John 15:5 (KJV): “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me (God, the LORD Jesus Christ) ye can do nothing.” Words in blue not scripture.
Why is my life so miserable in Christ; in relationship to what God would do through me? I have yet to learn that: “for without me (Jesus) you (I) can do nothing.”
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might (a choice) walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be (another choice) partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:9-18.
I have yet to learn who I am in Him and who He is in me. I believe that the principle reason I am so weak and wretched still; even being in Christ; is
who now, in this time we live, who prays for us, prays for me, not just to pray but to pray as we should in Him, the LORD for what we, I truly need: I was believing in a sense of double-mindedness and hadn’t seen whom I am in Christ more fully.
Paul wrote that they “do not cease to pray for you” verse 9: I read that it is an on going pray, continuous: that never ending journey of growing in grace. People praying for others well being, pray for others healing, praying that others lives would be without care, needs all met and being fancy free; those prayers are appreciated I’m sure; but that isn’t what is needed, is it? So who, as Paul and those with him prayed for their spiritual well being as they did? Who prays for: “desiring that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” I don’t know of others, but for myself and shamefully so don’t recall praying this way for others.
“For this cause we also , since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you” Colossians 1:9a. My first question in reading that is; Paul had heard, heard what? I presume that there were those in Colosse who had heard the gospel Paul presented “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Did Paul pray the same for both groups, those in Christ believing the gospel he presented and those who had yet to believe?
I’m quite sure there was more to it than just them hearing the gospel but a pronounce change as they began to “be filled with knowledge”, “all wisdom”, “spiritual understanding”, “fruitful in all good work”, increasing in the knowledge of God”, strengthened with all might of His power”, “all patience”, “long-suffering”, “joyfulness” and finally to be: “giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” From Colossians 1:9-18. Paul by the Spirit could discern who was in the body and who wasn’t: An example of this knowledge being worked out in Paul: “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
Also an example unto the body I read the same of Paul being absent: “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:3-5. Is this done in the body today? Is the body today less than in Paul’s day? What has been lost/missed in this present time February 2018.
I judge my growth as pitiful, I lack knowledge, have little wisdom or spiritual understanding, nearly fruitless in good works, slowly increasing in knowledge of God, and am tremendously weak in faith; I do have a somewhat knowledge of myself as seen comparing it, my life, to scripture. My question is “WHY”???
I do not pray for others as I should. I can’t remember praying for others spiritual growth as Paul did for those in Colosse; and for that matter as Paul did for any.
I need to learn how to pray that way and pray for others. I must read and study to see how Paul prayed for others and forget most of all that I have been taught concerning prayer. I need to learn how too ; present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is reasonable, turn from this worlds ways (most fellowships/denomanations ways) and allow God to cleanse my mind “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26. My mind then needs to be renewed, having myself transformed that I would be able to prove what is good, acceptable and perfect, being Gods will. I need to learn how to hear and allow the Holy Spirit to teach me how to pray for others the way the Spirit wants me to pray. “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (should pray and groan in that Spirit, not as a recipe but a physical reaction to a spiritual event: speaking personally) groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:23-25.
I did a quick word search to see where Paul or others prayed for the lost in this “dispensation of the grace of God.” One scripture may be as to praying for lost persons: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 1 Timothy 2:1. No where else can I find a scripture written by Paul where he may have prayed for the lost. All his and others of Paul’s ministry, their prayers where for those who are the church, the body, the body of Christ. ”For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.
The body, those truly within the church, the body of Christ have missed a very important part of our work; the overseers, those appointed over the body: by un- regenerate men or demons, through ignorance or design have failed in: “the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:12-16, not so now.
What I see: we pray for the physical; healing, wellness, fine shelter, protections, better livelihood, conveniences with more, more, more……. We have not been told nor read: “But my (Paul’s God, but is He your God? are you in His body?) God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. In so reading failed to read the preceding verse; Paul still writing: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11.
Sidebar: I just at this minute have seen something I have been wrong about since being placed into Christ, His body: but just now have seen error in me. In the verse: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” My error was I was taking “His riches in glory” and bring them to earth in my mind. Whereas I should have been seeing myself already in glory where my “supply” is presently located. I was still believing with an earthly mind trying to make a heavenly promise work, I was being: “A double minded man unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8. Thank You LORD Jesus for showing my error and revealing Your truth to me. Again giving credence to “for without me you can do nothing”.
Continuing then, is scripture saying then we are not to ask for physical needs? no, that is not the issue but Jesus did leave us with a question that we all must ask in light of the need we think we have: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Being a heavenly creature, a new creation should I not believe, suffer, work and look to the place where God says that I’m at? To those who are truly in Christ we have these words for assurance as to our stead: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:6. “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” Ephesians 3:10. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” Philippians 3:20. “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” Colossians 1:5. “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” Colossians 1:12-13. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4. From those scriptures I see where I have been wrong from God’s perspective of where I already am. I had somewhat of a fleeting idea; was somewhat aware, but now!
Sidebar: Matthew wrote of the “kingdom heaven” some 32 times, only in Matthew is it so written. There are inclusions else where in scripture where “heaven” and “kingdom” are used in the same verse but not with the same connotation as does Matthew in Matthew.
Paul doesn’t say not to pray for the earthly: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” Here I see Paul with a physical problem, and well he should, he ask God for relief, what was Gods, the LORD Jesus’s answer to his petition: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.” 2 Corinthians 1:9-11.
Paul understood who he was and where he was at. So was able to write “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 9b-10. What was Paul’s mind set? where was his mind at? where was Paul? “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” Philippians 3:20. But the whole thought is: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is
destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21.
This is why earlier I felt led to write: The body, those truly within the church, the body of Christ have missed a very important part of our work; the overseers, those appointed over the body, by un-regenerate men or demons, through ignorance or design have failed in their duties of: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12.
Were we not warned, have we not the scripture to see that: ”But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:1-3 and continuing through the whole of chapter 2. Ending with “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:15-18. Peter’s warnings and how we in this age of grace should, must hear Paul’s direction concerning Christ and His church. Scripture warnings of false prophets: Jeremiah 5:31, 14:14; Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24: Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; 1 John 4:1; Paul’s warnings: 2 Corinthians 11:13, 26; Galatians 2:4. Concerning deceit: 2 Corinthians 4:1-4; Colossians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 and to Israel per say Hebrews 3:13. John writing of antichrists in 1 John 2:18.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Romans 15:4. But with that we are directed to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. Study as not to show God, but learning whom one is in Christ and why they are in Christ; understanding the body, that is Christ.
Thank You LORD Jesus for loving me and giving me Your life. Thank You for allowing me to see what has been shown me by Your Holy Soirit. I am blessed in you and I see that when You allow me to see more of You each day. In Jesus’s name Amen . . . . . . .
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