This morning, while I was asleep, I was suddenly awakened by the Holy Spirit whispering this word to me, "pietistic". The root word is pietism. Pietism was a 17th century religious movement originating in Germany in reaction to formation and intellectualism and stressing Bible study and personal devotional experience and practices; affection of devotion (Merriam-Webster>Dictionary). I have never heard this term in my 35.5 years of existence until today. I think God is so amazing on how He speaks to us!
"Pietism from the root word piety was an influential movement within Lutheranism that combined Luthern emphasis on Biblical doctrine with the Reformed emphasis on individual piety and living a vigorous Christian life."
"Pietistic frugality, humility, restraint, sense of duty and order has been strong culturally and religiously in Scandinavia. Pietism has had a tremendous impact worldwide, especially in North America and Europe." I believe American's in the Western church are still impacted by the properties of the Pietistic movement of Luthernaism. I know I am, when I think about it. I see it in my own life.
Martin Luther was a church activist who believed, as the Scriptures state, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed (remorseful, shame-faced, himiliated, guilty), correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth (2Timothy2:15/ Amplified Version).
Biblical Lesson #1- God'sWord is truth.
Biblical Lesson #2- Personal biblical devotion is necessary and encouraged.
Pietism originated with the work of Philipp Spener a Lutheran theologian whose emphasis on personal transformation through spiritual rebirth and renewal, individual devotion and piety laid the foundations for the movement. Now as I continue reading this article on Pietism I discover that God raised up certain people from various parts of Europe, male and female, to spread "the pietism movement" throughout various parts of Europe. I hear the Spirit of God saying to me that, "In this hour God is raising up individuals from different parts of North America and the earth to spearhead their culture in pietism (2Timothy 2:15)." As a result of knowing God's Word for ourselves we can and will have a greater impact on the culture, as ambassadors of God and His co-laborers in the fulfillment of the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20; 1Corinthians 3:9; 2Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20).
Biblical Lesson #3: Pietism is responsible for the ministry work of the Evangelist (Acts 2:40-47, 8:14-17, 25, 26-40).
Now, in order for you to hear God in your time of personal devotion of the Scriptures, it is imperative that you cultivate an atmosphere to hear God and receive His truth. Many who are dull in their hearing, who are thick and impenetrable in their hearts can not receive the things of God, because they are spiritually degenerate and unregenerated. In order to effectively receive and grow in the things of God so that we can go we must purposefully put off the old nature of sin and be re-trained, re-programmed in our minds with biblical principles and put on a regenerate nature made in the image of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24; Jeremiah 4:3-4; 6:10; Matthew 13:15; Hebrews 5:11-12/ Amplified Version). GOD will urge us to study, but HE will not force us to study the Bible. He will, though, aid us in our time of devotion, relieving us of limitations and distractions to study, but WE must first put forth an effort. As I learned, You do it! Amen.
Bible Lesson #4- A regenerate nature is the nature of God.
Please Note: When we lack the consistency to study the Scriptures, we are conveying to God that we are disinterested in what He has to say. And saints, in God's book that's a BIG no, no! We must desire the sincere milk of God's Word and as we grow eat meat. As milk is for the bones (the bodies protection) and meat is for the muscles (producing free flowing movement and strength) so it is true concerning our spiritual growth. The milk of God's Word protects our movement in the Spirit as we grow up into Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Jesus called twelve disciples to himself to separate them for the work of the ministry. Although they were called at the same time, together, their growth in the Scriptures and for the equipping of ministry was an individual calling. They all grew, but they grew on different levels, in different streams of ministry depending on their individual assignment. They had to possess a personal pietism for God and His Word.
Those who have deep pietism will have a greater impact when reaching the lost and teaching and equipping the saints in their Christianity. Why? They will possess greater impact, because the Word of God in their hearts permeates the soul, resulting in fortification in the total man (spirit, soul, and body). When trials and temptation come, because they are rooted in their devotion unto the Lord, they will be unmoved, disspelling the kingdom of darkness and illuminating and advancing the agenda of the kingdom of light.
JESUS, throughout the New Testament gospels would speak in parables. But why? HE did so to separate the seekers from the swindlers. I, also, believe that Jesus spoke in parables to spark in the seeker a seek for personal peitism.
Jesus spoke to the multitudes, but not all of the multitudes grasped the message of Jesus Christ. He who had ears to hear what the Spirit of Truth was communicating to the church bore fruit of that messsge. Just because you go to church and hear the gospel doesn't necessarily mean it is being applied. Our lives will bear witness of our seek. We can only go as far as our grow. Amen.
Biblical Lesson#5: Study! Study! Study! Study the Scriptures and fall head over heels in love with JESUS.
I encourage you to put your circumcised ear to the heart of God and allow Him to unlock historical accounts regarding the Bible with ONE WORD. For me it was pietistic. What is HE speaking to you? I learned pietism dated back all the way to 17th century. Wow!!! Remarkable! That's 4 centuries back y'all! Smh...
ONE WORD from God can unlock and release the movement of God over our days for generations to come. I believe now that is what GOD was conveying to me. He's unlocking pietism in our day. He is raising up a generation throughout the earth that will devote themselves to studying the Scritures; a generation willing to go deeper nonetheless into the matchless, presence of GOD.
Isn't that Good News? Good News to all pietisticals in pursuit of God on a mission to impact nations across the globe! Globetrotters addision.
KINGDOM BUILDING UNITED
(Promotingthe Good News of Jesus Christ around the globe)
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