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Thursday, May 8,
2008
Effectual
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for effectual:
1754
energeo-
1) to be operative, be at work, put forth
power; to work for one, to aid one
2) to effect
3) to display one's activity, to show
oneself operative
What I enjoy about watching certain
personalities, whether an entertainer or a comedian, is their willingness
to be open and honest. I have seen some comedians whose routine is based on
their own experiences and shortcomings, basically laughing at themselves
for certain human traits that they have displayed in life. I have found
that the experiences that they share and are open too, are things that
others can relate to; something they may have done themselves. Sometimes
Christians think they have to come off as bullet proof, above reproach,
holier than thou comes to mind, rather than just being open and honest
concerning their own humanity. In this election year I am wearied by people
that are always defending themselves and putting up these false fronts
rather than opening up and being able to relate to the people. Let us
consider one another so that when we come together we can provoke unto love
and good works; and I have found this works better with some humility, not
trying to be better than everyone else but being open and honest concerning
things you have dealt with in your walk and how you learned to overcome in
those areas. I believe somewhere along the line many that become Christians
lose sight of the unique creation in Christ they are; some of those
personality traits of yours are of the Lord, something that can be refined
and not hidden away or covered up. The Lord didn’t ask you to become a
robot when you got saved, in fact He loves you for who you are; so by being
open and honest will keep your prayer life effectual, availing much.
Philemon 1:5-7 Hearing of thy love and
faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; (6)
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (7) For
we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the
saints are refreshed by thee, brother. (KJV)
Instead of always looking at the
negative, we as Christians should be focusing on the new creation in Christ
and not always being everyone else’s faultfinders. If I wish to communicate
my faith in Christ with others effectually, then it needs to be done in
love and not in an overbearing finger pointing manner. The first person you
need to learn to communicate with is God, which can only be done through
Jesus Christ so that you can come clean before Him. That takes an open
honest relationship, because many think that rather than deal with issues
of the heart they spend more time and energy trying to cover them up and
hide them. If you can learn to communicate with our Father first and
foremost, being approved of Him, then you will be able to communicate your
faith with His people. Are there areas you are struggling in or have
struggled in? By sharing your experience you may just find your answer with
someone else who is or has dealt with these same issues. Or maybe by your
open and honest approach to those hidden things, by confessing your own
faults and shortcoming, it may just provide the answer for someone else in
need.
Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted
by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in
the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love. (KJV)
When working on cars these days they do a
diagnostic check of the engine to make sure everything is working properly.
If one part of the engine is out of sync and not working right it can
affect the engines performance as a whole. The same holds true with the
body of Christ; the Lord sees the hidden things of darkness within the
heart and shows us how to make the adjustments so that there won’t be a
breakdown. But if it is ignored and not dealt with properly then it
eventually can lead to a breakdown. If you have ever been around mechanics
they often share their own experiences they have had with vehicles, some
good ones and some bad ones, and some just plain hilarious. The more people
can be open and honest with their relationship with the Father, the more
effectual they will become and learn how to edify themselves, maintaining
their own relationship with their heavenly Father.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we
have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (KJV)
How are you representing yourself; are
you a manifestation of truth to every man as well as in the sight of God
who looks not at the outward but the inward motives? Have you renounced
hidden things that offend our Father, things that most of mankind may never
be aware of but are things that do not please our Lord? If you have been
open and honest with our Lord then you will come off open and honest to His
people. But if you haven’t been honest and up front then whatever area you
have been overcome by that same thing will keep you in bondage and you
won’t be very effective in your communication of faith. I have seen enough
plastic people, those in leadership roles who put up these false fronts,
these holier than thou attitudes thinking they are God’s gift to mankind
rather than being a representation of who truly is that gift to mankind,
Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (13) There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)
Maybe the way of escape that the Lord is
providing for someone suffering and struggling in an area is your willingness
to be open and honest in sharing some hidden thing you have dealt with
yourself. By letting them know that it happened to you, it may just be the
liberty they needed to hear for themselves and enables them to open up as
well. Have you ever had a situation happen to you that you thought was
crazy, no one else has ever done this or experienced this, only to find out
someone else actually had dealt with this same thing and found the way of
escape they needed to be able to escape the bondage? Thus the word common.
Thayer’s definition for common:
442
anthropinos- human; applied to things belonging to men
This is what is called confessing faults,
praying for one another, providing an effectual result to set one free, that
being with truth and honesty. Many struggle with things and are confused,
especially when the devil tries to tell them that they are nuts and no one
else has ever dealt with something like that. But the truth be known
Church, is that there is nothing new under the sun, and there is nothing
you have or are dealing with that hasn’t been dealt with before, a common
occurrence to us humans.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins
shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
(KJV)
By trying to hide things from God you are
in turn hiding them from the brethren, because by not letting the truth set
you free by being honest with our Lord you will not be of much effect when
around His people. Instead of building up others and edifying them, being
able to share the victory we have in Christ, you end up being more of a
burden than an asset.
Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and
my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in
him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a
refuge for us. Selah. (KJV)
Do you truly trust in the Lord at all
times; do you wish to be closer to Him and effectual? If you desire Him to
draw near to you then He asks that you draw nigh unto Him first. If you
truly trust the Lord then you will open up to Him. Why not pour out your
heart unto Him? After all He already sees what your true motives are. The
truth will set you free; so by being truthful with our Lord you will be
free indeed.
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