Have We Been With Jesus?

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13

Have we been with Jesus?

There is a weight carried by those who see the apathy and complacency in our land. A pain within the hearts of those who feel the call of God to deeper and higher things. His word opens to those who sense a responsibility to cry out in the darkness. The necessity to speak must be greater than the vessel’s capacity to withhold. The need to present God far outweighs the desire for acceptance.

Long-Suffering

Long-suffering is the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit. It is not an attribute of the flesh, but a quality of a heart captured by the love of God. “Love suffers long…”, within the heart of His own there is a continual cry to present to His church His Call to sanctification and discipleship.

Sin is the cause for the suffering of humanity.
Love is the reason for suffering in the godly.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12

Christ left us an example by enduring the ultimate suffering.

“For consider Him that endured
such contradiction of sinners against Himself…”
Hebrews 12:3

Let us consider Him who endured the contradiction of sinners, who suffered long in the midst of a perverse and lost generation. The greatest contradiction was from His own people who, in their blindness and religious ambition, condemned Him to death, even the death of the Cross. Those who follow to know Him must experience, in some small way, the same rejection.

“Love suffers long, Love endures all things.”

To whatever measure we are held in love’s sway,
there will be a corresponding expression of its virtues.

By contrast, apathy cares little, speaks smooth words, is pragmatic and remains uninvolved in the conflicts between light and darkness. It hides itself in religious garments of false humility and indifference, just as the priest and the Levite who passed by the man who lay beaten in the streets. In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus tells us to “go and DO likewise,” as the despised Samaritan who involved himself in the lives of others.

The true love of God necessitates involvement and personal risk. The religion of men produces methods, programs and powerless living, all of which alleviate us from doing His Will. May the Lord save us from empty words which lack the one essential element: Love. The effective preaching of the Word must be fueled by the fire of the Love of God to make Him known in this world.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
Ephesians 3:8

The Grace of God received is revealed in the “necessity” to preach among those to whom the vessel is sent, “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Where His love abides, there can be no desire to draw men and women to ourselves. It is not about a church, an organization or earthly agendas; we live to make Him known! Grace received can have no other heart!

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:17

There is no room for self-promotion or boasting; it is a burden of “necessity” to preach the Gospel. There is an unction and a fire that burns within those who hold a glimmer of His beauty and wonder. It is a weak gospel that robs His people of the purity and the power of this Love. There is nothing casual about those inspired by His grace.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine…”
2 Timothy 4:2

Tepid lives are the result of ministers who love the accolades of men more than the approval of God.

Where are those who feel the pangs of “necessity” to make Him known in this day? May God pour out upon us a grace that produces lives compelled by the Love of God to make Him known. May He save us from our slumber, indifference and ungodly apathy, speaking of “deep” things yet revealing our shallowness through unremarkable living. Save us from a confession of faith while living unaffected by its press to make Him known.

It is time for a new generation to arise who will “Preach the Word” with conviction and strong exhortations that His church may arise out of the slumber brought about by those who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
Romans 1:18 (ESV)

His wrath is coming upon all who “suppress” God’s truth, who rob it of its fire and intensity. Those who seek to draw people unto themselves, using God’s Name in vain, will stand condemned in the day of Judgment.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine…”
2 Timothy 4:2

Where there is no fire, His Word has been compromised. His word sets forth the character, the fire and the temper of heart of those who are “His ministers”.

“The [One] who is making His messengers spirits,
and His ministers a flame of fire.”
Hebrews 1:7 (LSV)

Related Article: Are We Taught of God?

“Oh ! for this baptism of fire! when every spoken word for Jesus shall be a thunderbolt,
and every prayer shall bring forth a mighty flood.”
A. E. KITTREDGE

Brian Troxel