THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

Pearl of Great Price (google)

     When I was going through divorce in '08, I was told by my lawyer that no judge in our state would give me my miracle children, because, by my own admission, my 'husband' was a good dad, had a great house, works at a college, is the sound man at his church...he has the image. When I got back to the women's shelter, I told the co-founder, "I believe God is a good God, but I don't believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6, paraphrased)." In light of yesterday's blog, lets look at this verse more closely.
      This morning, I was walking around thinking about why the enemy can admit the first part of the verse, but not the second part of the verse. I asked Jesus, "Did He earnestly seek you, and you refuse Him?" I answered myself, "No...that would make salvation null and void, and it would make God a liar." The Holy Spirit helped me a great deal by reminding me of the Pearl of Great Price in Matthew 13:44-45. In both verses, a man finds a pearl of great value, hides it, goes away and sells everything he owns and buys the field (44), the pearl (45).
     Before we can understand the parable, we have to know the great labor an oyster goes through to make a pearl. So here's a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIOSWAbUf74 So now you know that the formation of a pearl has everything to do with irritants. How could that have anything to do with the kingdom of heaven? Aww. We have come to it.
     Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why are children being baptized, seemingly without choice, when Jesus didn't even get baptized til He was thirty?" The examples that I gave yesterday, of the anointing and the water, didn't come immediately either. Here is what they all have in common: salvation. The name of Jesus means Salvation. How could people have "salvation" without Jesus? How could Moses come up the mountain of God without being slain? The answer is the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, The Holy Spirit (Water of the Word/Oil of Anointing) rested upon the "servants of God." What marked them as servants, was their faith. God accounted "_____" as faith unto him...

Baptism of Jesus (google)

     Things get murky when we try to equate the Gift of Salvation with the Kingdom of God. They are cut out of the same cloth, but one functions as a covering, while the other functions as "Inheritance." In any kingdom, all royal children are dressed according to their position of power/authority. God's Kingdom is similar, but don't go to far beyond the attire. Salvation belongs to alllll within the household of faith. Anyone who is brought to the Household of God, who desires to just be in His presence, He will in no wise, turn them away. There are many in the household of God who are content with just being in His presence. They serve those "who will inherit the Kingdom" with great joy. They don't desire or have a passion for knowing the inner workings of the Kingdom or to Know the King intimately...in the belly of His sufferings. That's ok. God has room for them.
      Now, for those who will inherit the Kingdom, Baptism and Anointing is absolutely necessary for HOLINESS. There is no way you can begin to lay down your life and take on His, without first, dying to self and accepting the Calling God has given, regardless of your feelings. No person can "earn" anything in the Kingdom. Kingdom gifts are granted, not rewarded. In order to have Wisdom concerning The Pearl of Great Price, one has to work through a great many irritants. Why? It is the working through, that makes us able to see His Perfect Gift. I thought I saw it before, but I had to lose everything, including my name to truly see the value. There is no gift like it, and it is the exact reason why the enemy can never say, "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." He seeks to know self as god; not counting self crucified in order to see God.

Real vs Fake (google)

      In the examples of Noah, Moses, Jesus, well, and for that matter, the disciples, the impartation of the Holy Spirit is too fold: Water (baptism) and Oil (anointing). Salvation stands alone. In order to be an inheritor of the Kingdom, it is necessary to be baptized and receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. What is Spirit is Spirit and what is flesh is flesh. Man aught not touch the precious things of God. Philippians 3:12-13 says, "...continue to work out your salvation with fear (awe of God, beginning of wisdom) and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." We tend to judge others for their lack and ourselves by our intentions. In the Kingdom, inheritors must be constantly aware that if they choose to see sin in others, then they agree to admit that it is double in self, and it is an opportunity to deal with self rather than "call out" others.
      Ok, on a final note, lets answer the question, "Why would the finder of The Pearl of Great Price, hide it, then sell everything he owns, return, and buy the field (44), the pearl (45)?" The field represents the condition of our heart...the Pearl of Great Price is hidden inside. The Pearl couldn't be His until he bought the field through the "laying down" of his former life. It cost him everything. In vs. 45, he takes the Pearl of Great Price in his hand, signifying the Spreading of the Gospel (Good News). Such great joy comes with Salvation, that one can't help but share the Gospel; however, it is not until the new believer has been fully submerged in the Water of the Word, and the Oil of anointing,  that he/she can operate the Pearl of Great Place with Wisdom (authority of Love).
     I thought of one more thing. Why a Pearl...why not a diamond, emerald, or stone? I believe it was because Jesus knew that a Pearl would only be seen as valuable by those who are fishermen for a living. No one else would truly see the great efforts used in the formation...how slow, how patient the oyster must be while being irritated. Pearls aren't dazzling and alluring, but around a Bride's neck, priceless. This has been such an awesome journey with my Jesus. My Pearl is in place, and I'm ready to go.