God's Word

Mk 11:12-14; 20-21

There two lessons in this passage - to have faith, but also that God expects fruitfulness. How disappointing when a fruit tree fails to grow or to bear fruit! God has planted the seed of the gospel in our lives. And the question we should be asking ourselves is: How can I guarantee that I will grow in God? How can I make sure that I will last the distance? And not join the huge number of Christians who have - for various reasons - backslidden, fallen away, and suffered shipwreck in their faith. How can I keep my faith strong, and run the race to the end?

Mat 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

2 Pet 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

It's our responsibility to make our call and election sure.

The Word of God

I want to ask a couple of questions:

What will the Word of God do for me?

1. God's Word teaches me the difference between soul and spirit.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jesus said something similar: John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Now how important is it to know the difference between soul and spirit?

Let me refresh your memory:

*Your spirit and your soul aren't the same.

*Your soul is the part of you that makes you conscious of self.

*It has three important faculties - mind, will and emotions.

*Your spirit is the part of you that makes you God-conscious.

*It also has three important faculties - conscience, intuition and communion.

What comes from our soul, comes from ourselves - but it's our spirit that hears from God. That makes it important for us to know the difference. Because the difference is usually a matter of what we want to happen as opposed to what God wants to happen.

It's the difference between our will and God's will.

God's Word helps us discern this difference by clearly answering questions such as:

*Should I marry or form a business partnership with a non-Christian?

*Is it okay to have sex outside of marriage, or with the person I'm planning to marry?

*Does it matter if I get involved in pornography?

*Should I gossip/lie or spread rumours?

*Is it okay if I stop going to church?

...And a lot more.

Many Christians I've known over the years have failed to discern God's will on these and similar issues - but God's Word cuts away all pretence like a two-edged sword, and gives clear answers to the questions.