Isa, Injil & Intentional Intercession - page 2
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These verses are to remind us that G-d is calling
us to change our world through intercession and spiritual warfare
prayer. G-d still passionately loves His errant creation, which
is why we are commanded by Him to love people, who are created in
His image and to hate the works of darkness that HaSatan has wrought
through them by his wiles of deception.
That we should no longer be spiritual infants, blown here and
there by every wind of teaching and cunning craftiness of men
in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love,
we will in all things grow up in Messiah. Ephesians 4:14-15
...for HaSatan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is
not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of
righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
We Have Been Given the Ministry of Reconciliation
For Messiah's love compels us, because we are convinced that
He died for us all. G-d has reconciled us to Himself through Messiah
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation:
that G-d was reconciling the world to Himself in Messiah,
not counting men's trespasses against them. And He has committed
to us,the message of reconciliation. We are
therefore Messiah's ambassadors, as though G-d were making His
appeal through us. We implore you on Messiah's behalf: Be reconciled
to G-d.
2 Corinthians 5:14 & 18-20
Our primary ministry and message to the world must be the ministry
and the message of reconciliation. Whatever our burden or call from
G-d may be, the central focus and expression of it should be the
message of reconciliation. The compelling reason for this exposition
comes from a burden that G-d gave me when He revealed to me that
the message of the ministry of reconciliation was not being expressed
through the preaching and teaching of the majority of Christian
media ministries. As I mentioned at the outset, the prevailing hue
and cry of the Body of Messiah toward Islam has promoted an attitude
of fear, distrust and intolerance.
Many do not realize that not all Muslims adhere to the same interpretation
of the Quran's teachings, or the same sect of Islamic authority,
or are identical in the observance of their faith. Similarly, within
Christianity and Judaism there are several denominations with different
Biblical interpretations and varying convictions concerning the
practice of their faith. It is beneficial to understand what someone
believes before you share Messiah with them, yet G-d knows each
person as His individual creation. If we live in communion with
Him, He can impart wisdom that enables us to bypass their intellectual,
emotional, or religious barriers and to best touch their spiritual
need and to thus reach their heart.
How can we reach out to people of different beliefs if we do not
present them with a message and a lifestyle that provokes them to
jealousy of our relationship with G-d? I know that I would prefer
that kind of provocation rather than a message of intimidation or
rejection! Y'shua said, "If I be lifted up from the earth,
I shall draw all men to myself." (John 12:32). He was referring
to dying for us on the cross, but I believe He is also encouraging
us to lift Him up through our words and our deeds. Let me share
an example of the fruit of intimidation not-so-cleverly-disguised
as evangelism.
A Lesson In What Not To Do When Witnessing Of Your
Faith
As a very young believer, I experienced this about 30 years ago.
I worked in downtown Minneapolis and rode the bus to work everyday.
As I waited for the bus I noticed a neighbor who also took the same
bus to work daily. As we began to share the kind of small talk that
is common between commuters as they wait together each day on the
same street corner, I discovered that she belonged to a faith that
was different than my own.
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