Because the love of God is the central focus of everything that works by our faith, it's the one thing that must be understood wholly. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that "faith is the substance of things hoped for." What we hope for is what faith has to acquire for us. It can't be acquired by works, tears, nagging or any other means except by faith. Since faith has to be the means of trust, then love has to be the means by which faith works. It's hard to have faith in something (God's promises) that you aren't sure you can trust in the promises. You can't have trust in any one thing unless you know how much the love of God backs the promise.
We have spent much time and much attention to find ways to dismiss the promises of God without saying we don't believe they're true. We use terms like "passed away," "not for everyone," and such things as "when we get to heaven" to dismiss our lack of trust. Only understanding of the depth of His love can cure this crisis in the Church today.
We discussed the four stages of growth in the Church. We have the baby stage seen in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. We have the "little child" from 1 John 2:12. And, now we come to what I call "the young man" stage.
1 John 2:13(Amplified) reads, "I am writing to you, young men, because you have been victorious over the wicked one."
Not many Christians reach even this stage. 1 Corinthians 13:11 reads, " He is strong and virile, and well able to overcome the enemy. He has a vision for the future and has the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for the productive years by putting childish things behind him."
This young man stage of growth is a place that Joshua stood in when Moses was no longer there to lead. In the book of Joshua 1:6-9 (Amplified) we read, "Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." Verse 7 continues, "Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." Verse 8 "this book of the law (the truth of our new covenant) shall meditate on it day and night (Romans 12:2 Amplified) that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it." Verse 9 says, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
John 14:24-27 (Amplified) says that "Anyone who does not (really) love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but (comes) from the Father who sent Me." Verse 25 continues, "I have told you these things while I am still with you." Verse 26 reads "But the Comforter (counselor, helper, intercessor,advocate,strengthener, stand by) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." Jesus finishes in Verse 27 , "Peace I leave you; My (own) peace I now give and bequeath to you. Do not let your hearts be afraid (Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled)."
Sounds like what He told Joshua, doesn't it? We forget sometimes that Jesus was in the likeness of David (or David was a pattern of Jesus). He was a warrior king. Jesus came to conquer the enemy, and we are called to take the land that He has given us.There were still giants in the land that God had given the children of Israel, but He promised to be with Joshua at all times. God would not have told Joshua to be courageous if there wasn't some things in the land that could cause him to be afraid. There are many times in the land now that will test your courage, but "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." Too many times we forget that just because the enemy has been defeated doesn't mean he has stopped fighting.
God told Joshua in Joshua 1:6 (Amplified) that he would cause the people to inherit the land. Our Joshua (Jesus) went before us to take the land and now we must enter in and possess it. Many strongholds were still in place that had to be brought down. We still have strongholds now to be brought down in order to receive what Jesus claimed by right for us. Most of the battle (really all of the battle), is for us to follow into what He gave us by renewing our minds (our way of thinking) for the holding of our inheritance for others.
2 Corinthians 10_3-5 (Amplified) tells us "for though walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons." Verse 4 continues, "for the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood) but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds." Verse 5 says "(in as much as we ) refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God, and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
When those who won't enter in because of fear or unbelief, then the "young men" with the Joshua spirit, will prevail to the taking of the land. These "young men" are those who have received and believed that they have through Jesus Christ, the authority, ability, and the command to tread on scorpions and serpents and all the power and ability of the enemy. These are the people who look beyond their own comfort to the security and the good of others who the enemy still holds in bondage. They do what our Commander and Chief has declared; to set the captives free.
The name of Jesus and the power of His love, are the weapons that propel these young men into battle. Because they love as He loves, they refuse to leave anyone behind.
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