hagin was bedfast at the age of seventeen suffering from a deformed heart and an incurable blood disease. Hagin’s journey into faith all started when he found out what the Bible said about healing. He dared to believe the Word and claimed his healing. Hagin was then miraculously healed.
It is only natural, therefore, that the whole focus of Hagin’s teaching around the subject of faith, was on healing. This would typically involve repeating Bible verses such as 1 Peter 2:24 and Matthew 8:17.
Faith for Finances
Hagin left a good church which he pastored in order to enter into the field ministry. Obviously, he was not supported by regular tithes and offerings from church members. Therefore, Hagin had to trust God for his finances. Hagin eventually reached a point whereby he would claim the exact amount that he needed. He would find that the offering that a church took-up for him, would either just about cover the amount claim, or would exceed it. So naturally, Hagin’s used of faith also focused on finances.
Hagin would often back-up his teachings with powerful and impressive testimonies – typically involving spectacular ways in which God had blessed him personally. However, as far as I am aware, Hagin would never claim money for something he did not need. Hagin had a wife and two children to support; he had to rely on God to meet his needs.
What Went Wrong?
What I feel has happened in the Body of Christ in response to Hagin’s style of faith teaching, is that they involve their own selfish wants, using Biblical confession to put God to the test and to get things with the wrong motives. I will admit that I read all about the amazing, supernatural occurrences in Hagin’s books and desiring the same kind of things happening in my life. I glibly attributed this desire for the supernatural, to my desire to see God move on the earth so that His name would be glorified. But in actual fact – I was just curious.
If I will be really honest, I would say that I just wanted to prove that God was in my life, that I was special, that God cared about me and loved me. I suppose it was a subconscious want for approval. Whenever a person becomes convinced that they must do something or have something that they don’t already experience in their life, in order that they may be fulfilled and gain the respect of others, it just becomes a frustrating, never-ending pursuit - no wonder God did not answer my prayers to give me the gift of interpreting tongues and the power to heal the sick!
What about Righteousness?
I must admit that Hagin taught more about righteousness in Christ, more than all the other Bible teachers I had come across. So praise God for that!
But what I don’t like about faith teaching is the platitudes it comes out with. It is just assumed that a person can stop sinning with a simple effort of the will. This in my mind is pride. I know full well what it is like to struggle with bad habits, only to be patronised by other people who tell you, “Just stop sinning, it’s not right – okay?”
My question is this: why on earth didn't Hagin and others teach more on having faith in Jesus bearing our sin on the cross as our means of being free from it? After all, Word of Faith teachers such as Hagin go to great lengths to teach about Jesus bearing our sickness, which we have no or little, conscious control over. So why don't people teach about Jesus taking away our sin, which we cannot deal with and have hardly any control over?
That's why I'm saying Hagin's teaching was imbalanced. I mean, if a person is struggling with sin and they are sick - how on earth are they going to believe in God for supernatural healing if they can't even believe that Jesus took away their sin and made them right with God? Perhaps what is making them sick in the first place is the sheer weight of guilt and condemnation that they are feeling.
The conclusion that I have come to now is that as believers, we simply cannot go beyond our knowledge and assurance of our right-standing in Christ. Any attempt to “believe God” for something, without a foundation of believe that God accepts us as we are, is just going to become anxious and frenzied grasps at things we are convinced we need.
Maybe the Word of Faith Critics had it Right All Along?
I used to be strongly against anyone who criticized Word of Faith teaching. But maybe, just maybe – they actually had a point? It always seemed to be a war-of-words between the two opposing sides. The crux of the argument would usually fall upon the subject of finances. Word of Faith would accuse its critics of advocating a policy of poverty and lack for Christians. Whereas, the Word of Faith critics would go to the opposite end of the spectrum, and accuse Word of Faith of seeking after riches more than Jesus, as well as believing that every Christian was meant to be spectacularly rich.
Now, if the critics of the faith movement would have had something enticing for believers, something that was more attractive than signs and wonders and the like – then they would have got my attention. But no – they just seemed to be focused on arguing with everything that was good and positive about faith; they just seemed to focus on humility. Humility? What Christian wants humility when they are seeking fulfilment through the pursuit of people, power and possessions as a means of fulfilment?
It is a Question of Motives
Hagin's teaching conforms to a predictable and practical pattern: a scriptural text, and explanation, followed by a relevant anecdote. Hagin would teach that if you had a need, you could find what the Bible says about it and confess that it is yours. Hagin would advise people to have the right motives. But unfortunately, Hagin (and many others) have failed to identify the fact that wrong motives are a big subject in themselves and, I believe, the reason why we don't see God's power manifest in our lives.
An Emphasis on “Great Faith”
Did you know that unbelief and a lack of faith are two different things? The Bible says that we only need a mustard seed of faith. Hagin would often write in his books that as soon as he got someone to see that they were already healed, most of the time they would get their healing straightaway. Despite this, Hagin’s teaching seemed to give the impression that believers needed to do something in order to get “great faith”.
This “great faith” was to be achieved by studying, meditating upon and confessing the Word. However, if a person does not take the basic steps to find peace by seeking to know they are right with God – they end-up going on a pursuit of performance, achievement and material gain. Then, when their efforts come to nothing, they assume that they don’t have enough faith, and so the cycle of reading the Bible, buying Christian books and confessing the Bible, continues. When these efforts seize-up, believers then revert back to doing good works in order to earn brownie points with God; or perhaps they see about increasing their financial offerings to the church.
We try to offset unbelief by reading the Word and confessing the Word, often to an obsessive degree - I know I did! But this does little to overcome a person's unbelief. When I talk about unbelief here, I am talking about the existence of contradictory belief - this is where the wrong motives come into force.
So, Hagin would write that he had a legitimate financial need. He would read the Bible about it, and simply make a statement of trust that he already had it and bingo -he received it. I believe this is a true application of faith.
I remember reading in one of Hagin’s books*, that he tried to “pray through” one time, and he got rebuked by the Holy Spirit about it. So, instead of making a performance about praying for a need he had – he simply acknowledge God’s faithfulness and trusted in him to meet his need – then he walked away, believing that it was already sorted out.
Turning Faith Teaching into a Formula
When anxious and frustrated Christians read faith teaching, they bring all of their unmet needs and unhealed hurts along and try to get things and make changes things with the belief that it will make things better. They then try to apply those faith "formulas" to get things that they think will make them feel more secure, loved, appreciated, fulfilled and happy. These people identify these so-called needs with things they can name-and-claim. They read faith teaching and believe that prosperity is something they must have in order to be genuine and effective Christians - a philosophy that fits in well with the secular way of thinking.
I cannot help but feel that these faith “formulas” become a subtle way of gaining control over the church. If the main focus is not on the grace of God in Christ – it will become some form of control. Sometimes I think that the church believes that it is things like miracles, healing and tithing that holds the church together. But this just takes the focus off Jesus and onto what man can achieve.
A Change of Focus
The focus needs to be on relationship with God, knowing His love for us, escaping a works mentality and the need to keep rules. Without condemnation we are able to fulfil the Law of Christ. I think that Word of Faith often achieves the goal of maintaining the myth of needing to keep rules, and therefore, condemnation, because it has the gift of the supernatural and provision, attached. It is the brilliance of miracles and provision that has many Christians blinded to the truth of the message of grace.
Blessings and Miracles
In "real life" it is better to live a blessed life, according to what I call the "everyday supernatural": something good happens in your life that others can pass-off as good luck, but you know that it was God.
What helped me understand this perspective of living according to blessings rather than miracles, was Andrew Wommack’s MP3 series "Blessings and Miracles" available for free download on his website: http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1000
Challenging Fixed Mindsets
If you look back on the miracles in Hagin's books, they mirror to some extent those that we read of in the Bible. The whole purpose of those miracles was to show us that the God of the Bible is the same God that loves us and participates in our lives today.
My only misgiving on this matter is that it can get people into extremes in that they seek the blessings more than the Blesser. What the miracles of the Bible were intended for was to take the limits off God. Without those limits, we are no longer restrained by fixed patterns of thinking.
These testimonies can, however, become repetitive and predictable, to the point whereby they actually constrain our thinking, I’ll give you an example:
I went through a period of several years during the charismatic movement in the late nineties, whereby I would always hear testimonies on financial provision in the same format: someone in full time ministry would have a need; they would pray to God or make the usual confessions. Then, someone in the congregation would give that minister an envelope with exactly the right money in it. It sounds ridiculous, but I honestly believed that in order to get my financial needs met I needed to go into full time ministry and pray that someone gave me an envelope with money! I couldn't see any other way because I was so used to a particular type of testimony. See how we limit ourselves?
Groundbreaking Teaching
What I've been considering recently is that it is likely that Hagin's style of faith teaching is probably not "wrong" as such and the teaching itself is not the issue.
With Hagin's teaching what we have is something of a "snapshot" of the highlights of a great man of God and his life and ministry over 5 decades or so. We don't get to read about some of the mistakes he made and all of the lessons that God, and life, taught him, which made him who he was.
Hagin was something of a "prototype" Christian (if I can use that word) in that he brought in-depth teaching of God's Word and the practicality of living faith, during a time that people still thought that the blessings and power of God were earned through works or were simply a rare and random occurrence.
I am seeking after balance, and although I'm tempted at times to feel let down by Hagin's style of faith teaching, I'm coming to see that it was right for the time. Hagin made a breakthrough with a controversial message that challenged the religious legalism at the time.
Hagin showed the world that Christian faith was a powerful, abundant and practical way of life. Hagin was left to die of illness at the age of 17 by a church that could not help him; he had to battle against a religious system that didn't believe in practical faith, miracles and spiritual gifts.
To a great extent, when it comes to Bible teaching, a lot of the time there is no such thing as right or wrong, just progression or evolution. Now, in the light of grace teaching, we can look back on Hagin's teaching and see how much we have moved on from there.
Conclusion
In summary, I believe that faith teaching by the likes of Kenneth E. Hagin is rather accurate. However, it is the misapplication of it that is the biggest problem. In light of this, I believe that Hagin's teaching is rather unbalanced and flawed for this reason. If a person tries to live according to Hagin's teaching only - he will not get very far with it, unless his motives are perfect and he is a very stable and strong character. For the rest of us, it is best to stick with Bible teachers who teach the message of grace, such as Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, Rob Rufus, Paul White and Bertie Brits - and any other good grace teachers, of course.
* Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith, by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Faith for Healing
Hagin revealed to the world that faith was just as real, practical and life-changing as it was when Jesus Himself walked this earth. Hagin was bedfast at the age of seventeen suffering from a deformed heart and an incurable blood disease. Hagin’s journey into faith all started when he found out what the Bible said about healing. He dared to believe the Word and claimed his healing. Hagin was then miraculously healed.
It is only natural, therefore, that the whole focus of Hagin’s teaching around the subject of faith, was on healing. This would typically involve repeating Bible verses such as 1 Peter 2:24 and Matthew 8:17.
Faith for Finances
Hagin left a good church which he pastored in order to enter into the field ministry. Obviously, he was not supported by regular tithes and offerings from church members. Therefore, Hagin had to trust God for his finances. Hagin eventually reached a point whereby he would claim the exact amount that he needed. He would find that the offering that a church took-up for him, would either just about cover the amount claim, or would exceed it. So naturally, Hagin’s used of faith also focused on finances.
Hagin would often back-up his teachings with powerful and impressive testimonies – typically involving spectacular ways in which God had blessed him personally. However, as far as I am aware, Hagin would never claim money for something he did not need. Hagin had a wife and two children to support; he had to rely on God to meet his needs.
What Went Wrong?
What I feel has happened in the Body of Christ in response to Hagin’s style of faith teaching, is that they involve their own selfish wants, using Biblical confession to put God to the test and to get things with the wrong motives. I will admit that I read all about the amazing, supernatural occurrences in Hagin’s books and desiring the same kind of things happening in my life. I glibly attributed this desire for the supernatural, to my desire to see God move on the earth so that His name would be glorified. But in actual fact – I was just curious.
If I will be really honest, I would say that I just wanted to prove that God was in my life, that I was special, that God cared about me and loved me. I suppose it was a subconscious want for approval. Whenever a person becomes convinced that they must do something or have something that they don’t already experience in their life, in order that they may be fulfilled and gain the respect of others, it just becomes a frustrating, never-ending pursuit - no wonder God did not answer my prayers to give me the gift of interpreting tongues and the power to heal the sick!
What about Righteousness?
I must admit that Hagin taught more about righteousness in Christ, more than all the other Bible teachers I had come across. So praise God for that!
But what I don’t like about faith teaching is the platitudes it comes out with. It is just assumed that a person can stop sinning with a simple effort of the will. This in my mind is pride. I know full well what it is like to struggle with bad habits, only to be patronised by other people who tell you, “Just stop sinning, it’s not right – okay?”
My question is this: why on earth didn't Hagin and others teach more on having faith in Jesus bearing our sin on the cross as our means of being free from it? After all, Word of Faith teachers such as Hagin go to great lengths to teach about Jesus bearing our sickness, which we have no or little, conscious control over. So why don't people teach about Jesus taking away our sin, which we cannot deal with and have hardly any control over?
That's why I'm saying Hagin's teaching was imbalanced. I mean, if a person is struggling with sin and they are sick - how on earth are they going to believe in God for supernatural healing if they can't even believe that Jesus took away their sin and made them right with God? Perhaps what is making them sick in the first place is the sheer weight of guilt and condemnation that they are feeling.
The conclusion that I have come to now is that as believers, we simply cannot go beyond our knowledge and assurance of our right-standing in Christ. Any attempt to “believe God” for something, without a foundation of believe that God accepts us as we are, is just going to become anxious and frenzied grasps at things we are convinced we need.
Maybe the Word of Faith Critics had it Right All Along?
I used to be strongly against anyone who criticized Word of Faith teaching. But maybe, just maybe – they actually had a point? It always seemed to be a war-of-words between the two opposing sides. The crux of the argument would usually fall upon the subject of finances. Word of Faith would accuse its critics of advocating a policy of poverty and lack for Christians. Whereas, the Word of Faith critics would go to the opposite end of the spectrum, and accuse Word of Faith of seeking after riches more than Jesus, as well as believing that every Christian was meant to be spectacularly rich.
Now, if the critics of the faith movement would have had something enticing for believers, something that was more attractive than signs and wonders and the like – then they would have got my attention. But no – they just seemed to be focused on arguing with everything that was good and positive about faith; they just seemed to focus on humility. Humility? What Christian wants humility when they are seeking fulfilment through the pursuit of people, power and possessions as a means of fulfilment?
It is a Question of Motives
Hagin's teaching conforms to a predictable and practical pattern: a scriptural text, and explanation, followed by a relevant anecdote. Hagin would teach that if you had a need, you could find what the Bible says about it and confess that it is yours. Hagin would advise people to have the right motives. But unfortunately, Hagin (and many others) have failed to identify the fact that wrong motives are a big subject in themselves and, I believe, the reason why we don't see God's power manifest in our lives.
An Emphasis on “Great Faith”
Did you know that unbelief and a lack of faith are two different things? The Bible says that we only need a mustard seed of faith. Hagin would often write in his books that as soon as he got someone to see that they were already healed, most of the time they would get their healing straightaway. Despite this, Hagin’s teaching seemed to give the impression that believers needed to do something in order to get “great faith”.
This “great faith” was to be achieved by studying, meditating upon and confessing the Word. However, if a person does not take the basic steps to find peace by seeking to know they are right with God – they end-up going on a pursuit of performance, achievement and material gain. Then, when their efforts come to nothing, they assume that they don’t have enough faith, and so the cycle of reading the Bible, buying Christian books and confessing the Bible, continues. When these efforts seize-up, believers then revert back to doing good works in order to earn brownie points with God; or perhaps they see about increasing their financial offerings to the church.
We try to offset unbelief by reading the Word and confessing the Word, often to an obsessive degree - I know I did! But this does little to overcome a person's unbelief. When I talk about unbelief here, I am talking about the existence of contradictory belief - this is where the wrong motives come into force.
So, Hagin would write that he had a legitimate financial need. He would read the Bible about it, and simply make a statement of trust that he already had it and bingo -he received it. I believe this is a true application of faith.
I remember reading in one of Hagin’s books*, that he tried to “pray through” one time, and he got rebuked by the Holy Spirit about it. So, instead of making a performance about praying for a need he had – he simply acknowledge God’s faithfulness and trusted in him to meet his need – then he walked away, believing that it was already sorted out.
Turning Faith Teaching into a Formula
When anxious and frustrated Christians read faith teaching, they bring all of their unmet needs and unhealed hurts along and try to get things and make changes things with the belief that it will make things better. They then try to apply those faith "formulas" to get things that they think will make them feel more secure, loved, appreciated, fulfilled and happy. These people identify these so-called needs with things they can name-and-claim. They read faith teaching and believe that prosperity is something they must have in order to be genuine and effective Christians - a philosophy that fits in well with the secular way of thinking.
I cannot help but feel that these faith “formulas” become a subtle way of gaining control over the church. If the main focus is not on the grace of God in Christ – it will become some form of control. Sometimes I think that the church believes that it is things like miracles, healing and tithing that holds the church together. But this just takes the focus off Jesus and onto what man can achieve.
A Change of Focus
The focus needs to be on relationship with God, knowing His love for us, escaping a works mentality and the need to keep rules. Without condemnation we are able to fulfil the Law of Christ. I think that Word of Faith often achieves the goal of maintaining the myth of needing to keep rules, and therefore, condemnation, because it has the gift of the supernatural and provision, attached. It is the brilliance of miracles and provision that has many Christians blinded to the truth of the message of grace.
Blessings and Miracles
In "real life" it is better to live a blessed life, according to what I call the "everyday supernatural": something good happens in your life that others can pass-off as good luck, but you know that it was God.
What helped me understand this perspective of living according to blessings rather than miracles, was Andrew Wommack’s MP3 series "Blessings and Miracles" available for free download on his website: http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1000
Challenging Fixed Mindsets
If you look back on the miracles in Hagin's books, they mirror to some extent those that we read of in the Bible. The whole purpose of those miracles was to show us that the God of the Bible is the same God that loves us and participates in our lives today.
My only misgiving on this matter is that it can get people into extremes in that they seek the blessings more than the Blesser. What the miracles of the Bible were intended for was to take the limits off God. Without those limits, we are no longer restrained by fixed patterns of thinking.
These testimonies can, however, become repetitive and predictable, to the point whereby they actually constrain our thinking, I’ll give you an example:
I went through a period of several years during the charismatic movement in the late nineties, whereby I would always hear testimonies on financial provision in the same format: someone in full time ministry would have a need; they would pray to God or make the usual confessions. Then, someone in the congregation would give that minister an envelope with exactly the right money in it. It sounds ridiculous, but I honestly believed that in order to get my financial needs met I needed to go into full time ministry and pray that someone gave me an envelope with money! I couldn't see any other way because I was so used to a particular type of testimony. See how we limit ourselves?
Groundbreaking Teaching
What I've been considering recently is that it is likely that Hagin's style of faith teaching is probably not "wrong" as such and the teaching itself is not the issue.
With Hagin's teaching what we have is something of a "snapshot" of the highlights of a great man of God and his life and ministry over 5 decades or so. We don't get to read about some of the mistakes he made and all of the lessons that God, and life, taught him, which made him who he was.
Hagin was something of a "prototype" Christian (if I can use that word) in that he brought in-depth teaching of God's Word and the practicality of living faith, during a time that people still thought that the blessings and power of God were earned through works or were simply a rare and random occurrence.
I am seeking after balance, and although I'm tempted at times to feel let down by Hagin's style of faith teaching, I'm coming to see that it was right for the time. Hagin made a breakthrough with a controversial message that challenged the religious legalism at the time.
Hagin showed the world that Christian faith was a powerful, abundant and practical way of life. Hagin was left to die of illness at the age of 17 by a church that could not help him; he had to battle against a religious system that didn't believe in practical faith, miracles and spiritual gifts.
To a great extent, when it comes to Bible teaching, a lot of the time there is no such thing as right or wrong, just progression or evolution. Now, in the light of grace teaching, we can look back on Hagin's teaching and see how much we have moved on from there.
Conclusion
In summary, I believe that faith teaching by the likes of Kenneth E. Hagin is rather accurate. However, it is the misapplication of it that is the biggest problem. In light of this, I believe that Hagin's teaching is rather unbalanced and flawed for this reason. If a person tries to live according to Hagin's teaching only - he will not get very far with it, unless his motives are perfect and he is a very stable and strong character. For the rest of us, it is best to stick with Bible teachers who teach the message of grace, such as Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, Rob Rufus, Paul White and Bertie Brits - and any other good grace teachers, of course.
* Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith, by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Christian Blog of the Week Award
It was with great delight and surprise that I checked my blog today, to see that I had been awared "Christian Blog of the Week" by Cyberanger for 10th May 2009.
This is a great encouragement for me as I am rather new to blogging and was wondering if anyone was actually reading my blog posts. It has been a great passion for me to study God's Word, for a number of years. It is only now that I have begun to share this revelation with the world.
It is my prayer that there will be at least one person in the world who will be blessed by the messages in my blog. If that is the case, then all the time and effort I have put into this work - will be worth it. Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me and the revelation of Your Word by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sanctification and Renewal of the Mind
Renewing the Mind
When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, our spirit becomes born-again. The salvation experience causes our once-corrupt spirit to be renewed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. However, our minds do not become renewed, that is why Romans 12:2 says that we must re-new our minds (see also Ephesians 4:23).
This leads us to believe that an effort is required on behalf of the believer in order to renew the mind. Some would say that God will not renew the mind for us – it is something that we do in co-operation with the Holy Spirit. If our mind was renewed at the same time our spirit was born-again – then we would never think a wrong thought.
Many would agree that the process of renewing the mind includes regular study and meditation on God’s Word, particularly the message of God’s unconditional grace towards us through Christ. Some would also insist that this process also requires the believer to make some sort of effort to avoid sin, and so forth.
Right Thinking
Renewing the mind must also incorporate the necessity of thinking right thoughts. It would do us little good to study the Bible for half an hour, but to then go and worry for a couple of hours. Joseph Prince echoed the words of the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon when he said, “Right thinking produces right living.”
If our spirit is born-again, re-created in the likeness of Christ – our mind is the only place where the devil can attack and exploit us. According to James 4:7 – we are to resist the devil. How do we resist the devil? By renewing the mind with right thoughts, based on the truth of the Word. We believe that Christ defeated him once-and-for-all on the cross. We believe that the devil has no power over us. We testify to the fact that our sin was nailed to the cross and buried with Christ.
The whole realm of right thinking can drag the believer into the self-help process of positive thinking. If we are not careful, thinking the right thoughts can become a work – something that we must do for God. We should ensure that we do not allow ourselves to worry and to be laden with guilt if we find that we do not seem at times to think the right thoughts.
Thankfully, God does not relate to us on the basis of our mind, our right thinking. Neither does God see us according to our behaviour and lifestyle. No, God sees us according to what the Bible says that Jesus has already done for us. We are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11).
Right Thinking as an Act of Repentance
Most people see the Biblical concept of repentance as being a process of debasing oneself before God; feeling sorry for oneself and grovelling to God in order to seek His forgiveness – which He may or may not give, according to the seriousness of the believer’s crime.
The Greek word metanoeō is translated repent in the New Testament. According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - this word means: to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction). According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions – this word means: to change one’s mind.
There is a great deal of debate surrounding the subject of seeking God’s forgiveness each time you sin, based on 1 John 1:9. We won’t go into that subject here, but we will study this matter at a later time. Advocates of what could be described as the radical grace message – believe that a believer does not have to seek such forgiveness, as it was already given at the cross. This is a belief which I personally agree with.
Repentance is not about seeking God’s forgiveness for a sinful deed. Repentance has much more to do with making a decision to striking at a different, and right, conclusion; it is about seeing a subject in a different, and better, light. Repentance is about aligning ones thought patterns with the truth.
Work Out Your Own Salvation
Perhaps the renewal of the mind is what is meant when Paul admonished believers to work out their own salvation in Philippians 2:12?
Here is how The Message translation renders this verse:
12 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.
Philippians 2:12 msg
If we are not careful, we can end-up making a work, a fleshly effort, to work out our own salvation.
God Is the Cause of our Desires and Actions
Just as we are perhaps led to believe that we have to revert to some extent, back to rule-keeping, Paul tells us in Philippians 2:13 were that power comes from. I love Philippians 2:13, it is one of my favourite verses of scripture. For me, this verse takes away the pressure to perform as a Christian, because it lets us know that the power to live right does not come from our corrupt, flesh nature, but from God. The modern translations of the Bible really help to bring out the meaning of this verse:
13 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.
Philippians 2:13 TLB
13 For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 BBE
13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.
Philippians 2:13 GW
13 God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.
Philippians 2:13 CEV
13 For it is God who in his good will is at work in your hearts, inspiring your will and your action.
Philippians 2:13 GSNT
Sin in the Book of Romans
The book of Romans mentions the word “sin” more than any other book in the Bible. During the beginning chapters of Romans, Paul does not make any effort to exhort believers to make an effort to avoid sin. In fact, Paul lays a foundation by clearly stating that once a believer has accepted Christ as Lord, he has died to sin, once and for all (see Romans 6:11).
Romans 6 is a truly amazing chapter in the Bible which asserts through Jesus Christ we accept His sacrifice for our sins. This causes us to be dead to sin, but alive in Christ. This is not something that we achieve through our own efforts to keep rules – it is something that has already been achieved for us by Christ. We become the beneficiaries
Do Not Let Sin Reign in Your Body
In the next verse, in Romans 6:12, the emphasis changes somewhat in that Paul exhorts the believer to not let sin reign in his mortal body. So we are to liken ourselves dead to sin because of what Romans 6:11 says about us. But Romans 6:12 seems to indicate that there is a possibility of sin once again working in our mortal bodies. This seems to indicate that we have a choice as to whether we want to sin or not. This leads us to consider that we are to struggle with sin – even though the Bible says we have died to sin. Fortunately, Romans 6:14 tells us that sin will not have dominion over us because we are under grace. This message seems to have a parallel with Genesis 4:7. So it would seem that sin still exists, but it has lost its power in the lives of those who trust in Jesus. I like what The Living Bible translation of Romans 6:3, 6-7 says about sin’s power:
3 For sin's power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered.
6 Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;
7 for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you.
Romans 6:3, 6-7 TLB
This message of having a choice as to whether we sin or not, seems to be contrary to 1 John 3:9. (See also 1 John 3:9 NLT and 1 John 3:9 MSG). Romans 6:1-2 also seems to agree with 1 John 3:9.
We know from Hebrews 11:1 that faith is the process of believing that we have something that the Bible says we already have in Christ, although we do not see the evidence of it with our physical senses. Perhaps then this explains the contrast between Romans 6:1-2 and Romans 6:12? Our ability to live godly lives, free of sin, is dependant on our faith: it is according to what we believe. If it is according to our belief then it has a lot to do with our thinking.
Romans 13:12 indicates that we are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. In Romans 13:13 Paul admonishes believers to walk properly. We know that the Bible uses the term “walk” as a metaphor to mean a person’s lifestyle and behaviour. Paul continues in verse 13 saying that we should not walk in revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife or envy. Romans 13:14 continues by saying we should put on Christ and not make any provision for the flesh. This seems to indicate that there is something that the believer must do – rather than reflecting upon what Christ has already done for us.
Sanctification as a Process of Development
Perhaps then, we can conclude that we a both already sanctified and being sanctified according to Hebrews 10:14. We are being sanctified under grace – not under law. That means that the divine nature is something that outworks in our lives in a piecemeal fashion. It is all about a relationship with the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ. This relationship is through fellowship with God through study of the Word, prayer and praise. As we develop our relationship with God in this way, the Holy Spirit and the divine nature that He provides, becomes more and more real to us.
1 Peter 5:10 seems to indicate that believers are to suffer a while in a process by which God will eventually perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
This brings us onto the concept of patience being an attribute which we are not equipped with in the first instance, but something which develops in us through trials. (See James 1:2-3). The book of James is considered by many Grace Christians as being rather legalistic – like an extension of the Gospels, which were intended to bring a man to the end of his own efforts. However, Paul himself seems to repeat this message in Romans 5:3. The same Greek word, hupomonē, translated patience or perseverance, appears in both of these verses.
The Divine Nature as Fruit of the Spirit
Paul likens the attributes of the divine nature to fruit, in that they develop and grow in our life through experience. The Message translation of Galatians 5:22-23 brings out this metaphoric meaning:
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,
23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
Galatians 5:22-23 msg
I like the way that the end of verse 23 spells out that is all about God’s grace – not our own efforts through legalism: Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
Conclusion
This study can have one of two effects on believers:
1. It can help them better relate to their lifestyle, which may not match-up to what they see as being the requirements set-out in the Bible. This lightens the load in terms of guilt, as we see that it is not about our efforts to be holy – but about allowing God to work in our lives and allowing God’s nature to become a part of us.
2. It can cause a person to resist this discussion in that he asserts that the Bible says that he has no sin. Therefore, he has no consciousness of sin – so the matter is not worth discussing beyond that. Perhaps if we consider that we are becoming holy, when the Bible says we already are, then perhaps we will never become holy – because holiness is always a future-based thing. Consider Word of Faith teaching that asserts we ought to only consider that we are healed right now – not that we will be healed sometime.
I believe that the way we ought to see renewal of the mind, is that it is a process that we go though over time, by fellowshipping with God in the Word and in prayer – in order to discover more and more, day-by-day, what the Bible says we already are in Christ.
Joyce Meyer and Positive Thinking
During this time, I gained of great deal of revelation through Joyce Meyer’s Podcast messages, which I would listen to walking to and from my home to work. I found that Joyce preached a powerful, challenging yet encouraging message. I felt that Joyce’s teaching really helped to straighten out my thinking and caused me to re-evaluate some of the mindsets that I had held onto for so long.
Joyce would preach about the need to check your beliefs, attitudes and motives. I wondered to myself how I could ever straighten-out my unredeemed soul with loosing and binding, if I did not appreciate what were correct beliefs, attitudes and motives.
Joyce taught about the need to think positive thoughts and to speak the Word of God whenever you found yourself worrying. This kind of teaching emphasised the importance for thinking and speaking correctly, with the understanding that how you think and the words you speak, can greatly influence every aspect of your life. I heartily agreed with this teaching, which mirrored that of many world-renowned Bible teachers, including Kenneth E. Hagin.
The standard teaching on the subject tells believers that when a negative thought comes into their mind, they are to immediately replace it with a positive thought; when a believer begins to worry and says negative things, they are to speak the Word of God and tell themselves who they are in Christ. So if the devil tells you that you can’t do anything right, you respond by saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
However, with the power of loosing at my disposal – I had the ability to loose negative emotions in an instant.
Joyce would preach about the need to check your beliefs, attitudes and motives. I wondered to myself how I could ever straighten-out my unredeemed soul with loosing and binding, if I did not appreciate what were correct beliefs, attitudes and motives.
Joyce taught about the need to think positive thoughts and to speak the Word of God whenever you found yourself worrying. This kind of teaching emphasised the importance for thinking and speaking correctly, with the understanding that how you think and the words you speak, can greatly influence every aspect of your life. I heartily agreed with this teaching, which mirrored that of many world-renowned Bible teachers, including Kenneth E. Hagin.
The standard teaching on the subject tells believers that when a negative thought comes into their mind, they are to immediately replace it with a positive thought; when a believer begins to worry and says negative things, they are to speak the Word of God and tell themselves who they are in Christ. So if the devil tells you that you can’t do anything right, you respond by saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
However, with the power of loosing at my disposal – I had the ability to loose negative emotions in an instant.
Life after the Kingdom Keys
I struggled in this manner for about two years later. During that time, I found that my beliefs, attitudes and motives once again underwent yet another level of refinement and adjustment. I began to step back from Kenneth E. Hagin’s faith teaching principles, and concentrated more on God’s personal revelation to me concerning the divine nature through faith in Christ.
I also spent time seeking to understand more about the workings of the unredeemed nature. I must admit, I felt at times that I was going crazy, with the church’s unceasing emphasis on what believer’s can do for God, instead of what Christ has already done for us.
Thankfully, much of what the Lord was revealing to me regarding the divine nature corresponded with the teachings of pastor Joseph Prince: Senior Pastor of New Creation Church in Singapore. Pastor Prince has brought a very powerful and much-needed revelation to the church world regarding God’s grace for the believer in Christ. I had not considered the concept of righteousness being so important, until I listened to Pastor Prince’s teaching. I had been striving to get the divine nature living and working in me. Yet little did I realise that the key to obtaining the divine nature and everything else that the Bible promised – was to simply believe that you have right-standing with God through Jesus Christ and what He has already done for us.
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