On The Road To Damascus
Francis Frangipane
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (Jn 12:24-25).
There is a profound truth about spiritual growth hidden in Jesus' remarks. He likens our growth to the same pattern seen in a life cycle of a seed. There are two aspects to the seed: a husk and its kernel. The husk is the harder, outer covering that protects the tender, inner kernel. Of course, it is the kernel, not the husk, which contains the power to bear fruit and reproduce.
However, once the seed is planted in soil and watered, the outer husk must break. Its completeness and usefulness "dies." Without the death of the husk, the seed will never produce fruit and will abide by itself alone, just as Jesus said.
Likewise, our spiritual development unfolds through a similar process that is sequenced through a time of breaking, dying and finally culminates in an inner rebirth. The Lord does not have to create difficulties to come against us; there are pressures, people and perplexities in abundance even direct satanic attacks that He can orchestrate to break the outer man, and awaken and release our inner self.
We fight against the idea, but brokenness and the death of our old self are integral parts of our spiritual journey. Our outer, husk nature must break. It must experience death in order for our inner man to find true spiritual life with Christ. Every genuine spiritual advance comes because, in some way, our outer man breaks and our inner man is touched and made alive by the breath of God. Beloved, every act of true faith comes because this inner man responds to the promise of God. Genuine worship that which exists only in spirit and in truth is the product of God intimately loving the inner man, even at the funeral of the outer.
As it is written, "God {sees} not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). Even at this moment, our Father, who sees in secret, is looking at the inner man of your heart.
A Christ Encounter
Paul is speaking of these two aspects of our identity when he writes, "though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16). Again, he tells us that he joyfully concurs "with the law of God in the inner man" (Rom 7:22). Finally, he prays that God would grant us "to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph 3:16).
If we do not suffer the death of the outer person, its husk nature becomes a mask that hides the corruption and selfish motives of our hearts. Without personal, first hand contact with our spiritual need of the Savior, we become Pharisaic in nature: trusting in ourselves that we are righteous while viewing others with contemp (see Lk 18:9). We may not wear the robes of a Pharisee, but we possess the attitude of one. To save us, Christ must confront us.
I'm thinking of Paul. Here was a man who was a "Pharisee of Pharisees," a man who was self-righteous, a persecutor of the church. Paul hid his true character behind the religious mask of a Pharisee. But when the Lord met him on the road to Damascus, Paul not only saw God's glory, he saw his personal corruption in Christ's light. His self-righteous opinion of himself was crushed; his outer man, broken.
Likewise, we too are on a journey. We cannot help but come to God as we are. Yet, beloved, there will be a time when we meet Jesus in a new way. It will not be goose bumps and chills; it will be devastating and liberating at the same time. The Lord's goal will be to remove the falseness of our outer man to awaken love in the inner. He meets us on the road to "De-mask us."
Yes, dear friend, our opinion of ourselves will be crushed; we will be more passionately humble. Our need of a Savior will no longer be just a doctrine; it will become a desperate fact of our lives, as we meet Christ on the road to De-mask us.
SPECIAL THANKS: Special thanks to Christie Dolan for the Demaskus revelation.
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Power of Impartation
Francis Frangipane
The Power of Impartation and How it Affects YOU
I know a man who, as a young teenager, endured a violent outburst from his father. The incident had to do with a style shirt that other teens were wearing. First, his dad told him not to buy the shirt and then, after the young man showed up wearing it anyway, his father told him to take it off. When the boy resisted his dad exploded, actually ripping the shirt while it was still on the young man's body.
For whatever damage the violence did to the young man's psyche, there was a deeper side effect. Later in life, my friend married and had his own children. As life would have it, his oldest son wanted to wear a certain "hip-hopper" shirt, to which my friend objected. Later that day his son tried to sneak out of the house wearing the shirt but was caught. Just as his dad before him had done, my friend exploded and, while the shirt was still on his son, he ripped it in several places.
A "Time Released" Curse
My friend was not an evil or violent man, but something wrong, like a "time released curse," had been imparted to him 25 years previous. This enraged behavioral pattern had incubated in his spirit until the right circumstances arrived; then it repeated itself identically.
My friend was shocked by his unpremeditated action. However, he was also amazed as he pondered the power and mystery of impartation. His father's deed was a seed that, apart from my friend's conscious choice, bloomed on its own in the garden of his life. It was true: the "sins of the fathers" are "visited" upon the children.
Human Relationships: Channels for Good or Evil
Of course, my friend's dad had imparted many good things into his life as well. My point is that the principle of impartation shows itself in a thousand ways during our lives. There are things we are doing and ideas we defend, not because we thought them through, but purely because they were imparted to us by others around us.
The fact is, the unfiltered human spirit is very much like a sponge that absorbs into our soul the substance of the world around us. Thus, scripture warns "bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor 15:33). I know of too many kids who were raised in Christian homes who, for one reason or another, became friends with kids who were sexually active or experimenting with drugs. Soon, the morals of those children were quietly compromised. How? Through impartation.
Yet, God's word also promises "he who walks with wise men will be wise" (Prov 13:20). There are those whom God has put in our lives, whose influence inspires us to reach for the stars.
Divine Truth Creates Boundaries
The human soul must not become an "unwalled village"; we cannot exist spiritually without guards and boundaries. Plainly, we need rules and standards of God's word; divine truth creates a wall that keeps out the enemy. We must be selective and wise in walking in this world for it is, in truth, a war zone.
It is also why Jesus warned, "Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given" (Lk 8:18). Whatever you intently focus upon and listen to, of that thing "shall more be given." What we yield to in unfiltered openness in varying degrees conforms us to itself. Entertainment "enters." Consider wisely, therefore, the next time you turn on the television or select a movie to watch. Whether the impartation comes via the media, friends or family, take heed what you allow into your spirit. For whatever you allow into you through impartation, that reality shall more be given until you have an abundance.
He Who Receives a Righteous Man, Receives
Yet, the good news is that impartation can be a wonderful and positive influence in our lives. A life-giving church can fulfill and support your spiritual journey. Prayer partners can stand before God with you and for you, encouraging you by the holy and impartable influences of their faith. We can also receive impartation from our pastors, mentors and Christian authors.
As a spiritual leader, my goal is not just to inform you, but to conform you to Christ. This involves not only instruction, but impartation as well. If you are reading a certain author that God is using right now in your life, believe God for the best that ministry can supply. There's no reason you cannot receive of the grace given to that person for you.
Jesus was specifically talking about the value of godly impartation when He taught, "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (Matt 10:40-41).
Impartation through People
Of course, God may meet you sovereignly, and we should covet and pursue times alone with the Holy Spirit, in prayer or study of God's word. But, often the Holy Spirit will have something to impart to you through a righteous man or woman. You say, "I don't need men, I have the Bible and a relationship with the Lord." The Bible did not fall from heaven, untouched by human hands; it was written my men inspired by God. Imagine if the early church shared that attitude! Of course, today there is much deception in the church and we must each personally know the written word of God. Impartation does not take the place of our personal relationship with our Father. Simply, Jesus says that God will "reward" us just by our ability to "receive" from those He sends.
Indeed, there is no limit to how much our spirits can absorb from other leaders. Over the past weeks I have been preparing Level Two materials for our In Christ's Image Training school. As I prayed and studied the materials we received from international leaders in the body of Christ, a certain awe rose in my heart as the Holy Spirit spoke through the contributors' tapes and written materials. In no way was I making idols of men I know these individuals and, just like you and me, they are in daily need of God's grace. But just as I see grace covering their need, I also appreciate the grace that has worked in them over years and through trials, unique expressions of the ministry of Christ. Each of these leaders supplies, not merely teachings, but mandates from God that are actually changing the world in which we live. God backs up these ministries and flows through them to impart spiritual substance into our lives. Impartation is most effective when we are not in awe of men, but in awe of God who uses men and women to impart spiritual substance.
Moses and Joshua
The Bible supplies many examples of impartation: Elijah and Elisha, Saul prophesying among the prophets and, of course, Jesus and His disciples (1 Kings; 1 Sam 10:5-11; Jn 14:12). Consider the commissioning of Joshua, the son of Nun. I'm sure he had his own walk with God. He didn't need Moses in order to dwell in right relationship with the Almighty; Joshua was a man who followed the Lord fully. Yet, we read,
"Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him . . ." (Deut 34:9).
The laying on of Moses' hands imparted the spirit of wisdom to Joshua. Joshua, apart from Moses, possessed personal character; yet through Moses' hands, God gave Joshua the "spirit of wisdom." Joshua received Moses in the name of a prophet and received a prophet's reward.
Not only did Joshua receive by impartation, through his unique ministry God would impart great faith to Israel. Consider what the Lord told Moses, "Encourage [Joshua], for he shall cause Israel to inherit [the land]" (Deut 1:38).
Joshua didn't just lead the Israelites, he would cause them to inherit God's promises! I am struck by this verse. Just as my friend's dad imparted something that caused him to temporarily fail, so there are people God has given us whose faith, example and encouragement will "cause" us to succeed. That individual may be your mentor, pastor or a leader in your church; he may be a national leader whose messages seem perfectly timed for your needs. Either way, God has placed people in your life whose influence will "cause" you to inherit His promises! Beloved, even as you hold fast to Christ as your head, may you also understand the gift and power of spiritual impartation.
Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
francis@inchristsimage.org
Delivered from the Prosecuting Attorney of Bitterness
Francis Frangipane
Love - A Passion for Oneness
There are two conditions of the heart no one can hide: one is when the heart is filled with love and the other when we are infected with bitterness. Either condition can take over our thoughts and both can filter our entire view of life. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must make our highest quest to possess hearts full of God's love. Indeed, how successful we are at revealing Christ's love is the true measure of our spirituality.
Thus, love cannot long exist as an unexpressed or hidden secret. If love is real, it will be seen in a thousand manifestations reaching to the heart of its beloved. Love, which is in truth passion for oneness, is too powerful to be contained by mere discipline or self-control. Indeed, is not love boldly displayed in its unrequited gifts, and is it not heard in its many encouragements and expressions of concern? Is it not tangible in its unabashed enjoyment of time spent with those it loves?
Bitterness - A Prosecuting Attorney
Bitterness, too, cannot be hidden. A bitter soul is not seeking oneness, but justice. It is driven by the unresolved theft of its peace, personhood or possessions. Bitterness is not just a wound seeking healing, it is a prosecuting attorney building a case against the guilty. Because a bitter soul is conjoined to the injustice committed against it, it perpetually is listening to the voice of its heartache and, thus, perpetually wounded by the unforgiven offense.
Dear friends, Jesus said He came to give us life in abundance. He said He was anointed and sent to proclaim release to prisoners and freedom to captives (Jn 10:10; Lk 4:18). If we feel we have been spiritually incarcerated by a bitter experience or an injustice, God is not seeking to condemn us for it, but to save us from it. Even now, His Spirit is reaching to release us from this unbearable burden of the past.
How Do We Become Free?
In my 34 years of walking with the Lord, there have been many times that I have been slandered, defrauded or unfairly attacked. I have had my opportunities to be embittered by injustice. Not every wound was healed instantly nor each injustice swiftly remedied. Jesus said, "By your patience (Greek: endurance) possess your souls" (Lk 21:19). The Message translation renders this, "Staying with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved." In the final analysis, being wounded or suffering loss is not the issue - Paul said he "suffered the loss of all things." The real issue is that we "may gain Christ" (Phil 3:8).
Let me also say that I know people whom the Lord simply touched and healed or that the offending situation itself changed, and healing came. Let us make room for the vastness of God's grace. Indeed, Hebrews 2:18 reveals that, since Christ "Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." For no other reason except that He loves us, He will "come to the aid of those" who are embattled. Let us always make room for such grace.
At the same time, I have also recognized that God's highest goal for me is my conformity to Christ. (See Rom 8:28-29). God heals me so He can conform me to Christ and sometimes He reverses that process: He conforms me to Christ so He can heal me. In other words, my deliverance came as I appropriated Christ's love in place of mine or His ability to trust in the Father when being wounded by injustice.
Trusting God to Vindicate Us
Consider this issue of trusting God. Peter tells us, "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;" (1 Pe 2:21-23).
Sometimes my healing from wounding and possible bitterness came, not because restitution was made to me by the person who hurt me, but because I learned to entrust myself to God who judges righteously. To trust that God will vindicate me in His time and in His way is a sign of spiritual maturity. It's really the only way we can avoid responding to reviling with reviling and allowing a wound to fester into bitterness.
There are other times when a lingering conflict would become an oppression upon my soul. Again, as an antidote to becoming bitter, Jesus taught, "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad (Luke adds, "and leap for joy"), for your reward in heaven is great" (Matt 5:11-12).
The Antidote of Rejoicing!
If you have been unfairly treated; if some injustice has soiled your name or threatens your future because of your faith in Christ, one antidote is to rejoice. Before you defend your right to remain miserable, let me ask: have you obeyed Jesus by leaping for joy? I remember one occasion when I was especially hurt by a man who, based on a dream his wife had, used his wife's fantasy to divide our little church. I loved this couple greatly, as I also loved everyone in our church, so my sorrow was multiplied. Indeed, each time I considered the evil this slander was causing, my emotions stormed with anger and grief.
Yet, eventually the Lord spoke to my heart. He asked, since the slander spoken against me wasn't true, why I hadn't obeyed Him? He said I had become oppressed by people's words, but I hadn't yet leaped for joy. So, I decided to obey Him. Standing alone in the dimmed afternoon lighting of our church sanctuary, I prepared myself to rejoice. Yet, I was so emotionally drained with sadness I had no joy; I could hardly walk, much less leap. Yet, in obedience I tried a feeble jump. Then again, and again, until the Holy Spirit broke through and I was shouting and leaping before the Lord, rejoicing in His sovereign power in my life.
Now, if the problems we are encountering are legitimate consequences to our bad behavior, then we should repent and not blame others for our condition. We still can rejoice that we serve a great God who can work even our failures for good. But if our conflicts are due to our commitment to serve the Lord, then we ought to obey Him and "leap for joy."
The Waters of Marah
Christ is not our "Savior" in merely a distant or theological sense; He is Immanuel, "God with us." He dwells within us; He is committed to us. He is fully capable of transforming what was meant to destroy us and using it as a means to perfect us. We must believe that God is fully able to redeem all we go through. If we harbor unbelief about either the Father's goodness or His abilities, our difficulties will reduce us to bitter, angry people.
Consider also, if Satan is set on destroying us, it must be because God has something powerful waiting for us in the future. The devil does not waste his time attacking insignificant people; he attacks those he fears will be used by God to liberate others. If Satan can set up an attack that causes you to become bitter, your destiny will be sidetracked until that root of bitterness is plucked from your soul.
How is it that bitterness can exist in us? Bitterness is a demonic manipulation of a wound or injustice we suffer in our soul. Jesus, however, said that the only way to save our souls is to lose them to Him (Jn 12:25). Beloved, I am telling you how I have passed through some of the most difficult battles I faced: I carried the cross.
I believe that my steps are ordered of God. Therefore, if I have faced an injustice, He must have either allowed it or ordered it. In His great omniscience, He knew I would need more love or faith or dependency upon Him, so He arranged my steps so He could work in me His overcoming nature. My battles are not about me and someone else, or even me coming against the devil; ultimately, in every conflict, God is seeking to create Christ-likeness in me. As the character, authority and love of Christ become functional in my life, my enemies are subdued and Christ is triumphant through me.
The Cross is the Cost
We must, therefore, get over the idea that there is a painless place of existence on earth, and we must learn how to carry the cross of Christ. The cross puts to death our unbelieving, fearful, selfish nature and allows the character of Christ to emerge in our spirits. The cross is the cost we pay so that redemption prevails.
There is a story in Exodus that figuratively reveals the power of the cross. The Israelites went three days without fresh water. When they finally found water, "they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah" (Ex. 15:22-23). Marah, you'll recall, means bitterness. They finally found water, but they could not drink it. The Lord, however, showed Moses "a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet" (Ex 15:25).
What Moses did was prophetic. The tree that was applied symbolically to the bitter water was a picture of the cross of Christ when it's applied to our bitter experiences: it turns the bitter to sweet. I know in the many times the enemy has used people to wound or strike me, as I applied the cross to my life - forgiving, blessing and letting love be perfected - the outcome has always been a greater manifestation of Christ in my life.
A Greater Manifestation
This is exactly how Paul handled adversity and injustice. Listen to what he wrote, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor 4:7).
Dear one, is this not what you desire most: the life of Jesus Himself manifested in your mortal flesh? Satan has been manipulating your old nature, seeking to work bitterness into your life. The way the Lord has redeemed me from every battle I have faced, has been to use that battle to crucify my old nature and release a greater unveiling of Christ in me. This is New Testament Christianity in its greatest glory.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying to save my life. I purpose to trust you, to allow love to be perfected within me, to not seek justice, but mercy for myself and others. Help me, Lord. Reveal Your Spirit's power within me. Even now, uproot every bitter plant in my soul. Let my words be full of grace and truth, not bitterness and evil. In Jesus name. Amen.
Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
francis@inchristsimage.org