Love -

God’s Perfect Peace

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:3-4

The world is a dusty, dirty place, and we as Christians must walk in it every day. There are times when we experience conflict, and the daily grind can weigh heavily upon our bodies to bring us down. It is no wonder that Jesus told the twelve disciples to shake off the dust of their feet if they were not received in a city or a person’s home [see Matthew 10:14]. We go out to work, play, and buy, and it is not always pleasant. We witness anger, arguing, and nasty words that are not worth mentioning, but we see no peace. Visiting someone’s house who may or may not be receptive to what you have to say can be nerve-racking. Some do not want to hear what you have to say because you’re a Christian. We may want to tell the world what God has given us, but we are slapped in the face or told to shut up. Has this happened to you? Has someone walked away from you because you are a Christian? Some may even say, “Oh! You think you are so righteous.” It happened to me. I just looked upon the person with sadness in my heart, for they were speaking judgment rather than the love of God. This is a reflection upon themselves that they are not what they want to be.

Only those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died and arose from the dead have been given the gift of Christ’s righteousness. The word righteous is a Hebrew word “ tsadiyq,” meaning to be upright or just. This speaks to an upright or just man. The meaning of a just man refers to a person who is right with God and follows God’s commandments. As a child of God, we carry the peace of God with us everywhere we go. If you are not received by an individual, when you depart, shake off the dust of your feet. Why? Shaking off the dust of our feet is a testimony against them.

“And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”

Luke 9:5

This speaks to the day of judgment, and your peace should be returned to you. We are to be at perfect peace, regardless of what is happening in the world around us. God’s peace should reign within our hearts. Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” [John 14:27]. As Christian we see with different eyes because of Christ’s atonement on the cross.

It is because of Christ that we are a new creation. We are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation. This is the ministry of atonement for our sins, for judgment came upon us all, but through Christ we have the gift of justification toward life [see Romans 5:18-19]. We have been made righteous through Jesus Christ. If our mind is anchored in Christ, we will have perfect peace within our heart and soul. Our trust is in what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross. Paul states that “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ,” [see Romans 5:1]. In fact, the entire fifth chapter of Romans 5 speaks about our justification. It is about living in the grace of God and having not only hope but peace. Paul affirms that through the tribulation that we experience, we will learn patience and hope. We are not ashamed because the love of God is in our hearts. Love is the fulfillment of the law [see Roman 13:10]. All things must be done through love, or it means nothing, and whatever is done is done in vain. That is why the apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verse 13, “now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Love makes the world go round. . .love is what we humans need. Love is what God gave us through his son, Jesus. That love gave us perfect peace. As Christians, we are restored because we trust in the Lord. That is what Isaiah was talking about in chapter 26. It becomes a testimony of those who are restored and walk in the path of the just. Jesus Christ is our strength when we are weak. He is our peace if our mind is firmly anchored in him. We are not to be anxious about anything, but to pray and ask God for help. “Let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” [Philippians 4:7]. This is a promise that God gave us that we ourselves would have perfect peace if our mind and heart are anchored in Christ Jesus. If one does not have peace, we must ask the Lord to reveal the reason why we do not have peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what caused the peace to leave. Remember, a right relationship with God is an open relationship where nothing is hidden.

I remember singing this worship song titled “Peace Give I To Thee” at youth meetings in 1974. At that time, many young people sought peace and love instead of violence on their streets. Let this song resonate within your heart and share it with others as a reminder of who gives us peace, faith, hope, and love. May God’s perfect peace be with you at all times.

Spiritual Gifts

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1

God, through the Holy Spirit, gives men gifts. Spiritual gifts are provided for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the body of Christ. These spiritual gifts are for service to the body of Christ. Believers are not to be ignorant regarding the use of spiritual gifts. Like little children, who at times can show off the gift they were given, this is not the purpose of spiritual gifts. It is through the love of God that we, as believers, are given these wonderful gifts in the first place. We are not to misuse these gifts. Although I have witnessed people lord their gifts over others shamefully.

The apostle Paul explains that there are diversities of operations of the gifts, but the same Lord [see 1 Corinthians 12:4-5]. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit [see 1 Corinthians 12:7]. These gifts are diverse and bestowed by the same Spirit, under the Lord Jesus Christ, and worked through by God. Everyone is to profit from these gifts. The gifts are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues [1 Corinthians 12:8-12]. It is the Holy Spirit who divides these gifts to those within the body of Christ according to his will. I have seen the body of Christ fight over these gifts and claim certain gifts for themself. This is not what the Lord intended for how the gifts were to be used. Every believer is a member of the body of Christ. No one is left out of the picture when it comes to receiving gifts within the body of Christ.

We have all been baptised into one body, but have many members within that body. Every member has an important ministry to offer to its fellow members. We, as members of the body, do not choose the gifts that God has given us. The gifts are provided by the Holy Spirit. The gifts are for service in the body to help and profit the body of Christ. The gifts are used to care for each other and not for divisions within the body. They are given to help the body of Christ grow. To help bring unity in whatever the body may lack. These gifts help nurture the body of Christ. Look at verse 24 of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul states that God hath tempered the body together. Tempered after going through the fire of purification to remove what is hidden inside our hearts that is hindering our growth. I am reminded of the song titled “Refiner’s Fire” by Brian Robert Doerksen.

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Is it your heart’s desire to be refined and ready to do the Lord’s will? We must have the right attitude to be Holy as He is Holy. The key to the working of these spiritual gifts is love. The body of Christ must have mutual respect for one another and not fight over who has what gift. The gifts are to profit men and not to be used as a force to go against a brother or sister in the Lord. The gifts mean nothing if it is not used properly through the attitude of love. We are to follow after love, for love never fails. Paul said, “I am nothing,” if love is not behind his actions when using the spiritual gifts.

When Spiritual gifts are given within the body, a responsibility follows. This is stewardship in how we manage the gifts given to us. The Holy Spirit will guide us through the gifts to serve one another in love, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of all. We must be purified and ready to do the Master’s will, as the spiritual gifts are given to the members of the body of Christ. Do not be ignorant of the gifts that have been bestowed upon you through the Holy Spirit. Be ye Holy in all you do to the glory of God, and follow after love.

Behold the Love of God

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the father has given unto us. Have you beheld and observed the love of God? The love of God came upon us as a wonderful gift. God gave us His only begotten son Jesus Christ as a gift. If we receive that gift we become the children of God. How amazing that we should be called the children of God. Behold and observe the person Jesus Christ, who died for you, and arose from the grave. You do not need to be alienated from the life of God anymore, for the sacrifice was made on our behalf.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

You who were far off in your own sins, has been made nigh that is made near in place, time, and relationship with God. Our sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus. It is by the blood of Christ that He became our peace. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. The curtain torn in the middle to allow us to come into the Holy of Holies. We can now walk in His love every day if only we would surrender our will to His will and ask for His divine grace to help us in our walk. He is merciful.

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:13

How grateful we should be that He will not remember our sins anymore. We have a new Covenant through Jesus Christ. Through that Covenant man is no longer responsible for the burning sacrifice. A new Covenant has been made that the first is now old and is vanishing away. [see Hebrews 8:13]. Behold/observe the love of God. God gave His only son for our sins. He gave so that we do not have to do it ourselves. No more rejection, for He called everyone to behold and observe what love can do.

Every single person has this living hope in their life when they have surrendered their will to God’s will. Through Christ we are made pure.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Christ has taken our sins away. We stand in faith knowing His love for us is real and not a fantasy. Through the power of His Son and the Holy Spirit, we will know Him and experience the wonder of His love for us. Whoever abides in Him will sin no more. Christ came that He might destroy the works of the devil [see 1John 3:8]. Sin is linked to the devil because the devil has sinned from the beginning of the world. If you are born of God there will be no sin, for you carry the seed of God within you. Sin separates you from God while Christ blood brings you to God.

“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11

There is no room for hatred. If a person has hated that person will not have eternal life [see 1 John 3:15]. The hardest thing to understand, is how to love those within the body of Christ. We must realize that we have passed from death to life. Do we understand the meaning of laying down our life for another? Behold/observe the love of God and how John tells us that we should lay down our lives for the brethren. If a brother has a need, do not ignore him, but through love help him. We must walk in deeds and truth and not just by spoken words that have no real meaning.

We receive from God because we have confidence in God, for our heart will not condemn us if we are walking in His love. If we do not have love, we ask in prayer for His help to teach us to love. His Spirit will come and help us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Are you free from the law of sin and death? Through Christ we have the victory of being free from the law of sin and death. We have the assurance through faith in Jesus. Let His love reign in your hearts by surrendering to the love of God. Ask for a change within your own heart to that of Christ, thus you will fulfill the law by loving one another. Behold/observe the love of God that has been given as a gift to all humanity. Let us ever walk daily in His love.

Take the following scripture with you every day.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Abound in His Love

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Increase and abound in love states the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. Every Christian should heed the call to love one another. Remember the Gospel song where the chorus exclaims, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.” Sometimes we forget to have the love of Jesus for each other. This was the new commandment that Jesus gave us in the Gospel of John chapter 13, verses 34-35. Love is the defining key in knowing that we are His disciples. Allow His love to rule within your own heart every day and His love will abound and increase in your life.

Inge Schultz

August 7, 2024

Note: This is the new look of the post for the midweek. We have shortened the length of the post to enhance and improve the meaning of the scripture. This will give more time for personal devotional meditation.

Let us Love One Another

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

Let us love one another states the apostle, John. If we have experienced the love of God, we should love one another. Why would the apostle John make such a statement as this and to what purpose is loving one another. The word love has been misunderstood and it is not just a feeling. The Greek word for love is “agape” and it means unconditional love, or charity. It is the love of God for a person and the love that person has for God. Unconditional love is unmerited love or undeserved love. Unmerited love is linked to the grace of God. Unmerited favor or love that God has for humankind. This means we do not earn it, for it is a gift from God. This is one of the characteristics of God.

As a Christian we have God’s indwelling love inside us. This indwelling love is to be shared towards others. This is why God sent His son Jesus,” for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” [see John 3:16]. A mother may understand better what this means after experiencing the birth of a child. A mother’s heart goes out to the child in loving and caring for its needs. A child born into this world has nothing, yet it is given clothing and food in order to survive and live. This is an example of caring for each other or the will to care for another. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” [see 1 John4:10].

Sin has separated us from the love of God. In 1 John chapter four, verse eight states, “he that loveth not, knows not God; for God is love.” If you received the love of God and are born again, you will show the love of God towards others. Look at verse twelve of chapter four of 1 John.

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12

First the apostle John says that no man has seen God at any time, but then he says that if we love one another, God dwells in us and His love is perfected in us. Perfected in us. How is this possible? Perfected means free from faults or defects. We know as humans we have faults, and each individual knows their own faults. Someone will always point out our own faults, whether we want to hear it or not. It is refreshing to be accepted just as you are, and this is exactly what Christ does. We believe in Him and confess that He came in the flesh and are given the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things [see John 14:26]. We are not left alone when His Spirit dwells within us.

“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:13

He has given us His Spirit states the apostle, John. This is how we know that He dwells in us. Do you know this? Is His Spirit dwelling in you? There is no hate in God only Love. There is no fear in love, for perfect love casteth out fear, [see 1 John 4:18]. Through the love of God, we are perfected. The agent is the Holy Spirit who changes us into the image of Christ.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

We surrender all and He changes us. This is the greatest miracle of all. Human beings changed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus the author of our faith will perform what is in the word of God. “He that feareth is not made perfect in love,” [1 John 4:18]. Are you made perfect in love? That is the question we must ask of ourselves. We need the comforter the Holy Spirit to change us into the image of Christ. Whatever fault we may have, we lay it down at the feet of Jesus and His Spirit will prefect us, change us from glory to glory. Do you remember this worship song titled, “He’s Changing Me?”

He's Changing Me

From glory to glory He's changing me,
Changing, changing me
His likeness and image
To perfect in me.
The love of God shown to the world

For He's changing, changing me,
From earthly thing to the heavenly.
His likeness and image
To perfect in me,
The love of God shown to the world.

His likeness and His image to perfect in me. This should be our desire, for it is the will of God that we become one with the Father and His son Jesus. This is how the love of God is shown to the world.

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12

No man has ever seen God at any time. Some have seen the son of God and do not believe He is God’s son. We hear the story and do not believe it is real. That is why Jesus gave this new commandment to love one another as I have loved you, [see John 13:34]. Why? So that all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have loved one towards another, [see John 13:35]. This is to show the world what unconditional love is all about and every human being deserves to be loved. Do not deceive yourself saying that you love God while hating your brother.

“If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20

We must lay our hate at the feet of Jesus and ask God to change our heart. Confess it before God and pray for the brother that you have hated. Loving others is the example of God’s love within our own hearts. His love shining through our hearts for the world to see the reality of His love for us.

Hear and Obey

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”
Hebrews 5:8

Obedience to God was short lived after Israel’s Exodus of Egypt. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience. I kept hearing, “they did not hearken to my voice.” Psalms 81:11 states the same, plus it exclaims, “that Israel would have none of me.” Can you imagine what it is like to be ignored? To refuse and acknowledge God. They did not hear and obey God. Just imagine how God felt, yet He still stretches out His hand and will not forget His people. God’s handiwork in our creation is amazing. David exclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works. My substance was not hidden from thee, when I was made in secret,” [see Psalms 139]. God had raised up David to be a king over Israel. Just read what Luke said in Acts about David.

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
Acts 13:22

God had found David, a man after His own heart who fulfilled His will. David learned obedience even though He had fallen into sin, yet he repented. Do you have any skeletons in your closet? Something you are hiding and shameful about. As an illegitimate child born in this world, I have often thought about the father that I did not know. The ridicule I received as I grew up was that I was a constant reminder to my mother of my biological father’s physical characteristics. I learned later that my biological father did not forget me since he told his current wife about me. Yet, God provided a stepfather who had wisdom and kindness to step in. I am very grateful that I had a father who cared and loved me enough to instruct me even though he was not my biological father. I also learned that God did not forget me in my youth but saved me by his hand and directed me to go home when I ran away from home. I heard his voice and obeyed.

It is through suffering that we are able to understand the meaning of love. We read that all have sinned because of Adam’s transgression, and even those who have not sinned [see Romans 5:14]. What saved humanity is God’s love for all of us. Jew and Gentiles, all races and nations.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Romans 5:19

Through Adam’s disobedience all were made sinners. Through the obedience of God’s son Jesus Christ, all are made righteous. This is the gift of righteousness that came from the love of God. We are justified through the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.“
John 1:17

Let’s back up and consider the meaning of obedience. The Hebrew word for obedience is “shama,” and it is usually translated to mean “to hear.” This is a physical action to listen, then obey what you have heard. Had I not heard God’s voice and obeyed, I would not be here today writing this devotional. We do not know what He has instore for those who obey his voice. Obedience gives one the blessings of God. The blessings are fellowship with God, answered prayer, fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the revelations of God’s will. The apostle Paul states that we have been planted together with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed, so we would not serve sin, [see Romans 6:6]. We are to yield ourselves to the new life we have through Jesus unto God.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Romans 6:13

Read on to verse 14 of Romans chapter six where it states that “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.” We are not to yield ourselves as servants of uncleanness and iniquity, but unto servants to righteousness unto holiness, [see Romans 6:19]. Through Christ is the power of sin destroyed and we yield ourselves to God in faith and He will manifest the results. We must allow God to cultivate our heart by His Spirit. We must be molded into the image of Christ. If we have been baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ. Christ has freed us from the bondage of sin and the law. We hear His voice and obey His word. Christ is the victor, and He has put ” all things under his feet.” He must reign till he hath put all His enemies under his feet, [see 1 Corinthians 15:27]. The final victory is over death itself. The resurrection of our bodies at the coming of our Lord. The dead in Christ will rise first before those who are alive at His coming, [see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17]. This is marvelous and we are to comfort one another with these words.

Let us comfort one another with words of encouragement that there is an everlasting future with our God. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

Praise God! There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in this present time or in the future. We have the assurance of the promise of His word and His word can never be voided. It will accomplish what it was sent out to do.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11

Christ suffered through obedience and went to the cross, died and arose to save us all.

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.
Acts 13:23

Let us hear and obey His word. Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you. Let us pray for the harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God and wait patiently for His coming.

Respect of Persons

There is no respect of persons with God.”
Romans 2:11

There is no respect of persons with God states the apostle, Paul. In other words, there is no distinctions regarding individuals who are in Christ Jesus. Those distinctions disappear because our focus is on Christ Jesus. Can we have respect for others? How do you define respect of persons? Respecting someone means to treat them by showing you care about their well-being. Do we really care about another’s well-being? The Greek Strong’s Concordance word for respect of persons is “prosópolémpsia,” and its meaning is showing partiality, or personal favoritism. It seems so easy to show respect for those we like rather than those we do not like. Do we have good role models to show us the way to respecting others?

Who can show us the way? In the world we look to parents, teachers, friends, bosses, and coworkers. We like to imitate those who we think are at the top of their game in performance. But let us remember that performance is action, and it may not always have good moral standards. We must also consider motives of an individual, the reason why they do what they do. There is no respect of persons with God, for He looks at us through the eyes of His only begotten son Jesus Christ. We must know who we are as a person and know that we are all sinners. Paul states, “who will render to every man according to his deeds” in Romans chapter two verse six.

It is God who will judge man’s work whether it is good or not. Let’s look now to verse 10 of Romans chapter 2, where Paul exclaims that “glory, honor, and peace, to everyman that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” This Paul states before he affirms that there is no respect of persons with God. Whatever law you put yourself under will bear forth the result of what is written in your own heart. Your conscience will bear witness to it whether you excuse or accuse yourself and others. Why? Because no one is better than another person. The “scripture has concluded all are under sin, that the promise of faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those that believe,” [see Galatians3:22]. Thank the Lord that the promise of faith is in Jesus Christ. This shows that God cares for each of us, and He provided a way for all of humanity.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:10

Jesus is our atonement and the promise of faith. Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,” [see Hebrews 12:2]. Through the love of God came Jesus his son. Good moral codes come from God. The Bible gives us the history of people’s actions and you can learn how partiality and personal favoritism brought jealousy and hatred against others rather than love. Today, Jesus is our example of love without partiality. Can we see that God is no respecter of persons like Peter did in Acts chapter ten, verse 34. God sent his son Jesus Christ, who is lord of all no matter what ethnic group we came from. This includes every individual on earth, no matter where they were born. God is acquainted with all our ways. We need Jesus as our sacrifice for sins so we can be forgiven and become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.“
2 Corinthians 5:15-17

Christ died for all, and we now live through faith in Christ Jesus. There is no competition or favoritism with God. He will accept all who believe in His Son. When an individual believes in what Jesus has done, they have entered into the Kingdom of God as his children. They now have access to the throne of God and can ask him for anything. Even in matters regarding kicking a drug or alcohol habit. Their self-respect relies on Jesus who is the author and finisher of their faith. They are valuable in God’s eye and have a future. Because of Christ, they learn the royal law of loving thy neighbor as thyself. They no longer fear, for God’s love through his son, has broken down the chain of bondage of fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18

Remember that a person who is afraid, is not made perfect in the love of Jesus. You need not fear any longer or have shame when you have placed your sins and fears at the feet of Jesus. We have been reconciled to God. As a child of God, we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof,” [see Romans 3:13-14]. As followers of Jesus, we should not be boisterous in what we do in order to gain recognition in the body of Christ, for all glory belongs to the Lord. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [1 Corinthians 10:31]. We need the power of God to intervene and bring not only restoration but reconciliation. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, there should always be respect for each other. Unity embodies loyalty and friendship in Christ. It is as the Apostle Paul told the Philippians.

Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3

This means that one should give respect to others and also be treated in the same way. Know that you may be tested on your own partiality, or personal favoritism. We rarely hear how “respect of persons” is a sin. We must make the choice to love our neighbor as our self. This is the second greatest commandment that Jesus exclaimed in Mark chapter 12, verse 31. That is why James, the brother of Jesus, stated the following in his writings;

But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
James 2:9-10

Listen to what the apostle Paul told Timothy.

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”
1 Timothy 1:5

The end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart. Having a pure heart means that you have a clear conscience. Jesus said to love your enemies and to bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you. [see Matthew 5:43-44]. This is not possible in our own flesh even if we try very hard. We must yield ourselves to God and pray for God to help us to become more like Christ. We must ask for the Holy Spirit to come and change our heart to reflect Jesus in our lives. We must grow towards maturity of godliness until we all come into the unity of Christ’s love. Only then will we realize the true value and meaning of having no respect of persons like Jesus and the apostles had in walking daily in his love.

Love Not The World

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1 John 2:15

Love not the world nor the things that is in the world, yet that is exactly what we do. If we love the world, then the love of the Father is not in us. Some are taken aback by this reading in the word of God, and mostly we just ignore it and its meaning. Some would say if God created the world why should we not love it. We should not love it, for Satan as the prince of the air, is using it for his own purpose. The fall of Adam has corrupted man’s mind to turn away from God. There is a certain amount of chaos in the world and people are fighting against themselves to defeat certain circumstances. However, the first thing I thought about was vanities. The pursuit of happiness such as in purchasing items is short lived. Being vain in who you are is having excessive pride in yourself and your appearance. Just thing about the obsession in plastic surgery that many people partake in just to make themselves look good. Today, it has become an addiction that has been named “Body Dysmorphic Disorder.” This is no joke, for surgeons are now to screen patients for this disorder before operating. We have gone so far as to label what is acceptable in looks and appearances. Is there any wisdom in changing one’s appearances? Was it necessary? Maybe we should take another look at the definition of the word vanity. I found this definition on the internet from learn2pronounce.com.

Want of substance to satisfy desire. What desire are you trying to satisfy today? That is a question we must ask ourselves daily. What was the apostle John trying to convey in chapter two of the First Epistle of John. Let’s look at verse 16, where John states that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of this world.”

The lust of the flesh consists of envy, jealousy, hatred, drunkenness, idolatry, sorcery, heresies, strife, and fornications to name a few [see Galatians 5:19-21]. The lust of the eyes is what you see with your own eyes such as the appearances of your body and material possessions. The pride of life is being boastful about who you are and your accomplishments. Anything that consumes you is in reality taking you away from God and is moving you out of the love of God. Any kind of vanity is in itself emptiness, for it is short term and not lasting. Only God’s love is eternal and long lasting. That is why the apostle John states in the following verse:

And the world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
1 John 2:17

The will of God is for Christians to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. Our sanctification is through the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh or the works of the flesh. As Christians we struggle against two natures, the Adamic nature, and the divine nature. The struggle continues when it comes to not living in the flesh and trying to live in the Spirit. The flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to each other [see Galatians 5:17]. We just cannot achieve the goal of living in the Spirit of God. The point is, if we try in our own strength, it is impossible. It must be done only in faith through Christ Jesus. It must become the work of God and not us. This is where we allow God to work in us through what Christ has done on the cross. Without God in our life, there will be an emptiness, or a voidness as if something is missing. Your soul is sitting in darkness and there is no light. We need God’s light of love to be in our heart in order to see more clearly our state and the state of other human beings. It is the crisis we see in our world that is spiraling down to nothingness. The Chinese missionary Watchman Nee wrote about the same subject and you can download his book titled “Love not the World.”

Watchman Nee defines the world as this age and rightly so for it speaks to a world system in the age we are living in at this very moment. How Satan, who is the prince of air, uses this world to organize his rule among mankind in the principles of force, greed, selfishness, and ambitions. Control over man’s desires to force certain conditions upon humanity as a political rule or agendas. Even good missionary work that was spiritual can soon be driven into the world’s focus rather than God’s focus by becoming part of the world’s system. I have personally witnessed this change in Christian organizations. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, spoke about the change in her own ministry when it was changed into an institution/organization. She dropped the organization and went back to doing what God called her to do and that was to care for the sick and poor. As a child of God, we should consider carefully what we are partnering ourselves with when it comes to organizations.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is VANITY.”
Ecclesiastes 12:8

Let us read on to the next verse in Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verse 9, where Soloman states, “and moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out and set in order many proverbs.” Preacher, teach us the words of the Lord and how we should live. Read on and you will be surprised to read about the making of many books and how it can become the weariness of the flesh in studying. What was the conclusion? It was to fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man [see Ecclesiastes 12:12-13]. The vanity of worldly things counts as nothing in life, but the commandments of God and believing in faith in the son of God brings the fulfillment of life. It is by grace that we are saved through faith, and not by any individual’s personal work. Faith in Christ Jesus alone, for this is the gift of God [see Ephesians 2:8-9].

The world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
1 John 2:17

Consider your position in your own life, and examine if it is profitable, or just a vain pursuit. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, instead follow Christ and have the love of God within your heart, for this is everlasting and it is profitable.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Abound in Love

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12

Abound in love, one toward another the apostle Paul tells the Thessalonians. Thessalonica also known as Salonica is the second largest city in northern Greece. Religion in Greece today was influenced by the apostles like Paul and Timothy who had visited Thessalonica during the first century A.D. The Greek Orthodox Church encompasses most of the population’s religion. Through Paul’s writings to the Thessalonians, we can learn how the people became a model servant, brother, and a believer in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. How the word was preached in power and in the Holy Spirit, [see 1 Thessalonians 1:5]. The Thessalonians became followers of Paul and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians spread their faith in God. They have turned to God from idols and established the work of faith through love to serve the living God. How did they do it?

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3

It was their work of faith and labor of love that increased and spread throughout the city the gospel of God. The apostle Paul’s example was to nurse them into the gospel through love and by not expecting anything of them as far as financial donations. Paul did not charge them for his preaching, but the power of his preaching through the Holy Spirit convicted their hearts. Paul sent Timothy to help establish and comfort them in the gospel of Christ. Thus, the Thessalonians were reassured in their faith and love in Christ to walk in hope until the time of the Lord’s return. Such revelations did Paul gave the Thessalonians in his writings to them to continue in Faith and as they continued in faith, God will perform it. God will provide what is needed. Sanctification is the will of God Paul told the Thessalonians. That is as believer’s we are to be kept holy and purify our heart from all that is unclean such as fornication. Are we a clean vessel of honor? The Thessalonians became a model for the believers to walk in hope.

God has called us to be holy and therefore separated from all forms of sin. Cleansed from all impurities in order to be made holy and apart for God’s purposes. The Thessalonians had done this, and they were taught from God to love one another. Thus, Paul wanted to see them to increase more and more [see 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10].

That ye study to be quiet, and do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that ye may walk honestly toward them that are outside, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

What does study to be “quiet” mean? It means not to be a busybody or do-gooder in the affairs of others. A busybody who goes from house to house to speak things they ought not to speak. This does not edify anyone. The purpose to be quiet is to do your own business by working and walking honestly. Not to be idle and lazy. Not to be without purpose. To study to become purposeful in whatever your hands find to do. The gifts and talents given to you in order to create a meaningful life. Your work/employment is what helps you to walk honestly and that you are without any lack or needs. Let us consider what Proverbs has to say about the way of the slothful.

“The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.”
Proverbs 15:19

The slothful man is as an hedge of thorns. This means he has built up a fence that has thorns. Thorns are pricking at him for his lack of nothingness. This means you have no future. Even ill-gotten gains do not have a future when they are caught in dishonesty. The apostle Paul set the example by working with his own hands as to not charge the Thessalonians for the preaching of the Gospel. Paul exclaimed this of himself to the Thessalonians in the second chapter. They were witnesses of Paul’s behavior. He encouraged them to walk worthy as a child of God, who called them into the kingdom of God. It was the word of God that effectually worked in them to believe and then to walk accordingly. Thus, we have the following scripture to keep in mind what is important and that it is the Lord only who is the avenger.

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we have forewarned you and testified.”
1 Thessalonians 4:6

As Christians we have passed from death to life, and we now know that vengeance belongs to the Lord God. Violence and killings always lead to death. To those who do acts of violence, beware of your own soul as to where you will be in the afterlife. Paul teaches to abhor evil and cling to what is good. Paul tells us to love without hypocrisy. Love has no pretense. As a child of God there is no pretending to be what we are not. As Paul was an example to the Thessalonians, so they became an example to the world. There was no act of pretending or making a false claim when it came to their own behavior. Paul preached the exact same thing to the Romans in chapter 12, verse 9 to 12. Let us all love without hypocrisy and be kind to one another with brotherly love, not slothful in business, but serve the Lord and rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and continue in prayer always. Let us abound in love as the time grows near to the coming of our Lord.

Follow After Love

Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
1 Corinthians 14:1

Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts. Love is the key to any kind of ministry one may have as a Christian. Love is the unselfish act of giving of oneself. If love does not reign in your heart, then there is nothing but following selfish pursuits. Instead of love there is coveting, a wanting and strong desire to have something, and usually it is what someone else has. Love in essence is sharing with one another.

Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8

No matter what subject we may deal with concerning life in the Bible, the theme of love pops up among the issues of the heart of man. We try to teach our children the meaning of love and sometimes we fail as parents. We must believe in the love of God that He sent us His only son. We must have that love living in our heart by the spirit of God. The living breath of the Holy Spirit residing in our heart to remind us about love. We must know the fondness, warmth, and tenderness of our Lord’s love to sacrifice himself for all mankind. This is so we can be reconciled to God and to each other. This is God’s ministry, and it is always done through love. It is no wonder that the apostle Paul is reminding the church at Corinth that love never fails and is the key to whatever we do in life in general. Our actions will reveal at times that we are sometimes not walking in love. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 through 14 the apostle Paul is speaking about the spiritual gifts and how those gifts are to be used through love.

Pure love within itself is a ministry of God within the body of Christ. I can remember attending a church where the people were zealous for the spiritual gifts. It was like being in a nursery where children were grabbing toys and showing off what they had. It is this attitude that the apostle Paul was dealing with at the church in Corinth. We do not lord our gifts over each other since this brings jealousy and discord in the body. The baptism of the Spirit is meant to bring the body of Christ together and God through the Holy Spirit gave man gifts to benefit the body. That is why Paul states, “for by one Spirit where we all baptized into one body,” whether we are jews or Greeks [1 Corinthians 12:13]. We must also remember that the gifts work through the same Spirit and it is the Spirit of God that gives the gifts as he will. Not as man wills. It is the Holy Spirit that bestows the gifts for service unto men.

In other word the gifts are not to be used for selfish reasons. For God hath set the members, everyone in the body, as it hath pleased him [ 1 Corinthians 12:18]. There are many members in the body of Christ so that the ministry of Love continues to edify all people within the body of Christ. If the gifts are given as it pleases God, no man can boast that it is exclusively his gift alone. We must remember that it is through God’s grace that we are given gifts for the service of those who need the knowledge of the Lord. Paul tells us we ought not to think ourselves more highly than another [see Romans 12:3]

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”
Romans 12:6

It is by separate parts in relation to the body of Christ that through faith the gifts are ministered to each member within the body of Christ. So, what are the spiritual gifts within the body? Paul tells us about the diversities of operations of the gifts and how God works in all through the manifestation of the Spirit that is given to every man to profit. This is to profit the body of Christ within a congregation. The listing is given in chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians in verses 8 to 10.

For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, various kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10

The apostle Paul tells us no matter what gift is bestowed among us; it means nothing without love residing within our hearts. That is why He exclaims that we should follow after love. It is all right that we desire spiritual gifts, but Paul desires that we would all prophesy. Why is prophesy a better gift? Paul gives us the answer why, in verse 2 and 3 of 1st Corinthians chapter 14.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tonque speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth him; however, in the spirit he speaketh mysteries, But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Notice the 3 key words that Paul states, edification, exhortation, and comfort. Revelation, teaching in instruction, and to bring comfort for those who are suffering that is the ministry in love. We should pray for the gifts of the spirit for edification of the body. Look at verse 12 of 1st Corinthians chapter 14, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” Pray for understanding, for understanding is fruitful to the body, including yourself. We can all prophesy and sing in the spirit but pray for interpretation so everyone can benefit from what the message is that God wants us to hear. If it is done in love everyone will benefit from the message. There is no reason why the church cannot function in unity where gifts are concern.

Let us remember that in the early church there was liberty for the ministry of the gifts to function and more so for prophesy. All prophesies are to be judged and to be compared to the word of God. I have always known this to be true within the body of Christ. Prophesies given within the body was always a part of scripture or for someone who needed healing within the body. There is an anointing presence of the Spirit among the people when God’s spirit is allowed to move freely. There is a unity in faith to see God move within the congregation, when the focus is on the love of God to move. It is a marvelous thing to have witnessed, and I thank God that through my travels I have witnessed such love and blessings in certain congregations. Follow after love, and you cannot go wrong, for love is the fulfillment of the law of Christ.

“Give Thanks to the Lord, for His love is everlasting.”