The Increase of Christ

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Note from the Recovery Version: The increase in this verse is the bride in v. 29, and the bride there is a living composition of all the regenerated people. This means, in this chapter on regeneration, that regeneration not only brings the divine life into the believers and annuls the satanic nature in their flesh, but it also makes them the corporate bride for Christ's increase. The last two points, the annulling of the serpentine nature in the believers and the believers' being made the bride of Christ, are fully developed in John's Revelation. The book of Revelation reveals mainly how Satan as the old serpent will be fully eliminated (Rev. 20:2, 10) and how Christ's bride, the New Jerusalem, will be fully produced (Rev. 21:2, 10-27).

Acts 2: 47 Praising God and having grace with all the people. And the Lord added together day by day those who were being saved.16:5 And so the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.

Fruit bearing is one of the matters of concern as far as my service in the Lord is concerned. Which means, there must be growth in Christ by growing in life inwardly and there must also be growth in number outwardly. Else there must be something wrong. And that "something" which went wrong or goes wrong is a grave concern. This is my self assessment as well as from an elderly and more matured brother. I thank the Lord for showing me where I truly stands, so that I may learn and know how to move forward from this point on. This exposition dawned on me my need for serious learning in serving the Lord. I cannot just be barren, that's not only a shame, but a disaster--a spiritual disaster. I may have reasonable and valid excuses, but I will not tolerate the barrenness. Barrenness is a symptom of death. Anything living must grow, both inwardly and outwardly.

Christ increase is not merely measured inwardly. Yes, He definitely must grow, besides, there must be increase in numbers of saved believers, the bride. The increase of Christ is the increase of the bride; the increase of the bride is the increase of the believers in numbers of the regenerated believers. This word of the Lord is backed with testimonies of the early church. "The Lord added together day by day those who were being saved" and "increased in number daily." This is the real increase of Christ. This must be my experience too. Nothing less is acceptable and must not be tolerated.

The message for me and the church I am in is this only, "the increase of Christ." All lame excuses for not increasing according to the word is lifeless. My prayer and the church's prayer has henceforth been for the increase of Christ. All that hinders the increase of Christ must be diagnosed and remedied. Thank God, these days I am in this process and the saints too. May the Lord heal and gain His increase for His testimony.

The increase of Christ is the increase in numbers, which is the increase of the church. Where there is an increase of Christ, there will be the increase of the church in numbers as well. Though all increases in numbers may not necessarily be the increase of Christ, but the increase of Christ must necessarily lead to the increase in numbers. One should not be so spiritual as to focus only on the inward increase of Christ without the outward increase in number. The more the increase in Christ inwardly, there more there will be the increase in numbers outwardly. For when one grows in Christ, he will be burdened to preach the gospel and bring people to salvation. Furthermore, he will shepherd, buildup and perfect the new ones to be the increase of Christ as the bride, the church. This is a normal and proper condition of a Christian life in a normal church life, and this is the fruit-bearing in John 15:4-5, 7-8. 

The outward tangible way of measuring the increase of Christ is the number of the saints in the meeting. Quality comes out of quantity. Without quantity, there can be no quality. It is mere folly to pride on quality when there is no quantum of quantity.

Lord, save me from mere spirituality. My need is the increase of Christ in quality as much as in quantity.

Religiosity and Generality

When I was much younger I deeply regarded the religious people reckoning them to be of God. Later, when I was saved, my focus was shifted strongly to spirituality as I reckoned spirituality to be much above religiosity. And as I began to grow more, my spiritual discernment and understanding grew a bit more, and I treasure the building up in the Body of Christ corporately than any mere individualistic spirituality. Still my past background perhaps, might have imbibed in me a scent of religiosity that I probably am not aware of. So the Body exposes me.

It was again an elderly brother whom the Lord used to expose me of my unseen being, at least, to myself. He said I am religious in that I only trusted in God for God to do things. His point was that I should exercise the spiritual gifts of carrying things out without just leaving all for God to do. He further said emphatically that I should cast out demons, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and even raise the death! I got the spiritual significance of the Lord's speaking. In fact, many of my works do not have spiritual effect as it should, in spite of all the labor. There must be a definite result in all the spiritual activities that I have been carrying out, especially in my shepherding of the new ones to perfect them to be pillars for the church. 

Sovereignly, the night before this incident of the Lord's speaking I was also very burdened to for three very seriously sick patients who are my relatives and friends too. One is paralyzed and had given up all medication as it did not worked. The other is a pancreas cancer patient where even the best hospitals and doctors in the country could not help and the chemotherapy did not work but worsen his health. And the last one is a wife of a friend and brother who is also a cancer patient with acute complexity. All of them have given up hope or almost given up hope on any medical treatment whatsoever, but putting their trust in the Lord. I was deeply considering and praying that Lord should heal them. And the next day, the Lord's speaking was that "I should cast out demons, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and even raise the death!" So be it Lord.

  

Besides, I was also rebuked for being too general, I must be specific. In whatever I put my hands on, there must be tangible and definite result. Else, my works be of no good to the Lord and for His move. In fact, even in my words, I have this habit of generalising things. I must be healed of this disease too. My words must be accurate and exact. Lord, grace me so.

Religiosity and generality are the two hidden diseases that the Lord diagnosed in me through the brother who spoke freely and frankly. Praise the Lord for such an oracle of God! And much more praise the Lord that the Lord loves me so much that He exposes me and takes me on a ride with Him, that he would deal with me and perfect me. 

After this experience, my only response in prayer was that the Lord would heal me of all my diseases, and make me healthy and whole to be a useful vessel unto Him. 

Not religiosity nor spirituality but to be built up in the Body! Not generality only but to be specific in all things I put my hands into! Thus, by His mercy, I may learn and learn, and be trained and perfected for the building up of His Body.

Amen, for the Lord's healing touch!                

Completion

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun in you a good work will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus; Philippians 1:6

One of the characteristics of the degraded reformed church is deadness and incompletion. But the Lord promised that what He has begun in us he will complete it. This completion is a necessity for one's growth in life and maturity even unto the bearing of manifested and remaining-abundant fruits. Else I will be a half baked cake, which is no good to man as well as to God.

When I read this verse a couple of days ago, few things transpired intrinsically. First it reminds me of an elderly brother shepherding me by way of "rebuking" in a message directed to me calling out my name, out loud in a coworker's training. Declaring literally that "I am incomplete." It was a momentary shock to me, but I took it as the Lord's speaking and asked the Lord to complete the work He has begun in me. Though painful and bleeding inside, I asked the Lord to hold my hand and lead me step by step until I finish the course assigned for me unto completion. Thank the Lord for such brother who could be the Lord's oracle today. This is what I need today, lest I be doomed in myself. Thank the Lord for the Body, for the brothers and for all circumstances.

Later, one morning when I pray-read this verse, I was so nourished and asked the Lord to complete the work He has begun in me. And also being moved by the Lord I texted it to my younger sister the same verse, whose birthday happened to be on the same day, as my wish for her birthday. And also to another elderly brother whose election for a social post fell on the same day. Later, they both thanked me for the wish. And the latter won the election he contested.

I know I am still incomplete in the sense of the Lord's working in me, growth in life and maturity. So I need the Lord's work to be completed in me. 

"He who has begun in you a good work will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." So be it, Lord! Amen.

Philadelphia, Brotherly Love!

And to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy One, the true One, the One who has the key of David, the One who opens and no one will shut, and shuts and no one opens: Revelation 3:7

The Greek word means brotherly love, composed of phileo, to have affection for, and adelphos, a brother; hence, brotherly affection, a love of delight and pleasure. In godliness, the expression of God, this love needs to be supplied for the brotherhood (1 Pet. 2:17; 3:8; Gal. 6;10), for our testimony to the world (John 13:34-35) and for the blessing of fruit (John 15;16-17). (Life-study of 2 Peter, p. 49)

As the church in Gurgaon we have been delving into the depth of the word of God, and this week particularly, on the church in Philadelphia. The truth in this portion of the word are so nourishing and rich on brotherly love. As I personally am enjoying this truth the Lord sovereignly led me into the practical experience of it.

The truth of the Word is no doctrine, the objective truth must be subjectively experienced, else it degrades into a dead doctrine. This has befallen many believers in the history of the church. But I deeply pray that history may not be repeated in its negative aspect. Sure enough, the Lord knows what I personally have been going through and even my family. Therefore, we have been graced to experience this brotherly love; not too much of others loving us or showing love to us, but us showing to others in need, especially to some very needy brothers.

A brother has been in deep trouble because of his marital issues which directly is a result of his not listening to the loving fellowship of the brothers in the church in the past and not being in the normal church life. Nevertheless, even in such "lone wolf" case of mishap, still when he is in trouble and comes for help, we sure have to forgive him and receive him as our dear brother in the Lord. This brother happens to be in my "custody" and he has no one else to physically care for him nor spiritually, apart from the church brothers. All his friends and families have kept themselves aloof from him. Whatever the case may be, he is still a brother, as he was regenerated already and what he needs most at the moment is some "nourishing mothers" and "cherishing fathers." Though I am qualified or not, and not even a choice of like or dislike, I need to shepherd him. And I take this as a blessing in disguise, sovereignly arranged by the Lord, for me to experience the "brotherly love" the normal church should possess.

With all the extra burden amidst the ongoing financial crisis all over the country, and family dependents on the rise, I have valid reasons to excuse myself. But the Lord reminded me of the brotherly love I have been trumpeting about in a normal Christian life in the normal church life. So now is the time to live it out by taking care of this brother; supply him with food, shelter and spiritual supply. In fact, with our family, he participates in the family time with the Lord, read the Bible and pray besides enjoying all the meals together as family members. At least, this itself is worth for all the physical burden; an enjoyment of brotherly love. 

I just fellowshiped with my wife and the saints in the church to pray for this brother and encouraged all to exercise and enjoy the brotherly love the Lord has been teaching us these days, not just in words, but in deeds, with the love of God.

Lord, cause us to love You and love one another more with the brotherly love You so desired.

Vice and Virtue

And I looked, and there came a storm wind from the north, a great cloud and a fire flashing incessantly; and there was a brightness around it, and from the midst of it there was something like the sight of electrum, from the midst of the fire. Ezekiel 1:4   

These days as I have been pursuing the Life-study of Ezekiel, the Lord's speaking has been very strong. This one verse itself has four precious gems that can be explained in a book. Nevertheless, to summarize, here are the four main subjective points that I have been experiencing these days.

A storm wind from the North: The visitation of the Lord by a spiritual stormy wind has always been a blessing in disguise. Often times, such visitation is painful. At the very first experience, one tends to plead the Lord for mercy and remove the "storm." Well, if the Lord has to remove it He should not have sent it at the first place. Since he sent it, it must be with a purpose. Blessed are those who discerns the Lord's stormy winds and face it, and learn from it subjectively. Such wind did visit me these days. Thank God for it.

Incidents after incidents, I have been facing brothers, saints and seekers with all kinds of spiritual lessons. Given to my natural choice, "prevention would have been better than cure." But that dictum does not apply here. I must face it and I have been facing them till these days. And meanwhile, I have been experiencing the working of Christ within me, though gradually, and bit by bit. Especially with two brothers who have been in need of shepherding both physically and spiritually too. The experiences with these two brothers have hit me hard and exposed me of who I really am, as a brother. And helps me in answering important questions: Am I a proper shepherd caring for the sheep? Do I really love them with the love of Christ? Am I willing to spend and be spent for them? Do I bear the same burden as they do? Do I mean what I minister in word and work it our in deeds?

Besides, I am also being exposed so much in my natural vices and virtues. All have to be blown away 

A great Cloud: After the Lord's stormy wind visitation he did not leave us empty and pale, instead He covers us with Himself as grace, grants us His sweet presence. This has been my experience too. His grace and presence always follows His blowing stormy wind.

A Fire flashing incessantly: Besides being blown by the stormy wind there is also a need for the fire of God to burn all that is not Christ within our being. Sinful and worldly things are condemned, and much more, the good and ethical ones too which are not Christ nor of Christ. The fire of God must burn all that is not Christ in nature nor in constitution. All the minute and secrets of the heart must also be burned away. Such is the visitation of God by fire. In my experience these days, I am experiencing this burning too. O for the grace to be burned and burned until fully sanctified! 

     

The sight of Electrum: The issue of the Lord's visiting us as the stormy wind, the covering cloud and the burning fire is the glowing electrum, in which having been wrought with the holy and divine nature of God, one begins to express God! This is the goal of the Lord's visitation.

Basically everything of vices and virtues are to be blown away and dealt with. So that Christ and Christ alone would have the preeminence in our lives, and be the living expression and representation that God so desired.  

Truth Triumphs

This is a famous phrase worldwide to emphasis the triumph of truth, righteousness and justice. This is a universal dictum that needs no explanation even in the secular field. But my point here is on the objective truths of the Bible that triumphs over all.

Not to boast, but a declaration of the fact, the Lord has indeed blessed me with the ministry of the word in this age. And by His sheer mercy I have been studying, pursuing, experiencing and enjoying the ministry of the word. To me this is one of the great heritages of the Lord's recovery today. And I am definitely blessed to be a part of the ministry of the age, and even more blessed in the grace favored upon me to introduce, announce and propagate the ministry of the word to all Christian whomever the Lord led me to. To me this is what I love to do, speaking and ministering the truth of the Bible wherever the Lord leads and opens the door.

Since I first started enjoying the ministry of the word, I have been regularly pursuing the ministry literature, and even made it an official requirement for all serving ones to enter into the truth by pursuing some ministry books before beginning the daily official duty. Thank God, normally I am enjoying about seven messages in a week: Life-study messages, present HWMR, and two more during a home meetings or group meetings. Hallelujah, what a rich feast!

Whenever I travel for the ministry of the word distribution, I enjoy the "truthspeaking" to different people, mostly Christian leaders. And every time I ministered the truth, I enjoyed the Lord's bountiful anointing; I just sensed life flowing, word ministering and Christ dispensing. This is not only my experience but the listener, my audience, too.

In all the literature trip the Lord graced me to undertake thus far, the people I talked to or ministered the ministry to, were all very receptive. They simply listened and enjoyed the ministry. After the ministering, almost all of them responded in gratitude for the profundity of the truth and revelation of the word of God. Most of them ended up paying the price to buy the ministry literature as they wanted to delve into the truth more. And most of them also ended up in inviting me for further fellowship or to minister to their congregation. If time permits and situation allows, I did my best to go and minister the ministry of the word.

Even in meeting either skeptical ones, or those with the negative mindset of false allegation, after ministering the truths, they either changed their view or commended the orthodoxy of the truth of the Bible I dearly uphold. The truths per se, even in its objective form is always triumphal.

This is an experience of "truths triumphs."

Deeply in my inmost being I thank the Lord for brother Watchman Nee and Witness Lee for recovering the ministry of the word and the ministry of the age. I am so blessed to be a part of the Lord's recovery. My prayer is that, I be preserved by His mercy in the ministry of the age all the days of my life; a pursuer and an enjoyer of the ministry of the word. Amen.

Truth indeed triumphs, even in the objective sense. 

Uttarkashi

Few months ago this town was fixed for our distribution, an utter North on the proximity of the Himalayan ranges. A couple of times I was considering to change the plan for at least few reasons: no known contact nor arrangement made, and none gave a positive response on inquiring about visiting this town. Nevertheless, as planned and prayed for we came to this town, with only one phone number. Even before we met this brother whose number we have, he met us on the market as we went out for lunch. Amazing!

Later he came to our hotel room to check us out. Initially, he was very skeptical about us as the Christians in Uttarkashi were on the guard against any indoctrination from heretic or cultic faith. Even he was very strong to not associate himself with any denomination and stated that all Christians meets in their homes and there is no building called "church." Besides, there is no full time workers as such but most of them are running schools, on teaching jobs, and serving the Lord. I was so happy to hear what he had to say, and interjected saying that "we are the same."

To clarify further on who we are, I explained the basic statement of faith we uphold, and expounded the truth concerning the Trinity with our Christian beliefs and practices. This I did to clarify his doubt about us as he was afraid that we might have been "cultic." To clarify further, I explained about the essential Trinity and also the economical Trinity which, I bet, he must have never heard of. And explained further the orthodoxy of the church, the universal and local aspects of the church. After all these "truthspeaking" he changed his view, opened up and offered help.

First, he introduced us to a Christian Principal with whose family we had a home meeting. We used the ministry literature to explain some basic truth of the Bible on the three parts of man, regeneration, and growth in life. They were so glad to receive our ministry, especially by the way we shepherded them with the truth. They invited us for dinner, ordered the ministry books, and sent us to lodge.

The next day, the former brother gave us few more contacts out of which we met two, both Principals of Christian schools. The first one gave us good feedback on the kind of Hindi translation we have produced and ordered all the books, both English and Hindi, and the other Principal was so glad to receive the riches of the truths we ministered to them on truth, life and the church. He even invited us for dinner and dropped us back to our lodge.

Overall, the Lord's leading and blessing was so marvelous. The experience we have been enjoying was like what we read of Abraham of the Old Testament, who simply followed God, not knowing. Though this is a small town comparatively, the response to the ministry of the word is amazing.

May the Lord recover His testimony in Uttarkashi!