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Category Archives: Revival

From Death to Glory

15 Jan
From Death to Glory

We’re going through the book of Colossians. Paul is writing to them about their walk with Christ. It’s a relationship that changes everything about them…and us.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:4 NIV

In my last post, I talked about having an upward attitude. That’s because we know how it will all end. We win! In Christ there is the expectation of the final victory.

But what about here and now. Paul tells us how to live with this knowledge.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:5-6 NIV

This is an important truth. Please read this carefully. Paul did NOT tell these people to stop doing these things. I know from experience that you can’t just make a New Year’s resolution and live perfectly forever after.

It’s not as easy as simply making a decision to live right. We need to draw on supernatural power. That’s what Paul is referring to here. He wrote about it to the Roman church.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…

Romans 8:13 NIV

This is a very interesting verse. That’s because it contains the word, “if”. This verse is telling us something we either could do, or we could choose to ignore.

There’s a battle that rages in my being. Even though I’m saved, my flesh is still subject to its sin nature. I find that even though I’m dead to sin in Christ, I continue to fall to the temptations that come before me. Paul wrote about this struggle that we all face. How do I overcome this dilemma?

Many people try differing methods to bring about the victory. Some try to live right in their own strength. I’ve found that if I live trying to use my flesh to overcome my flesh, by shear will power, I’ll fail miserably. The above verse tells us that if I use my flesh, then death will reign in me. The problem is, to use a computer term, there’s a virus in the software.

The good news is that I can use the power of God’s Spirit. I can use my spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the flesh. This is a truth that we’ve missed in the modern church. You can use your spirit to change your flesh.

In simple terms, as you pray in the spirit, you place a demand on the Holy Spirit and it will change the way you live. This is a powerful change because you’re allowing God to change you from the inside out.

I’ve to come to the understanding that I can take authority over the flesh by the power of the spirit. This is the key to a whole new level of living.

This work is only accomplished in the spirit. The misdeeds of my body will never be put to death by any decision that I make – no matter how much I desire it. I can try and try in my own strength. The work is a spiritual breakthrough and only comes as I yield my spirit to the Holy Spirit.

The church needs to once again learn this truth. We need to submit to the Holy Spirit to perform the change in our hearts. Only then will the world see the difference that will draw them to the cross of Christ. Only then will we experience the revival that we so desperately hunger for.

Question: How often do you pray in the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 15, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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An Upward Attitude

12 Jan
An Upward Attitude

We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last couple of posts, the apostle has been dealing with following rules to get closer to God.

He shows that this approach doesn’t work. It’s all about relationship. He closed chapter two by reminding them that they died with Christ. Now, the world’s system doesn’t work for them.

Now he continues with that thought.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Because we died with Christ, we’ve also been raised with Him. That’s the basis of an overcoming life. Sin doesn’t have the hold on us that it used to have.

Abraham learned this lesson.

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Hebrews 11:12 NIV

That phrase; as good as dead, means to deaden. In the natural, Abraham saw himself as becoming deader and deader.

We all must acknowledge that the power of God will change us. Our walk, attitudes, habits, likes & dislikes, friends, etc. are all affected. This is all a part of the deadening process.

We desire to put to death the things of the flesh because we now have a higher calling. We kill off the desires of the world in order to seek the eternal.

That’s where we need to focus our attention. Paul says this in two ways. He tells us, set your hearts and set your minds on things above. Those phrases literally mean to diligently seek and obsess on things above, respectively. Our attitude should reflect an upward vision.

This is a very important truth. We receive from God when we seek the eternal. The writer of the book of Hebrews understood this.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:14-15 NIV

Eternally minded people search for, crave, demand a home town. That’s why Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We’re not looking for the temporary high that the world offers us.

Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 NIV

The final result of this attitude is that God is not ashamed to be called their God. That’s interesting. Are there times when God is ashamed to be called someone’s God? I think this verse implies that He could be.

Before we pick up this eternally minded attitude, we’re only accomplishing what a man can do. Is God satisfied with what is merely possible – even without His help? Of course not. He expects us to do a God sized work.

When that happens; the world can see His glory. God’s people need to stop chasing the temporary pleasures of the world and focus in on the eternal glory of God. Let Him accomplish what He desires in you.

Question: How do you stay eternally focused?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 12, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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The Victorious Cross

03 Jan
The Victorious Cross

I’m continuing my study through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post, we looked at God’s act of forgiveness through Christ. Now I want to take this a step further. I’ll start with the verses from last time and add one more.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15

Now Paul brings it all back to the cross. This is one of the most important truths in Christianity. Sometimes we overlook it. Let’s see exactly what happened on the cross.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13

The Messiah had to go to the cross – it was a law hidden in the mind of God from eternity past. It was also a law that whoever hung on a cross was under a curse. So, Jesus had to take a curse with Him to the cross.

One of the greatest truths I can think of is this – He had no curse of His own, so Christ took our curse to the cross with Him that day. On top of all that, He took our transgressions with Him as well. What a glorious day that was! The devil had no clue what was about to be unleashed in that hour when Christ declared, “It is finished.”

We are now restored to right fellowship with God, because of the work done on the cross. I only need to accept it by faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t need to work for it or do anything to make up for my past. It has all been washed clean by the blood of the Perfect Sacrifice.

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:14

The Lord didn’t only provide forgiveness and restoration for His people, the Jews. He provided a way of salvation for the entire human race. Even though I was born a Gentile – apart from the promises of God – I can now enter into the covenant of Abraham. Now, because of the cross I can stand as a child of God, washed clean by His blood.

Along with our transgressions, the Lord took the entire law of Moses, that had blocked the way to God for so long. Christ, Himself, fulfilled all the terms of it and left it hanging on the cross for all of Heaven and hell to see.

The Bible is clear that the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). That’s the only foothold that the enemy can use against us. It was now done away with. There is now no basis for a charge of any kind against those who are in Christ. The entire kingdom of the enemy now stands powerless against those who know what was accomplished by Christ on the cross.

So many powerful events surrounded the crucifixion of Christ. The sun went dark as earthquakes rumbled throughout the earth. The veil that sealed off the Holy Place of the temple ripped completely in half. The ground opened up and many saints who had died were seen walking about during the next few days. We cannot even fathom the power that was released when Messiah was killed according to the plan of God.

We need a deeper revelation of the cross. Rather than a place of pain and weakness, it has become, to us, a monumental victory. If only we could understand and embrace the power that was released that day.

Question: How has the cross changed your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2024 in Encouragement, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Fullness in Christ

22 Dec
Fullness in Christ

We’re continuing our walk through Colossians. In my last post we saw that Jesus Christ is God. The fullness of deity is in Him. But that’s not the end of the story.

Paul continues the statement we looked at in that post.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 2:9-10 NIV

That second half is the most amazing part. We’ve been given fullness in Christ. He wants us to take part in His power and authority. The Lord allows us to walk in this as we serve Him.

Jesus Christ is now in the highest place of authority. His name is above all others.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

As I’ve said, Jesus Christ has the highest level of authority in the universe. But, He doesn’t just sit on His throne and watch the world go by. He’s an active participant.

In order to see His will accomplished, Jesus uses normal people like you and me. Anyone who will submit to His lordship comes under that authority. At that point, it’s passed on to those in submission to Him.

The Lord fully expects us to walk in and use His name in all of our activities. That means I need to strive to live the way He lived. That’s the only way I can adequately represent Christ to the world. It also means that I have a responsibility to seek the Lord’s way of ministry.

When we look at the world around us, we see people in spiritual darkness and captivity. They’re trapped in a world system that’s under the control of the kingdom of Satan.

It’s up to us, God’s people, to set them free and bring them to the cross. That’s where they can find true salvation for their souls.

In order for that to happen, there are some things that we need to understand. We can’t go into this battle with only half the information.

The first thing that we have to realize is that Christ has already won the war.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:15 NIV

Jesus Christ has once and for all won the victory over all the power of the enemy kingdom. However, that doesn’t mean that the fighting has stopped.

Just like in WWII, when the Axis powers collapsed, the Allied forces had to mop up the remaining troops. They had to enter the concentration camps and free the surviving prisoners. That’s where we are in the spiritual war today.

The trouble is that even in defeat, the enemy is dangerous. He wants as few people as possible to be set free by the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The same power over the enemy that the Lord walked in has been conferred upon us. We have authority over the enemy’s kingdom.

As we spend quality time in God’s presence, we find the resources we need for the victory. Only then will we see lives transformed by the power of the cross.

Question: How have you walked in the power and authority of Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 22, 2023 in Anointing, Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare, The Gospel

 

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Jesus Christ is God

20 Dec
Jesus Christ is God

As we go through the book of Colossians, we see Paul dealing with the heresy of Gnosticism. In my last post, the apostle contrasted a false worldview with a Christian mindset. Now He talks about the person of Jesus Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…

Colossians 2:9 NIV

Let me just say “Thank You!” to the Apostle Paul for such a clear, simple statement about the divinity of Christ. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, no matter what anybody chooses to believe about Him.

The literal Greek is so undeniable. It even has repetition so there’s no mistaking what’s being said. In Christ ALL the COMPLETENESS of God permanently lives in bodily, material form.

That’s the foundation of what we believe as Christians. God took on bodily form and lived among us. Then, He took it upon Himself to bear our sin to the cross. Having risen from the dead, He proved that our salvation was complete.

There are many organizations who deny the deity of Christ. If you’re in such a “church”, then you are a part of a cult. You need to search the Scripture and find a Bible believing group of Christians.

Why do I say this? Jesus Christ, Himself, made the claim to be God in the flesh.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

John 8:58-59 NIV

Jesus was talking to a crowd of His fellow Jews. He tells them, point blank, that He is the I AM. That is clearly the God who revealed Himself to Abraham in the Old Testament. The crowd knew exactly what He was saying, which is why they wanted to stone Him to death for it.

I know there are many who want to believe that Jesus was merely a great teacher. They feel that His teachings are a good example to follow. But the Lord doesn’t give us that choice.

I like the way the author, Josh Mcdowell puts it. He explains that Jesus Christ never wanted us to see Him as only a good teacher. He claimed to be God.

That means we have one of three choices to make. He knew He wasn’t God – which makes Him an evil liar. He didn’t know that He wasn’t God – which makes Him a lunatic. Or He was telling the truth – which means we need to follow Him as Lord.

Personally, I have chosen the last option. He is the Savior and Lord of my life. And, actually, He has made good on all that He and His apostles have said. I’ve never regretted my choice to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Now the ball is in our court. It’s up to each one of us to decide on our own. How do we handle the knowledge of who Jesus Christ is?

It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you live. At any time you can say a simple prayer accepting Him into your life. Declare your desire to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

At that point everything in your life will change. Then, find a group of Bible believing Christians who will encourage you in your new found faith. You won’t regret it!

Question: How has Jesus Christ changed your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 20, 2023 in Faith, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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A Solid Foundation

18 Dec
A Solid Foundation

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post, Paul talked about the basic fundamental truth of our salvation. That is the fact that Jesus Christ is both Lord and Savior.

Now the apostle wants to make sure that their foundation is secure. They need to possess a Christian worldview. That’s especially important in the age we currently live in.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8 NIV

He starts with a warning. To put it in terms of our language, he says, “Watch out!” There are those whose goal is to take your mind as a trophy for their point of view. That’s what the literal Greek of the verse says.

That’s what so many people of the world are doing these days. Their arguments sound logical and reasonable on the surface. But, taken to their conclusion, they only lead to wrecked lives.

Paul describes this as hollow and deceptive philosophy. These words speak of two things we should avoid. The first is human wisdom that the world is fond of. It’s a way of looking at the world that someone is comfortable with.

The second is empty delusions. These are conclusions based upon how I want things to be, rather than how they really are. That’s how much of the educational system of America operates these days.

Paul exposes the foundation of these worldviews. He says that they’re based upon human tradition and worldly principles. It’s interesting that the word, tradition, comes from a root that means to surrender.

By holding to a tradition, we’re surrendering to the way things have always been done. Or, we believe something because that’s what everyone in our sphere of influence believes.

Worldly principles means that you order things, prioritize things, the way the world does. That needs to be changed. As a believer, Christ and His will should be my number one priority. My whole life should be based on Christ.

That’s why our society is in such a sorry state. Suicides are out of control. Fear and anxiety are at such a level that counseling and therapy are a normal part of life. (Please realize that I’m not saying to stop counseling or therapy if it’s needed.)

What I’m saying is that we need to check our spiritual foundation. What are we basing our life upon? Where do I get my wisdom and opinions from?

In our generation, we need to be getting massive doses of the Word of God. I can’t base my life on what everybody around me believes. That includes the Christians around me. I need to check what they say against the Word.

I even encourage you to check my teaching. Be like the Berean Christians in the book of Acts.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11 NIV

What we need in our generation are more “noble” Christians.

Question: How do you check your worldview?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 18, 2023 in Encouragement, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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How Did You Receive Christ?

15 Dec
How Did You Receive Christ?

We’re studying the letter to the Colossian church. Paul is encouraging them to continue on the course they started at their salvation.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

Here, Paul is speaking to a church that he knows about because of the testimony of their pastor, Epaphras. They were evangelized by one of Paul’s spiritual sons, so he knew their foundation was solid.

But, that’s not always the case for us. I get concerned when I read a passage like this one. I have to ask myself some important questions. Unfortunately, there are too many times when we read through these verses without giving them a second thought.

The huge red flag that I see is the phrase, as you were taught. When we see a phrase like that, we have to ask ourselves, “Is that what I was taught?”

There were certain things that Paul and his team taught those who were turning to Christ. We need to judge our experience based upon these truths.

The first is…did I receive Christ Jesus as Lord? That’s a very important question. Too often in our generation we stress the fact that Jesus is Savior, and He is. But He’s more than that.

Our salvation is not just a matter of Jesus wiping our sins clean. I have to establish Christ Jesus as the Lord…supreme Ruler…of my life. Everything I am, must be submitted under His authority.

We need to stress this in our generation. At one point I heard a minister say that receiving Jesus as Savior is enough to start with. They can deal with the Lordship issue later.

Truthfully, I don’t see that way of thinking in the Scripture. I don’t have all the answers, but I wonder sometimes if you can be truly saved with acknowledging Christ as Lord of your life. I, personally, don’t want to take that chance.

Another big issue that this passage brings up is remaining in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him. Jesus talked about this in His parable of the seed.

In Matthew 13:21, the Lord makes it clear that without being rooted in Him, your spiritual life will wither. As that occurs, you run the risk of falling away from the truth. That’s a dangerous place to be.

The last thing they were taught was to strengthen their faith. That comes from reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. Without this in place, there will be no spiritual growth.

So, this is the important question to ask ourselves. Were we taught these fundamental truths? If not, then we need to start implementing them today. According to the Word, the result will be a life that’s overflowing with thankfulness.

Question: How important are these three issues to your walk with God?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 15, 2023 in Faith, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Understanding in Christ

11 Dec
Understanding in Christ

As we go through the letter to the Colossians, I’ve been talking about the prize Paul is striving for. In my last post we saw that he wants to see all believers’ hearts united in love.

Now the apostle shares the reason for this desire.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

The reason he wants us united, is because together, as the body of Christ, we can access the wealth of understanding in Christ. The concept of understanding in Scripture is very important, but most don’t realize it. The word, in Scripture, means to put together.

Understanding involves direction. It looks for the eventual outcome of a line of thinking. It tries to put together all the facts, and asks, “Where does the path I’m on take me?” This process exercises the mind to its greatest potential. It’s hard work, and sometimes brings unexpected results.

Because of this, most people will not seek understanding. Yet seeking is the only way to obtain it. And it’s only in Christ that we receive the full riches of understanding. That’s because this understanding opens up a whole new world to us.

Without this God-given understanding, we have no capability of knowing the mystery God. The fact is that Christ, Himself, is that mystery. I’m not talking about reading and studying the Bible to learn about Christ.

I’m speaking of truly knowing Christ in all of His fullness. That’s a mystery beyond our human comprehension. However, in Christ we have that ability. That’s where the riches are hidden.

This verse tells us that as we unite our hearts in love, we start to recognize and discern the wealth of the mystery of who Christ is. We start to see the glory of the Messiah working in us.

That’s where all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. We get that from the Bible. Wisdom is the application of those facts. It makes right choices based on those facts.

But, as great as wisdom and knowledge are, they’re not enough. It’s the understanding of God that brings you to the next level.

King Solomon, the wisest man knew this.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.

Proverbs 4:7a-9 NIV

Paul wants to see this church, and us, operating at the highest level possible. That will only come through God-given understanding. He emphasizes this because the Colossians were on the verge of leaving it for human wisdom.

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Colossians 2:4 NIV

Don’t chase after the world’s way of thinking. Allow the Holy Spirit to impart to you the mind of Christ. It will open up a higher way of living in Christ.

Question: How have you experienced the understanding of God?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2023 in Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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In the Arena

08 Dec
In the Arena

We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. If you remember, this is a church that Paul never visited personally. It was established by his spiritual son, Epaphras.

In my last post, Paul talked about his desire to see all believers rise up to their full potential in Christ. The last verse we looked at in chapter 1 actually ties in to the first verse of chapter 2.

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

Colossians 1:29-2:1 NIV

In both of these verses, he talks about how he is struggling. That’s an important word. Unfortunately, in the English language there are many kinds of struggling.

You could be struggling, climbing a mountain. You could be a soldier in a war against a bitter enemy. There are so many different ways you could interpret this.

The Greek language, however, gives us a clear picture of what Paul is referring to. This word, struggling, comes from a root word that means a gathering place, such as an arena.

So, this is a struggle that would take place in an arena. It’s a public spectacle like a boxing match or a race. It’s about struggling for a prize.

So, what’s the prize that Paul is struggling for? I’m glad you asked! It’s what every church leader should be striving toward. And, actually, it may take me a couple of posts to explain it.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

This passage is full of important truth. Let’s start with the phrase, encouraged in heart and united in love. These are not two separate things – there’s no “and” between them in the original Greek verse.

The word, encouraged, means to be called together. It’s an invitation to join a group. They’re being called to one place, for one purpose.

There’s a clear reason for this call. The original says that it’s for their hearts to be united in love. Again, this needs an explanation in the English language.

The words that Paul uses literally mean that he wants their hearts to be compacted or coalesced together. He wants them mixed together in such a way that they form one whole.

Think of it this way. If you’re making a cake, you get many different ingredients. You have flour, milk, eggs, oil, and flavoring. But then, you have to blend them all together until they coalesce into one finished bakery item.

That’s what Paul is looking to accomplish in the church. Trust me, anyone in church leadership can tell you that this process is a struggle. It requires all the people involved to submit themselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And this is only the first part of the prize Paul is aiming for. In my next post, I’ll continue with this thought.

Question: How well is your heart united with your fellow believers?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2023 in Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Spiritual Maturity

06 Dec
Spiritual Maturity

I have been posting a series about the letter to the Colossian church. The Apostle Paul has been talking about his ministry to the body of Christ. His goal is the maturity of all believers.

Paul understood this aspect of his work as an apostle of Christ.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

That’s the goal of the ministry. All who are in leadership are here to present everyone – not just a select few – perfect and mature in Christ. This requires supernatural strength and wisdom.

We cannot hope to perform this on a merely human level. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I need to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this great task.

The belief that this is impossible to achieve in our lifetime only serves to undermine the Lord’s goal for us. We need to recognize where He’s leading us to and cooperate with the Lord’s program for our development. After all, He’s bringing us on an incredible spiritual journey.

That’s exactly what the Lord taught His disciples.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 NIV

This word, perfect, also means to be mature and complete. This is God’s desire for His people. That we attain to the same level of maturity as Christ.

The unfortunate thing is that many teach that this is impossible. Over and over, we are told that to walk like Jesus is beyond our reach. I don’t buy into this type of reasoning.

When I see the lives of the Apostles in the book of Acts, I don’t get the idea that they’re immature. I see the same signs and wonders that were performed by the Lord. I see thousands of people drawn to, and changed by, the Word of God. If it was possible for them, then the same is true for us – if we’re willing to walk the same road they walked to get there.

One of the key ingredients to us reaching this level is the ministry gifts God has given to the body of Christ. In talking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, Paul said that they were given as gifts to the church. They have a very clear purpose.

…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:12-13 NIV

The goal of the five-fold ministry is the maturing of the saints. The level of that maturity is beyond question. It is that we would live and minister as the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to write these words if it were not possible? We need to stop making excuses and start working towards the walk of maturity.

Question: What would the ministry of a spiritually mature believer look like?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 6, 2023 in Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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