CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION:ENTER THE NEW 'D.I.Y'APPROACH
The purpose of this book is to provide a practical way for Christiansto voluntarily put themselves prostrate on the 'threshing floor' ofGod's word, and overcome the usual pitfalls that cause them to strayaway from the path of the Lord. Through this model of threshingfloor, the chaff that is in us all is removed to leave the seed, whichwill be used by God in different ways. From harvest to seed.From the threshing floor to the silo. From the silo to usefulnessin different ways. From the silo to service. The argument that isoffered in this book is that all Christian believers should be threshedfor service in the House of God. Drawing from practical examplesof daily life, the book offers a 'Do It Yourself' (D.I.Y) model forSpiritual refinement, cleansing, purification, revival, renewal,restoration, and useful, satisfying, daily Christian living.
The book develops the concept of 'Threshing floor' by simplifyingit with reference to the idea of the 'House of God' (Psalm 23:6)and the Christian as the New Testament 'temple' (1 Corinthians6:19-20). It is further simplified by making reference to a typicalsub-urban mansion or town-house with nine floors or levels, each ofthem being a 'Threshing Floor' level. The ground floor is Level zero('0'), or simply 'G', followed by floors or levels one (1) up to eight(8). Touching on various character and behavioural attributes, theBible is explored to clinically bring out passages of scripture that areanalysed to facilitate recovery for the wounded Christians, as wellas repentance and regeneration for those who wound or hurt others.Using the traditional view of the Threshing Floor as the 'theologicalor theoretical framework', the book draws from practical day-to-dayexamples that would be common knowledge to many, irrespective ofrace, colour, creed, nationality or upbringing.
As such, this book aims to contribute to teachings, ideas andadvice offered through books, pulpits, seminars, and otherrelevant literature, by suggesting a 'D.I.Y' approach to ChristianCounselling. More specifically, the book explores the possibilityof revealing, for each individual Christian, the 'danger signals' intheir character, language or behaviour that may have a negativeimpact on other believers. The 'threshing floor' is offered as a placeof true reflection, repentance and renewal which mainly benefitsthe particular believer, and eventually benefits the community ofbelievers generally referred to as the Church, or the body of Christ(I Corinthians 12:12; 27).
It is perhaps fair to say that this book explores a relativelyinnovative but practical approach to Christian Counselling. I amaware that there is a lot of useful literature in respect of ChristianCounselling as a general topic. There is no attempt made in thisbook to review that literature. The general presumption is thatone needs counselling, therefore one seeks help from another. Thenew approach offered in this book proposes to have a different andrelatively innovative way of looking at the subject; namely Do ItYourself (D.I.Y). Using the Bible as the best tool, this book offersa threshing floor-based approach to Spiritual renewal and re-generation whereby one approaches someone else only in the eventof the failure of the D.I.Y. process.
Many Christians are too uncomfortable (or is it too proud?) orperhaps too shy to approach someone else for counselling. So theyquietly backslide, they 'die' in their situation and withdraw fromthe Church and other Christians. Or at best they stay put, but badlywounded and hurt, they limp along and remain in the Church. Deeplywounded by fellow believers, whether leaders or not. They becomereligious. It is hoped that through this book, both the wounded andthose who wound others can have their Spiritual balance restored asthey study the Bible in the privacy of their homes and get threshed bythe Word of God.
When someone comes to the Lord, according to the Bible, theyare simply 'harvest', and the chaff must be removed by way of'threshing' to reveal the precious seed (see Matthew 3:11-12;Matthew 9:35-38). Applying the idea of the 'threshing floor', theD.I.Y approach to Spiritual renewal offered in this book allows awounded or wounding Christian to get 'self-threshed' on differenttheoretical or hypothetical 'floors' in the 'House of the Lord' (Psalm23:6).
From my humble literature search, I concluded that little or nothinghas been written by British or European Christian authors on thesubject of the threshing floor. The same rings true for Africa andother parts of the Christian world outside of the USA. It is hopedthat this book will initiate discussion and reflection on this veryimportant subject of the threshing floor, at least in the UK and inAfrica. It will be a further contribution of this book if it encouragesor challenges other writers in UK and Africa to contribute by alsowriting on the same subject.
Introducing 'Whosoever'
The journey and life of a Christian begins the moment they inviteJesus Christ into their lives (John 1:12-13; Romans 10:1-13). It doesnot matter whether one is rich or poor, great or small, educated oruneducated, African or European, American or Asian, of Jewishor Arabic descent—all are brought to the same size at the doorcalled salvation. Most Christians will be familiar with the scripturein John 3:16, where Jesus says: "For God so loved the world, thatHe gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Himshould not perish, but have everlasting life". I highlight the word'whosoever'. You see, salvation is a leveller! At this entrance to theChristian world, everyone, irrespective of race, colour, creed, tribe,nationality, rank etc, is reduced to a WHOSOEVER. Indeed, God isa universal God. Fairness in the Kingdom of God starts right there.For God so loved the world!
The approach taken in this book is not meant for the Bible scholarsor those with various accolades of theological training and learning(diplomas, degrees and what have you)—although I am sure they willdefinitely also benefit from it. The book is written for the ordinaryChristian, an attempt to present the Christian walk in its practicalapplication. It is written for those of us who may not know how tointerpret the Holy Scriptures in their original Hebrew or Greek form.It is not another theological perspective or sermon. It is meant for thatChristian who just wants to live a Christian life, and wants to know howto navigate practically through the Christian Highway (see Isaiah 11:6;30:21; 35:8-10; 40:3-4; 43:18-19; 62:10; Jeremiah 50:5; Proverbs16:17; and John 14:6). This is a threshing floor book for 'whosoever'.
Many people gave their lives to Jesus willingly and with muchexcitement and glee, but fainted somewhere along the way or gotfrustrated and gave up. Some soldiered on in perseverance and pain.They endure rather than enjoy the journey. Fellow Christians get inthe way. The world around you gets in the way of your Christianvalues and beliefs. You find yourself struggling to remain afloat.Even your own flesh gets in the way. Your character does not matchyour anointing. Other Christians at different levels of Churchauthority discourage you in a similar manner. In your view, theircharacter does not match their anointing. They should be and knowbetter, they are the leaders! They should lead by example. It soundsfair to say that, but the question is: Is salvation for the leaders? Thisis not about leadership, lest we miss the point. Read Romans 3:23.All have sinned. 'All' means 'all', without exception. We fall shortof His glory, and the threshing floor helps bring back that lost glory.Read on.
Who needs threshing?
You have been a Christian for a while, but if you be real, you knowyou are struggling. You do things you do not like to do, and you saythings you regret (see Romans 7:14-25). You get angry and moody.You pretend. You exaggerate. You agonise in silence. Your thoughtsgo wild at times, and only you know it. You have skeletons in thecupboard, past and present. In everyone's past, there is some dirt.True saying, that.
You have hidden secrets—things you would rather your Christianfriends and Church never knew or found out about you. You wantto serve God, but you know you have faults. Ever wondered? Ifany of this fits you, then you need this book. You need to learn tolive a "Threshed Christian Life". You need to go on the threshingfloor regularly. Threshing Floor is a process by which you, yourself(yes, you, not others), go before God and be real. You ask Him toconstantly wipe you clean for use and re-use, in pretty much thesame way you use your dishes and cutlery (they get dirty in theprocess), and only re-use them after a rinse and a wash!
Picture this household process which happens on a daily basis—no matterit is the Queen's or King's palace or the servant's quarters, the 'WhiteHouse' or the 'Black House', owner-occupied or rented accommodation,employee or employer's house etc etc—dishes are dishes. Cutlery iscutlery. Whether you use a dish-washer or kitchen sink, wash basin orriver bed—the end result is the same—to be used again, dishes have tobe washed! I propose in this book that to function properly, one day at atime, a Christian has to go through the threshing floor.
I learnt this phrase from a poem taught me during my days atprimary school:
Millionaires, presidents and even kings,Can't get along without everyday things!If you were a President, King or millionaire,You would use a comb to comb your hair!You would need a toothbrush to clean your teeth,
And so the poem went on. The same rings true for us ordinary folk.The 'everyday things' are similar to threshing. In them king andsubjects find common ground. Through these things we all become'whosoevers'. Irrespective of who you are or even where you are,you have to comb your own hair (even if you may have had someoneto 'do' your hair), soap to clean your face, and a toothbrush (or avariation of it) to brush your own teeth.
In the Christian context, I argue in this book, that is the necessityfor the Threshing Floor. It's an everyday 'thing', and we can't getalong without it. This book is for all serious Christians right acrossthe board. It's an everyday kind of book for every born again childof God. Oh Lord, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive usour trespasses ...! Child of God, the Christian Highway is worth it,be threshed, and enjoy the journey!
CHAPTER 2
THE CONCEPT OF THE'THRESHING FLOOR'
The Threshing Process
The word 'thresh' means 'to separate grains or seeds from strawby beating the stems or husks' or 'to beat the stems and husks(of grain or cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate thegrains or seeds from the straw', or 'to beat or rub stalks of ripecorn or a similar crop either with a hand implement or a machineto separate the grain from the husks and straw'. It all startswith seed. The seed of God's Word is planted (see parable of thesower in Matthew 13:3-9; and Jesus' explanation of the same inMatthew 13:18-23). When it falls on good and fertile ground, theseed germinates, grows, and in a big way reproduces after itself. Itbecomes ripe, ready for harvest. The harvested crop is then takento the threshing floor, and so starts the process of threshing. Whenthe threshing process is complete, only the pure grains or seeds ofthe harvest remain. This is what God desires to achieve in everyChristian. As such, in this study I consider the crucial role playedby the threshing floor in God's plan of Salvation for mankind. Rightfrom the sacrifice of Isaac, through to the New Testament idea ofthe believer as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the true Church of theLiving God, I show in this book that the threshing floor is whereGod has purposed to meet with His people. There the Lord haspurposed to deal with His elect, to purge them of all impurities, tillthey sparkle as precious seed in His right hand, ready to be used indifferent ways, and for different purposes in the house of God. Weare threshed to serve God in His house. Threshed for service.
Why do we need the threshing floor?
In an attempt to answer this question, allow me to draw frompractical examples to drive the point home. Let me start with theteachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The Harvest
To start with, please note that Jesus Christ referred to the results ofeffective evangelism as a 'harvest'.
In Matthew 9:35-38, He said;
35. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,teaching in their synagogues, and preaching thegospel of the kingdom, and healing every sicknessand every disease among the people.36. But when hesaw the multitudes, he was moved with compassionon them, because they fainted, and were scatteredabroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37. Then saithhe unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous,but the labourers are few;38. Pray ye therefore theLord of the harvest, that he will sendforth labourersinto his harvest.
Mark 4:26-29 says;
26. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a manshould cast seed into the ground;27. And should sleep,and rise night and day, and the seed should springand grow up, he knoweth not how.28. For the earthbringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then theear, after that the full corn in the ear.29. But when thefruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in thesickle, because the harvest is come.
Furthermore, Luke 10:1-2 says;
1. After these things the Lord appointed other seventyalso, and sent them two and two before his faceinto every city and place, whither he himself wouldcome.2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvesttruly is great, but the labourers are few: pray yetherefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would sendforth labourers into his harvest.
His disciples went into the city of Samaria to look for food. Theyleft Him alone, and He soon found Himself in the company of somecrop, through which He obtained a major harvest.
It says in John 4:32-35;
31. In the mean while his disciples prayed him,saying, Master, eat. 32. But he said unto them, I havemeat to eat that ye know not of. 33. Therefore saidthe disciples one to another, Hath any man broughthim ought to eat? 34. Jesus saith unto them, My meatis to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish hiswork. 35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, andthen cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift upyour eyes, and look on the fields; for they are whitealready to harvest.
Continuing with the story of the Samaritan woman, Jesus Christdemonstrated the idea of collecting the harvest. In John 4:36-42, itcontinues to say:
36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, andgathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he thatsoweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.37.And herein is that saying true, One soweth, andanother reapeth.38. I sent you to reap that whereonye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and yeare entered into their labours.
39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believedon him for the saying of the woman, which testified,He told me all that ever I did.40. So when theSamaritans were come unto him, they besought himthat he would tarry with them: and he abode theretwo days.41. And many more believed because ofhis own word;42.And said unto the woman, Nowwe believe, not because of thy saying: for we haveheard him ourselves, and know that this is indeedthe Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Wow! What a harvest! What a teacher! What a demonstration ofeffective evangelism! Now, that's salvation. A whole city turned intobelievers. Saved. But salvation is only the beginning of the Christianjourney, in pretty much the harvest is the 'beginning' of the processthat ends with the precious seed. The seed is in the harvest, butyou don't get it out without threshing! Now there are more modernways of extracting the seed, but traditionally you put the harveston some threshing floor. You then cause some people to thrash (or'beat') the harvest hard with tree branches or cause some animals(usually cattle) to trample on the harvest continuously till the seed isseparated from the chaff (see Ruth 3:1-3; 2nd Samuel 6:6). Finally,according to scriptures, and in accordance with the then tradition,women would come on with winnows to go through a process thatremoves the fine dust, sand/stones and other undesired objects,leaving only the fine seed. Wow! Lovely, beautiful, precious, seed!Matthew 3:11-12 says:
11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whoseshoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize youwith the Holy Ghost, and with fire:12. Whose fan is inhis hand, and he will throughly purge his (threshing)floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but hewill burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
So, as introduced by John the Baptist, a new era has come as Godmoves with His church, His people from generation to generation.The Lord Jesus Christ is ready to purge His abundant harvest onHis threshing floor. Verse 12 clearly says that Jesus will "throughlypurge his floor ..." That means serious threshing! The same versetells you what Jesus does with the chaff, yet it was all gathered inas part of the 'harvest'. In the modern day of technology, many usethe 'Combine Harvester' and other different types of machines.However, whether we use traditional means or modern means, thespiritual parallel remains the same, and is obvious. The crop is ripeand ready for harvest. Everyone celebrates. God celebrates.The harvest is good. But it's the seed we are after ... and the seedis covered by a lot of husks and chaff! The process of removing thisstuff is the 'Threshing Floor' process. You see, when we are bornagain, we are all harvest. We need threshing floor for us to end upas lovely, beautiful, useful, precious, seed, otherwise we just remainharvest,—good,—but full of chaff!
Check out what the Bible says in Joel 2: 23-24:
23. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoicein the LORD your God: for he hath given you theformer rain moderately, and he will cause to comedown for you the rain, the former rain, and the latterrain in the first month.24. And the floors shall be fullof wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine andoil.
Plenty of rain comes. Miracle rain. This results in a huge harvest,filling the threshing floors with grain (not with seed). The grainwill be ready to be threshed. You see, without the threshing floor, ahuman being cannot enjoy the harvest/grain. In the same way, if weremain un-threshed, we are not of any use to the Lord! God wants tothresh us so we can serve Him better. We are threshed for service inthe House of God.
