RENEWING THE MIND – XVII (The Word of IAUE - 8)

WBS.154

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – XVII

THE WORD OF IAUE - 8

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

This is how we are to live, cooperating with the Word of IAUE (the seed), and

 understanding the growth process in order that the life of IAUE might be released

in power in and through our lives.  Others should be able to look at our lives and

know that the exceedingly great power at work within us is IAUE.

“Understanding the growth process in order that the life of IAUE might be released in power in and through our lives.”  This is what brings us back, yet once more, to the parable of the sower.

We have seen that there is no problem with the seed.  The seed, which is the Word of IAUE, is the same no matter upon what ground it is cast.  The ability to “grow” the seed unto fruit-bearing is entirely dependent upon the nature of the ground (the heart of man) into which it is sown.

The heart of man is a garden.  It was created to be able to grow whatever is sown into it.  It will grow the Word of IAUE, or it will grow thorns and thistles (the cares of the world, the lusts for other things, the deceitfulness of riches, etc.).  Be not unwise regarding this because YOUR HEART IS GROWING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!  Do you even know what it is?

In Matthew 13:19, it says of the first ground, the wayside, that they did not understand the Word.  It is simple for the enemy to descend upon it like fowl and consume it for they did not even know what they had.  However, in the second ground in this parable, Matthew says:

Matthew 13: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

If you will remember from last week’s post, the first thing the life within the seed seeks to do is to lay down a root (look at the 2^nd and 3^rd image above).  Once the root is anchored, and only then, is it safe to divert the life within the seed to emerge upward as the first blade.  The stony ground had little earth.  There was no room to send forth a root; thus, all the life of the seed was directed to upward growth where the first wind or rain or beating sun’s rays could overwhelm it.  It was “because they had no root” that the Word “withered away.”  I asked Father how better to explain this matter of depth of ground.  I know that there are many who think it refers to spiritual maturity; but this is not a possibility.  The parable refers expressly to the gospel, “the word of the Kingdom.” This is the message that the lost, the spiritually inept, hear.  Spiritual maturity is not a factor.  IAUE explained to me that the depth of ground in the heart is the depth or intensity of one’s purpose of heart to grow the seed.  It is the commitment of the disciple to that Word sown in his heart.

Mark depicted the people who had a stony heart as those who received the Word with gladness (Mark 4:16-17).  First, that means they understood the Word…something the wayside-hearted people did not do.  It is easy to become excited about the Word of IAUE when it is heard and understood.  All manner of false-commitments are made to IAUE upon hearing His word; but they are made without any regard to the cost of their commitment.  They have not purposed in their heart to defend, protect, water, and cultivate that seed.  Growing up in the Baptist church, it was a common occurrence to see the same people, year after year, rededicating their life to Messiah; or recommitting themselves to the mission field.  They never did either.  It was a “flash in the pan” response to the Word of IAUE. It was something that they knew was right to do, and they had the best of intentions; but it was a response borne of their emotions and not of their heart. They received the seed with joy, but they had no true purpose of heart to fulfill their commitment to the Word.  Once their emotions waned, so too did their purpose of heart.

Notice what message the church in Jerusalem sent urgently by Barnabas to the believers in Antioch, once they learned that the Gentiles were responding to the gospel there.

Acts 11:22  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of IAUE, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Master.

Remember also that the apostle Paul planted churches wherever he went; but he also found it necessary to revisit those churches, or to write to them if he could not make it back to them.  This was in order to confirm their purpose of heart, lest the seed sown in their hearts was taken away or rendered useless to them.  This was a driving desire in the heart of Paul, to protect the seed sown in their hearts.

So, to be able to properly grow the Seed of IAUE’s Word in your heart, you must be absolutely committed to it.  Those represented by the stony ground did not have that commitment; and when the Word was challenged, they relinquished the seed before it could even begin to mature.  I would dare say they also sensed no real loss, for their lives are superficial.  In the context of another message we have developed in this blog, they only had the marketing of the Truth.  They never possessed the revelation of it.  “So the life of the seed never made it.  No big deal. I still understand the doctrine of it.”  That is enough for those of a stony heart.

One final image of this can be seen in the life of Elisha.  When Elijah (Eliyahu) found him and selected him to be his apprentice, Elisha was plowing a field with twelve yoke of oxen (1 Kings 19:19).  Most farmers would plow a field with a single yoke of oxen…two oxen.  No doubt, Elisha’s father had tasked him with the job of plowing the field and making it ready for planting.  This ground, however, had become so fallow and hard that one yoke would not do.  Elisha probably tried with two yoke, then four yoke, then finally, to insure success, hooked up 24 oxen to 12 yokes and was able then to break up the fallow ground and plow the field.  That is purpose of heart.  That is tenacity.  That is how we much be to provide the kind of ground necessary to bear the seed of IAUE unto fruit-bearing.

The third ground had depth of earth; but that was not all it had.  It had thorns. The thorns are identified as 1) the cares of this world, 2) the deceitfulness of riches, and 3) the lusts of other things.  This is a matter to which most believers give any attention; and if they do, they do not realize how damaging the thorns are to them.  In this ground, there is sufficient purpose of heart to allow the seed to send down a tap root before beginning its upward growth; but it is not the only kind of seed that is drawing from the heart’s ability to grow things.  There is a divided purpose of heart, a shared commitment.  We all know how easy it is to receive the Word of IAUE and begin to cultivate it, meditate upon it, pray about it, etc., while at the exact same time, concern ourselves with worldly things that draw our hearts and minds on to the things of the flesh.  We may be studying about IAUE’s ability and desire to provide for us while at the same time wondering how on earth we are going to be able to pay all our bills by the end of the month.  We may be studying and meditating on Yahushua’s provision of healing for all believers and at the same time worrying about the cold season, the flu season, allergies or other health issues.  We may be learning of the sanctification of all believers while at the same time pursuing fleshly lusts. These are thorns that cancel out the growth of the Word of IAUE in our hearts.  Tenacity, purpose of heart, would reject all thoughts that were in disagreement or conflict with the Word.

The good ground understands the destructiveness of worldly cares, the love of money, and the desires for other things when IAUE is not the one who has created those desires.  These thorns are the subject of renewing the mind.  Purpose of heart/tenacity, is not an issue of renewing the mind; but the thorns very much are.  Everything about our life should be dedicated to the preservation and growth of the seed of IAUE’s Word within our hearts.  We should see our hearts as IAUE’s gardens in the earth that will reveal and display his glory, goodness, power and love to those around us.

There is one last thing about this planting to fruit-bearing process we need to understand.

Mark 4: 21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

For all practical purposes, these two verses are the conclusion of the parable of the sower.  This is extremely important to understand.  Many have questioned what it means to bear fruit, “some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold.”  What we are to understand is that the Word of IAUE is not given to us simply for our benefit.  So many believers are students of the Scriptures only to learn for themselves.  They take joy in the learning and revel in its grace and beauty for themselves.  However, we are given the Word, then understanding of the Word, then revelation knowledge of the Word, in order to share its fruit with others; and I don’t mean just telling what we have learned to other people.  If the Word sown and grown in our heart is regarding IAUE’s supernatural ability and desire to provide for us, then we must GIVE to others to meet their needs.  If it is a Word regarding the healing that Yahushua has provided to us through His sacrifice, then we must lay hands on the sick that they might recover.  If it is a Word regarding deliverance, then we must set other captives free of demonic harassment.  If it is about the love of IAUE, then we must show His love to others.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for IAUE loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And IAUE is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Bearing fruit is not intended for the purpose that we should horde the harvest.  Remember, the purpose is to show forth the light and life and power of the good news that others might see and partake of the Master as well.  If we are not giving the fruit away, there can be no fruit to take its place upon the tree.  We must fortify our purpose of heart and be tenacious with the Word of IAUE.  We must root out our thorns and prevent the sowing of new thorns.  We must give away what IAUE gives to us.  Then we shall be a fruitful garden of IAUE.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND – XVI (The Word of IAUE - 7)

WBS.153

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – XVI

THE WORD OF IAUE - 7

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

Yahushua indicated that the most fundamental parable he ever spoke was what we call “The Parable of the Sower.”  If we could not understand this parable, our ability to understand any other parable would be jeopardized.  We have seen in the past couple of weeks that the seed is the Word of IAUE.  The ground upon which it is cast is the heart of man.  The seed, no matter into which ground it is cast, is filled with the power of IAUE.  How fruitful the seed will be is determined by the condition of man’s heart.  The Word of IAUE will germinate in any kind of heart except the hard of heart.

There is a natural process for the seed that can be observed in this illustration: 

First, the seed is cast upon/into the ground.  Second, the seed dies in order to release the life/power within the seed. Third, the life that emerges from the death of the seed seeks root.

Fourth, as the root grows deeper, the plant (the truth within the seed) begins to emerge. Fifth, the truth begins to spring forth out of the ground. Sixth, the truth begins to grow into an increasingly more mature manifestation until ultimately, fruit is yielded.

In our study of the Parable of the Sower, we have observed the seed being cast upon/into the ground, and we have identified the variations in the ground…the different conditions of man’s heart.  When the Word is sown, when it is preached, declared, discussed, even read, the nature of the Word of IAUE (the seed) is to seek a place within the heart of man in order to germinate and to release the power resident therein.  We do not have to try to make this process work.  It is nature.  It does it of itself.  We do not have to beg or plead for the power of IAUE to be released into our life.  It is the very reason why the Word burrows into the heart of man automatically:  to release the power of IAUE into our life.

Mark 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of IAUE, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

Even the farmer who casts the seed into the ground does not understand HOW the seed does what it does.  He just knows it does it. He trusts in it. He relies on it. He EXPECTS it to grow.  The farmer, however, does understand one thing about this process.  The seed once cast into the ground must first die.

1 Corinthians 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

It seems a contradiction that the Word of IAUE works death within us in order to manifest the life within the Word; but that is an inescapable reality.  Notice the words of Yahushua.

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Here, Messiah explains that there can be no fruit without the death of the seed.  He did not stop here, however.  He explained what produced the death necessary in order to release the life of the seed.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

We must cease trusting in our own life, in our own thinking.  Our minds must be renewed to enable us to completely and utterly trust in the Word of IAUE, rely on it, and EXPECT it to produce its life within us.  In last week’s post, we discussed the necessity of being planted together with Messiah in his death that His life might work in and through us.  This is not a one-time event accomplished in our response to the good news.  It is an on-going process necessary to enable every Word of IAUE (the seed) to germinate and to spring forth into life within us.

The apostle Paul went into a detailed explanation of this in his letter to the Corinthian disciples.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For IAUE, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of IAUE in the face of Yahushua Messiah.

IAUE has revealed to our hearts His son (the Word of IAUE).  Our response to this revelation resulted in the miraculous new creature (new birth) and our union with the spirit of Yahushua, whose very face illuminates within us the glory of IAUE.  We would do well to meditate on this fact until we know with absolute certainty that the glory of IAUE is within us.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of IAUE, and not of us.

Receiving the Word of IAUE is to receive the POWER of IAUE, for every Word of IAUE is filled with His power.  How often have we reflected on the consequence of this truth, that every Word of IAUE planted in our hearts is filled with the power of IAUE?  It is.  Trust it.  Rely on it.  Expect that power to be released within us.  His power is so transcendent from normal human life that it’s manifestation within and through us will reveal His glory to others around us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Remember that persecution and affliction arise for the Word’s sake.  Satan could not care less that we have a Bible in our house, or in our hands.  The Scriptures are of no concern to him sitting on our coffee table; however, the moment the Word is cast upon the ground of our heart, Satan knows from millennia of experience that it will not be long before it germinates and begins to release the power of IAUE in the earth; and THAT, he must attack.  It is his job.

Who do you think is the author of persecution and affliction; or the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches?  Do you actually think that it is IAUE who attacks His own word?  IAUE is dedicated to releasing his power in our lives.  It is not IAUE who plants His word within us only to try to dig it up before it bears fruit.  No, it is the enemy of our souls that is committed to attacking the seed of the Word of IAUE.  We need to understand this beyond any question, then resist the devil and force him to flee from us.  Paul was persecuted and afflicted; but he refused to respond to it.  He knew what its source was and what its purpose was.

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Master Yahushua, that the life also of Yahushua might be made manifest in our body.

Paul always maintained a heart that was united with Messiah in his death. He maintained an attitude of heart that was consistent with a living sacrifice.  He trusted IAUE, relied on IAUE, and expected His word to release the power of His life in and through him to others.  He refused to resurrect his own selfish life, which would have interfered with the growth of the life and power of the seed.  As long as he was united with Messiah in his death, he knew that the life of Yahushua would be manifest in his body.

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Yahushua’s sake, that the life also of Yahushua might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Paul’s words were consistent with the Word of IAUE.  He believed the truth planted within him and his speech was consistent with the Word.  He was not moved by outward circumstances. Paul understood that he could trust the Word, rely on the Word, and expect the results that the power resident within the Word would yield in his life.  Paul also understood that first there is the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.  He knew there is a growing process to reach fruitfulness.  All too often contemporary believers hear the Word of IAUE, a teaching from the Scriptures; and they believe it, and are excited about it; especially if it has a direct impact on the circumstances in their own life.  However, when their life’s circumstances are not immediately experiencing the fullness of the Truth in that Word, they are discouraged and allow the enemy to dig it up out of their hearts. 

Paul understood that there is a process, and IAUE would be faithful to manifesting the power resident within His Word in and through him, in due season.  Yes, he was troubled at times; he was perplexed at times; but he knew that a seed planted did not produce fruit overnight; so his own speech remained consistent with the truth.  Following IAUE’s example, he called things which were not as though they were, and they became reality in his experience in due season.  He would not speak a word contrary to the nature of the life within the seed that was working inside of him.  The result was, the power of that life was manifested through him to others.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul understood the Parable of the Sower.  He kept his heart united with Messiah in the likeness of his death, so that the life of Messiah might be released through him to others.

You may have noticed several times in this teaching the use of the terms:  trust in it, rely on it, expect it.  Do you know another word that contains these three ideas?  That word is “faith.”  The just (the righteous) shall live by faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).  This is how we are to live, cooperating with the Word of IAUE (the seed), and understanding the growth process in order that the life and power of IAUE might be released in and through our lives.  Others should be able to look at our lives and know that the exceedingly great power at work within our lives is IAUE.

John 3:3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Yahushua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from IAUE: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except IAUE be with him.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND - XV (The Word of IAUE - 6)

WBS.152

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – XV

THE WORD OF IAUE - 6

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

If the Word of IAUE is not germinated, if it does not produce life (revelation

knowledge), then all we have of the Word of IAUE are the letters on the page. 

We have lifeless doctrine.  The letter kills.  It is the Spirit that gives life.  It profits

us nothing to have a head full of Bible doctrine when none of that teaching has

been allowed to germinate within our hearts and release the power of IAUE.

Many times in the nearly three years I have been writing this blog, I have discussed the difference between doctrine and revelation…between the marketing of the product, and possessing and experiencing the product.  For example, you can learn the nutritional content of a hamburger.  You can understand how it should be shaped, cooked, placed on a bun, what extra ingredients should be added, what “special sauce” you should put on it.  You can see a picture of the hamburger and note how appealing it is visually.  You can learn all there is to learn about a hamburger and teach that to others; but if you have never actually purchased a hamburger and eaten it, you only know the marketing, the advertisement.  You do not have the truth of the hamburger.  You have not experienced the knowledge that can only be revealed by experiencing the hamburger.  Consider, what is the purpose of the advertising of the hamburger? Is it not to create within you the desire to purchase and eat the hamburger?  Marketing of a product that does not achieve the objective of getting someone to purchase the product is worthless.  It is unprofitable.

A person who rejects Messiah can understand Bible doctrine; but it profits him nothing because he does not mix the Word with faith to have the “marketing” of that truth revealed to him. Most professing believers are exactly the same.  They never get beyond the marketing of spiritual truths.  They are content merely to have an intellectual knowledge of doctrine rather than a spiritual revelation of the truth that is contained within the doctrine.  Millions of believers listen to teachers or read their books; and they can restate what they have heard or read, even well enough to teach it to others; but they have no revelation of the matter.  In fact, they do not even know that there is a difference; that there is something more than simply understanding the information presented.

Hebrews 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Elohim did from his.

11 Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The gospel, the good news that Messiah has appeared, is intended to bring us into the Father’s rest; but it can only do that if it is mixed with faith in those who hear it.  The rest that is available to us brings a cessation to our own works.  In particular, it brings us to an end of the works man does to attempt to achieve the righteousness of IAUE, to attempt to pacify his wrath and to achieve His favor.  Works can never do that; but the unrenewed mind of man does not understand that.

Galatians 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Yahushua Messiah, even we have believed in Yahushua Messiah, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Yahushua had entered into His Father’s rest.  We know this because Yahushua repeatedly stated that the words he spoke were not his words.  They were the Father’s words.  The works that he did were not his works.  They were the Father’s works.  In other words, we enter into rest when we cease from our own efforts.  This is what it means to be a living sacrifice.  We are no longer living for ourselves, pursuing our own interests, our own desires.  We have emptied ourselves of self-pursuit to allow the life of Yahushua Messiah to live in and through us; such that the words we now speak are not our words, they are the Master’s words.  The works we now do are not our works; they are the Master’s works.  Until we are living within that dynamic, we have yet to enter into the Father’s rest. 

Are you still trying to accomplish your own goals?  Are you still speaking words to defend your self-worth or maintain your image, to express your anger or irritation, or to make people like you or to prevent them from rejecting you?  Do you even care about any of these things?  If you do, you have not entered into the Father’s rest.  You have missed the whole objective of the gospel.  You have failed to mix the Word with faith.

Why do we who believe upon the Master Yahushua Messiah continue in such selfish pursuits?  It is because our minds are not renewed; and as long as they are not renewed, it is impossible to mix the Word of IAUE with faith and put an end to our works.  This is the problem explained in a nutshell. 

Remember James’ words that a man sins when he is drawn away of his own lusts (James 1:14-15)?” Do you also remember Paul’s words in Galatians 5:24 that those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts?  Thus, if our lusts have died, what is there yet within us to draw us away and entice us to sin?  It is an unrenewed mind.  It is a mind that is filled with the world’s indoctrination as well as the marketing of spiritual truths without the revelatory experience of those doctrines.  Not being mixed with faith, doctrine does not change our lives any more than does what the world teaches us. 

The principle truth that most believers have yet to mix with faith is found in Paul’s words.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahushua Messiah were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Messiah constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Messiah: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Messiah liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of IAUE, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

If we experience the revelation of our union with the Body of Messiah, then we will understand that the new creature we have become in Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17) was in Yahushua when he died; and it was in Yahushua when he rose from the dead, very much the same way the Scripture says that Levi paid tithes to Melchisedek because the unborn Levi was yet IN ABRAHAM when Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedek.  It is the same way that all of creation is attributed to Yahushua Messiah because he was IN IAUE when IAUE created all things. 

When we embraced the good news and mixed it with faith, we entered into Messiah, and we died.  The new spirit that was created and placed within us is in union with the spirit of Messiah. The life that now is intended to live within our mortal bodies is the very life of Yahushua.  Where then would be the lusts that drive us to selfish choices?  Where then would be the impetus to defend ourselves or to protect our image? Where then would be the desire to pursue our own selfish goals?  Where then would be the trust in worldly thinking that is contrary to the Word of IAUE?  It would be dead; for the life living within us would be the life of Messiah who can no longer be tempted or draw away by lusts (strong selfish desire). 

Romans 6:10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto IAUE.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto IAUE through Yahushua Messiah our Master.

Within our spirit is the life of Messiah that trusts implicitly in the Word of IAUE, and knows how to release the power of every word His Father speaks.  Within our spirit is the life that spoke only the words of the Father and only did the works of the Father.  Within our spirit is the life that destroyed the works of the devil, provided forgiveness and healing for man and redeemed us from the curse of the law.  Within our spirit is an eternity’s worth of provision of grace and compassion.  Within our spirit is the one who loved us and gave himself for us, and who reveals the Father’s love for us.  If we are born of the Spirit and are united with Messiah, all of this is IN US right now; and for the most part, the church is absolutely oblivious to this because all it possesses is the marketing of these truths. 

The church is waiting to experience all of this after Messiah returns and the day of redemption has come. The problem is that our minds have not been renewed to be in agreement with this truth.  The way we think is not in alignment with the way the spirit within us thinks.  Believers have not mixed the Word of IAUE with faith.  Consequently, they have not entered into His rest. 

Next week we will attempt to unravel this process whereby the Word becomes flesh within us and the life of Messiah is revealed through us to the world as we mix faith with the Word of IAUE.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND – XIV (The Word of IAUE - 5)

WBS.151

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – XIV

THE WORD OF IAUE - 5

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

IAUE wants the Truth in our inner man to rule our outer man.  The only way that

is going to happen is to rewrite our soul’s library in faith…faith that the Spirit of

IAUE is the Spirit of Truth; and the Word of IAUE may be trusted implicitly.

The idea of renewing the mind very quickly focuses upon two important questions…questions we seldom ever truly answer within the world of Christianity; which is quite odd given the very nature of belief.  The first is: does IAUE really exist?  The second is: can His word be trusted?  When we consider altering the way we live to follow exclusively the Word of IAUE and go against all that we have come to believe about how things work in the world, we quickly come to understand that to do so could frequently mean the difference between life and death. To put ourselves in the place of depending upon the Word to be upheld and produce the desired effect, we MUST know that we are anchoring our lives on something that is both real and reliable.  It is almost laughable, even embarrassing to admit; but anyone who has been following this blog has realized that these two questions had to be revisited.  You don’t step off a cliff without knowing that His angels will bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to IAUE must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Notice that there are TWO requirements of faith.  One, you must believe that IAUE exists. Two, you must believe He rewards those who seek him diligently.  This second requirement is important for it reveals the nature of IAUE.  He WANTS to bless.  He WANTS to give.  He WANTS to reward our pursuit of Him.  We MUST believe that IAUE not only exists; but that He is a giver, not a taker; a blesser, not a destroyer.  IAUE is naturally inclined to manifest His goodness toward us.  We simply need to pursue Him to see it. 

Most “Christians” are content to believe that they have their ticket to “pie in the sky bye and bye.”  Consequently, they NEVER pursue IAUE.  They never search Him out to know Him more intimately, to know His ways, to find out His secrets.  That is why the majority of believers never experience His blessing, His rewards.  He does not just dole them out every Sunday morning to those who filled a pew.  The masses that appear in churches every Sunday morning are not there to diligently seek IAUE.  They are there because it is what is expected of them.  By the time they are home for Sunday dinner (lunch), they don’t even remember what the sermon was; and they certainly don’t discuss it over the meal.  Their Sunday obligation has been fulfilled.  It is time to get on with life as they want to live it.

After we have resolved these two questions, we can move on to one more feature of the Word of IAUE.

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Anyone who has been a believer for very long has either heard a sermon on the Parable of the Sower, or has read it in the Scriptures many times.  We are basically familiar with its content; but are we familiar with its meaning and import?  When Messiah’s disciples asked him what the parable meant, he responded to them with this interesting and telling question.  “If you don’t understand what THIS parable means, how are you going to be able to understand any of the parables?”  The significance of this parable is that it unfolds and explains one of the secrets of the Kingdom of IAUE; a foundational principle upon which the entire Kingdom functions.

Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of IAUE: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

 Before He explains the Parable of the Sower, Messiah tells his disciples that to understand this parable is to understand the secret of the Kingdom of IAUE.  Let’s look at it.

Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

In these eight verses contain the revelation of the mystery of the secret foundation of the Kingdom of IAUE.   Now, let’s look at how the Master explains it to his disciples…to us.

Mark 4: 14 The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

The first thing we see is that seed is the Word of IAUE.  When it is sown, it is sown into the heart of man.  The Word of IAUE is so filled with the power of IAUE that when it is heard, it cannot be stopped at the ears.  It cannot be stopped at the mind.  It penetrates to the heart; for the heart of man is the garden of the Word of IAUE. 

Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

When Stephen was speaking to his attackers, the Word of IAUE which he spoke penetrated to their hearts and created an internal war within them.  In order to fulfill their intended objective before the power of the Word of IAUE reversed their course, they had to cry out to drown out Stephen’s voice, and put their hands over their ears at the same time, in order to prevent the seed of the Word of IAUE spoken by Stephen to produce its effect in their lives.

Heb 4:12 For the word of IAUE is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith IAUE.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

So, we see there is no problem with the seed.   The seed (the Word of IAUE) is full of the power of IAUE.  What we understand, then, is that the only thing that prevents the seed from growing and bearing fruit is the nature of the ground (the heart) into which it is sown.  Briefly, let’s look at those four heart conditions.

The wayside = hearts that have no response whatsoever to the Word of IAUE.  The seed is just sitting there waiting for Satan to take it away.  That heart is so hard it does not even invite the seed to germinate.

The stony ground = hearts that have but a passive interest in the Word of IAUE.  It is sufficient ground to allow the seed to germinate and to begin the growth process; but there is absolutely no care given to the Word and it suffers from the lack of nutrients our hearts are supposed to contribute to its growth.  It has no root.  When the Word is challenged (and it WILL be challenged), their minds are so unrenewed that they hold to the world’s way of thinking and yield up the Word of IAUE.  Persecution and affliction arises because of the seed that has germinated.  The enemy find this to be a threatening development.  With the seed sown on the wayside, Satan is able to just gobble it up; but once the seed has germinated and has begun to grow, this represents a whole different problem for Satan for he knows that once germinated, the power of IAUE is released in the seed and it is on the way toward bearing fruit.  [In the garden of Eden, Satan’s first approach was to question the Word: “Has IAUE said?”  Then he moved to a direct challenge to the Word, “You shall not surely die.” Then he moved to challenging the motive of IAUE. “IAUE doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  Gen 3:1-5]  

John tells us in John 12:24 ^“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” So, once the seed has germinated, the power of IAUE is released to go to work; but hearts that hardened are vulnerable to these direct challenges.  The Scripture says they endure for a while, but eventually are “offended.”  This does not mean they have an attitude of resentment or bitterness, it means they are caused to stumble and fall.  They are tripped up, and they yield up the life of the seed. I believe this ground characterizes most believers, today.

The thorny ground = hearts that are cultivated enough to germinate the seed and to grow a plant; but not to the point of bearing fruit.  Why cannot it bear fruit?  “The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word.”  These are attributes of a heart that needs to repent.  This heart is more concerned about what it wants than what IAUE wants; and THAT is a critical factor in fruit bearing.  There MUST be agreement in the heart to the purpose and objective of the Word.  It is also a heart condition that reflects a need for renewing the mind; for if the mind were renewed the heart would not need to repent.  It would already be in agreement with the Word of IAUE instead of still valuing the countering thoughts of the world.  There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25)

The good ground = hearts that have depth of earth that can nourish the seed; and which do not stumble over challenges or apparent contradictions to the Word.  (Let IAUE be true and every man a liar.  Rom 3:4) Repentance, both initial and persistent, marks this kind of heart.  These are hearts that have resolved that IAUE is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him; so they are not focused on their own interests; but rather, are focused on the purpose and will of IAUE. The Word sown in these hearts WILL produce fruit up to 30X, 60X and even 100X.The only hindrance to the seed producing its maximum fruit is the measure of renewing the mind that has been accomplished in the heart.  The weeds in the heart have been removed.  The only hindrance, now, is the areas of our mind which still need to be renewed to think with the thoughts of IAUE.  In the areas where we have already renewed our minds, the Word of IAUE has our full agreement and compliance; and the power of IAUE which has been given unto us, we may freely give to others.

It is very important for us to realize that there is no problem with the quality of the seed.  Regardless where it is sown, it is full of the power of IAUE to bear fruit, to produce exactly what IAUE intended it to produce.

It is also very important for us to realize that from the moment the seed of the Word of IAUE is germinated in our hearts, the power of IAUE is released in our lives.

Finally, if the Word of IAUE is not germinated, if it does not produce life (revelation knowledge), then all we have of the Word of IAUE are the letters on the page.  We have lifeless doctrine.  The letter kills.  It is the Spirit that gives life.  It profits us nothing to have a head full of Bible doctrine when none of that teaching has been allowed to germinate within our hearts and release the power of IAUE.

The secret of the Kingdom of Heaven is found in Yahushua’s words spoken to the Pharisees.

Luke 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of IAUE should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of IAUE cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of IAUE is within you.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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