Monday 25 November 2013

The Oracles of God


Scripture: Hebrews 5 v 12 - Hebrews 6 v 3.


It is the desire of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher, and the will of God that each one of us would move past the oracles of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ into the deeper teachings or strong meat that He has for us.

So much of church doctrine is based on the basics that we are in danger of becoming very fat babies instead of robust men and women of God.  The first principles are listed in Hebrews 6 v 1-2.

Paul writes: let us go on to perfection NOT Repeating over and over the foundation of repentance from dead works. He means for us to stop quibbling about past sins, hurts, injustices, bad memories, broken relationships or untimely deaths. These things hold us back and keep us on a treadmill of self pity.

There is a chorus that says: So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship, Jesus Christ the Lord. Stop worrying about yourself and get busy serving the Lord by being a blessing to others. Make Jesus real to them through your testimony. You may be the last person they speak to so make your words count towards eternity.

Paul says the preaching concerning faith towards God is baby food. Rather go out and exercise your faith, building it up by trusting God to answer prayer. You need to believe you can walk on water like Peter did. Or change water into wine. Or curse a fig tree. Jesus gave us examples of what Adam lost for humanity, but which He restored.

Lay hands on the sick and believe Jesus within you to heal them. He may not heal all of them but He will change their lives in some way.  Sitting Sunday after Sunday hearing the doctrine of laying on of hands preached, does not heal the sick. Jesus said in Mark 16 - Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Exercise your faith by doing what Jesus commanded His followers and the results will grow your faith, obedience, ministry more than 20 sermons on the first principles.

What is the milk of the Word?  What is strong meat? Hebrews 5 v 13 says, "Everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." In 1 Peter 2 v 2 "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby."

My spiritual life changed dramatically when God began to open up the hidden treasures in secret places in His Word. You have to get to the point of desiring to know the secrets of God.

Many people have not yet ventured into using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are part of the milk of the Word to help you grow. They are found in 1 Corinthians 12. The more you wisely use these gifts the more you understand the depths and greatness of God. Through the gifts His secrets are revealed; mysteries explained; miracles proclaimed. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the Treasury of jewels and pearls of wisdom that you will find nowhere else.

Prayer: Heavenly Father it so delights You when Your children explore the hidden treasures of Your Kingdom. Lead us to these wonderful places to enjoy Your bounty. In Jesus' name. Amen.