A WORD IN SEASON TO THE WEARY
🌷🌷🌷 August 31🌷🌷🌷
“..thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name” (Isaiah 62:2).
In several cases the Lord gave a new name to His saints. In Matthew 16:18 we read how Simon was given a new name by the Lord Jesus: henceforth he was to be called Peter, “a rock”. The Lord Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Simon answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This had not been revealed to him by flesh and blood, but by the Father Who is in heaven. From that day Simon’s name was changed to Peter. It is on this revelation concerning Christ that the Church is built. This is why the Lord Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. If you have an inward revelation of Christ in your heart, it is not of human origin. It is from heaven. If you have it, then a new name is given to you, and the powers of hell shall not prevail against you. If you are under man-made customs and rituals it will cause spiritual blindness, confusion and strife. But true believers who are ready to give up all things which are human and earthly and corrupt, and who are seeking earnestly things which are spiritual, heavenly and eternal, they are the true Church, and their life is based on the revelation by the Spirit of the Father and the Son and they cannot be shaken. (Luke 10:22) Saul the Pharisee saw a light from heaven, heard the voice of the Lord and was saved. From that day he became a new man. He later went to Antioch and as he ministered God’s word there, he himself came to understand God’s order in the Church. From that time he began his great missionary journeys. Saul had many talents of ministry, yet he willingly came under subjection to the Lord in the church order at Antioch. Then a new revelation was given to him of God’s purpose and order in the Church. He was also given a new name, Saul (a destroyer) became Paul. He did not live for himself, but spent himself for the Church
Have you learned how to come under subjection in the church? Take one common example. How many parents have ruined the lives of their children in respect of marriage: instead of bringing the matter to the church for prayer, they thought they could plan quite well themselves. Beloved, you have the privilege of receiving the love, fellowship and prayer help of the church. Do not treat it lightly. When you have learned the meaning and value of subjection in the church, not only in this but in other matters as well, you will no longer be a destroyer, but a worker in the House of God, like Paul.
