Scriptural Foundation:
Revelations 2:2-5 New King James (NKJV)
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Ephesians 6:13 New King James (NKJV)
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Titus 2:11-14 New King James (NKJV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Reflection:
My husband loves football season. End of July/August marks preseason training and September is right around the corner. Preseason training, reveals very quickly how prepared a player is for the first game. Ideally, each player during the off season has been working out in preparation for team training. Unfortunately, that is not the case and the coach has to prepare certain individuals to advance the whole quad forward. Players physically have a limited “shelf life”. The primary objective of the coach is to push each player to their ultimate potential. There is a goal and everyone is pushed towards that goal or is left on the sidelines with the rest of the spectators.
As prayer warriors, our Coach is the Holy Spirit. His job is to guide us to the goal of accomplishing our assignment here on earth. He is a loving and patient Coach; however, He will not do the work for you.
For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:6
That is why I find it very interesting how and in what circumstances Believers choose to use the word wait. Studying out the word wait – 20 Hebrew/Aramaic and 13 Greek words – I have found that over time our understanding in our current vernacular has been watered down tremendously. From what I gathered after meditating, is that waiting should be an active stance. The Bible talks of lying in wait, to hunt, to hope, to long, and be in expectation. Instead, when I hear some Believers talk about waiting, it seems more like a flat-footed approach rather a sprinters forward slanting stance before a race. What can the Holy Spirit, really accomplish in the life of a flat-footed Believer?
In Revelations, John talks about a group of Believers that have “left” there first love. I looked up the word left – G863 – aphiēmi. It means to send away; to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person; to leave on dying, leave behind one; abandon, leave destitute. So, to a group of Believers the Word is telling us that somewhere along our journey we have abandoned our first love – the Word of God. Denying part of the Word, doesn’t forfeit your place on the team, but it does forfeit the impact that you can make for the Kingdom by choosing to be passive with your faith.
What does an active versus passive stance look like? The Lord broke it down to me this way:
- Active – keep doing the last thing He (the Lord) told you to do (disclaimer – without helping Him). In due time you will see the fruit of the Spirit abound in your life.
- Passive – not putting any effort behind the last thing that the Lord told you to do. The Bible says that we will know them by their fruit. The Lord will always provide, but our obedience determines our return.
There are two ways to keep us in the active waiting stance. That is to stand and to hope. The Word says to put on the Armor of God and stand, all the while looking for the blessed hope.
Stand – G2476 – histēmi
To stop, stand still, to stand immovable, stand firm; continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared; to be of a steadfast mind; of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver.
Hope – G1680 – elpis
Joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.
Waiting becomes a passive stance once you stop expecting things to change. When you get so tired of waiting that you fall asleep at your post. Beloved, we can’t do that!
Then he [Jesus] returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? – Matthew 26:40
In the Spirit, there are no breaks from here till eternity. There is no time for an off-season mindset, when the game is on now! Strive to keep yourself in a perpetual state of hope and in a fixed active waiting stance – this will ensure that you will always bare much fruit and you will always move from glory to glory in Christ Jesus.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- What was the last thing the Lord told you to do?
- Are you actively pursuing that directive? – It is a yes or no answer – if there is explanation needed, then the answer is no.
- Repent and ask the Holy Spirit for direction to get you back in to the active waiting stance position.