Family Planning

Over the years I’ve attempted to increase our awareness and understanding of the father / son relationship. The apostle Paul said, "I have fathered you through the gospel [evangelion]." In other words he had in some way participated in the spiritual birth of the people he was addressing. Not only did he see himself as having a father's responsibility for their overall well-being, but he acknowledged that they would not have been birthed without his direct and intentional involvement. Can you see something? Spiritual birthing also requires the participation and co-operation of two parties.

When planning to birth spiritual offspring, God the Father restricted Himself to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, this birthing could only take place with the deliberate involvement of two parties. One party – equipped, willing and able to deliver the "good news" the other party – possessing the divine power necessary to impart new life. Well, we know the Holy Spirit is willing and able to bring new life to all of mankind. Therefore, the only question is whether the first party [that's one of you] is willing and able to bring the good news! Note there can be many hearers because the hearers [the potential offspring] are restricted simply by their ability to hear. But, just two can ever be involved in the spiritual birthing process.

In the past century, if the physical birth rate had been as low as the spiritual birth rate, the human race would now be almost extinct. In the book of Genesis everything that "had life" brought forth its own kind. Likewise, in regeneration [the new birth – which is new life], every believer should be bringing others to Christ – birthing and producing of His own kind.

So why has the family of God become so impotent? Quite simply, it doesn't have enough fathers! And the reason there are not enough fathers is because people do not feel equipped to father! Turn with me now to 2 Corinthians 3 and let's read verses 1 to 6…

There are two main points brought out here. The first is that we are all living "epistles" [verses 1-3], and secondly, that we are all "able ministers." So let's examine the second statement first. "…Not that we are sufficient [competent] of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency [ability] is from God, who also made us sufficient [competent] as ministers [servers] of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit [quickens] gives life."

The word which the apostle Paul repeats three times is the word "sufficient", and therefore, we can assume it is an important word, and that we should fully understand its significance in this particular setting. This ancient Greek word can also be translated "to render fit, or to make fully able." So, let's read the same scripture with these words inserted.....

"Not that we are ourselves 'rendered fit' to think anything as being from ourselves, but our 'ability' is from God, who also made us 'fit and able' as servers of the [fresh] new covenant."

You are “fully sufficient, fully equipped, fully competent – fit and able”, to serve up the gospel to minister new life. Why? Verse 8… Because this awesome ministry is of the Spirit, which gives glorious life! As God's chosen instrument, you have been fully equipped, and are fit and able, to minister the same new life that you have received – to others.

And, you should never wonder if this is at all possible, since "your sufficiency [ability] is from God."

It is vital that you see yourself as being fully qualified to perform such an essentially important task, because you have been ordained by God to do so. "Not that we are sufficient [rendered fit] of ourselves, but our sufficiency [ability] is of God." You and I are presently the instruments through which God's 'living Word' is manifest on this earth, and by which others may be birthed into the family of God.

This leads me on to the first statement mentioned, "We are all living epistles of Christ." The Greek word translated "epistle" is derived from the word "epistelo" which means "to send to". This is why it can also be translated "message". We are in fact individual 'living' messages, sent from the Author of Life. And, in a qualified sense, we are just as much 'one' with the Author Himself. Furthermore, as we continue to abide in Him, we are just as permanent, as enduring, and as eternally fixed in God as He is.

Therefore, it is true to say, "We have the same message of love written on our hearts" – inscribed permanently by the power of the Holy Spirit. And this love-letter simply reads, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." Do you know? You carry a divine message which will affect people for eternity! This is the good news that pierces the heart and helps give birth to spiritual sons and daughters.

The divine-nature is now abiding in you, and it is continually at work, composing and then delivering heavenly love letters to all those in need. Yes, the Holy Spirit is busy in you right now! Writing living messages - made up of living sentences, living paragraphs and living chapters. And each individual epistle in Christ is filled with divine life; therefore, the Church should be continually growing – enlarging itself and reproducing of itself every day!

Remember, you have been called upon to communicate to those without the Good News - writing a positive message on the heart of each and every person who chooses to be receptive. You are a living love-letter – the infinite revelation of God's grace. Consequently, you have been given the grace to transfer the divine life that you have received to others.

By grace, you have been given the divine ability to partner in the process of giving birth to God’s offspring – of fathering spiritual children. The Holy Spirit "quickens" the new life, however, you must first be prepared, willing and able to deliver the glorious message – a living word (in season). A message that’s been written on your heart; a message of life that brings forth life!

Chris Demetriou, 18/06/2006