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Learning that my peculiarities are an asset, freed me up, encouraging me to not feel pressured to truth-tell like others…

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YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to tell the truth (fist bumps to those who get that reference). Your assignment, our assignment is the most important kind of work we could ever do—THE Great Work: “The Great Commission”. Jesus assigned us to openly proclaim/declare/announce/publish The Gospel/The Kingdom/Himself—The Truth. Our assignment is to share it/Him with all who are humble enough to receive it/Him, and we’re to do it boldly.

Our Great Assignment/Work/Task/Commission is both a personal and corporate calling—a corporate, harmonious TELLING OF TRUTH in the way God has instructed the Christian groups we’re a part of; and a personal assignment in that we should be privately and publicly living and communicating it in ways that are unique to us, our lives, our abilities, lessons, and seasons (1 Cor 12:4-7 AMP). What we have to do is know Him and His Word, be ourselves, and speak up. It’s not always easy but it can be. If we are consistently spending time with Him, listening, obeying, studying, and loving Him—and people—as best as we know how, truth will overflow and often just burst out of us. It’s hard to keep His goodness under wraps. And it’s important that we don’t keep it under wraps because we may be the only one someone would be willing to receive from at that time; there is usually someone willing and ready to hear from you in particular.

free enough and bold enough

Some of us teach, some preach, some build, some disciple, some lead—and all in different ways. Some dance The Truth, draw The Truth, some share through their businesses, through comedy, film & television; some write it, some podcast it, some mission-field it, some pay for it, some are assigned to raise baby Truth Tellers to become adult Truth Tellers… We all have to be free enough and bold enough to allow The Truth to be “live-streamed” from our hearts and through our lives in ways that somehow lead others to Christ—with no interference. Sometimes we plant the seeds of truth, sometimes we water them, while God grows it all. Point being, you and I are joint-promoters. Even though we’re playing different positions, even if we’re injured—same team. (1 Pet 4:10-11; 1 Cor 3:7-9; Eph 4:11-13)

The beauty, and one of the things I adore about God is He takes joy in both our similar, and individually unique ways of making Jesus known. This message of truth, originating from our Omni-faceted God and Word, through multi-faceted sons and daughters, in diverse ways, is my favorite kind of team work (Eph 4:15-16; 1 Cor 12).

Learning that my peculiarities are an asset, freed me up, encouraging me to not feel pressured to truth-tell like others, but yield to my own, often odd, wonderfully-made ways of expressing, without the worry of Pharisaic judgment.

copycats and interpreters

Jesus was understood and received partly because He utilized parables and allegories that were practical, relatable, and applicable to the time and cultures. His parables and allegories led to The Truth of Himself as He was led by His Father, via His own Holy Spirit. He then gave His Spirit to us!

[So] We are inherently innovative—a creative people—made in the image of The Creator. We are both copycats and interpreters of Him: we follow or emulate Christ and do what He did, yet we communicate Him in ways that are unique to our personalities and resources within our best understanding. Sadly, I was taught by a few people that I shouldn’t share anything until I’ve gone to school and gotten years of study under my belt. Absolutely, study and understanding should be our goal and practice, and teachers teaching accurately is imperative, but being a baby Christian should not prevent us from testifying and sharing Christ. I believe that after salvation, most of the qualities we need to begin telling the truth are fueled by our zeal and rooted in our-new-found love! (1 Cor 13:1, 13). We have often seen Him empower the bold and willing, outshining the seemingly wise.

so long as Christ is being preached

If I’ve learned anything, it’s to get supplemental teaching—not eat the same meal
off the same plate from the same chef. I’ve learned and am learning to not take
any one person’s word for The Word. No one person has fully perceived or
discerned Him clearly (John 1:14-18; 1 Cor 2:14).

There isn’t one person on the planet that teaches the Gospel perfectly and in it’s
entirely or the way everyone needs to receive it. It’s not one person’s job.
It’s our responsibility as a whole—the Body of Christ. (Eph 4:11-16; Romans 12:4-13)

I’d learned that our being newbies or not-yet-refined communicators (e.g. Ex 4:1-12) is no excuse to not share the measure of truth we know thus far. There have been short stints when I deceived myself into thinking I wasn’t qualified because I was comparing myself to veterans of faith—convinced I should’ve been communicating exactly like them or not at all. That was a big fat lie. Two cases in point:

There’s a situation in which John complained to Jesus about someone who was not a disciple but was driving out demons in Jesus’ Name (Mark 9:38 or Luke 9:49). John said, “Teacher, we noticed someone was using your name to cast out demons, so we tried to stop him because he wasn’t one of our group.” Jesus’ answer? “Don’t stop him! For the one who does miracles in the power of my name proves he is not my enemy. And whoever is not against us is for us...”

Then, listen to what God said through Paul (and Timothy) in Phil 1:12-18 (AMP); it’s something that sounded crazy to me the first time I read it, but now that I have a deeper understanding, it strengthens me; it says, ^“Now I want you to know,
believers, that what has happened to me [this imprisonment that was meant to stop me] has actually served to advance [the spread of] the good news [regarding salvation]. My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else. Because of my chains [seeing that I am doing well and that God is accomplishing great things], most of the brothers have renewed confidence in the Lord, and have far more courage to speak the word of God [concerning salvation] without fear [of the consequences, seeing that God can work His good in all circumstances]. Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me]. The latter [preach Christ] out of love, because they know that I
have been put here [by God on purpose] for the defense of the gospel; but the
former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to
spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice…”

Whoa! I thought if someone who doesn’t even know The Lord can imperfectly and selfishly proclaim Christ, how much more I, who know and love Him and people, share the Word as accurately as I know how in the moment? As someone whose whole life is rooted in creativity, I got seriously freed up to unashamedly proclaim the Truth of Jesus
Christ in all my unique ways. Like Paul said, what does it matter, so long as Christ is being preached?

These, and many other scriptures also shut me up because I too started judging other people who were promoting Christ, yet were clearly in sin or self-promoting. My conscience was arrested, realizing that if they are proclaiming The Truth of Jesus Christ (e.g. celebrities), I have no right to expect or demand they stop. I may be led to pray for them or lovingly correct them in other matters (2 Tim 4:2-4 AMP), but not in the matter of The Great Commission.

keep your sense of urgency

This should embolden and strengthen all of us to be Declarers of the Truth. It should relieve us of feeling like we have to be perfect before we start sharing The Truth (or even feeling like it). I’ve shared Him at my lowest and most traumatized, and also, when all circumstances were on point. I and we, have an obligation.

Proclaiming Truth at any stage, is not an excuse for sin or hypocrisy—we should all continue to discipline ourselves in holiness, while knowing that in our own strength, none of us will ever be perfect enough or qualified enough to declare the Gospel. Jesus does that for us. He is our qualifier. Be encouraged in knowing the Father supports us being Truth Tellers by utilizing our skill, expertise, experience, zeal, personality, creativity, position, role, and ability to adapt to others’ needs without compromising (1 Cor 9:18-23). We should all be studying and learning, being discipled, transforming, and pursuing God–while proclaiming Jesus–in every stage and season of our lives. We must be careful to not discourage or disparage those who are sharing differently than us. We have our assignments, they have theirs. It all adds up. The foundational question always starts with, IS CHRIST BEING PREACHED?

Our bold communication in our fields of influence, through our consistently-being-perfected personalities and traits, is such a privilege, and it should be fun!

We are all called to be communicators—Tell-The-Truth-icators—living in an opportune time where we, as The Body, ought to be the forerunners and leaders in any form of communication in my opinion. We ought to be most influential in social networking and multi-media (or whatever the current and main means of mass communications are). We ought to do it now while we have a free platform and international audience. We ought to do it while we still have breath.

“…preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, “whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.” / 2 Tim 4.2 AMP

Love you, Truth-Teller!

Original post 1/8/19

THIS BLOG WAS INSPIRED BY MARK 16:15

MARK 16:15 (NKJV): “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Go into (pursue the journey)
All the world (the human family; Earth; world system)
Preach (openly proclaim; declare; announce; publish)
The Gospel (The Truth of Christ; The Good News; Salvation; The Kingdom; Jesus’ Authority)
To every creature (to every kind of person)

Note v. 20: And they went out everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. / ESV

FOR ENCOURAGEMENT & STUDY

PREACH THE TRUTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:14; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 4:23; Luke 9:2

PREACH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: Mark 16:15; Luke 4:18; Romans 10:15; 1 Cor 1:17,18; 1 Cor 9:14; 1 Cor 9:16; 1 Cor 9:18

PREACH THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST/THE LIVING WORD: Act 5:42; 1 Cor 1:23; 2Co 4:5, Eph 3:8; 1 Cor 15:9-11; 2 Tim 4:2; Col 1:25-29; 2 Tim 4:2; Rom 10:8; Acts 9.20; Col 1.27-28

We live in a time where lies are celebrated and encouraged and sometimes drown out the truth. But you’re not in competition with the times or people. Speak from a place of victory in Him, he causes your words and labor to grow / 1 Cor 3:6-8
You are an Official Messenger! / 2 Tim 4:2-5 AMPC
Jesus Christ’s own Spirit, The Holy Spirit, is within you and on you / Luke 4:18-19
You are in the ministry of reconciliation (helping to restore others to favor/harmony with God) / 2 Cor 5:18
He has anointed you to boldly share The Truth/The Good News to every kind of person: preach The Kingdom (boldly declare, reason with, teach, speak, publish, proclaim, talk about…) / Acts 28:31, Mark 16:15
According to your faith, prophesy, teach, exhort, give, lead, show mercy, and love! / Rom 12.6-9
Even in weakness, fear, and trembling, speak and preach; not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Holy spirit and His power, so that others’ faith wouldn’t be in human wisdom but in the power of God / 1 Cor 2:3-5
Don’t shrink back in fear from telling them anything that’s for their benefit. We should be compelled by The Holy Spirit to “go” and “do” regardless of the response or outcome… / Acts 20:20-27 AMPC
He has anointed/empowered you to set free those who are oppressed, broken, depressed, experiencing tragedy… / Luke 4:18
You’ve been assigned to admonish, teach, warn, exhort, testify, comfort, pray, console, serve, help, strengthen / Col 1:28-29
Declare all the counsel of God / Acts 20:24
According to your faith: prophesy, teach, exhort, give, rule/lead, show mercy, love. / Acts 20:27
Reconcile: restore others to favor with God / 2 Cor 5:18
Minister to or SERVE fellow Christians. Attend to their needs with full assurance and hope. / Heb 6:10-11
Don’t be tempted to be conformed to, fashioned like, or live according to the world’s purposes, thinking, customs, or usages / 1 Jhn 2:15-16; Rom 12:2; Mat 13:22; Mrk 8:36
Minister/Serve other Christians according to the gifts God has given you (according to His divine grace of extraordinary powers) / 1 Pet 4:8-11; 1 Cor 12:4-7
As you share The Word and share what He’s told you to share, they are hearing and receiving a form of God / Luke 10:16
Love fervently. / 1 Pet 4:8-11

2 TIM 4:2-4 (AMP)
…preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].

HEBREWS 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 COR 12:4-7 (AMP)
Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.

1 COR 9:18-23 (NKJV)
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

MATTHEW 28:19-20 (AMPC)
Go then and make disciples of all the *nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be). (*NATIONS = the human family)

1 COR 15:9-11 (NKJV)
…I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

GALATIANS 5:16-25 (AMP)
…walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].

1 COR 3:7-9 (AMPC)
…neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building.

1 PET 4:10-11 (AMP)
Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

ROMANS 12:5-9 (AMPC)
we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

TITUS 2:7-8
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.