Trust
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July 07, 2013 |
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 "Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'" (Matthew 16:16).
Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
At the time of Jesus, people's responses were different towards Jesus who was manifesting the power of God. Some of them said John the Baptist resurrected, others said He was Elijah who had come again, and still others said He was just another one of the many prophets. Of course, there were also people who were criticizing Him saying He was demon-possessed. But the disciples did not care to pay attention to such criticism, and they delivered the words that were of goodness only.
Then, Jesus asked them, "Who do you say that I am?" Then Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This profession did not come from Peter's thoughts. God let Peter realize it because he trusted and loved Jesus.
Of course, Peter had not received the Holy Spirit yet, and he later denied Jesus, which left him a blemish on his life. But since the time he witnessed the resurrection of the Lord and his trust became perfect, Peter had no more fear. He performed with great power of God, and He boldly preached the gospel even before the people and officials who were hostile towards him. When he was finally being crucified upside down, in his heart Peter had only fervent love and complete trust towards the Lord. Then, how can we make a perfect trust relationship with God and the Lord like Peter did?
1. We need to demolish fleshly thoughts
Those who use fleshly thoughts judge everything according to their own standards, and they think following their own benefits. They criticize something right as something wrong, and think what is actually good is evil. Nevertheless, they do not realize that their thoughts are wrong.
For example, suppose we have a favorable feeling about somebody, and that person does not return our greeting properly and her face does not look happy. You think, "What is her problem? Does she have some kind of misunderstanding about me? I thought she was nice but obviously she is not!" Then, the favorable feeling towards that person disappears in an instant. If somebody says something that is opposite to their ideas, they say, "I know how the things go. I am a very sensible person, you know."
When Jesus was ministering, those who had fleshly thoughts thought of Jesus' good ministry only in evil ways. For example, in Luke chapter 13, there is a scene in which Jesus healed a woman who had been demon-possessed and bent double. Observing it, the synagogue official showed his indignation saying, "One must not labor on the Sabbath, and why does He drive out a demon on the Sabbath?"
He could not think of the fact that God's power was manifested and a person who used to live a wretched life experienced the love of God. If this synagogue official had been the one who was healed, would he have still hated Jesus for healing him on the Sabbath? One passes judgment and condemnation on others according to his self-righteousness and frameworks of thoughts because he does not have love or goodness. And yet he insists that it is the will of God.
Therefore, for us to have complete trust, we have to cast off all kinds of fleshly thoughts. 1 Corinthians 2:13 latter part says, "…combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." As said, we can understand heart of spirit and have trust only when we have spiritual thoughts. I hope you will find out and rid yourself of the evil in you which hinders you from realizing what is good, and have spiritual thoughts all the time.
2. We have to hear the voice and receive the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
We can receive the touches of the Holy Spirit to the extent that we cast away evil and fleshly thoughts. It means you can understand the good will of the Father God in the works of the Holy Spirit.
For example, when a gentile woman who had a demon-possessed daughter asked Jesus for healing, He coldly turned her down. He said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But this woman did not become disheartened. She humbled herself even more and pleaded. She said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." As He heard this humble confession, Jesus praised her faith and healed her daughter immediately (Mark 7:25-30).
Those who have fleshly thoughts could have judged Jesus saying He did not have love. On the contrary, those who trust Jesus would still believe in His goodness and love. And they would think about the case deeply, "What is the reason Jesus is speaking that way?" If we contemplate on it with a good heart, we can realize the will of Jesus in the work of the Holy Spirit.
In fact, if this woman had had any pride, she could have harbored grudges against Jesus or become disheartened and given up receiving an answer. But because she had the faith to receive the answer, her attitudes did not change and she spoke only good words. Jesus let this woman show her faith until the end to let her fill up the measure of justice for her to be able to receive her answer.
Those who discern the situation with a good heart can understand this intention of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. By the way, different people receive the works of the Holy Spirit in different depths. If you receive works of the Holy Spirit more clearly, you can understand Jesus' will more deeply. Namely, Jesus knew the faith of this woman already, and He wanted to give a lesson to other people as well through the example of this woman.
So many people say they believe, but when they do not receive an answer they expect, they easily become discouraged or even complain against God. If they do not like something a little bit, they change their mind even though they did not suffer from some great contempt. Jesus drew out this humble profession of faith from this woman to show such people an example of what true faith is.
If you contemplate on it with a good heart, you can understand this will of Jesus by the help of the Holy Spirit. Your trust in the Lord Jesus will also be deepened to the extent that you understand His good will. Those who receive the works of the Holy Spirit will realize the good will of the Father God in such small things, too. The more they realize the good will of the Father, the more trust and love they will have, and they will naturally come to say, "I will rely on His love and go into deeper level of spirit very soon."
3. Our trust will increase to the extent that our love increases.
Peter trusted and loved Jesus when He was following Jesus as a disciple. But after the crucifixion, the level of his love was no longer the same. His master whom he loved so much, and especially the good and precious Son of God, took tremendous sufferings right in front of his eyes. But rather than protecting Jesus, he denied Him, and even spoke words of cursing. But Jesus just looked at this Peter quietly without any rebuking and died on the cross.
After witnessing the sufferings of Jesus who died for him, Peter's love was not the same. As his love deepened, his trust in the Lord became completely different, too. He was afraid even before a little maid-servant, but now, he boldly preached the gospel even when he was surrounded by people who were hostile. Even when he was being crucified upside down, his trust was not shaken at all. He only took the martyrdom in a glorious way in his fervent love and firm trust in the Lord.
Since God met me, I loved God the Father so much, and for that reason I could not doubt Him at all. Even when I encountered things that I could not understand at all, or even during such harsh trials, my trust in the Lord never wavered even for a moment.
Right after the opening of the church, I was scolded by God for seven consecutive weeks in front of many church members. Nevertheless, I never felt wrongfully accused, resentful, or sad. I only had thankfulness and willingness to realize what my dear Father was rebuking me about and change it. Finally, God let me know that He tested my heart, and He praised me for my unwavering trust. Through this, God gave me greater power.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I urge you to establish perfect trust relationship with God and the Lord by realizing yourself more deeply in the works of the Spirit and cultivating a true heart. I pray in the name of the Lord that by doing so you will unceasingly run towards New Jerusalem in Heaven.
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