Hebrews 6:8
8
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
---
and
---
Mark 4:18-19
18
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
19
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
---
Thorns. The world grows what is strong, and what is strong subdues and dominates. Thorn bushes are survivors. Not only do they overwhelm but they continue to develop, becoming intertwined with each other. If left to grow, thorn bushes become barriers, walls that extoll a cost of pain and suffering when they snag and rip at whatever attempts to pass through them.
Spiritually speaking, our souls create thorn bushes when we allow our worldliness to fester. Our greed to possess more than those around us, our envy of one another. Our jealousy and our paranoia of loss, create bushes of thorns that build into barriers that affect any whom we deem a threat. This is what a soul does when it acts on its desire. The soul believes it can maintain and develop in the world, by bringing the threat of harm or the defense of itself to bear.
The truth only serves the Father. And by that truth we can serve the Father’s will. But it is the soul that hears the truth yet serves itself, that does more blind damage to others, then those whom have not heard the truth. A soul that seeks God for selfish gain, is worse off then they were before. A soul that seeks favor for its service is more wicked that one who is merely selfish in the dark. Our message of Truth, is holiness comes through us, not because of us. We serve selflessly when in faith, we put ourselves aside in order to do the Father’s will.
---
Matthew 4:8-10
8
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’
---
The master of the world offers what the flesh desires. Who can resist! Only those who seek the truth by the kingdom can find the perfect strength to overcome their weakness. Faith!
---
2 Corinthians 12:9(revised)
9(revised)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
---
When we see a nation in it’s worldliness, we see the thorns. We see a celebration of strength, we see a boasting of defense. We see expansion that takes from others to fuel its growth. We see the truth be used to serve the nation’s grouped will. A worldly nation is every nation today. Every nation expands to supply power to its economy. Every nation defends its borders from the living. Every nation harms those who trespass, and every generation in every nation serves to expand the bush of thorns. The master of the world uses fear of loss to supply our own prosecution. Who can resist!
The faithful. Who are the faithful? Those who are an active part in the body of Christ. Those who carry their sufferance like he did. Those who deny their desires find their strength comes from him. Faithfulness is not a human trait, it is holy and perfectand of the Spirit of Truth.
---
2 Thessalonians 3:3
3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
---
In review. None can control what the world places in front of them, therefore, none can control what they desire. All that anyone can do is in faith, seek to suffer the denial of that desire, so that the authority of God can strengthen your resolve. Otherwise, you are not just blind but a fool. None can resist on their own. How can the flesh resist what is meant for the soul? Seek first then, of the kingdom of God. And in His righteousness, all that is holy and perfect shall be made available to you in the present moment, where your soul resides.
We exist to be condemned by death. Our only salvation is through the grace Christ supplies. To believe is to act upon that belief, and seek the unseen and holy qualities of the power of God. Spiritual thorns serve to sustain the grip of death on the souls that serve themselves. This world serves its master.
---
Hebrews 6:8
8
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
---
As individuals in unholy lands we can repent in the moment, and slow our requirements from our environment. We can set ourselves aside to serve by the unseen qualities of God. We can only manage this by seeking faithfulness in our understanding of grace and Christ’s authority.
---
Luke 23:40-41
40
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
41
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
---
This second thief repented, bear witness, and at the same time acknowledged Jesus as the key to salvation. But it was love for Jesus that made him seek out faithfulness I tell you. When faced with the present moment, we love first. Love is the basis of every fruit of the Holy Spirit.
So the thorns grow even with those who hear the truth, because they do not love the Father, nor others, no. They are self seeking. This world denies God love that is selfless and long suffering. Only love bears faithfulness.
Love is the good soil to plant, and in the kingdom of heaven, which is here upon us, does a vine grow and bear good and holy fruit in abundance. Love first, or the thorn bush you surround yourself in will become not only your defense, but your prison. Like a curse, its only remedy will be its destruction.
Repent. Love. Believe.
No comments:
Post a Comment