I'm not sure whether we've lost sight of our identity in Christ or if we never really knew what our identity way. We still think our Father deals with believers today, like He did under the Law, instead of Grace. We think God uses physical chastisement, instead of Spiritual chastisement. Jesus says this about the new creation Life of the Spirit in John 15:1-4 (Amplified), "I Am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vine dresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing), He cuts away (trims off, takes away): and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. [This is how He trims and prunes and cuts away] You are cleansed and pruned already because of the Word which I have given you (the teaching I have discussed with you). Dwell in Me and I will dwell in you, Live in me and I will Live in you, just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in, being vitally united to the Vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me."
How did Jesus say the disciples were cleansed and pruned? He said, "Now are you cleansed and pruned because of the Word which I have given you." How do you think He cleanses and prunes us today? We're not any more carnal than Jesus' followers were or more messed-up than they were, when Jesus first found them. If God's Word and the teachings of Jesus could cleanse and prune them, then don't you think they'll work for believers today? Jesus hadn't shed His Blood for them yet. The new creation people have those things and the Spirit of God lives in us, so do you really think God would have to return to the Law and physical teachings to teach us? Only a carnal, unrenewed mind that doesn't know God, would believe that God's way of doing and being right is a return to the Law and physical teachings. God's Spirit would never tell you that.
Traditions and customs we've heard and been taught over the years, have found their place in our minds and soulish realm, making strongholds. Paul wrote about the renewing of our minds in Romans 12:2. He wasn't simply speaking about our thinking like the world and sinning, but was speaking about our learning to think God's way of doing and being right. We're to learn and think according to God's Word, instead of the world.
Satan can't prevent our being born-again, because we make that decision in our hearts. If he can keep us carnal minded, then he can have control over our lives. Jesus told "The Parable of the Sower," in Mark 4, where He said, "The thief comes immediately to steak away the Word from our hearts after it's planted." We're not any threat to satan's kingdom of darkness, if we don't have God's Word. Our prayers aren't answered, if we haven't developed in this are. We make excuses for why our prayers aren't answered and continue to stubbornly pray without seeking God's way of doing and being right.
"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results." If we don't change what we do and learn His way of doing, then we won't have results. Our Father Loves us very much, but He will not change. By His Words and His demonstration, Jesus showed mankind how this new covenant was to work, after He went to the Father. Jesus said that, "We would ask Him nothing, but ask the Father in His Name, and the Father would give us whatever we asked." Many today still ask other sources and saints, instead of the Father in Jesus' Name.
These people are saved and truly love the Father and His people, but they've been deceived by the enemy and are "asking amiss," like James 1:5-7 (Amplified) says. Thus, James writes, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the Giving God Who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting); For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts), is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything he asks for from the Lord."
If you think you're not asking according to God's way of doing and being right, then ask God to show you the right way and He will do it. But, we must ask in faith. If you're receiving answers to your prayers, then please don't change what you're doing. If you're not receiving answers, like many of us, then we must ask in faith and God will be faithful to give us wisdom that will change us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 (Amplified), "Keep on asking and it will be give you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking (reverently) and the Door will be opened to you For everyone who keeps asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the Door will be opened."
I'm continually asking, because there's so much to learn. I receive what He teaches me about one thing, but I'm always asking about something else that I don't understand. I'm always seeking God's Face, His will, His wisdom and His way of doing and being right. I'm always knocking and entering into God's Throne of Grace, to receive Grace and mercy in my times of need.
Mark 11:24 (Amplified) says, "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will get it." I believe Jesus said this to the person whose prayers are working and doesn't need to doubt that he's being heard, because his petitions are met. This person doesn't need to keep on asking, but there are still things he doesn't, so he continues asking and seeking to understand these things in his life.
Both of these scriptures are True, but they seemingly contradict one another. One says, "You believe when you pray and you have the answer to your prayer." If you trust in your prayer and understand this scripture, then you don't have need to pray again because it's done. The other scripture says, "When there are other things you need wisdom for, don't stop asking." We obviously don't know everything, so we keep asking. We don't see everything, so we keep seeking. And the Door, Jesus, is always the way we enter in.
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