Intend Well Towards All
To intend well towards all is a fundamental requirement for the anointing of God to rest upon us constantly.
Zac Poonen preaches on walking in 'the way of Cain,' highlighting the importance of desiring the best for all, including brothers and sisters in the church, believers in other denominations, relatives, enemies, and those who have harmed us. He emphasizes the need to examine our hearts and intentions, ensuring that we do not harbor ill feelings or rejoice in others' misfortunes. Poonen stresses the necessity of dying to self completely to bear much fruit, displaying a heart that always intends well towards others, even in the face of adversity.
Text
Jude speaks of those who walk in "the way of Cain" (Jude 11). Who are they? They are those who do not intend well towards their brothers. God told Cain that his fundamental problem was that he "did not intend well" towards his brother Abel (Gen.4:7 margin). It is good for all of us to have a spiritual check-up in this matter.
Can you honestly say that you desire the very best for all the brothers and sisters in your local church and for their families? Can you also say that you desire the very best for other believers whom you know in other denominations? Then widen the circle still further and ask yourself if you desire the very best for all the people whom you know, including your relatives, your enemies and those who have harmed you in any way.
If you find a disturbance in your heart (instead of a rejoicing) when something good happens to another person or to his children, or if you sense a rejoicing in your heart (instead of a grief) when something evil happens to him or his family, what do such attitudes indicate? Just this, that the life of Adam is alive and active in you.
If you are honest with yourself, you will soon discover whether you are walking the way of Cain or not. You must be quick when you see that evil Adamic life within you to put it to death, if you want the fire and the anointing of God to rest upon you constantly.
It is when the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies TOTALLY, that there will be much fruit. One who dies totally to himself will never get offended, no matter what others do or don't do. He will always intend well towards all. He will never get angry in any matter that concerns himself and he will never quarrel with anyone. He will never shed a single tear for himself in self-pity - for surely, dead people don't weep in their graves!!
Cain's face was sullen and dark when he did not intend well towards his brother(Gen.4:6). We may not realise it, but the attitude we have in our hearts is often reflected on our faces. If you intend well towards all, your face will always beam with the joy of the Lord.
Many believers are walking in the way of Cain. Beneath their weak smiles and the "Praise the Lord's" that come from their lips, are found wrong attitudes towards their fellow-believers.
When people turn against you and do evil to you, God uses them to give you a scan of your real heart condition. If you cannot love them, your heart-scan will show that you have NOT partaken of God's nature, for God's nature is one that loves even His enemies. Jesus intended well even towards Judas Iscariot.
God desires the very best for all people. The gospel message is that we too can partake of this nature.
Sermon Outline
- The way of Cain
- A spiritual check-up
- The consequences of not intending well
- The path to intending well
- Dying to self
- Intending well towards all
- Reflecting God's nature
Key Quotes
“It is when the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies TOTALLY, that there will be much fruit.” — Zac Poonen
“One who dies totally to himself will never get offended, no matter what others do or don't do.” — Zac Poonen
“Dead people don't weep in their graves!!” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We must be honest with ourselves about our attitudes towards others and make a conscious effort to intend well towards all.
- Dying to self is a necessary step to overcome our Adamic nature and reflect God's nature of loving even enemies.
- The anointing of God is conditional upon our intention to intend well towards all.