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Inner & Outer Man

When it comes to evangelism, it is not black and white, and not “do this, do that.” However, God’s wisdom is manifold, meaning, it is multicolored and multifaceted. The same goes for His commandments and the way He calls us to make His character known to others in this world. There is no strict right and wrong way to how God calls to manifest His Word, because God has created each of us uniquely and with different gifts. But it still leaves the question: How do I give the Word to others?

How do I give the Word to others?

God shows us there are two natures to every person: an inner and an outer person. The inner is our heart, mind, and soul; the true reality of who we are. The outer is what people see and what is revealed from the inside. God first desires to wash our inner man (Eph. 5:26), in how we think, see, and perceive. This includes how we see God, ourselves and others, through Christ. But what do we do after knowing God has done this work and has done a change in our lives on the inside, and now seek to give it to others? Although this requires personal revelation on what He wants you to do, God provides a blueprint, that is universal for everyone, in His law:

Numbers 4:4-6, “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things: When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles.”

It says Aaron and his sons veil the furniture inside the tabernacle. After the ark of the covenant, which contains God’s glory, is covered in badger/animal skin for the Kohathites protection, the Kohathites are to then carry the veiled ark on their shoulders using poles.

Numbers 4:15, “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.”

So how does this help us to understand evangelism and giving the Word? The Apostle says we are this temple/tabernacle (1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:1). Therefore, these holy things in the temple are the holy things revealed in us. However, God says it needs to be veiled to the Kohathites.

The Apostle says we are this temple/tabernacle. Therefore, these holy things in the temple are the holy things revealed in us.

Just as the Apostles taught we represent the temple, let’s look to the early church to see who these Kohathites are:

“Few approach from those who seem less instructed or learned (Kohathites). For to those things (the furniture in the temple) that are mystical and hidden away in secret and are exposed only to priests, not only does no ‘animal man’ approach, but not even those who seem to have some learning and training, have not yet ascended to the grace of the priesthood by their merits and life. For not only do they see these things ‘through a mirror’ and ‘in a riddle’ but also, they receive them covered and veiled, and they carry them ‘on their shoulders,’ namely so that they may recognize these things more by the action of works than by the revelation of knowledge.” – Origen [1]

When we share Christ with others, Origen is saying the Kohathites are those who are unlearned and God hasn’t revealed Himself to them. As priests, our job is to begin with veil the holy things, before directly resealing revelation, and allow it to be known through actions and deeds, before our words. When God came into this world, it doesn’t say He remained Spirit only, but “became flesh and dwelled amongst us,” (Joh. 1:14). Like Jesus, we too must wrap the holy things in the flesh for a season and let our character and actions plant a seed in those who are recognizing the fruit and virtue of His Spirit.

The Lord says in Numbers 4:18-20,

 “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task. But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.”

Though it is God’s will to manifest Himself, it is not lawful for everyone to go inside the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. For this reason, God in His mercy, uses His priests to veil it and give to others. Those who have been circumcised in their heart, washed, and anointed according to the spiritual law, are the Aarons or “light bringers,” in the world. Therefore, in anything or any situation you find yourself in: work, school, at home, grocery store, etc., it all begins at flesh, the veil, this natural realm, and we are a portal and dwelling place of heaven for those around us. When a person sees your light manifesting, through Christ in you, it is now “on their shoulders” until they ask and seek God to take them through the process and get eyes to see the holy things of the tabernacle, His nature within them.

Once we have our inner man washed and anointed in the tabernacle by our High Priest; we use the outer man, to bring the Gospel to others. As Apostle Michael recently said, “You need to put on the inner and outer man.” [2]

Blessings,
The Harvesters

References:
1. Origen of Alexandria- Homilies on Numbers, Homily 4, pg. 16
2. Apostle Michael Petro- Rauch Service, Spiritual
3.All Scripture is from the NKJV Bible




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