Servias Ministries Blog

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 2:

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up together (with HIM), and made us sit together (with HIM) in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

One of Jesus’ redemptive acts was to bring us into FATHER’S presence.  As we reside in HIS presence, we become like HIM and take on HIS traits centered around HIS great Love.  To what purpose?

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

It is important that we become aware of this reality- we have been raised up to be in FATHER’S presence and reside with HIM through Christ Jesus.  We now have access to the presence of FATHER and can come boldly to HIS throne and ask according to HIS Will.  The Amplified Version further describes verse 10:  For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Because we have been fully restored to be in HIS presence, we are now able to walk in the path HE has set before us.  This path is called “The Way”.  Jesus was the manifested Divine Intent of FATHER as He carried out His physical ministry of good works.  Jesus provided many Spiritual and physical blessings to the people.  Salvation, healing, feeding the multitudes, and provisions for His disciples are all examples of good works.  His expressions of Love changed people’s lives for the better and we are to follow in His footsteps because we are the workmanship of FATHER.  The mere fact you are reading this is an indication that FATHER ordained you and prepared you to walk according to HIS Divine Intent and are meant to bring forth good works directed toward others.

Because we have been raised up to sit in Heavenly places, we can and should expect to hear FATHER.  If you are having trouble hearing FATHER, continue to dwell in this passage and ask HIM to improve your ability to hear HIM.  It is HIS desire to commune constantly with us and direct our steps on a daily basis. As we press in and remove the noise of the world, we are able to be led by HIS Spirit in a greater manner.  Let us embrace the Truth that we have been raised up to sit by HIS side just as Jesus sits at HIS right hand.  This reality allows us to hear and do HIS Will rather than our own.  Jesus made us worthy and we must not allow the accuser to convince us otherwise.

FATHER’S Love for us motivated HIM to bring us into HIS presence.  It is HIS gift to us for none of us could come into HIS presence on our accord.  Jesus shed HIS blood so that we could be reconciled and remain in FATHER’S presence.  We are now able to receive instructions to carry out on this earth in order that we be fruitful in good works toward others.  Let us be conscious of this reality as we minister FATHER’S Love to a world in desperate need.

When was the last time there was great joy in your city, a joy announced on the radio and TV as well as presented on the front page of the local newspaper?  I dare say we have not seen an event of this nature in recent memory yet it became commonplace in the Book of Acts after Jesus’ ascension.

It is written by THE SPIRT in Acts chapter 8:

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Philip embraced the Great Commission given to the disciples by Jesus before His ascension.  The Great Commission is what I call “Love in action.”  Why did the people heed the words spoken by Philip?  First they heard the Word and then they saw the miracles.  The result was great joy in the city.

What is the point of studying and meditating on The Word if there is no corresponding action as a result?  There are hundreds if not thousands of denominations in the U.S. yet how many cities or towns do we hear of great joy coming forth because of the Gospel?  Isn’t it time for us to go before FATHER in an act of pure Love and seek HIS Face concerning the lack of great joy across the country where we reside?

Before Philip ministered in such a notable fashion, he was called to serve tables as recorded in Acts chapter 6:

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (of serving tables);

4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Philip embraced the call to serve tables as an act of Love.  The requirements were: a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.  There is no indication that Philip was an expert in the Law and very little is mentioned about him except when he asked Jesus the question in John chapter 14:

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”

Philip was no different than you or me.  He was not a scholar nor was he particularly singled out as being in the inner circle who were closest to Christ.  We must not discount ourselves when it comes to being used by FATHER.  Now is the time for us to press in and seek FATHER concerning the Great Commission.  Some will be called to preach and some will be called to support those who preach.  Some will be called to intercede from a foundation of Love.  Some may be asked to serve tables.  Whatever the calling, it should be identified as Love in action.  Any other endeavor is simply biding time and is temporary in nature.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us! (Living Bible)

21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. (Amplified Version)

When FATHER sees you and me, HE sees HIS Beloved Son.  This act of Love was a gift to us and was not given to us according to our works but was provided by Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our works could never be sufficient to earn our salvation thus FATHER’S manifested expression of Love provided The Way for us to be reconciled to HIM.  This foundation of Love should be ever present in our consciousness as we proceed in our daily lives.  This is why we should give thanks unto FATHER as we start our day.  Paul also wrote by THE SPIRIT in Roman chapter 4:

5 But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). (Amplified Version)

How can we show our appreciation to OUR LORD?  We should pursue greater maturity in Christ on a daily basis as well as express Love to others as a testimony to the free gift of redemption we received through Christ.  What better way to rejoice in our gift than to be a blessing to others and show them the same Love that FATHER expressed to us by redeeming us from death and destruction.

We can be sure that we will be challenged by the adversary who will try to dilute or divert our attention by pointing out our past failures.  Our past is gone and FATHER sees us today through the Blood of Christ thus HE no longer holds us accountable for our past.  Jesus once and for all dealt with our past sins so we should not let them prevent us from moving forward into full maturity.  Jesus did not take on a small portion of our sins, He took on all of them.  His work of Love on the cross is the foundation of our life so we should always keep a fresh awareness of this foundation of Love as we go about our day.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus spoke:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What better was to rejoice in our gift than to be a light to others.  FATHER has enabled us to do good works so we should become HIS expression of Love to the world.  Don’t allow time to cause you to lose the excitement of the gift of Love received from FATHER.  Don’t grow cold and become a hearer only.  James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 1:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Some walk as though they have forgotten the gift of salvation bestowed on them by FATHER through Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Only after a life changing event do they receive their wake up call.  Let us not become lethargic in our daily walk but let us rejoice in our gift of Love and express our gratitude by walking in HIS Love toward others and sharing the blessings bestowed on us.  Let our walk testify of the Good News.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep (obey) His commandments.

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep (obey) His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Why would FATHER expect us to walk as Jesus walked if we were unequipped to do so?  In order to walk as Jesus walked we must keep His commandments which center around the revelation of Love.  Keeping His commandments is not drudgery but instead is joyfully embraced when we see others through the eyes of Jesus.  As we walk in Love, we are able to walk in the same manner as our Elder Brother Jesus Christ.  The question is “Will we?”  Do I dare walk with the same expectation as Jesus?  Should I expect people to receive salvation and healing through the words I speak?  Absolutely!  Our problem in the past is centered around our perceived unworthiness to accept the fullness of our redemption but we have been given the gift of righteousness with full restoration with Our Heavenly Father.  Peter wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Peter chapter 3:

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

FATHER is not willing that any should perish so who is going to carry out HIS Divine Intent?  The mature Sons and Daughters are meant to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of FATHER having paved the way for us to become empowered in the same manner as He was when He walked out His earthly ministry.  He commanded us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  We are told to obey His commandments so we should do our part in spreading the Gospel into all the world.  This commandment is directed to those of us who are willing to take Him at His Word.  We are expected to develop our faith into “great” faith by immersing ourselves daily in FATHER’S Word.

Faith is believing what GOD says is true. Faith is believing GOD will do what HE says HE’LL do. Faith comes by hearing the Word. You must know what GOD will do before you can expect HIM to do it. You become so convinced HIS Word is true, you act on it in spite of contrary evidence.  We are exposed to the world’s contrary evidence everyday thus we must limit this exposure as we immerse ourselves in The Word.  Jesus isolated Himself from the people in order to commune with FATHER and hear HIS directives.  In 1 John chapter 2:

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

In order to be a light to the world, we must Love our brothers and sisters as well as the ungodly.  This means everyone!  If we are still critical and judgmental toward others, then our Love has not yet been perfected and we are still in the maturing process.  Love is the basis to walk as Jesus walked and in order to be fully effective in ministering to others, we must fully embrace the revelation of Love.  As we fully mature in the revelation of Love and develop our great faith, we will truly walk as Jesus walked.  We will be able to embrace the revelation given in chapter 4:

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxY_eJLBflk

In Exodus chapter 23, FATHER spoke:

25 “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.”

FATHER established the order of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and it remains the same to this very day.  In order for us to be blessed and receive healing, we must first turn from our wicked ways and serve Our Heavenly Father.  Otherwise, we remain subject to the wiles of the devil.  In Luke chapter 5, Jesus was teaching The Word:

17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.

19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

This particular passage encapsulates the two-fold redemptive work of Christ.  First, we find Jesus is preaching The Word and because of that, the power of THE LORD was present to heal.  We must understand that faith for salvation and healing comes by hearing The Word.  This is why we must saturate our souls with The Word.  It must be planted in our hearts and minds so that our faith will grow strong.  As we dwell on The Word day and night, It produces fruit to heal our bodies and minister two-fold redemption to others.  As our bodies are made whole, we then have a testimony to share with those in need.  We must keep FATHER’S Word before us so that our harvest of The Word is continuous.  We may know verses in our head but the heart is where the life of the Word flows.  We can be void of FATHER’S Word even though we can quote healing Scriptures.  I am painfully aware of this reality in my life but have repented as FATHER made me aware of this Truth.

As Jesus taught The Word, people’s faith increased to the point where the four men brought the paralyzed man to hear The Word.  Jesus responded first by forgiving the man’s sins.  Only then did Jesus heal the man and instruct him to “arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  FATHER has given us the template for ministering to those in need.  Jesus manifested FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love and illustrated the proper order of His redemptive work.  As we become fully mature in Christ, we should expect to spread the Good News in the same fashion to a hurting world.

Why does FATHER have me write to you daily?  It is all about Love.  For Our Heavenly Father so loved you and me that HE gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that we would believe in Him and not perish but have everlasting life.  Who else did HE Love?  All of mankind.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 5:

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Did Jesus only address our reconciliation?  No, He also addressed our physical bodies as well when He received the stripes prior to the cross.  Peter expressed both aspects of His Love for us when he wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Peter chapter 2:

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

We must never forget the importance of FATHER’S intended two-fold purpose given to HIS Son- restoration and healing.  Many have readily accepted redemption unto righteousness but there has been less taught concerning the area of healing.  Jesus clearly stated that it was no more difficult to minister healing as it was to minister salvation when He responded in Matthew 9:5 saying “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?”  Both aspects of ministry should be preached in order to be embraced by those with ears to hear.

Why are believers having difficulty with sickness and disease?  We have all been saturated with information concerning the world’s acceptable methods of treatment in the area of sickness and disease.  It seems like foolishness to the world for us to pray for healing and expect complete restoration.  However, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 1:

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: ​​​“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, ​​And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

​20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Are we seeking signs or trusting in the world’s wisdom?  Why?  The world’s methods have not eradicated disease and sickness for they admit they only treat symptoms.  They never seem to find the root of the problem… because it is spiritual in nature.  The Way of Jesus Christ, the full expression of FATHER’S Love, is the only complete solution for mankind.  Christ is where the power and wisdom of FATHER resides, not some technological advancement.  Man’s wisdom is but foolishness thus we should pursue true wisdom from FATHER in all of our affairs and situations.  We should pursue the healing power through Christ’s work at Calvary and expect His miracle-working power to come forth.  Faith based on Love is the answer.  Why pursue anything less?

An apostle is one who is a delegate (authorized to represent Christ), messenger, one sent forth with orders.  Man has somewhat restricted the meaning in order to exalt certain ones above the rest of the believers in order to maintain a higher status.  Jesus intended to send those who were willing to serve all of mankind, a striking difference to what has evolved in the church over time.  In Mark chapter 16, Jesus spoke:

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

This mandate was not restricted to the eleven remaining disciples but was given to all who would become disciples of Jesus Christ.  Paul is a great example of one who was not among the eleven but was later converted and took on the Great Commission.  Jesus had earlier sent out seventy who were a precursor to this Great Commission as well.  Only those who mature in Christ are equipped to go forth in His Name.  The mature Sons of GOD are among those who are to spread the Gospel with signs following.  We must build up our faith so that we have the confidence to go forth in HIS power.

In Acts chapter 5, it is written by THE SPIRIT:

12 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.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Peter is the same one who denied Christ before Calvary but now is walking in the same power and authority as Jesus Christ.  This must encourage us as we continue walking in The Way and moving toward a greater maturity as FATHER’S Sons and Daughters.  We must not allow discouragement to come forth and dissuade us from our path.  The adversary wants to move our focus away from our individual callings just as he tempted Christ at the onset of His earthly ministry.

James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

An elder is one who is known to be mature in faith by Love and walks in wisdom.  Isn’t this what each of us is seeking to attain in our own walk?  As we mature and become equipped, we position ourselves to be used in a greater manner by FATHER.  The trappings of the world are no longer important to us as we direct our gaze on those who are lost and in need of healing.  Let us prepare ourselves to be one of the “sent ones”.

By THE SPIRIT, Isaiah wrote in chapter 61:

1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, ​​Because the LORD has anointed Me

​​To preach good tidings to the poor; ​​He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

​​To proclaim liberty to the captives, ​​And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 ​​To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, ​​And the day of vengeance of our God;

​​To comfort all who mourn,

3 ​​To console those who mourn in Zion, ​​To give them beauty for ashes,

​​The oil of joy for mourning, ​​The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

​​That they may be called trees of righteousness, ​​The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

The Holy Spirit has empowered us: to preach, heal, proclaim, comfort, console, and give.  The anointing of THE SPIRIT supersedes man’s mind and body thus the life in THE SPIRIT can and will change both the mind and the body if allowed to do so.  In Luke chapter 4, Jesus went to Nazareth and spoke the following:

18 ​​“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, ​​Because He has anointed Me

​​To preach the gospel to the poor; ​​He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

​​To proclaim liberty to the captives ​​And recovery of sight to the blind,

​​To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 ​​To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

​20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus was then rejected in Nazareth because of their unbelief and men are no different today.  They make look at your and my past with the same view as they did Jesus.  We are not our past thus we must not allow past failings to dictate our calling and the anointing associated with it.  A mature Son or Daughter will not be denied the calling given by FATHER even though the past is full of immature mistakes.  We must overcome the past in order to fulfill FATHER’S Divine Intent.  Jesus was not moved by the unbelief found among His countrymen in Nazareth but gave them the opportunity to embrace His calling and receive the fullness of the Good News.

Jesus spoke of the “faithless and perverse generation” when the boy oppressed by a demon (epileptic) was not healed by His disciples.  The word perverse means: contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice.  Jesus proclaimed the  manifested Divine Intent of FATHER for all to hear.  This proclamation has not been revoked but remains in effect for the mature Sons and Daughters to fulfill this very day.  We must set aside any question and build up our faith based on Love.  We should expect FATHER’S Divine Intent to flow through us just as it did for our Elder Brother.  We are to preach the Good News to all who are willing to receive it.  Yes, some will reject it just as they did in Nazareth but that did not stop Jesus from spreading the Gospel.  It should not stop us either.

Love redeems us in a two-fold manner- salvation and healing.  Those who are maturing in their Love walk will ultimately embrace both aspects of this ministry toward others.  After all, what is the point of becoming a mature Son or Daughter if we don’t do as Jesus did?  Aren’t we suppose to follow in His footsteps and minster in the same manner?  Isn’t this the focus of the Great Commission, or are we to simply become “experts” in the various nuances of Scripture?  Is our study of advanced topics sacrificing our focus on ministering Love to those in need?  We are urged by THE SPIRIT in James chapter 1:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Let us not be deceived by becoming a hearer only for a hearer’s heart grows cold and becomes forgetful of the Great Commission.  A hearer begins to think that by gaining additional knowledge, he will be deemed a mature Son.  However, a truly mature Son will spread the Gospel in accordance with the Great Commission.  Jesus spent 3 1/2 years preaching salvation and healing the sick who were oppressed by the devil.  He established what it means to be a mature Son or Daughter by His example of doing.  Jesus provided us a clear example of Sonship so that there would be no question of what it means to be mature in Christ.  He expressed FATHER’S Love toward the ungodly by healing both the soul and the body.  In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus expressed this Truth:

1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.

2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

7 And he arose and departed to his house.

8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

FATHER gave power to bring forth salvation and healing to His Son.  Jesus expressed the Truth that salvation and physical healing go hand in hand, the power to bring forth healing is no different than the power to save a soul.  He went to the cross for both acts of Love.

Let us direct our time and attention to becoming mature in both aspects of the Great Commission.  While men are becoming experts in the “acts” of GOD, let us pursue HIS ways and take on the responsibility of becoming mature so that we can and will fulfill the Great Commission.  There is no benefit to being a hearer only so let us be a doer of The Word.  Let us do what Jesus commanded of His disciples and let us be known as His followers by ministering two-fold redemption to those in need.  At some point we will be able to say with confidence, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? “