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“ Perception”– Part 2

 

Welcome back everyone.  In today’s topic we’re going to continue the study on perception.  This will be part two of the topic.

 

As a recap, last week, we began to cover various aspects of spiritual perception versus carnal perception.  This week I pray the Lord uses me to convey to you, some of the concepts and doctrine that are involved with spiritual perception.

 

Last week we saw that to have the mind of Christ or the mind of God the Father, we must have the same perception.  With that perception, we can then start to understand the sovereignty of God.  I truly believe one of the hardest things we have to do in the flesh after being given the ability for sin to no longer have dominion over us, is to exercise our faith in the sovereignty of God; therefore, death of the flesh is happening to us.

 

Hearing versus Spiritual Hearing

 

With that in mind, I want to use several examples of how this is shown in the Scripture and also how this is lived out in us by the Word being in us.

 

(Rom 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(Rom 10:18)  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

(Rom 10:19)  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

(Rom 10:20)  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

(Rom 10:21)  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

 

These particular verses are an absolute gem to those that can understand, have the wisdom and knowledge, and can perceive what is being said.  What I will share with you is of course not a complete death or with these verses; yet, I can share with you, what I have been given.

 

Last week I called Mike on Skype, and as I was trying to Skype him, he was speaking Dave Rogers. So, we all three got on the Skype conference and Mike proceeded to share with me, what Dave just shared with him. What Dave shared with Mike was Isa 43:7, and also verse 10.  So, before I go into Rom 10:17 to 21, I want to share Isa 43 with you all.

 

(Isa 43:7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

(Isa 43:8)  Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

(Isa 43:9)  Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

(Isa 43:10)  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

 

Again, the two verse’s Dave was sharing with Mike were verse seven in verse 10, but after I read the section, I was given even more that was contained in these Scriptures and it just so happened to tie into this study.  What Dave was pointing out was, if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, you will see that verse seven and verse 10 are speaking about Christ.  Of course, if speaking about Christ, it is also speaking about his body the Christ.

 

In verse eight, says “bring forth the blind people that have eyes and the deaf that have ears”. The blind that have eyes in the deaths that have ears, what is that about?  In verse nine, it says all the nations be gathered together.  Who among them can declare this and show us former things? The Scripture teaches us:

 

(Ecc 1:9)  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

(Ecc 1:10)  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

(Ecc 1:11) There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

 

And, the Scripture also teaches us:

 

(2Co 5:17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

And Isa 43:10, clears this up for us:

 

(Isa 43:10)  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

 

It really is all about Christ and the Christ. What’s amazing is the same word in no hear in verse 10 is “yada”. Clearly we can see that this verse saying that we will know as God knows. As we saw last week, in Genesis, God knew and then he goes on to say Adam and Eve will know which is a type and shadow of us.  Now, how does this relate to Rom 10?  Well, let’s see what the Lord will reveal to us today.

 

(Rom 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(Rom 10:18)  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

(Rom 10:19)  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

 

Amazingly, in verse 19, the word translated as no hear is G1097, “ginoako.” So, we have a common thread spreading throughout the Scriptures that point to just how important perception is, but more than that home port having the proper perception is.  Having the proper perception is the difference between being in the first or second resurrection.  It is the difference of being called and chosen verses being called, chosen and faithful.  It is so important, it is the difference between being what the Scripture refers to as  Carnally minded verse spiritually minded.

 

I have a few practical experiences that were given to me by the Lord that I want to share with you all that I hope will convey this idea to you all.

 

Typical day at work

 

I had a typical day at work like I usually do, and I came to a stop sign up the road.  There was a pickup truck in front of me, and a pickup truck took a left which happened to be the same way I was going.  Well, I was fumbling around getting my phone out of the seat beside me, so the pickup truck had a little bit of distance it gained as it started driving down the road.  As I saw that truck off in the distance, the thought came in my mind about how we had just been at the same point on the road, yet with a little bit of time the pickup truck had gained a lot of ground. Now keep in mind this was only seconds, but it was enough time for him to get significantly down the road from me.

 

As I turned to go the same direction, for whatever reason, I started to think about the driver of that vehicle and myself and what must be the vast differences in the experiences we have, though we’re on the same road.  What next came to my mind, was that although our experiences were vastly different, the most important difference about the person in the pickup truck versus myself and what I know the Lord has done with me, is my perception of those experiences.

 

One perception is fleshly and the other is spiritual, but these are both in me and the fleshly is constantly being killed, Lord willing.  The Scripture reveals this like this:

 

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

(Rom 8:3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Rom 8:4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:5)  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 8:6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

 

My brothers and sisters listen to what we are being told.  Having the mind of Christ means being spiritually minded, which in turn means that we need to walk after the spirit.  There is a war going on between our flesh and are spirit, that we must be diligent in all we seeking what the Lord is doing what his mind is saying,  versus our flesh wanting to say, “What would you have ME DO  Lord?” Of course we all do this as we begin our walk, but we must go on past these things.  It is all the Lord.  If anything is being done it is the Lord doing it, and that is why we must say, “Lord, what is your mind on this?”  What should my perception be?  Give it to me, Lord, I pray.

 

Perception of events

 

In my recent days my daughter just turned three years old. My wife does not believe like me at all, so of course she practices holidays including birthdays and birthday parties. It is fine, because that is where the Lord has her.  However, as you can imagine.  There is a major battle going on spiritually with both her and I and what the Lord is doing in us both. I esteem all days alike, while she esteems one day above another.  I joy at rising yet one more day to serve the Lord, while she takes joy in having a special day come around again, namely my daughter’s birthday.

 

As she and I have discussed this topic many – many times, she frequently tells me that it is either have changed and now her, and I say, “Thank you Lord, amen to that,” that I have been changed. My response to her is, “It’s not that I seek to change your life, but it is that I seek to lose mine.”  Of course this is foolishness to the natural man.

 

(1Co 2:11)  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

 

(1Co 2:16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

At 1 Co 2:11 the two words “knoweth” here are the greek word “eido”, but the Greek word translated as “known” in verse 16 is “ginoako”. There is an intimate knowledge, wisdom and understanding with perceiving the mind of Christ. This is what we must seek.

 

(Php 2:1)  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

(Php 2:2)  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

(Php 2:3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

(Php 2:4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

(Php 2:5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(Php 2:6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(Php 2:7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(Php 2:8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

These passages are beautiful.  If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, in verse five it says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Wow!  But this mind being the which was also in Christ Jesus, the same Christ Jesus, who thought it not robbery to be equal with God. The mind, and the thought, or intimately combined in these verses, and the thought combined is the mind we had says we are equal with God.  How can that be?  How can we be equal with God?  It is because we have the same mind! Our perception of what God is doing in his kingdom is exactly the same and we are to have that mind.

 

Verse seven and eight go on to tell us, that with this mind, we are to make our self of no reputation and be formed as servants humbling ourselves to be obedient to death!  A men!  We are to walk after the Spirit; we are to have the same mind and perception, so that we do not fulfill the lusts of this flesh.

 

I want to point something out here that as I was creating these study notes just came to me. That is, when a servant of a kingdom, an ambassador of a kingdom goes to another country, he usually is adorned and representative of the King of the kingdom he is coming to be an ambassador for. In other words, the gold that I am wearing as the servant of God is not my gold, and is not representative of me and my wealth, but it is representative of gold and wealth of my King. The gold I am adorning, Lord willing, is the word of God: therefore, the word of God makes me an ambassador for Christ.  If it is my gold, or my interpretation of the word of God, I am at that point not an ambassador for Christ…. I am in effect adding to or taking away from the word of God.  The only way to avoid this is to have the same mind, the same perception as the mind of God the Father. Is this not what Christ himself said and taught all throughout his ministry while walking on the earth?

 

(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 

(Joh 5:30) I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

 

And how are we to be as Christ, as his ambassador, in this world?

 

(Jer 49:14)  I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.  This is

(Oba 1:1)  The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battl e.

(Oba 1:2)  Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.

 

(Eph 6:18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

(Eph 6:19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

(Eph 6:20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

(1Jn 4:17)  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

 

And what exactly is this love that is made perfect?

 

(1Jn 5:2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

(1Jn 5:3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

Is it all starting to make more sense now?  Can you see and perceive just how precious the mind of Christ is? As most of us understand, and as Paul clearly wrote about, the trials and tribulations that we were put under are not to even be compared to the great honor we have been given by our Lord, which is to be the Christ, who shows mercy on all others because we’ve been shown mercy.

 

(Rom 8:16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

(Rom 8:17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(Rom 8:18)  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 

I’m here to witness to you that the glory which shall be revealed in us is started now and that glory is having the same mind and perception as Christ, among other things.

 

(Heb 5:14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

(Heb 8:10)  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

 

Hallelujah!

 

Conclusion

 

In closing, I hope I have been used of the Lord to convey just how important it is the Lord that we have His mind. Having the mind of Christ is to be equal with God in the sense that everything we do,  are tried with, and experience all point back to the sovereignty of God.  As Christ is in this world, so are we.  Being created as a new  creature is what will come about for all of mankind God is all in all.  For now, and this present age, God’s chosen people have a special- purpose.  I believe Isa 43, verse one through 12, convey this:

 

(Isa 43:1)  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

 

(Isa 43:2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 

(Isa 43:3)  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

 

(Isa 43:4)  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

 

(Isa 43:5)  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

 

(Isa 43:6)  I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

 

(Isa 43:7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

 

(Isa 43:8)  Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

 

(Isa 43:9)  Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

 

(Isa 43:10)  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

 

(Isa 43:11)  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

 

(Isa 43:12)  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.