Echoes Into Eternity - The Disciplines of the Kingdom
What does it take to be successful in any sport, business, skill, or other endeavor?
It takes a commitment to develop some disciplines.
Discipline -- training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency.
Landing on an aircraft carrier is serious business. It is not something that most can just go out and do. It requires a lot of training, your total concentration and a bit of lunacy. To do it successfully over a period of years requires the development of disciplines that keep you alive, and actually make it a pleasant experience.
My first landings were on the USS Lexington in during Basic Jet training in 1974.
We trained for almost a month- in the classroom and in the cockpit. We learned about the flying environment around a carrier, how to control our T-2 Buckeye jets on the glideslope, while maintaining the proper speed and lineup, literally flying the jet through an 18 inch “window”, touching down on centerline a few feet short of the #3 wire. If all things went right, then the tailhook would snag the wire.
We saw a great motivational movie called “Carrier Landing Mishaps”, which was a grueling 45 minute experience of watching Navy airplanes landing short and striking the aft end of the flight deck (the ramp), bursting into flames, with aircraft parts rolling down the flight deck, and dropping off into the ocean, sometimes with the pilots still inside. This was a great lesson on the hazards of the carrier environment- very user-unfriendly, with little margin for error or lapses in concentration and discipline. And you can watch this film on You Tube!
Then we were ready for practice. In the next few weeks, I flew 82 “simulated approaches”, landing on a “carrier box” painted on the runway. This was the “learning to control the jet” part. Finally on August 14th, I was ready, and we flew out to the Lexington, which was operating off the coast of Texas.
Because of the intense training on airspeeds, altitudes, and other procedures, I made my first landing in the Buckeye and was directed to the catapult and launched off before I was really aware that I had actually landed. It was the second pass where it all sunk in- I had actually beaten the odds and landed on a moving ship! I finished that day with 4 arrested landings.
I went to the Lexington again in March of ‘75 for six more landings in the A-4 Skyhawk, again following 75 simulated approaches. I did so well that they let me go back again in April, following again 66 simulated approaches. Actually my technique in March left a lot to be desired. Although I did land the required 6 times onboard, my handling of the airplane was shoddy, and not to the level of control desired by our Landing Safety Officers. I got the message, buckled down with an extra measure of discipline, and actually did very well in April.
In December, I was back to the Lexington again, this time in the A-6 Intruder. We were required to do ten arrested landings in the day, and they actually started to become more fun than feared. We were also required to have six night landings.
Night landings are a different story. It is intense concentration; feeling the airplane, small corrections on the stick and throttle, learning to ignore some of your visual senses, which will actually mislead you at night, and flying by the glideslope indicator (the “Ball”) mounted on the side of the landing area which shows you where you really are on that 3.5 degree glideslope.
Night landing are really nothing more than controlled terror.
It’s all about developing disciplines that first of all keep you alive, and then allow you to accomplish your mission. Later these disciplines allow for the whole process to be rather enjoyable. That may be hard to believe, but I actually got to the point where I loved a day landing, and enjoyed the night landings when there was a bit of the moon. I don’t think anyone actually enjoyed those “no-moon” nights, with rough seas and matching weather. But because of the disciplines we developed in daytime, when it was relatively easy, we could get aboard at night in a thunderstorm with a pitching deck with a low fuel state.
It is the same in Christianity. God wants to help us acquire disciplines in our lives that will allow us to survive in the harsh spiritual and physical environment where we find ourselves, cultivate the self-control we need to keep on track, and develop the skills required to accomplish the mission.
He wants these disciplines to be so ingrained in us that in this experience of Life on Planet Earth, we will not just survive, but thrive, even in harsh environments and difficult circumstances.
What are some of these disciplines?
In the Bible that are some “Thou Shall Not’ commandments, but many more “Thou Shall” instructions.
Moses gave us eight “Thou Shal Not” and two ‘Thou Shall” in Exodus 20. We call them the “Ten Commandments:
1. Do not worship any other gods besides me.
2. Do not make idols of any kind;
3. Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.
10. Do not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns.”
These are relational commandments to help us order our relationship with God, ourselves, our family, and our neighbors. If we discipline ourselves to focus on these ordinances, things will go much smoother in our personal lives.
Micah gave us a short list of “Thou Shall” commandments in chapter 6:8.
O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah tells us to take the time to know God’s morality and ‘Do what is right’ according to His values, and not our desires. This is ‘others-centered living’ rather than our natural self-centered ways. ‘Loving Mercy’ allows us to forgive quickly rather than holding grudges. ‘Walking humbly with our God’ is the general guideline for all our decisions.
If we keep these three commandments at the forefront of our thinking and follow through with our behavior, true transformation will take place. We will indeed become ‘new creations’ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus gave us the shortest “Thou Shall” list in Matthew 22:
One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matt 22:35-40 NLT
Of all the 612 laws God gave Moses, Jesus focused on only two Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18:
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:17-18
Let’s explore what the heart, soul and might/mind actually means.
Heart
Hebrew: lebab: A masculine noun meaning heart, mind, inner person. The primary usage of this word describes the entire disposition of the inner person that God can discern. It is also used to describe the place where the rational, thinking process occurs that allows a person to know God’s blessings, to plan for the future; to communicate; and to understand God’s message; Like our English usage, it often refers to the seat of emotions, whether it refers to joy; discouragement; comfort; grief; sorrow; or gladness.
Greek: kardía; Heart. The seat and center of human life; As the seat of the desires, feelings, affections, passions, impulses, i.e., the heart or mind. As the seat of the intellect meaning the mind, understanding; In the NT the heart represents especially the sphere of God's influence in the human life.
Soul
Hebrew: nep̱esh: A feminine noun meaning breath, the inner being with its thoughts and emotions. It is used 753 times in the Old Testament and has a broad range of meanings. Most of its uses fall into these categories: breath, literally or figuratively; the inner being with its thoughts and emotions, and by extension, the whole person.
Greek: psuchḗ; to breathe, blow. Soul, that immaterial part of man held in common with animals. Specifically the soul as the sensitive principle, the seat of the senses, desires, affections, appetites, passions, the lower aspect of one's nature. Distinguished in Pythagorean and Platonic philosophy from the higher rational nature, expressed by noús, mind, and pneúma, spirit belonging to man only. In 1 Thess. 5:23 the whole man is indicated as consisting of spirit, soul, and body; soul and spirit, the immaterial part of man upon which the word of God is operative.
Might / Mind
Hebrew: meōḏ: A substantive, adverb, or adjective in function, very, greatly, great, abundance; might, power. It is used as a noun indicating might, power, will.
Greek: diánoia; Understanding, intellect, intellectual faculty, thought, mind. Intelligence, insight; mode of thinking and feeling, the feelings, affections, disposition of mind.
By focusing on Deuteronomy 6:5 (Love God) and Leviticus 19:18 (Love Your Neighbor), Jesus didn’t refer to any dietary laws, or sacrificial laws, or any societal laws, laws that in one sense were easily obeyed.
Instead, He brought to attention the two most difficult laws.
Why are they difficult?
To fulfill these laws required a heart turned fully toward God. You can’t just go through the motions of “Loving God” with heart, soul, and mind. By definition this is something that comes from within. Without profound conviction, it is impossible to live a life that reflects love for your neighbors. These are actions that must be rooted deep inside your being. They must reflect a heart condition, a heart turned fully toward God.
This “heart turned fully toward God” is something you see over and over again in the pages of Scripture. This is the main thing God wants from us. This is all He wants from us. Everything else will follow this heart condition that is totally focused and submitted to God.
Principle: When our hearts are given to Him, then it becomes very natural to give and actively love others.
These two commandments focus on our Relationships!
Our Relationship with God is the basis for being a discipl
Our Relationships with people form the basis for making disciples.
God wants us to have an appropriate relationship with Him, and His people.
What kind of relationship does God want with us?
Simply put, it is a Love Relationship. The Love relationship is what allows everything else to follow.
· It is through a Love Relationship that we and God become one.
· It is through a Love Relationship that we begin to touch others for the Kingdom.
· It is through a Love Relationship that eternal relationships are built.
The key word in all this is Love.
“Love” is often described as a deep and tender feeling of affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons; an expression of one's love or affection.
In reality, love is an emotion as well as an act of your will!
“Love God & Love Your Neighbor” is the Divine Recipe for Discipleship!
Mikaela descending down to the stream in Wadi Qelt
How do we love God with our heart,, soul, and mind / might?
Here are some areas where we mist disciline ourselves to follow God;s ways rather than our own.
Emotions
An encounter with God usually evokes some sort of emotional response from our lebeb- our innermost part where emotions, will, intelligence reside. When we recognize God for who He is, and what He has done for us, some response usually results in some thankfulness and gratitude which can be expressed in praise and worship to God.
The Book of Psalms provides us with great examples of how to praise and worship God. To really understand what the Psalmists were communicating, it’s important to realize that where the word “praise” appears in our English Bibles, there is actually one of seven Hebrew words that are translated “Praise” in English.
Here are three that have to do directly with loving God with all our emotions.
1) Hallal: To praise the Lord by celebrating, by dancing, by shining forth, by acting clamorously foolish; A very robust liberating kind of praise.
Hallal the LORD! Hallal God in his heavenly dwelling; Hallal him in his mighty heaven! Psalm 150:1
2) Shabach: To praise the Lord with a shout and a loud voice.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I Shabach You! Ps 63:3
3) Tehillah: A praise from your spirit, the pouring out of your heart before God; letting Him know how you feel.
Yet you are holy. The Tehillah of Israel surround your throne. Psalm 22:3
While modern churches may stress a quiet form of worship, it is obvious that the Biblical style of worship includes not only moments of quiet reverence, but also lengthy periods of exuberance. The cheering we do at a football, basketball or soccer game or at a swim meet is the same emotional response God desires us to have toward Him. He really wants us to “cut loose” in our expressions to Him. There is great spiritual and emotional health that results from our emotions being freely expressed to Him.
We should look for opportunities to praise God vocally and emotionally. It may be listening to music in our car or in a group at church or Bible study. Something happens when we release these positive emotions to God.
The failure to release certain negative emotions can have damaging effects on the follower of Jesus. Consider the following conversation between Jesus and Peter:
Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.
26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35
It is natural in the course of life that others offend us. We may be wronged in business or mistreated by a friend. It may be verbal or physical abuse, or outright aggression. Damaging words may be spoken behind our back or to our face. Loved ones may abandon us in times of need. Expectations of others may not be met. These situations often result in anger toward the offenders. It’s a natural response, but one we must be careful not to hold on to.
And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the devil. Eph 4:26-27 NLT
The Bible is very clear that anger as an emotion is not sin. It is what we do with our anger that is the issue. Where the world would say that we have the right to hold on to an offense and not forgive, God says that for our own spiritual health, we must forgive those who wrong us. If we hold on to our anger, we give satan an open door to attack and “torture” us.
In the outline for prayer that Jesus gave His disciples on Matthew 6, Jesus commands us to ask our Heavenly Father to
Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Matthew 6:11-12 NLT
Jesus stresses the need for taking a daily inventory to ensure that we are not holding on to any offenses. He goes on to say that:
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
Principle: There is something that connects our forgiveness with the grace that we receive from the Lord. Forgiving others is the mandatory first step in receiving our forgiveness from God.
There are few things that create problems and curses in the lives of disciples like unforgiveness. Ask any psychologist about the root of behavioral issues. Many point to the practice of holding on to offenses as the source of many emotional and health issues. That is why the writer of Hebrews wrote:
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15
The word used here for “bitterness,” is “pikria” which according to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament translates as “resentment,” or “an incensed and angry attitude of mind to one’s neighbor”.
Bitterness is simply unfulfilled revenge. Holding on to this emotion and not forgiving will result in severe consequences for the believer.
Jesus is very clear in Matthew 5:38-42 (“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’) that we do not have the right to revenge. On the contrary, according to the principles expressed in that passage of Scripture, we should be givers to those who offend us!
“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44
What a counter-intuitive concept!
Consider the magnitude of our offenses toward God. Whoever we are, there has been some point in our lives where we have turned our back on God and walked away from His will for our lives. God has forgiven each of our sins toward Him. In light of that, is it reasonable for us to forgive others when they offend us?
Paul counseled his friends in Colossae:
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. Col 3:12-15 NLT
God wants us to release emotions in our praise of Him, and He wants us also to release the emotions of offense to those around us. There are incredible rewards to this style of life, in our physical and spiritual health. This is truly “Loving God with all our hearts”.
Walking on the ancient road
Obedience
Your lebab and nepesh is the center of your ethics. It is the source of obedience to God’s commands. Jesus Himself linked the level of our relationship to God to obedience when He told His disciples:
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15
Principle: Obedience to God has always been a big issue in the Bible. Why? Probably because it shows us where our heart is.
God already knows. The closer we are to God, the more we are likely to obey Him, especially in areas that we really don’t understand why. The further we are from God, the more we are apt to make our own decisions based on personal comfort and gain.
Samuel pointed out the importance to obedience to a wayward King Saul:
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Sam 15:22 NLT
Why is obedience much better than sacrifice?
In a very personal talk with his disciples the night before his death, Jesus spoke over and over again of the importance and benefits of obedience. Follow His line of thought as He connects our obedience to Him with things that happen as a result. It’s a very significant set of principles that follow a very personal relationship with our Lord!
Remember this is not a formula for manipulating God by our behavior, but rather a natural outflow of the relationship that we have with Him.
First Jesus’ words, followed by the principle.
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. John 14:15-16
1) Our level of obedience will determine the level of the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.” John 14:21
2) Our obedience results in the Revelation of the person of Jesus to us.
Jesus replied, “All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and live with them. 24Anyone who doesn’t love me will not do what I say. And remember, my words are not my own. This message is from the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24
3) Our obedience leads to God’s Presence in our daily lives.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:5-8
4) Our obedience leads to the bearing of much Fruit.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:9-11
5) We will have greater Joy in our lives with greater levels of obedience!
You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:14-15
6) Our Friendship with Jesus is guaranteed through our obedience to Him.
Jesus says that there are six benefits of living lives of obedience: The Presence of the Holy Spirit, The Revelation of Jesus; God’s presence in our daily lives, Bearing Much Fruit, Greater Joy, and Friendship With Jesus.
Principle: There will be a Peace we have from our obedient relationship with God.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27
God’s Word is filled with principles for living our lives here on Planet Earth. He gives us His wisdom on how to order our relationships, how to run our business, how to raise our children, how to serve our spouse, how to function in ministry, how to manage our finances, and most importantly, how to relate to Him. It’s all in His Book.
Principle: As we become aware of God’s will for our lives in specific areas, we become accountable for them.
As Paul spoke with his friends in Corinth regarding their “conscience” (1 Corinthians 8), we need to remember that we are accountable to the things that God has spoken to us through His written word (gr. logos) as well as those personal spoken (gr. rhema) words.
There are things that God has spoken to me personally that I am accountable for that perhaps He has yet to speak to you. This is why we call it a personal relationship with God. He allows some of His children to do some things that are forbidden to others.
Principle: People become legalistic when they project those personal things that God has told them to do on others.
Whether it is what you are eating or drinking, what you are wearing, or even what spiritual gift you happen to be exercising, God has spoken to each of His children, and we are accountable for those things.
Personal Reflection:
In my years operating off aircraft carriers, there was a time on a night landing where I had to remind myself to ignore my senses, and to what I had disciplined myself to do.
When you are about 500 yards from the back of the ship at night, the deck lights suddenly begin expanding as you get closer to the ship. The movement of this expansion causes your brain to think that to are going high on the glideslope, and the natural reaction is to drop the nose to remain on the glideslope.
This will in fact take you below the glideslope and potentially into the danger area of hitting the ramp.
We had to train ourselves to ignore this sensation and hold our aircraft on the glideslope which is indicated by the glideslope indicator on the left side of the deck. Within seconds the sensation of being high passed and we continued to “fly the ball’ all the way to touchdown.
Can you relate to sensations that we commonly have to descend below God’s glideslope?
Lukas, Yair, Mikaela, Moselle & Gal
Priorities
Principle: We love God with our minds by keeping our priorities in order.
Through our life experiences and what we see in movies and on television, we form our own order of priorities. At the top of the list for many is pleasure, for others it is work. When we become disciples of Christ, we place ourselves under His authority, and with that comes a new level of importance for things that were never on our list. The Bible gives us very specific principles when it comes to our priorities in this life. Let’s look at a few of the many verses and extract some principles that will help us love God with our minds:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:1-2
Principle: God is number one! There is nothing that comes before Him.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 NLT
Principle: God created us to do specific thing for the Kingdom (ministry).
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 2 Thess. 3:10-12
Principle: Men and women should work for their living expenses so that they will not be a burden on others.
In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man can’t do that so well. He has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. 1 Cor 7:32-34
Principle: A married man must place his wife above his ministry.
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
Principle: We should be focused on the ministry that God has given us.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Behold, children are a gift of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; Psalm 127:2-5
Principle: Our children are more important than our work.
From these and other passages of Scripture, we can see that Biblical Priorities are clear:
God is always #1,
Family #2,
Ministry #3,
Job #4, and
Recreation #5.
We must recognize this list of priorities, and order our lives accordingly. A temptation for many Christians is to place ministry above family. This has resulted in many children of pastors and missionaries turning away from God. We must resist this temptation and give ourselves to our families before we give to our other ministries.
Walking through the Wadi Qelt stream
Controlling our thoughts
According to many pastors and counselors, “Speculations and Imaginations” are the one of the major problems among Christians. Many of us live our lives by fear. In addition, “Strongholds” develop when we construct a belief system apart from God. It’s important that we bring every thought inside the “sphere of God” in our life. God says that when we do, our relationship with Him will grow. Years ago, our friend Dr Randall Smith taught us how a famous passage of Scripture relates to this concept.
In 2 Corinthians Chapter 10 there is a fabulous image of the battle to take a human heart and to conquer our own thoughts and beliefs. We have a very interesting Roman military document from the 2nd century that describes the four steps in which you take an ancient city. These mounted walled garrison cities have a glace or an angled wall at the base of the vertical wall. This is about a 30 degree angled slope that prevents a battering ram of doing its job effectively by deflecting the force- it will glance off. The glace also prevents attackers from having a firm level ground to try to climb up and over the wall- usually this slope is slippery (from oil) and it makes ground attack more difficult.
The 12th Century Crusader castle at Caesarea Maritima
The only way to take a city like this was to bring in shielded men called sappers who would come in to the sewer pits, the drains at the base of the wall, and begin to take out a section of the wall from below. Now the problem is that if you are a sapper and are good at your job, you only get to do this once, because the wall usually collapses on top of you.
When the wall collapses, the second team comes in. They are called the casters. They cast away the bodies of the sappers and of course the stones of the fallen section of the wall. Allowing the third group- the infantry - to pour through the breach in the wall. They will begin to take each section of the city block by block in a sustained attacked.
Finally, just in time to take credit for the battle, you have the fourth element, the captains, who come in and put up two poles. You will have a pole set up for the execution of everyone who will not get with the program – a gallows, and then you will have a flagpole to allow the captives to pledge their allegiance to the new regime.
Paul picks up on this illustration and uses it with the people of Corinth who are familiar with warfare, because they have been soldiers and naval officers. He says in 2 Cor 10:
‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,’
We are the sappers at the bottom of the wall, pulling down these weighty things that have imprisoned us for so long. It seems that like the sappers, we will die in the process. In the human heart you won’t die doing this- you may feel like you are dying and there is this spiritual sense that you are dying to yourself, but your physical body will live.
‘casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God’,
Now we are like the casters, removing all the, plans, and strategies that exalt ourselves.
‘Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,’
As the infantry moves in and takes control of each part of the city, we allow God to move into each room of our life. And finally
‘and being ready to punish all disobedience. . . .’
The captains bring in the gallows, and everything is placed in order.
You have a great warfare analogy, for a simple conclusion. It is a big grandiose picture to produce one point, which is:
How is the life of the believer lived?
One thought at a time.
Meditation
The Bible encourages us to fill our minds with God’s words and consider their meaning an application to our lives.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3
There are four benefits to mediating on God’s Word that the psalmist points out:
1) Being firmly planted by a nourishing stream;
2) Developing Godly characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, patience, goodness and self-control in your personal life;
3) Not succumbing to stress, anxiety or fear;
4) Prospering in many areas of your personal and professional life;
Loving Your Neighbor
When it was asked “who is my neighbor” Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritian—which showed that “our Neighbor” is any fellow inhabitant of this planet who needs help.
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?”
27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’
Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37
And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:25-37
The pool at Wadi Qelt
How do we Love our neighbor?
God wants us to have a very practical expression of love. There is a phrase “One Another” in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) that gives us very specific ways that we are to love our neighbors. Here are
The 22 Commandments for Loving “One Another”
1) Romans 12:10 Be devoted. . .
2) Romans 12:10 Give Preference. . .
3) Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of. . .
4) Romans 14:13 Do not judge. . .
5) Romans 14:19 Build up. . .
6) Romans 15:7 Accept. . .
7) 1 Corinthians 12:25 Care for. . .
8) Galatians 5:13 Serve. . .
9) Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens.
10) Ephesians 4:2 Be patient. . .
11) Ephesians 4:32 Be kind & tenderhearted. . .
12) Ephesians 4:32 Forgive. . .
13) Colossians 3:16 Teach and admonish. . .
14) 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Comfort. . . .
15) Hebrews 3:13 Encourage. . .
16) James 4:11 Do not be against. . .
17) James 5:9 Do not complain. . .
18) James 5:9 Confess your sins. . .
19) James 5:16 Pray for. . .
20) 1 Peter 4:8 Keep fervent in your love. . .
21) 1 Peter 4:9 Be Hospitable. . .
22) 1 Peter 5:5 Submit. . .
Why does God want us to Love One another?
One of the deepest needs that we have is to feel love. He knows that we naturally will not extend ourselves to others- it goes against our human natures. He also knows that loving others is the key ingredient for bringing people into the Kingdom of God. How Important is Loving One Another?
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
An atmosphere of Loving One Another draws people into the Kingdom of God.
What is the #1 reason why people don’t want to come to church?
According to overwhelming statistics, it is the Hypocrites- The Actors. It is those who smile and say “God Bless You” on Sunday and treat you indifferently (often at best) the rest of the week. It is those who faithfully attend church for that hour on Sunday morning, and live their lives the rest of the week doing what suits them. There is no “action” behind their love.
James, the brother of the Jewish constructor (Jesus) said :
14Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. 15Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, 16and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. 18Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deed. James 2:14-18 NLT
Principle: The first step in making a disciple is to display genuine love toward that person. Further steps are taken as this “love” relationship grows. A person will not receive the Words of God until he feels the Love of God.
Two famous Christians offer us some closing thoughts on Loving Our Neighbors:
“Well, even on the human level, you know, there are two kinds of pretending.
There is a bad kind, where the pretence is there instead of the real things; as when a man pretends he is going to help you instead of really helping you.
But there is also a good kind, where the pretence leads op to the real thing. When you are not feeling particularly friendly, but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do , very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are.
And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were.
C.S. Lewis, from “Mere Christianity”
“Go into the world and preach the Gospel, and if you have to, use words.”
Francis of Assisi
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