Eight Keys to Progressive Spiritual Development

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© Copyright 2013 Darius M. John.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-0747-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-0746-4 (e)

Trafford rev. 08/23/2013

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter One: A New Inheritance

Chapter Two: Discover Your True Self

Chapter Three: Genuine Sorrow And Renunciation

Chapter Four: Master Self-Control

Chapter Five: Hunger And Thirst After Righteousness

Chapter Six: Be Merciful

Chapter Seven: Be Pure In Heart

Chapter Eight: Cultivate True Peace

Chapter Nine: Rejoice When Persecuted

Chapter Ten: The Light Of The World

Summery

INTRODUCTION

T he golden sun was now rising above the horizon. Beams of light traveled in every direction revealing the beauty of a new day. The calm sea like a huge mirror reflected the light of the up coming sun. The morning was greeted by the flattering wings of the birds that danced praises to their creator as they flew by. The morning dew glittered like expensive crystals in the light of the sun. All nature seemed to be in one accord as the gentle breeze created a welcoming atmosphere.

It was still early morning when Jesus was with His disciples by the seaside. As sheep having no shepherd the people began to assemble about Him. There were people from Galilee, Judea, from Jerusalem, Idumea, from beyond Jordan and from Tyre and Sidon—a vast multitude, hearing all the many things that He was doing, came to Him. (Mark 3: 8) Luke gave this account—Jesus came down with them and took His stand on a level spot, with a great crowd of His disciples and a vast throng of people… who came to listen to Him and to be cured of their diseases—even those who were disturbed and troubled with unclean spirits, and they were being healed [also]. And all the multitude were seeking to touch Him, for healing power was all the while going forth from Him and curing them all [saving them from severe illness or calamities]. Luke 6: 17-19

The seaside was narrow and those who came to hear Jesus could not have gotten close enough to hear His voice. The Savior led the way up the mountainside and finding a level space that could have accommodated the vast assembly He sat down on the grass and was followed by the disciples and the multitude.

Christ and His disciples were seldom alone when He gathered them to receive His teaching. His audience was not made up only of those who knew the way of life. His mission was to reach the multitude who were in darkness, ignorance and error. His teaching of truth, were given to reach minds that have been enslave by the devil. Jesus, being Himself the Truth, sought to uplift all who came to Him with words of warning, entreaty and encouragement.

The disciples took their place closes to Jesus. Even though the crowd pressed upon Him, the disciples understood that they were to maintain their position in the presence of their master. They were attentive listeners eager to understand the truth and not lose a word of His instruction.

The Sermon on the Mount was given especially to the disciples, yet it was spoken in the hearing of the great multitude. The disciples waited in expectation feeling that something more than usual was about to take place. They believed that the kingdom was soon to be established and assured themselves that an announcement concerning it was about to be made. This feeling of expectancy also pervaded the multitude whose faces gave evidence of their deep interest.

As they sat awaiting the words of the Teacher, their hearts were filled with thoughts of future glory. The Scribed and Pharisees looked for the day when they should have power and authority over the hated Romans. The poor peasants and fishermen hoped to hear assurance that their fear of want, were to be exchanged for a life of plenty and ease. ‘In the place of the one coarse garment which was their covering by day and their blanket at night, they hoped that Christ would give them the rich and costly robes of their conquerors.’ All hoped that Israel was soon to be honored above all nations as the chosen of God and Jerusalem exalted to be the head of a universal kingdom.

The hope of worldly greatness was disappointed by Christ. In His Sermon on the Month He sought to whip away the misconceptions that had been developed by false education. He sought to give His hearers the right idea of His kingdom and of His own character. He did not, however, make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He knew too well the misery of the world due to the problem of sin, yet He did not openly expose their wretchedness. The Master Teacher taught them things of grave importance above that which they had known. Without smashing their ideas of the kingdom of God, He taught them the conditions of entrance therein. The truths He taught them are of equal importance to all who follow Him. We need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.

The first words of Christ to the listening disciple and multitude were words of blessing. This is what He taught them:

God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.

God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matt. 5: 2-16 NLT)

The word blessed comes from the Greek "makarioi" meaning literally happy, fortunate or blissful. Pronouncing a blessing involves proclaiming a divinely conferred sense of well-being which is a foretaste of heaven. It seems that its root is a word meaning great, and originally referred to outward prosperity. As the language evolved the word took on a moral element which raised it from outward propriety to inward correctness as the essence of happiness. Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament vol. 1 p.34

In the Old Testament the idea involved in the use of the word learns more to the side of outward prosperity. On the other hand it conveys the idea of inward prosperity in the New Testament. It emphasizes as its primary element a sense of Gods approval based on righteousness which rests ultimately on love for God. Entering the realm of Christian thought the word freed itself from the concept of outward blessedness to become a true symbol of happiness that is identified with pure character. It was this idea of happiness Jesus had in mind when He began His exposition. He linked His teaching to the hopes of His listeners, for their messianic concept was that of deliverance and happiness. His concept of happiness, however, stood in strong contrast with the popular thought of the day. Happiness as viewed by the world consists of what a man possesses—his land and houses, his social position, his intellectual attainment and the other good things of this life. According to Jesus, happiness consist of ones wealth of the inner life—his moral strength, his spiritual insight, in the character one is able to form within himself and in the service he is able to render to his fellowmen. Happiness, therefore, according to Jesus is the by-product of a righteousness life. It is not the object but the fruit of the life.

There are eight blessings or beatitudes in Matthew 5: 3-11 and these can be divided into two groups. The first group shows the secret of inner peace, it is attained as one develops his relationship with God. These personal qualities are (a) poor in spirit—humility (b) mourn—penitence (c) meek—self-control (d) hunger and thirst—deep desire for righteousness. The second group point out the secret of social peace which is developed as one pursues and develops his relationship with his fellowmen. These social qualities are (e) merciful—extending of mercy to others (f) pure in heart—acceptance of and respect for individuals (g) peacemaker—ambassador of peace (h) persecuted—sacrificial service.

The significance of these eight qualities must be viewed and understood not only as separate principles but in the relation of each to the whole. It is of eternal value to apply each one of these principles to the life. They form a heavenly ladder by which one can grow into the perfect character God is desirous of developing in His people.

CHAPTER ONE

A NEW INHERITANCE

F rom the very beginning of man, Satan began his campaign to deceive the human race. He began his rebellion in heaven and has desired to bring all the inhabitants of the earth to unite with him in his warfare against the government of God. Our first parent lived in perfect happiness, walking in obedience to the law of God. There obedience stood as a constant testimony against Satan and his claim that the law of God is oppressive and opposed to His creatures. The beautiful home of Adam and Eve excited the envy of Satan and he determined to cause their fall. Having separated them from God, they were brought under his power and he gained possession of the earth. Satan thus established his kingdom in opposition to the kingdom of God.

Some four thousand years after the fall of man, Paul the apostle wrote as recorded in Romans 3: 23—For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. This says literally, all sinned. The sin of our father Adam marred the divine image of God in man. All, of his descendants continued to fall short and be deprived of the image and glory of God. Sin and death—a principle and power—have passed on to all who participated in the sin of Adam. The participation in Adam’s sin is universal, for it spans man in all ages and in all lands. There is no exception—all have sinned. Sin is personified by Paul, he says:

• Sin has reigned in death. Rom. 5: 21

• Sin works death. Rom. 7: 13

• Sin has dominion over us. Rom. 6: 14

• Sin aroused and stimulated all kind of forbidden desires.

Rom. 7:8

• Sin deceives, en-trapped, cheated and kills us. Rom. 7: 11

So we see that by the offence of Adam the principle of sin entered our world. Sin then because the source of all offences. By violating the law of God sin was introduced to man. Adam heard the warning of God—for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Gen. 2: 17) Now after sin the sentence of God was for dust you are and to dust you shall return. Gen. 3:19 Amp

A study of the Bible will show that there are three kinds of death:

1. Spiritual death

And you [He made alive], who were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins. (Eph. 2: 1)

We know that we have passed over out of death into life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians) 1 Jn. 3: 14a

A life that is lived without a knowledge or a relationship with God is a life that is dead spiritually. All men are dead because of the inheritance of sin. Our only hope is in Jesus who has the power to quicken us and inject His life into us.

2. First or Temporal death

He said these things, and then added, our friend Lazarus is at rest and sleeping; but I am going there that I may awaken him out of his sleep. The disciples answered, Lord, if he is sleeping, he will recover. However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He referred to falling into a refreshing and natural sleep. So then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus is dead. Jn. 11: 11-14 Amp.

This is the physical death that all men will experience for the Bible says the living know that they shall die but the dead knows nothing. Eccl. 9:5 Amp.

3. Second or Eternal death

. . . but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). Matt. 10: 28b

He who overcomes (is victorious) shall in no way be injured by the second death. Rev. 2: 11b

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev. 20: 6 KJV

The sentence of death pronounced upon Adam has passed upon all men. Adam’s sentence, however, did not refer to the second death. For the second death cannot be passed on to anyone, it comes as a result of the judgment when every man will be judged according to their works. (Rev. 20: 12-13) In the final judgment of God, the final sentence will be based on individual responsibility, for He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]. (Rom. 2: 6) Amp.

The Bible points out clearly that all men go down to the grave. It is in this that all men share in the penalty of Adam’s transgression. By rebelling against God the right to the tree of life was lost to them. This resulted in their death and in passing on this death to their descendants.

After their sin Adam and Eve were no longer to dwell in Eden. They earnestly entreated that they might remain in the home of their innocence and joy. They confessed that they had forfeited all right to that happy abode, but pledged themselves for the future to yield strict obedience to God. But they were told that their nature had become depraved by sin; they had lessened their strength to resist evil and had opened the way for Satan to gain more ready access to them. In their innocence they had yielded to temptation and now, in a state of conscious guilt, they would have less power to maintain their integrity. Patriarchs and Prophets p. 306

"Thus Adam and Eve passed on to their posterity a tendency to sin and a liability to its punishment, death. By their transgression, sin was introduced as an infectious power in human nature antagonistic to God, and