Blessed to Know

Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the same who has, it is given, and abundantly, but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:10‭-‬13

Jesus said this is why he spoke to the people in parables, "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." Also saying "to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it is not been given." If we know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, it has been given therefore is a gift and the boasting is not in ourselves but in the Lord. To know the mysteries of the kingdom is something given, it is a blessing.

... but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭13:13)

If someone doesn't have then it has not been given to them. But if they do not have it how can it be taken away? We have some insight into this when we read the scriptures in context. Jesus is speaking a parable about the kingdom of God called the parable of sowing.

First, we know what is being sown is the word of God and in those whom the seed takes root, there is understanding (and as we have seen this is given by God to know), and the one who understands will overcome and mature so as to bear fruit, some thirty, sixty, and some hundredfold (Mathew 13:19,21,29). To know the mysteries of the kingdom of God comes through understanding and this is a gift from God. This would be equivalent to receiving wisdom that matures one so that they bear fruit, having received the implanted word of God in meekness (James 1).

Hear then the parable of the sower! Anyone hearing the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one comes and snatches away that sown in his heart... (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:13)

They do not have because they do not hear, see, and understand. The word of God is sown in the heart but because there is no understanding (it has not been given to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom) it is hard ground. Thus Jesus spoke in parables because only to those whom it had been given would they have understanding. The seed is sown, but the evil one like a bird comes and snatches it away, thus what they had been given, the seed of the word of God, is taken away.

... Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not been given. For to the same who has, it is given, and abundantly,...

To those who have understanding, it is given and they will be given more, abundantly. But to those who do not have what they had (the seed that would produce growth) is taken away.

Now, I believe in election by grace, but whether we are Calvinists or Armenian in our views doesn't really matter, you were chosen by God. He has blessed you with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies... and chose you to make known to you the mysteries of his will (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11, 17-18).

All has been given to us for life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus. Understanding is not a one-time receiving, we are given and given more through the knowledge of him. Thus we continuously receive through a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing more of Him, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of him.

... but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away...

If we sow the word and they do not believe or have understanding, the seed is not planted, it is taken away. We might reason at least we planted a seed so the next person that comes along will water or nourish it but that is not what Jesus said in this case, it is snatched away, and what they had is taken away. Maybe the next person or your next sowing God will give understanding. The first case in the parable of sowing, where the seed falls on hard soil and is snatched away, obviously can be applied to unbelievers.

But I believe each applies to a believer. Just today God said he would bless me through a message (which I have learned means he wants to bless me with understanding, the kind of wisdom that matures) and as I was listening all of a sudden this thought entered my mind and distracted me. I quickly realized it was the devil trying to snatch away the seed and keep it from being planted in my heart so that I would miss the blessing. Of course, God is faithful to his children, as I have learned he will sow that seed again so it does get planted, but it is also obvious the devil wants to steal it.

but blessed are your eyes because you see and your ears because you hear. I tell you the truth many prophets and righteous people longed to see that which you see but did not see them and hear which you hear and did not hear them (Mathew 13:16-17)

God has blessed us with so many spiritual blessings in Christ and he continues to open our eyes and bless us in wisdom and understanding of the spiritual things of God. We are blessed to see and hear these things, God has chosen us to make known the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The word sown is like a tiny mustard seed, when planted and rooted, it grows to maturity becoming the largest garden plant. It is a mature seed producing tree. And the birds sit on its branches, which is quite the contrast from birds snatching the seed away.

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world" (Mathew 13:34-35)

Blessed are those who see and hear and understand, for to "you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," that "hidden in God since the foundation of the world." Blessed are you to know and understand, what a precious gift has been given to you.

The Crucible

" The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies ." 1 He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. The definition of zeal is great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. It is this time, to arouse zeal, shout, raise a war cry! As Paul writes, " In diligence not lagging in spirit being fervent serving the Lord ." 2 Our energy comes in the bond of brotherhood, formed in the crucible of combat. A crucible is place of severe test or trial, it is derived from Latin crucibulum ("night-lamp, metallurgic melting-pot"), and is a derivative of crux ("cross"). 3 The Bible speaks of the crucible of the cross for Jesus and for those who follow Him. The purpose of a soldier is two-fold; to accomplish the mission and to care for one another, as commanded. Each soldier has a role to play on a team. Without knowin...

One Grace

" moreover, One, to each of us has been given Grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ ." 1 Grace is a founding principle of Christianity. It is by Grace we grow into the fullness of Christ through faith; " to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. " 2 Without Grace we will never reach this fullness. The weakness in the Law was it attempted to do it in the flesh, and people failed over and over, so God in His infinite wisdom, unveiled this mystery, through faith in Christ we have grace to boldly approach His throne of Grace, to receive grace and mercy as needed! This gift of Grace is properly understood by examining this verse in three parts; moreover, One Grace, to each of us has been given, according to the measure of the gift of Christ . First, we understand, One grace, it is easy to miss the One, and this verse is translated in different ways, I believe it says One Grace and i...

Word Of Life

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. " 1 Jesus is the Word, He was in the beginning with God. 2 All things were made through Him. He is the Word and Light of men, the way, the path, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 4 Thus we can say as the Psalmist, Jesus, the Word, is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path. 5 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." 6 Concerning the Word of Life, " the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life ," Proclaimed, that our joy may be complete, a glory like that in the beginning, fellowship with the Father, with one another, and with his Son Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot...

Those He Calls He Equips

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen . Hebrews 13:20-21 When God calls us he equips us, the God of Peace, the one who brought us from the dead by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, will equip you so to do his will. So in this concept of being equipped, we see the calling being irrevocable. "For it is God who works in you to Will and to act on behalf of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 God called you, he's working in you equipping you to work on behalf of his good pleasure. "So that the man of God may be complete fully equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17 . In Hebrews 12 we read God disciplines those he loves, so that we share in his holy character, as the scriptures...

Truth All Around You

Stand then girding your loins in truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness. * How can a soldier stand in battle if he has not been prepared, trained? How can a house stand if it has been built on sand? How can we stand against spiritual forces if we have not been prepared? Our battle is not against flesh and blood so in regards to such, what good is armor to a child or how can one stained with dirty clothes stand with a defiled conscious? To stand one must be prepared, be his workmanship, someone prepared beforehand to do battle. For this purpose you begin girding your loins in truth, putting on truth, wrapping truth all around you. ... girding your loins in truth... * The word girding is perizōnnymi (from peri "about, around" and zōnnymi "put on") meaning around about put on. Often gird your loins with truth is translated as putting on a belt. Surely we can say truth holds on the garments and confidence in truth is important in standing. I like th...

Hypocrisy and Self-righteousness

“ Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you ” Matthew 7:1–2 In Mathew 7 Jesus is speaking out against hypocrisy, he coins the term, it is exposed as a very serious sin. Because of their hypocrisy these religious leaders were leading his people astray. Today it is the same, it is a top reason why people do not attend a church. Of course we blame the sinner and hear cute little sayings like, come join us you will fit right in... which makes light of the situation. On a more serious note, Jesus gives seven woes to the Pharisees, he even warns them of hell fire and damnation, for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Hypocrisy is basically pretending to be something you are not, it is not to be confused with our imperfection. Our righteousness is found in Christ alone, not in self. Hypocrisy and self righteousness is usually seen by others when we in our own righteousn...

Formed Into The Same Image

because those he foreknew also he predestined, to form to the image of His Son, to the extent He exists the firstborn of many brethren . * The word for form in this verse is σύμμορφος ( symmorphos ) from sym "same, with, or together" and morphos "form or shape." We are being formed, shaped into the same image as Christ. This word has the same root word morphos as in transformed, μεταμορφόω ( metamorphos ) from meta "among, with, after" and morphos "form or shape." Into the same form as Christ we are predestined. Adam was a living soul, but Christ was a life giving Spirit. Adam was formed in the image of God but that image was corrupted. In Christ we are formed a new, so that image is being restored. To be a Christian is more than just doing good works, more than just going to heaven, we are called to be formed into an image after Christ, Christ like. who will transfigure our lowly bodies into the same form as his glorious body, according t...

Feed On Me

"Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me." 1 This "living" Jesus speaks of is eternal or everlasting Life but what does this mean? Is this life an after life in heaven as traditionally taught or something we begin to experience here on earth? We read that Life is in knowing, a personal experience, " this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent ." 2 We receive the Spirit of life when we first believed, but the true disciple of Christ is known by abiding, these have learned that Life is in eating the bread of Life and drinking living water. Life is in Christ, all else has become as rubbish but to know Christ, and the Life he gives, "so also the one who feeds on Me will live." "So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. and you will know the truth, ...

Kiss the Son

Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel, together against Yahweh and against his anointed. Break apart their bands and cast away their cords. He who sits in the heavens laughs, Yahweh scoffs. Then shall he speak unto them with anger, fury, and dismay. I established my King upon Zion, My Holy Hill. I will declare the decree of Yahweh who said, you are my son, you I have this day begotten. Ask concerning, I will establish nations your inheritance Your possession the uttermost parts of the earth. You shall afflict them with a staff of iron on a potter's vessel dashed to pieces. Now, O, kings be wise, be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, because brutish is his wrath. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him. 1

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