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Pastoral Insight Into Personality Disorder

2013-12-01T13:55:00.000+08:00

Introduction

Melissa had an old time friend called Janice. Recently Janice had been paying Melissa frequent visits to discuss on several topics with the pretext of “listening to a third party opinion”. When Janice met Melissa, their conversation was not the normal dialogue; it looked like an interview. As usual Janice would come up with a question, and Melissa would share her view point. When Melissa’s view point was not matching with Janice’s view point, Janice would feel offended and got angry via her body language. Janice would say they were not in the same wave length and put a stop to their dialogue.

The reaction of Janice really bothered Melissa and felt perplex. What’s wrong with her long time friend? Upon analysis of her past encounters with Janice, Melissa realized that Janice was seeking for “strong sense of entitlement”. She expected others to give her automatic compliance to her expectation. When the “strong sense of expectation” was not met, she would respond with anger. Janice was not sensitive to her own behavior that might offend others; she showed no empathy to others.

Upon further investigation into Janice “hang-ups”, Janice had been a church-hopper. The current church she is worshipping is the fifth one. The main reason of leaving the former church was because she felt that the pastor was having prejudice against her. She felt that the pastor did not recognize her ability and knowledge. That was not the true story! The real issue was because her grandiose sense of self importance was not recognized.

What’s wrong with Janice? Janice is suffering from a personality disorder and it will manifest in her day to day living affecting others and her own self. In fact, Janice is suffering from narcissistic personality disorder. She has at least 5 traits of narcissistic personality disorder:

1. She has a grandiose sense of self importance. Her purpose of meeting Melissa was not really to hear a third party’s opinion, she desired Melissa to affirm her superiority in knowledge.

2. She lacks empathy as she was not sensitive to the feeling of Melissa by calling off their dialogue abruptly.

3. She regularly shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes to others.

4. She desires very strong sense of entitlement and when others do not comply with her sense of entitlement, she would feel offended.

5. She desires other to praise her abilities and specialties, thus fitting into the trait of requiring excessive admiration.

Personality disorder is common and prevailing in the church. People with personality disorders are not responding to prayer and pastoral counseling. These people will affect their relationship with other healthy church members and sometimes they may create tense relationships. Unfortunately Christians at large are not well informed of personality disorders and they are not equipped to help them. Christians with personality disorders are unable to enjoy abundant life as promised in the bible on John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

I am fully convinced that Christians need awareness into personality disorders as they affect approximately 10% of the population (Torgersen, 2005). Isn’t the scripture taught us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2)? To achieve “carry each other’s burdens” for those who are suffering personality disorders, we must have awareness or insight into personality disorders so as to help them.

Biblical Characters with Personality Disorder

The first personality disorder in the bible can be seen in the life of Cain, he was the classical example of people suffering from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Due to the fall of man, sin came into human race. Adam and Eve failed to raise their children with the fear of God. Their personalities were put to test in their offerings to God. Cain brought some of the fruits he tended for the offering; whereas Abel brought forth the fat portions of the firstborn of his flock as an offering (Gen. 4:3-4a). The Lord accepted Abel’s offering with favor and he rejected Cain’s offering (Gen. 4:4b-5). God’s rejection might have triggered his ego and his grandiosity – “mine is the best”. He felt rejected and depressed, “and he looked sad and dejected” (Gen. 4:5c Amp.). This is the manifestation of the first trait of NPD: “has a grandiose sense of self-importance and expectation of recognizing as superior”. Because of rejection by the Lord, he was “exceeding angry and indignant” (Gen. 4:5b Amp). This reveals the ninth traits of NPD: “arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitude couple with rage when frustrated contradicted or confronted”. Anger bred murder and eventually he killed Abel (Gen. 4:8). When God queried about where was Abel, he reacted with no remorse, “Am I my brother’s keeper” (Gen. 4:9b). The lack of stress, anxiety and remorse fix into the seventh trait of NPD – “Devoid of empathy”.

The next biblical character that has personality disorder is King Saul. He was suffering from paranoid personality disorder. King Saul began his kingship well: personally chosen by God, anointed by the leading prophet of his time, with good outward appearance of a king. His early day of kingship was successful. His downfall came when he acted “above the law”, and upon enquiry he resorted to defense mechanism of the mind to justify his behavior.

Saul paranoid personality disorder (PPO) started to manifest when David defeated Goliath. People celebrated the victory through dancing and singing, saying “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands” (I Sam 18:7). Saul then began to nosedive into anxiety, paranoia and jealousy. From that moment he plotted to kill David.

He entered into chronic and pervasive suspicion, distrust and paranoia on David. His conditions were aggravated when demonic activity was tormenting him. In spite of various occasions David conducted deliverance for him when he was oppressed by the demons, his suspicion and paranoia against David did not end.

In order to achieve killing David from his scene, he used her daughter Michal as a bite to lure David to fight with the Philistine single handed, “The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred philistine foreskins” (I Sam. 18:25). David succeeded the mission and Saul had no choice but to marry his daughter Michal to David. Saul’s paranoia did not go away after David became his son-in-law.

David sworn brother Jonathan attempted to clear Saul’s paranoia, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly” (I Sam. 19:4). Saul’s persistent, pervasive suspicion, distrust and paranoia were deeply entrenched in his personality disorder; even his own son’s persuasion would not help to clear his suspicion. After this incident, Saul tried various attempts to take David’s life, but failed.

Understanding Personality Disorders

When someone is suffering from certain personality disorder, it requires the medical professional to diagnose and assess which category of personality disorder someone is suffering. Therefore assessment and diagnosis are the work of the medical professional. However, laymen do know whether someone is suffering from some form of personality disorders.

Before we go further into understanding of personality disorders, we ought to know what our personalities are. Our personalities are what make us who we are. Therefore you have probably felt the way you do for a long time. Your personalities go with your genes which you are born. Not only with the genes, environments, experiences and expectations in our growing up period of the childhood and adolescence days will shape our personalities and make us what we become. As our bringing ups are different, we all have different kinds of personalities. However, some type of personalities cause people considerable distress, they are called personality disorders.

These distressing personalities vary from the normal and healthy personalities. These distressing personalities are characterized by a chronic, inflexible, and maladaptive pattern of relating to the world. This maladaptive pattern is evident in the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

The maladaptive thinking patterns of people with personalities disorders vary. Some may have strange ideas someone feel about them. Some may hear voices or delusions that they are under persecution. Some have “inflated self esteem” that they are special and important; therefore they desire others to fully comply with their expectations. Some are governed by strict, uncompromised rules and regulations in their thinking; thus rendering their lifestyles as rigid and uncompromised.

As for maladaptive pattern of feelings, some may have strong, all-consuming feeling that cause them a lot of pain. They may experience fear, anger and anxiety that they could not shake off. They may experience self-condemnation from within, thus they inflicted hurt on themselves in order to put off such unpleasant feelings. Or they may resort to alcohol, drug, over eating, starvation, or committing suicide so as to get rid of these feelings.

Maladaptive pattern of behavior will render these people with personality disorders as weird. Some desires constant and regular attention, and they have strong sense of fearing to be abandon. On the contrary, some avoid people and they don’t mix with crowds. Some feel that they are at the centre stage, and desiring others to pay attention; otherwise they feel uncomfortable. Some will have problem trusting others as they suspect others are threatening them, but others actually don’t.

It is not the intention of this article to go into detail of discussing various different forms of personality disorders. You can always read it from About.com on Psychology¹.

Briefly personality disorders can be classified as:

Cluster A – Odd or Eccentric Disorders, include paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders.

Cluster B – Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders, including antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders.

Cluster C – Anxious or Fearful Disorders, including avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

Inner Healing and Personality Disorder

In Christian circle, healing of memories or inner healing therapy has been carried out for the trauma such as sexual abuse or other physical abuse. The effectiveness of inner healing therapy to bring about forgiveness in the lives of the sufferers, thus it is positive and I have no doubt on it. Forgiveness will liberate their stunted emotional hang-ups, and they have opportunity to grow their emotions.

I personally knew a real case of the fear of cockroaches (Katsaridaphobia), was fully delivered when God revealed the causative crisis event of the sufferer. She was disciplined by her mother by locking her in a darkroom, and she was so fearful when cockroaches were flying in the room. Thereafter, she developed fear of cockroaches in her life. She was totally delivered from the phobia via inner healing therapy.

However, I have my reservation whether inner healing therapy can bring about wholeness on personality disorders? Personality disorders are not developed via a single crisis experience. They are the products of maladaptive learning from early age; either due to the poor learning of the sufferers or poor parenting from the parents. Inner healing prayer is not able to install a new set of personality into a sufferer to replace the distressing personality. If inner healing prayer can do the job, then the study of psychology in the university will be redundant.

Therefore, Christians require proper understanding on personality disorders so as to help the 10% population with personality disorders to gain self awareness into these deadly infirmities. According to report, the prognosis of total healing for personality disorders is very slim. The purpose of assistance is to help the sufferers to unlearn some of those negative traits and help them to live normal Christian livings.

Taking the example of Janice in the introduction, Melissa should help her friend to unlearn those traits of “grandiosity” and “entitlement”. Janice should gain awareness that everyone has the right to express their view points. This will help to unlearn the tendency wanting her view to be embraced on every conversation. This is a form of “cognitive behavior therapy”. It helps Janice to identity her unhealthy beliefs and behaviors, and replaces them with healthy, positive ones.

Whenever anger and jealousy wanting to explode, she needs to constantly remind herself that these are the product of personality disorder, and learn to suppress the unwanted emotion. As a friend to Janice, Melissa must help her friend to gain self awareness and insight into the problems. This is “dialectical behavior therapy”. This will help Janice to tolerate stress, and unwanted emotions and improve her relationship with others.

Personality disorders are the problem of the “software”. Human mind cannot be deleted by one stroke on the computer, and download with the new ones. It seems like impossible to change these distressing personalities. No wonder people say “the leopard cannot change its spots” (Jer. 13:23). There is hope if you are a Christian. The scripture promises renewal of the mind via meditation on God’s work, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season” (Ps. 1:2, 3).

Personality Disorders in the Church

As churches are embarking on outreach program to reach out to seekers of the good news, we will encounter people with personality disorders converted and assimilated into the Christian community. When we lack awareness into personality disorders, we will be like “a blind man leading a blind man” (Matt. 15:14). We will be ineffective helping Christians with personality disorders, and they will live defeated lives.

There is a myth in the Christian circle that when someone is converted, that someone will be a brand new person with perfect personality. This is the wrong application of II Cor. 5:17², “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come”. The new creation is referring to new birth by the Holy Spirit. The new creative work begun in each one who believes in Christ, will one day consummated on a universal sale (Rev. 21:4-5). The final phase of salvation will be in the new heaven and new earth when Christians are transformed with glorified bodies. When Paul said, “the old has gone”, he was talking about the old life of slavery to self and sin has gone (cf. Rom. 6:6-14; Eph. 4:22). “The new has come” refers to the new life comes with new attitudes and action toward Christ (cf. Eph. 4:23-5.2, II Cor. 5:14-15). This is unfortunate that wrong interpretation of II Cor. 5:17 may give an idea that the distressing traits of personality disorders will be gone after conversion. The scripture does not provide any hint that such thing does happen at conversion. Your traits of personality disorders will still affecting your lives unless you take drastic steps to unlearn the negative and relearn the positive. This is called the renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:1-2).

Converts with personality disorders can post a challenging pastoral concern in a local church. Peace and stability can be disrupted when members with personality disorders are not properly contained.

Some of the disturbances are listed below, but not exhaustive:

1. People with strong ego can post a great problem to the church; especially they are arrogant and vocal. They may attract followers to form an informal group in the church. Thus unity will be at stack.

2. There are people with pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self image and behavior. They can bring hurt and damage to the church if they are not well management. This is especially when they enter into unstable, frequent relationships with opposite sexes.

3. They are people with a long standing pattern of distrust and suspicion on others, these expressions will sow discords among the congregation.

4. Some people are cold, uninterested, withdraw, and aloof in our midst, they aren’t interested to form close relationship with others.

5. There are individuals who are constantly “performing” in order to gain attention; their “performances” are the expression for attention seeking.

Not only personality disorders affect ordinary members, they may affect the pastoral staffs. This is especially evident when the church is operating as singularity of leadership, rather than plurality of leadership. In singularity of leadership, the senior pastor is the supreme leader. If the senior pastor is suffering from some form of personality disorders, no one will be able to check him. If he is a narcissistic pastor, and he is dynamic and charismatic; he will draw large crowds to follow him. Due to his egocentricity and grandiosity, he may use church resources for personal agenda under the pretext of “ministry”. The senior pastor and the church may end up in lawsuit.

Personality disorders are serious infirmities affecting the well being of a local church. If you are Christian leaders, pastors or ministers reading this article, I hope you will ponder on this issue. I have seen personality disorders brought about hopes shattered and families broken down. I had even witnessed my own distant relative committed suicide as he was tormented by obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Churches and Christians are very generous and active in supporting drug rehabilitation. Unfortunately there are few centers to rehabilitate those with personality disorders, so that they can live the abundant life as promised in John 10:10.

Isn’t it a challenge to think about having a centre catering people with personality disorders so that they can gain hope and comfort via Christian based renewal ministry?

Conclusion

I write this article based on personal research into personal disorders as a former church worker.

I sincerely wish that whosever read this article, you can gain awareness to help your friends and relatives with personality disorders to find hope and comfort in Christ. It is God’s will to heal all kinds of diseases and infirmities, “many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits…and healed all the sick. This is to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases’”. (Matt. 8:16-17).

Footnotes:

1. About.Com on Psychology. http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydisorders/a/personalitydis.htm

2. David K. Lowery Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthian. The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament. Page567.

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7 Signs Your Pastor is Near a Burnout

2013-09-28T13:06:00.000+08:00

7 Signs Your Pastor is Near a Burnout by James Bong

Prayer: The Birthing of Revival

2013-04-29T15:37:00.001+08:00

“There will be no revival when Mr. Amen and Mr. Wet-Eyes are not found in the audience.”¹

C. G. Finney

All scriptures quoted are in NIV version, otherwise will be stated.

Revival (Final Part)

Introduction:

From the first century revival through the 21^st century revival, prayer always plays the key role in revival, especially corporate prayer with one intent and purpose. Prayer touches the throne of grace, and He rains down the shower of refreshing to the thirsty congregation. Let us explore how prayer is the birthing of revival.

Exposition on the Greek Word “Proskarterountes” in Acts 1:14

The key word “proskarterountes” that appears in Acts 1:14 reveals to us the nature of prayer the early church was engaged in. Let us look at several translations of Acts 1:14.

“They were all joined together constantly in prayer…” (NIV)

“These all with one mind continually devoting themselves to prayer…” (NASB)

“All of these with their mind in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly in prayer…” (Amplified Bible)

The above bold letters are the various translations of “proskarterountes”. The following are the definition of “proskarterountes” in various dictionaries:

1. To be busily engaged in, to be devoted to (A Greek English Lexicon by WF Arndt & F.W. Gingrich)

2. To persist in adhering to a thing, to be intently engaged in, to attend to constantly (The Analytical Greek Lexicon by Samuel Bagster)

3. To be strong towards, to endure in, or persevere in, to be continually steadfast with a person or thing (Vine Expository Dictionary)

Base on the various translations and definitions from various dictionaries, the prayer accounted for the revival is not an ordinary prayer. The prayer that brings down the revival can be summed up as “Persistent – Steadfast – Prevailing – Persevering – Fervent” prayer.

The Characteristics of Prayer in Acts 1:14

As defined earlier on, the upper room prayer meeting was “persistent – steadfast – prevailing – persevering – fervent” in nature as they devoted themselves continually until their objective was accomplished. It is interesting to note that the upper room prayer meeting that shaped the history of the world was a concentrated prayer. The book of Acts told us that the disciples were praying in the upper room for ten days. We didn’t know whether they were praying throughout the days and nights. Assuming they prayed during the day time, and excluding the sleeping period of eight hours, they were praying for around sixteen hours a day. Consequently, the ten days of upper room prayer meetings would equate to some 160 hours of prayer. Isn’t that a concentrated, intensive, steadfast and persistent prayer? Looking at most churches today, if they hold weekly prayer meeting of one hour per week, they will only spend 52 hours a year in corporate prayer. Do you see the contrast?

Steadfast and Persistent Prayer in Other Passages

In Acts 2:42, the writer of Acts used exactly the same word “proskarterountes” to describe the prayer life of the early church. The persistent and steadfast prayer was linked to church growth in the following passage:

“And they continued steadfastly…in prayer…praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42, 47 NKJV)

At Col. 4:2, Paul used the same word “proskarterountes” but in present imperative form commanding Christians to engage in steadfast and persistent prayer:

“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfastin your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.” (Amplified Bible 4:2)

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 NKJV)

Travailing Prayer and Revival

Contemporary Christians seems to be unfamiliar with travailing prayer. However, it is the prayer that’s closely linked with revivals. Charles Finney was one of the great revivalists in the 1800s. He knew about travailing prayer. There was an incident when a man came to Finney and told him that his wife was very sick. The news affected Finney: “This seemed to plant an arrow in my heart”. Finney was filled with burden and he started to groan loud and deep. Finney couldn’t even pray with words, he could only groan and weep. The next morning the woman’s husband came and told Finney that his wife was much better.²

What is travailing prayer? It is the crying in the Spirit which can take on several different manifestations – groaning, weeping, identification prayer etc. Travailing prayer is a manifestation of the grief of God. Perhaps we can understand this better if we realize that we now have the Holy Spirit living in us, and He has chosen to use our hearts, emotions and mouths to weep and “cry through”. Just as Romans 8:26 spells out, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).

Why travailing prayer is closely linked to revival and especially the birth of revival? There is a saying all truths are parallel. The giving birth of human being requires the pregnant woman to go through the process of travailing. Likewise, it is required for spiritual travailing to occur so as to give birth to the spiritual babe. Isaiah spoke about the rebirth of the nation of Israel through travailing, “For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children” (Is. 66:8). We can borrow the analogy of birthing to the church as it is spiritual Zion. Thus, when the church is travailing, things are birthed in the Spirit. Many souls become “born again” through someone travailing.

Paul was an apostle that understood travailing prayer. When he wrote to the Galatians regarding their backsliding to Judaism, he told them that, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19). Paul had already travailed for them to be born into the kingdom of God, and because of their backsliding, Paul was then travailing the second time hoping Christ being formed in them.

Corporate Anointing In United Prayer

Anointing is the enablement of grace given by God for ministry. Unfortunately it is something which is ignorant to many. Before Jesus commenced his public ministry, He declared publicly the anointing that was on him, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19). The ministry of Jesus to preach the good news, to heal the sick and to free the demonic bondages all depended on the anointing. The anointing mentioned here is the individual anointing.

There is yet another anointing which is even stronger than the individual anointing; it is called the corporate anointing. Corporate anointing is a special anointing that bestows on the corporate level when God’s people gather in the same place with singleness of purpose and intent. The scriptures seem to indicate that not only is this somewhat different from the individual anointing in the sense that it affects more than one person, but also that the corporate anointing seems to be one of greater power.

An example of corporate anointing can be found in the dedication of Solomon temple in the Old Testament: “Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instrument of music and praised the lord, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever’, that the house, the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God” (2 Chron. 5:13, 14).

Notice the above passage, the first key we see is that all of the priests (120 of them according to verse 12) were in one place, one in purpose and in intent (praising and worshipping God). There weren’t some who were praying or singing about one thing, and others were praying and singing about something else. They were praying and singing with one intent and purpose. Eventually great power was released among them. The anointing was so strong that the priests couldn’t even stand up to minister.

Let us look at a New Testament example of corporate anointing, which can be found when the church was born on the day of the Pentecost: “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4NKJV).

The 120 early disciples fulfilled the criteria of in one place and seeking God with one accord (with one purpose and intent). As shared previously, the disciples had gone through the brokenness process, and they had put aside their personal and national agendas. They then came and sought God with one intent and purpose. The end result was the corporate anointing fell upon the 120 seekers and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The corporate anointing appeared as tongues of fire resting on each of them.

Eye Witness of Corporate Anointing in United Prayer

The following is an eye witness account of a united prayer that broke out in a yearly bible camp of a local church in West Malaysia as described in the section – Unity: The Key to Revival. The Spirit of prayer descended on two key leaders: John and Luke. The phenomenon was like some empowering outer cloaks descending from heaven that enveloped John and Luke as they travailed with groaning and weeping. The travailing Spirit of prayer was contagious and impacted other campers as they also prayed with groaning and weeping.

The travailing Spirit of prayer was so strong that John and Luke had to support each other liked a travailing woman about to give birth. The outpouring of the Spirit of prayer was so powerful that their hands shook while they were praying. And what was the ultimate result ? They are recorded in the article – Unity: The Key to Revival; people fell in the power of the Holy Spirit, the oppressed was set free and people saw visions from the LORD.

There was one very unique corporate anointing when John was leading the camp prayer. He received an impression from the LORD to pray for all campers by groups. They held hands in a circle and when the anointing was called upon them, everyone fell under the power of the Spirit without anyone laying hands on them. Leaders and members all fell under the anointing.

Quotes of Prayer Birthing Revival

“Before the great revival in Gallneukirchen broke out, Martin Boos spent hours and days and often nights in lonely agonies of intercession. Afterwards, when he preached, his words were as flame, and the hearts of the people as grass.” ³ …………. D.M. Mclntyre, D.D.

“Whole days and WEEKS have I spent prostrate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer.” ⁴ ………….George Whitefield

“When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is set them a-praying.”⁵ ……........Matthew Henry

“Apostolic preaching is not marked by its beautiful diction, or literary polish, or cleverness of expression, but operates “in demonstrations of the Spirit and of power.” ⁶ …………. Arthur Wallis

Conclusion:

I wish to conclude this article from a quote of Charles G. Finney: “Revival is not more a miracle than a crop of wheat. Revival comes from heaven when heroic souls enter the conflict determined to win or die – or if need be, to win and die! ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’”⁷

Part I - Brokenness: A Prequisite of Revival
http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/04/brokenness-pre-requisite-of-revival.html

Part II - Unity The Key to Revival

http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/04/unity-key-to-revival.html

Footnotes:

1. Revival Quotes. http://www.evanwiggs.com/revival/fireham/Revival%20Quotes.htm

2. What is Travailing Prayer. http://bibleresources.org/travailing-prayer/

3. Revival Quotes. http://www.evanwiggs.com/revival/fireham/Revival%20Quotes.htm

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

Unity: The Key To Revival

2013-04-22T15:40:00.000+08:00

(Revival: Part Two)

All scriptures quoted are in NIV version, otherwise will be stated.

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“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”¹

AW Tozer

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Introduction:

Through the brokenness process, God prepared a group of early followers of Jesus making them conducive for a revival to fall on them as that process bound them together in unity and single heartedness. This band of brothers that rocked their world could be described as: One Accord.

To achieve unity among the early converts was an impossible objective by the human sense. Let us study the diversity of backgrounds among the early disciples. Matthew was a tax collector and in his former life he had extorted money, and he served Rome. Simon the Zealot would have viewed Matthew as a traitor as he fought against Rome and her oppression. Peter ran a fishing business at Galilee, far from the politics of Jerusalem. However, the scripture told us that they were in one accord; “These all continued with one accord to prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14 NKJV). Obviously the disciples were not together for any political agenda; they had joined together for the common course of the Great Commission, and Christ was their common denominator. Among them they were no uniformity in career, education or some pre-existing theology.

Definition of Unity

Before we go further to explain what unity actually means, it is essential to look at the various translation on Acts 1:14.

“They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (NIV)

“They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (KJV)

“These all with one mind were continually devoted themselves to prayer” (NASB)

The Greek word for “joined together”, “one accord” and “one mind” is “omothumadon”,which means one mind or purpose, with one accord (homos: same, thumos: mind)². Therefore the unity of the disciples can be summed up as “One Accord – One Purpose – One Group – One Unity”³. The unity of the early disciples can be compared to an orchestra with different instruments, but playing a symphony. There is harmony, uniformity and proper coordination.

Unity and Its Effect in the Book of Acts

The early church were in one accord and united. Their unity was not only shown forth when they waited for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:14), various other passages also spoke about their unity.

In Acts 2:1, when they were in one accord, suddenly the Holy Spirit filled them and a visible sign of the filling was demonstrated as tongues of fire resting on them. Their unity resulted in a supernatural outpouring of God’s Spirit and with signs following them.

“Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accordin one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:1-3 NKJV)

In Acts 2:46, their unity was recorded once again. And this time their unity brought about numerical growth of the church daily. Unity is essential for church growth.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house… And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46, 47 NKJV).

In Acts 4:24, 31, the prayer of unity brought about supernatural manifestation. The whole place was shaken as they prayed. The Holy Spirit filled them and empowered them to speak the word of God with boldness.

“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord…And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:24, 31 NKJV)

In Acts 5:12, another record of unity is found. On this occasion, signs and wonders followed them when they were in unity.

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch” (Acts 5:12NKJV)

In Acts 8:6, the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke; hearing and seeing the miracles which he did in Samaria, the Gentile mission field. The revival was maintained by being in one accord.

“And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philips, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did” (Acts 8:6 NKJV)

In Acts 13:1-2, five men of diverse culture and nationality – Romans, Greeks and Jews, put aside their differences and came together in prayer. Their unity in ministering to the Lord brought about the birth of a new work in Asia.

“Now in the church that was in Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers…As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:1-2 NKJV)

Psalm 133

This is a psalm that speaks figuratively when brothers are in unity, the anointing will fall on them. And the anointing will first touch the head, which signifies the leadership; and it will continue with the body, which signifies the congregation.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the bead, running down on the beard, the heard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.” (Psalm 133 NKJV)

The Expression of Unity in Local Church

1. Disunity is caused by the rule of Self in the believers’ lives, especially in the lives of the local leadership. A fundamental solution is the need for brokenness.

2. The key to the unity of a local church involves members accepting one another unconditionally, “just as I am”. Certain personality types are more welcomed than other personality types eg. the type “A” personality is more vocal and irritable. We need to learn to accept these “unlovable” believers if we want to achieve unity in the local context.

3. Christians ought to adopt an attitude of humility in considering others as better than themselves. This is exactly what Paul says in Philippians when he addressed the issue of unity in the church, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ…but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Phil. 2:1,3).

4. There must be oneness of determination to glorify God. This can be done if the leadership in a local church will humble themselves seeking God for His agenda for the church. Then God’s visions will replace personal visions, thus reducing strife and conflict in the local body.

5. A local church should prevent any doctrinal issue to divide the congregation:

· One can have differences of opinion and yet remain united in the church.

· Not all doctrines are essential for salvation; some are but some are not.

· Certain organs can be taken out of the body and the person still lives but some must exist in the body otherwise the body will die.

6. Unity is necessary for the outpouring of the Spirit of God as disunity can be liken to a broken circuit preventing the flow of God’s power in a local church. Persistence in unity allows the Holy Spirit to move in a revival.

Testimony of Unity Precedes Revival

The following is an eye witness account of a local revival that broke out in the bible camp of a local church in West Malaysia during the 80’s. The revival occurred for a stretch of three consecutive years of the yearly bible camps. Names mentioned in the following record have been changed.

Camp prayer was the climax event during those days of the yearly bible camp. Matthew, John and Luke were in-charge of the camp prayer, and Matthew was acknowledged as the leader among the three. Due to certain ministry issues, John and Luke had some differences with Matthew. There was an urgency that required them to sort out their differences as they desired to see God’s blessing to come down on the camp prayer. The three of them decided to have their own closed group prayer to deal with their relational problems. They confessed their faults to one another based on James 5:16, “…confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”. After they had settled their differences and prayed for one another, they were subsequently fully equipped to lead the camp prayer.

The onset of the camp prayer was powerful. The Spirit of prayer descended on all the campers. Leaders were travailing under the power of the Holy Spirit. Signs and wonders started to manifest:

1. Demons started to manifest and the person eventually cleansed.

2. People were baptized in the Holy Spirit with the gift of tongue.

3. People were slain under the power of the Holy Spirit in an unprecedented manner.

4. Deep confession of sins by the campers brought about revolutionary changes in their lives and many eventually became faithful leaders in the church.

5. People saw visions of being encouraged by the Lord.

6. Backsliding campers were re-dedicating their lives to God.

7. Holiness and awe filled the whole camp prayer.

What was the key to the outpouring of God’s Spirit for the consecutive three years of bible camp? The key to the powerful outpouring of God’s Spirit was ascribed to unity among the leaders that led the camp prayers.

Conclusion:

I wish to conclude this article with a quoted from A.W. Tozer, “Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works – no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring. The power is ready to do its work…but where there is broken wiring, there is no power. Unity is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do his wonders.” ⁴

Continue Part III - The Birthing of Revival
http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/04/prayer-birthing-of-revival.html

Foot Note:

1. Daily Christian Quote. http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqtozer1.html

2. WE Vine. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Word. Fleming H. Revell Company: New Jersey, 1981. Page 23.

3. Fire of Unity.http://servantofmessiah.org/biblical-historical-revival/fire-by-unity/

4. Daily Christian Quote. http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqtozer1.html

Brokenness: A Pre-requisite For Revival

2013-04-15T20:58:00.000+08:00

Revival (Part One)

All scriptures quoted are in NIV version, otherwise will be stated.

Introduction

The book of Acts began with 120 believers gathered in the upper room at Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father as instructed by Jesus. At that time, the population of the Roman Empire at 1 AD was about 300 million¹. In order to witness to 300 million through the early converts of 120 people, the ratio would be 1:2.5million. Therefore, the challenge was indeed enormous.

However, the revival that broke out in the book of Acts had turned the world right side up (Acts 17:5). Non believers were convicted of their sins (Acts 2:37), and they were converted at great numbers. The Rapid growth of the early church are noted in the following passages:

1. At Pentecost, about 3000 were added to the early church (Acts 2:41).

2. Later, many who heard the word believed, about 5000 (Acts 4:4).

3. More believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women (Acts 5:14)

4. The number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).

5. The church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers (Acts 9:31).

No one could account for the exact numbers of Christians in the early church in Palestine. The earlier descriptions revealed an unchallenged truth: the church was growing and Christians impacted their community. Describing the phenomenon in today’s terminology, the early church was experiencing a revival!

In order for the early church to experience revival, they had to meet certain conditions. However, the most important condition, for revival to break out, is the condition called brokenness. And there must be a few broken vessels that leave themselves available to God’s disposal at any cost. The early disciples without any doubt met the condition of brokenness— a pre-requisite of revival.

In the Welsh Revival of 1905, Christians came to understand that “there must be a bending before there could be mending”. The great revivalist, Charles Finney testified to the fact that “often he went through season of great brokenness” so that his appreciation for the grace and mercy of God would be enlarged. Roy Hession, the writer of “The Calvary Road” wrote about brokenness in relation to revival as, “To be broken is the beginning of revival”².

What is Brokenness?

Before we go further to study brokenness, we have to know what brokenness means. When we talk about brokenness, we do not mean projecting a low self esteem nor are we talking about embracing false humility. What is the real meaning of brokenness? Brokenness is the crucifying of the self on the cross. It is the bending of the big “I” into “C”³. “Not I but Christ” (Gal. 2:20). “I” is our self will and “C” is Christ’s will. It is the story of dying to self. And it is only when we die to self that our lives will be fruitful, “…Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (KJV John 12:24).

In brokenness, we must learn to submit our will to the will of God. When Adam sinned, it was because he yielded not to the will of God, but hearken to the voice of the devil. We need to imitate Christ, by denying that our will be done but rather that God’s will to be done.

In brokenness, Christians need to subject their sin nature to constant crucifixion. I am not here to promote perfectionism by listing the do’s and don’ts. Rather, I am concern about our relational issue as the devil always want us to be divided. And when we are divided, evil wins the battle as revival never falls on a divided people. Thus, reconciliation is a hallmark of revival. Man need to reconcile with one another, and more importantly, man need to be reconciled with God. In revival, Christians will have the boldness to confess their sins to one another, and open confession of their sins to God as well.

Heart Beat of God after Brokenness

God loves brokenness and its accompanying humility. It draws Him near to us, and us to him, like a magnet and metal. “For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who live forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Is. 57:15)

The brokenness and contrite hearts of believers are considered as sacrifice acceptable to God, “The sacrifice of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).

God entrust his kingdom to the people with brokenness and who are poor in spirit, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Brokenness beckons his attention and moves his hand. God is actively involved in the lives of the broken hearted and He brings healing into their lives, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3).

The Brokenness of Peter

The experience of Peter can be taken as the representation of brokenness in the early church. Peter was known to be vocal in his relationship with Jesus. He was the only disciple who recognized Christ as the Son of God, the rest thought he was just a teacher or prophet. On the occasion when Jesus warned the disciples of their falling away after his arrest, Peter vocally said he would not, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” (Matt. 26:33). Surely Peter was very confident of himself.

Unfortunately, his self confidence did not last long. Immediately after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Christ three times. After that, his self confidence was absolutely shattered. It took Christ’s grace and forgiveness to restore Peter (John 21:1-19). You can read my essay title “When We Fail God”⁴ at Scribe. After the restoration, Peter was a changed man, he was totally broken and fit to be used as God’s vessel through whom revival came to the early church.

After the ascension of Christ, Peter was the key leader and instrument of revival in the early church.

He was the main speaker at the day of Pentecost speaking to a large crowd that witnessed three thousand conversion (Acts 2:38-41).

The Brokenness of Other Disciples

Obviously Jesus’ other disciples also undergo the process of brokenness. As broken vessels, they readily submitted to the Father’s will. In Acts 1:4-5, the disciples responded to Christ’s command to tarry at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father.

“On the occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about’…” (Acts 1:4-5).

After the process of brokenness, the disciples were ready to submit to God’s agenda rather than their own agenda. As for the Jews, their dream for centuries had been the restoration of the Davidic kingdom in glory. But after being broken before God, they were ready instead to be used by God to capture the hearts of men and have the kingdom of God rule therein.

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).

The willingness of the disciples to submit to the will of God instead of their own national agenda reflected the change in their lives. This came about through the process of brokenness and they allow “C” to reign, instead of “I”. They surrendered to the will of God instead of their national passion for the restoration of Israel as an independent, glorious nation.

Brokenness in Brownwood USA Revival

The instrument that brought about Brownwood revival was Pastor John Avant. After he graduated with Ph. D in evangelism he was looking for a Megachurch to pastor. The Lord started to deal with his life as he wrote:

“But my heart departed radically from the Father. The thing that frightens me the most is that I never recognized how far I had departed into pride, which is my besetting sin”⁵.

Eventually Pastor John Avant bowed to the will of God and accepted the smaller congregation of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church where revival broke forth from this church in the beginning of 1995. The revival quickly spread to Howard Payne University. After Howard Payne, some of the first schools to be affected were southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and many other universities and colleges. The revivals continued throughout 1995. The writer of “Experiencing God” Henry Blackaby was also deeply involved in Brownwood revival.

Conclusion:

In his foreword to the book “revival”, Henry Blackaby wrote: “Not everyone wants revival. In the head, many want revival; but in the heart, most do not”⁶. Seeking revival demands great sacrifice—the bending of the big “I” into “C” and this is known as brokenness.

Continue with Part II - Unity: The Key to Revival

http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/04/unity-key-to-revival.html

Foot Notes:

1. www.unrv.com - http://www.unrv.com/empire/roman-population.php

2. Roy Hession. The Calvary Road. Christian Lieterature Crusade: Hongkong, 1981. Page 1.

3. Ibid.

4. “When We Fail God” - http://www.scribd.com/doc/113999776/When-We-Fail-God

5. John Avant. Revival. Broadman & Holman Publisher:Nashville, 1996. Page 4.

6. John Avant. Revival. Broadman & Holman Publisher:Nashville, 1996. Page viii.

Helping A Christian Neurotic Perfectionist

2013-03-19T13:33:00.000+08:00

Helping a Christian Neurotic Perfectionist by James Bong

Divine Empowerment in Christian Perfection

2013-03-04T11:07:00.001+08:00

Phil. 2:12-13 (Final Part)

Divine Empowerment in Christian Perfection

Phil. 2:12-13 contains two English word “work” which are totally different words in Greek. Unfortunately, both are translated as “work”. Phil. 2:12 begins by calling the Philippians to “…work out your salvation with fear and trembling”; there is a tendency to interpret “work out your salvation” as our human part to attain perfection by our self effort. However, such interpretation will contradict with Phil. 2:13 that notes “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”. Phil. 2:13 carries the idea that Christian perfection is initiated by God, not man.

How to reconcile the seemingly contradiction? The study of the original word of “work” in the two verses will resolve the seeming contradiction. In Phil. 2:12, the Greek word translated as “work” is “katergazomai”, and it “signifies to work out, achieve, effect by toll, rendered to work”¹, and it carries the meaning of “continue a task; carry it out to completion”². Whereas in Phil. 2:13, the word translated as “work” is “energeo” in Greek, it has the meaning of “providing the ability and means, the energy”³. From the Greek word of “energeo”, we get the English word “energy”. Therefore, Phil. 2:12-13 can be paraphrased it as “carry out, continue your task of salvation with fear and trembling, for God is providing all the ability, means and energy”⁴.

Base on the above analysis, Christian perfection is not about our human endeavor to improve ourselves by our self-effort. If that was the case, our disciplines can constitute merits for Christian perfection. Christian perfection rules out our effort to better ourselves, rather, Christian perfection is living out the new life which was embedded in us when we were saved at conversion. This new life is called the imperishable seed, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable…” (I Peter 2:23). As an illustration of the new life being represented by the germinated apple seed (justification), it - the seed - will grow into an apple tree according to its own nature (sanctification) while the farmer’s responsibility is to do his part of watering and putting fertilizer. The apple seed will naturally and automatically grow into a tree. The farmer has nothing to boast about as the apple tree grows according to its inherent nature which it was given. The point is very clear: God planted the imperishable seed of the new life in us at justification but it is our responsibility to live out the embedded new life through our obedience. If man were to follow the old path of Adam by using his own efforts to obey God, he will surely fail. We are no better than Adam, and God knows our weaknesses more than anyone else.

He Initiates and Completes Christian Perfection

In Phil. 1:6, Paul explicitly states that our salvation is the work of God, “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ”. From justification to sanctification and on to glorification, all are the work of God. God’s sovereignty is recognized in all three phases of human redemption – justification, sanctification and glorification. It would not be possible to do anything if God was not working in the life of the Philippians. Just as Jesus stated in the Gospel, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). No wonder Paul re-emphasize the divine role of Christian perfection by telling the Philippians that it is God who is working in them to carry to completion His “good purpose,” this “good purpose” is described as “good work” in Phil. 1:6. Do you now see the argument? Justification and sanctification (Christian perfection) are gifts of God – unmerited grace!

He Empowers Our Will to Obey

When Adam was tested by the serpent in taking the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam’s will was overcome. Similarly, Jesus was tested on whether He will obey the will of the Father for He said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). As we all know, Jesus submitted His will to the will of the Father, and He completed the redemption of mankind through His death on the cross.

As a Christian, do not entertain the idea that you have the will power to overcome temptation. If we think that we have the will power, then we can take credit for it. Paul reminded the Philippians that they can live out the life of Christ only through the Holy Spirit empowering, that is, energizing man’s will, so as to obey God, “For it is God who works in you to will…” (Phil. 2:13).

He Empowers Us to Do “Good Work”

The Holy Spirit not only empowers our will, He also activates our inner man to follow the ways of the Spirit of Christ. He works in us “to do” his will, and we overcome the enticement of the flesh and live out the life of Christ as we submit our will to His, and hence there is ever only one perfect will in the universe.

Conclusion:

We have come to the conclusion on the exegesis of Phil. 2:12-13, and the interpretation of the text according to what the original author meant. I find that there is no better conclusion than the picture in Paul’s own words, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). As Christian, we ought to aim at the mark of perfection as the final goal, though we are not perfect in our earthly life. Just like Paul, “he was still pressing on, pursuing that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him. Nor had he yet taken hold of it, that is, he had not yet attained perfection or ultimate conformity to Christ. But he was determined that he would forget the past and, like a runner, press on toward the goal”⁵.

Complete your reading by link to the following:
Part I:

http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/02/christian-perfection-introduction.html

Part II:

http://www.gracenetwork58.com/2013/02/personal-participation-perfection.html

Foot Notes:

1. W.E. Vine, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, New Jersey: Fleming H. Ravell Company. Page 232.

2. Roger E. Oslon. A Sermon: “Grace works” Philippians 2:12-13.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/07/a-sermon-grace-works-philippians-212-13/

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Robert P. Lighter, Philippians – The Bible Knowledge Commentary, USA:Victor Book, 1987. Page 661.

Personal Participation In Christian Perfection

2013-02-28T09:51:00.000+08:00

Phil. 2:12-13 (Part 2)

PERSONAL PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

Issue of Strife, Disunity & Inflated Self Esteem

Phil. 2:12 begins with the conjunction “therefore”, and it connects these two verses with what immediately precedes them.

The preceding verses begin in Phil. 1:27 with the church having a problem on unity. Paul reminded them to “stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). First of all, that Paul had to remind them to be united shows that it was more than just a regular admonishment. In fact the Church was facing serious problem with the disunity of the leaders in the church. This was particularly clear when Paul had to plead for reconciliation between Euodia and Syntyche, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with one another in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2). Incidentally, the disunity between the two women arose from personality conflicts. They did not live to the meaning of their names, “Euodia” means a “prosperous journey” and Syntyche means a “pleasant acquaintance”¹. As Paul pleaded with these two “to agree with each other in the lord” (Phil. 4:2), there was an obvious dissension in the assembly.

Secondly, a group of Philippian Christians with inflated self esteem thought more highly of themselves and they were despising other groups in the congregation. Such inflated self esteem had resulted in strife, broken goodwill and fellowship in the church. People were more focused on individualism and denounced the interest of the community as a whole. Paul spent 11 verses in chapter 2:1-11 to address the issue of inflated self esteem which had led them to feel proud and superior.

In view of the shortcoming of the above issues, Paul wrote the two verses in Phil. 2:12-13 that believers were to strive for Christian maturity (a.k.a. Christian perfection or sanctification) as a conclusion to his admonishment from Phil. 1:27 to Phil. 2:11. Hence, the call to “work out your salvation” had nothing to do with their justification as their justification was a finished work as indicated in Phil. 1:1 when Paul called them “saints”, and in pleading the unity of Euodia and Syntyche, Paul remarked that “whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).

Obedience to Christian Perfection as a Call

Paul emphasized human participation in Christian Perfection with a call to obedience, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but much more in my absence…” (Phil. 2:12). As Fee wrote, Paul’s concern here was that “evidence of their salvation was their obedience – imitating Christ’s obedience (Phil. 2:8)”². The Philippians’ obedience to Christian perfection i.e. “work out your salvation” is the basic responsibility of a believer, and such obedience cannot be equated as their “merits”. Belief and obedience always go hand in hand, first at conversion (justification), “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36 NASB), then at Christian perfection. Christian perfection requires believers to obey just as they had done so at justification.

Obedience to Living out Embedded New life

Phil. 2:12 does not call for Christians to “work for your salvation with fear and trembling”, but “work outyour salvation with fear and trembling”. If the call is “work for your salvation”, this would mean the Philippians will have to use their own effort to improve themselves so that they can get rid of worldly traits of disunity and poor testimony among themselves. The good news is Paul told them to “work out your salvation”; this implies that “the salvation” which is “the life of Spirit of life” is already within them and they have but to obey and to put into practice in their daily living. After conversion, the Christian possess two natures: the law of sin and death and the law of the Spirit of life. Henceforth, man has a choice to live a Godly life through obedience. In human salvation, God did not take away the free will of man and turn man into a robot completely obedient to the command of his master. God grants man the free will to choose which nature to live out in his life. This is identical to the Garden of Eden where man was given the choice not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Unfortunately, man chose to disobey God. However, through the Holy Spirit, Christian can overcome the power of sin and live out the life of the Spirit of life and that by the only requirement of obedience.

In view of the problems of strife, disunity and inflated self esteem, Paul admonished the Philippians to live out the life of Christ which will tackle the above mentioned issues.

1. Paul returned explicitly to his continuing theme of Christian unity (Phil. 2:14-15). He reminded them to do everything “without complaining or arguing”. Paul would have borrowed the language Moses used concerning the Israelites after they had left Egypt (Num. 11:1-6). Their strife and disunity had rendered poor testimony to the unsaved public who found fault with their behavior. And Paul had to remind them to “shine like stars in the universe". Paul compares the Philippian Christians to the “light in the world” (Matt. 5:14-16).

2. Christians ought to be active to illuminate the dark world and to influence them, “hold out the word of life” (Phil. 2:16). Paul reminded the Philippian Christians that separation from “a crooked and depraved generation” was not enough; they had to be active in illuminating Christ to the dying world. Philippians would not be able to display it unless they had a good testimony of themselves.

Obedience to Live Out Christian Perfection by the “Fear of the Lord”

Paul told them to live out Christian perfection with “fear and trembling”. The “fear of the Lord” is a positive fear which will help us to live a holy living, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil” (Prov. 8:13). This is not the fear of being tormented as non-believers. This is the reverential awe of the Most High - a pious dread of offending the gracious God, who had paid a heavy price for us. A Godly fear for inheriting such an expensive grace bestowed to us.

Foot Notes:

1. Robert P. Lighters, Phillipians – The Knowledge Bible Commentar, USA: Victor Books, 1987. Page 663.

2. Gordon D. Fee, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, General Editor, Gordon D. Fee, Grand Rapid, M1:William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995. Page 229.
Acknowledgement:
All scriptures quoted are in NIV version, otherwise will be stated.

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Full PDF version can now be read @ Scribd titled: "Christian Perfection as Grace Continuing" :

Christian Perfection as Grace Continuing

Christian Perfection - Introduction

2013-02-21T01:19:00.000+08:00

Exegesis on Phil. 2:12-13

INTRODUCTION

Philippians 2:12-13 have been a hotly debated verses than any other two verses of the bible. Throughout Church history, many theologians and teachers were heavily involved in debating these two verses of the bible: Augustine with Pelagius, Martin Luther with the Catholic Church, John Wesley with George Whitefield and the lists were exhaustive. I am not writing anything to join in with the debate; rather my sole intention is to build a basis of Christian perfection as I will be writing on Perfectionism on my future posting. A biblical understanding of Christian perfection will be able to explore perfectionism in a biblical prospective.

CONTEXTUAL STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13

I will use my knowledge of Bible interpretation to exegete the two verses based on contextual interpretation. I wish to share a diagram of Dr. Rollin G Grams when I was a student taking his lecture in 1985 on “Hermeneutics”. The diagram background was on Church of Corinth. However, the concept can also apply to book of Philippians as both are genre of epistles. The modern readers can be very divisive in interpreting the original purpose of the scripture when it is read out of context.

Using the above diagram as the basis, I wish to tabulate the following points into a table form for easy comprehension indicating secondary audience, original audience, text and author.

TABLE OF EXEGESIS ON PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12-13
Secondary Audience (Distorted views)	Original Audience The Philippians	Text (Philippians 2:12-13)	Author Apostle Paul
· Grace booster¹ for salvation · Self effort for perfection or sanctification	· Strife caused by inflated self esteem (Phil. 2:1-11) · Personality conflict (Phil. 1:27, 4:2)	Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.	What is the objective of Paul writing the 2 verses in Phil. 2:12-13? · To resolve disunity and strife in the congregation (Phil. 1:27) · Humility is the solution to inflated self esteem (Phil. 2:1-11) · Blameless living (Phil. 2:14-18) · Peace-maker for Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2)

When Paul wrote Philippians 2:12-13, he was not dealing with the issue of justification as justification was a finished act for the Philippians. This could be understood when Paul addressed them as saints in his greeting, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). In Paul’s theology, conversion experience of the Philippians were absolutely the work of God and it was not earned by human effort, “That He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). Since salvation was not earned through works, Paul’s use of “work” in Philippians 2:12 was therefore not the work of accomplishing or earning our salvation: “an attempt to achieve through our own efforts acceptance with God.”² In the mind of Paul, justification or acceptance by God was a gift from God and this was clearly well defined in Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV), “To the praise of the glory of His Grace, by which he has made us accepted in the Beloved.”

If Paul was not referring to justification when he used “work”, then what was Paul referring to when he used “work” on Philippians 2:12? In view of the strife and disunity among the Philippians, Paul was talking about the issue of Christian maturity (in Christian circle, a.k.a, Christian perfection or sanctification). “Work out your salvation” implies the “living out of the life of faith: the indwelling Christ empowering us to make righteous choices and to live selfless lives.”² Applying the teaching to the Philippians, Paul was admonishing the Philippians to live a life pleasing to God by being transformed into the image of Christ. Paul reminded the Philippians’ recipients of his letter that living out the life of faith ought to be energized and empowered by the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and it was not the self effort of the Philippians. Therefore, sanctification or Christian perfection or Christian maturity at the larger part is still the work of grace and not the work of human effort.

Foot Notes
1. Roger E. Olson. A Sermon: “Grace works” Philippians 2:12- http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/07/a-sermon-grace-works-philippians-212-13/
2. F.B. Meyer. The Epistle to the Philippians. Grand Rapids, KI:Kregel, 1979. Page 110.

3. Ibid. Page 110.

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