The Time and Preparation Factor
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The Time and Preparation Factor
The relation of the principle of time and preparation must be elaborated in more detail than first
given in the introduction. We are Gods workmanship and when it comes to the spiritual
development of the believer there are no short cuts. God does not hurry or wave a magic,
charismatic wand transforming believers into supernatural perfection. The Christian development
experience is always faced with pain, failure and opposition before experiencing victory in the
abundant life, before entering into participation as partakers of the divine nature.
The believer must be anchored in the truth of the scriptures, not allowing emotional experiences to
cause a wavering of position but rather serve as lessons to promote growth. in the same way,
believers who put faith in a current victorious condition of deliverance are setting themselves up
for a rude awakening of painful failure. It is through a patient, ongoing growth into an ever
increasing spiritual maturity that will manifest fruit in the believers’ life. And that is through God
working in our lives. Just as the “harvest principle”, there is much time and preparation needed
before the emergence of fruit comes into maturity. The Christian would do well to be mindful of
Gods eternal perspective: God is working from eternity for His eternal purpose. With this in mind
we should be less concerned with the time involved in the process of God working on us and
patiently endure, taking comfort and having peace knowing that God takes time in those He loves
and has called according to His purpose. Consider the time involved with the patriarchs, Moses
and the apostles. It is a life task.
Too often believers think the Lord will deliver them in a single act of power, a supernatural display
of magical might into victory putting their faith in a form of Christian mysticism. This position is in
serious need of correction. God lovingly works on and in the life of the Christian. Allowing the
believer to go through experiences that lead to growth; taking the believer from glory to glory, even
victory to victory.
As Christians we are the work of the Lord and as such, God is preparing believers through His
timely process. First an experience of tearing down occurs, usually through failures. Before we can
be built up we must be torn down. Most believers that have been called into the ministry to help
others have experienced the sufferings of falling into the depths of despair. Through the struggles
and failures that sink us into this pit a discovery of self occurs eventually resulting in a need and a
spiritual hunger. Actually, the need was always there but a realization of the need takes place. The
Holy Spirit awakens the believer to the utter sinfulness of the self-life and the need to be delivered
from the power of sin as a dominating force.
Most believers take the wrong approach to gain victory over sin, to be rid of the self-life and enter
the “Christ-life”. They struggle in a futile attempt to be free from the power of sin. Victory can never
be found in Christ plus my vain attempts or efforts. No,... victory is found in Jesus Christ plus my
receiving by faith what is ours (believers) in Christ. We are powerless in ourselves; have faith, the
Lord has promised and will take you each step of the way.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ: (Phil 1:6)
The relation of the principle of time and preparation must be elaborated in more detail than first
given in the introduction. We are Gods workmanship and when it comes to the spiritual
development of the believer there are no short cuts. God does not hurry or wave a magic,
charismatic wand transforming believers into supernatural perfection. The Christian development
experience is always faced with pain, failure and opposition before experiencing victory in the
abundant life, before entering into participation as partakers of the divine nature.
The believer must be anchored in the truth of the scriptures, not allowing emotional experiences to
cause a wavering of position but rather serve as lessons to promote growth. in the same way,
believers who put faith in a current victorious condition of deliverance are setting themselves up
for a rude awakening of painful failure. It is through a patient, ongoing growth into an ever
increasing spiritual maturity that will manifest fruit in the believers’ life. And that is through God
working in our lives. Just as the “harvest principle”, there is much time and preparation needed
before the emergence of fruit comes into maturity. The Christian would do well to be mindful of
Gods eternal perspective: God is working from eternity for His eternal purpose. With this in mind
we should be less concerned with the time involved in the process of God working on us and
patiently endure, taking comfort and having peace knowing that God takes time in those He loves
and has called according to His purpose. Consider the time involved with the patriarchs, Moses
and the apostles. It is a life task.
Too often believers think the Lord will deliver them in a single act of power, a supernatural display
of magical might into victory putting their faith in a form of Christian mysticism. This position is in
serious need of correction. God lovingly works on and in the life of the Christian. Allowing the
believer to go through experiences that lead to growth; taking the believer from glory to glory, even
victory to victory.
As Christians we are the work of the Lord and as such, God is preparing believers through His
timely process. First an experience of tearing down occurs, usually through failures. Before we can
be built up we must be torn down. Most believers that have been called into the ministry to help
others have experienced the sufferings of falling into the depths of despair. Through the struggles
and failures that sink us into this pit a discovery of self occurs eventually resulting in a need and a
spiritual hunger. Actually, the need was always there but a realization of the need takes place. The
Holy Spirit awakens the believer to the utter sinfulness of the self-life and the need to be delivered
from the power of sin as a dominating force.
Most believers take the wrong approach to gain victory over sin, to be rid of the self-life and enter
the “Christ-life”. They struggle in a futile attempt to be free from the power of sin. Victory can never
be found in Christ plus my vain attempts or efforts. No,... victory is found in Jesus Christ plus my
receiving by faith what is ours (believers) in Christ. We are powerless in ourselves; have faith, the
Lord has promised and will take you each step of the way.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ: (Phil 1:6)