Restoration is needed in the Church if she is to accomplish her end-time purpose. This is certain to be done, but how it will be done, and who will be part of it, depends on how we individually respond to the Lord. The Early Church rebuilt the temple of the Lord by the power of the Spirit and in the fullness of grace, as was prophesied by Zechariah (Zech. 4:6,7). This was symbolized by the rebuilding of the temple in the days of Zerubbabel. Then, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, the walls of the city had to be rebuilt and proper worship had to be restored. The restoration that is needed today is revival of worship in spirit and truth, as well as a repairing of the city walls for protection. In my article on “Repairers of the Breach”, I explained that repairing the gaps in the wall is restoring the ancient paths (Is. 58:12). There are many breaches in the protective wall of the Church, so where do we start? If we know which way the enemy is coming from, we can focus first on repairing the breaches on that side of the wall.
Deception is a major assignment against believers in the end times (Matt. 24:4,24). It is particularly important that we overcome deception because the New Jerusalem is to be called the City of Truth (Zech. 8:3). How can we defend ourselves against this scheme of the enemy? Paul’s words to the Thessalonians gives us insight on this: “because they did not receive the love of the truth” (2Thess. 2:10). This is not just a knowledge of the truth, but an actual love for the truth. Love is a matter of the heart. David said: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts”. (Ps. 51:6). Our words and actions issue from the heart (Matt. 15:18-19). If the walls of protection are the paths we walk in, then it is reasonable to assume that we need to have the ancient paths written in our hearts. When truth is lacking in any area of our lives, then deception can find a way through. We can repair the breach in that area of the wall by loving the truth which God reveals. Recognizing a breach in the wall is very important. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1Jn. 1:8). If we lack truth in an area, we may have something else in its place, which we think is truth. This is true for the individual believer and for the Church in general. To repair it, we first need to submit to the correction of the Word. We must receive the word of the Lord in humility (Jas. 1:21). We must receive it with repentance and faith (Mark 1:15).
The word is a seed which must be planted in the soil of our heart (Lu. 84-15). When I hear the word and believe it, it enters my heart. If the soil is hard, then the word will not be received. If the soil is soft, but there are hard stones in it, then these must be removed. We are responsible for the condition of the soil. Our heart becomes good soil when the hardness of sin is removed (Heb. 3:13). “A broken and contrite heart – these, O God You will not despise.” (Ps. 51:17). Pride will prevent you from receiving correction. In an attitude of submission, let God search your heart to reveal any wrongful ways (Ps. 139:23-24). This is a continual process, because even if the soil is good, it must be guarded from weeds. Weeds are the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matt. 13:22). If you love the Lord, you will come to know Him, and you will recognize Him when He speaks (Jn. 10:2-5). You will hold fast to His words, even if they are words of correction. You will know the difference between good seeds and bad seeds because of the spirit behind the words.
While speaking of the deception of the last days, the Apostle John told the believers “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1Jn. 2:27). This anointing is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit Who guides us into all truth (Jn. 16:13). He speaks to us in various ways, but mostly through impressed thoughts. I have come to recognize that voice as “the wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (Jas. 3:17). The Spirit behind these impressions is not “pushy”, but gentle. His thoughts are pure, always agreeing with the Word. If I do not see how they agree with scripture, I can ask for understanding because His wisdom is “easy to be intreated” (KJV). Above all, His thoughts carry a sense of peace: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:7). I can discern truth or error in what I hear through the presence or absence of the peace of God. I have also found this “inner witness” to be a faithful judge of my thoughts and words. When these are in line with His, there is a sense of peace, regardless of the circumstances.
All of this requires that I first hear the words of truth. If I do not hear the words, I cannot receive them. That is why Jesus told the disciples, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 11:15). It is important that I turn inward to the voice of the Lord by quieting my soul, as David said: “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul. Like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps. 131:2). How did David do that? “Lord, my heart is not haughty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.” (Ps. 131:1). If I am anxious about things, my soul is not calm. Anxiety is fear which is rooted in the pride of life. I calm my soul by humbly casting all my cares on Him and turning my soul towards Him in adoration. I desire spiritual understanding, but this is not obtained by natural effort (1Cor. 2:14). I cannot discern God’s mysteries with my natural mind. I open my spirit to discernment and then my mind is enlightened. I also need to be careful not to go beyond what is revealed. I try to never conclude a matter until it is clearly revealed. My confidence is not in knowing everything, but in knowing Him Who does.
In this first on repairing the breach of truth, we have focussed on the individual believer. In the next article, we will focus on the Church in general. Both are important because they are one.
Highway in the Wilderness 