Now is the Time

Now is the time!

Please consider

Current headlines frequently reveal troubling events: "road rage, teens shooting classmates and teachers, pastors resigning amid allegations." These problems are widespread and not new. Is there anything we can do? The answer is yes—we must die to our old ways.

It is evident the old ways are failing. In many ways, things are worse, not better. Lawlessness is certainly not the answer, and lawfulness, while better, falls short.[i] What we need is gracefulness—a change of heart. The only way to achieve that change is by dying to our old ways.[ii]

Constraints imposed by law, whether from society, family, or individuals, are better than no constraints at all. However, they often only suppress deeper issues of the heart. Over time, pressure builds, and the ability to constrain diminishes, leading to eruptions of emotion that seem disproportionate to the "last straw."

Communicating a solution is challenging—we must avoid overwhelming, being too vague, offending and driving people away, or attempting too much and becoming ineffective.[iii]

Our hearts reveal our true disposition. When the heat is on, true character surfaces; it is the fruit by which we are known. The key is not just knowing about truth intellectually [iv] but truly knowing it in our hearts. It is the integration of Spirit and Truth—our relationship with God.[v] It is knowing the truth that sets us free, knowing God in Spirit and Truth. [vi] [vii] Everything else flows from the wellspring of living waters in our hearts.

Debating truth is valuable, but the way we debate matters. Loving agreement or disagreement reveals character, while anything less exposes imperfections .[viii] These revealed imperfections are points of opportunity (POO), where flaws surface and can be addressed. [ix] Lesser character manifests as defensiveness, offensiveness, denial, bitterness, self-righteousness, low self-esteem, blame, ridicule, slander, control, intolerance, or other reactionary responses.

Some may see this as neither new nor relevant, yet it is vital. It is often overlooked or ignored. Debates over social reform persist, yet debaters attack each other for common faults.[x] Though their ideas may differ, their character is often the same. This does not mean neither has true character, but rather that their lesser nature is being exposed.

Harsh accusations and fault-finding expose flaws that must be transformed to bring new freedom and life. These verbal, emotional, and physical conflicts are what Scripture refers to as "letting the dead bury the dead." They are seeds of war affecting families, communities, nations, and the world.

Only to the degree that we are free and pure in our hearts can we truly benefit others. Appearances may deceive, but they do not deceive all, nor do they deceive God. Most of us are free to some extent but are also blind, ignorant, or deceived about the imperfections of our hearts. These imperfections are toxic, affecting our dispositions, lifestyles, and health. Recognizing and addressing these issues is crucial. We are at a point of opportunity (POO) for confrontation—not with opponents, but with ourselves. Facing opposition is like looking in a mirror. When we see others through the eyes of loving compassion, it is called discernment. When we see through judgment, it first speaks to our own condition. The time is now to seek victories in our hearts, paving the way for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. We must begin in our hearts—NOW!

AS A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE, CONSIDER THIS...

Larger matters are composed of smaller ones; the whole consists of its parts. From a satellite view, Earth appears perfect, a spherical miracle suspended in space, teeming with life. Yet, upon closer inspection, we see its many blemishes—imperfections not part of creation's original pattern but effects of human dominion.[xi]

Within Earth, we find smaller spheres: hemispheres, cultures, communities, organizations, families, and individuals. The smallest sphere of influence is the human heart,[xii] and all are interconnected.

Harmony, love, and compatibility foster well-being, while disharmony leads to the mistreatment of others and the environment. Proverbs reminds us, "As a person thinks, so are they." This applies to individuals and collective groups. We easily see others' faults but struggle to see our own. Discernment sees through love, while judgment—by anyone other than God—does not. They are opposites.

When we judge others, it is an opportunity to recognize similar flaws in our own hearts. These flaws are often confirmed by emotions and thoughts inconsistent with God's best for us. At such moments, people may react emotionally—lashing out, defending themselves, or going silent. Others accept their flaws as unchangeable aspects of themselves, their family, culture, or humanity. This is embracing a lie. Lies are defended with hostility, hardness, or harshness, while truth is conveyed with love.

Recognizing these opportunities is essential if we are to help establish peace on earth. Our mission is to manifest "...Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."[xiii]

Impurities of the heart are often obscured by layers of pride, self-righteousness, intellectualism, self-interest, politics, dogma, denominationalism, fundamentalism, and other tight clusters. [xiv] Like birds of a feather, similar hearts flock together, comparing themselves and condemning those who differ. This division opposes what is truly beneficial. Loving one another, even our enemies, grants new insight. We can embrace the point of opportunity (POO) to see ourselves as we truly are. It is an opportunity to strengthen what is of God and heal, transform, or purge what is not. To be free, we must inspire, not condemn.

Not everyone is open to inspiration, and no one is open to human condemnation. If loving inspiration is rejected, we should not turn away completely. Instead, we have the opportunity for prayerful intercession. [xv] If we are equipped, we should do so; if not, we should pass the opportunity to those who are.

In and outside the church, many attempt to move too far too fast. Individuals and groups push beyond their degree of freedom, demanding truth in a spirit that is not holy. Their demands may be true, yet they do not reflect worshiping God in Spirit and Truth. This does not mean they have no freedom in the Spirit, but that they are not as free as they believe. This is hypocrisy.

I am sharing my perspective because I have had significant opportunities to observe others who claim to have faith, at least "the size of a mustard seed"—people who have the Spirit of God. It is only people of faith who reach out to me. Most of them face significant challenges; otherwise, they would not seek my counsel. They recognize that, relative to the perfect pattern of Creation, there are imperfections in their lives. Many come seeking knowledge. Few, if any, continue to hold that prevailing sense of need for long. What they ultimately discover is a need to be healed, transformed, or set free from aspects of the "old nature."

These aspects include old thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, hurts, wounds, false or distorted beliefs, and other old energy patterns that are discordant. They are energies inconsistent with the "primary plan of God"—inconsistent with "THE WORD OF GOD MADE FLESH."

Among other things, the computer age has helped us understand how small impressions of energy can be converted into conspicuous displays of matter. We are not so different. The energy impressions on our hearts are displayed as the matter—the conditions and circumstances—of our lives. Truly, our fruit reveals the truth of the energy in our hearts. Likewise, just as we have access to "spell check" to detect errors in writing, we can, through discernment, detect all that is inconsistent with THE WORD OF GOD. These inconsistencies manifest as discordant words (impurities, imperfections, infections, weeds, obstructions, or other flawed energy patterns). As I have previously stated, such flaws are often quite evident in others, yet seldom as obvious to us about ourselves.

This reality has been confirmed to me through many hundreds of hours of marriage counseling. The evidence is most apparent when couples come together to share their grievances. As each individual speaks, fingers are pointed, and the faults of the other are laid bare. Once they have vented their grievances to their satisfaction, the air is momentarily clearer. It is as though balloons filled with hostile energy have been released. A temporary peace follows—until those same balloons are inevitably re-inflated.

Incidentally, this is why many support groups function well for those who remain steadfast in attending. They offer the opportunity for frequent venting. The same is true for much, if not most, secular counseling. While such methods provide relief, the benefits are not permanent. They are not the ultimate resolution. Though they reflect an aspect of God's grace, they fall short of eternal GRACE—true, lasting freedom.

Further significant insights into the hearts of humanity also arise from marriage counseling. In the temporary calm that follows venting, there is an opportunity to prayerfully read aloud the grievances that were expressed. Common discordant energy patterns emerge. These often include unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, hurt, lack of communication, fear of speaking out, intimidation, rejection, and more. As the list is spoken, both individuals begin to see these patterns in a new light. It becomes obvious that many of the faults in one partner correspond to faults in the other. While they may be greater in one and lesser in the other, they are shared weaknesses. Some of these faults may be merely seed-like in one individual, but as large as a redwood tree in the other.

Even a single element of common impurity is sufficient to create friction between two people. These faults act like lightning rods—energy flows between them, whether words are spoken or not. If these energy patterns are ignored, there can be no victory. If they are suppressed, merely offset, or redirected, pressure builds until an eventual outburst occurs. As noted in 1 Corinthians 15:56b, "...the strength of sin is in the law."

What is true for couples is true for all humankind. Flare-ups arise from what is common in the hearts of those involved. Conflict does not occur where one individual is free in that aspect of character. While this may seem a simple model, issues are rarely so straightforward. The impurities in our hearts are often numerous and deeply entangled. There may also be multiple layers, with deeper layers being similar to and even more toxic than those on the surface. It is entirely possible for things to get worse before they get better. Faith is essential in pressing forward. Often, it is impossible to deal with just one impurity without confronting them all. Furthermore, many of these tangled impurities have root-like structures. Unless the roots are identified and addressed, true resolution is unlikely. Like weeds, these issues can easily perpetuate themselves.

Adding to the challenge is the fact that different "weed patches" share similar elements. Many people become discouraged prematurely because they hold false expectations about the depth of the "infection." It may be minor, like a cold, more serious, like the flu, or deeply entrenched, like cancer. No infection is too great or complex to overcome, but some take longer than others. Commitment and steadfastness are essential.

Couples, in particular, have a potential advantage—if at least one person catches the vision of healing and transformation, there is an opportunity for mutual support and accountability in pressing toward greater victories.

One of the paradoxes of spiritual growth is that some people achieve great victory in certain aspects of their lives while remaining in significant bondage in other areas. It is as though the soul, like a citrus fruit, is made up of many segments. Because of this, it is possible to have a substantial new nature while still retaining remnants of the old nature. To some, this seems impossible; to others, it seems acceptable. Neither perspective aligns with God's best for us. We are not merely to be filled with the Spirit—we are to be increasingly more full, just as Jesus Christ was and is totally full of the Spirit.

There may be many ways to achieve the victories we seek, but I know of only two, and they are intrinsically linked. First, we must die to the old nature. I believe it is possible to recognize the impurities of our hearts and surrender our fleshly and worldly ways. This may have been demonstrated by Job in the Book of Job, though it was a long and arduous process. As we die to the old nature, we make way for the further infilling of the Spirit of God.

Secondly, I know for certain that we can invoke the power of God in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST to reveal, redeem, and replace the old nature with THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.[xvi] As we allow for this provision of God, we become ever more like Him in every sphere of our existence. This is a progressive and cumulative process—the WORD OF GOD BEING MADE FLESH in us.

When we look at our planet from space, we see an image of harmony and perfection. Yet, outer appearances can be deceiving. We know that the whole is only as sound as its parts. The reality of life on Earth is far less harmonious. The world reflects the hearts of humankind. As we think in our hearts, so are we as a global community.

To the degree that we are free, we sow the wisdom of God in peace. To the degree that we are not free, we cannot sow in peace. We are at a Point of Opportunity (POO). It is time to search our hearts so that we may press forward into greater freedom—to KNOW THE TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE. When we do, we can then help others do the same. This is the undeniable evidence of the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT and of worshiping God in SPIRIT AND TRUTH.

The Point of Opportunity is a matter of the heart. Any other efforts, without first achieving this internal victory, will at best be temporary. The headlines will not change until the HEART lines are redeemed.

Now is the time!

(Supplemental footnotes to the prior text)

[i] The law certainly includes civil law. It also includes Old Testament Laws as specifically stated. It even includes the Laws of other Godly scriptures. Not to be excluded are many principles professed in the Old and New testaments that depict Righteous guidelines. All of these fall short. They are like training wheels to get to the best, and at best, they serve only temporarily. The law and/or these principles are cursed. All of these things are legalistic and are conspicuously failing in society and in the Church.

[ii] Scripture speaks of denying self and picking up our cross and following God. This is more than mere lip service. It is more than Christ crucified. It is more than Christ resurrected. It is more than Christ at the right hand of God. It is Christ in us our HOPE OF GLORY. It is more than knowing about Christ in us. It is to KNOW CHRIST IN US. The Spirit of Christ is life itself. It is not merely to know that in some aspects of our life. It is to know that in every aspect of our lives. It is not merely to know that at some times in our lives. It is essential at all times in our lives, in every circumstance. We are to demonstrate the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, not merely give them lip service. Only in this way do we glorify God. No amount of singing, praising, proclaiming, professing, self effort can glorify God. We are either free or we are not. The ultimate freedom is not a matter of our self effort. It is however a matter of our willingness. It is by faith that the door is opened to the free gift of GRACE; the Gift of The Spirit. WE may be partially free but the call is to total freedom and total fruitfulness. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

[iii] The point of friction is the point of opportunity. It is because of the friction that the opportunity is often lost. The greatest friction is often in our own house-hold. These relationships are closest, most sensitive, most vulnerable, and most feared. It is easy to turn away for fear of loss. The giants, the risks may appear to be too great. These appearances are deceiving. These are the places where teeth gnash, where tribulation seems to be the greatest. These are the points of opportunity (POO). These are the gateways to the promised land. No challenge is too big nor too complex. It is essential that we press in. All of God's promises are waiting. If we faithfully, knowingly, obediently allow for God's leading HE IS THE WAY.

[iv] There are some who profess that victory is assured as we memorize Scripture. They suggest that as we do so, it in time will filter down to the heart. This may be true to some degree and yet some of the least fruitful, least loving, least compassionate people that I have ever known are those who can quote Scripture with ease. Knowing Scripture certainly helps as a guideline. It serves well as training wheels or as a plumb line. It is not in searching the scripture. nor in memorizing it that we come to know God. Even Jesus professed that He could not be found there. It is in submission and surrender and in poorness of spirit that we make room for God's gift of the Spirit. Memorization often leads to legalism which is very harsh, rigid, lacking in compassion. Many use the Written Word as a brick-bat or hide behind it.

[v] Relationship, relationship, relationship is the key. We either have it or we don't. To the degree that we have it we are free and fruitful. To the degree that we do not have it we are neither free nor fruitful. We are promised that the prayers of the righteous are answered. If our prayers are being answered we are righteous. To the degree that they are not being answered we are not righteous. If we are not righteous and we set out to say or do righteous things, we are like a clanging symbol. Our true need is to seek even greater victories in our hearts that we may be free to serve. Pleading and motivating is not consistent with God's highest and best. It is speaking Truth in Love that allows for the Spirit of God to convict hearts (not condemn), and to inspire which is a True sign of righteousness. Our "new nature" must be self evident. It is not merely a matter of profession. It is a matter of factual demonstration. It is a matter of the heart. It flows in evidence of the Truth of our relationship with God and consequential ability to love our neighbors as ourselves.

[vi] THIS IS THE TREE OF LIFE as cotrasted with the tree of knowlge of good and evil.

[vii] As we are filled with the gift of the Spirit we bear the fruit of the Spirit. It is a progressive and cumulative process. The Spirit is the Truth. To the degree that we have the Spirit, we know the Truth and we are free and it is evident. And yet it is only evident to the degree that we are free, no matter how much we profess. It is either evident or it is not. We are either free or we are not. If we are free, we have the Spirit. If we have the Spirit we have the Truth, we KNOW God. God IS TRUTH. WHO WE KNOW IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE KNOW. WE KNOW THE TRUTH AND WE ARE FREE. WE ARE CAPABLE OF YIELDING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN GOD'S POWER, not our power.

[viii] It is important to avoid endless debates that lead nowhere. It is not uncommon to observe, in the church or in the world, open dialogues that lead nowhere. The are often unconscious distractions and dissipaters of energy that perpetuate further discordance and not victory. Many will hide behind their dogma, with tongues confessing Truth and with hearts evidencing a lack thereof.

[ix] Some will suggest that what is needed is more rules, more discipline, mental or physical constraints. These are often but not always essential intermediate considerations. They are limited as is any matter of the law to temporary peace at best. It is like a Roman peace or more recently the Communist block nation peace that is an outer appearance only. Once the heavy handed ways subside the true character surfaces and the renewed turmoil begins. Others suggest that the greater benefits come from embracing the conflicting thoughts or feelings to allow for balance and harmony to prevail. Here again there may be some temporary benefit, but it is not lasting. It sets the stage for what the Old Testament that depicts "a season for all things". The victories available through anything less than grace are truly seasonal. They have recurring cycles of highs and lows. GRACE provides for higher highs and higher lows. Grace allows for upward momentum not merely lateral movement. Grace allows for growth and not stagnation.

[x] Finger pointing often tells more about the one pointing the finger than it does about the one to whom the finger is being pointed. Some may point fingers regarding matters of physical abuse. With discernment what is revealed about the finger pointer is aspects of their own character such as mental emotional or verbal abuse. This abuse of theirs may be directed at themselves or at others. It is most often not a matter of their own conscious awareness. If confronted regarding the similar characteristic they are likely, with a sense of clear conscience, to deny it. They tend to be blind or ignorant to the lie that they are living.

[xi] News commentary 6/8, more El Ninnos, human influence

[xii] The Book of Ezekiel makes reference to "wheels within wheels". Consider analogy relative to our perspective of our own planet earth as the initial wheel-like structure. Consider the earth sub-divided into hemispheres, the hemispheres sub-divided into regions, the regions sub-divided into communities, the communities into groups, the groups into individuals, and the individuals into aspects of nature (some of which may be old and some of which may be NEW). Over the years as I have had the privilege of spending thousands of hours with individuals in counsel I have observed many aspects of nature. It is as though our souls are many segmented like an orange. When we have our initial conversion experience one segment is purged, cleansed, purified, filled with the "new life of the Spirit". Many segments of our nature remain unchanged. We have all seen evidence of some individuals that are absolutely saintly in some aspects of their character and not so in others. The tendency is to label individuals as either totally "saved" or totally pagan. In fact people can embrace substantially conflicting aspects of character. The point is that we must be "born again", segment by segment until we are fully redeemed. It is a progressive and cumulative process. True and lasting freedom must begin with the smallest inner components. The freedom emanates from the smallest spheres outward. The blemished fruit will be evidence of deeper infections of individual hearts and the entire planet will continue to evidence hell on earth...True victory begins in our hearts by the Grace of God, the True gift of Light. Our lights then shine brighter and brighter to the glory of God.

[xiii] We are reminded of the need to "...die to self,...to pick up our cross and follow the Christ. We are promised that "...those who overcome shall be given the Tree of Life." It is only by the Tree of Life that we bear the Fruit of The Spirit. Other life forms may look the same but they are mere imitations. They lack the conspicuous health, wealth and joy that are a part of "...Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven'...be ye perfect even as you Father in heaven is perfect."

[xiv] Certain applications of principles, when they are no longer needed, become obstacles. They are expendable. Some of the biblical phrases that make reference to these refer to "...pruning, forgoing milk of the Word to appropriate the meat of the Word,...no longer succumbing to elemental spirits,...doing battle against principalities (which can include making idols of principles at the expense of having true relationship with God, "walking in the Spirit."

[xv] The Spirit of God is with us to help us in every way. We are assured that He is with us to "lead us in all truth". We are called to "walk in the Spirit". Prayerful intercession is open to the leading of the Spirit. This aspect of God's provision I call PRECISION LEADING AND WEEDING (PLW). The Spirit will reveal the things that are discordant. They are the things that are to be healed, or transformed, or purged. The next step is for the leading of The Spirit in specifically directed prayer to accomplish what is needful and assure the infilling of the Spirit. The net end result is a "conspicuous newness of life". It is here that we observe that we are truly "begotten again" as written in 1Peter 1:3.

[xvi] Blessed is He who comes in the Name (name is synonymous with nature) of the Lord. Jesus of Nazareth has come in THE NAME OF THE LORD. He has demonstrated the power of God and the sovereignty of God in all aspects of creation. He was and is the full anointing of the presence of GOD with us. He was and is THE WORD OF GOD MADE FLESH. He said "these things that I do also shall you do, and even greater things,...all who do the will of my father are (not will be) my brothers and my sisters and my mother,...whatever you ask the Father in my name He shall give you. He is resurrected and He is with us always. We may call upon His Name and we also demonstrate the power and sovereignty of God. To the degree that we have been redeemed with the newness of life we too are THE WORD OF GOD MADE FLESH. We too can speak forth in the Nature of The resurrected Christ. Until then we may call upon Him. When two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ and there is loving consensus we also have His assurances.

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

The intent of CRA is:
>NOT to demean other religious perspectives but to share the rationale for a better way;
>NOT to insist but to proclaim what is perceived to be a more excellent way;
>NOT to convince but to reveal the perceived Truth and allow the Spirit of God to convict the hearts and >minds of those who are receptive;
>NOT to force feed but to share
>NOT to intimidate but to encourage;
>NOT to coerce but to invite;
>NOT to argue but to dialogue;
>NOT to divide but to unite.