MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

     To be a minister is to be a servant. A servant is one who by both word and deed exemplifies his indebtedness to a greater value than his own comfort. Jesus portrayed this, was a servant, when He walked upon the earth, and, submitting Himself to His Father, "condescended to men of low estate." Contrary to having an arrogant attitude, He came with a "meekness and gentleness" that drew people to Him. Being the express image of His Father, He showed us that God desires all men to be saved, not condemned.
      Because of sin, of which men, dead in their trespasses and sins, are condemned already, God in His infinite wisdom sent His own Dear Son to reconcile men unto Himself, to show us "the goodness of God leads you to repentance." (Rom. 2: 4) In this act of repentance, there comes a plea or an offering, which is made acceptable by God in Christ (the Beloved). This is the escape, or deliverance, from the bondage to sin. It puts men in the "Right" place with God. It is a Righteousness of God that comes by faith. In this "Right" place, we are empowered to do righteous things, things that please God. No longer "bound" by sin, we are free to become "ministers of righteousness." Sin entices us to do the expedient things, those things which benefit us, but doing the "right" thing often comes at a cost, or a loss to us. Jesus gave Himself for others, but He did not cater to their whims so that He would be liked by them. The politically-correct, seeker-sensitive thing was not part of Jesus' agenda, but He sought to serve the real, true needs of others.
      Though there are false "ministers of righteousness," of whom we must be aware, we who have been reconciled by God in Christ, have been made part of His "Ministry of Reconciliation." In this sense, all born-again believers are "ministers" or "servants," who are called and equipped to be "teachers of righteousness." This "right way" is a narrow way that many unbelievers object to, yet when you have found this escape route, you have a responsibility to reveal it to others. There are even some deceived believers who object to this, being tolerant of other views, wrongly teaching that all ways lead to God. While this tolerance may appear pious, it is a selfish way that preserves our flesh while it does not truly serve others.
     Religion has played a nasty trick on us. Like the Law, it has given us a structure, or standard of measure to follow, but while it indicates the ways of God, it does not empower us to live those ways. While attempting to live up to the good standards, we have setbacks, failings, and frustrations. This can be good, when, like Paul in Romans chapter 7, we come to the end of ourselves, and realize that "the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Rom. 7:14) The very standard that is "holy, and just, and good," "slew me." (Rom. 7: 12, 11) It leads to my death in sin, and that is a good thing!
     While religiously attempting to measure up to God's holy standards, I am alive, in control of my life, having a self-righteousness that compares itself with others. This keeps me captive to the very sin within my human nature, as I try to live the holy standards with an unholy nature. I must die to this way of life, and have no confidence in a condemned nature that is dead in its trespasses and sins. Paul writes, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." (Rom. 7: 22-23) The "inward man" is the born-from-above (out-of- hopeless death) confident nature, that has God's laws written upon the heart.
     This is the very deliverance from captivity to sin. Religious self-confidence and blatant rejection of God's holy standards, while different in appearance, are both bondages of sin. God rescues us from slavery and establishes us in Righteousness (or Right-Standing). "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Rom. 7: 24-25) This speaks to placing our confidence in either our ability (the flesh), or God's ability (through His Spirit). Can something unholy make itself holy, just because it wants to be holy? This is where Paul comes to the conclusion that he can have NO confidence in the flesh -- so he is delivered from this bondage that disguises itself as religious piety.
     Romans chapter 8 clearly indicates the proper placing of confidence: either in our human nature (flesh), which again, "is dead in its trespasses and sins," or in the "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8: 2) When we have confidence in our flesh, there is guilt, shame and condemnation. When we have confidence in God's Provision, there is freedom. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8: 6) Speaking of this condemnation/death, Paul writes of walking "after" either the flesh or the Spirit (vss. 1, 4, 5). While we mostly see this as behavior, it is truly speaking of our confidence or trust: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk ... after the Spirit. ...That the Righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk ... after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1, 4, 5) As already quoted in verse 6, we are either carnally-minded or spiritually-minded, either seeking after the flesh or after the Spirit. Our behavior gets changed after we have exhausted our carnal confidences and trust, and have received the Righteousness of Faith!
     Later, when addressing his fellow Jews, Paul reveals his longing for them to come out of their false confidence, so that they can receive this Righteousness of Faith. "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Rom. 10: 1-4) He prays for them the very conversion he went through -- dying to all trust in his own ability, and relying only upon Christ's ability to make him acceptable to God. This is a Righteousness or Rightness of Faith, apart from the Law.
     "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves ...; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able Ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. But if the Ministration of Death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, ... How shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the Ministration of Condemnation be glory, much more does the Ministration of Righteousness exceed in glory." (2 Cor. 3: 5-9) It is God Who has made us "able Ministers of the New Testament," not the works of our hands, or our abilities. Where is boasting or placing our trust and confidence? It is in the Lord. The Spirit gives life, and the letter kills; so to what do these two Ministrations appeal?
     When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, in bondage to Egypt, we learned how to operate under those conditions. Under the Ministration of Death, the only things we can do are obey and cover up the fact that we are not obeying. Even if we were not slaves to sin, and desired to do what was right, wanting to please God, the Ministration of Death can only serve to keep us in bondage. The Letter/Law/Ministration of Death serves to reveal our condition, but does not have a remedy to deliver us from that condition. That is the hopelessness that Paul points out in Romans 7:1-14. He writes: "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.... the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Rom. 7: 12, 14) Keep this in mind: "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14) So, as a carnal, natural man, I have no hope, while I am in "captivity to the law of sin which is in my members ... the body of this death." (Rom. 7: 23-24) While in this condition, which Ministration appeals to me? Not the Ministration of Righteousness --- I can't get to it; so it is the Ministration of Death that I must somehow operate under, and it is frustrating!
     The Ministration of Death speaks (appeals) to the carnal mind/flesh, and though it promises rewards, it brings condemnation. Even for the true believer (like Paul, and, hopefully, us) this Ministration can only lead to desperation, and that is what it is designed to do. The prideful Pharisee (in me) cannot admit to my shame, so I find ways (in this bondage to sin) to camouflage it with outward appearances that many might admire. When under conviction of the Spirit of God, I want to repent, and then another spirit (or carnal desire) entices me to override the conviction by substituting an act of atonement that only eases my mind for a moment, while it blinds me to my need. I have found through Paul's expression and my own experience that we must cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7: 24) When I come to my senses, I realize that there is no way out of this Ministry of Condemnation/Death. It pierces my heart, my pride; it slays me! When you see that there is no way to get Right with God, and you desperately want to, cry out to Him Who can do what is impossible for you, like the two blind men who followed Jesus "crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us." (Matt. 9: 27) Sadly, many Christians today cannot cry out like this, nor speak of their wretchedness (because it is a negative confession of their past), but that condition (and lack of true confession) only testifies of the captivity they are in.
     What Paul wrote in Romans 7 was already in him on the road to Damascus. He was a witness to the stoning of Stephen, and he sought to arrest and punish followers of Christ. Yet even though Paul was going in this misguided direction, God, Who is no respecter of persons, and "is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Heb. 4:12) came to Saul of Tarsus on that road. Paul's story speaks nothing of repentance, good works, or a testimony of faith, it speaks louder! It speaks of the sovereignty of God Who alone is able to save "us from the body of this death." Saul may have thought he was glorifying God (doing good works for God), but it is God Who glorifies God -- just look at His Son on the Cross! Where is boasting? Where are we placing our confidence? In "God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ (by grace you are saved)...." (Eph. 2:4-5)
     Before I press on to the Ministration of Righteousness, which I'm eager to do, I want to deal with another aspect of this Ministration of Death which speaks to the carnal mind and brings condemnation. The carnal mind is seduced by spirits and doctrines of devils that masquerade as truth. They are not the Truth, but appear as truths, which we blindly accept and bring into our walks in Christ. These "truths" exalt our positions while they weaken our faith. They oppose the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ that is being formed in us, misrepresenting Christ in us as a form of power that calls down fire on things we oppose; refuses correction; and leads us into a position of self-confidence that would boast in our accomplishments (in Christ). Even when the Spirit of God comes to lead us to Repentance, we refuse Him because we think (carnal mind) it is an evil spirit trying to put negative thoughts in our minds. Much of this fear (of negative thoughts) comes from a perverted faith that does not trust that we are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD! (See that topic, "Kept by the Power of God," in Jesusliftedup.com)
     While you may not be a Jew who does not submit to the righteousness of God, and therefore seeks to establish his own righteousness, (see Rom. 10: 1-4, above, in paragraph 8) the warning about being out of position applies: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Gal. 5:1) That "yoke of bondage" is the Ministration of Death that applies to ALL that walk in the confidence of the flesh. I trust that these next words apply to you: "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak [words of warning]." (Heb. 6: 9)

I started this with the words, "To be a minister is to be a servant. A servant is a person who by both word and deed exemplifies his indebtedness to a greater value than his own comfort." Like the Prodigal son, in whom the father's love produced a gratitude (a genuine mark or testimony of a Christian), there is a servant in another parable, who reveals indebtedness to a greater value than his own comfort. This servant recognizes that all that he has belongs to his master, and without his master he would be without security, even for his daily bread. He is thankful and does not forget what manner of person he once was, or would be, without his master. It's a tough scripture, especially for the American Gospel mindset that is carnally bound in self-esteem.
     Jesus, speaking to His disciples, says this about that Servant/Minister: "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat [eat]? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird yourself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward you shall eat and drink?" (Luke 17:7-8) Carnally speaking, this does not seem fair, and today we might think this servant would be justifiably resentful; but not according to Jesus, nor, do I think, to this Minister of Righteousness. This Servant/Minister, much like the "wretched man" Paul, was well aware of his hopelessness apart from his master. Jesus goes on to say: "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow [think] not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17: 9-10) For us as Ministers of Righteousness, this is our high calling, our great commission, our rich inheritance, and our purpose here on earth.
     This Servant/Minister prepared a table for his master to eat. He did so out of love (in the spirit), not out of fear (in the flesh). A quick search of the word prepare, which indicates serving, is a study in itself, but think on just these scriptures: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." (Psalm 23:5) "I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14: 2) Do we really see how the greatest of all, are the servants of all, and They (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) have provided such unrepayable gifts? In comparison, like the servant plowing in the field, we are "unprofitable servants," regardless of what we do in His Ministry! As Ministers of Righteousness, we are to be servants of God, who release His gifts unto men. What great cost would be too much for you? Your health, wealth or comfort? How about your life? John the Baptist was beheaded for being such a Servant, and we, by the same Spirit of God, have the same calling, that serves men and not self: "PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT." (Matt. 3:3) This is not to help God find his way to men, but for men to find their way to God. Isaiah says this even better: "make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) This path or highway is in a barren place, desperate, full of fear, and hopelessness. A Minister of Righteousness brings HOPE to a people who have no hope. He does not possess this HOPE, or have means to produce it; he is a Servant of the One Who IS that HOPE!
     What I'm seeking and asking of you is the impossible. How can we do this thing? Who will tell them this message of the Kingdom of God and Repentance which first began with John the Baptist? It's like, I can't do this, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips...." (Isaiah 6:5) Who we are, in Christ, are "more than conquerors," not superheroes. Our elevation (high value) of ourselves is brought low when we look to Lifted-Up Jesus, Who is exalted above every name that is named. As an unprofitable servant (wretched man that I am) what I have to offer others, does not come from my resources, but rather from an abundance of provision that is supernatural, as was manna from heaven. Like Isaiah, who was told by the angel, "thine iniquity [atoned for] is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me. And HE said, Go, and tell this people...." (Isaiah 6: 7-9, please read 1-9) The message you speak is whatever the Lord gives you to speak, but every message points to the Hope of Glory, Jesus Lifted Up!
     When we try to live and proclaim the Gospel by means of persuasion and manipulation, we are revealing our lack of faith in God to equip us for His Ministry. Paul, in writing to the Galatians, tells them God called him by His Grace "To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me;... Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem.... I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles...." (Gal. 1: 16-17; 2: 1-2) Being called by God's Grace was a disarming of Paul's "ministry," which had been to persecute the church, because he had been "exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." (See Gal. 1: 13-15) What Isaiah received in the Old, Paul received in the New: "though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me." (1 Cor. 9: 16-17) He did his first ministry willingly, under his own power, but when God's Grace overwhelmed him, he became a Minister of Righteousness, proclaiming "the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." (1 Cor. 9: 18-19) Can you see in Paul the servant in the field, coming in and cooking his master's supper? Why? Because he now has eyes (though once blinded) to see that apart from God's purging, he was good for nothing (though he esteemed himself pretty high in Pharisee circles).
     Isaiah was a recognized Prophet of God, and Paul a Hebrew of Hebrews, yet both of them were brought to the conclusion that they were far from God, and ("Woe is me!") they were not worthy to be used by God. In spite of this clear revelation of their uncleanness, they believed that God, by the Spirit of God, could reconcile them to Himself. We have the hindsight of the Cross, that reveals our change of position, from rejection to acceptance. That is what is meant by the scripture: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) What was old was the Adamic condition of broken fellowship with God. What is new is our restored relationship through Christ. Peter writes: "FOR YOU WERE AS SHEEP GOING ASTRAY; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." "...BY WHOSE STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED." (1 Peter 2: 25, 24) This is a Return to Rightness with God, a Reconciliation to One Who is Holy, with praise to the Glory of His Grace, because only One Who is Holy, could accomplish it!
     "And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation [Rightness, Righteousness]; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation. Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye Reconciled to God. For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5: 18-21) As Ambassadors, or Ministers of Righteousness, we present God's gift of Reconciliation to people who are as skeptical as Isaiah and Paul. With the inherent sin that is within us we cannot fathom such great love, but that "love of Christ constrains [compels, empowers] us." (2 Cor. 5: 14) What God has given us, or committed unto us, is His Spirit Who empowers His children to no longer "live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Cor. 5: 15)
     A Reconciled person does not go about trying to reconcile himself; he rests in faith, believing what God has said He has done, is actually done. An Ambassador of a country must first be a citizen of that country, before he represents it. So it is with the Spirit. A spiritual person cannot use carnal means of persuasion, manipulative techniques, or enticing words of man's wisdom; he must come equipped as "a minister, according to the gift of the Grace of God given unto [him] by the effectual working of His power.... Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages...." (Eph. 3: 7, 20) "But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ." (Eph. 4: 7)
     When we resort to carnal methods, we represent ourselves, not Christ, and we bring glory to ourselves, not to God. By using appeals that speak to men's flesh we "frustrate [reject] the grace of God: for if Righteousness [Reconciliation, Rightness] come by the law [Ministration of Death], then Christ is dead in vain [and our appeals fall on deaf ears]." (Gal. 2: 21) Has God, through Jesus Christ, reconciled us to Himself, or not? If, by faith, we believe that He has, in spite of the contradictory appearances of our continually-being-sanctified flesh, why then don't we show the security that comes from knowing we are in the hands of the Potter, Who is fashioning us into the image of Christ?
     It is by His stripes, not our effort, that we are Restored, Returned, Reconciled and made Righteous. His faith, imparted to us, gives us the knowledge of this truth. Why then would we squander that faith on the temporal comforts of "unRighteous mammon?" (Luke 16:11) When Jesus refers to "unRighteous mammon," it is while He is pointing out the wisdom of the unjust steward who as a corrupt man, in a corrupt society, dealing with corrupt men, wisely navigated himself to a place of safety. Jesus is not commending this man's dishonesty, but rather his shrewdness. (Read Luke 16: 1-8) The actual point Jesus is making is found in verse 8, when He points out that men like this "are in their generation wiser than the children of light." (Luke 16:8) This man used unrighteous methods to maintain his unrighteous life, and Jesus is pointing out that the children of light need to do the reverse, and apply righteous methods to their righteous lives, but they don't! The dual-mindedness of serving two masters (Spirit and Flesh) is bondage, for "You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16: 13) As an example for us to see how people use God for selfish reasons, He further points out the hypocrisy of selfishness. "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. And He said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16: 14-15)
     Like them, we in this present age of materialism have been blinded to the reality of what is truly pleasing in the sight of the Lord. We exalt men who appear to have arrived at the pinnacle of success, based upon the world's standards. Today, the negative aspects of Paul, Peter, and even Jesus, would be looked upon as failure. Maybe it was their "lack of faith" that brought on the "bad" things. Or they didn't attend church at the appropriate times, nor tithe on a regular basis. This sort of tilted "persuasion comes not of Him that calls you." (Gal. 5:8) Though this scripture deals specifically with circumcision, the rebuke from Paul is actually dealing with our liberty in Christ, the yoke of bondage, and the entanglements that cause members of the Body of Christ to reject Christ and make Him to "become of no effect unto you,... you are fallen from [refusing] grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of Righteousness by faith.... which works by love." (Gal. 5: 4-6; see also 4:1-6) "Who [or what doctrine] did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of Him that calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you [with doctrines of devils disguised as truth] shall bear his judgment.... I would they were even cut off [separated from you, not mutilated] which trouble you." (Gal. 5: 7-12) This persuasion of self-righteousness is a bondage that clothes itself in holy-looking garments, while it rejects the covering that is acceptable to God.
     Jesus warned the multitudes, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees ... of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matt. 16: 11-12) In Luke 12: 1, Jesus says "the leaven of the Pharisees ... is hypocrisy." In scolding the scribes and Pharisees and lawyers, Jesus says, "you lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and you yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers." (Luke 11:46) Like Jesus saying beware, Paul warns us to "mark them ... and avoid them. For they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16: 17-18) This warning came after he commended/saluted many who served the Kingdom of God, not their own bellies, "Who have for my life laid down their own necks [risked their lives]." (Rom. 16: 4, read vs. 1-18 for context.)
     This Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Christ, is for those whose praises God inhabits. He does not inhabit the pretenses of the self-seeking who appear to be pious. We must have integrity in both words and deeds. When we place burdens on others, rather than seek to lift burdens, we are no different than the hypocrites. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. 3: 18-19) These misleaders, whose god is their belly, whose father is the devil, serve themselves, as they exalt their own "ministry." They never have enough money and there's always a new gimmick to get others to sacrifice. Contrast this with the Biblical examples that we have. First, and foremost, look unto Jesus, yet even with mere men we have good patterns to follow. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example." (Phil. 3:17)
     "And they overcame him [the accuser of the brethren] by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev. 12: 11) The Blood of the Lamb is the only Testimony I have that will stand against the accusations of my sin. I will not boast of what I have done, or who I am; the Blood of the Lamb IS the Word of my Testimony! I'll not boast in keeping the Sabbath, tithing, good works, etc. This is the very opposite of those whose god is their belly and seek elevation in the eyes of men. Ministers of Righteousness seek to please God, not men. We are not to be respecters of persons, of whom we have many Biblical warning examples. Doing the Right thing is doing the will of God. Having our "senses exercised to discern both good and evil ... [so we can become skillful] in the Word of Righteousness." (Heb. 5: 14, 13) This differentiating between "good and evil," is knowing what does and does not please God. For example, Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, which was information from the Spirit of God, and acted upon it, and so, pleased God. The same Peter, acting upon an impulse from another spirit, sought to hinder the work of God, and did not please God. (See Matt. 17:13-23.)
     Jesus says, "without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) The servant working in the field, without his master, has nothing! Not abiding "in Christ" produces "fruit" that is pleasing to the eye of man, but not to God. We can do "things" apart from Him, for Him, but they are not profitable things that build the Kingdom of God; they build flesh that boasts of flesh. What builds the Kingdom are things that God does through us. Who has bewitched us? Do we think we can please God by the works of our hands, or our human compassion (like Peter, trying to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem)? Are we working for God, or with God? Better still, is God working with us and through us? Could it be that the power from on high that men crave today is for self-consumption, to be seen of men? Would God add His ability to the many talents of men, so that they could produce swelled heads and large bank accounts? No, for this is "another spirit," one that is contrary to the Spirit of God!
     The same John who was given the word, "Without Me you can do nothing," also wrote: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for our brethren." (1 John 3:16) It is very much like John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," though less quoted. When I am seeking to preserve my own life, or justify myself, it is me that I am serving. When I feel offended by what others do, my flesh immediately wants to defend itself against the perceived attacks. Doing what is Right, laying down our lives for others, takes the power of God. Pilate found no fault in Jesus, so for which good deed did the Jewish leaders want to crucify Him? Again, Jesus ministered to them, while they abused Him. Does this same Spirit abide in us? Jesus has said, "As you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise." (Luke 6:31) We interpret that as, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;" but this message is prior to the Cross. After the Cross, I would say that what we do unto men should be as unto God. Otherwise we will feel put upon by men. Do all things as unto Him Who has done unto us great things, regardless of what others do or don't do unto us!
     Paul writes: "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet [proper], because ... your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds; ... for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer:... Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thes. 1: 3-5, 11-12) Our faith, patience, endurance, and goodness comes from the grace/power He provides. When He raises us up above our human limitations, He receives glory, not us.
     This chapter gives us the assurance that God sees and understands the conflicts we are going through, and does not turn a blind eye to the evil being done; and that His righteous judgment will come upon all who do evil. And what a judgment it is! They "that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ... shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power...." (2 Thes. 1:8-9) Keep in mind that God desires all men to be saved, and this "punishment" is a place or position that they have chosen by their rejection of Him, not His rejection of them! Do you see the need to seek God for His provision, so that we can Minister to those who would harm us? They need to be saved from the wrath to come.
     "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7: 24) The harm of wrong judgment comes from all directions, not just outside the church, but also from within. Like those who opposed Jesus because He healed a man on the Sabbath, many today point to "laws" or standards they perceive to be requirements of God. "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain [men] which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls [misleading your hearts], saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: ... it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well." (Acts 15: 24, 28-29)
     Please notice that this message from the Holy Ghost and those who were assembled with one accord (see Acts 15:1-32) makes no mention of present-day standards that have been cherry-picked from the Old Testament. There is no need of laws when people have the laws of God written upon their hearts! Such people gladly enjoy the spoiling of their goods, they freely give as God provides and guides them. Jesus warns, "It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." (Luke 17: 1-3) I believe for this very reason, Paul, as a Minister of Righteousness, by the power of the Holy Spirit, rebuked Peter, "because he was to be blamed. For before that certain [Peter] came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled [acted hypocritically] likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation." (Gal. 2: 11-13) Call it peer pressure or dual-mindedness; Peter had been given the revelation of nothing being unclean that God called clean! But he was resorting back to religious traditions, and they have been done away with in Christ "the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Heb. 8: 6)
     These "better promises" are what Ministers of Righteousness live by. Since the Cross of Christ is what the earlier promises pointed toward, we, who are on this side of the Cross have obtained what those earlier saints died in faith looking toward. (See Heb. 11: 13, 39-40.) Peter, so often restored to rightness with God, writes of "these exceeding great and precious promises," and says of himself, "Simon Peter, a servant ... of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ...." (2 Pet. 1:1) I stress the servanthood of Peter and common faith that has been given to us all by the generosity of God. This is akin to the servant in the field spoken of earlier.
     Peter goes on to list the provisions and rightful expectations of God: "According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Pet. 1: 3-4) Again, this is like the servant in the field who has been given security and delivered from poverty. Speaking "to them that have obtained like precious faith," Peter warns of the need to be prepared for the day of the Lord, in which all this corruption "shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness...?" (2 Pet. 3: 11) That "conversation" is a lifestyle that is purged of the lustful corruption and resembles the One Who has made you clean. It comes from repenting of our ways and abiding in Him, submitting ourselves to Him, and resisting the temptation to run our own lives, while trying to establish our own righteousness (which is a work of iniquity that refuses the Provision of God, which is Christ Jesus). This rejection would make our calling and election unsure, so we have the warning: "brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall...." (2 Pet. 1: 10)
     What are the things we are to do? They are not works of our flesh, or keeping of religious observances, or even things we do for God. They are fruits of Him Who has produced within us the very nature of His being. We may call them "fruits of the Spirit" such as, "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Gal. 5: 22-23) Peter lists such things as: "giving all diligence, add to you faith virtue; ... knowledge;... temperance; ... patience; ... godliness; ... brotherly kindness; ... charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 1: 5-8) These are works of God, that in spite of the opposition to us in this world, He produces through us. They are not the things we boast of, it is Him Whom we boast of!
     On the day of judgment, will we recognize that all the good we have done, has been a work of Him in us? Will we declare that apart from Him we are mere men, unprofitable servants who could not produce one fruit of Righteousness? There are lots of fruits that are pleasing to the eye, but I believe this is the one fruit the Lord is looking for in us: "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of Righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1: 9-11)
     Many people can be sincere, without the intimate knowledge of this Righteousness. Peter was sincere, when he tried to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem, yet sincerely wrong. Those referred to in Matthew 7: 20-23 did not have this knowledge, at least according to the testimony of their lips: "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast our devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?" (Matt. 7: 22) This "testimony" or boast of what we have done reveals our rejection of what He has given. It would be like the servant who worked in the field, rather than being thankful, declaring what the master owed him!
     So, in summation, not conclusion, we should be like the servant who was working in the field, the prodigal son who returned home, and a wise steward pertaining to things of the Kingdom of God. Jesus, always our best example, known as the Suffering Servant, after he had washed the disciples feet, said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13: 14-15) Though He would now call us sons, and not servants, should we not see that as sons, we have even more responsibility to serve? The prodigal son received the intimate knowledge of his father's love. It delivered him from his fears, created a thankfulness that was lacking in the stay-at-home son, and empowered him to be like his father. If all that I have, has been bestowed upon me, why then would I fear losing any of it? I believe this word on Ministers Of Righteousness is inexhaustible. It is a growing vine that keeps producing good fruit, "the peaceable fruit of Righteousness." (Heb. 12:11)
     While being shown this understanding, there has been another word going along with it, called "Reflections Of Light" (which will come out in another letter). I have been in and out of both topics, so much of it overlaps. Jesus said, "He that has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14: 9) I pray that we all grow in the knowledge of His love and bear the fruit that resembles the root, His Righteousness, for He is The Lord Our Righteousness!

With much love, Joe (with Mercy)
Late note: regarding the Servant being the most blessed one of all, we continue to have encounters with others who feel blessed by what the Lord would have us do with them, yet we are the most blessed by Him through them. Keep in mind, others can be blessed by God through you, but as a grateful servant, you, in your security of His love, are blessed of all. The expression, "you can't out-give God" is not meant to be a moneymaking scheme in which you prime God's pump so you can get more; it reveals how lavish God is toward you, who could not repay His generosity. The Prodigal son could never repay the kindness of his father, but he can express his deep gratitude toward others; like the man who was forgiven a great debt, should forgive others their minor debts to him; like the servant in the field who comes in and graciously makes supper for his master. His master far out-serves the servant, providing a place of safety that the servant would not have had without the master. More greatly has God served us than we could ever reciprocate.
     A recent encounter might clarify all this. We went and helped a woman move furniture and stuff into a POD. She expressed how blessed she was that people from Florida on vacation would take their time to help her. Her husband committed suicide after a new doctor took him off heavy medication (cold turkey). She has to move from her home of 30+ years. She has no job. Yet, during her bouts of tears, she has this testimony, a reflection of God's keeping power. She has a "Peace" from God that has her in a place of rest, not fearing what's ahead. She is a Servant of the Lord, and as much as He has been revealing to me about these very same things, her reflection of His love is evident as she "shows forth the praises of Him Who has called her out of darkness." This is not just a verbal thing, but a joy of the Lord that reflects His glory in the valleys. Her testimony "shames" me in comparison to my weakness, yet it is a provision of God that encourages me concerning all His Word. He IS Faithful!