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“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.”
(Acts 24:14)

The word “heresy’ literally means: ‘to take, to choose’; and then can be understood as to refer to the belief which was chosen. The Dictionary gives it to mean “religious opinion opposed to the authorized doctrinal standard of any particular church”. Thus, an opinion held in opposition to the commonly received doctrine.

While in a negative sense it refers to one who has chosen a cultist doctrine, methinks there is also a positive sense for those who use the right and privilege of choosing to pursue truth regardless of the commonly accepted traditions of men – though those traditionists will brand them as heretics.

Of the way of the Pharisees Paul was well familiar, and well he knew that “in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” (Matt. 15:9). He had an encounter with God, and the Light had shone deep into his being, now he desired to WORSHIP THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS, and it was esteemed a way of heresy, because he was ready to BELIEVE ALL THINGS which are in the law and in the prophets. It was this realm of ‘believing’, this faith in the truth which set him apart from all other ways. He was now a part of the very WAY, which earlier he had persecuted so violently.

All the Jews know about this ‘sect’ that was everywhere spoken against. Of our Lord also it was said that He was “set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against,” (Luke 2:32). He, who came forth, visible expression of the invisible God, was spoken against by all those who refused to receive and believe Him. Therefore it follows that all who would FOLLOW HIM would likewise be spoken against, branded as heretics. Organized religion has always been against those who would believe the truth, choosing beyond what their traditions offered. But truly we have found it to be a way of joy, life, and victory.

“For Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28)

Among the proverbs of Solomon, we read, “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly,” (Prov. 20:27). “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?” (I Cor. 2:11). Although a man’s ‘spirit’ is his ‘candle’, yet he walks in darkness until such a time as God lights that candle, till God quickens us by His holy Spirit, and His light shines within.

Christendom’s tradition teaches that God will light the candle of a few, and take them to heaven, while the vast majority of mankind is doomed to eternity in some hell. But the Word declares, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, “He was the true Light, which lighteth EVERY man that cometh into the world,” (John 1:9). Though it be “EVERY MAN in his own order”, (I Corinthians 15:23), nevertheless, “by Christ shall ALL be made alive”. God will not abandon His creation with the process only half done – just the natural creation brought forth. “First the natural, afterwards that which is spiritual,” (I Cor. 15:46). Thus, He has purposed “that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even IN Him,” (Eph. 1:10). This purpose shall be fulfilled. Brought into the LIFE of Christ, so that every creature shall know the blessing of that finished work of redemption, the creative work that results in a spiritual creation.

Then shall be fulfilled the promise, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined,” (Isaiah 9:2).

When God lights our candle, it is to make us one with the light, so that in turn He might send us forth to bring light to those who are in darkness. “I will give thee to be a light to the nations, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6).

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:23)

The negative forces seek to control with all their propaganda and brainwashing. Many a battle is being fought and won in the mind, making it a vital necessity that we “put out of the way once for all everything that would impede the free action of your mind, be calm and collected in spirit, and set your hope perfectly, wholly, unchangeably, without doubt and despondency, upon the grace that is being brought to you upon the occasion of the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (I Peter 1:13, Wuest).

With the Lord’s dealings with our thinking, there also comes a stripping away of the façade and masquerade, which we have put forth because of our ‘thoughts’ of the past. We thought we ought to act a certain way to have an image of spirituality, which was not a true manifestation of what we really were, but super-imposed as a disguise of what we thought we should appear. Now we are challenged to “change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your minds,” (Romans 12:2 Wuest).

We rejoice in the truth, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” (Col. 1:27), because it is His Spirit dwelling within. Yet, because of the trappings of the carnal mind it has been difficult to give expression of this INNER LIFE OF CHRIST. Now, the more we are “renewed in the spirit of our mind”, the more we can LIVE OUT that which HE is BECOMING in us. This is more than just the mental gymnastics of our own self-efforts. It is the energizing of His Spirit upon our human spirit, which in turn takes dominion over our mind and brings our mind into subjection to the Spirit of Truth. May it become the ‘norm’ of our life to just be thinking HIS thoughts, that we might “shew forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light,” (I Peter 2:9).

“And He said unto me, Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (Isaiah 49:3)

It is a lofty position to which we are called, and for which we are being prepared. Sonship, yes. Kings and priests, yes. But why equipped with such power and glory? TO SERVE! For it is written, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, AND MY SERVANT whom I have chosen”, (Isaiah 43:10).

When we think of witnesses, we cannot refer to the old idea of a soap-box in a park where one preaches away at the passerby. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me…” The Greek word for ‘witness’ is ‘martus’ from which we get our English word MARTYR. A martyr is one who gives his life for the message he declares. It requires the enduement of the holy Spirit to enable us to BE OUR MESSAGE, our whole life given to manifest that message. A state of being that proclaims the truth regardless of whether we speak or not.

To witness to the truth is to give your life to that truth. Even more, we read that it was to “BE witnesses UNTO ME”. Not to talk about Him, not just to build cathedrals in His honour, but to live and give our whole life UNTO HIM, so that every action, every word, all that WE ARE is a declaration unto Him, pointing others to Him, exalting Him.

Furthermore, receiving the inflow of the Spirit gives us the power to be able to lay down our own self-life, that HIS LIFE might be lived through us. “God so loved the world that HE GAVE…” Our giving is first unto Him, and then dispersed abroad to all those who are in need of Him. Of the same Israel that it is written, “Ye are My servants,” it is also written, “And in thee shall all nations be blessed”, (Gal. 3:8). Right now the greatest service that we can give to others is to die out to all our own ego-self, that the living of HIS LIFE becomes its own declaration that it is truly the best life, to His glory and praise.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”, (Eph. 6:13). Time and space prevent us from examining all of the armour, but we would mention “the helmet of salvation”. Here the word salvation could equally be translated as DELIVERANCE. When the helmet, which is placed on our head, is covering our entire mind with THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE, then we cannot think thoughts of defeat. Would to God that whatever the situation is, the helmet that protects our thinking, and forbids us to think anything else, would be thoughts of victory, of His salvation.

We make the point clear, we do not teach, as some, that there is no evil power or devil. There are those instances of demon possession, and the demons must be cast out. But our point is our own personal relationships of where we LIVE IN HIM. We do not have to worship or give allegiance to any other force as in control of our trial or situation. We are to worship God as in control of all things that pertain to our life and walk in Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, our whole body shall be filled with light. Don’t worry about the things that are filling the atmosphere with the dust of confusion and turmoil. With His helmet of salvation upon our heads we can “mind the things of the Spirit”, and have a realm of victory even in the midst of our enemies. Though we watch the circumstance deteriorate, becoming steadily worse until our flesh would tremble in fear, we can gain dominion over it, rising to live above it all, when we wear the helmet of salvation, and allow only the truth of our God’s deliverance to control our mind.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength.” (Hab. 3:17-19). He gives me thoughts of deliverance!

“I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

There are times which all believers pass through when it seems as if He is veiled from our consciousness, He has hidden Himself, and all of our earnest cries of “where art Thou, Lord?” awaken no response. We search the Word for a quickening, and find none. We pray, but the words seem so empty. The storms seem to mount in intensity, and we are reminded of the record, when Jesus was asleep in the boat, while the great storm raged about Him and His disciples. We would seek to awaken Him. “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). It is then this verse from the Song of Solomon comes softly into the heart, “stir not up, nor awake my love, till He please”. If only the disciples had waited a little while longer, no doubt He would have arisen in His own time. Even if He had slept on, would the boat have sunk when He was resting therein? “He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

Methinks that one of the deep processings of God is this ‘silence of God’, and our learning to TRUST AND WAIT, wait without fretting or complaining, but sustained by the knowledge that He is mindful of us, even when He is not pouring in revelation, or flooding us with blessing.

No need to pound the altar, to storm heaven, to press the Spirit into action, to command, demand, and insist that God meet us at our own ‘timings’. We come to that place of surrender where HIS WILL is all that we desire, and if He pleases to remain silent, then what pleases Him pleases us, also. His ways are best, and His timings are perfect. This is not an inworking of grace to be taken lightly, nor will it be understood by those who clamor for action, but it is for those who have experienced His inner rest and peace, they know they are His, and all is well.

“As chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Corinthians 6:9-10)

“As chastened, YET NOT KILLED.” Chastened – to be child trained, with all of its disciplines. Many see only the rod, and all they can talk about is the rod, till they think they must be some awful children to need such discipline. Better to see that God has purposed to develop us for His special purposes, hence all the extra love and attention from His hand. And we are not killed. It is not to diminish, but to enlarge our capacity for greater degrees of fruitfulness and glory of His life.

“As sorrowful, YET ALWAYS REJOICING.” There is a godly sorrow; which worketh repentance, a change of mind, until we are clothed with His mind. We also know what it is to be sorrowful over the conditions of darkness and unbelief around us. Yet, through it all there is a rejoicing because of that kingdom soon to be manifest, because we rejoice in the knowledge that God has it all under control, because though “weeping endures for a night, joy cometh in the morning”.

“As poor, YET MAKING MANY RICH.” So stripped of all self’s resources we have no confidence in the flesh. We can of our own selves do nothing. Yet, because of CHRIST LIVING WITHIN, there is that which flows out to encourage, strengthen, edify, and yes, to make others rich in Him.

“As having nothing, YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS.” The more we are processed by His grace, the less we lay claim to anything. No more “my ministry” or “my gifts”, but we go out as He bids, carrying neither script nor purse, and yet there is that abounding of His grace so that we truly possess all things and have no lack. He has become our sufficiency. How simultaneously one can feel so empty, and yet so full, is a fact almost beyond explanation. Out of our nothingness and into His fullness. Only those who experience it know so great a paradox. He truly is our wonderful and bountiful Supply.

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, – as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live.’ (II Corinthians 6:4,8-9)

Because of the LIVING CHRIST within him, Paul found he could be approved as a minister of God, whether it be “by honour or dishonour, by evil report or by good report”. If they spoke evil of him, he just continued to live pleasing to the Lord. If they spoke well of him, he did not take an ego trip, for he knew it was the grace of God that enabled the good report. It is God all the way. And then he lists some interesting “as” with counterparts of “yet”.

“As deceivers, AND YET TRUE.” Many certainly viewed him as a deceiver, for his doctrine was certainly different from the organized religious systems. But the fact was, AND YET TRUE, for he had received by revelation from the Lord the wonderful gospel of reconciliation and total triumph.

“As unknown, and YET WELL KNOWN.” Surely many have experienced what it means to be stripped of everything, reputation, fame, etc., to become one of God’s unknown ones. In the circles of men counted as a nobody. Yet there is a sense in which we are well known, as we are joined to those of “like precious faith” in a bond of love and oneness in which it seems we never were strangers. And uniquely enough, when someone needs help, they know just where to find you, drawn to the Christ within you.

“As dying, and, behold, WE LIVE.” There is a dying, being reviled we cannot strike back; there is no power or right for personal defense. Our rights are laid aside, “turning the other cheek”; we are being crucified with Him. But also living with Him, because of the inflow of His power. “He that hath the Son hath life,” (I John 5:12). Nor is it an off again on again, now you have it, now you don’t. He ever liveth! This is coming into an age-abiding life, continuous and constant. Though the billows roll on, and the storms continue to blow, though there are still areas of self to which we must die, yet that life we have received shall not diminish, it only leads into that which is more abundant.

“Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”     Rev. 3:8

“Behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither.”         Rev. 4:1

In the many cycles of God’s dealings with man, we are often brought to a new circumstance, a bend in the road with a new direction, a fresh start with a change of jobs, or just another measurement of time called a new year.  The attitude in which we face these challenges is vital in respect to the progress to be made, and the victories to be experienced.  I John 4:18 says, “Fear hath torment”.  The Greek word translated here as ‘torment’ literally means, ‘restraint’. It also holds within it the meaning of ‘a pruning’ which signifies a holding back, a restriction of growth.  Fear prohibits one from going on to perfection, for it draws back from the unknown, and confines us to the limitations of that which we have already experienced.  Therefore we must gird up our minds, knowing that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”, (II Timothy 1:7).  And His love in us will “cast out all fear”.

Inasmuch as “the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way,” (Psalm 37:23), we can courageously accept the challenge of AN OPEN DOOR, knowing that He goes before us to lead step by step.  It is God that hath set before us this ‘open door’, and “If God be for us, who can be against us? – In all these things we are (become) more than conquerors through Him that loved us,” (Romans 8:31, 37)

Beyond all the natural realms, however, there is also that OPEN DOOR FOR NEW SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS.  “Come up hither” bespeaks of a transition, an end to the former, the limitations of the ‘in part’, a prophecy, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, fragmentary and incomplete: and now to become partakers of the CREATIVE WORD for the new order of His kingdom.

“Even though at present you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations.  This is no accident – it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire.  This proving of your faith is planned to result in praise and honour and glory in the day when Jesus Christ reveals Himself.” (I Peter 1:6-7, Phillips)

This is no accident.  It is a HAPPENING that is PLANNED to prove your faith!  The responsibility is God’s, according to His plan and purpose being wrought out in us, that we might be found to His praise.  Let us not be so quick to look for secondary causes, and forget that God is working out all things after the counsel of His own will.  Nor did He just allow it, nay, HE PLANNED IT.  We need to know wherein we stand, and in Whom we believe, else we shall not be able to stand in the “evil day”.  But knowing that whatever shall touch our lives in the days, months, years to come, is in the purpose of God, under His sovereign control, ant that IT IS NO ACCIDENT, then we can rest in His power and sufficiency to bring us through victoriously.  All our circumstances are not just casually permitted; they are planned in His love.

No wonder it is written, “neither give place to the devil”, (Eph. 3:27).  You cannot be GOD-CONSCIOUS and devil-conscious at the same time.  Since God is working in His elect to bring them to that place where “the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me”, (John 14:30), it is obvious that all the ‘place’ in our minds where we have given room to the negative must be purged, and Christ totally enthroned, so that He alone fills our being with His consciousness.

Predetermined counsel working, ‘Tis the Father’s will for thee,
And no accident can happen, what He planned is what you see.

From our God all things receiving, single eye, in faith to stand,
Strengthened with the blest assurance, none can pluck us from His hand.