“1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.
3 You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.
4 You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:1-4
Looking unto other methods; other vain philosophies, education and knowledge, many wars have started. Lusting for our will and not the Lord’s Will, we ask amiss so that we may consume it upon our own lusts. We presume the Will of God instead of seek the Will of God. The majority of the churches has become a friend of the world and an enemy of God.
The problem in the church today is that they have looked, considered and believed every solution to man’s problem that the world has to offer and have done nothing more than give a mental nod to the ONLY answer which besets every Believer and that is the Cross of Christ Jesus. We’ve asked but we asked amiss. Our faith is in our doings; our declarations and decrees rather than the Finished Work of the Lord. We are superstitious and believe not the Cross of Christ is sufficient. Our many good works are as Cain’s sacrifice before the Lord. We are sincere but sincerely wrong. The object of our faith for daily living for God self and the means intellect, talent, abilities, etc..
“15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:15-16
Hear me friend, Jesus Christ is the ONLY Source and HIS Cross is the ONLY means by which we receive from God. Church membership, 40 days of purpose, 21 days of fasting, water baptism, and penance are NOT the Source nor the means by which we make Heaven our home. Doing these many good works are not consecration, they are ambition…ambitious works in hopes to obtain Salvation.
Salvation is a gift from God and it only comes by and through Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Victorious daily living for God is a gift from God and it too only comes by and through Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This IS the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone is the One Who can isolate the sin nature we are all born with due to Adam’s fall and He (the Holy Spirit) only superintends the work of God in our hearts as we look unto the Cross of Christ.
Look and live. Look unto Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Fight the good fight of faith. Be determined to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Contend for the faith.
There are many today who do many religious works but their hearts are far from the Lord. With their mouths they do worship Him but they are receiving not because they are asking not and when they do ask, they ask amiss.
“21 Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Seek Him while He may be found. Good works, casting out devils and prophesying in the Name of the Lord are not requirements of Salvation. The Eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him. His Arm is not shortened. No matter the pit of which you may find yourself in, call on His Name…the Name of Jesus Christ; the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings. He still Saves the lost. He still sets at liberty the bound and opens blind eyes. Seek Him and you will find Him. He has a robe and a crown just for you!!
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 