Tag: redemption

His Bride – Part Nine

His Bride

Part Nine

“Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,
and thy speech is lovely”
Song of Songs 4:3

The loveliness of the Bride of Christ is found not only in her appearance but also in her speech. The scarlet speaks of redemption and salvation. It speaks of a grace which proceeds from the redemptive work of Christ within the believer’s heart. From the redeemed heart flows the words which speak of Him, His grace and His salvation. The lips are the gateway which reveal the abundant wonder of Christ Himself. What the heart treasures the mouth speaks; such is the law of nature. This law is universal and undeniable. The wicked as well as the righteous will eventually reveal the true state of their heart by the words they speak. As James declared “so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh”.

“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”
Matthew 12:34

The heart of the Bride is consumed by HIM and her words are seasoned with her singular love and devotion unto Him. Issues in the daily common course of both her private and public life will convey the Lordship of Christ. Redemption speaks of something far more than just forgiveness; it speaks of ownership. It is the transaction of a lost soul which has been bought at great cost from the slavery to sin and Satan unto the possession of Christ.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…”
Psalm 107:2

The redemption of her life is revealed in the words of her speech. She has been overcome with His beauty, His magnificence, and His redeeming love for her. She cannot but speak of Him. She dares not sully His love with impure and unclean words. Her relationship with Him has brought great changes within and it is from here that the words of Christ proceed. The Law of the Spirit of His Life working to bring her into a greater dominion unto Himself. In her growing relationship with Him she discovers the divine enablement to have her speech seasoned with the grace and wisdom of God. Over time, Love’s influence causes heart-to-heart interactions with a growing surrender of her heart unto His. It is the Divine romance in which the dominion of the Redeemer woos the heart of His beloved by the cords of His Love, Mercy and Grace (a three-fold cord is not easily broken Ecclesiastes 4:12). The Laws of Religion cannot interfere with the power of His grip of a love so deep and mysterious in its workings it “surpasses all understanding.” Fear of judgement and retribution fade within the hold of such a Love. Fear of His judgement is replaced with a fear of missing Him within the conduct of her life. This fear is rooted in Love because He is the joy and sole desire of her heart. The Law of the Spirit at work within brings her to a sense and consciousness of His abiding presence. It is here that the breath of Him inspires the great prayer of her heart:

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer”
Psalm 19:14

This cry for purity and authenticity arises unto Him because He is her redeemer. Only love can hold the human heart to the high and lofty call of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom…”
Psalm 37:30

Ω

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips”
Psalm 141:3

Brian Troxel

The Cedar-Wood excerpt from New Book

The Cedar-Wood

The Fragrance and Stature
of Christ

“As for the living bird, he shall take it,
and the cedar wood,
and the scarlet, and the hyssop,
and shall dip them and the living bird
in the blood of the bird that was killed
over the running water”
Leviticus 14:6

The cedar wood in the scriptures speaks of stature, character and the fragrance of a life in Christ. In the description presented in the Law of the Leper the cedar-wood is immersed in the blood-water of the dead bird. This is a picture of all who are being transformed by the blood-water provision of Christ within our hearts. The blood of Christ speaking of the forgiveness of the sinner and the running water presenting to us the continual cleansing of the Living Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). These two perpetual ministrations of Christ enable us t0 walk and grow in the healing power of His resurrection.

The cedar wood presented here is in type of a fragrant stature that is to arise out of the ministration of the blood and water. This same Christ came by water and blood and it is in our following of Him in the regeneration of our whole being whereby we are made alive by the wonder of His life.

“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ;
not by water only, but by water and blood”
1 John 5:6

It is in us being forgiven and cleansed from our leprous condition that the new man will arise and begin to grow into the likeness of the second Adam. The Cedar Wood is immersed into the blood-water communicating to us of a stature and a character which is the effect of the Spirit of God in our hearts. It is not of works, teachings or self-effort by which this new life is revealed. The immersion of the cedar wood speaks to us of something far more than just a random or casual walk with God; it speaks to us of a full yielding of our life unto Him alone who can heal, restore and cause us to walk in resurrection life! Water Baptism is but a sign of this full committal of our life to Him.

True Character is the result of a new nature and that new nature can only be known through the medium of a new birth.

The cedar-wood not only speaks of stature and character but also of a life that is fragrant and impervious to rot and decay. It is a life resilient to the decaying forces of the world and maintains its fragrance in all circumstances. This is not the product of self-effort; it is the sweet odor sent forth from the cedar because that is its nature. It is essential for us to understand that only by virtue of the new birth are men capable of being partakers of the divine nature! As we believe and live within the promises of God, by faith, there springs a Nature which enables us to live beyond the resources of our miserable selves. The dregs of that old Adamic life must give way to the fountain of His life flowing through our own. This fragrance and immunity to the decay of this world is dependent upon the life of the Son becoming our source. Only as we live as a branch drawing in and abiding in the life of the vine will the fruit of the Spirit abound in us.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”
John 15:1-5

Spiritual fruit within the life of any one in Christ is the result of relationship not teaching. It is as we obey His voice within our own hearts that the fruit of the Spirit is formed. Those who do not obey cannot abide within the wonder of the flow of His life. In the parable above (John 15:2)  the branches reveal their abiding in Him by bearing fruit! If there is no fruit, there is no live connection to the vine. Men who hold to religious teachings and doctrines may have an appearance of a branch but the vitality of the life of the vine no longer flows. Fruit is the unconscious expression of the nature of a thing.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”
Matthew 7:20

We are not to know men by their words but by their fruits. The fragrance of the cedar is unmistakable.

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ,
unto the glory and praise of God”
Philippians 1:11

Amazingly the fragrance of the cedar lingers long after it is dead for it is an expression of God’s eternal nature. Men and women who have lived and walked in the power of an abiding relationship continue to minister the things of God long after they have passed on from this world.

“A good man leaveth an inheritance
to his children’s children”
Proverbs 13:22

“By faith Abel offered unto God
a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he obtained witness that he was righteous,
God testifying of his gifts:
and by it he being dead yet speaketh”
Hebrews 11:4

Brian Troxel

A Dire Warning

FOUR WORDS
FOR
AMERICA

“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”
DANIEL 5:25

PART TWO

JUDGEMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD

“For the time is come that judgment
MUST begin at the house of God”
1 PETER 4:17

The judgment of God IS COME to America. She has been weighed and measured and found wanting. Great division and strife will be the outcome. Desolation and burning will be the reward for her ways and her works. God is Holy, He is Pure and Righteous. In order for His righteous judgments to proceed He must begin at His Own House; it would be hypocritical for Him to do otherwise. He must have a purified house before He can rightly judge the world (II Corinthians 10:6).

The “church” of today in America has become worldly and wise with a wisdom that is of the earth. She has forsaken the CALL to be a light unto the world and a revelation of the Living Christ; she has become worldly, trading her heavenly call for a worldly one. Rather than standing in prayer for the nation she has become political, secular and adversarial. She has forsaken the spiritual weapons which are mighty and taken on carnal weapons to fight within the realm of politics and reason. Rather than praying for the leaders of the nation this church has become carnal, contentious and rebellious. The weapons she now wields will bring judgment and persecution upon her and this is GOD’S DOING.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks,
be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth”
1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4

Not once in the entire New Testament did Paul ever mention Nero, the Roman leader who was ferociously persecuting the Christians of his day. Not once did Paul mention the Roman assault on Jerusalem; for the Kingdom Paul and the rest of the Apostles were preaching WAS NOT OF THIS WORLD! Jesus said to Pilate…

“My kingdom is not of this world:
IF my kingdom were of this world,
THEN would my servants fight…”
JOHN 18:36

The “church” of America has in large part declared, by her actions, that in fact her kingdom is of this world. She has declared this by taking up the carnal weapons of political warfare, by speaking evil of dignitaries and seeking to influence the world around her by legislation rather than by the revelation of Jesus Christ. She has sought to change the world by political force instead of spiritual reality. Jesus said to render to Caesar that which was Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s. We are plainly told this world is passing away and we are to look toward the Day of His Kingdom. We are not to become entangled in the affairs of this world. When the Church ceases to be a light to the nation, darkness and deception will readily fill the vacuum.

God must judge a church that has become worldly and carnal. The idea of God judging His House is a foreign concept to the church of our day (read the Book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3)! Yet we read plainly in 1 Peter 4:17 that the Judgment of God MUST BEGIN AT HIS HOUSE! WILL WE NOT LISTEN, WILL WE NOT TURN AWAY FROM THE CARNALITY, WORLDLINESS AND SIN that so plagues us? JUDGEMENT MUST BEGIN AT GOD’S HOUSE. Let us read this as a dire warning of what is about to unfold.

PERSECUTION

There is a persecution that is about to break forth in a fury of unprecedented proportions. It is because the church has failed to represent HIM and instead has become proud and arrogant. She has become “rich and increased with goods… and has needed nothing” from God. She is unaware of her own spiritual condition and the horror of her wantonness and worldly desire. She has settled in this world with an ease and comfort as the result of the “deceitfulness of riches”. Her kingdom is of this earth, her power has become political and, like Samson, she has laid her head in the bosom of the world and lost her anointing and forsaken her call.

SAMSON
(A PICTURE OF HOPE AND RESURRECTION)

Like Samson she has been blinded and bound and great will be the fall. The world will make sport of her. She will be mocked and her persecution will be a sport to the world; a means of entertainment for all to see. Yet in her humiliation and brokenness there will be a turning and a repentance. She will remember her call. She will return to her place as a beautiful bride willing to sacrifice her life to see the will of God fulfilled in the earth! She will arise anew and great will be the power and glory that results from the Judgment of God upon her. The fury of the Judgment that is about to fall will be devastating and horrific. The savageness of it will be beyond comprehension. Many Christians will take up arms to fight against that which is coming and they will fall as surely as all who have done so throughout the history of the church. However, there will be a people who will turn and repent, who will humble themselves under the hand of the Almighty GOD to find grace and mercy in this time.

“And when these things BEGIN to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.”
LUKE 21:28

The judgment and humbling of the Church will result in the purification and restoration of her place of authority in God. When this is finished, when our obedience unto Him is complete and full, then God will Judge the Nations with a Rod of Iron. The Judgments* linger UNTIL the Obedience of God’s people is complete.

“…having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,
WHEN YOUR obedience is fulfilled”
2 CORINTHIANS 10:6

A FINAL WORD

“Gather yourselves together,
yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
BEFORE the decree bring forth,
BEFORE the day pass as the chaff,
BEFORE the fierce anger of the LORD
come upon you,
BEFORE the day of the LORD’S anger
come upon you.
SEEK ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth,
which have wrought his judgment;
SEEK righteousness, SEEK meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid
in the day of the LORD’S anger”
ZEPHANIAH 2:1-3

*NOTE: The Judgments of God are predicated upon His People and their obedience and spiritual condition. This is why God must Judge His Own House first.

1. Jesus said that His coming would be as it was in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26) “God waited while the Ark was preparing…”(1Peter 3:20). God waited for Noah to complete the building of the Ark before the Judgment of God could fall in Noah’s day.
2. Jesus said that His coming would be as it was in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-30). God’s Judgments could not fall on Sodom until Lot had come out of her… (Genesis 15:19-26)

“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom
it rained fire and brimstone from heaven,
and destroyed them all.
Even thus shall it be in the
day when the Son of man is revealed”
Luke 17:29-30

We see in the Book of Revelation the voice of God calling His people to come out of her (Babylon)… for if we partake of her sins we will surely partake of her plagues…

“And I heard another voice from heaven,
saying, Come out of her, MY PEOPLE,
that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you,
and double unto her double
according to her works:
in the cup which
she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself,
and lived deliciously,
so much torment and sorrow give her:
for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen,
and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day,
death, and mourning, and famine;
and she shall be utterly burned with fire:
for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her”
REVELATION 18:4-8

Brian Troxel

After having received this word from the Lord several months ago
I confess my own lack of praying for my own country and its leaders
and my own need for change. It is a day for turning, it is a day
for the people to rend our hearts for the day is upon us for our
God is no respecter of persons.

TITUS 2:14 PART FOUR

TITUS 2:14

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar* people,
zealous of good works.”
Titus 2:14

PART FOUR

“The Private Purse”

May the Spirit of truth impress upon our heart the reason why He gave Himself for us; “that He might…. purify unto Himself a peculiar people.” Not only to redeem us from something but more importantly unto something. The church in our day as a whole has as its focus that we have been redeemed; how true and wonderful that is. But redemption’s purpose is not simply to grant us forgiveness that we might go out and live our lives unto ourselves, but rather that we live unto HIM. The very Greek word for redemption used here implies more than something paid to obtain release. It speaks of the very release itself. Religion is very content with a legal statement; in the New Testament there is a Greek Word that is also translated redeem to convey this thought. But a heart that desires truth sees this as the starting point not the end. Paul is stressing here the reality of this truth; to be redeemed is unto something and that something is a purified life unto Him. In the very process of becoming purified unto Him we become a peculiar people! We hear all kinds of puns about the people of God being peculiar in reference to something other than a good thing. But, the English word peculiar is from a Latin word* that means a private purse. The implication of the private purse is one where special and private resources have been set aside for those who are in Christ Jesus. This word was used to describe a special fund which was appointed for the training, supporting and financing of a family member which was  outside or in addition to the regular allowance for the household. In other words the people of God should be experiencing a life that has additional resources to which those outside of the New Covenant have no access! This is a build on the original Greek word used here and is the only time it is used in the entire New Testament. The Greek Word “periousios” comes from two Greek Words “peri” (beyond) and “ousia” (substance or being) commonly used words such as abundance, exceeding, and others are dim expressions of all that this word implies. In other words, HE has come that we might live beyond the substance of our own resources! It is with such things in view that the scripture declares…

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them
that love him.”
I Corinthians 2:9

Purified unto a peculiar people by the redemptive ACT of God! Purified until the motive of our heart is single; for if “our eye be single, our body is full of light”. If in all our trials God has produced in us a pure heart we will with single purpose seek to glorify HIM in them. If there are other motives at work the trials will reveal those and we then have the opportunity to allow HIM to burn off the dross that the purity of HIS heart may shine forth. The Christian life is not a life that is lived in the absence of trials but one in which through the trials we begin to discover the “private purse”. We learn how to draw from the abundant resources of the living Christ that in every circumstance we might live unto the Glory of HIS Holy Name. The private purse; a hidden resource of which this world knows nothing. A power that flows out of weakness, a richness that is freely given out of poverty and a life that is lived to a fullness out of death. Such wonder and power is ours by the God of all Grace taking upon Himself the initiative of redeeming us “from all iniquity… unto HIMSELF!” May the truth of these things stir our hearts afresh to walk in the power, the life and the Glory that is ours in Christ Jesus.

“Now unto HIM that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless
before the presence of HIS Glory
with exceeding joy.
To the only wise GOD our saviour,
be glory and majesty, dominion and power,
both NOW and ever, AMEN.”
Jude 1:24 – 25

*NOTE: Περιούσιος is from the participle of περιεῖναι to be over and above: hence περιουσία abundance, plenty. Περιούσιος also means possessed over and above, that is, specially selected for one’s own; exempt from ordinary laws of distribution. Hence correctly represented by peculiar, derived from peculium, a private purse, a special acquisition of a member of a family distinct from the property administered for the good of the whole family. (Vincent Word Studies)

The Authorized Version “peculiar” expresses the sense exactly, and the περιούσιος of our text and of the LXX., from whom it is borrowed, is meant to define either that special reserved portion of a man’s property over and above what he spends for ordinary expenses, which nobody can interfere with, or those jewels on which he sets a special value, and places safely in his treasury. (The Pulpit Commentary)

The thought expressed here is two-fold.

  1. Where the purified believer has access to a private purse of provision and supply above and beyond the ordinary provisions of the regular house-hold
  2. The purified believer is to become a “peculiar” or set apart possession of the master of the house. This is speaking of a sanctified life where the one which has been set aside for a “peculiar” purpose is a prized possession of the Master.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these,
he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master’s use…”
2 Timothy 2:21

Brian Troxel

TITUS 2:14 PART THREE

TITUS 2:14

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.”
Titus 2:14

PART THREE

THE LAW OF LIFE

To fully appreciate what true salvation is, its depth and its power we must first comprehend what it is we are saved from and unto. Words like sin, iniquity, transgressions, evil, unrighteousness and many others used in the scriptures must be more than mere religious clichés. To the average Christian sin is just something wrong in thought or deed without any degree of an understanding of what it actually is. So it is with the word used here for iniquity. It is a Greek word used 17 times in the New Testament. The actual Greek word is anomia and it’s meaning simplified means “without law”, “lawlessness”. Iniquity is a state where men will not or cannot conform to the Law. It can apply to the judicial laws of Government, Laws of Society, and cultural laws but in the scriptures it ultimately refers to the Law of God. It took a redemptive ACT of God to bring our lives into a place of living within the glory and freedom of HIS LAW!

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:7 – 8

The carnal mind by its very nature is enmity AGAINST God. Not only is it lawless by choice it also has no capacity to be subject to the law of God. The very offering of Jesus Christ was to REDEEM us from this condition whereby we are redeemed from all Lawlessness. He has come that we might be free to live within the wonder and glory of His Law. What is this LAW? Men immediately think of some code of religious “do and don’ts” and that is one of the reasons the Church is so divided, sectarian and powerless. May God give us eyes to see! The New Testament has a LAW. It is a law of power, glory, freedom and true relationship! IT IS CALLED the LAW OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS! We have been redeemed so that we might LIVE within grip of this life James refers to it as the PERFECT LAW of LIBERTY. John spoke of it as the Light of Life; Paul speaks in Romans of the Law of Faith. Can we not see that when we live in iniquity (lawlessness) that we are placing ourselves outside of the Sphere of this LOVE, this POWER and this FREEDOM.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:2 – 4

Why would we want to live anywhere else! Everything that is not governed by the LAW of LIFE in Christ Jesus is iniquity! To live outside of the Law of Life is to find ourselves subject to another law, the law of sin and death. The only reason men can submit to the Law of God is because they have been redeemed! The depth of that redemptive work is revealed by the life that we live. The power to live within the dynamic of this law of life is expressed in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This is the Kingdom, and blessed are they who enter into the beauty of Holiness. Freedom from self, freedom from all lawlessness, freedom to live and choose of HIS Good will is true life indeed.

“The purpose of Christ’s redeeming work
was to make it possible for bad men to become
good—deeply, radically, and finally.”
A. W. TOZER (1897–1963)

Brian Troxel

TITUS 2:14 PART TWO

TITUS 2:14

PART TWO

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.”
Titus 2:14

PART II

“that HE might redeem us from ALL iniquity”

Jesus said “you do err (are deceived Greek) not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God” (Mathew 22:29). The New Testament clearly presents us with the truth that the obedience of Christ is of greater power than the disobedience of Adam. Yet we constantly hear that there is no “real” complete victory over sin in this life. We are told these statements are merely “positional” and not really actual. By our very confession of such things we declare that the disobedience of Adam is of greater authority in our lives than the obedience of Christ! How can such things be? He gave Himself for us, on our behalf, that we might be redeemed from ALL iniquity! Deception is anything that keeps us from apprehending, understanding and living in the power and glory of the life that is IN Christ Jesus. Deception comes from not knowing the scriptures NOR the power of God. Here we have the clear statement “…that HE might redeem us from ALL iniquity…” Not some iniquity, or most iniquity, or in some theological positional – based teaching that tells us we are already totally free while ignoring the total contradiction all around us. ALL. Wrong thinking produces wrong living. Look around today and see the effects of our “believe and be blessed” teaching. Look at the passive “faith” and what it has produced. To know the substance of a thing, we must see what it produces. This is a day to rend our hearts and return to the life of Love, Joy and Authority that is the fruit of a true knowledge of the scriptures AND the power of God. Anything less than this Jesus called deception! The life of Faith is referred to throughout the scriptures as a fight, as a victory and as a power that is able to reveal HIM in the best and the worst of circumstances.

Whenever there is a contradiction between our lives and the scriptures we must acknowledge that the contradiction is in our hearts. When we are confronted with these things we have a choice to either circumvent the clear declaration of the Word by “clever” teachings or turn our hearts unto the ONE that can make us the righteousness of God in Christ. The life of Faith is one of pursuit. “I press toward the mark…” This is not a vain pursuit, it is a pursuit that is convinced that the provision has been made, the power is there and the “Author” of that Faith is committed to the bringing us into to ALL that HE IS!

We think we can ignore WAY and somehow have knowledge of the TRUTH. We think we can ignore the TRUTH and somehow walk in the LIFE. This is DECEPTION. The WAY is a life of surrender and discipleship, the TRUTH is a POWER not an opinion, the LIFE is HIM reigning in us. This LIFE is the FRUIT of those who WALK in the WAY, empowered by the TRUTH unto the revelation of HIS LIFE in us. The early Church did not meet the WAY we meet today, nor did they have the “teachings” that we have today. But we have not shaken the world as they did. In the purposes of God, the Glory of the latter house shall EXCEED the glory of the former. God always saves the best wine for the last!

Let us arise in this hour to shake off the disillusionment of all that is around us that is the product of a system that is the culmination of a stagnant faith and the tradition of men. For the tradition of men will always render the Word of God powerless (Mathew 15:6); the very scriptures tell us that! For the Word is empowered and made real only through the FAITH of God working in our lives.

“Let us therefore FEAR,
lest a promise being left us of entering into HIS rest,
any of you should seem to come short of it.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:
BUT THE WORD PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM,
not being mixed with FAITH…”
Hebrews 4:1 – 2

We are here exhorted that we should fear if there is in our lives a coming short of entering into HIS rest. We are coming short. Why is there such complacency within the people of God? Why is there no godly fear left? It is because we know HIM not. We have accepted the teachings of men instead of the truth of God. We have accepted the “way of the world” rather than the WAY of TRUTH, and we have accepted the “carnal life” of good reason, prudence and convenience instead of the LIFE of FAITH and TRUST. We have a church life that is run like any corporation of the world and we wonder why we live a life that resembles the life of the world. We are segmented and divided and wonder why the world cannot see the truth. (They shall know that you are my disciples because you love one another). We no longer see the value of our brothers and sisters or even recognize them as such because the average believer sits passively on a pew no longer even aware that we have an obligation and a responsibility for the condition of His house. We will be held accountable for what we have done with HIS precious life. We have men who delight in the current arrangement as they hold sway over the “faith” of “their” flock. Rather, the ministers of God should be “weeping between the porch and the altar” over the condition of GOD’S House. We have our churches, our fellowships, our pastors, our teachers, our prophets and our apostles and do not know that this is CARNAL. “For one says I am of Paul, another I am of Apollos… are ye not CARNAL?” (I Corinthians 2:4)

It is a day to repent, a day to turn from these things, and a day to seek HIS WAY, HIS TRUTH and HIS LIFE. For these are the last days; the sacrifice has been made and the invitations sent. WHO WILL RESPOND? The Marriage Feast of the Bridegroom will be full and it will be attended only by those who have “their wedding garments on”. The garments of this present day will not suffice. We read that the “Bride hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7), she is clothed in the righteousness of God and she is glorious within and without. This glorious bride will not arise without the functioning and ministration of the individual believers of Christ operating in the Love and Power of HIS LIFE (Ephesians 4:15 – 16). We need one another. We need to love one another and we must function in HIS LIFE to empower one another unto godliness and true charity.

“And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”
Ephesians 4:32

“We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own,
or to enjoy spiritual retirement, we are here to realize Jesus Christ
that the Body of Christ may be built up”
Oswald Chambers

Brian Troxel

HEART OF A PRIEST PART FOUR

HEART OF A PRIEST

PART FOUR

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones,
are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”
I Peter 2:4 – 5

The language of the New Covenant is one that conveys the thought, power and purpose of God in His people. We are living stones by VIRTUE of coming to THE LIVING STONE. In coming to HIM we learn, discover and partake of HIS qualities and heart. There can be no building up into a corporate expression that glorifies HIM if we are not walking in HIS TRUTH, LIKENESS and CHARACTER. We ARE living stones (plural) that are being (present tense) built into a Spiritual HOUSE (singular) for HIS GLORY. It is not a church building; it is not a ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher). Rather it is a CORPORATE HOLY PRIESTHOOD that will in truth offer SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES UNTO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. The only purpose of the individual ministrations in HIS HOUSE is to PRODUCE this priesthood within the lives of the individual living stones.

Throughout the New Covenant we read over and over of the value and preciousness of the individual expression but here we see the cry for the summation of all ministries into the SINGULAR expression. We do not read of the Bodies of Christ, families of God, faiths of Christ, houses of God, and other plural concepts.

“So we, being many, are ONE body in Christ,
and every one members one of another”
ROMANS 12:5

“For we being many are ONE bread, and ONE body:
for we are all partakers of that ONE bread”
I CORINTHIANS 10:17

“For as the body is ONE, and hath many members,
and all the members of that ONE body,
being many, are ONE body: so also is Christ”
I CORINTHIANS 12:12

“But now are they many members, yet but ONE body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand,
I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet,
I have no need of you”
I CORINTHIANS 12:20

There are far too many scriptures to list here for the sake of brevity, but even in these few examples we MUST recognize the discrepancy between what we see here and the abomination of what we see in the “Christian Expression” around us. Our FAITH must reveal HIS HEART and purposes. FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN. If I believe in this ONE HOUSE and this ONE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD then with every fibre of my being I should interact with the people of God around me to this ONE END. If our lives resemble the ONE LIVING STONE (which was rejected by the RELIGIOUS builders of HIS DAY) then it must be that our lives not only be rejected by the religious builders of our day, but that we find ourselves in truth being built into a SPIRITUAL HOUSE by becoming that ROYAL PRIESTHOOD to see it to completion.

Men who are content to live outside of the “institutions of men” without love and concern for the spiritual wellbeing of HIS people know not the HEART OF GOD. ALL THINGS ARE TO BE SUMMED UP IN CHRIST! ALL THINGS ARE TO SEE HIS PURPOSES FULFILLED IN HIS PEOPLE! That is the heartbeat of those who have seen, heard and felt HIS HEART in this hour. THERE IS ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, ONE HOPE OF OUR CALLING, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER! It is unto this END that we live and because of THIS TRUTH we NOW labour that we may present EVERY MAN complete in Christ! That is the only purpose of ALL ministry; though the individual expressions are all unique and different this is the ONE END to which we labour. Our lives must be true to this ONE THING and how we actually interact with the people of God on a daily basis IS THE REVELATION OF OUR FAITH IN THIS MATTER!

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in you all”
EPHESIANS 4:4 – 6

Brian Troxel

SECURE SERVANTS

SECURE SERVANTS

“Jesus KNOWING
that the Father had given
all things into his hands,
and that he was come from God,
and went to God;
He riseth from supper,
and laid aside his garments;
and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that he poureth water into a basin,
and began to wash the disciples’ feet”
JOHN 13:3 – 5

Servanthood is directly related to our security in terms of relationship with God. Men who are insecure cannot, will not, ever touch upon the power of the HIS humility. “Jesus knowing” was the basis of HIS ability to serve and minister to others. HIS relationship with God was not determined by what HE did; HIS knowing of who HE was was not defined by the position HE took with other men. HE knew and was secure in HIS relationship with the FATHER. True ministry knows that the secret of the people of God flowing, moving and being empowered in their own ministrations of the risen Christ is directly related to each member being “rooted and grounded in the love of God”. Men may function in the gifts of the Holy Spirit but that is not true ministry. Ministry is that which flows from member to member because of relationship not gifting…

“From whom the whole body
fitly joined together
and compacted by that
which every JOINT supplieth,
according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself in love”
EPHESIANS 4:16

The Body of Christ is “fitly joined and supplied” by means of the joints which speak of relationship and love flowing from member to member. The Corinthian Church excelled in the operation of the Gifts of the Spirit, yet they were carnal and filled with strife and emulation even to the point of pitting one ministry above another. They did not realize that the true power of edification and ministry took place in serving one another in Christ. They did not see that the gifts, when they are not coupled with the character of the Son, could not produce ministry but could only express ministrations that (without the character of Christ) would not produce the unity and the love of God in the local church.

It is in each of us knowing and walking in the power of a safe and secure walk with God that we can serve one another in true love and power. King Saul was an insecure man, because his obedience was partial and his heart obstinate, and when he beheld the life of David and heard the singing of the maidens of the greater works of David his insecurity drove him to persecute and drive David away.

SECURITY can only be known by a walk of love and obedience for that is the revelation of HIM that alone will give us boldness in the Day of Judgment.

“Herein is our love made perfect,
that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment: because as he is,
so are we in this world”
I JOHN 4:17

Brian Troxel

STRONG HOPE FOR NOW

STRONG HOPE FOR NOW

“What I am doing you do not understand now”
JOHN 13:7

Can we trust that this is so in the now of our life? Is there a situation, a perplexity, a painful circumstance that seems to linger without any “proof” that there is an end in sight? Can we with the faith and trust of a child look to the unseen hand of God and believe that even in this HE IS AT WORK? His ways are higher, deeper and motivated by a love and desire to bring us to a greater relationship with HIM. He will not waste or squander the short and precious time that we have here. It is our part to behold HIS work and believe in the hidden hand of HIS wisdom to work for us “the exceeding, and eternal weight of glory” while we by faith walk in the circumstances before us.

“What I am doing you do not understand NOW”

This is the statement of a wise and gracious Father who is working, at this moment, to bring to pass HIS PURPOSES in our life. Though we may not yet see we believe that HE who knows us best loves us most! The clay must be firmly and painfully pressed and molded, the gold heated and tried in the furnace. The lukewarm heart must be subjected to circumstances to revive its warmth and passion for Him, the prodigal son “must come to himself”, and the fruitful branch must be pruned. All these things ARE FOR OUR BENEFIT AND LEARNING.

“What I AM DOING you do not understand now”

Can we see above the storm clouds that this is HIS HAND? Could Joseph possibly grasp that his “brothers” selling him into the hands of rough and heathen men was God’s “DOING”? From God’s perspective HE was sending a man into Egypt, (Psalm 105:17) to one day be the means of deliverance to these same brothers. From the misery and drudgery of slavery and prison rose a wise and tested PRINCE; one whom the fires, darkness and testing did not destroy but were actually servants of the MOST HIGH GOD.

“For You, O God, hast proved us: you have tried us, as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net; You laid affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water:
but you have brought us out into a wealthy place”
PSALM 66:10 – 12

A wealthy Christian life is one that is going through the processes of HIS LIFE. These are not ones who cry and despair of their poverty; they have discovered and have tasted of the wealthy place. Their waters fail not in drought; their resources are hidden and true. They are like trees that “bear fruit” in every season for their roots are drinking of the River of Life (Revelation 22:2). Let us not succumb to the present circumstances but let us in FAITH and TRUST believe in the ONE that says

“WHAT I AM DOING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND NOW,
BUT YOU WILL KNOW AFTER…”
JOHN 13:7

Brian Troxel

Faith Works

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.”

Titus 2:14

Somewhere in the in the murky waters of religion, “works” became one of those words that became a stigma to the teaching of faith.  Works and faith were set in opposition to one another to such an extent that faith itself lost its power in the life of the individual believer.  Faith became a noun where it is said of some they are of a particular “faith”.  In the divorce of Faith from works, faith became an esoteric concept, a teaching, a statement of belief that could be hung from a wall, printed on a church bulletin, or written in a book and sold as a commodity.  It has come to such a low point that faith really has very little to do with the life of the common believer.  Its impact is relegated to “discussions” and doctrinal statements without so much as a thought as to what it should actually PRODUCE in the life of the believer.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?”

James 2

As the church descended the slippery slopes where faith occupied less and less of the minds and hearts of God’s people, false teachings came in corrupting and beguiling the people of God and bringing the GREAT DIVORCE of Faith from Works.  Faith was no longer the heart and soul of the people of God; teachings and philosophy replaced the power and illumination of the lamp of God.  No longer did the fellowship of believers “provoke one another unto Love and Good Works”, but we replaced it with programs and teachings that promoted faithless inactivity.  Jesus was having a discussion with the Pharisees of HIS day in which they had said to HIM, “Abraham is our father”.  Jesus replied….

“If ye were Abraham’s children,
ye would do the works of Abraham”

John 8:39

 

So should it be said in this day, if we are the children of God, we should be doing the works of God.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus stated…

“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven”

Matthew 5:16

We are not saved by works; we are saved UNTO good works by the union of Love and Faith.  Far too often have the scriptures been taken out of context and used to support the horror of divorcing Faith from Works…

“For by grace are ye saved through faith: and not that of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath ordained that we
SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

Ephesians 2:8 – 10

Where is the separation?  It is only in the abominable teaching of this hour.  Where are the works of the believer that are inspired by the living Faith of Christ within us?  How dare we separate these two; for in the separation we have compromised with a faith that is not only dead but has deceived the people of God into thinking that a faith without works is not only acceptable but pleasing to its Author.

Zealous of Good Works

A people redeemed from all iniquity, purified unto a peculiar (treasured and precious) people, are a people zealous of Good Works.  Whatever our place of development in God, whatever our standing, rest assured that our faith is being revealed by what it produces everyday in our lives.  In the Book of Revelation we see the ONE with the eyes of fire peering into the Church of Laodicea and HE SPEAKS this Word…

“I know thy WORKS,
that thou are art neither cold nor hot…”

Revelation 3:15

 

Our works reveal our faith.  The redemptive power of salvation is revealed in and through lives that are filled with the fire of a continually growing, dynamic faith that is made alive by the LOVE of God.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
availeth any thing, but
Faith which worketh by Love.”

Galatians 5:5

Ω

“Faith is the root of works. A root that produces nothing is dead.”

Thomas Wilson (1663–1735)

Brian Troxel