Greetings again my Brethren. This month we will start to look at a new area of the LORD’s call, His “knocking” throughout the Scriptures. Before I start let me explain something that many people seem to be confused with, and that is the word “LORD” and “Lord” in the Scriptures. When we read the word “LORD we are talking about Adonai, the owner, ruler, master of all men and as we are God’s total possession and He the creator of all things where as the word “Lord” (little letters) refers to Jesus Christ as owner master teacher the savoir of the world. The words are not interchangeable due the gravity of the meaning applied. I hope this helps.
Now let us get into the knocking of the LORD not the Lord. There are six such passages in the scriptures and we will tackle two maybe three to help us understand the importance of the LORD knocking in our lives. We will start in the Book of Hebrews. The writer says, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God isquick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ (Hebrews 4:10-12) Did you get that, “let us labor therefore to enter in that rest.” Now the word “labor” (Strong’s G#4704) to give diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavor, labour, study. There is work and study we must do to be able to enter into the rest of God, but most of all we must “cease” from our own labor. We will labor this is God’s idea, but whether we labor in our own self strength or labor in the strength of God depends on us. This is the point the writer (I believe to be Paul) is making. How easy is this to cease? If you say easy then you and I both know you are lying. We cannot do it on our own, but if we can hear “the word” of God, if we can hear (not read the written word) God knocking on the door of our heart then we will be able to at least have a beginning of an ability if we move with the Spirit to cease from our own labor. We do not have the strength God must give us the strength as we hear Him knock we gain the strength. Verse 12 tells us the ability and power “the word” has in our lives, “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” What else do we need? The ability to enter into the rest of God is found in our ability to come to a rest of our labors. The next verses I would like to look at are found in 1 Corinthians and the second form of knocking on our heart door is by “the Spirit.” Paul writes to the Church of Corinth, “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judge of fall:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” (1 Corinthians 14:22-25) All that we do in God must be by the Spirit, but here Paul was correcting the Church at Corinth from misusing the gift of speaking in tongues (not tongue) in a church service. Now it is true there is nothing new under the sun, this practice continues today I believe so that mature Christians can show off their Spiritual prowess. Notice verse 13, “ And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest;” It is the secret workings of the spirit that reveal the truth of the Spirit of God to us. In all we say, do, and teach we must get to the Spirit level. If we do not get or give things by the Spirit then we and others will never get the things of God. This is what Paul was saying we must do things by the Spirit and in a way that people will understand them. When the Spirit knocks on our heart we will know it. A word on “tongues” and “tongue” from the Spiritual prospective. These two words are often alike in thought, but confused and misapplied in application. When we read the word “tongues” in Scriptures it can mean a given language learned or it can refer to the supernatural ability, by the Spirit, to be able to speak a language where you have no learned ability, or to prophesy, or explain the unknown language. Some Pentecostal denominations also believe there is a heavenly prayer language spoken known only by God. For example: “Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” (Acts 2:11-13) Now “tongue” is the same in speaking a given language or speaking an unknown tongue. (only in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 9, 13, 14, 19, and 27)
Next month we will continue to look at more of God’s knocking. Do you hear Him calling? Please know God is calling. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have you built God a temple? If you do He will abide and wait for you. Written by David Stahl
