You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.” (2 Cor 3:2-3)
The great Hassidic Rabbi Mordechai of Lekovitz was in the town of Minsk expounding Torah to some people who opposed his views.“What you say does not explain the verse in the least,” they protested. “Do you really think,” he replied, “that I was trying to explain the verse in the book? That doesn’t need an explanation! I want to explain the verse that is within me.”
In these end times, we are surrounded with many events of eschatological significance pointing to the return of Yeshua that draws ever closer. May we allow His radiance to shine brightly in and through us so that when the page is turned and we see Him face-to-face there will be no regrets. This can be our story when we allow Him to transform us into ‘living epistles’ and it becomes the explanation for the ‘verse’ that resides within us.
Do not be surprised at negative reactions when you are confronted with multifarious packages, both overt and subtle varieties of ungodly forces in this world. Rather be alarmed when it originates from within the ranks of the Church. In all of these things, our response is critical. It is so easy to react out of woundedness or offence instead of godly humility; from pride instead of compassion and tenderness; from our own weakness instead of His strength; from double-mindedness instead of integrity; falsehood instead of transparency.
The most profound response we can ever make is when we are enfolded in God’s love; that takes immense sacrificial strength and courage. This is our victory in every battle against our adversary equipping us with a spiritual authority which scatters the darkness and brings healing and transformation.
I believe we are living in times where the gauntlet has been thrown down and choices are being made where to draw the line. Scripture states clearly that those who are not for Him are against Him; there is no middle ground.
Once I had a dream and saw the Lord cradling a large, solid gold book encrusted with jewels that shimmered amid His glory. By His side appeared a corridor of library shelves filled with endless rows of other books which extended far beyond into the horizon. I marvelled at their beauty, yet noticed how those closest to Him held a brilliance that outshone all others.
Raphael ben Levi
