Wisdom From the Word

How many of us or how often have we felt genuine hunger? If we understand hunger what does it mean to ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness?’ We should want to know, as there is a blessing attached to it.

⁶  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

The pronounced blessing is that our hunger and thirst shall be satisfied. A key factor here is the tense. In a literal translation the tense reads as hungering and thirsting. The idea being that we do not eat or drink once and remain satiated. Just as we naturally need to eat and drink each day to maintain our physical body, so too we need to spiritually eat and drink each day. Jesus says our hungering and thirsting is to be for righteousness. Given that, understanding righteousness will help us to direct our hunger and thirst. So what are we being directed to in Matthew?

δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē noun, Righteousness, equity, justice.

The New Testament concept of justice is remote from the Greek doctrine of virtue and also from the Jewish concept of earning righteousness through keeping the Law. The term dikaiosunē is applied both to God and to people in the New Testament. In reference to people it is concerned with the imputed righteousness “in Christ” and the practical righteousness of everyday living and conduct.

Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The

The Greek word for righteousness is the one above, and as it states, we have an imputed righteousness by virtue of our relationship with Jesus that produces a practical righteousness in our conduct. What the definition does not address is that we also have an imparted righteousness, Jesus nature in our reborn spirit, which needs to be made manifest in our soul. This is what produces a practical righteousness, holiness. How do we walk in it?

One way is to satisfy our hunger and thirst each morning by sitting with Jesus with the fixed intention of encountering Him and knowing His heart. This expectation of encountering Him is a demonstration of faith. We can have communion with Him each morning, with or without the elements. The external elements merely symbolize an internal reality.

The Quakers, or Society of Friends, have been part of the broader Christian landscape since the mid-17^th century and their practice is to have communion not via external elements but via sitting with Jesus and experiencing His presence. This is available to all of us as believers. We simply need to make the choice and sit with Him, He is available.

I am convinced through practice that getting up and sitting with Jesus is the best way to start each day. To make it more effective it is best if it spills over into the rest of the day. Develop the habit of pausing and looking to Jesus at various points throughout the day and He will begin to spill over into all of your day. This is the practical application of hungering and thirsting. Not the expectation of some magical download that will change our life; rather the cultivation of a habit that shapes our eternal destiny!

Are you familiar with the term “The Deeper Christian Life?” Perhaps some church history will help? The Pentecostal movement was always part of church history to a small extent, however when the great Pentecostal movement began in the early part of the 20^th century it flowed around the world from a converted stable at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles. Please note when I refer to the Pentecostal movement I am referring to a movement marked by tongues and other spiritual gifts, not a denomination. There are numerous denominations and there have been numerous movements as part of the greater Pentecostal movement.

I remember hearing John Wimber describe what he learned from his study of church growth in the 20^th century. He said plotted on a graph the Pentecostal movement had a slow and steady rise for most of the first half of the 20^th century and then with the advent of the healing evangelists from 1948 on, tied to Israel becoming a nation again, the graph line changed so it looked like a rocket launching, there was explosive growth around the world and it has been the fastest growing evangelical movement ever since. All good news right?

Not necessarily. Over 100 years ago the prophecy below was released at the Azusa Street Mission.

“In the last days three things will happen in the great Pentecostal Movement. There will be an overemphasis on power rather than on righteousness. There will be an overemphasis on praise to a God they no longer pray to. There will be an overemphasis on the gifts of the Spirit, rather than on the Lordship of Christ.” (source, David Wilkerson writing)

So, while this movement has gone around the world and resulted in an incredible number of salvations and the advancement of the church there is another element. In the broader Pentecostal movement the sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit has been the experience of moving in spiritual gifts with tongues being the primary focus for many. This was a marked departure from the focus of those in the 19^th century church who pursued the deeper life. There were many at that time who believed in a filling or baptism in the Spirit subsequent to conversion. However, for them the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit was not the operation of spiritual gifts in the life of the believer, most of them had no grid for this, their focus was on a transformed holy life! This remained the focus in the early Pentecostal movement. Gifts were a sign but the fruit of the Spirit was also to be in evidence. However this was lost over time.

I do believe there will be a return to this focus in the church without losing the focus on moving in spiritual gifts. I think they are critically important. At the same time the New Testament church held up as the standard for carnality, the Corinthian church, seemed to have moved in the greatest gifts yet the least holiness. Perhaps we in the western church have come full circle? I think in many ways we have lost our focus on spiritual purity. What do we think of when we read the verse below?

²¹  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (NKJV) 

Are we thankful that we are free from having to pay the penalty for our own sin? That is good and right. Yet I believe much more is expressed in this verse. The nation of Israel was looking for their Messiah, a deliverer, and here He was promised. Yet Jesus came not just to deliver us from the penalty of sin, He also came to deliver us from the power of sin! The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) is clear on this point and Jesus told us to build our lives on what He taught. He reaffirmed this in Matthew 28:18-20 in what we call the Great Commission. A call to Jesus is a call to discipleship that results in practical holiness. This it is taught throughout the New Testament and below are just a few of many verses.

⁴  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV) ¹⁶  because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV)

¹¹  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹²  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? ¹³  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:11-13 (NKJV)

There is no question that the scriptures call us to holiness. What we need to address is how we get there and what holiness looks like. I think in the 20^th century much of the church abandoned the pursuit of holiness because they wrongly identified it with legalism and were repelled by it. Yet the holiest person who ever walked the earth, Jesus, was attractive to people, not through physical beauty but through a winsome holiness. True holiness draws the hungry because it reveals Jesus. The way to holiness is laid out below.

²²  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NKJV)

¹²  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit is just that, holy. If we are truly intimate with Him, and obedient to Him, (intimacy and obedience cannot be separated) we too will be Holy. This was the pursuit of the deeper life movement in the 19^th century, the revealing of Jesus to and through His people. I think it needs to be our focus again. Not instead of spiritual gifts, but alongside spiritual gifts. We need both. The prophecy given at Azusa street was a message and warning, not a final pronouncement. It is a clarion call for us in this present age to pursue righteousness, prayer and the Lordship of Jesus to see Him revealed in His body.

In pursuing the life of Jesus we need to recognize that gifts are just that, gifts, holiness is the character of Jesus worked into us. When we by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body, we paradoxically see the release of the life of Christ through us. Yes, death leads to life!

As we arise to pursue His presence through this death to life paradox we encounter more and more of the Holy Spirit working deeply in our lives. What an adventure – death to life to death to life – His life, gloriously revealed.

More to come…

Consider the expression, ‘Good is often the enemy of best.’ I want to look at this in the light of walking with Jesus. Aside from small distractions, can we miss Jesus through big distractions? Even through ‘spiritual’ ones? Let me illustrate from scripture by starting with a reflective question.

How was Elijah taken up to heaven?

1. By a fiery chariot
2. By a whirlwind

The correct answer is 2. Look at the verses below.

And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Kings 2:1 (NKJV) ⁹  And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” ¹⁰  So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” ¹¹  Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹²  And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. ¹³  He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:9-13 (NKJV)

In this experience we know if we continue reading that Elisha received the double portion that he requested. We also know that he knew Elijah was going to be taken from him as in in verses 2-8 he is told by other prophets three times that he is going to lose Elijah. Elijah repeatedly tried to dissuade Elisha from following him, though this appears to have been a test of Elisha’s focus and commitment rather than a real desire on Elijah’s part to not have Elisha continue with him.

What do we make of Elisha’s request for a double portion? When Elijah called Elisha away from his family Elisha gave up his natural inheritance, which was likely significant given he was plowing a field with 12 yoke of oxen. The double portion was the right of the firstborn. Elijah presided over a company of prophets he was training. Elisha was asking to be acknowledged as his successor by receiving the right of the firstborn; his spiritual inheritance in place of the natural inheritance he had left behind.

We know he received it. How did he receive it? He maintained a right focus. Look at the passage below

¹¹  Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; ¹²  and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV)

In this passage we have a great wind, an earthquake and then fire. Yahweh was in none of them. He was in a still small voice. The center column note in my bible says this could be translated as a ‘delicate whispering voice.’ While the events are not the same as when Elijah was taken into heaven by a whirlwind, the principle is the same. We can miss Yahweh by focusing on the wrong things. Elijah told Elisha that he would receive the double portion, his commission, if he saw Elijah depart. Elijah’s departure was immediately preceded by the dramatic appearance of a chariot and horses of fire that separated them. If Elisha had been distracted and focused on them he would have missed his commission. Just as Elijah would have missed Yahweh if he had focused on the wind, earthquake or fire. I am not suggesting Elijah was not aware of these things, just that he was not distracted by them. In the same way Elisha saw the horses and chariot of fire, but he kept his focus on what was happening to Elijah and so received what he desired.

A key point is that the chariot and horses of fire were like a sign on the highway. They pointed to something but were not the thing in and of themselves. The references below suggest that the chariots and horses of fire marked Yahweh’s active presence but point to Him rather than being Him.

¹⁷  The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. Psalm 68:17 (NKJV)

³  He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Psalm 104:3 (NKJV)

¹⁷  And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 (NKJV)

¹⁴  Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!” 2 Kings 13:14 (NKJV)

¹⁵  For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. Isaiah 66:15 (NKJV)

⁸  O LORD, were You displeased with the rivers, Was Your anger against the rivers, Was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation? Habakkuk 3:8 (NKJV)

So how do we apply this to our walk with Jesus? We need to recognize that when we see things that indicate His presence they are generally pointing to something else. Just as trees waving in a breeze indicate the presence of the breeze. Similarly when the Holy Spirit moves upon someone and they weep or rejoice they point to the need to discern what the Holy Spirit is doing in that situation.

Think back. Have you ever been distracted by events in a church service and missed what the Holy Spirit was doing? Whether in a church setting or events or presentations at work I like to sit at the back or somewhere that I can observe the whole room. This was deeply established for me in 1995. A friend and I were in Whistler BC at the first Gathering held by the Watchmen group. We ended up at the back of the room (there were between 1,500-2,000 people present) and many times when we discerned something was heading in the wrong direction or needed to happen we would pray and in minutes one of the leaders at the front would address the issue. I’m not suggesting we were the only ones effecting change, just that I saw the benefit of observing and praying. Often we were scanning the room rather than focusing on the platform. I know that decades ago the Vineyard would train ministry teams to pay attention to what they observed the Holy Spirit doing in people and then direct ministry that way. The point being we need to attend not to what people are doing, which can be a distraction, but rather to what the Holy Spirit is doing, which leads us in the right direction.

When in a group I look around seeking to hear, see and discern what the Holy Spirit is doing and respond to that. While I have over the years missed a lot of what the Holy Spirit was doing, even at times going in the opposite direction, my desire is to follow His leading. To do this requires focus. Among a number of other reasons, this is one reason I don’t like really loud services or services with any type of frenetic activity. This type of environment makes it harder to focus on His heart and see what He is doing.

We are called to be like Jesus and He said He did what He saw His Father doing.

¹⁹  Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” John 5:19-20 (NKJV)

To see what His Father was doing Jesus had to simultaneously pay attention at the natural and spiritual levels. Developing skill in this requires a trained awareness and focus. It is not a magic gift, it is the fruit of maturity that comes about through intentional practice. Where are we looking as we walk with Him? Are we seeing what the signs are pointing to?

How many of us desire to fulfill our destiny, our calling in Jesus? If that is our desire, let me address one of the minor things that I have found to be a major detriment in my own walk. In our own culture I like others have a laptop, home cell phone and a work cell phone. I have been in the habit of getting up and sitting with Jesus and His word early in the morning for three decades. However, something I have also found is the past couple of years is that my spirit has been disturbed, more so in the past couple of months.

I recognize that these tools, worship music via my computer, and the other things that are easily accessible, get in the way. I have thought for the past couple of months that I need to leave my work phone off until 7 in the morning, I just recently started turning it off on weekends, leaving it off first things in the morning is the next step. What firmed up my resolution was attending a leadership course. It wasn’t a Christian one but it was a very good and one of the things the lead instructor spoke about was how we are at our creative best (in terms of brain wave cycles) when we first wake up. Her take was that we should give that time to ourselves to further ourselves. My take is that we should give that time to Jesus to further His kingdom!

For some of you it may be a time other than first thing in the morning that you give to Him. I just know that if it is at all possible this is the best way to start the day, and continue it, being with Him. If we don’t press the pause button on demands and focus on Jesus first thing it is harder later. If we do it is easier to turn to Him and walk with Him throughout the day.

So why is this important? It is important because we can miss His voice and His heart if we are trapped in busyness. I think it is significant that there is only a one letter difference between ‘busyness’ and ‘business’ and that we like Jesus need to be about our Father’s business rather than caught up in our busyness. I say this because I do believe we can miss our calling and purpose by giving our time and attention to the wrong things. Look at the passage below.

¹¹  And Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, ¹²  then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” ¹³  And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴  But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:11-14 (NKJV)

What did Saul do here? It was a seemingly small thing but he took on a role that was not his. Now we may agree with Saul. A battle was looming and the sacrifice needed to be made. The Lord may have even forgiven the act if done with right motives. However, why did Saul do it? In verse 12 he states he did it because ‘he felt compelled.’ Some of his troops were leaving and rather than addressing them and dealing with the issue, a role that was his, he took on Samuel’s role. What did it cost him? His kingdom and his future. I highlighted part of verse 13 because this was what was given to David. Had Saul not given in to his inner compulsions David would not have become king and Saul’s lineage on the throne of Israel would have continued. Saul accomplished many things after this, many good things, but over time he descended into madness because he refused to truly address his heart attitude and repent of his sin.

The kingdom and throne were removed from Saul. This throne was extremely significant because David sat on it next and we know whose throne is Jesus seated upon. David’s, Saul’s replacement.

¹²  “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³  He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴  I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ¹⁵  But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶  And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (NKJV)

²⁹  “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰  Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ³¹  he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. ³²  This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³  Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:29-33 (NKJV)

So what does Jesus being seated on David’s throne have to do with whether or not we check our email or text messages the first thing when we get up? Everything! Saul didn’t misuse his authority and make the wrong choice just one time. His insecurity that led to this choice was established by earlier choices. My point is that ‘now’ is a good time to make different choices and establish new patterns. Which is why Peter exhorted us as follows.

¹⁰  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV)

This verse is not about salvation, it is about our eternal standing that is determined by our choices after salvation. I personally believe I have been making some wrong ones. I have still been getting up early each morning and reading the scriptures and praying but my heart has been distracted for a long time. So, my plan is to return to my first love and start each day spending more time with singleness of heart just sitting in His presence and experiencing His heart, making my calling and election sure. Will you join me?

 

In my last post I talked about how Jesus functioned as a man and focused in on two key verses in a section of Philippians.

⁵  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, …¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:5, 13 (NKJV)

Two important questions arising from this are,

• What did this look like in practice?
• Can we do the same thing?

Below are some verses from the Gospels that show an aspect of how this worked in Jesus life.

⁸  But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?” Mark 2:8 (NKJV) ²²  But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?” Luke 5:22 (NKJV) ⁴⁶  But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Luke 8:46 (NKJV) ⁴⁷  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, Luke 9:47 (NKJV) ¹⁵  Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. John 6:15 (NKJV)

In the above verses Jesus was aware of things beyond His reasoning. The first verse tells us explicitly shows that He was aware within His spirit of what people were thinking and the rest describe the same process. If Jesus could function this way it still leaves open the question, what does it means for us? Can we function in a similar manner? Yes we can if we, like Jesus, are looking to and depending on the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit. This does not mean we can go around ‘reading people’s minds.’ It does mean as we learn to pay attention to the Holy Spirit we can hear what He is revealing about people and circumstances. This is what Jesus did. Another less obvious example is Jesus selection of the first 12 apostles.

¹²  Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ¹³  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Luke 6:12-13 (NKJV)

⁶¹  When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶²  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? ⁶³  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴  But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. John 6:61-64 (NKJV)

What is of interest in the two passages above is that while bible study aids do not cross reference them they are intimately connected passages. In the first Jesus spent a night in prayer before selecting the 12 apostles from among His larger group of disciples. Implied in the text is that He heard from His Father in making His choice. We find in the John passage that Jesus was aware in His Spirit (He ‘knew in Himself’) that what His disciples were thinking and there motivations. We also know from verse 64 that when He selected the 12 in the Luke passage above He knew then that Judas would betray Him. He invested His life in Him anyway.

Having provided examples of how the Holy Spirit worked in Jesus, can He work the same way in us? He did in Paul. Look at the verses below.

¹³  I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 2:13 (NKJV)

⁵  For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5 (NKJV)

In the first verse Paul was aware in his spirit that something was amiss and it produced a change in action from him. In the second verse he not only was aware of something in his spirit but the Holy Spirit revealed to him something he could not naturally know by showing him something in another geographic location. There is no honest way to interpret this verse otherwise even if it offends our minds or theology. While not physically there in a dream or vision, the text does not say, Paul saw what was happening in another location.

So, Jesus was and is God, Paul was a great apostle. Where does that leave us? Can we operate in this way? While I have functioned in some of these ways and know many others who have and do, we never establish doctrine or the ‘rightness’ of something based on our experiences. It must be established in scripture. The call to function in this way is right there in the New Testament if we have eyes to see. What did Paul tell us?

¹⁴  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 (NKJV) ¹⁶  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) ¹⁸  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18 (NKJV) ²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NKJV)

I won’t address it in detail but in Romans 8:14-16 in more literal translations there is a differentiation, as there is in Greek, between children and sons (those who are more spiritually mature, this is not a reference to gender). We are told here that all of us as believers can be led by the Holy Spirit, which is what Jesus and Paul learned to do. Luke was clear about the process with Jesus.

⁴⁰  And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40 (NKJV)

So, not only can we function to some measure in the same manner as Jesus and Paul, Paul encourages us to do so.

¹  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)

²⁶  How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)

The context is best appreciated by reading 1 Corinthians 12-14 as a whole. We are called to operate in spiritual gifts with love as our motivation. Operating in spiritual gifts is not a sign of maturity. The Corinthian believes were the most immature we find in the New Testament and seemed to function more than others in spiritual gifts. Paul didn’t tell them to avoid spiritual gifts so they could mature. He exhorted them to pursue them more diligently while at the same time exhorting them to pursue love – the more deeply we walk in love the greater our maturity.

So, how do we do this? There are some important pieces. Based on the scriptures we choose to believe it is available. We then seek intimacy with Jesus and ask Him to move in and through us. We find others and ask them to share with and mentor us. We find groups of people who function this way and engage with them in a meaningful way to see His church further established in the earth. Lastly, we by faith walk in the Spirit on an adventure with Jesus!

Since I started this referencing the Man Christ Jesus I encourage you to listen to the song below by Tim Reimherr from IHOP.

The Beauty of this Man by Tim Reimherr from IHOP

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Tim+Reimherr+the+Beauty+of+This+Man&FORM=RESTAB#view=detail&mid=202C90AA7532F42179E1202C90AA7532F42179E1

Paul wrote something very powerful that I think we as the church tend to miss or gloss over.

⁵  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)

I think it easy to read this verse and move on without catching the significance of what Paul wrote. Paul is informing us that sitting at the Father’s right hand there is a man. What does that mean? It is easy to read about the healings and miracles Jesus performed and embrace the theology that Jesus was fully God and fully man so He did what He did because He walked on the earth as God in the flesh.

While it is true that Jesus walked the earth in Israel as God in the flesh and was both fully God and fully man did He do what He did as God? Look at something else Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

⁵  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹²  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:5-13 (NKJV)

This passage is important, though what is often quoted is verse 5 and verses 12-13. To better understand the whole passage we need some context that the Gospels provide.

²¹  When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. ²²  And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22 (NKJV) 

¹  Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:1 (NKJV) ¹⁴  Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. Luke 4:14 (NKJV)

We find in the verses above that three things happened.

• Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit rested upon Him,
• This resulted in Jesus being filled with the Spirit, and
• Jesus later walking in the power of the Spirit.

The obvious question is why? If the Father, Spirit, and Son are three in one, then they all have the same gifts and abilities. So why did Jesus need to receive, be filled with and empowered by the Spirit? The answer takes us back to Philippians 2. Paul wrote in verse 7 that Jesus, “made Himself of no reputation.” What does that mean? The phrase in other translations says He ‘emptied Himself.’ What did Jesus empty Himself of? Being fully God and fully man He could not empty Himself of His divinity, however, He could cease to access the power available in His divinity and limit Himself to His humanity. How Jesus did this no one knows. That He did this is the broader testimony of scripture. We know from the above verses in Luke that He needed the Holy Spirit to be able to engage in ministry and walk out His calling. The view of the early apostles was the same. Luke wrote in his gospel about Jesus being filled and then empowered by the Spirit. He reiterated this in Acts by quoting Peter expressing the same viewpoint.

³⁸  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 (NKJV) 

Strange as it may sound Jesus needed God working in Him to do the works He did! See the verses below. Jesus was unable to move on His own and perform healings and miracles if that was not what His Father was doing.

⁵  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. Mark 6:5 (NKJV) ¹⁹  Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19 (NKJV)

This is why Paul exhorted us to have the mind of Christ and encouraged us that God is working in us.

⁵  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, …¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:5, 13 (NKJV)

Paul wanted us to know that Jesus, the Man Christ Jesus, did what He did because His Father was working in and through Him and the Father by the Spirit wants to work in and through us.

How is our perspective? Do we have the same mind as Jesus so the Spirit can work through us?

In my last few posts I have talked about Impartation as a concept, how we Position ourselves to receive an Impartation, the role of Discernment in Impartation and now I want to talk about the primary Purpose of Impartation. I referenced the first verse below in my post defining impartation, I raise it again because it is so significant in the Lord’s purposes.

¹⁹  My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)

¹⁸  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) ²⁸  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)

This is Jesus goal, to see Himself reflected in our lives. The Father purposed prior to the foundation of the world that all that come to Him would be “conformed to the image of His Son.” The Father is not looking for good works or great attitudes from us, He is looking for Jesus in us. This is why Paul wrote the following.

¹⁶  to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, Galatians 1:16 (NKJV)

Paul’s point in the phrase above is that Jesus was revealed in him so that Paul could preach Him. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul (then Saul) on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9) and subsequently revealed Himself through (in) Paul. That is the goal of the gospel. An inner transformation that becomes an outward reality. This is what Paul is referring to in the first verse above, Christ being formed in us! Paul saw Jesus revealed in and through his own life and the rest of his apostolic labour was twofold, to see others encounter Jesus and then see Jesus formed in and revealed through them.

The verses above all speak to the goal of impartation, the revelation of Jesus in us. Does the rest of the New Testament support this concept? See the scriptures below.

²⁰  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹  make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NKJV)

²  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

⁵  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. ¹⁰  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV)

²  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)

²⁰  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹  keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 (NKJV)

The above verses all refer to maturity, growth and completeness. They capture the same concept that Paul addressed, the need to grow in Christ to a place of maturity, the revelation of Jesus through us. The key question, is this growth automatic? Will it happen just like natural growth? The testimony of scripture is that the forming of Christ within us requires our cooperation. In another teaching I did I referenced John warning about us being ashamed before Jesus at His return.

²⁸  And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28 (NKJV)

The same concept is in the passages below.

²¹  And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²²  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – ²³  if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV)

¹⁰  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV)

The qualifier to spiritual maturity that Paul and Peter provide is that we “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” If we want impartation to strengthen us to grow we must pursue it. If we pursue this noble goal of having Jesus character formed in and revealed through us we are assured that in time we can reflect with awe, wonder, and satisfaction on what Paul wrote.

²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

May we each labour and travail for one another to build one another up so that together we see Jesus radiantly shining throughout His body!

¹¹  Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, Proverbs 2:11 (NKJV)

A friend shared the above verse in response to my last post. I ended it saying, “We need to learn to discern and discern to learn!” A nice sentiment, how do we apply it in practice? How do we discern anointing in others? I wrote a brief article in June of 1992 in which I defined discernment as follows “scriptural discernment is basically making right judgements by seeing the reality that lies behind appearances in order to agree with what the Holy Spirit is doing.” Over the years I have shortened is to simply say that “discernment is seeing the reality that lies behind appearances.”

Imagine looking at a window covered by a curtain, all we see is the curtain. When the curtain is pulled back a whole new vista is opened up. This is what discernment does, it pulls back the curtain and we suddenly see things. I have a dear friend who is 89 and now in poor physical health but still has very deep spiritual discernment. I remember many years ago spending time in meetings she also attended. In debriefing after it was like we were not at the same meeting, she shared numerous things she ‘saw’ that I completely missed. Yet they were there for me to see as well and I could see them after she shared. What hindered me from seeing in the first place? A lack of discernment. I think I still miss a lot but I now see much more than I used to see because I was discipled into developing my discernment through what she shared with me and through the questions I asked. The questions and sharing both led back to the scriptures, a great place to end at!

How does this work? The best scriptural definition of discernment is in Hebrews where we find that discernment is the fruit of maturity, it is not a gift as so many keep referring to it, there is a gift of discerning of spirits noted in 1 Corinthians 12:10, it is however something that helps in discernment, it is not discernment itself. Look at Hebrews.

¹²  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 (NKJV)

We have spiritual and physical senses and just as we can become adept at a physical skill through exercise we can become spiritually adept through practice. As we learn to monitor what is happening both internally and externally, that is, as we observe with our natural senses while simultaneously paying attention to our spirit we become aware of things happening at different levels. While we may not have seen it Paul laid this out in the scriptures.

²⁴  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. ²⁵  And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NKJV)

  ³¹  For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 1 Corinthians 14:31 (NKJV)

Many claim that preaching is prophecy. While preaching may have a prophetic edge or anointing there are a number of scriptural reasons that refute that positon in relation to what Paul wrote above. One obvious one is that Paul is here referring to a revelatory gift, which is made plain by the context.

Discerning what is in the heart of others as Paul noted above is not a novel gift available to a select group of believers. It is available to all who believe and we are encouraged to seek and grow in the gift. My process is to regularly try to listen with my ears, eyes, and spirit at the same time. I particularly seek to do this in a church group setting. Those of you reading this who know me can likely reflect on many examples of me telling someone something about their life I have no natural way of knowing. This is the fruit of learning to discern. For example this past week I listened to a message by Rob Parker, the Director of the National House of Prayer in Ottawa. Rob had laid hands on me and prayed for me prior to his message, yet the greatest impartation I received was something the Holy Spirit stirred in me while he was speaking. It happened twice and was only a few seconds long each time but I was very conscious of things happening in my spirit on these two occasions. This happened because I was conscious of the anointing on his life and message and seeking to discern as he spoke.

If some of what I have shared seems odd I encourage you to search the scriptures. What I have shared is not unscriptural, for most of the church it is simply unfamiliar. Unfamiliar not because it is not available to us, rather it is because we are part of a Western church that is not very mature and these things are not being broadly taught.

So in closing, if we want to receive impartation and partake of the solid food that is described in the Hebrews passage above we need to practice and grow in discernment. This comes not by focusing on developing our knowledge and intellect, not that learning is bad, I greatly value learning. I just know by experience, as many of you do, that it is no substitute for learning to tune into our spirits. I pray more and more of us learn to discern and discern as we learn!

Right now much of Canada is paying attention to the Toronto Blue Jays, by default Canada’s favourite Major League Baseball team, particularly as they are our only MLB team! There is a lot in the press about the pitching staff, the guys who deliver the ball, and the hitters. Little attention is paid to the back catchers, yet they really do ‘back’ up the team. What I suspect most people don’t think a lot about is the role of the catcher in helping the pitcher. They need to develop a subtle communication so that generally the catcher knows what pitch is coming and positions his glove to receive the catch. The positioning of the catcher’s glove helps the pitcher’s delivery.

I don’t want to press this analogy too much, and I am not a baseball expert. The only time I remember ever watching a full baseball game on TV was when the Blue Jays were in the World Series in the early 1990’s. I did however play some ball and helped coach so allow me to make a spiritual connection. The way we position our heart to receive an impartation affects the delivery of the anointing. These concepts may seem odd at first but Jesus addressed this in a couple of ways, without ever using the words ‘impart’ or ‘impartation,’ yet expressing the reality of how we receive what is being imparted.

The joy of discovering these things hiding in ‘plain sight’ in the bible is an example of our Father hiding things not from us but for us.

²  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)

For me a great illustration of this came in listening to a message by John Paul Jackson a few years ago. He said after his teaching someone came up and asked him what bible he was using. He responded the NKJV. The man then said he wasn’t interested in the version, he just never saw the things John Paul saw in the bible until John Paul shared them. Is that our experience? They are there, we just need to seek the Holy Spirit for clues and then follow them.

So what did Jesus say about receiving? One area He addressed was our need to prepare our hearts. This aspect is presented in the parable of the sower.

¹¹  “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹²  Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³  But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴  Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵  But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. ¹⁶  No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸  Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” Luke 8:11-18 (NKJV)

We know from verse 12 that what we hear with, and where the seed is sown, is in our hearts. In this passage Jesus said those who received and bore fruit were those with a ‘noble and good heart” and then nurture what they received. So a very important aspect in being ‘positioned to receive’ is the posture of our heart, ideally a receptive and faith filled heart. Do we have one?

Jesus also addressed another aspect of receiving.

⁴⁸  and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” Luke 9:48 (NKJV) ⁴⁰  “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. ⁴¹  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. ⁴²  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:40-42 (NKJV)

In these two passages Jesus refers to receiving children, prophets, and the righteous. The key point is that what is imparted to us is conditioned by how we receive. For example, if we receive a prophet as something other than a prophet than we do not receive a prophet’s reward, the benefit of their prophetic ministry. We may receive other things from them but likely not the thing we need to move us forward in further connecting us to His purpose in our lives. My goal in stating this is not to elevate ministries and offices in the church, rather to get us to seek and discern in our interactions with others. We may receive a greater download from the person next to us at a meeting than from the famous speaker if we discern the anointing they carry. As the church we need to lay down worldly standards and embrace godly ones if we are to truly grow. We need to learn to discern and discern to learn!

Paul made a very interesting statement connected to the concept of impartation.

¹¹  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established – ¹²  that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Romans 1:11-12 (NKJV)

Prior to defining impartation I want to look at the fruit of it in Romans 1:12, the phrase translated as “may be encouraged together” is a single compound word in Greek and this is the only occurrence of it in the scriptures.

συμπαρακαλέω sumparakaleō verb Comfort together.

In the New Testament it occurs only in Romans 1:12. Here Paul used it to express this common meaning, “That I may be comforted together with you . . . . ” Since this example is in the passive voice, it could be translated “that I may receive comfort (or strength) together with you.”

The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Sigma-Omega.

The idea Paul is expressing is that through impartation there would be mutual comfort received, that is, Christ’s body would be strengthened. A key factor in receiving from the Holy Spirit through others is hunger. However, Paul first ties impartation to being ‘established,’ that is to be strengthened or confirmed. So there is a connection between impartation and establishment or strengthening, and the fruit it His body being built up.

Paul’s statements below are connected to the concept of impartation. Even though he does not use the word here he is describing the reality of impartation.

¹⁹  My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NKJV) ²⁷  To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹  To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. ¹  For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ²  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 1:27-2:3 (NKJV)

How was Paul laboring for the Galatians? Two ways really, he was standing in the gap in intercession. Seeking through prayer to bridge the gap between where they were and where they needed to be and he was sharing spiritual truth with them through his letter. These were both means of impartation to bring them to maturity.

In the Colossians passage above Paul speaks if his readers maturing through his preaching and teaching and then describes his travail for them, he is referencing intercession. So with different language he is laying out the same process he did for the Galatians. My point? The life of Jesus can be imparted to us for spiritual growth in a variety of ways.

In my own experience impartation works most effectively face to face through sharing and through the laying on of hands and praying. Paul described this as well.

¹⁴  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ¹⁵  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 1 Timothy 4:14-15 (NKJV) 

Something was imparted to Timothy through prayer and prophecy and he was now responsible to steward this gift. Paul was well aware of this through both knowledge and experience.

¹  Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ²  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:1-3 (NKJV)

¹⁴  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out Acts 14:14 (NKJV)

In Antioch, prior to being sent out (the word apostle means ‘sent one’) Paul and Barnabas were both called to be apostles but functioned as prophets and/or teachers as the text above says. When they were sent out they were now commissioned as apostles and a chapter later referred to that way. Some authority was imparted through the laying on of hands.

So part of spiritual growth in our lives is connected to impartation. A key qualifier for receiving impartation is recognizing the need. A pattern in Paul’s ministry from beginning to end was that he sought prayer and ministry from others. If we read his letters chronologically, the first one being Galatians, Paul comes across as a bit arrogant, yes an apostle but not yet fully mature in Jesus. At the same time he had a depth of relationship where Jesus was being revealed through him to others and his behaviour sprang not from pride but from his passion for the gospel. Still by the time we arrive at his last letter, 2 Timothy, we find a much more humble apostle. My point, the early church leaders where still fallible people growing in maturity, a key being continued growth in Christlikeness over their lifespan. Growth rooted in impartation.

For us to grow we need a heart to receive. Many years ago I read a story that illustrates this well, there are various versions of it. A professor heard of an old man who, though not well educated, was well known for his wisdom. The professor arranged an appointment with him because he said he wanted to learn some of his wisdom. When they sat down together the professor talked a lot about what he knew and the wise man listened. After a while the old man offered the professor tea. He began to pour and when the cup began overflowing the professor said, “Stop, the cup is too full.” Yes said the wise man, just as you are too full of your own opinions. If you want to learn you must first empty your cup.”

I had an experience like this a couple of years ago. A fellow from another province was here to learn about some of the things we do at the office where I work. He met with some of us individually and he and I had an appointment so he could learn about my work area. At the end of our 30-40 minute meeting I knew a lot about him, his background, and his work, he knew very little about mine! I never offered him tea as he already had coffee!

I’m not claiming to be the wise old man but I do know some things and have some expertise. However, my general approach is to open doors for people and invite them in, they choose whether or not to enter. I have had a few people over the years ask for perspective on something then talk endlessly, their behaviour clearly contradicting their stated desire. On the other hand I have had the opportunity to mentor and invest in many lives and deeply appreciate it. I enjoy teaching not because I like being at the centre of attention, I often find it uncomfortable, however I put up with it because I enjoy seeing people learn.

My qualifier is that the reason I now have something to give is that I have received a lot from others! I have studied the scriptures, listened to and learned from others, and I been prayed for by many others. I sought out mentors both in my career and in my spiritual walk and I always seek to remain teachable and to learn. Even where I work my supervisor is a couple of years younger than me but I greatly respect his leadership and have learned a lot from him the past few years, some of it painfully! He is by no means perfect but my focus is not on where I may think he needs to change but on what I can learn from him to improve my own leadership.

So, is our cup sufficiently empty to receive from those whom He sends to teach us? Do we need impartation?