Thinking God's Thoughts on tradition

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

 In the modern Church, many believers find themselves grappling with the difference between tradition and truth—and the stakes are high. Jesus warned about the danger of holding on to traditions that make the Word of God “of no effect.”  Many believers cling to comfortable traditions, yet these traditions are often void of the supernatural power of God, reducing Faith to nothing more than ritualistic intellectualism and salvation and right standing and acceptance with God based on performance or good works and behavior. 

 Jesus Himself warned us of this danger, saying, “You nullify the Word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13). But what exactly is this tradition doing? It’s stripping the gospel of its power and shifting the focus from the miraculous life Jesus promised to a powerless religion of human effort and man-inspired intellectualism. 

 This study will challenge traditional beliefs that dismiss the supernatural, reduce the Holy Spirit's power to an ancient event, and make believers settle for mediocrity rather than the abundant life of Faith, healing, prosperity, and grace that God’s Word clearly offers.

Tradition: Faith in Human Experience, Not the Holy Spirit

  Religious tradition thrives on the comfort of predictability. It dismisses the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as either an ancient phenomenon or something only for “certain times” or “special people.” In this mindset, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit—healing, prophecy, miracles—are not for the average believer but are neatly packaged away as part of church history. This intellectualized version of Christianity tells believers that God works more through natural means than by supernatural power today.

 However, this directly contradicts the New Testament. The early Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, turned the world upside down through miracles, healings, and signs. Why would these manifestations cease if the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed (Hebrews 13:8)? The truth is, the Holy Spirit’s power is just as available now as it was then.

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

 The traditional mindset, however, is rooted in unbelief, not Scripture. Rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to move, many prefer a religion they can control and explain. It’s easier to intellectualize the faith, relying on tradition and human effort, rather than yielding to the supernatural power of God.

Religious tradition often presents a comfortable version of Christianity. It’s familiar, non-confrontational, and safe. But this safety comes at a cost. Tradition frequently dismisses or explains away the supernatural aspects of God’s Word—healing, prosperity, and miraculous provision—as “outdated” or no longer relevant.

One reason for this is intellectualism: the tendency to rationalize everything through human understanding and experience. For instance, many Christians look at sickness, poverty, or suffering in their own lives (or the lives of others) and assume that these experiences reflect God’s will. After all, if God is sovereign, He must be allowing these hardships, right? But that’s a dangerous leap, one that directly conflicts with the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Healing and Prosperity: Not Fringe but Foundational Truths

 One of the most contested topics in traditional Christianity is the concept of healing and prosperity. Traditional Christians argue, “If healing and prosperity are part of God’s promises, why are there sick Christians? Why are there poor Christians around the world?”

 The issue isn’t whether believers experience sickness or poverty, but whether these conditions align with God’s will. The Bible is clear—healing and prosperity are part of the promises given to us through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the One who brings those promises into reality.

 Healing: Always God’s Will

The traditional argument that "sometimes God wills sickness" or "God is using this for His glory" directly opposes the truth of Scripture. Sickness is part of the curse, and Jesus redeemed us from the curse (Galatians 3:13). Healing is not something God occasionally doles out—Jesus already paid for it.

- Isaiah 53:5: "By His stripes, we are healed."

- Psalm 103:2-3: "Praise the Lord, O my soul... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."

Sickness never came from God—it was never part of His original design for humanity. Jesus healed all who came to Him, not a selective few. Why would His will change today? Healing is a Bible truth, not a fringe doctrine.

 A core issue with tradition is that it allows experience to override Scripture. When believers don’t see the promises of healing, prosperity, or the Gifts of the Spirit manifesting in their lives or in church gatherings, tradition is quick to offer an explanation: “Maybe it’s not God’s will for you.” However, this perspective puts the focus on human experience rather than what God’s Word declares.

 Jesus never taught that sickness was from God, or that poverty was a sign of spiritual growth. In fact, He healed all who came to Him, provided miraculously, and demonstrated God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

• John 10:10: Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
• Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” If Jesus healed, provided, and performed miracles in the past, He still does today.

 Tradition says, “We don’t see these things happening, so they must have ceased.” Truth says, “God’s Word declares these things; our experience needs to rise to the level of His promises.”

 Prosperity: More Than Enough to Fulfill God's Purpose

 Tradition often scoffs at the concept of prosperity, dismissing it as a doctrine of excess.They say If God promises health and provision, why are believers around the world still struggling? Yet, Biblical prosperity is not about becoming a millionaire; it’s about having more than enough to fulfill God’s purpose in your life. God’s promise of prosperity is about sufficiency in all things. The focus is on abundant provision for every good work, not luxury for selfish gain. 

- 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

- Philippians 4:19: "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 Traditionalists point to impoverished nations or struggling Christians and claim, “Prosperity isn’t for everyone.” Again, prosperity isn’t about a specific lifestyle; it’s about having the resources you need to carry out God’s will in your life. Whether you live in a wealthy nation or a poor one, God’s provision is real, and it is supernatural. God is God over all the Earth not just first world nations. 

 Tradition Prefers Works Over Grace

 A key marker of tradition is the constant emphasis on works over grace. Despite the overwhelming evidence in Scripture that we are saved and blessed by grace through faith, tradition insists on adding works-based requirements to maintain favor with God. The Holy Spirit, however, is a Spirit of grace, leading believers into the rest of God (Hebrews 4:3). Jesus has finished the work—our job is to believe it.

- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

- Galatians 3:3: "Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

Many traditional teachings place heavy burdens on believers to perform certain acts to gain God’s approval. Yet the truth of the gospel is this: Jesus has already accomplished it all. Our part is to believe and receive by faith.

Challenging Tradition: The Need for a Renewed Mind

  Breaking free from tradition requires a renewed mind. Many believers are trapped in tradition because they have never experienced the truth of the Word in its fullness. Romans 12:2 urges believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is key to moving from intellectual Christianity—rooted in traditions of men—into the dynamic, supernatural life of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 Tradition keeps believers in a safe but spiritually stagnant place. It resists the supernatural, explains away the promises of God, and denies the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work today. But the truth is clear—God’s power is still available, His promises are still “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and the Holy Spirit is the very life-force of the Church.

 The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are the final authority—not tradition, not human intellect, and not our experiences. As believers, we must be willing to challenge the traditions that have held us back from experiencing the fullness of the supernatural, Holy Spirit-empowered life Jesus promised.Truth will always triumph over tradition, and the Holy Spirit is ready to demonstrate God’s power in your life—if you’re willing to believe.

Image by BAO YI WONG from Pixabay

Thinking God's thoughts on Righteousness

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

 Renewing the mind—this powerful concept stirs up a whirlwind of ideas across the Body of Christ. But is it really the daunting, complex task many make it out to be? Is it some deep, unreachable principle reserved for only the spiritual elite?

 The beauty of our walk with God lies in its simplicity. Like every other aspect of our salvation and relationship with our Good Father, renewing the mind is far from complicated. It’s about aligning our thoughts with God's thoughts. It’s about agreeing with His Word, and letting His truth reshape how we see ourselves and the world around us.

 We do this by feasting on God’s Word, learning to rightly divide between the Old and New Covenants, and gaining a deeper revelation of all that Jesus accomplished for us through His victorious redemption. The key to living a life of victory is to come into agreement with God! When we start thinking God's thoughts—rather than those shaped by the world, culture, or tradition—we step into the fullness of the abundant life He’s always intended for us.

 Let’s hit the reset button on how we see Righteousness. It’s time to see it the way God does—as a pure gift, not something we can earn or work hard enough to achieve. Righteousness isn’t some spiritual trophy we get for being "good enough." It’s a lavish gift straight from God’s heart!

 Here’s where traditional religion misses the mark: it teaches that Righteousness must be earned as if we can somehow measure up on our own. But the truth is so much better! Righteousness is a Gift we receive not a work we achieve. Righteousness is not a reward for good behavior—it’s a divine exchange. Jesus took on our sinfulness, and in return, He gave us His perfect Righteousness. 

And since we now have His Righteousness, it means that as believers, our righteousness isn’t even our own—it’s fully Christ’s! Think about it: if it's Christ’s Righteousness that we have been given, then we stand as Righteous as Jesus Himself! That’s the astonishing reality of this incredible gift, and it’s time we live with the confidence that comes from knowing we are just as Righteous as our Savior!

 Imagine this: every single benefit, every blessing, and all the access that Jesus Himself has with the Father—we have that same access in Him! We are not half-loved, half-approved, or half-accepted. No, the Father loves us just as much as He loves Jesus! We are fully accepted, completely approved, and unconditionally loved—just like Jesus!

 Now, if we really grabbed hold of this truth, it would completely change how we approach our relationship with God. We wouldn't dive into spiritual disciplines hoping to be found worthy, accepted, or approved by Him. Let’s be clear—effort in our relationship with God is valuable, but it’s not about earning His favor or love. God is all for effort (in relationship), but He’s absolutely against striving to earn what’s already ours. There’s a big difference between pursuing Him out of love and performing to earn something that was freely given.

 Here’s where our minds need serious renewal: when it comes to the Gift of Righteousness, this is the very thing that makes us fully accepted and approved by the Father. Righteousness isn’t just a label—it’s a life-altering truth! It means we are forever free from condemnation. No more guilt, no more shame hanging over us like a dark cloud.

 Condemnation is the voice of the enemy, a relentless lie that tries to suffocate believers with guilt, shame, and feelings of unworthiness. Condemnation whispers, "You’ve messed up too many times. God is done with you." It says, "You deserve to be punished for all your failures, your sins, and your mistakes." But that’s nothing but a soul-crushing lie from the pit of hell!

When condemnation tries to creep in, we need to stand firm and declare the truth: we are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! No more condemnation. No more expecting punishment. Why? Because in Christ, we have been set free from condemnation forever. We are accepted and approved, not because of our own actions or efforts, but because of what Jesus has done for us.

 This Righteousness is a divine gift—a gift that allows us to stand in the presence of God without the slightest hint of guilt, shame, or inferiority. It’s the gift of absolute freedom from condemnation, the gift of perfect acceptance with the Father. Let this sink in: you are as accepted, loved, and approved as Jesus Himself. Now that’s a truth worth celebrating!

 Walking in victory is closely tied to thinking the same way God thinks. We walk in a greater measure of peace, a sense of wholeness, and joy when our thinking comes into alignment with God's. When it comes to Righteousness we must remember it is a gift, not something we can achieve. Embrace this radical truth, we are just as accepted, approved, loved, and Righteous as Jesus our Lord. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thinking God's thoughts on Salvation

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

In Romans 12:2, we are encouraged not to "copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." This transformation begins when we align our thoughts with God's thoughts, especially regarding salvation.

One crucial aspect of thinking God's thoughts about salvation is understanding His definition of sin. Under the New Covenant, sin is often described as "missing the mark." But what mark are we missing? According to the New Testament, the ultimate mark is love, the God kind of love. Jesus gave us a new command, to love. Paul summed up the morality of the Law and commandments as walking in love.

  Actions such as sexual immorality, lying, cheating, dishonoring others, and stealing all fall short of this divine standard of love. Therefore, sin, in essence, is missing the mark of love. We cannot let religious tradition, this fallen world, or the ever-changing culture define sin. God's Word remains clear and unchanging—sin is anything that falls short of His perfect love.

 Religious tradition says things like watching television, going to a dance, or women cutting their hair and wearing makeup are sinful deeds. Many say men having long hair or getting a tattoo is sinful. Some say listening to music that isn't church hymns is sinful. We must stay with the Word, not the world or religious tradition. 

In thinking His thoughts about salvation, it's also essential to recognize that not everyone is saved. Salvation is not an automatic or forced gift. God offers salvation to all, but He respects human free will. Grace extends the invitation of salvation to everyone, but each person must freely choose to accept and receive it through faith. Salvation is by grace through faith.

For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

 It is not based on human effort or striving to make ourselves acceptable to God. Salvation is not "lordship salvation," where sinful man makes promises to cease sinning, pledging to live perfectly, and then earns God's approval. This approach places the focus on human effort rather than God's grace. True salvation is a gift of grace, accepted by faith in Jesus alone. It’s about receiving eternal life—not through works, but through trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross.

Salvation, at its core, is about being saved from eternal separation in hell and entering into a loving relationship with a gracious and good Father. God is not a distant taskmaster waiting for us to get it right before He saves us. Instead, He is a loving Father, extending His arms wide through Jesus, offering forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Salvation is not merely about avoiding hell, but about being saved *unto* a life of intimacy, grace, and relationship with God.

In summation let's renew our minds to what God says. Let's think God's thought about salvation. We must reject worldly and cultural influences distorting salvation's true meaning. In the same way, religious traditions that place the burden of salvation on human effort must be challenged. God’s grace is sufficient, and faith in Jesus is all that is required to be saved.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Thinking God's thoughts

 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

The importance of right thinking is an essential element in living the victorious life in Christ. Christ purchased and procured our redemption and complete victory at Calvary. Yet we will never experience it fully if our thinking isn't aligning with God's.

 That is a strong statement. It is but is it true nonetheless. For example, Christ paid the price for our forgiveness. Yet if one thinks their sin is too great for God to forgive, they will cower in God's presence. They will shrink back from Him, disqualifying themselves, and seeing their sin as a barrier between themselves and God. 

 We must renew our minds to think God's thoughts. We must relinquish the thinking of the world system and embrace God's thoughts. We must pull down strongholds of traditional religious thinking and wholeheartedly accept and receive God's thoughts. 

 Sometimes our thinking is born out of negative experiences we have endured. We must allow our experiences to be challenged by His Word. We must align our lives with His truth and not our experience. 

 True freedom and victory are only found in embracing God's thinking. When we renew our minds to who God is, what He has said about our circumstances, our identity, and how He sees us and has forever accepted us in Christ we will walk in His fullness and promises. Thinking His thoughts bring hope and peace that surpasses human limitations.

 So how do we think God's thought? First, we have to know Him. I would never know someone's thoughts on a given topic if I didn't know them, or didn't spend quality time with them. 

 How do we get to know Him? First, look at Jesus. Jesus revealed the Father to us. I like how one minister described Jesus, the will of God in action. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. 

 I don't see Jesus condemning people. I don't see Him sending disasters or plagues. I don't see Him causing someone's death. I don't see Him bankrupting businesses or making someone sick. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the enemy. 

 Secondly, we need to know the Word of God. We need to know it  rightly divided between the Old and New Covenant. We need to know the Word revealed through Jesus and His Grace and the Goodness of God. 

 Jesus is perfect theology. He perfectly revealed the Father. He revealed a Good Father whose desire is to do good and heal all who were oppressed by the enemy. Supernatural provision, deliverance, raising the dead, forgiving sins, and bringing the gift of no condemnation revealed a loving Savior and a Good God. This is who Jesus is.

 Thirdly, we need to receive of God's gifts to the Church, the fivefold ministry. No, not ministries blinded by tradition but ministers who are anointed and have received the fullness of the Gospel of Grace, understand His Goodness at all times, and are full of Faith and not unbelief. God's gifts help break the bread of life so we can freely feed on God's Word. Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ.

 We will renew our minds by fellowshipping with God in personal prayer time. We will renew our minds by looking at Jesus and seeing the Good Father He revealed to us. We will renew our minds when we read and study the Word of God rightly divided. We will renew our minds by feeding on God's Word taught by ministers of Faith and Righteousness. 

The more we continue in this, the longer we do this, and the more attention we give to this, we will see a radical shift in our thinking. We will be able to rightly divide the Word from tradition to truth. We see a Good Father who is for us and not against us. We will embrace a different outlook concerning our circumstances. We will trust in Him and see Him as the help and hope rather than the one ordaining difficulties.   

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Goodness: Now and Later!

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:8-9 NKJV 

 Our God is a Good Father. Christians serve a Good God. Serve doesn't mean earning, or striving for, but in service of the King, we are ambassadors for Christ. God is such a Good God, He always has our best in mind.

 When we think of prosperity, healing, and goodness in this life, many conjure images and examples of excess and abuse in their thinking. When we mention wholeness and goodness for the here and now, many say no, the good life is for the future, in Heaven. Yet the Father made these promises and provided for them in Redemption. He did this to demonstrate His Goodness and lovingkindness to a lost and hurting world.

 Prosperity, healing, and wholeness are God's ideas. It is His way to visibly demonstrate His all the time Goodness. God wants to show His people off and let all the world know He is a good God. 

 Paul spoke of this idea of blessing in this life and the one to come. He wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit the text for this study. He states truly Godliness is profitable for this life and the one to come. He also wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 15;

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 1 Corinthians 15:19 NKJV

 In context Paul was preaching the Gospel of Jesus and addressing those who claim there is no future fulfillment, the resurrection has passed, and those claiming there is no resurrection. Therefore claiming Jesus didn't rise from the dead. Paul was not saying there is no promise for this life but only the next.

 Paul was not contradicting himself. The Spirit doesn't lead to contradictions. The problem with relegating everything to the afterlife and discounting healing and prosperity as excess and abuse is twofold. 

 The first problem is we take away from God's Goodness. We make God out to be a terrible Father. What would someone think if they saw a wealthy father have a child who had holes in his shoes, malnourished, and dirty, old tattered clothes? They would say that is a terrible unkind and neglectful father. 

 Secondly, we diminish what Christ suffered and died for. We take away from the fullness of what He procured and purchased and provided for in His work of Redemption. This limits God and causes people not to awaken to the fullness of their inheritance in Christ. 

Now in a fallen world suffering is a reality. While suffering exists, it doesn’t negate God’s compassionate desire for His children to experience blessings now. Misinterpreting suffering as God’s will can prevent believers from standing in faith for healing, prosperity, and breakthrough It's of vital importance to differentiate between the trials of living in a fallen world and God's will. God is always for us, never against us, and wants His children to walk in His promises.

Matthew 6:19-21 teaches about storing up treasures in heaven, emphasizing eternal rewards. However, this does not mean earthly blessings are excluded. It’s about prioritizing God’s kingdom while also recognizing that God cares for our needs in this life (Philippians 4:19).

And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Philippians 4:19 TLB

 In summation, The belief that all blessings are stored up in heaven often stems from a misunderstanding of God's character and the fullness of His promises. God's goodness includes a desire for us to experience healing, provision, and a blessed life here on earth, as well as eternal life with Him. Godliness is profitable for this life as well as the life to come, we have a Good God we can trust and rely on. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Your Best Life Now?

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:8-9 NKJV

God is a Good God. Jesus is a loving Savior who laid His life down to redeem us. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Counselor and the fire from on high indwelling all those who believe. How do we see God though? How do we see the Christian life? 

 If God is a Good Father and His Son loved us so much that He went through the sufferings of the Cross on our behalf, how does this shape our view of the Christian life? How should we then live in light of this? 

 If God is Good, Jesus loves us so much and God sent His Spirit to indwell all who believe, how does He want us to live this life? Does He want our lives filled with misery, mistreatment, and misfortune? What is the life He desires for us?

 When I look at the life Jesus lived on earth, I don't see a life filled with despondency, despair, depression, or desolation. I see Jesus going around doing good and healing all! Jesus dealt with persecution from religious leaders, but his real suffering was only when He was paying the price for our redemption. 

 Religious tradition has decided to ignore all Jesus did and claim that the Christian life is meant to be a life full of nothing but affliction, agony, and anguish. To them, tragedy, torment, and tribulation are all one should expect in this life. They also say we should be thankful to receive all these things.

 Yet when I read the Bible why do I see God and His people bringing healing, hope, and help to so many? Religion would respond that Jesus and the disciples went about doing good just to preach the Gospel and get people saved. Yes it is true goodness on display points the lost to a loving Savior, and people respond, this is certainly an important reason but isn't the only reason. God brings wholeness, and relief, and alleviates suffering simply because He is Good and desires to do good.

 Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, He healed the Centurion's servant and did many other works of goodness, healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He did this to demonstrate His goodness and God's love. If we were to apply modern religious traditional teachings to these events, Jesus shouldn't have gone about doing good and healing. 

 Jesus should have asked Jairus why are you focusing on seeing your daughter healed? You should be more focused on becoming righteous and holy. You should be focused on how sinful you are and how your best life is in heaven not here. Jesus should have told the little girl, your best life isn't here so just accept this sickness and eventual death. 

 When the Centurion beseeched Jesus to come heal his servant Jesus should have responded, you gentile, you heathen! You are sinful and wretched, how can you dare ask me anything?! You need to realize your best life is never here. Repent and keep repenting, and only expect misery and hardship in this life. I trust you see the fallacy of the religious traditions of men. 

 Does God want our best life now or only in the hereafter? The true, biblical answer is both. Father God is Good and wants only our best. The interesting fact about the religious leaders proclaiming God wants our worst life now, all live in affluence, possess many earthly goods, and do what they can do to provide comfort and happiness to their own kids. 

 Godliness is profitable for the hereafter and the life we live today. God has plans and purposes for our lives. He has a destiny for His children. He has great things He wants us to accomplish. Now the scale is different for each of us, but it is still great nonetheless. 

 Perhaps He purposed us to help lead our family to Christ, or that coworker to find help and restoration for their past trauma. God has plans for us and they are always good. Each part of the Body of Christ is important, vital, and needed. You are valuable and have a calling, gifts, talents, and a destiny only you can fulfill.

 Don't allow religious tradition small-minded people to steal God's dreams and visions and destiny He has planned for you. Favor surrounds you like a shield. Goodness and mercy follow you all the day.

 In summation, disregard the goofy ideas of religious tradition. Stay with the Word. God is always good. He has promise for the life that now is and the one to come. It is time to live your best life now. 

 

Image by Alexandr from Pixabay

The Father is Always Good!

For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. Psalm 100:5 TLB 

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8 AMP

 God our Father is a Good Father. God Almighty is Good and only Good. He is Good and only does good! We have a Father who loves us and a Father we can trust.

 It seemed good to speak more about the goodness of God. Someone may say, haven't you already talked about His goodness? Is another study on His goodness necessary? My response would be, seeing the predominant thinking of the world, and the Church, it is still a vital message that needs to be taught more and more.

 So many still cling to the idea that God is a not-so-good God and that He tests, and tries with tragedy, troubles, torment, and tribulation. Many believe He inflicts and ordains hard times,  just to humble, and teach us. Or punish us if we fail too often.

 God is always Good! He has revealed Himself in the person of the Son. Jesus when He came to earth showed a loving and compassionate Father. A Father who longed for a family. A Father who was not afflicting but rather a Father who was bringing life and healing all.  

 God also revealed Himself, His character, by the Hebrew names He revealed to His people. He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer. He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace. These names tell us more about our Father and His real work among men. 

 God is Jehovah the Good. Yet religion and tradition have added their own names of God. To them, He is Jehovah calamity, the bringer of destructive events, fires, accidents, crashes, and crises. To them, He is Jehovah disaster, the bringer of tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and storms. To them, He is Jehovah pestilence, the bringer of plagues, pandemics, affliction, sickness, and disease. To them, He is Jehovah indignant, the angry, the furious, the frenzied, rage-filled, looking to strike and punish man when he fails.

 Religion and tradition also have created a stronghold in the minds of so many with their teaching on the Sovereignty of God. They define sovereignty as God ordains, determines, and causes every event on earth. That He is in total control of every facet of life. 

 That bank robbery that occurred? God must have had a mysterious purpose for this event. That tsunami? God caused it to punish the sinners, and to prove to all He is God. That pandemic? God must have ordained it.

 These are the misconceptions of the religious traditional-minded scholars, theologians, and ministers. These concepts of sovereignty trickle down to the congregations of these leaders, thus instilling these ideas in their thinking. Sovereignty defined as God controlling all things, leads to the other erroneous manifestation of this belief.

 The idea that God controls all things, also means our Faith is impotent and powerless and subject to the whims of sovereignty. Religious sovereignty also means God doesn't have to keep His Word and promises. Sure He said He promises healing and wholeness, but He, in His sovereignty can say no to your believing prayer of Faith. 

 This doesn't translate to God being the Supreme authority in the universe. All this does is make God out to be a liar and one who cannot be taken at His Word. His Word means nothing, and one must wait on a personal revelation that God will meet your specific need or fulfill your request.

 Religion thinks sovereignty concepts honor God. In reality, it dishonors God because it proclaims God can lie and there is nothing you can do about it now be silent and serve Him! The Goodness of God is contrary to religion and tradition. 

 If you want to know God, you must relinquish the traditions of men and stay with the Bible, God's Word. God has revealed Himself through His Word. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see God's goodness all the time. 

Jesus, the Word made flesh, went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil. He went about doing good, not doing bad. He went about healing, bringing provision, and forgiving people. 

 Jesus when He encountered the woman at the well, offered her new life to come. He didn't send affliction, plague, or famine to her or her household because she was living with an unmarried man. In fact, He never condemned her, He just loved her, and His goodness led her to change her thinking.

 God is a Good Father. He is a faithful Father. In Him is light and not darkness. He is not the author of your trial or trouble. He is not the source of hard times, but amid trouble, we can run to Him and trust Him cast our burdens on Him, and see Him sustain us.

  We have a Good Father! Let's embrace this truth completely. No matter what we face, know God is not the one orchestrating it. We can trust Him and rest in His love. He is only Good and always Good. 

 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

God is Good all the time!

For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. Psalm 100:5 TLB

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Psalm 145:8-9   

  One of the most profound truths that will change a person's life is the reality of knowing and understanding the Goodness of God. When the believer is not just aware of His Goodness but has his heart established in this truth, he will see greater Faith, greater joy, and greater trust in the Father. The Goodness of God seems so elementary but it is the foundation of all other Gospel and Redemption realities.

 Faith is having a good opinion of God. Knowing just how Good God our Father is enables a trust in whatever He has promised and declared will come to pass. In fact, Faith declares whatever God has done in the Finished Work is already mine. Faith comes into agreement with what The Father has spoken and declared over our lives. 

 Only a Good God can make promises that will come to pass. If an earthly father told their child get ready we are going to get ice cream, but never took the child, and did this repeatedly, what would be the end result? If the father said again to get ready we are going for ice cream, the child would not trust what he said and more than likely wouldn't even get ready. Why? He couldn't trust those words, because those words weren't coming from a place of goodness.

 God's Goodness at all times is the single greatest foundation all other truths are built upon. Faith builds on the foundation of Goodness because it's the character of the one promising that produces trust. Goodness is the foundation Grace builds on, His character reveals He is merciful, and will give us unearned and undeserved and unmerited favor. 

 God's Goodness is revealed in His blessings. He blesses us because He is Good, not because we are good. He blesses us because He is Good, His Goodness takes pleasure in blessing and providing and prospering His people. 

 God's Goodness is revealed in His Grace and great Love for us. His Grace is greater than our worst sins. No matter how far we have fallen or fouled up, His Grace is far-reaching and will always find us. His Grace covers, cleanses, and completely forgives all our sins. Nothing we can do can be so terrible that Grace can't overcome it and bring redemption, mercy, and transformation. 

 God's Goodness is revealed in the Word of Faith. We can come in agreement with God and receive all He has purchased, procured, and provided in the Finished Work of Redemption. We can make bold declarations of Faith because we know the character of the One who promised. We can rest in what He said in His Word because He is a Good Father and He can't lie. We can take Him at His Word and freely receive. 

 God's Goodness is revealed in His healing power and the wholeness He procured for us at Calvary. He was healer when He walked the sandy shores of Galilee and He has not changed. Look again at the Gospels. Many times when Jesus healed, it states He was moved with compassion. Is He any less compassionate today? He is our healer and He is Good. 

 One area we all need to develop in is seeing God's Goodness in the face of catastrophe. In a fallen world, there exist calamities, crises, and cataclysmic events. We must gain greater insight and understanding of God's Goodness in these times. We too often assign blame in some way to God for these events. 

 We say God is sovereign. Therefore this must mean He caused the event, He ordained the event, or He allowed it for some mysterious purpose. Look again at the character of Jesus. He said if you have seen Him you have seen the Father. 

 Jesus never crippled anyone to teach them empathy for others who were infirm. He didn't bankrupt anyone to teach them humility and to ensure they didn't get too high-minded. He didn't send a storm or disaster to punish, afflict, or chastise. He didn't crush and destroy lives claiming a mysterious purpose. No, He came to save men's lives not destroy and wreak havoc in their lives. 

 When we see disaster, calamities, or tragedy, our response should be to render help, to be there for those afflicted. Our response should be us being the hands, feet, and mouth of God and His Love and Goodness. We shouldn't be claiming that disaster is God's judgment on people. We shouldn't be saying this trauma was ordained of God because He is in control and He allowed it for His purposes. 

 When we are in a trial, when we are experiencing hardship and going through a challenge, we should be running to our Good Father. We shouldn't be accusing Him of causing the affliction or allowing it for some purpose. We shouldn't be asking God why are YOU doing this to me? 

 The enemy likes to bring accusations against you for all your failings, your faults, and foul-ups. He likes to bring condemnation for the sins you commit, the very sins he tempted you with. However, when you become established in Grace these accusations lose their effectiveness. 

 The enemy has another tactic and scheme. If he can't accuse you when you fail, he will try to get you to accept accusations about God. The enemy accuses God to you. He will claim God isn't always Good. If God was Good then this thing wouldn't have happened. If God was so Good why are you still struggling? If God is Good why are your prayers going unanswered? The enemy wants you to question and doubt His Goodness and faithfulness to you. Take those thoughts captive and instead begin to praise your Good Father! Your praises still and silence the enemy. 

 We have to establish our hearts and renew our minds to this truth, that God is Good all the time! Look at Psalm 34. We see a powerful truth and establishment of His all the time Goodness.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NKJV

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 NKJV

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NKJV

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 NKJV

 Psalm 34 reveals Man has fears, troubles, and afflictions. However, what other pattern do you see? What is God's role in this? God is the one bringing deliverance and salvation. He is not the One bringing what's causing the fear. He isn't sending the trouble. He isn't the author of the affliction and He never will be. 

 In summation, embrace the Good News. God is always a Good Father. God is always for us and never against us. He is our advocate, He is our comforter, He is our deliverer, He is our Father. He loves us with everlasting unconditional Love. God wants an intimate relationship with His children, and knowing just how Good He is, is the foundation for that relationship. All the time God our Father is Good! 

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

The Acts of Grace

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be proficient, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 MOUNCE

 God's Word is truth. It is our supreme source for discerning truth from error, lies, falsehoods, and untruths born from the spirit of deception, and the religious tradition of men. God's Word is our source of truth, doctrine, and instruction. 

 It is not a rule book to follow dogmatically. It is a divine love letter revealing the heart of a loving Father and a gracious Savior who gave all, laying down His life to redeem lost and rebellious souls from sin, and satan's hold and spiritual death. It's called the "good book" for good reason. 

 This "good book" reveals to us the Grace of Almighty God. Grace is spelled out to us from Genesis to Revelation. Grace is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation, newness of life, life eternal, and total and complete forgiveness and Righteousness are found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 Now traditional religion and the deception of the enemy rob believers of all the Goodness God offers them. Jesus spoke of this. Look at His words here in Mark;

making void the word of God by your traditional teaching which ye have delivered; and many such like things ye do. Mark 7:13 Darby

 Tradition and religion make the Word of no effect. It renders the Word useless, invalidating it, thus negating it in the life of the hearer of religion. Religion is the enemy of growth and Christian victory.

 In sharing the Good News of the Spirit's power made available as a gift to all, religious tradition objected and based this objection on an absurd claim. The justification they gave for this objection was that the entire book of Acts was not a book of the Bible one could teach from. The claim is that Acts is not a book of doctrine. 

 I discovered a religious tradition that should be allayed and dismissed as utter foolishness. Religion claims Acts is a mere descriptive book and not a "prescriptive" book. They claim there is no doctrinal truth in Acts.

 Religion if followed would make the Word of Grace missing and lacking in the life of the believer. The cessationists, those clinging to religious tradition are so against the power of the Spirit for today that they are willing to disregard an entire book of the Bible. They are leaving behind some amazing truths of the Gospel in doing so.

 Some Christians have such a Religious bias and prejudice against Tongues, the active Gifts of the Spirit, the infilling of the Spirit, and Charismatic (supernatural) ministry that they can only see Acts as a Charismatic/Pentecostal book. I want to show that Acts is so much more than that. The Gospel of Grace is introduced in Acts and it is for us today!

 The Acts of Grace are seen throughout this wonderful book. This book describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of early believers in the Church. It is also prescribed because it reveals a ministry that turned the world upside down.  

 The world was transformed not just through signs and wonders, but also through preaching the radical message of God's Grace. All of the faiths, (religions) in the world were based on the actions, performances, and behavior of their followers up until this point. Here is a message being preached, that the God being proclaimed through preaching, being revealed through teaching, is the same God that already did all the work required. All one needs to do is simply believe.

 Throughout this book, we see Grace demonstrated and see Grace proclaimed to all. We have a full sermon of the Apostle Paul, the Apostle of Grace, given in this book. Acts not prescriptive? Not a book of doctrine? Foolishness! 

  The Word declared that great power was on the Church, the Spirit's power yes. We also see that great Grace was upon the Church. Grace is on the Church, Grace is the Gospel message we preach. Lost, rebellious, dead in sin, humanity can freely come to a Holy God and receive forgiveness of all sins, Righteousness, and eternal life. Not because they deserve it, not because they worked hard enough, but simply because of His Love and Goodness.

 This is the message that turned the world upside down.  

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Acts 13:43 NKJV

 Grace is proclaimed throughout the entire book of Acts. We see it first here that we as the Church are no longer under Law but His Grace. We see that we have been freed from the Old Covenant and the new has come. We see the opposition from religion and tradition to the message of Jesus and His Grace.  

 We can't allow religious bias to rob us of the fullness of God. Religious bias formed, creating further wrong thinking, and producing unbelief in the hearts and minds of some Christians is what's behind ideas like these. The book of Acts is a book about the power of the Spirit yes but even more about it's a book proclaiming the word of His Grace.

 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:3 NKJV

This passage says it all. Grace and the Spirit's power are inseparable. They are the effective ministry that turned the world upside down then and it's still the same today. Proclaim Grace with power and demonstration and see God confirm His Grace with signs following. 

 In summation, Acts is a book of doctrine. It reveals the availability of the Spirit today. It reveals the supernatural ministry the Church should be walking in. It also reveals the message we should still be proclaiming. The Grace of God! 

Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33 NASB

 One of the greatest blessings God has given humanity is the Holy Spirit released upon the earth. His Spirit works in many ways. He convicts unbelievers of their sin of unbelief. He reminds the believers of who they are, the children of God, and how much they are loved by Him. He is our comforter and peace no matter the circumstance.

 The Holy Ghost is also power from on high. He empowers believers in so many ways. He empowers us to witness to others about the love of the Father. He leads us and guides us through His still small voice, and His peace within. If there is no real peace about a decision, it's best to wait before acting. There is another aspect of His power available to believers.

 The Baptism in the Spirit releases God's tangible, supernatural, power in our life. This is an active power, not a passive power. It is the doorway into the supernatural ministry and supernatural life in Christ. 

 Brother, don't you know you are complete in Christ? Didn't you know you already have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ when you believed? There are no second blessings, you are not incomplete. You have all you need the moment you believe.

 As a person who has received Jesus, freely, by Grace through Faith, that knows the Gospel is the Grace of God, that Jesus is the person of Grace, I am not ignorant of my completeness in Christ. In Him, we are complete, not lacking, fully supplied, and connected to our Father forever. We are complete in Christ, yes I agree.

 What we must remember though is our completeness concerns our identity. In our identity, we are complete and full lacking nothing. In our development spiritually speaking we are growing and learning and increasing. It is in this area where the fullness of the Spirit is needed and benefits us greatly. 

 Let's look at the Apostle Paul's words in Acts 19 to further examine this concern and gain better insight. This is the Apostle of Grace. This is the very Apostle who gave us the good news revelation that we are complete in Christ. Was he confused about our completion at this time? Look at the question he asks;

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples 2 and said to them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” Acts 19:1-2 MEV

 If we are complete at salvation in identity and development and "have it all" at salvation, why even ask this question? Some may respond he just wanted to make sure they were actually saved. Okay, maybe, but why did he continue in his actions demonstrating a belief that there is a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit?

  5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:5-6 MEV

 Why did Paul lay hands on them? Laying on of hands is not a requirement or prerequisite for receiving salvation. When we receive Christ, the Spirit makes His abode within us. This is the Spirit indwelling us, this is the Spirit within. 

Paul laid hands on these believers so that the Spirit would come upon them empowering them for supernatural power, enabling, and anointed acts of service. There is the Spirit within, identity, and completeness in Christ. There is also the Spirit upon, empowerment for development. This Spirit upon is the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.

 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8 WEB

 In 1993 as a young immature man, serving in the United States Military I was ignorant and unlearned about the person of the Holy Spirit. I had a minister and even another friend pray for me to receive the Spirit upon. In my ignorance, I was looking for a feeling or something tangible to release my Faith to reach out and receive. 

 Needless to say, I didn't receive Him, I was not in Faith. Then one night I received prayer from this same minister, and when he prayed for me the power of God overtook me, overshadowed me, and enveloped me. I again, trying to use my head, didn't fully accept, what I had received. 

 After the service, I went to the minister and told him my desire to be filled and pray in the Spirit. What I didn't realize was that I had just received but my ignorant mind was blocking the Spirit from fully manifesting Himself through me. The minister looked at me and just said lift your hands and speak! As soon as I did I just started speaking forth this beautiful heavenly tongue giving praise to my Father.

 The result of the Spirit upon has been dynamic. I began to witness in power and demonstration. I saw sick bodies healed, I saw people set free and lives changed through prayer. This happened because the Spirit's empowerment was given to me and I received it freely. 

 The good news is that this same power is available to all who believe. When you receive Jesus you are complete in Him. There is no lack or deficiency in your identity in Christ. You are complete, accepted, and approved. Now that you are new, we all begin the development journey in Christ. In this understanding, freely receive the Spirit upon you and see your life transformed supernaturally. 

 It is freely given we just need to freely receive it. How? It is simple, by Faith believing. You receive Jesus, you rest in your completeness in Him. Second, simply desire this divine empowerment. Finally, just ask and receive it. Dear Jesus, because you love me, baptize me in the Holy Spirit, amen thank you. Begin to thank God, and open your mouth and speak forth the language the Spirit gives. It is not based on your performance but on Jesus' love for you. 

Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay

Complete in Christ!

And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power. Colossians 2:10 MEV

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 NLT

 Have you ever felt incomplete? That you are lacking or deficient in some area of your life? Ever saw yourself as not fully measuring up? Ever thought you were lagging behind and watching others bypass you? Should this be the norm in our Christian walk?

 Did the redemptive work of Christ Jesus not cover some area of our life? Did Jesus not fully provide for us? Is His Finished Work Not Enough?

 We may feel like we are incomplete sometimes in our Christian journey. We feel like we are lagging behind. Certainly, religious tradition declares and proclaims how incomplete we are, how we are losing ground and always failing to measure up. Is this the Gospel message?

 Is this the truth of our identity in Christ? The Good News is Jesus' work of Redemption is complete. Jesus won. He has fully provided for us and made us new creations in Him. No matter how we see ourselves, or what wrong idea or concept we think and believe, we are complete in Him.

 We are connected to Christ. We are one with Him. We aren't far from our Father. We are in perfect union because of Jesus. This is based on the perfect work of our Savior. It is not based on how we feel or if we get it all right from day to day. We are always connected to Christ.

 We are clean, not filthy sinners any longer. We are cleansed from all our sins. Jesus' blood was shed for the full remission of all our sins. His blood is enough. This spotless blood covered and cleansed all sin. We are not guilty in the eyes of our Father. He doesn't look upon us as dirty and unholy. He sees us as cleansed and spotless, fully Righteous.

 We are close to God. We became close when we accepted Jesus' free gift of Righteousness and the forgiveness of sins. We are one with Him. We don't have to work our way to closeness to Him. 

 I can hear religious tradition "freaking out" if you will at this thought. If religious tradition had a motto it would be "working my way to you Lord." Traditional religion likens our spiritual disciplines and works as a mean to become closer to God. They are working for what they already have.

 We are complete in Christ. We don't have to try to be complete. We are complete in Him. We need to rest in our identity. We need to accept we are who He says we are.

 Now religion says we are complete until we are incomplete. How does this happen? When we don't follow all their rules, when we aren't as "spiritual" as them, or when we sin too much. 

 Clean, close and connected? Only if we haven't sinned. If we sin, we are far off. We are unclean and disconnected. We then need to get right, we need to get back to God, we need to "rededicate" or reconnect. This concept is foreign to the Gospel spelled out in the Epistles. The vocabulary of distance, disconnection and uncleanness is not found in the Epistles concerning the believer. 

 The Good News of the Gospel is we are fully complete and close to God forever because of Jesus. Our sins or level of spiritual disciplines have nothing to do with it. It's by Faith in Christ that we have this new life, Righteousness and perfect union with Christ. 

 In summation, don't allow tradition to rob you of your true identity in Christ. You are clean, you are close, and you are forever connected to the Father. You are complete in Christ and nothing can change that. It is all because of Jesus. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net