voorwoord - servaasdekockblog.files.wordpress.com file · web viewna omvattende toetse word ‘n...

WONDERWERKE EN DIE KONINKRYK VAN GOD


Is daar nog plek vir wonderwerke in die 21e eeu?

Servaas D de Kock

Februarie 2018

1


VOORWOORD“God fluister vir ons deur die sagte stem van Sy Heilige Gees, Hy praat met ons deur mede gelowiges, maar hy roep tot ons deur omstandighede” (anon).

Ongesiens het my huweliksverhouding en verhouding met my Hemelse Vader afgestomp geraak oor die jare.

Toe gebeur ‘n reeks dinge met my wat my laat besef het die Here wil dringend my aandag kry.

Eers ontvang ons die slegte nuus, einde 2014, dat Debbie ons eerste skoondogter met borskanker gediagnoseer is. Ek is dankbaar om te sê, na baie gebed en mediese ingryping, is sy kankervry verklaar met die behoud van haar bors.

Hierna verloor Eric, ons middelste seun, aan die begin van 2016 sy werk as projekbestuurder in Kathu. Ons moes vir hom en sy gesin inderhaas blyplek op ons erf regkry. Die Here stel my in staat om die bestaande woonstel, dubbel garage en bediende kwartiere in ‘n aanvaarbare 3sk woonhuis vir hulle te omskep. Dit binne twee maande, met my beskikbare fondse! Alhoewel hy werkloos hier aangekom het, was daar die afgelope 2 jaar nog nie een dag wat hy sonder inkomste was nie. (Hy moes van nuuts af ‘n konstruksiemaatskappy registreer en beman.)

Gedurende die einde van die selfde jaar word ek gediagnoseer met ‘n perforasie tussen my blaas en dikderm, na aanhoudende blaasontsteken en nadat ek gas in my blaas ontdek het. Na omvattende toetse word ‘n Groot operasie geskeduleer waar ‘n uroloog en sjirurg ‘n gesamentlike prosedure sou uitvoer om die dikderm en blaas te repareer.

Die dag voor die operasie voel Blackie, my vriend, gelei om vir my te bid. Ek het so pas ‘n begrafnisdiens voltooi vir my vriend en kollega, Christo Kotze. Dit was nogal ongewoon dat Blackie die vrymoedigheid geneem het om vorentoe te kom, die mikrofoon te neem en saam met die gemeente vir my te bid.

My operasie was vir drie uur, die volgende middag, geskeduleer met die verwagting dat ek 16 uur later in die intensiewe sorgeenheid sou wakker word. Groot was my blydskap en verbasing toe ek minder as ‘n uur later in my hospitaalbed wakker word. Kort daarna het ek ‘n besoek van die dronkgeslane sjirurg ontvang met die nuus dat hulle niks verkeerd kon sien nie! Ek is die volgende dag ontslaan, vervul met verwondering en dankbaarheid oor my Hemelse Vader se liefde vir my.

Hierna word Eric gedurende September 2017 met ‘n disfunksionele mitraalhartklep gediagnoseer. (‘n toestand waarmee hy gebore is.) Weereens ‘n baie groot operasie om die klep met ‘n titaanklep te vervang. Nogmaals ervaar ons die hand van die Here op hom en word die prosedure suksesvol afgehandel en genees hy sonder enige komplikasies.

Op 10 Februarie 2018, na ‘n jaarlikse roetine ondersoek, laat my dokter my ontbied met die “baie slegte nuus” dat daar ‘n oormaat wit selle in my bloed teenwoordig is. Sy het my dadelik na ‘n hematoloog, Dr Michael Cass, verwys vir verdere toetse op die 21e. Dr Cass het na verdere bloedtoetse gesê hy vermoed dat dit bloedkanker (leukaemia) is. Hy het my bloed gestuur vir verdere intensiewe bloedtoetse en ‘n opvolgafspraak gemaak vir ‘n beenmurgbiopsie.

Hierdie nuutste nuus het ons behoorlike tot stilstand geruk. Ek en Isabel het dadelik met mekaar, voor die Here, ons sondes van kortgebondenheid en trots teenoor mekaar bely. Ek het ook besef dat ‘n wêreldsgesindheid by my posgevat het wat verhoed dat die Here Sy goeie werk in my kan verrig. Ek het nie woorde om die emosies te beskryf wat deur my siel geresoneer het nie. Ek was nie seker of ek die einde van die jaar sou sien nie, en het met nuwe oё na my geliefdes, die wind in die blare en ‘n sonsondergang gekyk.

2


‘n Liefdevolle Vader het, na gebed en besinning, die volgende, deur Sy Woord, vir my gesê;

“Ag dit louter vreugde, my broeders, wanneer julle in allerhande versoekinge val, omdat julle weet dat die beproewing van julle geloof lydsaamheid bewerk. Maar die lydsaamheid moet tot volle verwerkliking kom, sodat julle volmaak en sonder gebrek kan wees en in niks kortkom nie.” (Jak 1:1-4)

Ons het ons drie seuns oor die slegte nuus ingelig en my mede vriende (Die Volgelinge) gevra om my met olie te salf en vir my te bid.

As gevolg van hierdie “wake up call” was ek in staat om die volgende dokument binne 24 uur saam te stel om Sy boodskap aan my te verwoord.

My gebed is dat God, ten spyte van die slegte nuus, iets goeds in ons lewe sal bewerkstellig.

NB:

Aan die einde van hierdie dokument deel ek met u die uitslag van die spesialis se diagnose oor leukemia.

3


INHOUD

1. INLEIDING 052. SKRIF OOR GENESING 073. A LIVING FAITH – S Wiggelsworth. 094. HIS TEACHING ON HEALING Smith Wigglesworth 115. VICTORY THROUGH FAITH Smith Wigglesworth 136. VREDE 147. HEILIGHEID ‘n VOORVEREISTE (2 Kor 6-7) 15

AANHANGSEL TOT HOOFSTUK 7 188. ONS WORSTELSTRYD (Efe 6:10-13) 229. OPSTANDINGSLEWE – Rom 6:1-23 (Message) 24

SLOT 26 AANHANGSEL “Die KONINKRYK van GOD.” 27

1. INLEIDING

Destyds het wyle Prof Bokkie vd Spuy vir my genoem dat elke genesing ‘n wonderwerk van God is. In sy boek “The healing business” sê hy aan sy mede professors “We know nothing of the healing business, God is the only healer and we are only curers.” Hierop het hulle gebelgd gereageer met die woorde “Speak for yourself Bokkie.” Toe daag hy hulle uit om ‘n wond of ‘n gebreekte been aan ‘n lyk te genees!

4


Ons is so geneig om genesing, soos van ‘n verkoue of wond, as vanselfsprekend te aanvaar sonder om God die eer daarvoor te gee. Hierdeur wil ek sê dat God die eer moet ontvang vir alle genesings – onmiddelik of oor ‘n tydperk… elkeen ‘n wonderwerk.

Dit is maklik om te se “Goddelike genesing vind nie meer plaas nie of in ‘n mindere mate as in Bybeltye want ons het mos nou slim dokters, hospitale en inrigtings.” Hierdie stelling het ‘n sterk intelektuele inslag en poog om ons sintuiglike ondervinding te gebruik om die onveilbare Woord van God te negeer, wat geestelik verstaan moet word. Die selfde argument word gebruik met gebroke huwelike, homoseksualisme depressie en ander psigosomatiese probleme. Sommige moderne teoloё sal redineer dat die Bybel se geskrifte meer as 2,000 jaar oud is en nie tot ‘n moderne, 21-eeuse, geslag kan spreek nie. Daardeur ignoreer hulle gerieflikheidshalwe die Woord wat verklaar “Gedenk julle voorgangers wat die woord van God aan julle verkondig het; aanskou die uiteinde van hulle lewenswandel en volg hulle geloof na (die geloofshelde van Heb 11). Jesus Christus (die Woord) is gister en vandag dieselfde en tot in ewigheid.” (Heb 13:7)

Dat Jesus tereg se dat mense sal sê hulle het wonders in Sy naam gedoen en dan sal Hy hulle wegwys, is ‘n baie sobere woord (sien Mattheus 7:22,23). Jesus se egter nie dit is verkeerd nie, maar wat Hy wel verlang is dat ons ‘n intieme kennis van Hom en Sy wil sal he en wees soos ‘n druiwelood wat intiem geheg is aan ‘n druiwestok (verwys na Johannes 15:5).

Sien hoofstuk 7 - HEILIGHEID ‘n VOORVEREISTE.

1 Kor 13 se ook nie geloof is verkeerd nie, maar sonder liefde val dit in met bg argument. (Geloof, hoop en liefde is drie onafskydbare karperde) “Want nou bly geloof, hoop en liefde.” (1Kor 13:13)

Gelowiges is so geïndoktrineer deur ‘n wêreldse gees dat die hemelse Stem vervaag het wat se “Jaag die liefde na, en beywer julle met die oog op die geestelike gawes .” (1 Kor 14:1). Geestelike gawes verwys na bonatuurlike, kragdadige Heilige Gees geinspireerde gawes “Want aan die een word deur die Gees ‘n woord van wysheid gegee, en aan die ander ‘n woord van kennis vanweë dieselfde Gees; aan ‘n ander weer geloof deur dieselfde Gees, en aan ‘n ander genadegawes van gesondmaking deur dieselfde Gees; aan ‘n ander werkinge van kragte, aan ‘n ander profesie, aan ‘n ander onderskeiding van die geeste, aan ‘n ander allerhande tale, aan ‘n ander uitleg van tale.” (1 Kor 12:8-10)

Soos ek dit verstaan moet daar twee elemente teenwoordig wees vir ‘n suksesvolle genesingsbediening:

a. Heiligmaking

Ons optvangs van die Goeie Herder se stem is dikwels swak as gevolg van soveel stemme, veral van sekulere media, wat vir aandag in ons gedagtes kompeteer Daarom vind ek dit nodig, op grond van 2 Kor 6:11-18, om vir ‘n tyd my aandag net op die Woord

5


en die Heilige Gees te fokus. Sodoende vertrou ek dat ek duideliker sal hoor en weet hoe om in hierdie uitdagende tyd in my lewe op te tree. (Sien hoofstuk 7 HEILIGMAKING, ‘n VOORVEREISTE)

b. Geloof

Die NT verwys 397x na “geloof” en “glo”. In Mattheus bring Jesus 14x geloof met genesing en wonderwerke in verband; 17x in Markus, 23x in Lukas en 72x in Johannes.

Geloof is die aksie wat ek neem om God se opdragte te gehoorsaam (geloofsgehoorsaamheid is ‘n mooi Afrikaanse woord wat hierdie begrip verduidelik).

“En toe hulle by die skare kom, gaan daar ‘n man na Hom en val voor Hom op die knieë en sê: Here, ontferm U oor my seun, want hy is maansiek en ly swaar; want dikwels val hy in die vuur en dikwels in die water. En ek het hom na u dissipels gebring, en hulle kon hom nie gesond maak nie. Toe antwoord Jesus en sê: o Ongelowige en verdraaide geslag, hoe lank sal Ek by julle wees, hoe lank sal Ek julle verdra? Bring hom hier vir My. Daarop bestraf Jesus hom; en die duiwel het van hom uitgegaan, en die seun het gesond geword van daardie uur af.

Toe kom die dissipels na Jesus afsonderlik en sê: Waarom kon ons hom nie uitdryf nie? En Jesus antwoord hulle: Deur julle ongeloof; want, voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, as julle geloof het soos ‘n mosterdsaad sal julle vir hierdie berg sê: Gaan weg hiervandaan daarnatoe! en hy sal weggaan, en niks sal vir julle onmoontlik wees nie. Maar hierdie geslag gaan nie uit behalwe deur gebed en vas nie.” (Mat 17:14-21)

Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, wie in My glo—die werke wat Ek doen, sal hy ook doen; en hy sal groter werke doen as dit, omdat Ek na my Vader gaan. (Joh 14:12.) (Jesus gebruik “GLO” 6x in vers 1 – 12.

En sonder geloof is dit onmoontlik om God te behaag; want hy wat tot God gaan, moet glo dat Hy is en ‘n beloner is van die wat Hom soek (Heb 11:6.)

2. SKRIF OOR GENESING

Slegs in die evangelies word 38 spesifieke en vier algemene wonderwerke vermeld wat Jesus verrig het.Volgens Markus 16 is dit deel van Sy groot opdrag aan ons. (Mark 16:16-18), terwyl Johannes verklaar “En daar is nog baie ander dinge wat Jesus alles gedoen het; maar as hulle een vir een beskrywe moes word, sou die wêreld self, dink ek, die geskrewe boeke nie bevat nie. Amen. (Joh 21:25).

Profesie. Hy het ons krankhede op hom geneem.Jes 53:3,4

6


Hy was verag en deur die mense verlaat, ‘n man van smarte en bekend met krankheid; ja, soos een vir wie ‘n mens sy gelaat verberg; Hy was verag en ons het Hom nie geag nie. Nogtans het Hy óns krankhede op Hom geneem, en óns smarte—dié het Hy gedra; maar óns het Hom gehou vir een wat geplaag, deur God geslaan en verdruk was.

Hier volg ‘n woordstudie deur die gesaghebbende Dr George Barnes:Our griefs (Isa 53:4) - The word used here in Hebrew ( cha חלי ̆liy) means properly sickness, disease, anxiety, affliction. It does not refer to sins, but to sufferings. It is translated ‘sickness’ Deu_28:61; Deu_7:15; 2Ch_21:15; 1Ki_17:17; ‘disease’ Ecc_6:2; 2Ch_21:18; 2Ch_16:12; Exo_15:26; ‘grief’ (Isa_53:3-4; compare Jer_16:4). It is never in our version rendered sin, and never used to denote sin. ‘In ninety-three instances,’ says Dr. Magee. (George Barnes).Dit is belangrik hoe bostaande gedeelte toegepas word in Jesus se bediening: “En toe Jesus in die huis van Petrus kom, sien Hy sy skoonmoeder siek lê aan die koors. En Hy het haar hand aangeraak, en die koors het haar verlaat, en sy het opgestaan en hulle bedien. En toe dit aand geword het, het hulle baie na Hom gebring, wat van duiwels besete was; en Hy het die geeste met ‘n woord uitgedrywe; en almal wat ongesteld was, het Hy gesond gemaak, sodat vervul sou word wat gespreek is deur Jesaja, die profeet, toe hy gesê het: Hy het ons krankhede op Hom geneem en ons siektes gedra.” (Mat 8:14-17)LW: In die volgende vers in Jes 53:5 “en deur sy wonde het daar vir ons genesing gekom” Word nie na fisiese siektes maar na emosionele en geestelike siektes verwys… Sien Lukas 4:18,19 vir die toepassing van hierdie gedeelte. Jesus het dus ons krankhede en ons emosionele siektes genees!

Dit is Jesus se wil om te genees (reinig) (Mar 1:40-42)

En daar kom ‘n melaatse na Hom toe wat Hom smeek en voor Hom op die knieë val en vir Hom sê: As U wil, kan U my reinig. En Jesus het vir hom innig jammer gevoel en die hand uitgesteek en hom aangeraak en vir hom gesê: Ek wil, word gereinig! En toe Hy dit sê, het die melaatsheid hom dadelik verlaat, en hy is gereinig.

Jesus se opdrag aan sy dissipels (Mat 10:1;7,8)

“En Hy het sy twaalf dissipels na Hom geroep en aan hulle mag gegee oor onreine geeste, om hulle uit te dryf en om elke siekte en elke kwaal te genees. En gaan preek en sê: Die koninkryk van die hemele het naby gekom. Maak siekes gesond, reinig melaatses, wek dooies op, dryf duiwels uit. Julle het dit verniet ontvang, verniet moet julle dit gee.”

NB: Dit is nie ek of die Pinkster- of Charismatiese beweging wat wonderwerke aan die manifistasie van die koninkryk van die hemele koppel nie, Jesus en Paulus het dit gedoen!

7


Jesus tref ‘n duidelike kontras tussen die koninkryke van hierdie wêreld wat onder die mag van die bose is en Sy nuwe koninkryk wat Hy met Sy eerste koms as ‘n brughoof kom vestig het in vyandige terrein. Hierdie onderwerp word verder uitgebrei in die aanhangsel tot hierdie artikel.

“want die koninkryk van God bestaan nie in woorde nie, maar in krag.” (1 kor 4:20). Volgens Albert Barnes se gesaghebbende “NOTES ON THE BIBLE” beskryf hy bogaande teksvers as volg

”For the kingdom of God” - The reign of God in the church meaning here, probably, the power or authority which was to be exercised in the government and discipline of the church. Or it may refer to the manner in which the church had been established. “It has not been set up by empty boasting; by pompous pretensions; by confident assertions. Such empty boasts would do little in the great work of founding, governing, and preserving the church and unless people have some higher powers than this they are not qualified to be religious teachers and guides.”

“But in power” -

(1) In the miraculous power by which the church was established - the power of the Saviour and of the apostles in working miracles.

(2) in the power of the Holy Spirit in the gift of tongues, and in his influence on the heart in converting people; See 1 Cor 12.

(3) in the continual power which is needful to protect, defend, and govern the church. Unless teachers showed that they had such power, they were not qualified for their office.

3. A LIVING FAITH – Smith Wiggelsworth. Dit sal ons die moeite loon om die lewe en lering van Smith Wiggelsworth in oēnskou te

neem… natuurlik kan ons vele ander heiliges as voorbeeld voorhou, maar vir hierdie dokument ag ek dit voldoende.

Smith Wigglesworth was born on 8 June 1859 in Menston, Yorkshire, England, to an impoverished family. As a small child, he worked in the fields pulling turnips alongside his mother; he also worked in factories. During his childhood he was illiterate.

8


Nominally a Methodist, he became a born again Christian at the age of eight. His grandmother was a devout Methodist; his parents, John and Martha took young Smith to Methodist and Anglican churches on regular occasions. He was confirmed by a Bishop in the Church of England, baptized by immersion in the Baptist Church and had the grounding in Bible teaching in the Plymouth Brethren while learning the plumbing trade as an apprentice from a man in the Brethren movement.

NOTA: ‘n Google soektog verskaf 870,000 dokumente oor geloofsgenesings in die lewe van hierdie bekende apostel van geloof, onder andere van verskeie opwekkings uit die dood en genesings van mense met terminale kanker.

Wigglesworth believed that healing came through faith, and he was flexible in his approach. When he was forbidden to lay hands on audience members by the authorities in Sweden, he preached for a "corporate healing", by which people laid hands on themselves. He also practiced anointing with oil, and the distribution of "prayer handkerchiefs" (one of which was sent to King George V). Wigglesworth sometimes attributed ill-health to demons.

Wigglesworth learned to read after he married Polly; she taught him to read the Bible. He often stated that it was the only book he ever read, and did not permit newspapers in his home, preferring the Bible to be their only reading material.

Healing

Supporters of Smith said they were miraculously healed with accounts being described in the popular press and in Pentecostal magazines.[citation needed] There were reports that people were raised from the dead, including his wife Polly.

Many people said they were cured of cancer by him. Wigglesworth, whose only training was as a plumber, described cancer as 'a living evil spirit', and insisted that many diseases were 'satanic in origin'. His methods often involved hitting, slapping or punching the afflicted part of the body. On a number of occasions his approach to persons suffering from stomach complaints was to punch them in the stomach, sometimes with such force that it propelled them across the room. When challenged on this, his response was "I don't hit them, I hit the devil". Responding to criticism over his method of praying for the sick, Wigglesworth stated: "You might think by the way I went about praying for the sick that I was sometimes unloving and rough, but oh, friends, you have no idea what I see behind the sickness and the one who is afflicted. I am not dealing with the person; I am dealing with the satanic forces that are binding the afflicted". On one occasion Wigglesworth declared to the sick "I'll only pray for you once, to pray twice is unbelief". The second night, a man approached the altar to receive prayer again and Wigglesworth, recognizing him, said "Didn't I pray for you last night? You are full of unbelief, get off this platform!"

Smith Wigglesworth, often referred to as ‘the Apostle of Faith,’ was one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival that occurred a century ago.

9


Without human refinement and education he was able to tap into the infinite resources of God to bring divine grace to multitudes.

Thousands came to Christian faith in his meetings, hundreds were healed of serious illnesses and diseases as supernatural signs followed his ministry.

A deep intimacy with his heavenly Father and an unquestioning faith in God’s Word brought spectacular results and provided an example for all true believers of the Gospel.

(Wikepedia)

NOTA

Die doel van hierdie vermelding is nie om hierdie man te verheerlik nie, maar om daarop te wys dat God enige persoon kan gebruik om wonderwerke te verrig, op voorwaarde dat hy/sy glo. (Sien Luk 18)

4. HIS TEACHING ON HEALINGWhatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. —Mark 11:24

Scripture reading: Matthew 17:14–21

What will it be like when we get rid of this body of flesh? In the meantime, God means for us to put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:11) while we are here. He wants us to be covered with the covering of His Spirit and to grow in grace and the knowledge of God (2 Pet. 3:18).

Oh, what God has laid up for us, and what we may receive through the name of Jesus! Oh, the value of the name, the power of the name; the very name of Jesus brings help from heaven and can bind evil powers and “subdue all things to Himself” (Phil 3:21). Thank God for victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10


For the sake of saving us, Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). How beautiful it is to say with our whole will, ―I will be obedient to God. He is lovely; He is beautiful. I do not remember Him ever denying me anything when I have come to Him; He has never turned me away empty. He is such a wonderful Saviour, such a Friend that we can depend upon with assurance, rest, and complete confidence. He can roll away every burden. Think of Him as the exhaustless Saviour, the everlasting Friend, One who knows all things, One who is able to help and deliver us. When we have such a Source as this, we can stretch out our hands and take all that we need from Him.

We may think we have faith in God, but we must not doubt in our hearts. Faith is an inward operation of the divine power that dwells in the contrite heart and can lay hold of things not seen. Faith is a divine act; faith is God in the soul. God operates by His Son and transforms the natural into the supernatural.

Faith is active, never dormant. Faith lays hold; faith is the hand of God; faith is the power of God. Faith never fears; faith lives amid the greatest conflict; faith moves even things that cannot be moved. God fills us with His divine power, and sin is dethroned. “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17). You cannot live by faith until you are just and righteous. You cannot live by faith if you are unholy or dishonest.

In order to understand His fullness, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. God has a measure for us that cannot be measured. When you are in this relationship, sin is dethroned, but you cannot purify yourself. It is by the blood of Jesus Christ, God‘s Son, that you are cleansed from all sin. We are His life; we are members of His body. The Spirit is in us, and there is no way to abide in the secret place of the Lord except by holiness.

Be filled with the Word of God. Listen, those of you who have stiff knees and stiff arms today, you can get a tonic by the Word of God that will loosen your joints and will divide even your joints and marrow (Heb. 4:12).

One of the greatest things in the Word of God is that it discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Oh, that you may allow the Word of God to have perfect victory in your bodies so that they may be tingling through and through with God‘s divine power! Divine life does not belong to this world but to the kingdom of heaven, and the kingdom of heaven is within you (Luke 17:21). God wants to purify our minds until we can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things (1 Cor. 13:7). God dwells in you, but you cannot have this divine power until you live and walk in the Holy Spirit, until the power of the new life is greater than the old life.

God wants us to move mountains. Sometimes things appear as though they cannot be moved, but you can believe in your heart and stand on the Word of God, and God‘s Word will never be defeated. First, believe that you get them, and then you will have them. That is the difficulty with people. They say, ―Well, if I could feel I had it, I would know I had it. But you must believe it, and then the feeling will come. You must believe it because of the Word of God.

11


Thought for today: Anything that appears to be like a mountain can be moved: the mountains of difficulty, the mountains of perplexity, the mountains of depression or depravity—things that have bound you for years.

5. VICTORY THROUGH FAITH Smith WigglesworthIncrease our faith. —Luke 17:5

Scripture reading: Luke 18:1–14

Inactivity must be brought to a place of victory. Inactivity—what wavers, what hesitates, what fears instead of having faith—closes up everything, because it doubts instead of believes in God. What is faith? Faith is the living principle of the Word of God. It is life; it produces life; it changes life. How great our faith should be, for we cannot be saved except by faith. We cannot be kept except by faith. We can only be baptized by faith, and we will be caught up by faith; therefore, faith in the living God is a blessed reality.

All the wonderful things that Jesus did were done so that people might be changed and made like Him. Oh, to be like Him in thought, act, and plan! He went about His Father‘s business and was eaten up with the zeal of His house (Ps. 69:9). I am beginning to understand 1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” As I feed on the Word of God, my whole body will be changed by the process of the power of the Son of God.

The Lord dwells in a humble and contrite heart and makes His way into the dry places, so if you open up to Him, He will flood you with His life. You can never cleanse sin; you can never purify sin; you can never be strong if in sin; you will never have a vision while in sin. Revelation stops when sin comes in. The human spirit must come to an end, but the Spirit of Christ must be alive and active. You must die to the human spirit, and then

12


God will quicken your mortal body and make it alive (Rom. 8:11). Without holiness no man will see God (Heb. 12:14).

Thought for today: A little bit of sin will spoil a whole life.

6. VREDEJesus se groet aan sy dissipels was “Vrede vir julle”. Dit is wat Hy al Sy volgelinge toewens:

Johannes 14:27 “Vrede laat Ek vir julle na, my vrede gee Ek aan julle; nie soos die wêreld gee, gee Ek aan julle nie. Laat julle hart nie ontsteld word en bang wees nie.”

“Fillepense 4:7-8 “En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal julle harte en julle sinne bewaar in Christus Jesus. (interessant genoeg dien die res van hierdie teks as inleiding en bevestiging van die volgende hoofstuk oor heiligheid) Verder, broeders, alles wat waar is, alles wat eerbaar is, alles wat regverdig is, alles wat rein is, alles wat lieflik is, alles wat loflik is—watter deug en watter lof daar ook mag wees, bedink dit.”

Ek kan dus nie tot ‘n ander gevolgtrekking kom as dat Vrede hand aan hand met heiligheid loop nie.

Die betekenis van die Hebreeuse woord vir vrede, “shalom” is omvattend.

Strongs se bybelwoordeboek sit die woord “vrede” as volg uiteen: “

sha - ׁשלם ̂lo ̂m = safe, well, happy, friendly; also welfare, that is, health, prosperity, peace: favour, + friend, good health, be at peace, prosperous, rest, safe wholly.”

en sluit in –

1. rus,

13


2. guns,3. geluk, 4. oorvloed,5. welstand,6. goedheid,7. veiligheid,8. voorspoed 9. gesondheid 10. vriendelikheid en11. volkomendheid

Ek wil u aanmoedig om hierdie vrede “wat alle verstand te bowe gaan” op te soek by Die Een wat dit vir u toewens… (Fil 4:7)

Aanvaar dat Sy wens en gedagtes vir u is om u op te bou en aan u ‘n hoopvolle toekoms van vrede te gee. (Jer 29:11)

7. HEILIGHEID ‘n VOORVEREISTE (2 Kor 6-7)

As rekenaarprogrammeerders het ons die spreekwoord gehad “garbage in, garbage out (GIGO).” Hierdeur word gese dat ‘n rekenaar net die data kan prosseseer wat aan hom gevoer word. Met ander woorde wanneer ek toelaat dat die “garbage” van hierdie wêreld my brein (rekenaar) infiltreer, is die resultate die “garbage” van hierdie wêreld. IBM, op wie se rekenaars ons gewerk het, het ‘n spreekwoord gehad “THINK”. Duisende jare voor IBM aan die gedagte gekom het, het Paulus al reeds gesê “BEDINK die dinge wat daarbo is, nie wat op die aarde is nie.” (Kol 3:2).Heiligheid beteken dat iemand of ‘n item opsy gesit word vir ‘n ander se uitsluitlike gebruik.Die verhaal word vertel van ‘n jong Christen man in Durban wat uitgeroep is om ‘n huis teen peste te berook. Na hy die taak voltooi het, het die aanvallige eienares hom omhels en in sy oor gevluister “kan ons nie die rekening op ‘n ander manier vereffen nie?” Hierop het hy haar weggestoot met die woorde “Jammer, maar ek behoort nie aan myself nie.”Ons word gedurig blootgestel aan die invloed van hierdie bose wêreld. Invloed kom na ons deur die nuusmedia, verkeerde geselskap, vermaak, die internet en filosofieё. Satan gebruik die inligting wat deur ons sintuie na ons kom om gedagtes van neerslagtigheid, onmag, vrees, moedeloosheid, hulpeloosheid, wellus, bitterheid, haat, verwerping en ongeloof te plant in ons psige. Indien ons hierdie insinuasies aanvaar word ons ontneem van ‘n oorwinningslewe in Jesus Christus.Vir hierdie rede is dit aller belangrik dat ons ‘n wilsbesluit neem om insette van die bose in ons gedagtes te weerstaan en ons rekenaar met rein gedagtes te programmeer - soos Paulus aan die gemeente van Fillippi skryf “Verder, broeders, alles wat waar is, alles wat

14


eerbaar is, alles wat regverdig is, alles wat rein is, alles wat lieflik is, alles wat loflik is—watter deug en watter lof daar ook mag wees, bedink dit.” (Fil 4:8).Soos die spreekwoord se “Jy kan nie verhoed dat voëls oor jou kop vlieg nie, maar jy kan wel verhoed dat hulle in jou hare nes maak!”In 2Kor 6:12-19 beskryf Paulus heiligheid omontwonde. Paulus moedig ons aan om ons volle potensiaal in Christus te bereik en nie tevrede te wees met ‘n eng, middelmatige lewensbestaan sonder hoop en sonder God in die wêreld nie: Ek het die vrymoedigheid geneem om ‘n woordstudie van sekere belangrike woorde in hierdie teks te doen vir duidelikheid: “Nie in ons het julle dit te nou nie, maar in jul binneste het julle dit te nou.”

“nou” – Gr. stenocho ̄ reo ̄ beteken “to hem in closely, that is, (figuratively) cramp: - distress, straiten. (Your inner man is in a straitjacket, constrained by worldly things) (Strongs)

“Maar by wyse van vergoeding—ek praat soos met kinders—moet julle ook verruim word.”

“Verruim” – Gr. platuno ̄ ; to widen (literally or figuratively): - make broad, enlarge. (enlarge your spiritual capacity) (Strongs)

“Moenie in dieselfde juk trek saam met ongelowiges nie, want watter deelgenootskap het die geregtigheid met die ongeregtigheid, en watter gemeenskap het die lig met die duisternis? En watter ooreenstemming het Christus met Bélial, of watter aandeel het die gelowige met die ongelowige? Of watter ooreenkoms het die tempel van God met die afgode?”

Let op die woorde “deelgenootskap”, “gemeenskap”, “ooreenstemming”, “aandeel” en “ooreenkoms”, hierbo. Alles woorde wat dit verduidelik dat God, ons Vader, ons nie wil deel met hierdie bose, demonies-gevulde wêreld nie. Satan besoedel ons denke deur die inhoud van koerante, tydskrifte, wêreldse geselskap, TV en natuurlik die internet. Die Woord bemoedig ons duidelik in die volgende 3 gedeeltes; “Kol 3:2 “Bedink die dinge wat daarbo is, nie wat op die aarde is nie.” en ook “Fil 4:8 “Verder, broeders, alles wat waar is, alles wat eerbaar is, alles wat regverdig is, alles wat rein is, alles wat lieflik is, alles wat loflik is—watter deug en watter lof daar ook mag wees, bedink dit”“Bedink” (Set your affection on (KJV) –(Gr. phroneo ̄) - to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): - set the affection on, (be) care (-full), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind (-ed, regard, savour, think.) (Strongs)… en laaste, maar nie die minste nie Rom 12:1,2 “Ek vermaan julle dan, broeders, by die ontferminge van God, dat julle jul liggame stel as ‘n lewende, heilige en aan God welgevallige offer dit is julle redelike godsdiens. En word nie aan hierdie wêreld gelykvormig nie, maar word verander deur die vernuwing

15


van julle gemoed sodat julle kan beproef wat die goeie en welgevallige en volmaakte wil van God is.”“Gemoed ” – (Gr nous) - the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning: - mind, understanding. (Strongs)

“Want julle is die tempel van die lewende God, soos God gespreek het: Ek sal in hulle woon en onder hulle wandel, en Ek sal hulle God wees, en hulle sal vir My ‘n volk wees. Daarom, gaan onder hulle uit en sonder julle af, spreek die Here; en raak nie aan wat onrein is nie, en Ek sal julle aanneem; en Ek sal vir julle ‘n Vader wees, en julle sal vir My seuns en dogters wees, spreek die Here, die Almagtige.”Persoonlik is ek baie lief vir “The Message se uiteensetting van die Woord en haal graag 2Kor 6:12-18 hieruit aan vir beter insig:

(Message) “We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: "I'll live in them, move into them; I'll be their God and they'll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me." The Word of the Master, God.”2Kor 7:1 “Terwyl ons dan hierdie beloftes het, geliefdes, laat ons ons van alle besoedeling van die vlees en die gees reinig, en laat ons die heiligmaking in die vrees van God volbring.”

2Co 7:1 With promises like these to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. (Message)

16


AANHANGSEL TOT HOOFSTUK 7:Who’s Lying to You? -Getting rid of negative thoughts-

A depressed young man sat down next to the grey-haired, stooped figure of his elderly grandfather.“Why are you looking so sad and sorrowful?” the old man asked.

“Grandpa, I feel like I can’t find any rest, day or night. I feel utterly useless; that I’m a disappointment to all the people I once loved. I feel like I’ve messed up my whole life. When I’m around other people, I make them feel sad. I doubt if there’s anyone out there that still loves me,” the young man explained. “It’s as if my conscience is constantly accusing me of being useless and disappointing my parents and friends.”

The grandpa sat quite still for some time, pondering over his grandson’s dilemma, stroking his grey beard and deeply in thought.

“You must learn to correctly identify the voices talking to you and accusing you” the old man gently whispered.

“Let me tell you an old folk tale; a story that was carried on from one decade to the next one, as a story told by the wise old men from the tribe, to the children when the nights are cold and they huddle together around a small cooking fire,” he continued …

There was an old man who felt sad and useless; the love of his life could not give him a son for future generations. She remained barren despite the two of them trying everything they knew of, to conceive. They also fervently prayed for a miracle.

In total despair his wife told him, “Please take my slave girl for yourself; take her to bed and let her conceive your child. Her child will be my child, as our ancient customs dictate, under such circumstances.

17


The slave girl fell pregnant and gave birth to a son. But the she didn’t react subserviently as the custom dictates. She believed she was superior to her barren mistress, and mocked her. The mistress was deeply hurt, and got very angry. She banished the haughty slave girl, sending her into the desert. An Angel appeared to her and urged her to go back and to be-submissive.

Years later the mistress fell pregnant as well; this was nothing short of a miracle. When her young son reached the age of about four, the family had a weaning festival as tradition required.

There were already hard feelings between the banished slave girl who had borne the husband’s first child, and her mistress; and this negative feeling spilled over into the older son’s attitude. He started mocking his younger (half) brother incessantly, and never let up.

Eventually the younger son was ready to explode with frustration. He ran to his mom and said, “My older brother keeps on belittling me in front of all the visitors, he keeps on mocking me, please help me,” he cried. “I can’t take it anymore!”

The old man’s love of his youth ran to him pleading, “Please tell your older son and his mother to leave us! Their attitudes are absolutely uncalled for! They’re turning our son’s life into a misery!”

The old man looked at her with astonishment. “You know I can’t do that! She is my wife by law! You told her I should take her and conceive a child with her! Her son is my own son … in fact, according to tradition he is your son, and I can’t send them away into the desert!”

This explanation did nothing to placate his real wife. She kept nagging and nagging as only a woman could do. “Send them away! Send them away! Tell them to go!”

When he couldn’t stand it any longer, in total despair he relented. “Alright then! If you keep on, and on, and on, pressurising me to send them away, why don’t we go and pray and ask God what we should do. Then you will hear God telling us that I can’t send them away; they are my family according to our tradition, and I have a legal responsibility towards them.”

So they went to a quiet place to seek God’s presence and to pray.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE OUTCOME WAS?!

“It can’t be true, we must be mistaken, listen what God is saying” the old man cried. “God said, ‘Send them away, the son of this slave girl may not inherit anything from all your riches! There is not enough for both of them; only your real wife’s son may inherit.’ “

18


“But Grandpa, what are you trying to tell me through this age old story?” the depressed grandson was confused. “What is the connection between this story and my terrible fight with my conscience accusing me?”

THAT WASN’T THE END OF THIS AGE-OLD STORY … ALMOST 2000 YEARS LATER, ITS MEANING IS FINALLY BEING CLARIFIED. “The slave girl and her son represent laws made by men to live by. According to the teachers of that era 2000 years ago, living by certain rules was the only way to attain inner peace and peace with God,” the grandpa goes on to explain.

“But these man-made rules are harsh and almost impossible to adhere to. Consequently, it is almost impossible to achieve that sought-after peace of mind, and peace with God.”

“The younger son, borne years later by the old man’s first love, symbolises something totally different,” he continues. “The last-born son stands for the fact that we can resist the accusations brought on us by man-made traditions (the older son, whom the slave girl gave birth to). We have the assurance that God allows us … wait, no; he actually orders us, to send that ‘older son’ and his accusations packing! He gives us freedom. He sets us free from all the mockery of the ‘older son’.”

The grandpa turns to his grandson. “You see, this ‘son’ and his mockery of you, is pretending to be your conscience. He wants you to believe that it is your conscience that accuses you of not being good enough; of being a failure. Of being someone you should be ashamed of being. But this is not true. This ancient fable reveals what God wants you to do when you’re faced with all these inner accusations and self doubts: ‘SEND THEM AWAY! BANISH THEM!’ It’s not your conscience condemning you. It’s man-made rules and conditions that condemn you and bring you down!”

“The younger son of the old man’s first love, represents the freedom that God gives us. There is not enough energy in you to listen to both these voices, they will totally and utterly exhaust you. Distinguish which one is the voice of the evil one. The one who pretends to be your conscience. Chase him away tell him to keep quiet! Tell him that God gave you a new direction... to not listen to that voice, to banish him! Turn around. Listen to the other voice, telling you that the accusations are false … telling you that you are free, that you have endless value in God’s eyes, and that is all that really matters.”

“Ponder on this, my boy. It’s not your conscience accusing you, it is the evil who pretends to be your conscience. Send him away with the authority that God gives you. Instead listen to the other voice telling you how precious you are to God, and how much he values you, and that is all that matters. There is nothing of any higher value than God’s evaluation of you. Believe that. Keep telling yourself that, and you will be free!”

The young man rose from his grandpa’s porch chair, and straightened up for the first time in a long time. For the first time in many months, he had hope in his eyes. Against

19


all odds, he decided to listen to the wise old man. To shut out the negative accusations. To embrace the freedom that was his; and by God’s grace, to live life seeing God’s worth of him.

***

Author’s note: This article was inspired by Dr Caroline Leaf, author of ‘The Perfect You’. In her book, she explains that the thinking of toxic thoughts can change gene expression in just the same way that exposure to chemicals and pollution does. Our DNA is developed to react to the language of our thoughts and the words following these thoughts. Recent neuro-scientific studies have shown that oxytocin, secreted by the brain, can literally ‘melt away’ negative thought bundles, thereby facilitating the ‘re-wiring’ of new non-toxic pathways. Dopamine works with the oxytocin to achieve this melting down of the negative thought bundles. We know that endorphin release makes us feel good, and also helps to ‘detox’ the brain. When we do good things, and when we reach out to others in love, endorphins are released, making us feel better. Broadly speaking, these findings collectively communicate the fact that our mind influences our brain.

Reference: Author: Caroline LeafYear published: 2017Book title: The perfect youPublisher: Grand Rapids Division of Baker Publishing Company

20


8. ONS WORSTELSTRYD (Efe 6:10-13) Paulus gebruik die onderstaande gedeelte om aan te dui dat ons in ons lewensstryd voortdurend gewikkeld is in ‘n stoeiwedstryd met wesens sonder liggame. ‘n Stryd wat ons slegs met die krag wat die Here verleen kan wen…

“Eindelik, my broeders, word kragtig in die Here en in die krag van sy sterkte. Trek die volle wapenrusting van God aan, sodat julle staande kan bly teen die liste van die duiwel. Want ons worstelstryd is nie teen vlees en bloed nie, maar teen die owerhede, teen die magte, teen die wêreldheersers van die duisternis van hierdie eeu, teen die bose geeste in die lug. Daarom, neem die volle wapenrusting van God op, sodat julle weerstand kan bied in die dag van onheil en, nadat julle alles volbring het, staande kan bly.”

God se wapenrusting (Efe 6:14-18)

“Staan dan vas, julle lendene met die waarheid omgord, (Jesus se Woord is die waarheid)

met die borswapen van die geregtigheid aan, (deur die bloed van die Lam is ons regverdig verklaar)

en as skoene aan julle voete die bereidheid vir die evangelie van vrede (shalom).

Behalwe dit alles neem die skild van die geloof op waarmee julle al die vurige pyle van die Bose sal kan uitblus. (Gaan oor tot aksie en vertoon aan almal onder wie se banier jy oorlog voer… die skilde van ouds het altyd die insignia van die koning vertoon.)

En neem aan die helm van verlossing (Die aanklaer sal altyd se dat jy onwaardige is, maar God het jou regverdig verklaar en jy kan kies wie jy glo.)

en die swaard van die Gees—dit is die woord van God – (Put your money where your mouth is – sê en doen wat jy glo!)

terwyl julle met alle gebed en smeking by elke geleentheid bid in die Gees, en juis daartoe waak met alle volharding en smeking vir al die heiliges”

“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this

21


on-going warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Message)

22


9. OPSTANDINGSLEWE – ROMEINE 6:1-23 (Message)Ek het die vrymoedigheid geneem om Romeine 6 net so uit die “Message” aan te haal om die nuwe lewe van ‘n gelowige te illustreer. Die grootste wonderwerk is dat God ‘n nuwe geestelike begin in my, ‘n verlore sondaar kom skep. Van die vorige heerskappy van satan en sonde oor my lewe transformeer ek, deur ‘n sterwe van my ou selfsugtige mens, deur weergeboorte, na die koninkryk van God. Sonde, krankheid en psigise siektes is ‘n manifistasie van sonde die dood en die koninkryk van die bose. As volgeling van Jesus Christus moet ek elke aanval van die vyand weerstaan met die krag van God en deur die wapens van geregtigheid in my linker en regterhand. (Sien Hoofstuk 8)

:1 “So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? :2 I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? :3 Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace--a new life in a new land! That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. :4 When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. :5 Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country. :6 Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life--no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: :8 If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. :9 We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. :10 When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. :11 From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. :12 That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. :13 Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time--remember, you've been raised from the dead!--into God's way of doing things. :14 Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God. :15 So, since we're out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? :16 Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. :17 But thank God you've started listening to a new master, :18 one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! :19 I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing--not caring about others, not caring about God--the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness? 20 As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you

23


didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. :21 But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end. :22 But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! :23 Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.”

10. SLOTMy verhaal is nie eers ‘n druppeltjie in die emmer van wat God doen nie en word absoluut verdwerg deur die biblioteke vol boeke oor goddelike genesing.

24


Moontlik is u eie gesondheid onder aanval. Ek vertrou dat hierdie artikel u nuwe hoop sal gee om u lewe in die “God van hoop” se sorg te plaas vir genesing, of dalk is u ‘n bedienaar van die Woord wat soekendes is na meer krag in u bediening of moontlik iemand wat “toevallig” op hierdie artikel afgekom het.

My gebed is dat Jesus u lewensuitkyk oor hierdie onderwerp sal verruim en u dors maak na nog meer.

NS:

Met my opvolgbesoek aan Dr Cass het hy verklaar dat die derde stel bloedtoetse negatief getoets het.

Ek moes ‘n maand wag vir die uitslag op die beenmurgtoetse – wat ook negatief vir bloedkanker getoets het!

Dr Cass het die toestand as ‘n oorproduksie van wit bloedselle gediagnoseer en ‘n kapsule voorgeskryf om dit onder beheer te hou.

SOLI DIO GLORIA

25


AANHANGSEL: DIE KONINKRYK VAN GOD

INLEIDINGDie volgende aanhaling kom uit die pen van H.G. Wells: “The most radical proposal ever presented to the minds of men, was the proposal to replace the present world order with God’s order, the kingdom of God.”

Jesus het met Sy eerste koms ‘n brughoof kom vestig vir sy koninkryk te midde van ‘n bose en Vyandige wêreld. Met sy tweede koms sal alle boosheid en elke politieke koninkryk omver gewerp word en Christus sal heers oor al sy onderdane. (Mat 13:41-43)

Die toetrede tot die Koninkryk van God moet met die volgende elemente gepaardgaan;

- om van ‘n duistere en dooie lewensfilosofie na die waarheid en lewe te keer,

- wedergebore te word deur Goddelike inwerking, en

- ‘n onderdaan van Jesus Christus te word.

Geen sakrament, tradisie of ander metode kan enige verskil of toevoeging aan bogenoemde maak nie.

BEKERING

Teksvers: “Van toe af het Jesus begin om te preek en te sê:

Bekeer julle, want die koninkryk van die hemele het naby gekom” (Mat 4:17).

“Van toe af,” impliseer direk na Jesus se versoeking, as die openingswoorde van Sy nuwe bediening.

Om hierdie teks beter te verstaan, is dit belangrik dat ons die gedeelte in konteks lees en verstaan. Om hierdie rede begin ek by vers 15 en eindig by vers 19. Ek sal dan die 7 belangrike elemente in genoemde gedeelte wat as agtergrond-boustene tot vers 17 dien, toelig. Sodoende sal dit duidelik word waarom Jesus die belangrike woorde in vers 17 gespreek het.

Mat 4:15-16 “Die land Sébulon en die land Náftali, na die see toe, oorkant die Jordaan, Galiléa van die heidene—die volk wat in duisternis sit, het ‘n groot lig gesien, en die wat sit in die land en skaduwee van die dood, vir hulle het ‘n lig opgegaan ”. Hierbo haal Jesus aan uit Jesaja 9:1-2.

a. Doodskadu

“Duisternis, Skaduwee en dood” beskryf die toestand van menslike denke onder die heerskappy van Satan. Skaduwee impliseer dat iemand tussen jou en die lig staan. Duisternis beteken om onkundig te wees. Lig simboliseer waarheid (waarvan Jesus die

26


toonbeeld is) terwyl duisternis die leuen en misleiding simboliseer (waarvan Satan die vader is.)

b. ‘n Groot lig

“vir hulle het ‘n groot lig opgegaan” beteken om van ‘n groot waarheid bewus te word… hierdie tema word goed in die Bybel verduidelik en dit sal die leser tot voordeel strek om die volgende teksverwysings te bestudeer: Joh 3:16-19; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 Joh 1:5; 1 Joh 2:8. Onkunde word dikwels met misdaad en sonde verbind: 1 Thes 5:5; Efe 5:11; Luk 22:53. Ek plaas slegs 1 Pet 2:9 vir u gemak; “Maar julle is ‘n uitverkore geslag, ‘n koninklike priesterdom, ‘n heilige volk, ‘n volk as eiendom verkry, om te verkondig die deugde van Hom wat julle uit die duisternis geroep het tot sy wonderbare lig.”

c. Van toe af

Mat 4:17a “Van toe af het Jesus begin”

Van hierdie oomblik af het Jesus met sy bediening op aarde begin, langs die see van Galiléa. Die wyse waarop Hy sy 3–jaar bediening ingelei het, was met hierdie gewigtige woorde wat ons nou in oënskou neem. (Jesus het Sy bediening ingelei pas nadat Satan hom versoek het.)

d. Bekeer julle

“om te preek en te sê: Bekeer julle” Mat 4:17b

Die Griekse woord “metanoeo ̄” beteken “om jou denke te verander.” Amper soos ‘n rekenaar wat geherprogrammeer word en nuwe instruksies uitvoer. Paulus beskryf dit as volg in Efe 1:18: “verligte oë van julle verstand, sodat julle kan weet wat die hoop van sy roeping en wat die rykdom van die heerlikheid van sy erfdeel onder die heiliges is.”

Bekering moet voorafgegaan word deur:

- Die konfrontasie met - en aanvaarding van waarheid (Die Evangelie van Jesus soos verduidelik in 1 Kor 15.)

- Berou oor my sondige lewenswyse. (Sonde beteken om my Skepper se doel met my lewe te mis.)

- Daadwerklik weg te draai van my vorige lewensbeskouing en heerser.

- Die besluit om volgens hierdie nuwe insig en hoop te lewe.

Om die woord “bekeer” vir u beter toe te lig, haal ek drie kommentare aan:

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

Repent.—Etymologically, the word “repent,” which has as its root-meaning the sense of pain, is hardly adequate as a rendering for the Greek word, which implies change of mind and purpose. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word is used of divine

27


rather than human repentance, i.e., of a change of purpose implying pity and regret (1 Samuel 15:29; Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 18:8.) In Wisdom Of Solomon 5:3; Ecclesiasticus 17:24; Ecclesiasticus 48:15, it includes the sorrow out of which the change comes.

Benson’s Commentary

Matthew 3:2. Repent ye,- Be sorry for your sins, and amend your lives.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

“Repent ye” - Repentance implies sorrow for past offences (2 Corinthians 7:10); a deep sense of the evil of sin as committed against God (Psalm 51:4); and a full purpose to turn from transgression and to lead a holy life. A true penitent has sorrow for sin, not only because it is ruinous to his soul, but chiefly because it is an offence against God, and is that abominable thing which he hates.

e. Die koninkryk

“want die koninkryk van die hemele het naby gekom.”

“Die koninkryk” word 126 keer genoem in die Nuwe Testament.

Van hierdie verwysings kom 54 in die boek Matthéüs voor. 52 Keer is die verwysings na die koninkryk van God en 2 keer na die koninkryk van Satan. Van die 54 keer het Jesus dit self 53 keer gebruik en Johannes die doper 1 keer. Hieruit kan ons dus sonder enige twyfel aflei dat hierdie een van Jesus se hooftemas was, indien nie sy hooftema nie, gedurende sy aardse bediening.

“Koninkryk” impliseer;

- Om onderdanig te wees en uiting te gee aan die heerskappy van God in jou hart, jou gesin en jou invloedsfeer.

- Om eers verstandelik verlig te word, weg te draai uit die koninkryk van duisternis en om die nuwe koning Jesus te volg.

- Om ‘n lewe van geloofsgehoorsaamheid te begin en te groei na Sy beeld.

- Om tot die oorlog teen duisternis toe te tree met die swaard van die woord (waarheid.)

Vroeër in die bundel het ek by Matthéüs die volgende aanhaling van Herbert George Wells geskryf:

“The most radical proposal ever presented to the mind of men, the proposal to replace the present world order with God’s order, the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is die eerste Seun en Burger van hierdie nuwe koninkryk op aarde.

28


Die enigste manier om tot God se koninkryk toe te tree as seuns en dogters, is deur wedergeboorte (Joh 3:3-6) en deur geen rite soos besprinkeling, doop of formele kerklidmaatskap nie.

Wedergeboorte impliseer:

- ‘n Hartsverandering deur die inwerking van die Heilige Gees wat deur bekering en beleidenis voorafgegaan moet word.

- ‘n Besnydenis van die hart deur ons nuwe Hoëpriester, Jesus Christus, waardeur ons in Sy nuwe verbond ingelyf word.

- ‘n Indompeling deur die Heilige gees in die liggam van Jesus Christus, Sy gemeente… (sien 1 Kor 12:13.)

f. Kom agter my aan

Mat 4:18-19 “En terwyl Jesus langs die see van Galiléa loop, sien Hy twee broers, Simon wat genoem word Petrus, en Andréas, sy broer, besig om ‘n net in die see uit te gooi; want hulle was vissers. En Hy sê vir hulle: Kom agter My aan.”

Hierdie woorde impliseer om die roeping en doel wat Jesus Christus op my lewe het as ‘n eerste prioriteit, bo my nering, my familie, my vriende, en my plesier te plaas. “Soek eers die Koninkryk van God” (Mat 6:33.)

Bogenoemde impliseer nie dat ek alles moet versaak nie, maar eerder dat ek my prioriteite so orden dat my werk, gesin, vriende en ontspanning op so ‘n wyse gedoen word dat ander se lewens deur my nuwe lewe positief verander word (1 Kol 10:31.)

g. Vissers van mense.

“en Ek sal julle vissers van mense maak” (Mat 4:17b.) Sien Jesus se “GROOT OPDRAG” “Gaan en maak dissipels van alle nasies…” (Mat 28:19.) Die veronderstelling is dat my nuwe lewensprioriteit sal wees om ‘n visser van mense te word en van hulle dissipels te maak. (Die woord “dissipel” of “dissipels” kom 269 keer in die Nuwe Testament voor terwyl “Christen” slegs 3 keer vermeld word. Duidelik moes ons eerder “Dissipel” as “Christen” heet! ‘n Dissipel is ‘n student wat sy Rabbi se woorde en leer. ‘n Student wat Sy woorde toepas en verkondig deur sy lewenswyse. “Christen” is nie noodwendig ‘n slegte naam nie. Dit beteken “soos Christus.” Die dissipels was op ‘n neerhalende wyse só deur die heidene genoem.

• Die ontstaan van hierdie boek is te danke aan die feit dat ons as dissipels van Jesus (ons Rabbi) Sy woorde moet ken en uitleef.

DIE KONINKRYK BEGIN MET DIE SAAI VAN SAAD

29


Mat 13:1-23 “En op daardie dag het Jesus uit die huis uitgegaan en by die see gaan sit. En groot menigtes het by Hom vergader, sodat Hy in ‘n skuit geklim en gaan sit het. En die hele skare het op die strand gestaan. En Hy het baie dinge deur gelykenisse tot hulle gespreek en gesê: ‘n Saaier het uitgegaan om te saai; en terwyl hy saai, val ‘n deel langs die pad, en die voëls het gekom en dit opgeëet. En ‘n ander deel het op rotsagtige plekke geval waar daar nie baie grond was nie; en dadelik het dit opgekom, omdat daar geen diepte van grond was nie; maar toe die son opgaan, is dit verskroei, en omdat dit geen wortel gehad het nie, het dit verdroog. En ‘n ander deel het in die dorings geval, en die dorings het opgekom en dit verstik. En ‘n ander deel het in die goeie grond geval en vrug opgelewer: die een honderd-, die ander sestig-, die ander dertigvoudig.”

LW: Die stelling “Hoor” of “Wie ore het om te hoor, laat hom hoor!” word 15 keer in Mat 13 herhaal.

Wat hierop volg is Jesus se verduideliking van bogenoemde gelykenis;

“As iemand die woord van die koninkryk hoor en nie verstaan nie, kom die Bose en roof wat in sy hart gesaai is—dit is hy by wie langs die pad gesaai is. En by wie op rotsagtige plekke gesaai is—dit is hy wat die woord hoor en dit dadelik met blydskap aanneem; maar hy het geen wortel in homself nie, hy is net vir ‘n tyd, en as daar verdrukking en vervolging kom ter wille van die woord, struikel hy dadelik. En by wie in die dorings gesaai is—dit is hy wat die woord hoor, maar die sorg van hierdie wêreld en die verleiding van die rykdom verstik die woord, en hy word onvrugbaar. En by wie op die goeie grond gesaai is—dit is hy wat die woord hoor en verstaan, wat dan ook vrug dra en oplewer: die een honderd-,die ander sestig-, die ander dertigvoudig.” (Mat 13:19-23.)

‘n NUWE GEBOORTE (ONTKIEMING) VOLG OP DIE SAAI VAN SAADJoh 3:3-4 “Jesus antwoord en sê vir hom: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie weer gebore word nie, kan hy die koninkryk van God nie sien nie. Nikodémus sê vir Hom: Hoe kan ‘n mens as hy oud is, gebore word? Hy kan tog nie ‘n tweede keer in die skoot van sy moeder ingaan en gebore word nie? Jesus antwoord: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie gebore word uit water en Gees nie, kan hy in die koninkryk van God nie ingaan nie.”

Wanneer God se Woord-saad ontkiem, groei en vrug dra in my lewe, kan ek my as ‘n koninkryksonderdaan beskou asook ‘n lidmaat van Sy kerk en Liggaam.

30

voorwoord - servaasdekockblog.files.wordpress.com file · web viewna omvattende toetse word ‘n...

Documents