A Simple Question

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" Acts 10:34

"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8

I ask a simple question of people, whether friend, acquaintance, those of whom I chat with in the Christian forums or other communications with those of the Christian faith. It is simple and straightforward — and the answer speaks volumes of a person’s understanding of their faith. What is that question? Again it is very simple, "do you believe that we can walk as Enoch, Elijah or even as Paul did?"

You would be surprised at the many different answers you will get to that question, but it really only comes to two responses. That is yes, and then no. But what is the telling point in the answers are the ways in which each person gets to their response. Some will use scripture, others logic and some will simply answer without a real grasp of why they believe what they believe.

Some Say No

Actually, and sad to my way of thinking, most will say no. They will point out many different reasons for this, but mostly that we are sinners and can not reach a place of sanctity in our walk that these men did. When you throw in the fact that Enoch and Elijah did not even die physically, but went to heaven direct, well then you get an even more vehement response concerning the inability of man to be without sin and the corresponding reward, namely death.

Of course this negates much of scripture and definitely makes Jesus Christ’s words to be:

"…perfect even as your father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) of none effect.

How are we to be like Jesus, if being in sin, we are not like Jesus, who had no sin? This is not convoluted thinking. Enoch and Elijah walked in sinlessness and total obedience to God BEFORE Christ came and told us to do just that! Paul in his writings from Romans to Hebrews tells us over and over again that we are to be without spot or blemish.

John (the disciple called the beloved of Christ) states in:

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

There is no neutrality in that statement, it is direct and it’s meaning clear. Be like Jesus, here and now!

Some again say to me that we all have:

"fallen short of the glory of God…" as they quickly point out that it stated in the scriptures. That these are special cases, special men that had a unique anointing from God that the rest of us don’t have. But we have this statement about God, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" Acts 10:34.

This simply states that what is done for one is done for all, that we all have the same love from God, the same calling and the same reward, IF SO BE THAT WE WALK THE SAME WALK WITH CHRIST (Romans 8:17).

Some Say Yes

I find it interesting that many Christians that do say yes, you can be like these mighty men of God, are usually from so-called third world countries. They are seeing the miracles of God first hand. They risk their very lives JUST to be Christian in their countries, and this tends to make their faith very real and dynamic. They don’t quibble over scripture, doctrines and dogma, the many ologies and isms have no sway in their beliefs.

God is again, dynamic and real to them and they aspire to be obedient to every tenet of faith, every unction of God. They tend not to see the glass as half empty, but rather overflowing with not only possibilities, but the surety that not only is God a god of the miraculous, but that their lives should be one of miracles also.

So to be like these men of God is not something that is unattainable, but rather to be expected in their walk with God. We can learn much from these brothers and sisters in Christ. They die everyday in faith, unwilling to deny their faith and the power from which that faith springs. How do I know this? Because I have asked this question from Indonesia, Maylasia, the Philippines, to South America, England and further abroad.

It seems where there is more persecution of the Christian faith, the stronger the Christians and deeper the understanding of what they are literally risking their lives to live. They are the Enochs and the Elijahs of today.

They are those Christians who are living lives of the miraculous everyday. And it is those who live this dynamic and very real faith that have secured their election and, like Enoch of old, it will be said of them that "they please God".

I challenge you today to study the infallible Word Of God for yourself. Come to your own understanding and your own conclusions. I always remind people that they should search the scriptures for themselves, and pray for answers from God, for themselves. Especially, when anyone brings a concept that may be a "new" thought not spoken of before or not of traditional teaching. So RIGHTLY divide the word of God. Know for yourself.

And in the end you just may find yourself living a life of the miraculous—and rubbing elbows with men like Enoch, Elijah and Paul.

For after all was it not Christ Himself who "thought it not robbery to be equal to God, but thought of Himself as of no account?" And are we not admonished to have this same mind within us? There are many scriptures that tell us to go on to perfection, to be without spot or blemish, or simply to be like Jesus. The challenge is do we believe too much, or are we living a life in which we believe too little?

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace. May the light of God's glory and presence fire the brilliance of your souls. You are greatly loved.